The Targaryen Princess

II

5 years later:

Natari's POV:

The older I have gotten, the harder life has been. I convinced Robert to let me train. He caved when I told him it was for my protection. As much as he tries, I will never be completely safe. My family is still loathed by the people, memories still fresh with the horrors of my father. Tryion has warned me to never let my guard down, even around Robert, the one person I love. He tells me that I must always play this game of thrones. I was confused at first, but he has taught me well since then. He trains my mind while Jamie teaches me swordplay. Robert claimed that the only person he could trust my life and training to was a Lannister. Of course, I was skeptical, but I actually learned to enjoy his company. He is arrogant and tenacious, but he treats me like an adult, and for that I will always be grateful.

We started with wooden sticks but I soon mastered that and we exchanged pine for steel. It was difficult to get used to the weight, but I adjusted after Jamie made me do one hundred push ups and pull ups before we even picked up a sword. After about three years of this, I became very strong and Jamie kept advancing me until I was as good as one of the soldiers. It was soon commonplace for me to spar the men. I had a hard time winning in the beginning, but after no more than two months, I was better than any of them. Jamie soon had no more to teach me regarding the sword, so, instead, he taught me archery. It seems like something completely different, but, in reality, fencing and archery are very similar. Both require patience and anticipation. You have to lean to wait for the opponent to make the first move. It was only two years before I was the best archer in the palace.

As great as these achievements were, life was still difficult. As I got older and more people saw my skill, I was characterized as a threat. Parents were afraid for there children. In fact, they were afraid for themselves. I had the potential to take over Westeros. At least, that is what they thought, but I was loyal to Robert, and I saw no need for power. Nonetheless, people feared me and I still had no friends my age.

I pull myself out of my thoughts and look across the table to Tryion. We had come up to the highest level of the library to escape the gross stares of the court. He looks focused on his book, but I dare to ask him a question, "Do you think I should have friends my age?" He looks up, surprised.

"Huh?" asks Tryion.

"I mean all my friends are adults. Two of them are outcast brothers, and one is a king who would like to be anything but king," I elaborate.

He thought for no more than a moment before he says, "No." He looks back at his book.

"Tyrion," I complain in a whiny voice I know would get his attention. He rolls his eyes, sighs, and puts his book face down.

"Think about it, Nat," he says. "You are shunned because of your family. My brother is shunned because no one trusts him after he killed your father, and ,well, I'm me. Now, the king. He can never live a normal life. At least, not the one he had before. You are drawn to us because you relate to us." He pauses, trying to form his next words carefully. "None of the children around will ever understand the life that you must lead, or the game you play. Us, on the other hand, know far too well." Tryion stops again, letting that sink in. "The game is easier to play without such arbitrary attachments anyway." He added that last part as more of an afterthought, knowing that I was already aware of it. Still, I want some of those "arbitary attachments". This life can get lonely. Tryion glances at me as he picks up his book, and notices my look. "Hey, it's okay, Nat. People aren't that great anyway." He smiles and winks at me. I can't help but return it and we continue our reading.

After about an hour of silent reading, a servant comes up the stairs. We both look up, sharing the same annoyed look on our faces; we do not like being interrupted. "Excuse me, Lord, Lady," she says respectfully. "The king had requested the presence of Lady Natari in the throne room." I shift my gaze to Tryion, who gives me a concerned look. I turn back to the servant.

"Please inform His Majesty that I will be there shortly," I ask her. The small maid quickly bows her head and scurries off.

"Would you like me to come with you?" he offers. I turn and flash him a smile to hide my nervousness.

"It is just Robert," I say trying to abate his worry.

"He summoned you to the throne room," Tyrion reminds me. My mask of indifference cracks a little at his words, but I wave my hand nonchalantly.

"I'm going to be fine, Tyrion," I say as I make my way toward the stairs.

"Natari," he calls me. I turn around to look him in the eyes. "Remember the game." I nod and walk off.

-----------------

I make turn after turn not really paying attention. I rack my mind trying to figure out why he wants to talk to me in the throne room where the whole court will be listening. The only different thing was at the Freedom Festival. The celebration of my father's death was yesterday, and, as is custom, the royal family was shown to the city on the Red Keep's massive balcony, and this year Robert asked me to stand with them. He was afraid for Myrcella. The little two year old gets scared around crowds and I am the only one who can keep her calm. I was simply holding her in the back, but my white Targaryen hair was noticed by the crowd, and cheering turned to booing, and booing quickly turned to violence. The called for my head and threw rocks at me. We were ushered away but not before a jagged stone hit my eyebrow and cut me deep (Jamie says I will get a scar). It took all I had to keep playing the game, to keep myself from showing my fear, to be strong.

I sigh as I reach the door. "Here we go," I think. I nod to the guards to open the door. As soon as the door opens, the room goes quiet. The only sound is my skirts as I approach the Iron Throne.

"Your Majesty," I address formally as I bow low. I am quick to rise, but I can't seem to speak. I am painfully aware of the prying eyes on me, looking for the cracks in my mask. I muster my courage and say, "You summoned me, sire?" I can see Robert twitch at the formality, but he doesn't let that stop him.

"Yes," he speaks in his kingly voice. "I have decided to send you away." I am completely caught off guard.

"Away?" I ask, trying to keep respect in my voice.

"Yes," answers Robert.

"To where, might I ask?" I say. Tryion's words come back to me, just as I am about to break. Remember the game. This is a game. I should have seen this coming. Anyone can betray anyone.

"The North, to Winterfell, to the Starks," he explains, still using his strong voice.

"As you command, my king," I say as respectfully and formally as I can, remembering the game. He flinches at my harsh tone, and can see through the mask I maintain.

"It is for you protection," Robert explains slightly softer, but I do not let that faze me and my resolve.

"No matter," I say with a wave of my hand. "I have some packing to do." I turn and strut out of the room full of feigned confidence. I don't even bother to bow on my out. Robert has betrayed me and no longer deserves my respect.

AN: Hey guys. I just want to say that I appreciate all of you and that I have a real plan for this book. This will not be short and the romance will not be the main focus. It will be important and fun to write, but I will not solely focus on her relationship with Robb. I want to write about her relationships with other characters as well. SPOILER: Robb will not die in season three. There will be other heartbreak if you like that in a book, but I want to keep Robb around. I would love to explore him as a character. Please give me feedback and read to the end.