Breakbones and the Dragonrider

Chapter 10

Rhaenyra rose when she heard the sound of camp being dismantled. She would not be caught sleeping in, and quickly she dressed in her riding leathers. The idea of sitting atop her mare yesterday would have been enough to make her ill, but since her pains seemed to have already passed, she couldn't stand to stay in the carriage.

Hearing from Harwin that this tour was whatever she wanted to make of it was a tonic of its own. What had seemed like a punishment three days ago now felt like a chance to prove herself to the realm. The realm accepting a woman as their sovereign in her own right might require groundwork. It was work she was willing to do.

Rhaenyra's eye caught Laenor's as he spoke with a Kingsguardman. He did a double take, and smiled amusedly at her.

"Good morning, wife," Laenor said, kissing her on the cheek. "I am surprised to see you up so early. And... in your riding leathers."

Rhaenyra smoothed her gloved hands over her midsection. "I can't stand to sit in a box. Not if I don't have to."

Laenor laughed. "I'm glad of it, I'll be happier on horseback as well."

When Rhaenyra requested her silver mare be readied for her to ride, the horsemaster's mouth gaped like a fish, but he nodded all the same, and Halya was saddled. As Rhaenyra ran her hand over Halya's neck, she met Harwin's gaze as he readied the Goldcloaks for their ride. He nodded to the princess from several yards away.

They broke camp soon after, and were on their way to Harrenhal just after sunrise. After an hour of riding quietly on their own, Harwin eased up on his speed until Halya and his horse Baron were side by side.

"Princess," Harwin said, nodding his head to Rhaenyra.

"Commander," Rhaenyra countered.

They shared a smile, and rode quietly for most of the day. About midday, they came over a crest, and Rhaenyra gasped quietly.

"It's something, isn't it?" Harwin said, beaming.

"God's Eye lake..." Rhaenyra said, looking over the lake that, had misted over so heavily that she could not see to the other end. "I've heard so many things about it. Are they true?"

Harwin smiled at his saddle, and then looked over at Rhaenyra. "I've never been stupid enough to try to figure that out for myself."

"You mean you haven't rowed out to the Isle of Faces to see the Weirwood forest for yourself?" Rhaenyra asked, referring to the island supposedly tended by the Green Men, the the fabled children of the forest, who took care of one of the only stands of Weirwood trees left in Westeros. The rest of them had been cut down by the Andals to convert the First Men to the Faith of the Seven.

"No, princess," Harwin said.

"Can you see the island at all? Is there always a pall of mist across it as they say?"

Harwin smiled. "Would you like to look for yourself?"

Rhaenyra raised her eyebrows. "Commander, you're not concerned for us breaking away from the safety of the caravan?" Rhaenyra asked sarcastically.

Behind them, Laenor chimed in. "It sounds like you're frightened, my love."

"I am most certainly not frightened," Rhaenyra said defensively, looking back at her husband.

"I'm more than happy to show you the lakeshore, princess, if you feel comfortable leaving the safety of the herd," Harwin said in a drawn tone. "With your leave, Ser Laenor, I would take the princess to the shoreline to let her see for herself."

"Of course, Ser Harwin," Laenor said, careful not to smile too obviously. "I trust that you'll keep her from being taken by little green men."

"She's safe with me, Ser Laenor," Harwin reassured Laenor. "We will catch up with the party once the princess has seen there are no children of the forest in the lake..."