The Song of Ice and Fire {Rhaenyra Targaryen}

Chapter 2

"I think that's all," Lyanna says as she throws the last bag over the saddle on her horse. Her horse was a fairly large horse, larger than average anyway. He was completely black except for one strip of hair in his mane which was white. She named him Bantis, which is High Valyrian for Night, when she was young because he was completely black, like the night, except for one strand of white hair, like those from the blood of old Valyria.

Lyanna turns back to her family. Her mother immediately wraps her in another hug, which she'd been doing all morning. Lyanna hugs her back tightly. "Be safe my love." She says sniffling. "I will." She replies as her mother lets go. 

Her brothers wrap her up in a group hug. "I can't believe you get to go to King's Landing, that's awesome," Bennard says. "Right? And you get to meet the King!" Rickon says. They pull away and look at each other sadly. Rickon and Bennard both kiss her on the head and move out of the way for their Father to take a turn and say his goodbyes.

Benjen walks toward his daughter sadly. "Now remember what we talked about, you have to convince him that the rebellion is just a rumor, while we handle everything here. Rickon and I will head for Dreadfort in the morrow to see the Boltons." Benjen whispers to her. "Yes father." She replies.

They continue to look at each other for a moment before Benjen bends down and scoops his daughter up into a hug. They stay like that for a moment before Lyanna let's go and gives him a kiss on the cheek and walks over to her horse. She mounts it and so does the Northman accompanying her. She smiles at her family one last time before urging Bantis forward and leaving through the gate.

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After about a months journey, Lyanna and her escort, who she learned is named James, arrive in King's Landing. At the gates of the castle she sees a man and a teenaged girl. She and James ride to them and get off of their horses. The man looks her up and down, his face, a one of disgust at her appearance.

"Lady Lyanna, I am Otto Hightower, Hand of the King. We welcome you to King's landing, and hope your journey was well." He says putting on a mask of hospitality. "It was well enough." Lyanna replies politely. "This is my daughter, Alicent. She will be helping you to your room and preparing you to meet with the King." Otto says motioning to his daughter who bows her head at Lyanna. "Lovely to meet you Alicent." Lyanna says.

"I'll show you to your room, the servants are preparing a hot bath for you now." Alicent says as she leads Lyanna through the castle. "Really, oh that sounds amazing, I haven't had an adequate bath in over a month." Lyanna says smiling. 

"So, you're the Hand's daughter?" Lyanna asks as they make their way through the castle. "Yes, I am." Alicent replies softly. "Have you lived in King's Landing all your life?" Lyanna asks. "No, I lived in Oldtown with my mother until I was thirteen, then I came here to accompany my father." Alicent says. "Do you like it here?" Lyanna asks. "Yes, it's lovely living here. How is Winterfell?" Alicent asks. "It's lovely, I miss it already, it's a little too warm here for me." Lyanna jokes and they laugh.

They make it to a door and Alicent opens it for Lyanna as she steps into the room. "Woah." Lyanna whispers looking at the large room. It had stone walls with red tapestries adorning them. The wall to her left has small windows that open up to the main staircase that the girls had just taken to get here. The bed was large with tall posts and curtains surrounding it. There was an area to her right with a carpet, a couch, and a table with two chairs. There was a wardrobe full of dresses and shoes, and a room through far wall. Alicent led her through the bedroom and into the other room where there were four servants preparing a hot bath for her. They all stood up and bowed their heads when she walked in the small room.

"I'll leave you to it then. Have someone come get my if you need anything." Alicent said as she turned to leave. "Thank you Alicent." Lyanna said before Alicent could leave. Alicent turned back to her and smiled before leaving.

Lyanna quickly stripped off her boots then her shirt and trousers and climbed into the warm bath. She was amazed as the servants instructed she just lie there while they cleaned her and washed her hair. Then when they were finished she got out of the tub and the servants helped her get into her dress and they did her hair and helped her put her shoes on. They put her in a dark maroon dress that went down to her ankles and a pair of black shoes and they did her hair in a simple braid that keeps the top half of her hair back, out of her face.

Just as they finished, there was a knock at the door and Alicent and James entered the room.
Even James had bathed and put on fresh clothes, nice ones too.

She then led Lyanna and James to the King's council room. "Your not coming in?" Lyanna asked when they stopped right outside of the door. "That would not be appropriate as I am not on the King's council." Alicent said. "Oh, I'm new to all this royalty stuff." Lyanna said. "That's alright, I'll help you." Alicent smiled. "Good luck." She said before turning and walking back down the corridor.

Lyanna took a deep breath and nodded to James, who opened the door for her, as she entered the council room.

As she walked into the room and up the small steps she saw a group of six men sitting around a table. The man at the head of the table had a head of shoulder length white hair, that must have been the King she thought, and on his right was Otto Hightower, his hand, and across from the King was a man with White dreads and dark skin, that must be Lord Corlys Valyrian of High Tide, but she did not recognize the other three men to the King's left.

"Viserys, Lady Lyanna Stark of Winterfell." Otto Hightower said. Lyanna bowed her head at the King, and he smiled at her. "How old are you Lyanna?" Viserys asks. "Fifteen, your grace." Lyanna replies. "You are the same age as my daughter, Rhaenyra. You two should be introduced after our meeting." Viserys says smiling. "I would be honored your grace." Lyanna replies smiling as well.

She can immediately tell that she likes King Vicerys. He's kind. He seems like a good king, and person.

"Onto business, please." Lord Hightower urges. "Oh yes! Lady Lyanna, it has come to the councils attention that there have been rumors of a northern rebellion." King Viserys starts.

"They are just that your grace, rumors. The northern Lords are prideful, yes, but loyal to the King and house Targaryen." Lyanna states confidently. "And you know this to be true?" Otto asks. "Yes, after I left for King's landing, my father and brother traveled throughout the north to ensure all the lords were loyal to the King and that there was no sign of rebellion. He sent me a raven just a week ago saying that he was sure that there was no truth to these rumors." Lyanna replied.

"But if there is no rebellion, why do my sources say otherwise?" Otto questions. "Where are your sources from Lord Hightower?" Lyanna asks. "Mostly from King's Landing or Oldtown." He replies skeptically.

"That is why. Things are different in the north than they are down here. As I said before the Lord's are prideful and they don't like the idea of a Southern King, but they are loyal to my father and in turn loyal to the King. They know that despite their opinions, the seven kingdoms, including the north, are thriving under the rule of King Viserys. And that things would be different if they were to rebel. And they know it's not a good idea. The Lords may be arrogant and self serving, but that is what's keeping them in line, being loyal to you is in their best interest, and they know it. But your sources don't know the Northern Lords like the northerners do, so they may have seen their unhappiness as a sign of rebellion, but that is not the case." Lyanna states, the council looking at her with surprise.

"Why couldn't Lord Benjen Stark address the council himself?" One of the other Lords asks.
"My father, as you all well know, does not like to concern himself with politics. And if my father leaves the north for the time that it would take to come here, address the council, and go back, and there was no one to make sure the northern Lords were not rebelling, he knew there was a possibility that they could take advantage of his absence and take Winterfell. He wanted to ensure that the north was kept safe and loyal." Lyanna explained trying to reason with the council, who was skeptical of her presence and reasoning.

"And he couldn't send one of your older brothers? You have two correct?" Otto asks. "Yes, I have two brothers. But my father wanted the oldest, Rickon, to stay with him as he is his heir and is still learning. And truth be told my other brother, Bennard, is not as talented as I in the art of politics." Lyanna states. The King seems amused by her comment and stands.

"Lady Lyanna, I trust your judgement and reasoning. I believe that the rumors are just rumors. But the council will need to discuss. I will have you brought to the courtyard, to meet my daughter in the meantime. We will call you back when we have made a decision." King Vicerys says and smiles at Lyanna. One of the knights behind him walks toward her and leads James and Lyanna back out the door.