𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 • Jacaerys Velaryon

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭

Renva couldn't sleep after the events of the petition. After seeing the King struggle so strongly to reach the throne, Renva felt for the Queen. She could tell Alicent truly cared for the King, whether it is love or not there is a respect there and for that Revna is glad. She witnessed first hand the wrath of the Dragon. Vaemond Velaryion's head was sliced like it was nothing. Renva saw death before, that didn't scare her. But the fury behind Prince Daemon's eyes scared her.

Then came the news she was dreading, Princess Rhaenys spoke about a betrothal offer and Rhaenyra didn't immediately decline. Renva felt betrayed by the Princess who consoled her when she was on the verge of a breakdown. Now all the thoughts she had pressed down were resurfacing and Renva needed to get out. Out of bed, out of her chambers, and out of the Red Keep. She threw her covers off and dug through her closet to the bottom which held a sack of her brother's old clothing she would use or practice before she had her own. She knew it would come in handy at some point.

Now all she had to do was figure out how to get past the guard stationed outside her door. She knew if she jumped from the window she would break many bones, so that was out of the question. Remembering back in Winterfell there were few secret passageways used by the staff to help them travel about the castle quicker. That led Renva to quietly pace the room and press on the walls in hope that one would open into a passageway. It took her a few tries until finally she pushed on the wall just to the left of the bed where her brother had slept, and it flung open revealing an empty corridor.

Moving swiftly through the tunnels she heard the kitchen maids preparing food for tomorrow's meals which led her to realize she was almost out of the castle. Renva mapped out the castle while she was there, a habit she developed from her father. He made sure to remind her to always be aware of one's surroundings. The kitchen was close to the stables and that's all that Renva needed to get to.

She pushed open a door and there it was, a few feet away she saw the stables. She ducked and weaved her way towards it making sure to remain unseen. However Signe following close behind might be a dead giveaway. How the wolf found her Renva didn't know, she chopped it up to their bond. Entering the stables she saw a horse that looked the right size to ride without a saddle. She has done it many times before in Winterfell so it wasn't a challenge for her anymore.

Once she was up on the horse, she slowly trotted him out of the stables and towards the exit for all the staff. That way she would be as inconspicuous as possible. Once she was out of the Red Keep she gave a slight squeeze and he took off at a higher speed. She bobbed and weaved all throughout Kings Landing. Finally making it to the Dragon Pit all she had to do was continue towards the woods that stood on the outside of the wall. Then she would be free for a while.

While passing the Pit she heard the grumbling of the dragons that resided in it. They fascinated her but also terrified her. She knew Signe was still a wild animal no matter how strong their bond is and could decide to do the exact opposite of what Renva tells her to do. She couldn't imagine handling the responsibility of having a dragon. Turning back towards the road, she kept up her pace and not soon after reached the exit towards the woods.

Slowing down once outside Renva took what felt like her first actual breath in a while. She decided to continue on foot and once she started growing tired would turn around and go back to the Keep. Wrapping the one tie the horse had to the nearest tree, Renva made sure that the animal would be able to bend down to rest if need be. After giving the horse a little pat, Renva turned with Signe right besides her further into the woods.

After walking for what Renva assumed was an hour based on the patter of the stars, she came upon a small creek. She stopped so Signe could take a drink, she knew the wolf must be a little tired from all the running she did. Taking a seat at the water's edge, Renva held her knees to her chest and just watched the water ripple. She thought of her mother, how different would her life be if her mother were still alive. She thought about how little she still knows of her mother, she has almost no memory of her. Just the one lullaby she would sing to all the children to get them to fall asleep. Letting a tear fall from her eye, she looked towards her wolf.

Signe was the only thing that was constant in her life when she thought hard about it. Of course her father and brothers are there for her but there are times they go on trips where her father will still not allow her to travel. Thus making her stay in Winterfell with the handmaidens, they were never constant after Ms. Kaila's passing. It was almost as if it was Renva driving those away from herself subconsciously. She feared that those she cared about would end up leaving her, and her heart just couldn't take that happening again. After all, it seemed to her that she was alone more than she was with other people. Thinking back to Helena's dream the day before, she remembered her utter the phrase 'lone wolf', it clicked and resonated with her because those that resided in Winterfell often called her that name.

While she knew not all of the Princesses' dreams actually came to light, she feared that this one would. Taking her attention away from her wolf and back towards the water she spotted a little blue light coming from across the creek. Curious, Renva stood to her feet, and tried to get a closer look. There were walking stones in the lake, lucky Renva had trousers on otherwise she would have had a drenched dress.

Taking a deep breath she started for the otherside of the creek.