The Song of Ice and Fire {Rhaenyra Targaryen}

Chapter 8

My dearest daughter,
As the war with the Boltons begins I cannot help but think of you. I don't want you to think I abandoned you in King's Landing. It's the safest place for you now, war overtakes the North. Even though I know you'd much rather be fighting here with me. Most of the Northern Lords have continued to fight for me, but as predicted, the Karstarks loyalty is waning. I fear this war will not be as easily won as we had hoped, but I do believe you are a big help, being on the King's Small Council. I'm sure you're far better at it that I would have been.
How is King's Landing? Have you been in the city much? How has the council been going, is anyone giving you trouble? How did the Rhaenyra's ceremony go? I hear you two have gotten close. The Boltons think it's all a conspiracy.
Love, Your Father,
Benjen Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Keeper of the North.

Dearest Father,
Things are going well here, though you are right, I would much rather be fighting with you. I have not yet been in the city, I have not had the time, but I hope to do so soon. The council has been a little at odds with each other, the succession of the crown being a tension point. The Lord Hand has been a bit of a nuisance, he has complete control over the King, but with my efforts, his grip is loosening, though his daughter has been acting strange, and I hear she's been visiting the King's chambers quite often. By my luck, Hightower will attempt to marry off his daughter to the King to maintain his control and position. Rhaenyra's ceremony went well, I got a few odd looks but I did what you taught me, held my head high and pretended I wasn't there. I also officially met the King's brother, Prince Daemon, and he isn't as arrogant as one would assume, and he exclaimed his support for me. While I still find him quite arrogant and childish, he will be a good ally, if he ever returns to the Capitol. And Rhaenyra and I have gotten close, we are very good friends. No conspiracy. And just a tip, if you have to question whether or not the Karstarks are loyal to us, they probably aren't. Keep them at arms length and be cautious.
Love, your daughter,
Lady Lyanna Stark of Winterfell.

As Lyanna's pen left the paper she let out a sigh. While she loved the capitol, she missed her family. She missed sparring with her brothers, bickering with her mother over her not knowing how to sew, her father and her having secret dinner time conversations in High Valyrian, hunting in the woods, the freezing air that made her think her ears would fall off, the cold snow beneath her boots, and most of all... pants. She missed pants so much.

"Are you all finished, M'Lady?" James asks as he approaches Lyanna. "Yes, James." Lyanna says with a smile and turns to the Maester. "To Lord Benjen Stark please." Lyanna says and he smiles.
"Of course." The pair exit the room and walk down the corridors. "Shall we walk to where we can see the water? I know you love to watch the ships." James suggests. "That sounds wonderful." Lyanna says and they turn a corner towards the gardens.

"So, you and Rhaenyra? I know I saw something." He said with a smirk and Lyanna blushes, hiding her face in her hands. "Yes." She replies and James laughs at her. "What happened?" He asks excitedly. "Let's just say, the feelings mutual." Lyanna says and the pair laugh, exiting the castle and walking toward the water. "We'll, I'm happy for you, even if you'll be stuck as the Princess's whore for the rest of your life." James says and Lyanna smacks his arm and they laugh.

As they approach the area overlooking the shore, Lyanna spots Rhaenys and Corlys Valyrian approaching King Viserys. She hold out her arm to stop James and the pair exit their view and listen in. "Your Grace." Lord Corlys said as that approached. "I'm glad we could meet. I know tempers ran hot today, but I wanted to assure you how much I value the bond between our houses. Rhaenys is my favorite cousin after all." Viserys says to the pair and he and Rhaenys chuckle.

"I wish to apologize for the... tenor at the Small Council today, Your Grace. It was not my intent to make offense." Lord Corlys says. "Your fleet is one of the realms most important assets Lord Corlys. But you must understand, as King it is my obligation to avoid war, until it is such a time where it is unavoidable." Viserys says. "None among us desire open war." Lord Corlys pauses for a moment, seemingly considering saying something, "Might I speak plainly, Your Grace?" He asks. "I always welcome The unfettered thoughts of my Council." Viserys says, giving him permission to speak his thoughts. "I fear that the eyes of our enemies are presently fixed on the Red Keep. The Queen has passed, a girl has been named Heir to the Iron Throne, the first in its history, the King's brother, so disinherited, has claimed the Targaryen seat on Dragonstone without challenge. And now a foreign power has established an economy on our most critical shipping lane." Corlys says. Bold, pointing this out. The Crown does seem to be in a bit of a menagerie at the moment.

"You paint such an aspiring portrait of my reign, Lord Corlys." Viserys says, obviously offended.
"An honest one cousin. At the moment, The Crown is perceived as being vulnerable." Rhaenys says. "And a blind incursion in the Stepstones is the only way to demonstrate that we are not?" Viserys asks. "To elude a storm, you can either sail into it, or around it, but you can never await it's coming." Lord Corlys says. "Do you have a specific course of action to propose, my Lord?" Viserys asks. Rhaenys and Corlys look at each other and then back to Viserys. "Join our families. We'd our daughter Laena." Lord Corlys suggests. 

Lyanna and James look at eachother sharply. "Laena is only a girl, as far as I'm aware, she has not even reached one and ten." Lyanna whispers. The pair both look back to the conversation.

"Unite the two great surviving Valyrian houses. With the Targaryen dragons and the Valyrian fleet bound in blood, you can show the realm that The Crown's strongest days are ahead, not behind." Corlys says and Viserys nods, seeming at a loss for words. "I must admit, I haven't given marriage much thought. It hasn't even been half a year since Aemma passed." Viserys says, obviously not wanting to marry Laena. "The realm expects you to take a new wife soon or late, Your Grace, to strengthen your line and produce more heirs. You could not ask for a stronger match than Laena." Rhaenys says and Viserys nods.

Lyanna and James look to each other and Lyanna motions to the other part of the gardens, and the pair leave before they are caught. "On the Gods!" Lyanna exclaims once the pair are out of earshot. James laughs and the pair come up to the small railing overlooking the water. "Laena Valyrian, what are they thinking?" James asks. "Right, even if they do marry, it will be years before she can give him children, and isn't that the point of this union. To strengthen his succession?" Lyanna asks. "Exactly." James says. "Can you even imagine?" James asks. "Gods no." Lyanna says.

"So, what did your father say in his letter?" James asked. "He just updated me on the rebellion, it's taking longer than expected but he's sure that it'll be fine." Lyanna says.

"Is that what your father said?" A voice said from behind her. Lyanna turned to see Viserys standing behind her with a smile. "Your Grace." Lyanna said and she and James bowed their heads. "Lyanna, I should like to speak to you in private." Viserys says and Lyanna nods to James and he walks out of earshot, but staying close.

"What is it, Your Grace?" Lyanna asks. "I wanted to speak with you about a few things." He says and motions to a bench as the pair sit down. "Firstly, I wanted to inquire your thoughts on the situation in the Stepstones." Viserys said. "Well, Northerners are known for jumping face first into battle with their enemies, swiftly cutting them down and putting an end to them. But as the King, you have a responsibility to avoid conflict for as long as possible." Lyanna said. "My thoughts exactly." Viserys said.

"But, diplomacy does not seem to be working with the Crabfeeder. He's a savage man who's brutally killing our people and taking our ships and supplies. I do not think peaceful negotiations will solve this. And our enemies continue to take advantage of weaknesses within The Crown. There's a reason the Boltons rebelled when they did." Lyanna says. "You know, you sound like Lord Corlys." Viserys says with a chuckle. "That's not a a bad thing, he's a smart man." Lyanna says. "So, how do you suggest I get a handle on this?" Viserys says. "Well, I suggest you listen to Lord Corlys, let him handle the Stepstones, back him, but don't send any of your men. Then while he handles that, you can get a handle on The Crown's image." Lyanna suggests.

"Daemon you mean?" Viserys asks. "Yes, you need to do something about him." Lyanna says.
Viserys nods and turns to Lyanna. "And, what should I do about Rhaenyra? She's been keeping away from me as of late." Viserys asked. "Well... What are your dinner plans tonight?" Lyanna asks him. "I have none." "Well now you do. Invite Rhaenyra to have dinner with you tonight."
Viserys nods "I'll do just that. Thank you." Viserys says and Lyanna nods.

"My father," Rhaenyra starts as the pair lie on her bed, "has invited me to dine with him tonight." Rhaenyra said pointedly. "I've heard." Lyanna says, attempting to act surprised. "I know what you're up to." Rhaenyra says and smiles at her. "It's not a terrible thing for you and your father to fix your relationship." Lyanna says. "I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." Rhaenyra says with a stern look on her face as she pulls Lyanna closer. "What is there not to like, I actually quite like your father." Lyanna asks.

"I truly love him, really, but, he constantly underestimates me. Like today, at the Small Council, he wouldn't even listen to me, he wouldn't even consider my suggestion. He thinks I'm too young, too much of a woman to be smart." Rhaenyra says with a sigh. "Well that's not on purpose, it's just the way of men, they will always believe women are beneath them. But what they don't know is that there's always a woman one step ahead of them. Behind every strong man, there's a smart woman. Our womanhood is our biggest strength. Men will always underestimate us, they will never believe a woman could outsmart them, which gives us the opportunity to do just that." Lyanna says and delicately kisses Rhaenyra's forehead.

"Well, as much as I am reluctant to do so," Rhaenyra starts with a pointed look, "I should go to my fathers chambers, for dinner." "Have fun." Lyanna says with a wide smile and Rhaenyra just laughs before giving Lyanna a gentle kiss and exiting the room.