Blood Upon The Snow ||| Cregan Stark

twelve

The journey wasn't a long one. A day or two at most from Dragonstone to King's Landing, which included the boat and carriage ride.

Jacaera passed her time on the boat by watching the clouds in the sky with Joffrey, Rhaena, and Jace. They picked out shapes as they went along and tried to make it fun for him.

Luke looked like he was going to be sick on the boat, which wasn't a very encouraging sign. Especially for the future Lord of the Tides. But he had time to adjust. Hopefully.

They spent the night sailing and when they woke the next day, they were just arriving at the port. Then it was time to offload everything and load it all back into a score of carriages.

Luke, Jace, Jacaera, and Rhaena rode in one, Rhaenyra and Daemon rode in another, and the smaller children rode with the handmaidens in their own separate carriages.

"I don't know about you, but I'm excited to see the Training Yard again. I know that crack in the wall is still there, from when Luke tried to take his own head off." Jace laughed as he tapped his foot on the floor of the carriage. He was trying to lighten the mood.

Jacaera smiled and shook her head. She remembered the boy trying to do that. It had been a very massive deal that resulted in punishment.

Luke didn't laugh, though. He looked incredibly nervous. Especially as they approached and entered King's Landing. She and him were both nervous about something.

Through the streets and past chattering citizens who muttered about the procession of carriages. They wondered who could be inside, who was so important.

They heard the guards yell for the gates to be opened, saw the walls of the Red Keep. And Jacaera felt the nostalgia hit her again. She hadn't been there for almost seven years despite it being the place she grew up.

Servants and guards placed steps outside of each of the carriages, so they didn't trip on the way down, as Rhaenyra and Daemon were announced.

"All hail Rhaenyra, House Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. And her royal consort, Prince Daemon Targaryen."

With that, the doors to the carriages were pulled open and everyone made their way down the stairs. Jacaera and Jace were first, since they were the oldest. They jogged down the stairs, prepared to find a royal welcome.

But when they situated themselves and looked towards the door, they saw nothing. Not a single person from the royal family was waiting to greet them as was customary. Just the guards by the door.

Jacaera knew it was a slight. Everything always was. Jacaera bit her cheek and she approached Rhaenyra and stood behind her, the rest of the children following suit.

The door did eventually open but it was not a member of the royal family. It was a Lord. He opened the door and approached, unsure of himself. He gave Rhaenyra half a bow before walking forward and taking her hands.

"Welcome back, Princess." He stated. That was the extent of their welcoming party.

"Lord Caswell."

When they were finally allowed inside the castle, Rhaenyra and Daemon had some business they needed to attend to. Checking on the King. They knew he was ill but not how bad.