The Fire That Burns Within US - Aemond Targaryen

Fair And Just

138 - Harrenhal

Rob happily walks the halls of Harrenhal, glad to be back in the ruined castle. Somewhere that is safe. Unknown to the Lord a certain knight clutches an envelope in his hand as he rushes around the castle for the lord. As soon as Ben heard that Rob had returned to Harrenhal, he left his post and hurried to find Rob. Ben had received a letter addressed to the Lord, and he had been doing his best to keep Aemond in the dark about the letter and what might be inside it.

"Rob! Rob!" Ben yells out for the lord as he chases after him, the letter that had arrived this morning still clenched in his hand.

"I thought that I would have some time to myself before Visenya would be asking for me," Rob jokes as he and Ben walk side by side through the halls of Harrenhal. The travel back from Runestone hadn't been the nicest, having run into a group of Hill Tribe people.

"Visenya isn't asking for you," Ben whispers to Rob as they pass a group of soldiers. He has had a bad feeling since the night before, and the arrival of the letter this morning had sent him over the edge. He wanted nothing more than to open the letter, but it is addressed to Visenya's hand, and Ben knows that's Rob.

"Aemond?" Rob asks, and Ben shakes his head. Rob finally spots walking and looks at Ben, the nervous shifting of his weight and his eyes stay trained on the letter on the letter he holds. "Then what is wrong?"

Ben slaps the letter against his hand before offering it to Rob, the wax seal is black, and the dragon stares back at him. Rob doesn't know whether or not he is grateful that he is from the blacks and not the greens. He knows that the Targaryens hate each other, but they are still a family, and Rob can only hope that Rhaenyra will be merciful with Visenya's fate.

"This came for you. That wax seal is from the hand of the king, and it is addressed to Visenya's hand," Ben tells Rob as the lord examines the envelope. He knows that no good news can come from the Blacks. "Rob, we haven't heard anything from Visenya since she left for the Reach,"

Rob thinks about Ben's words. It isn't unlike Visenya to forget to send word of her status and what she is doing, but this time it feels different. Morghon leaving him and his group so abruptly while in the Vale was a sign that something had to be wrong, but Rob had not wanted to believe it.

"Does Aemond know?" Rob asks as he holds the letter close to his chest. He doesn't want to open it for fear of what it might contain. If the news is bad, then he and Ben need to think fast about dealing with Aemond.

"Not yet. Do you think he will handle it well when he finds out that Visenya might be hurt?" Ben answers with a question. Both of them know that Aemond would burn everyone to ash that would stand in his way of getting to Visenya.

"Keep him busy," Rob tells Ben with a nod. Ben pats Rob's shoulder before leaving the lord to read the letter's contents.

Rob waits until Ben is entirely out of sight before breaking the wax seal on the envelope and pulling out the page inside. Neat and elegant handwriting stares back at him, and Rob feels his stomach unsettled.

Robert Tully, I am somewhat sad to hear that you have chosen to side with a woman who knows nothing of the severity of what war will do to the realm, but being Lord Paramount of the Trident is nothing compared to being given the title of hand. I regret to inform you that Visenya has fallen injured at the hands of Daeron the Darling during the battle on Rose Road. Do not worry. She is getting the best care by my hand here at Dragonstone. In exchange for Visenya's safety and return, all three kingdoms loyal to her and any other house must pledge loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra. Failure to do so will result in the self-named queen returning to you in small burnt pieces. Queen Rhaenyra is fair and understanding, but her patience is thin. Any attempt to reassure Visenya will result in her public execution by Dragon.

Grand Maester Gerandrys.

Rob lets the words resonate with him. Aemond will not be happy, nor will he allow Visenya to be used like a chess piece.