A Doe In The Dargon's Den {Hotd}

004. [ᴅʀᴀɢɢᴇᴅ]

SIGHING, Katrina seemed she couldn't get away from prince Aegon this morning as he was complaining about the death of the sea snake's daughter about his attendance for her funeral. Katrina wasn't going to go of course she never met the woman. Due to Aegon's annoying complaints Queen Alicent invited her with them. 

The invention made her uncomfortable as even she had boundaries but no one in their right head could say no to the queen, for fear they might lose it. As the dragon riders rid on their dragon's she stayed on the boat with queen Alicent as the two developed a bond. Alicent didn't see Katrina as a threat because her sense of superiority was not challenged by the eldest Baratheon. 

As the second son of Driftmark, spoke at the funeral in other tongue that Katrina never learned nor could keep up with, she couldn't help but look at Baela and Rheana who later will be filled with pitiful 'I'm sorry.' and what not. Katrina opted out of sending her condolences to the girls. She knew what the death of a mother felt like. All she wanted was to be left alone on the day of her mother's funeral. 

Her and Aegon mostly drowned themselves in cups as Lord Ezra who tagged along introduced his heir Elijah to other lords. After a while she sat next to Heleana who kept mumbling about whatever, because Katrina's lack of curiosity didn't bother to reason on what prophecies she was spewing. After a while she did stop and move closer to Katrina. 

Heleana asked about the marriage life. Katrina raised a brow as she questioned the princess, talking a gulp on whatever was left in her cup about to call over Aegon to be like a dog and fetch her another glass, Heleana told her about her engagement to her brother. The Baratheon wasn't easily surprised to things unless jump scares were involved but this made her choke on her drink. The princess patted her back as Katrina looked to where Aegon was giving weird looks to his future wife as his brother was giving loving ones to both girls. 

Katrina looked at the silver haired beauty placing her free hand on her shoulder giving her a sympathetic look. "You poor diamond." Katrina commented placing her hard with the cup on her chest for a second. After a while of talking Heleana then placed her head on Katrina's shoulder since the princess was tired and she let her be. Katrina called over the prince Aegon to refill her cup and even with his complaining he did it while Aemond eyes had widened in shock at how she commanded royal blood with no fear and shaking his head at his elder brother. 

The sun had set at this time while the sky did not take the beautiful warm hues as it does it took on a grey dark one that fitted the sad event. Katrina went to take the babe back from her husband, going to their guest room bidding goodbye and goodnight to Heleana as Queen Alicent want to catch up with Katrina not having talked to her since the start of the funeral. 

Katrina was in her nightgown when the queen came in. The room was empty and the babe was put asleep in his basset near his mother's side on the bed. Katrina was setting near the bed smiling at her son who slept peacefully. 

"What's troubling you my dear?" Alicent asked as the maid closed the door, "I've noticed you've been this way since lady Leana's funeral." 

"No worries my grace. Buried memories just came to the surface." Alicent sat down about to listen to Katrina vent as she continued. "Not that I'm unhappy your grace but..." Katrina gave in a deep breath pausing. "My father had always promised me that I could marry for love, In the end I suppose he wasn't much of father at all since he never got a son." Tears almost began to pool in her eyes as the feeling that she wasn't enough began to come back, Katrina remained strong and didn't let them fall. "I tired to remember a time were he doted on me. And I was his favorite." The queen put a reassuring hand on her. "I was protected. Now theirs's no one else to protect me." 

Alicent understood how she felt. Not even the protection of her husband would be enough to trump the protection of a father. Lord Ezra would not go out of his way for her and Alicent felt the same way from Viserys. "You have me. Not to mention now you have a reason to protect yourself, your son." 

The doors opened once more as Lord Ezra Staurss came in. Surprised to see the queen he bowed in respect as she walked off back to her chambers.

⚴

TIRED EVERYONE STOOD, as the king shouted at the guards as his wife looked over worried for her son as the maester stitched up his eye. Katrina was holding Elijah on her hip mostly zoning out of this mess and for the first in a while prayed that her son would not be as troublesome as these boys. She didn't mind if he would be trouble like her she never drew blood unnaturally. 

She snapped out when the Alicent grabbed the blade from the King's side racing over Rheanyra as she grabbed her arms blocking her from the boys. Panic began to rush over as Katrina got pulled back by Aegon as Helaena followed in turn. The knights began shouting as did other lords while Lucerys whose face was covered in dried up blood yet out a cry. All the noise made the babe who had stayed still in the arms of his mother wake up and cry. Katrina shifted her priorities to her son bouncing him up and down, trying to soothe him as Heleana brushed his head with her hand helping her calm the babe down.

The commotion stopped as the princess Rheanyra got struck by the blade. Aemond stood up telling his mother not to mourn him as he gained a dragon, even Katrina admitted the young boy had guts. The king sent everyone back to their chambers, retiring for the night. Lord Ezra placed a hand on his lady wife's shoulder motioning for the two to go back. By the look the queen wore the Staurss were to get back to King's Landing as soon as possible.