Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 27: Thinking of The Unknown

Author's note: I changed the letter that Jacaerys received. Joffrey was still alive at the time, so his name was written under it.

Driftmark

Jacaerys has come to understand in more ways than one that the world works in mysterious ways. There was never a doubt that he would be able to understand everything and why certain things happen. The most recent events were the now fully working silver mine. It was fully operational and the rocks with shiny material came out in a steady stream.

This valuable rock gave them cloud. Word spread fast and now merchants flocked to the port as did more and more people. Not surprising, but it certainly happened out of nowhere. Then there is his decision to side with the Dragons. Of course, Alyssa would have plagued his days trying to convince him. But it also made sense. The kings grow incompetent and cruel. Lannisters do as they wish. And there is the madman Stannis who follows a red priest.

And now... A small ship entered his harbour. Sounds normal enough. Many do come here for renewed interest. Merchant ships, envoys from nearby nobles to establish more solid treaties for trade, and of course interest in marrying his son. His son and daughter will decide who to marry. Not anyone else. He made his own choice when he married Alyssa and Jacaerys will let his children decide who to marry. Besides, they are still young. There is no rush.

But the ship that entered the harbour this time was again proving his point about the world. There is a black-haired girl on it. The girl looked kind and well-behaved. Her face was scared by Grey Scale. It was clear that she even did not know why she was there. But somehow was happy to be. Jacaerys looked with uncertainty at the child. What should he do with the only child of Stannis?

"My love?" Alyssa always with the same feeling as Jacaerys, "Why is Shireen Baratheon suddenly here?"

"How should I know? I am as in the dark as you, my dear."

The ship came to a stop at the wooden pier and soon the group disembarked. There was with the exception of Shireen, no one noteworthy. Not surprising as the ship was rather small and looked more like a trading vessel than anything fancy. Still, it transported someone noteworthy. Jacaerys couldn't understand what the meaning of this is.

"My Lord," Felix says as he approached Jacaerys with Lady Shireen. The Lord of Tides held his own feelings hidden from clear view as he looked at the girl. It probably made her more uncomfortable and shy than she already was. "The Lady Shireen of the House Baratheon."

"To what do we owe this visit, my Lady?"

"I'm not entirely sure, my Lord. But Ser Davos and my Lord-Father have ordered me brought to you," she answered with a soft voice.

"On a ship hardly fit for a lady? Forgive me, why is that?"

"I don't know, my Lord."

Jacaerys took a breath as she glanced at Alyssa to see what she thinks. She looked just as lost as him when it came to this development. Rightfully so, whatever the reason would be, they couldn't see it.

"Well, I am not sure why your father would send you here, Lady Shireen, but we do not break the laws of hospitality at Driftmark. You'll be given a room, food and drinks, and a place at the heart of my home. Lord Felix will show you to the room."

"Thank you, my Lord. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my Lord, my Lady," the little lady says with a curtsy as she follows Felix to the castle.

"What will this mean?" Alyssa asked as she watched Shireen becoming smaller and smaller, "This must mean something. Something to do with Stannis."

"Yes, I can see that as well, but I have no clue as to what that may be. We'll soon find out, I suppose."

~ War Camp, Meereen ~