The tale of Ice and Fire

Chapter Sixteen

King's Landing, 283

The situation escalated within a few days. The rebel troops were on the move towards King's Landing, demanding their Lady Paramount's return.

Iclyn had managed to persuade the king to send the queen and the little prince away to Dragonstone to keep them safe from the rapidly approaching troops.

“Why can't you come with us?” the little prince asked, concerned for his friend's safety. Viserys had one of the northerner's hand clutched between his and he didn't want to let go.

“Honey, I can't come with you.” Iclyn replied sweetly. “I am eight moon pregnant, I can't travel until the baby is born. But I promise we will see each other again once your little nephew or niece is born, okay?”

“I don't like it. You should come with us. I have a bad feeling.” Viserys whispered to his pregnant good-sister.” he then hugged the northerner with such desperation that Iclyn almost yielded.

“I am going to be alright, Vy. I promise.” the princess took the prince's face between his hand, after they were done hugging, and gently kissed the little one's head. “Sōna and Jehar will come with you. They will protect you, your mother and your unborn little sibling. Promise me you'll take care of them.”

Viserys nodded, before frowning. “But you'll be left alone here. Who will protect you?” he softly asked, concern written all over his face.

“I'll be fine, my little prince. I have Ser Jamie here with me. He'll protect me.” Iclyn answered, gesturing behind him towards his personal guard.

Ser Jamie stood a few feet behind the royal couple, his left hand resting on the handle of his sword, carefully watching his surroundings, scanning the dock for dangers.

“Take care of your mother, Vy. This baby is taking a lot of her energy. Be a good little prince and help her any way you can, okay?” the northerner asked and Aerys' second-born nodded in response.

“Your grace, we need to go. The queen is already resting comfortably on board.” the captain interjected, interrupting the good-sibling's goodbye.

“Be careful. I'll miss you.” the little prince whispered, hugging Iclyn one final time.

“I'll see you soon, honey.” Iclyn rose on his feet with Ser Jamie's help. The bump had grown beautifully and he couldn't raise alone anymore, without loosing his balance.

“Thank you, Ser Jamie.” he thanked the kingsguard, who responded with a silent nod.

They stood there, watching the prince boarding the ship and then the same ship sailing towards Dragonstone.

“Sōna, please, take care of all of them and keep an eye on your brother for me.” Iclyn asked the white dragon.

“Of course, mama. Stay safe.” the dragoness replied, before taking off and flying into the horizon.

Iclyn stood there, watching both the ship and the dragon becoming dots between the waves. 

“We need to go back to the keep, your grace.” Ser Jamie said, breaking the silence. “Staying here, out in the open, is dangerous, especially for someone in your condition.”

Iclyn nodded and, while keeping his free hand on his growing bump to support it, they began to walk back towards the keep.

“Do you think I did the right thing sending them away?” Iclyn asked a few minutes later.

Jamie turned his head towards the northerner, studying his features. “What do you mean, your grace?”

“Sending them to Dragonstone. The queen is too fragile. I wander if I did the right thing suggesting the king to send them away from the court. What if the queen loses the child due to the stressful journey?”