Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 15

" ... Lord Genald Baratheon had died immediately they announced. The Baratheon family wept for their son, and cursed at Princess Rhaellanne Targaryen, who they blamed for his death. They said the Princess had used dark magic or had conspired to have him killed so that she did not have to go through with the betrothal, that she had been against forever. Princess Rhaellanne's protector Ser Roderick Mormont had defended the Princess, leaving the Baratheon family speechless and angry. They could not prove the Princess's involvement in Genald Baratheon's death, but many whispered that his death could not be a coincidence because of the return of Daemon Targaryen, the very same night ... "

The tense silence between Rhaellanne and Ser Roderick was palpable and Rhaellanne could tell from the regretful expression on his face that he was afraid of what he was going to say. Rhaellanne bit her lip and crossed the room to sit in one of her armchairs by the fireplace and she gestured for him to take the other.

Ser Roderick paused in uncertainty. There were rules about how knights were supposed to handle themselves around the Targaryen royalty and it was established that a knight should never cross the boundary to considering himself family. They should not enter a room unless called, they should not consider the Red Keep their home but the home they protect, and they should not be alone with Princesses or Queens in their chambers unless for protection.

Rhaellanne had never treated him as just a knight. When she was a young girl and her father had been busy with his duties Rhaellanne had invited Roderick to her tea parties and the knight had dutifully joined and clinked cups with her; She used to kick a ball with him in the castle's gardens when her sister would not play with her; She would always have a small cake and a big meal made for each of his name days and would sit with him and celebrate.

She had grown up in front of his eyes and now as a woman, she was his closest friend.

Therefore, Roderick decided to unclip his belt and and placed it and his sword down on the table before he did take the seat opposite hers.

"You can tell me anything" Rhaellanne said gently "After all, you are the closest friend I have at court. These past few years you seem to be the only person who has never left me"

"Thank you," he replied "I am just not sure how you will take this"

"Roderick, I would never judge you for anything" she smiled "You have done nothing but protect me ever since we met. You cannot seriously think that now I would turn my back on you"

He sighed. "I know. Okay. To begin, I need you to know that Guards talk. When the Baratheons came to visit for your sister and Laenor's wedding, we met their guards while on duties and during the dinner and the days afterwards. And when the conspiring to marry you to Genald began, they began to talk"

She tilted her head in confusion "About what?" 

"They spoke of his... cruelty" he said nervously "They told us about how Genald would hit his servants and staff if things were not done to his standard. They said that one year, while on a hunt they could not find any deer to bring back, and in a rage Genald killed one of his own soldiers and declared he should be eaten. They said that he would fuck any women who were ever working for him, and that one was with child, but he lied and said she had tried to kiss him him so the family cast her out and left them penniless on the street"

Rhaellanne scoffed, "And Alicent really thought I would marry a man so horrible"

"I cannot say if she knew, but hearing that made me afraid for you" he continued "At your cousin's engagement dance I heard how he spoke to you and I knew that if this wedding went ahead then not only were you at risk of being hurt or abused or raped, but your actual life would be in danger. When the King made me your sworn protector, a young you looked up at me and asked me if I would be your best friend and I said yes because from that very first moment I knew that I would do anything to protect you, Rhaellanne. And as you grew, you became a close friend, like a best friend, and I could not allow you to be in a position like that"