The Song of Ice and Fire {Rhaenyra Targaryen}

Chapter 14

Lyanna slowly opened her eyes, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the light. She was in her bed, a cool breeze flowing through her open window. Out the window, she could see the city, a dragon, soaring over it. Her chambers were empty, her bed sheets had been changed, and the room smelled like cinnamon and oranges. She attempted to sit up in her bed, but a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She collapsed back down with a sigh. She lifted her shirt to reveal a beige cloth wrapped around her abdomen, a small crimson stain over the wound she just now remembered she had.

Lyanna looked at her door as it slowly opened. One of her chambermaids, Minella, quietly entered the room. She flinched when she saw Lyanna watching her. "My Lady, I am so sorry. I didn't know you were awake." Minella said softly with a slight bow. As soon as the words left her mouth, there was a shuffling sound outside the door. The door pushed open again, Rhaenyra and the rest of Lyanna's chambermaids coming through the door.

"You're awake!" Rhaenyra ran to Lyanna, sitting next to her. "My darling girl," Rosha said softly as she leaned over and kissed Lyanna's head before barking out orders to the rest of the chambermaids. "Minella, find the Grand Maester and bring him here. Emmelyne, fetch me a pale of hot water and some new bandages and put salt in the water. Olira, go inform the King that Lyanna has awoken. Julienna, help me lift her so we can get these bandages off to check the wound." The four younger girls all sprung into action at the orders of the older woman. Lyanna had five chambermaids, Rosha, who was the most experienced and the head chambermaid, Minella, who was maybe eighteen, a shorter girl with dark eyes and pale skin, Emmelyne and Julienna, who were 16 and twins, Emmelyne had light brown hair and green eyes but Julienna had dark brown hair and grey eyes, both being pretty small girls. Olira was the youngest at 13, she was still training, she had bright red hair and orange freckles, with brown eyes that sometimes looked orange. The girls were all very kind and patient with Lyanna who was new to the sophisticated scene of the city.

Rhaenyra stroked Lyanna's hair as Julienna slowly lifted her torso and placed a few pillows under her back to hold her up, keeping a firm hand on her shoulder as Rosha started to remove her bandage. Lyanna winced as Rosha pulled back the small cloth that stuck to her skin. "You're doing great, love," Rosha said as she placed the used bandage on the bed next to her. She carefully inspected Lyanna's wound. "How does it look Rosha?" Lyanna asked, her voice still raspy. "The stitches are holding well, and there is no sign of infection," Rosha answered as Emmelyne came through the door with the pale of steaming water and bandages. "Put it here love," Rosha said and Emmelyne placed the pale on the table next to Lyanna's bed. Rosha grabbed a cloth and dipped it in the water, cleaning Lyanna's wound. Lyanna winced as the cloth touched her skin. "Why does it hurt so badly, it's just water," Lyanna asked. "It has salt in it. It's to ensure the water is clean to prevent infection." Rosha answered. Rhaenyra grabbed Lyanna's hand as Rosha continued to clean the wound. Lyanna winced and squeezed Rhaenyra's hand.

Minella and Orila entered the room at the same time, followed by the Grand Maester and the King. "I already undressed and cleaned the wound but I thought it best to let you have a look before we re-dress it," Rosha said to Grand Maester Mellos. "Yes, good idea." He replied as he took Rosha's place next to Lyanna and inspected her wound. "The stitches seem to be holding well, it is slightly red, but it does not look like infection," Mellos said and redressed the wound. "Change the bandaging twice a day. I will have another look in a few days, if anything changes tell me immediately." Rosha nodded and Mellos paused at the door. "Lady Stark, this came by raven for you." He said as he pulled a small scroll from his pocket and handed it to Lyanna before leaving.

Lyanna set the scroll aside to read later, it didn't seem to be too important. King Viserys came to Lyanna's side as soon as Mellos left. "Lyanna, how are you feeling?" He asked softly. "I am alright, Your Grace," Lyanna replied. "Are you sure?" "Yes, possibly a bit confined and uncomfortable, but I will be fine," Lyanna replied with a chuckle, resulting in a groan as pain shot through her body. "Well then, if you're alright I should be going, I have a meeting to attend with Lord Strong." Viserys nods at his daughter and exits the room. "We'll give you two some privacy," Rosha says to Rhaenyra and Lyanna once Viserys leaves. She, Minella, Emmelyne, Julienna, and Olira quickly leave, each with a bow.

"How long was I asleep?" Lyanna asked once everyone had left. "Three days," Rhaenyra replied. If Lyanna had been drinking something, she would be spitting it out in shock. "Three days?" Lyanna asked, wide-eyed. "Who is the scroll from?" Rhaenyra quickly changed the subject. "I'm not sure," Lyanna attempted to reach over to grab it but Rhaenyra stopped her, getting it for her and giving it to her. Lyanna smiled and looked down at the wax seal on the scroll, the symbol of the Targaryen house on it. She and Rhaenyra looked at each other with furrowed brows before Lyanna broke the seal and opened the scroll.

Dearest Lyanna,

Lyanna scoffed, she recognized the handwriting. Rhaenyra looked at her questioningly, obviously not realizing who sent the letter.

When I heard of the attempt on your life, I was beside myself with worry. My informants told me you were stabbed in the torso during the altercation and I could not believe it, but I also heard your attacker died by your sword, and of that I am glad. You have made me very proud. I hope to hear back from you soon with an update on your condition.

All my love,
Daemon Targaryen

Lyanna laughed at Rhaenyra's horrified expression. "By the Gods! What did I just read?" Rhaenyra asked and Lyanna just chuckled, flipping the parchment to reveal more writing.

Lyanna,
And probably Rhaenyra,

I know how much you love receiving my letters so I thought I would aid in your time of need with a bit of humor. I hope you read this side as well or our next interaction will be quite awkward. I was sorry to hear the news of your attack but felt better after discovering you were hurt in the ordeal. I take pleasure in knowing that you were injured in an attack, for it means that I am still better than you. I want you to remember that always. In the future, try not to leave yourself vulnerable to a strike like that, you are lucky to have survived. I would never leave myself open like that. You'll have to practice more once you are better, then we can spar and I'll prove to you just how much better I am.

Signed,
The Rightful Heir to Westeros
Daemon Targaryen

"He added that last part just to anger me." Rhaenyra scoffed. "What else would you expect from him?" Lyanna chuckled and put down the scroll. "Do you and Daemon exchange letters often?" Rhaenyra asked. "No, we've only exchanged a few. They're mostly us poking fun at each other or gossiping about whatever the Lords and Ladys of Westeros are up to." Rhaenyra nodded with a far off expression. "What is it, Your Royal Highness?" Lyanna asked with a smirk and Rhaenyra chuckled before her expression turned serious again. "I was very worried about you." Rheanyra mumbled. Lyanna gently grabbed Rhaenyra's hand and brought it to her chest, resting over her heart. "Do you feel that? I'm alright." Lyanna whispered and Rhaenyra smiled, resting their foreheads together.

"It's getting late." Rhaenyra mumbled after a few moments. "I should return to my chambers." She adds regretfully, not wanting to leave. Lyanna smiled and leaned in, giving Rheanyra a soft kiss, her hand coming to rest on Rheanyra's jaw as she deepens the kiss. "I really need to go." Rheanyra pulls away with a smile. "Just one more." Lyanna mumbles and pulls the white haired girl back in. Rheanyra sighs into the kiss and swinges her knee around Lyanna's waist, straddling her hips.

A knock rings through the room and Rheanyra flies off of Lyanna, who winces as she attempts to sit up. "Come in." Lyanna calls out and the door slowly opens and James pokes his head through the cracked door. "Lyanna, Rosha is here to prepare you for bed." He says with a small smirk, noticing the girls' flushed faces, puffed lips, and disheveled hair. "I should be going then. Goodnight Lady Stark." Rheanyra says with a nod. "Goodnight, Your Grace." Lyanna says with a smirk.