Visenya Targaryen knew many things to be true. She was Harwin Strong's daughter. She was a Targaryen Princess regardless. And she was not going to marry for love.
With a war looming, Rhaenyra Targaryen must do everything in her power to strengthen h...
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Lord Stark might not have officially called them his war council, but Visenya knew enough of life to recognise one. And Lord Stark, with his brother as his second, his uncle, his Master of Arms, his Maester and two of his lead bannermen, this was exactly what she was sitting in on. What she had invited herself to and sat at one end of the table with Ser Jarrald behind her.
"M'lord, if Queen Rhaenyra takes King's Landing then all we must do is hold the North in her name, we are not needed as of yet"
Lord of Barrowton, Dustin spoke sharply, leaning across the table to be sure his liege lord heard him.
They had been arguing over their position for an hour already and Visenya's patience was growing thin. As was Lord Stark's from what she could see.
"They have dragons, they have men, they have most of the South as allies - this is not yet our war my Lord."
Lord Dustin appealed for what he felt was common sense for the sake of his own men. Visenya knew that they didn't want to march South to lose men and numbers for a war that was not yet started. But Visenya knew that should Aegon not bend the knee and end his claims, there would be a war.
Aegon was not a conqueror, he was not fit to rule. And if he had his way, he would drink and whore his way to an early grave on his father's purse. But the people around him, Otto Hightower, Alicent, even Aemond wanted the Iron Throne and their only claim to it was Aegon.
Aegon was weak, he could be talked into anything as Visenya and her brothers had proved time and time again in their pranks. But that made him malleable and dangerous. If Alicent and Otto Hightower put a crown on his head and a sword in his hand, he could be exceptionally dangerous.
The arguments had been going back and forth for over an hour. Visenya was sick of it. She was restless and she wanted to go see her dragon, not sit here and wait for a war to start. If there was war, she would meet it. She would marry Lord Stark and she would do her duty as his lady wife. She would also do her best to go South and fight with her brothers and cousins on dragon back just as she was born to do. But Daemon had always warned her that her impatience and bad temper were not strategic.
And so, like always. She watched, she listened and she learned.
From her seat at the end of the table she felt eyes on her, dark eyes. Looking up she caught his gaze. He had been watching her, watching her reactions but more importantly, watching her watch them.
Lord Dustin was loyal to House Stark but he shared no love for the South, the crown or House Targaryen. Edric was brave and strong for his age, but he lacked leadership and experience as many second sons did. Their uncle, Willum Stark was perhaps the biggest mystery. He had been the main supporter of the match between Visenya and Lord Stark and yet since she had arrived, he had been cold and wary, almost hostile. Always watching her, always waiting for something.
"Aegon has been named King. I don't hesitate to remind you thatwhat the Greens have done is treason my Lord" she reminded Lord Dustin, her tone sharp on the words. Her eyes flashed with the temper Lord Stark was beginning to grow used to.
