Women are supposed to be soft-spoken proper and homemakers and Rhaella Lopez was everything but she was fierce, loud, blunt and deadly. Her family had never been able to accept her but the FBI loved her it was her home, the only place other than the...
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Sansa sighed as she sat with Daenerys, her mood clearly sour. "Do I have to?" she asked, her tone betraying her reluctance.
Daenerys chuckled softly, the sound almost like a purr. "Yes, you do. My little birds report that she may be easily swayed."
Sansa paused, looking at Daenerys with a frown. "Is it the women raised in the south or near the capital? Because this is ridiculous."
Daenerys sighed and continued sorting through the mountain of paperwork before her. "Fine then, it shall be a family dinner."
Sansa rose to her feet, ready to leave, but Daenerys had something else to say. She turned to look at the Northern Rose, her gaze thoughtful. "Sansa, I think you should remember who you are. The Northern Rose, the Red Wolf, the Desert Rose... There are many monikers for who you are. But honestly, which one are you truly?"
Sansa turned around, a sly smile on her lips. "I am all of them. I am the rose of the North, the daughter of Lord Stark. I am the Red Wolf. I am the Desert Rose of House Martell, and I am also a daughter of House Tully. I am beautiful and wild; I have sharp thorns that survive and thrive in both the cold and heat. The loyal daughter, the fierce friend, and wife."
Daenerys smiled, nodding in approval. "Dorne has taught you well."
As the eldest Stark girl left the room, Daenerys turned her attention back to the map, her thoughts focused. She had won the Game of Thrones and successfully forged the bonds and alliances she needed to solidify her power.
Frankly, she was pleased with her progress. All that remained now was to quash the last whispers of rebellion and prepare for the biggest wedding of the year. Her nephew had fallen deeply in love with Arya, and she hoped he would be able to keep her happy.
Turning her head, Daenerys looked across the room at her husband, Khal Drogo, who was sitting with his bloodriders. They had planned a hunting trip on the outskirts of the capital, and, fortunately, the Dothraki had settled well in Westeros, with no major issues. There had been a few dragon rides between here and Essos, but Daenerys, as the Empress of both lands, was undeterred. She had enough children to represent all the nations under her rule.
Arya Stark, ever loyal and observant, was much like her mother but with the wildness of her aunt. Today, however, she needed to have a serious conversation with her father and older brother. Both men were sitting in a study, going over the Winterfell documents, trying to organize various issues before their return. As Arya entered, both paused and looked at her.
"I'm surprised to see you willingly wearing gowns and dresses," Robb remarked dryly, leaning back in his chair and observing her.
Ayra just smiled. "Robb, Father. I think we need to talk about my engagement."
Both men stiffened, their faces falling as they braced themselves for what was coming. They had heard their wives' opinions, and now they had to hear Arya's.
"I am Lady of Dreadfort now," Arya continued calmly. "He will take up the title of Lord in addition to his other domains. As such, we will have both a northern wedding and a southern wedding to appease everyone."
Both men nodded in approval, clearly pleased with her approach. Arya smiled, but there was something more to discuss.
"Now, tell me what you learned in Essos," Robb said, his eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.
Arya nodded, beginning to recount her time with Daenerys and her court. She paused briefly before adding, "Brother, your wife will fall pregnant soon."
Both men froze, their eyes locking on her, as though she had just declared herself a Southern lady.
Lord Stark watched his daughter carefully, then spoke. "Have you been speaking to Bran? He said the same thing to Robb this morning, but he specified that the blessing of life may cause the loss of another."
Arya paled slightly, but nodded. "After her Hightower act, Sansa and I had fertility medicine added to her tea and wine."
Robb looked at his sister and nodded thoughtfully. "I shall have a child soon, and then I will need to remarry. I see no issue." It seemed Sansa was right: their brother could be cold and unforgiving, something both women had seen coming, especially after meeting the Tyrell girl.
Lord Stark, forever honorable, blinked slowly. "Pregnancy is a hard thing for women. I suppose, in her desperation for a child, she never considered the risks."
Arya and Robb exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. The conversation moved on, as if nothing had been said, but the weight of those words hung in the air.
Later, in the gardens, the two Stark sisters crossed paths. One wore a small smile, the other flushed cheeks, but neither spoke a word as they hurriedly rushed past each other to attend to their duties. The Stark family had immense power in Westeros now, and their daughters were becoming the ideal image of what a lady should be in most noble families.
That evening, however, they would have to face their mother, a task neither of the girls was looking forward to. The dinner had been set for the night before, and the tension in the air was palpable. The trial for some of the corrupt Lords and Ladies of Westeros was also looming, and the judgment that had been brewing in their mother's heart was something neither of the girls was prepared to deal with.
Meanwhile, Bran Stark spent his time in the library with Princess Shireen. The two children got along quite well, so much so that rumors had begun to spread. Ned Stark, watching his children with a mixture of curiosity and concern, couldn't help but wonder about this connection. It seemed his children had all fallen for the strong, quiet types, something he would need to discuss with his lady wife. Hopefully, she would comply with this match.
As the family prepared for the dinner that would shape the future of their house, the winds of change were blowing strongly through Westeros, and every decision, every word spoken, would have lasting consequences.
Author's Note
Dany has conquered and had her victory, but now it's time to get rid of those who are not pleased with her rule. In addition, we shall be focusing on House Stark a bit as Daenerys does trust them and place them in a high position. Olena is like her grandmother. House, Stark, Martell and Baratheon are the last blood-related family she has, so building them up as her pillars is what she will do.
