Growing Strong

Julianna Strong

As the King's small council sits in a room speaking about the city, they are unaware of the young girl in a dark blue and white dress with long curly brown hair listening in on the meeting.  The lords begin to talk about Aemma and the new baby that will be coming along any day now. 

Julianna Strong put her ear closer to the wood as she heard Rhaenyra's name only for someone to clear their throat behind her scaring her. Julianna turns around to see Lord Otto Hightower the hand of the King looking down at her with a questioning look. 

"Lord Hightower. Umm, I was just.." "Do not make an excuse. I know you were eavesdropping on the Lords and King's discussion." Otto says looking at the young girl who nervously fidgets with her sleeves avoiding eye contact with him. "Are you going to inform the King?" She asks scared that the King will become mad at her. "No." 

"Will you tell my father?" She asks finally looking the old man in the eyes. "Do you want me to?" He asks. Julianna quickly shakes her head no. "Then I won't. Now off you go before someone else comes and sees you. Alicent should be outside." Otto tells the young girl. Julianna nods before running off towards where Alicent was. Otto Hightower watched her every movement till she was out of his sight. 

"Syrax is growing quickly. She'll soon be as large as Caraxes." Alicent says as she see's Rhaenyra coming over from the dragon pit. "That's almost large enough to saddle two." Rhaenyra says smiling at her good friend. "I believe I'm quite content as a spectator, thank you." She says laughing. 

"And what about Anna? Where is she." "Nyra! Ali!" They hear the sweet voice of the girl they where just talking about running towards them as she tries not to trip on her dress. 

"Julianna, be careful." Alicent says as she sees the younger girl almost trip and fall. "I'm fine. I'm fine." Julianna says standing in front of the two older girls. "We were just wondering where you were." Rhaenyra asks as she links her arms with Alicent and Julianna as they begin their walk. "Oh, I was just running some errands that's all." Julianna says smiling. "So you weren't trying to eavesdrop on the small council meeting again." Rhaenyra asks giving Julianna a knowing look.

"Julianna! You know you will get in trouble if you get caught." Alicent scolds the younger girl. "Well I did get caught and nothing has happen." Julianna says back. "Who caught you?" Rhaenyra asks. "Your father Alicent he caught me and let me go." Julianna says smiling.

"Really that doesn't sound like my father." Alicent says looking at Julianna weirdly. "Well maybe he was in a good mood. Now let hurry I wish to see the queen before my father comes to get me." Julianna says speeding up her pace. 

The three girls arrive at Queen Aemma's chamber where she laid by the window stroking her very pregnant stomach. 

"Ah... Rhaenyra." Aemma says as she sees her daughter come in. "You know I don't like you to go flying while I'm in this condition." Aemma tells her daughter. "You don't like me to go flying while you're in any condition." Rhaenyra tells her mother.

"Your Grace." Alicent and Julianna say bowing towards Aemma. "Good morrow, Alicent. Julianna." Queen Aemma says smiling at her daughters friends. 

"Did you sleep?" Rhaenyra asks her mother. "I slept." Aemma answers her. "How long?" Rhaenyra asks sitting by her mothers feet. 

" I don't need mothering, Rhaenyra." Aemma tells her daughter. "Well, here you are, surrounded by attendants, all focused on the babe. Someone has to attend to you." Rhaenyra tells her mother. Alicent and Julianna watch  the mother daughter duo with sad smiles due to them having lost their mothers already.

"You will lie in this bed soon enough, Rhaenyra. This discomfort is how we serve the realm." Aemma tells her daughter slightly nudging her with her foot. "I'd rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory." Rhaenyra tells her mother. Aemma laughs at her daughter statement. " We have royal wombs, you and I. The child bed is our battlefield. We must learn to face it with a stiff lip. Now take a bath. You stink of dragon." 

Julianna, Alicent, and Rhaenyra leave Aemma's chambers. Alicent was heading to the septa, Rhaenyra was heading to where her father is, and Julianna went to look for her two older brothers. 

Larys was sitting outside watching Harwin in the training ground when he felt a pair of hands cover his eye. "Guess who." An all too familiar voice says in a sing-song tone. "Well, I only know one person with hands as cold as yours little Julie." Larys says smiling at his little sister's antics. "My hands aren't that cold." Julianna says taking a seat next to her brother. "Will Harwin be participating in the Tourney?" She asks Larys. "I am unsure that you will have to ask him." Larys says as they both watch Harwin. 

"How is your foot any discomfort?" Julianna asks her brother knowing that even if he was in pain he would never admit it unless directly asked. "No, I am fine today thank you for your concern." He says. "That good." She says before clapping as she watches Harwin win the spar. 

"Father was looking for you earlier, you should go see him as soon as possible." Larys tells her. "Oh really, well I shall go speak with him right now." Julianna says getting up to go find her father. 

As Julianna heads to her father's chambers she hears her father's voice talking to another. As she gets closer to the room the door opens to reveal Lord Otto Hightower. "Lord Hand." Julianna says bowing slightly to the older man. " Lady Julianna" Otto says in acknowledgment before leaving. Julianna walks into her father's chambers. 

"Hello, father. You wished to speak to me." She says walking in to see her father in deep thought. "Julianna, you know I love you right?" He asks confusing Julianna. "Of course father. What is wrong?" She asks walking over to her father. Lyonel Strong stares into his daughter's eyes with guilt. "You know I would never purposely place you in harm's way correct?" He asks. Julianna was starting to get even more worried for her father. 

"Father, are you feeling alright should I call for a Maester?" She asks feeling her father's head. "No. No, my dear, it's nothing. Just thinking things through. He says smiling at his daughter. "Are you sure? I'm sure they would be happy enough to check on you." Julianna says. "I am fine dear. You should rest early today. Tomorrow is a big day." Lyonel says. Julianna nods heading off. Not before looking at her father in concern. 

Lyonel Strong sure had a lot on his mind. Lord Otto Hightower had just proposed a marriage between him and his daughter. And by the way, he was talking, it seemed he wouldn't take no for an answer. Now Lyonel had two choices deny Otto to protect his daughter and face the consequences of the Hand. Or give him his daughter and be on the Hands good side. Now the only thing is would Julianna forgive him for his choices? 

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