The White Queen

Chapter 25

Small Council Chambers, the Red Keep: Early 127 AC

"Your Majestic, Your Graces, I have the most gravest news." Mysaria announced. When the Mistress of Whispers had requested an emergency Small Council meeting, they had all come in. "My spies report Oldtown preparing for war. They will be ready in a moon, maybe more, maybe less. We have to act."

"Send the ravens. We must pretend we do not know, that we are unaware. Keep an eye on the dragons, alert all Dragonkeepers that are trustworthy." Aelinor said. "They may try and do something to our dragons."

"Make sure the Tyrells are informed the quickest. My sister Elys will be more than glad to have the permission to go after those arrogant towers." Aemma said. "I shall spread the word to the river men." Lyonel Strong offered.

"Send word to the people of Oldtown, the smallfolk living there." Viserys suggested. "They might live in Oldtown but most of them must disagree?"

"You are correct." Mysaria nodded. "There is enough discontent among the smallfolk, especially among the woman, to cause a revolt or get their allegiance."

"Then we prepare for war. We must strike before they do." Rhaenys, the new Hand of the King, said solemnly.

The Red Keep, King's Landing: Early 127 AC

The suspicions were confirmed when word came that Oldtown had declared independence from the Seven Kingdoms with the Greens (the nobles that supported them). In return, Aelinor ordered the banners raised and all houses allying with the Greens to be torn out, flower, stem, leaves, and root.

"Must we go?" Alysanne whined, pouting. "My sweet girl." she said, crouching before her youngest daughter. Alysanne looked like a female Laenor, with dark skin, curly white hair, and indigo eyes. "While you are safe from harm by my magic, I will feel safer with you at Dragonstone. Your great uncle Vaemond will there to protect you, as shall your grandmother."

"Are they ready?" Daena asked, poking her head in. Her sister was growing up fast, and had turned into a beautiful fifteen year old with long, platinum white hair with a single golden streak down the middle, fair porcelain skin, and doe like lilac eyes. She was also mischievous, willful, and fierce, but loyal, kind, and gentle at the same time.

Her looks alone and royal status had the lords of Westeros after her hand, but their parents refused to marry her off until she turned eighteen. Aelinor had even made a law preventing marriage until a woman was eighteen, something that had gotten support amongst the woman in Westeros.

Fifteen years since she had been made Crown Princess, and day by day, ruling ladies and heiresses were more and more common.

"Yes we are." Valaena agreed, easily picking up Alysanne. Alysanne squealed and pounded her fists on her sister's shoulder as she was carried out of the room and Aelinor laughed.

Her good mood vanished when remembered why her children were being sent away. To be protected against and from enemies that would kill them.

And the Mistress of Death was ready to kill them all with Fire and Blood to protect her loved ones.