The Dragon & The Wolf

Storm's End

Arthur Stark rushed to the side of the ship he was on to empty his stomach, he heard Rhaenyra laugh behind his back.

"It's my first time at sea," he barked angrily before he was forced to lean forward to vomit.

Rhaenyra just laughed louder, and kneeled next to Shadow in order to rub his hears.

The Direwolf looked as uneasy as its best friend, the Realm's Delight was more sorry for the beast though.

It had been three days since they had sailed from King's landing, and both Arthur and Shadow had been sick since then. The Northerner had barely gotten any sleep and struggled to keep even the bare minimum of water inside his stomach, Shadow had not been able to eat either.

Fortunately, the journey to Storm's End would end in a few hours, for the wind had been on their side. And if she was honest with herself, the Princess was dreading her welcome.

The preparation of her courtship had taken weeks, many lords of the Riverlands, the Reach, the Westernlands and the Stormlands had traveled to Storm's end in order to properly court her for her hand. Rhaenyra did not know how long they would stay, but she still felt like it would last an eternity. In the meantime, she could not even possibly start to understand how she was supposed to be courted by so many men at the same time. She wasn't just looking for a good match, she wanted a happy marriage, no matter how much she hated the thought of being married.

Her mother's ghost was haunting her, like it had been for the last three years. Rhaenyra was terrified of the thought of giving her life away for her husband to do as he pleased, what if he decided that he wanted nothing to do with the Throne and refused to let their children being named Targaryen? What would she be supposed to do if that were to happen? Would she unleash Ser Criston on him? Would Ser Criston even accept to murder her husband? Would Arthur keep advising her or would he start advising her husband instead? What would she do if...?

"You look even more miserable than I do," commented Arthur with a pale face as he sat next to Shadow, rinsing his mouth with water. He spat in a bucket and asked :

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid of anything," she replied with a stern look.

Arthur rolled his eyes in amusement.

"If that were true, then I'd declare you insane, everyone is afraid of something. Can't be brave without fear."

Rhaenyra was already tired of this conversation, she hated when Arthur spoke to her as if she was an idiot.

"Just tell me what you want to tell me, will you?"

Her Stark adviser rose an eyebrow in surprise.

"Would some advice about the best way to approach the Lords you're about to meet, ease your temper?"

He had spoken calmly and with compassion as if he understood what she was going through.

Rhaenyra sighed, it wasn't Arthur she should be angry with, he was here to help her, even though he had limits.

"You can always try."

A heavy silence followed her words, the Northerner broke it before it became an uneasy one.

"The lords, heirs and sons of the noble families that you'll meet, will all court you in a different manner, with a very specific purpose in mind. Remember that the majority of them don't expect to see you sit on the Iron Throne one day, they'll try to turn you into their lady rather than seek the position of consort. Most of those lords, will be rather easy to spot."

Rhaenyra's attention was now fully his.

"How?"

"They'll brag about their lands and castles. You must know that none of them were taught how to court a princess, though I doubt such a thing could ever be taught."