.INDOMITUS. | Jacaerys Velaryon x OC x Cregan Stark |

Chapter Thirty-Four: Tensions Rising

{Dragonstone}

"The answer is no, Baela, we cannot risk it" the Queen's voice sounded tired as she gave her stepdaughter the same answer over and over. It had been the same question ever since Rhaenys the Younger sent a raven confirming their safe arrival to the North. "Rhae and Jacaerys will have secured the alliance, the North is safe" Baela reasoned, unrelenting as the Black Queen rubbed her temples. "Of the Seven dragons I have, only two remain on Dragonstone with Meleys occasionally returning. If the Usurper caught wind of this, and decided to launch a full blown attack? Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, Vhagar and what if he summons the youngest brother? It is a risk I cannot take" Rhaenyra stated, gesturing to the stone table beside her. Having her dragon rider's spread throughout the kingdoms may cover ground but that left little for the protection of their base.

Baela pouted and walked over to the table, gently caressing the large black dragon figurine representing Rhaenys the Younger. Rhaenyra got up from her throne and walked over to the Younger woman, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Rhaenys is my eldest child, and my only daughter. It pains me to not be by her side as she begins her journey into womanhood, but we are at war. Do you not think it kills me to send away all I hold dear to me? Aegon and Viserys to Pentos, Luce, Rhaena and Joffery to the Vale, Rhae to Winterfell. I do not know if I will see my children again, I cannot risk losing you too. I depend on you, Baela". The queen's heartfelt speech made Baela wince internally, thinking things she could not say to a Monarch but would kill to say to a Stepmother/Aunt/Cousin. Instead she nodded slowly, showing her understanding. "Of course, your grace, forgive me. Ser Hasgard?"

The dedicated Queensguard appeared at the lady's side instantly, bowing to the Queen as he did. "Your Grace, Lady Baela" he greeted, sword at his side and head held high. "Will you accompany me to the Dragonmont? I'd like to patrol with Moondancer, we of course need to keep our Queen safe" the overly sweet tone made Hasgard nervous, not wanting to take sides. But as the Black Queen nodded and took her leave, the knight began to follow the dragon rider out of the castle. "Are you alright, my Lady?" He asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace. Baela simply shook her head as she began to put on her gloves. "My sister is to be wed on the morrow and I can do nothing but wait on ravens to hear from her, I am betrothed to the man she loves and who on return loves her, my twin sister has been sent away for her safety and I am alone with no one except Moondancer to keep me sane" Baela snapped, stalking over to the nearest dragon Keeper and leaving Ser Arthur alone. "You have me..." he muttered to himself, watching as the woman he loved mounted her jade beast.

~~~

{Winterfell}

Things were just as tense in the North, all eyes on the pearl of Driftmark as the hours grew shorter to that of the alliance. Whilst preparing for yet another meal of meats and ground vegetables and ale, Sara and Rhaenys conversed about the event. It was clear that the two women had very different visions for the day.

"What do you mean you don't want a celebration? That's the best part of the whole marriage" Sara exclaimed as she brushed Rhaenys's curls. Rhaenys sighed and looked to her future in-law through the mirror. "It's a marriage of alliance, Sara, not a love marriage. As soon as the vows have been said before the gods and witnesses, I shall write to the Queen and send my brother back to Dragonstone with the confirmation of the alliance" She explained, fidgeting with her pearl ring. The ring of rope given to her by Jacaerys was moved from her ring finger to her middle, as much as it pained her to do so. She would remove all other jewellery for the ceremony, but insisted to the Winterfell Maester that the black pearl and the rope would remain on, out of respect to her family.

Sara placed the brush down and began to tie the silver-white lockes back into a simple hairstyle, a Northern hairstyle. "You look the part of the Wardeness of the North, Princess, it suits you" She praised as she stepped back to admire her work. Rhaenys fought to keep the smile on her face, not wishing to offend the woman. The person in her reflection did not resemble Rhaenys in the slightest. All her hair pulled back so that her face could be seen, the gown she wore laced intricately and covered almost all of her body. The days without the Driftmark sun on her skin making her paler and the abundance of meats and poultry offered to her plumping her cheeks. Rhaenys thought she looked younger, but also the spitting image of her mother. "Princess Rhaenys?" Rhae was jogged out of her kind as Sara called her, placing a cold hand on her shoulder. "Yes, my apologies, Sara. You have done wonders" she apologised, giving the brunette behind her a sheepish smile.