The Lion Knight and Dragon Princess

47 - The Rightful Heir

Vaella's pov

Ser Barristan and I slowly walked through the quiet hallways of the Red Keep.  Everyone that was inside these walls was being provided food or was here to help build the new Westeros.  The most loyal knight I have ever known spares me a glance.  "My Queen, may I speak freely with you?"

"Of course, Ser Barristan."

The knight cleared his throat.  "Don't let your younger sister rule this new realm by herself.  She may have been born here but you have grown up being the princess and a fellow commoner.  You can have what she will never know."

"And what exactly is that, Ser?" I knitted my brow at the older knight.

He slightly turned so he was facing me head on with a proud expression on his face.  "You can relate to both sides of this realm.  The richest ones and the poorest ones.  In my eyes you are the best choice for the job."

"But my sister may still want to sit on the throne.  What are we supposed to do if that's the case now that the city didn't go up in dragon flames."

He glanced at his boots briefly.  "I believe that she is meant to be a Queen.  Just not of this part of Westeros."

"You think she belongs back in Essos." I lightly gasp sucking in a shaky breath.

Barristan tapped the handle of his sword, he still stood tall and confident as I remembered he did so many years ago.  He was one of the few people who had lived through my family's reign and afterwards.  "Targaryen's are good rulers.  She freed slaves, Jon became friends with Freefok and you recreated the old houses of Valyria.  You only need one of you seated on the throne."

Footsteps came around the corner greeting us was a Lannister guard.  "Excuse me, my Lady.  Everyone is gathering in the small council room."

"Thank you, Ser." Clasping my hands together in front of my stomach I spared the loyal dragon knight a grin, as ready as I could be for this meeting.  "Would you mind escorting me, Ser Barristan?"

"It would be my honor, Princess Vaella." He bowed, offering me his free arm leading me through the door that revealed the small council room to us.  The double doors opened and shut behind the two of us showing me my sister, Tyrion, Jon, Arya, Grey Worm and all of the new Valyria noble men.  Ser Barristan bowed his head at me moving to stand in the corner of the room to watch over the meeting.

Tyrion moved to stand at the center end of the table staring directly at me since I was standing in the same spot on the other end.  "I was beginning to think we would never get to this moment in time.  This moment where we and the other lords decide the new ruler of Westeros.  And yet we've made it to this moment everyone.  You're the most powerful people in Westeros.  The answer is simple, choose one."

"We don't have a King or Queen anymore.  How are we supposed to choose?" A lord from the Stormlands spoke up after the dwarf.

Tyrion placed his palms down on the wooden table. "So who wants to speak first?"

"We have three Targaryens to look at.  Three completely different rulers, where do we even begin?" Edmure Tully questioned from his seat beside Arya.

Jaime got up from his chair that was the closest to me.  "It won't be easy but I'd say we have no better option than to let them speak about why they have a claim to the throne."

"I'll go first since I'm the outsider here." My sister Dany rose from her chair clasping her hands together in front of her black war gown, shifting her gaze around the room to all the different leaders of Westeros until she locked her gaze onto me alone.  "I was born at DragonStone, not that I can remember it.  I've spent my life in foreign lands, so many men have tried to kill me I don't remember all their names.  I have been sold like a broodmare, I've been shamed and betrayed, raped and defied.  I know I appear as an outsider to you so if you don't see me as your Queen I propose that you see that in my older sister."

"Wait what?" I shot her a complete look of confusion at her words.

She nodded her head in my direction.  "The night I saw the vision from one of our ancestors it told me that my destiny had changed forever.  I have returned home to Westeros but not to conquer it and rule the Seven Kingdoms.  No, that role has always been your destiny.  My destiny, sister, is to serve you."

"But all you've ever talked about since we've met is ruling the Seven Kingdoms.  And then there's the fact that I don't - I can't see myself ever sitting on the throne.  It belongs to you."

Jon reached for my sister's hand before he spoke.  "I have no desire to sit on the throne either.  My place is ruling the North with my sisters.  Vaella, you united us all together to not kill Cersei for the things that she'd done.  You protected the people of the city, no worrying about who sits on the throne until now.  That shows your a better leader than most."

"Do all of you feel this way about this?" I couldn't get over the fact that I was still in disbelief that they want me to wear the crown and be crowned as the Queen.

They all nodded their heads in agreement before Tyrion nodded to the different leaders and they all slowly sat down in the chairs they were standing in front of.  My friend walked around the table coming to stand in front of me, bright green eyes pouring up into my gaze.  "I've been a cynic for as long as I can remember.  Everyone's always asking me to believe in things, family, gods, kings, myself.  It was often tempting until I saw where belief got people so I said no thank you to belief and yet here I am.  Here we all are, we are here because we believe in you Vaella so I have one question for you.  Now that we've chosen you, will you wear the crown, will you lead the Seven Kingdoms to the best of your ability from this day until your last day?"

"I'll do my best."

Sansa released a breath meeting my gaze seated by her younger sister.  "You'll be a good Queen, Vaella.  You certainly were born to rule.  With that said though tens of thousands of Northmen fell in thr Great War defending all of Westeros and those who survived have seen too much and fought too hard ever to kneel again.  The North will remain an independent kingdom as it was for thousands of years."

"Years ago when my brother Rhaegar and I visited the Wall I always felt the North was a kingdom of its own.  So lead your people the way you know, just know I'll be watching if you ever need assistance."

Tyrion sent Sansa a smile wanting to say more but he turned his attention back onto me.  "All hail Vaella Lannister Lady of The Dragon Island , first of my name,  Queen of the Amdels and the First Men, formerly of House Targaryen , Lady of Casterly Rock, Adventurer of the Summer Sea and Sothoryos, Ruler of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

"All hail Vaella Lannister Queen Regnant!" Everyone except for Sansa, Arya and Jon declared my new title.

Jaime pushed his chair away from the table striding over to me, he put the golden hand on my waist and his real hand cradled the side of my face.  "You were always meant to have a crown sitting on your head.  And you know what this means now don't you?"

"What does it mean, my golden Knight?" I lifted my head up slightly sending him an innocent smile.

He rested his forehead down onto mine bringing me in for a deep kiss.  "I have a new nickname for you, Vaella.  Now you're my dragon Queen." Wrapping my arms around his neck I deepened the kiss knowing we were going to be great rulers.

Comments really appreciated ❤️ y'all please tell me what else you would like to see in this story because I'm not ready to end it but also not sure what else to include

XOXODessyGirl