The Red Viper and Dragon Princess Edit

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen:

299 AC - Bonds

The alliance between the Targaryen and Northern kingdom had been discussed, written up by the Maester of Riverrun and signed by all concerned parties, allowing arrangements to go into place. The Day of the Alliance as many called it had ended in a grand feast where Visenya was danced off her feet by old friends and new ones. She was allowed to relax for the first time in fifteen years, and effortlessly slipped back into Daella as she laughed with Catelyn and Maege Mormont, before being spin out onto the dance floor by Prince Lewyn.

Jacaerys and Robb spent the night side by side, drinking and laughing as they shared tales of their lives and their different battle experiences. It was an experience for many to see the two cousins' side by side. They could have been brothers if not for their coloring. Roslin spent her night charming all the lords that were present in Riverrun, which were a lot as many were pleased to see one of their own as future Queen of the Realm. Never had a minor noble house risen so far in the eyes of the other Great Houses, not even when Walder Frey's second son wed the only sister of Tywin Lannister. Robb's wife was far different. She spent her night at the high table, looking down on the merriment with a look of disgruntlement, a far cry from the future Southern Queen. Many were reminded of Cersei Lannister when Robert Baratheon had gone north to call Ned Stark as Hand of the King.

Sarella spent her night with Dacey Mormont. The girl was beautiful in a rough kind of way and so different from the woman of Dorne. The girls bonded by their experiences in life and Sarella spent her night flirting, dancing and drinking with the girl, happy to have one more night of peace before she went off on her mission. She was nervous. Not only did she have to locate and capture the Mountain that Rides, Gregor Clegane, she had to sedate and return to Riverrun with Tywin Lannister, the Realms more terrifying and powerful lord. If she didn't succeed, it would mean an unpredictability in the ongoing war.

Daenerys spent her night with her sister and time with Roslin, completely overwhelmed by the culture differences around her. It was so different to everything she had experienced in Essos and was also different from everything Viserys had told her about Westeros. Riverrun had impressed her, it was a good fortress and seeing it surrounded by armies, it made her chest ache in a good way, and she looked forward to what would come. However, she had a hard time keeping her eyes off the handsome man whose presence seemed to grab everyone's attention. She had known of course that her hand might be bartered in marriage in order to gain alliances, but she hadn't expected to be spoken of like mere cattle like Lord Bolton and Lord Karstark had done earlier. Visenya's defense had meant a lot to the young Targaryen Princess. She could admit, to herself, she would not have been against marrying Robb Stark had it been an option, but he was very clearly wed and had a strong affection for his wife, if the way he looked at her was any indication.

She had no idea how many times Robb's eyes had been drawn to her as she moved about the room, an emotion, not quite regret but something, rising in his chest. Jace noticed, because he always noticed everything and the future king of the realm kept drawing his cousins attention away from the princess, noting the protective stance of Ser Jorah, who had not left the princess's side since their arrival at Riverrun. Ser Loras Tyrell was shadowing Roslin, the boy under squire for Ser Gerald with the promise, that as long as he had his fathers permission, he could become a Kingsguard.

Loras was hurting, Visenya could tell. Everyone had known the rumors surrounding Loras and Renly Baratheon. She hadn't put much stock in them until she had met the eighteen-year-old knight. It was clear the two boys had a very deep affection and relationship with each other. Visenya had nothing against same sex couples and had made that clear to Loras when she had spoken to the boy while in Mereen. It had allowed the boy to relax, and he had been spending quiet a bit of time in Roslin, Sarella and Daenerys company, the three girls treating him like one of them as they bonded. He also felt less alone around the girls and liked to listen to them gossip, as it reminded him of his siblings.