War Through Love

3. Chapter

Thara

"Go on, put it on the table," I said, not even bothering to turn around. They kept me here like a prisoner. When the servant didn't respond, I decided to raise my head to see who it was-and found my mother standing there.

"Mother? What are you doing here?" I was relieved to see her gentle smile.
"I'm sorry, my daughter, but your father was afraid I might help you escape."
"Why are you here?" I shifted to make room for her to sit.
"I wanted to see you..." She paused briefly, sighed, and continued,
"How are you holding up?"
My gaze fell to the floor, and I once again dug my nails into my skin.
"I hate him."
"Thara, you don't even know him. Maybe he'll-"
"Not him. Father."
The last hint of a smile disappeared from her face.
"He sold me like meat at the market. Like some kind of object."
"Daughter, every lady must marry someday-"
"But not to Bracken. I hate them. I hope Samwell slaughters them all."
At that, a tear rolled down her cheek.
"What's wrong?" I stared at her in confusion, waiting for an answer.
"Your brother... A raven arrived this morning from Alysanne. He's been killed."
I was speechless, struggling to process the information.
"Alysanne is okay-"
"Who killed him?"
"What?" My mother's confused look suggested she feared what I might do next.
"Who killed Samwell?"
"I don't know. Alysanne didn't mention anything about the murderer... but maybe..."
I perked up, but my mother didn't finish.
"Maybe what?"
She shook her head and waved it off. "Let it go. Samwell's funeral is in three days."
She stood up, and just before closing the door, she said, "And your wedding is in seven."

Hector

"My lord, your father requests your presence."
"I said I don't want to speak with anyone," I muttered to my squire.
"Yes, my lord, but it's urgent. It concerns you."
With a sigh, I got up and walked out of the tent, leaving the squire behind.
"Father?" I pulled back the curtain to find my father among several other lords.
"Hector. Come here, sit down. Would you like some wine?"
I shook my head and sat down, my eyes fixed on the lords gathered there.
"A messenger arrived from Lord Tully," one of them began.
"So what?"
"He brought us a proposal."
"A proposal for what?"
The lords averted their gazes, and my father handed me a letter with a broken seal.

Lord Bracken,
I write to you not as your lord, nor as the man to whom you swore fealty, but as your vassal and ally. The usurper has sat on the Iron Throne for too long, and I need the Riverlands united to place the true queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, where she rightfully belongs. Therefore, I propose a marriage between your eldest son and the daughter of Lord Blackwood, Thara Blackwood. I believe this union will reconcile your houses and bring peace.
I would prefer not to oppose you, but if you refuse...
Lord Kermit Tully

Rage clawed at me once more.
"Amos's body isn't even cold, and that little bastard dares to threaten us?!" I crumpled the letter in my fist and threw it to the ground.
"Hector, now is not the time for anger. This is about survival!"
"You think I'll take that whore as my wife?" I jumped up and approached my father. "Her family killed my brother!" I spat in his face.
"And he killed hers! A son for a son."
His words froze me like a statue for a moment.
"How can you say that? He was YOUR son!"
"Remember, eye for an eye. A son for a son. This Dance wouldn't have started if not for these petty grievances and lust for vengeance."
"So now you're the wise lord? Hm? What about Mother? When she finds out her son was killed by that wench, do you think she'll let it go? No!"
"Your mother will mourn, but she won't risk the lives of her other children."
"My lord, if I may interject-"
I waved my hand dismissively and stormed out of the tent.

"Cowards," I muttered under my breath.
I was nearly at my tent when something flew overhead.
"DRAGON!!!"
The warning bell began to ring, and I rushed to grab my sword, though I knew it would be useless against such a beast.

"It's Caraxes," someone said behind me. I looked up at the sky.
The dragon circled the camp a few times as if searching for something. Finally, it descended and landed near the tent I'd just left.

"What do you want?" I heard my father shout in the distance.
"I want your oath and..." The Targaryen's gaze fell on me as I entered the tent.
"Lady Thara is looking forward to meeting you. And our queen is eager for your fealty."
I was about to attack him, but someone's hand on my shoulder held me back.

"Aegon is our king, and you won't change that, even if you burn us all to the ground."
The dragon stirred slightly and made an unsettling sound. I'd never seen a dragon before.
"Not you, but your family."