The White Dragon

AND SO IT BEGINS

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 35 : AND SO IT BEGINS

A FANFICTION ON HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

CARSON

"Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm." Daemon announces as Rhaenyra enters the room of the painted table dressed in a black gown with red sleeves while a gold ornate and elaborate crown with jade and pearl inlaid in the band of the crown. Despite the loss of their daughter both Daemon and Rhaenyra held themselves with grace and elegance.

"Your Grace." Lord Bartimos Celtigar says with a bow and Rhaena steps forward with a wine pitcher "Wine, my Queen." Rhaenyra accepts and smiles as the girl fills the cup to the brim "Thank you, Rhaena."

Rhaenyra then turns to the gathered council and looks over the map taking a deep breath as the council all look to her before she asks "What is our standing?" Daemon starts placing figures over the map as he speaks "We have thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms. Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend, but as an instrument of conquest, our army leaves a lot to be desired. We have sent word to my loyal men in the City Watch. I'll have some support there, but I cannot speak to the numbers."

"We already have declarations from Celtigar and Staunton, Massey, Darklyn, Bar Emmon." Gerardys adds on Carson watches as Jace places markers on the table of their allies. "My lady mother was an Arryn. The Vale will not turn cloak against their own kin." Rhaenyra states proudly and Lord Staunton bows his head before speaking "Riverrun was always a close friend to your father, Your Grace. With Prince Daemon's acquiescence, I've already sent ravens to Lord Grover."

"Lord Grover is fickle and easily swayed. He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position and that we will support him should it come to war." Rhaenyra states grimly and Daemon nods "Which is why I'm going to treat with him myself. Show him what would happen should he appose us."

The Lord Commander of Rhaenyra's Kingsguard Ser Steffon Darklyn steps forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade and asks "What of Storm's End and Winterfell?" Princess Rhaenys sighs and looks at Rhaenyra with a serious look on her face "The Starks may be honorable but with winter coming they are likely to remain in their holdfasts instead, but as I tried to council Prince Daemon that Prince Aerys was ward to Rickon Stark years ago and spent a number of those years with the Northern lords and as such might march south for him. We should send a raven to Dragon's Maw. If Otto Hightower was beheaded for a treachery he did not commit then Lady Alicent Hightower would likely want justice for her father as well and with her the host of Oldtown, giving us a standing in the Reach."

Carson grits his teeth at the mention of his father's killer yet Bartimos Celtigar tilts his head "There would be merit to seeking Aerys as an ally. His daughter Aerea is mother to the future princess of Dorne and despite my loathing for the Dornish they do align with our wishes for a woman to take the throne."

Rhaenyra gulps slightly and clears her throat "Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his father's promises." Rhaenyra then turns to Princess Rhaenys with a raised brow "What news from Driftmark?" Rhaenys steps forward taking the piece from Jace's hand and places it on Driftmark "Lord Corlys sails for Dragonstone."

"To declare for his Queen." Daemon asks with a slight threat in his voice and Rhaenys glares at her cousin "The Velaryon fleet is in my husband's yoke. He decides where they sail. I can go only as far as to declare for you myself."

Rhaenyra nods and sighs "We shall pray for your husband's support then. Just as we prayed nightly for the Sea Snake's return to good health. There's no port on the Narrow Sea would dare to make an enemy of the Velaryon fleet."