The Prince That Was Promised (Old Version)

Chapter 16: The Iron Price

Shireen Baratheon-Stark-Targaryen

Sky around Torhern's Square.

Flying, like this, with the wind against her face, and padded into a thick fur goat. Seeing the sun rise in the east was still the most amazing thing she had ever done, perhaps second only to marrying Orys. Both filled her heart with joy, as did the child growing within her. It had been two weeks since the maester had confirmed it at Deepwood Motte.

It had been a wonderful but also overwhelming feeling. Orys had told her she would be a great mother, and she had told him he would be a wonderful father. As for herself, she now felt ready, even at four-and-ten. Being married and possibly having a child was a normal thing after you had flowered. Some girls married early. Yet, for the past two years, that had not been allowed for it, and she had been glad it didn't happen, because she found a man she loved. When she flowered at three-and-ten, she had been at the Wall, without any valid options besides some of her father's bannermen. Yet none had truly known her, or even talked to her. Orys had long before they both survived the flames and rode dragons.

Now, she was to be a mother. And if the gods blessed her, it would be a boy. Not that she cared whether it was a boy or girl, but a boy would give Orys the heir he needed, no, that they needed. It would secure the succession. If the gods were just, most of the time they weren't. She would have a another child, a future that could carry on the Baratheon name, she thought with a smile, and rule Storm's End after her.

She looked around, and as the sun began to rise on the horizon, she said, "Time to land, my dear. We can't reveal you yet." She patted the scales of her Silver Lady. Silverwing gave a discontented growl, but she began to circle downward. Shireen watched the sun bathe the land in a golden glow.

As they landed, the freefolk that had been her guards and the other dragons came into view. They were mostly spearwives, but also some men. All of them were still in awe of the dragons. After she dismounted, she gave Silverwing a pet on the snout. "Thanks, girl," she murmured. The dragon gave a purr, and then she walked off.

Nightwing looked at her with protectiveness. Orys had told her it was because of him, that he and Nightwing were connected, and that sometimes either's feelings would transfer to the other. She had noticed it too. Ever since his return, Orys had grown more ruthless, more precise, and his eyes had developed flecks of red that started to appear in them. Yet with her and his family, Orys was still kind and caring.

Then a voice called out to her. "My Queen, we received a reply to the parley offer. Dagmer Celfjaw will meet us after midday," Howland stated with a smile.

"Very well, I'm quite sure my husband will be fine in the parley. Yet we never know these damn Ironborn." She stated with a growl.

"Indeed, we can never know. Just look at Theon, he might not have killed Brandon and Rickon. He still burned two farmboys, captured Winterfell, and by all accounts, betrayed his brother by choice. I heard of how close Theon was to Robb." Howland noted.

"He's dead now, my father saw to it. Offered him to the gods of the North, to make sure the North stayed with him, even ransomed Asha to keep them in line. Yet where is my father now, rotting at Wall, contemplating on what he has done, until he draws his final breath." She added, and felt the pain of betrayal, and he knew it would never go away.

"Indeed, he will, I saw him, my lady, his face breaking with every scream you made. He regretted what he did, and I knew even if he won his wars, he would not have lived, he would become a broken man of what he was." Howland noted as he gave her a sympathetic look.

"Indeed, he would, but no longer speak of my father, let's join my husband. See Torrhen's Square put to rights." She stated.

Outside Torrhen's Square.