The ship groaned softly as it cut south through gentler waters, its lanterns swaying like tired stars. They were returning to Dragonstone, where Daenerys and Jon would stay, while the rest would go south for the truce.
Below deck, the air was thick with vinegar, herbs, and salt.
Rhaenya lay propped against a mound of folded cloaks, one hand resting unconsciously over the slight curve of her belly. The swell was not yet obvious to strangers, but to her it felt as immense as a secret mountain.
The maester hovered nearby, fussing with bandages that were not hers.
Across the narrow cabin, Robb Stark sat bare to the waist, teeth clenched as the maester stitched a shallow slice along his ribs. The needle dipped and rose like a cruel little fisherman.
Jon Snow stood rigid while another strip of linen was wound around his forearm, dried blood dark against pale skin.
They smelled of smoke.
Not hearth smoke. Pyre smoke.
Rhaenya swallowed.
She had watched from Ancalagon as the world below erupted into horror. Watched as the dead rose like frostbitten wheat and her husband and his brother ran into it.
The maester finished tying Robb's bandage and muttered, "You are fortunate the wound is clean."
Just then Daenerys entered the cabin. She did not look like the Breaker of Chains now. She looked like an aunt, younger than her own niece but still an aunt.
Her silver-gold hair fell loose over her shoulders, and her violet eyes searched Rhaenya's face as if counting each breath.
"You should not have been so close to the army," Daenerys said, her voice steady but threaded tight. "Not in your condition."
Rhaenya's mouth curved faintly. "My condition is not a porcelain vase."
"It is the future of our house," Daenerys replied sharply.
Silence gathered like storm clouds.
Jon stared at the floorboards as if they held answers.
"Daenerys is right you carry the future of two great Houses. You should not have risked yourself." Robb agrees. Yes he told Gendry to send word to her in hopes she would save them. But he thought she would send Daenerys, as she was pregnant, instead of risking herself.
Rhaenya rose slowly to her feet. The ship swayed, and for a moment so did she. Daenerys was at her side in an instant, steady hands warm against her arms.
"I will not sit by while others fight my wars." She told her aunt before hugging the younger woman, who let out a shaky breath. "I thought you were gone."
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In the south the Unsullied, led by a grim-faced Grey Worm, line up in tight formation outside the walls of King's Landing. Then hordes of Dothraki ride in, a stark contrast to the disciplined Unsullied who don't even blink as hundreds of horses flood past them; but the two ancient enemies are united in cause today.
At the harbor, Tyrion Lannister, Varys, Missandei, Robb Stark and Davos Seaworth nervously sail past Euron Greyjoy's fleet. Sandor Clegane goes below decks to check on their "guest," who is thankfully just as riled up as ever.
Robb Stark stood at the prow, Northern cloak snapping behind him like a banner that refused surrender. The salt wind tangled his hair, but his eyes were fixed on the city ahead.
Behind him, Tyrion Lannister leaned against a coil of rope with a cup in hand that had been empty for several contemplative minutes.
"Well," Tyrion said, squinting at the skyline, "home sweet nest of vipers."
Bronn snorted. "You grew up there. Must be why you look so comfortable around snakes."
Tyrion raised the empty cup. "I learned early which end bites."
Near the mast, Varys watched the harbor traffic with careful eyes, cataloging ships, banners, the glint of Lannister crimson along the battlements.
"They will have seen us long before we dock," Varys murmured. "Ravens travel faster than regret."
"And dragons travel faster than ravens," said Davos Seaworth, shading his eyes toward the sky.
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In her solar, Cersei is informed by Qyburn of the arrival of Rhaenya's party, though there is no sign of the Targaryen herself. Cersei promptly tells her new sworn sword, a man from iton isles almost as big as the Mountain was, that if anything goes wrong at the summit, he is to kill Rhaenya, Tyrion and Rob in that order, then dispose of the rest as he pleases.
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The party enters the ruin of the dragon pit. Lannister banners decorate the walls, and the stage has been furnished with open tents for the summit. Everyone files in, Lannisters to the right, Northerns to the left.
YOU ARE READING
FIRE AND ICE - ROBB STARK X TARGARYEN OC
FanfictionRhaenya lost everything during the stag's rebellion, her father, her mother, her siblings, her country. Now she plans to come home and take what is hers, but there are lions, stags, krakens and wolves in her way. oc x robb stark. i own nothing but m...
