My pride and my grief: For my sister...A Jaime Lannister Story

Chapter 20:- A new life

Willem could only gape at Prince Rhaegar for some time, utterly shocked. It was Ser Barristan who regained his composure first and fetched the boy a wooden sword. Willem jolted back to awareness when the Prince asked, 'Are you alright, Ser?' Willem nodded. Mechanically, he began to teach Prince Rhaegar footwork. The boy learnt quickly, he saw. He shook his head. Blood of the Dragon or not, the Targaryens were a fey lot and could change on a whim, he thought.

Rhaegar dropped the sword. Ser Willem was quite an experienced fighter, an excellent swordsman besides, and Rhaegar was quite badly bruised. Regardless, he felt quite light-hearted when he walked towards his chambers. He had finally taken a step towards his destiny, towards becoming the Prince Who Was Promised...

Rhaella groaned. The pains were more frequent now, and she felt dizzy. She had enough knowledge to sense that the babe was coming. At her high pitched shriek of pain, the Maester rushed into her chambers. 'Your Grace!' He exclaimed, concerned. 'The babe,' panted Rhaella. 'It's early, Maester.' He nodded. 'It is too early!' she kept repeating, worried.

Galvanized into action, Maester Balhabar summoned the midwives, getting ready for a birth before its time.

Several pain-filled hours later, Rhaella's child entered the world. She sagged against birthing bed, the cries of her newborn echoing in her head. 'It's a girl, Your Grace!', the midwives exclaimed. 'Call for His Grace,' Rhaella commanded automatically, in a faint, tired voice. Her mind was spinning in wild circles. A girl, she thought. A girl for Rhaegar to marry, to have children with. She shuddered involuntarily. My son is not his father, she consoled herself. The Seven grant that he is not so, and will not become so, she prayed.

Aerys started when he heard the knock on his door. 'Come in,' he called, trying to keep his voice steady. He was aware of his wife's early childbirth, and was alert for any news, any change. A herald entered his rooms, and bowed. 'Your Grace, good news,' he informed Aerys. Aerys relaxed. 'Her Grace has birthed a girl, a little Princess, Your Grace,' the herald stopped, raising his eyes to the King's. 'Gods be good!' the King exclaimed. 'I shall go to Rhaella's rooms at once.'

When he reached his wife's bedside, he found her restlessly asleep, her face shining with sweat. He reached a hand for her face, as she startled awake. 'Your Grace,' she whispered, armored, even now, in courtesy. She had good reason to be so, he thought. The curse of their lineage ran strong in his veins, however hard he tried to curtail it. He looked into her eyes, opened his mouth. 'Forgive me,' he wanted to say, but his words hung unsaid in the air.

'What shall we name her, Your Grace?' Rhaella's quiet whisper caught his attention. Ah. The baby girl, the hope of the Targaryen dynasty. 'Shaena,' he asserted confidently. 'For mother, just like Rhaegar was named for you,' he explained. She smiled. 'It is a fine name, fitting for a Targaryen Princess,' she replied.

'Your Grace?' Aerys turned. Grand Maester Pycelle was standing there, chains clinking, wringing his wizened old hands. 'Maester?,' Rhaella prompted him. 'The Princess is quite well-developed, considering her early birth, My Queen. However, there could be complications...' he trailed off. 'Do what you can to avoid such, Maester.' The King commanded in a clear, sure, voice. The Maester bowed. 'As Your Grace commands,' he acquiesced.

'Septa!' Aerys heard a childish, yet commanding voice exclaim. Instantly, Rhaella straightened in her bed, a fond smile on her face. Aerys looked at her. 'Listen,' she whispered.

'You said that Mother is expecting some time ago, and that she was in pain then, even I heard her. She's fine now, though. Let me go in!' A smile bloomed on Aerys's face, recognizing their son's voice. 'The Queen had a difficult childbirth. She will send for you when she is better,' disagreed a soft voice, the Septa. 'I am Prince of the Blood, good Septa. As such, I will go in!' Rhaegar commanded, trying to sound grown up and lordly. Septa Starlene shook her head. 'On your head be it,' she muttered.

Aerys and Rhaella looked at each other and laughed. He remembered that, when Rhaella was born, he had behaved much like Rhaegar was behaving now. She, in turn, welcomed the return of the brother who was sunlight, not wildfire. She hoped he would stay like this for a long, long time.

Both were startled when they heard the knock on the door. 'Come in,' responded Rhaella. Rhaegar entered his mother's room, smiling slightly. He stopped and bowed when he saw Father with Mama. 'Rhaegar,' called Mother. 'See, that is your baby sister.' 'Sister?' he asked. 'She is Princess Shaena Targaryen,' responded Father. 'Would you like to hold her?' he asked with genuine affection. Rhaegar nodded. As he held his sister, he noticed that her eyes, wide open, were slightly unfocused. Well, he thought, Mother and Father think that she is fine, so she must me alright, right? 'Shaena,' he whispered, looking at her.

Arielle sighed. The hot blooded Lords of Dorne were squabbling now, in the middle of a meeting. 'I just wanted you to be aware and alert for imminent danger, My Lords, My Ladies,' she tried to pacify them. 'We do not yet have the strength to stand alone against the rest of the Realm.' Beside her, she saw Lewyn nod vigorously. So, you do not want us to secede, brother, she mused. Thank the Gods. 'We may need to declare our independence at a later time, you are all here for the sole reason that you should be aware and ready for danger.'

'My Lords, My Ladies,' Lewyn rose. 'We are of Dorne,' he spoke softly, yet with great feeling. 'We stay Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken!' Arielle looked at Lewyn. He rarely spoke with such fervor. 'All around him, the Dornish Lords spoke their House Words. 'I stand with you, Princess,' declared Lady Jordayne. Her good reputation was proved when everyone else rose. 'All of Dorne stands with you, Princess,' echoed the rest of the Lords.

Arielle relaxed, relieved. Aerys Targaryen, she thought, Do what you can. We are ready. Dorne will not be bowed.

At Casterly Rock, the Lannisters were getting ready to leave for King's Landing. Cynthia, in particular, was very excited, bossing Addam Marbrand around everywhere. The twins were too young to understand what was happening, though Cersei took immense pleasure in trying to 'mother' her brother. As for Jaime, he got all the love and attention he wanted, with Cynthia clucking like a mother hen all the time, and Cersei keeping him close. Joanna laughed. Well, she figured out, at least there are no fights yet...

Cynthia went to her Father, wanting to ride ahorse to King's Landing, heart in her mouth. 'Father, please, I can-'He cut her off. 'No! You're a lady and will act as such. No infernal Dornish ways shall work here! Get in the wheelhouse with your mother. Now.' He commanded. 'Yes, Father.'

Downcast, Cynthia obeyed. As she stepped sulkily into the wheelhouse, Mother hugged her close. 'Hush, little tempest,' she shushed her. 'I daresay I will not bore you to death. We will have fun, you'll see.' Mother consoled her. Cynthia smiled. Life was going to be terrific in King's Landing...