[Contains GoT spoilers! This series follows Seasons 2 through 8 of Game of Thrones.] Rhaena Velaryon is the daughter of the late Lord of the Tides, Trysten Velaryon, and of the former Princess of House Targaryen, Visaerya Velaryon. Living on the isl...
Hear my words and bear witness to my vow - Night gathers, and now my watch begins.
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When the weary fighters returned from their travels, they were met by a group of gathered men clad in black. They all looked proud of what they'd accomplished, all except Alliser Thorne who gave Jon a hard, hateful stare before commanding him to chain the beast in a kennel. The ride back from Craster's was pleasant enough. Rain watched Ghost trot alongside his master and wander off in to the woods. He always came back, rabbit or chipmunk in his mouth. Rain started to take a liking to the direwolf and even felt slighted at Thorne's demand like it was her own companion. Jon, nevertheless, obliged with a cruel glare and whistled for Ghost to follow him.
It shall not end until my death.
In the end, Ghost remained in a large wooden crate and Rain would hear an occasional scratch coming from the inside. He just wants to be by his master's side like the loyal wolf he is.
I shall take no husband, hold no lands, bear no children.
She watched Jon more than usual after their encounter at Craster's. She hated it. She felt like how he did, a shy girl watching her secret love from afar, looking away when he looked at her. Though, when she looked back she saw he wore the biggest grin, thinking she hadn't noticed. He scratched his chin to erase the look from his face before going about his duties again.
I shall wear no crowns and win no glory.
The night they returned, she laid awake, staring at the ceiling while bundled under her furs. Only then did she think about how she truly felt - that Jon Snow is the most handsome man she's ever laid eyes on. Damn the stories of the handsome lion Jamie Lannister. How could she ignore Jon's adorable looks all those nights in the mead hall? She felt all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that a man had such feelings for her and she held the same for him. Oh, why hadn't he just kissed her after he saved her? She thinks she would have accepted it. She dreamt that night of walking beyond the Wall with him, her arm in his like he was escorting a proper lady. He wore a leather tunic and breeches while she wore her sea green dress with gold embroidery. Both were oblivious to the cold as their heat kept one another warm. She woke after the dream took a rather... pleasing route, blushing wildly as she readied for the day.
I shall live and die at my post.
The next day, Alliser came to her with a new task - that she will take the black before the day is over. "I trust you, girl," He told her when it was just them. "We need more like you joinin' the Watch. Will you swear your oath today?" She was stunned but forced herself to nod. The words were memorized in her mind, now all she had to do was say them. "Being that you're from the South, are you going to swear in the sept?" She hadn't thought about that. The sept she has seen is a little weather worn and bare. It's where all new recruits choose to go, but she has other plans in mind.
I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the Walls.
"I'd like to say it before a weirwood if you wouldn't mind." She confesses. Alliser gives her a funny look.
"I wasn't one to think that House Velaryon took to the Old Gods."
"They aren't." Rain nods. "But after all I have been through... All my unanswered prayers... Respectfully, my lord, I believe the Seven has abandoned me."
I am the the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men.
Those in attendance that evening, not even half a days ride from Castle Black, were many. Alliser Thorne, Bowen Marsh, Othel Yarwick, reluctantly Jon at Alliser's command and even Sam, who wanted to support her. Before the pale white wood of the bleeding face carved in to the trunk of the weirwood, she recited the vows she learned. She knelt in the snow, looking up at the tree, sticky red sap the color of blood oozed out of the carved face. Around her, the men were proudly watching her, waiting for her to finish. All but one - Jon. He had a blank stare and furrowed brow as he crossed his arms.
"I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night, and all the nights to come." Rain finishes. She exhales a cloud of warm breath against the cold air and smiles.
"You knelt as a girl," Alliser announces just after she finishes. "Rise now, as a woman of the Night's Watch." Rhaena rises, feeling much lighter than she did before. Her heart soars. She's finally done it, she has broken the unseen law stating no woman will ever join. She's fulfilled her promise to Torlin. She hugs Sam first, who gives her a happy 'Well done, Rhaena'. Each of the First's shake her hand and give her a hug as well, telling her she's done well and to keep it up. Finally, she looks at Jon. He seems to not be one for all the hugs and congratulating, but she approaches him and holds her arms out in a friendly manner. He doesn't budge. His eyes just glare coldly down upon her. She hugs him regardless, wrapping her arms tightly around his tense body.
The men and Sam chuckle and begin to start back for Castle Black. She lets go of Jon and his face has softened. He swallows before nodding once at her, his eyes darting quickly between hers and her lips. She blushes, grateful for his silent congratulation, and hurries off to join her new brothers.
When they all return, Alliser stops her and pulls her to the side. "You will be assisting Hobb in the kitchens. Report to him as soon as you can." He tells her her new assignment. The kitchens? Her lips press hard in to a firm line, but she does not protest. She carries out her duties without a word and storms off to the mead hall, seeing a widely smirking Jon on her way.
Hobb is a large man, built strong with muscles and large bones. He hacks away at pieces of meat before tossing them in to a bubbling pot hanging over a roaring fire. When she enters, he stands straight to his horrifying full height and greets her. "Well, hello. They've sent you to me, then?" He asks as he scratches his full, dark haired beard. Rain nods. "Of course they did. It's because you're a woman, no doubt. Go on start cuttin' them carrots and all. Supper's comin' soon. Put them all in the pot when your done."
She picks up her knife and works quietly. Before she knows it, she's done much quicker than Hobb can finish his meat cutting. She stands awkwardly, waiting for another command. She hears Hobb laugh loudly. "Seems they've sent me the perfect assistant!" Over the next hour, she began to warm up to the cook. She even thought his personality matched dear Torlin's. Once she made this observation, she began to enjoy working with him. After supper was served, however, he gave her a new task to do just before it was time for bed. She picks up several baskets and heads down to the cellars below the castle, surprisingly eager to begin her new job of sorting vegetables.
[Rhaena's updated titles to this point: Rhaena Velaryon, Lady of the Tides, the Dragon of the Sea, and the First Lady of the Night's Watch.]
