The Legacy

Part 8

Echoes of footsteps filled the quiet throne room. Viserra walked without fear and her head held high. King Robert leaned forward in his throne, his belly protruding farther than it should. Ned Stark walked silently beside his niece and shot her glance telling her to mind her words. Ned and Viserra stood in front of the king and bowed in respect.

"Your grace" they both said.

"Ned why was I woken up at this unholy hour with reports of an attack on the keep?" King Robert asked his oldest friend.

"I do not know your grace." Ned simply replied.

"You girl." Robert turned his attention to Viserra. "I heard reports you attacked not only the kings guard but also Lannister guards. Why?!" He screamed the last bit. Viserra knew of the king's proclivity for violence and hoped what she said next would appeal to it.

"I felt the urge to fight and they happened to be around your grace." She looked up at the old king and hoped he understood how she felt. The room was silent as Robert stood up from his throne and descended the steps. He stood a few steps above Ned and Viserra and examined her face. The tension began to build. Viserra was sure she was going to be punished when she heard a bellowing laugh fill the room.

"I like her." Robert laughed as he returned to his throne. "I understand the urge better than anyone. Especially when I think of Targaryens." He clenched his hand into a fist at the mention of Targaryens. "You are free to go. No more attacking the guards, understood?" Ned had thanked the king and started to leave.

"May I ask a question of you your grace?" Viserra refused to move.

"Ask girl." Robert sipped from his chalice.

"Why did you ask me to come if you were just going to keep me confined?" Ned's eyes widened at his niece's question. She stood silent long enough, she wanted answers. "If I serve no purpose here than by first light I will return to Winterfell." She threatened. King Robert heard the threat in her tone and couldn't help but admire her will.

"You were brought here so that all of the bloody seven kingdoms could see that any trace of a Targaryen is loyal to me." Robert took another sip.

"So my purpose is to be living proof you defeated the Targaryens 17 years ago?" She was being kept as a living monument of an old war. "If that is true your grace, then kill me here and now. I will not be someone else's prize or pet." Viserra spat out those last words.

"She does not mean what she says your grace." Ned spoke up and stood beside his niece.

"But I do uncle." She looked at Ned with conviction. "I have no value to the king other a reminder of an old victory." Viserra took steps toward the king. "I know my mother and father did not die in this room for me to live as such. So, your grace, kill me and consider it as another Targaryen defeated" Viserra pulled out a dagger and presented it to the king and he took it in his hand.

"Viserra enough!" Ned stood next to his niece once more. "Robert don't tell me your considering this?!" He yelled at his friend. The room stood quiet again.

"Of course, he's considering it uncle. He does not see my worth. He does not see my skills, and he does not see my true value. He sees my Targaryen eyes and silver hair and thinks enemy. He could kill me now and lose nothing but your friendship."

"Watch it girl." Robert grumbled.

"From the moment you saw me at Winterfell you made up your mind of who I was, yet you knew nothing about me your grace. I am Viserra Stark, and I would rather die than be kept in a cage for the rest of my years." Viserra's voice commanded the room, her voice filled with strength and inspiration. "Open my cage and set me free or take that dagger and let me die in this room like my parents before me." In that moment Robert realized what her presence commanded. If she wanted to, she could take the Iron Throne along with the remaining two Targaryen across the narrow sea. The three of them could rally the seven kingdoms once more. If he showed leniency, he could have a potential ally, and with Ned at her side advising her she would stay loyal to him and the Baratheon House. He admired the power in her voice and the weight it carried, Robert would dare say he admired her strength of character and will. He took the last gulp of his wine and stood up.

"I want her on the small council immediately, she has a fire that no one of that council has including you, Ned" Robert handed Viserra the dagger. "You will have full reign beginning tomorrow." King Robert said nothing more as he walked out of the throne room with Ned and Viserra's thanks.

Viserra and her uncle returned to the Tower of the Hand. Ned could not believe what had happened much less its outcome. Viserra got what she wanted, she had freedom and that meant tomorrow she could finally visit the Guildhall of the Alchemists without raising suspicions, and finally find out more about her dragons egg.

The next morning she finished her breakfast and stood up to leave when her uncle called which caused her to stop.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ned asked his niece still upset from last night.

"I'm off to explore uncle, I have free reign as the king said."

"Aye you do, but you have a small council meeting within the hour." Ned said without looking up from his plate.

"Alright then, I will meet you there." Viserra turned around.

"No we'll be on our way now." He thanked Septa and kissed the girls goodbye. Ned and his niece started to walk to the meeting. "You upset me niece." Ned said curtly.

"Why uncle? Because of last night?" Viserra had never heard that tone directed at her before. They both walked into the throne room.

"Yes, you played with your life as if it was yours to give." Ned stopped walking.

"You confuse me uncle, are you saying my life is not my own" Viserra was insulted.

"Your mother and father died in this room. I was there the day your mother gave her life for yours. You can not treat it as if some worthless rag you can throw away." Ned placed his hands on both of Viserra's shoulders. "You are Viserra Stark, your life is priceless, don't gamble with it again, do you understand me?" Ned searched for her eyes. Viserra let her uncle's words sink in. He was right, many people died just so she could live. She nodded her head and understood the full intent of his words.

They continued into the small council chambers and began. Viserra realized she was being punished. This council was her punishment, to sit for hours and listen to the mundane happenings of the kingdom. She found the members of the council to be interesting. Lord Varys the spider, already knew of her seat on the council and congratulated her as she walked in the door. Lord Baelish or Littlefinger, the history between him and the Starks ran deep and Viserra kept her distance much to Littlefinger's dismay. Renly Baratheon the youngest brother of the king, if the rumors were true than he had no more interest in Viserra than she did for him. He seemed nice enough and from the conversations on the side were entertaining enough. Grand Maester Pycelle, Viserra first thought if she blew hard enough, he would turn to dust. Which she would much appreciate due to his wandering eyes. The meeting was finally over and Ned approached his niece.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry? It wouldn't be to see that boy Gendry would it?" Ned reminded Viserra of their meeting last night. How did her uncle know this random boy?

"How do you know Gendry uncle? He looks so familiar. Does he have family in the North?"

"No, he's a bastard and an armorer apprentice and you didn't answer my question." Ned worried if she would make the connection between him and his true patronage.

"It just so happens I am in need of a new blade. I'll be home for supper." Viserra smiled kissed her uncle on the cheek and made her way to the Street of Steel.