A Lion Still Has Claws

Part 2

The Boltons departure from Riverrun ensued commotion to the still keep. Whispers and shouts could be heard as the bannermen ran through the halls. Each collected what little treasure remained in the rooms and halls. Rhaenyra was packed beside the riches into a darkened carriage.

She willingly sat beside the window of her small confines. Her new son rested in her arms. The rhythm of the carriage soothed him into sleep, while it made her slightly sick. Rhaenyra focused her attention on him, concentrating on his features in attempts to ease the unease of her belly. She contently watched as his little chest rose with each settled breathe. His face twisted as the carriage jolted onto the unsteady Kingsroad. Rhaenyra pressed a finger to his cheek before a wail erupted to the small space. He stalled at his mother's touch, his face returning to its gentle visage.

Her son returned to slumber as the steady hobble of the carriage returned. Rhaenyra's stomach eased, her nerves did not. She heard the talks from outside the thin walls. The men discussed the massacre, the Red Wedding. How fitting, she thought. Rhaenyra was easily reminded of the horror as the conversations deepened. She remembered each detail clearly as if never leaving the moment. How she hated it. Her moment of weakness as she fell to the floor in a pool of blood holding onto her husband's corpse. The need for strength as she fainted from the trauma, or was it the result of seeing the King in the North's head replaced with his direwolf's?

Rhaenyra's hands tightened around her son. She heard the men laughing through the carriage, she wondered if they knew she could hear. The mockery grew louder with each heavy laugh. It was a difficult pain to ignore. Her eyes swelled with tears as her torment continued. 

The sound of a shout silenced the men's laughter. Her son. Rhaenyra's heart quickened as the carriage rolled to a halt. She brought a hand to her lip as excitement brewed in her belly. She had not seen her eldest children in days, the thought of seeing the two boys brought a small bliss to her darkened person. 

The men's silence shifted to shouts and yells. Vulgarities were screamed to her sons and the maid that accompanied them. Rhaenyra closed her eyes in worry and hopelessness. She longed for the dagger she once held proudly but the blade was taken from her possession.

The door was pulled open causing the sun to brightly leak into the dark space. Rhaenyra brought a hand to shield her face from the light. Domeric jumped onto the carriage, followed by his brother who was gently placed down by their maid. Bella scooted in through the small door, she beamed at the sight of her lady. "Found you!" She rushed to sit on the cramped velvet bench before carriage began to move. Domeric sat on the carpeted floor, seeming to ignore the presence of his mother.

Henry fell as the familiar wobble returned. His hands pressed onto the floor in confusion until a bump caused him to fall once more. He sat on his bottom, examining the new surroundings. Henry's eyes fell upon his mother to which he excitedly exclaimed, "Mama!" A smile spread across his cheeks as he carefully ran to greet Rhaenyra. 

She freed an arm from her sleeping babe to hold Henry. He quickly sat beside her to nestle himself into her side. Henry ignored the baby in her grasp, unintentionally, instead revealing in the love she offered. Domeric noticed their embrace, his head lifted causing him to catch glimpse of his new sibling.

Rhaenyra motioned for him to sit beside her, he did as told. Domeric's hands awkwardly rested in his lap, twitching slightly. His blue eyes carefully watched his new brother sleep. He scanned over the baby's face, seemingly noticing every detail. Tentatively, he reached to graze his brother's feathery hair. His fingers pushed through gently, the baby still whimpered at the odd touch. In fear, he returned his hand to his lap. Rhaenyra whispered assurances to him, he smiled lightly. His hand fell to his brother's small hand, the baby wrapped his entire hand around his finger.

Domeric's eyes brightened, "Look, mum."

Rhaenyra pursed her lips as she watched. Henry too curiously gazed at the baby, taking notice of his brother's interest. His grey eyes followed his brother's actions, he began to mirror them. Domeric pressed Henry's hand to their new brother's, the baby repeated the action.

Henry smiled with enthusiasm, "A baby mama."

The newest Stark opened his eyes, a confused look upon his face. Rhaenyra giggled at the sight. He did not cry at the sight of strangers, only fussing for the touching to stop. 

Bella too giggled, "Violet eyes, just like his mother." Pride encased Rhaenyra as she turned to her friend and maid. She had a child who resembled her, her own vanity grew with the detail. "Does he have a name yet? Or are we calling him baby Stark?"

Rhaenyra heaved a shaky breath as she turned back to her children. "Yes, his name is Robb." She watched as Domeric's touch recoiled from the baby. His features saddened at the mention of his father.

"That is father's name," he whispered.

His mother nodded, "I know." Her voice was soft as she spoke, "A fine name for your brother. Is it not?"

Domeric's gaze did not meet hers. "It is father's name," he repeated in a shaky tone.

Bella stood from her seat to retrieve Robb and Henry, she focused Herny's attention on the baby. Rhaenyra numbly handed the two away, focusing on her eldest.

A sob heaved from his body, his shoulders moving up in a dramatic motion. Domeric hardly cried, in his first years it was only for Rhaenyra or Robb. It was awful seeing the cycle repeat in a twisted way. He understood death, a typically difficult subject to explain to one so young. Domeric, always so curious, asked questions. His parents, and anyone who could, gave answers. Rhaenyra held him as he cried for his father. His tears were so heavy, his wails aggressive. She needed to be strong for him, she refused to cry for her tears were dry/ He did not need to be strong for her, he could be a broken child around her. At that moment Rhaenyra Stark began to plot against those who sought revenge against her House and husband, and those who hurt her children in the aftermath.