Loki: Winds of Winter

Chapter 50 - US Politics

Rhaenar opened a portal in Washington D.C. and stepped out. A small military force was waiting him, along with Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross. Ross glared at the eldest son of Loki. He had never met the God of Mischief officially or actually had a civil conversation with him, but he despised him for the threat he posed. Rhaenar looked so much like him that Ross felt he had to hate him. "Greetings, Secretary Ross. I am Rhaenar Frostborn, son of Loki, Hand of the Queen, and Sansa Frostborn, formerly of House Stark," Rhaenar introduced.

"I know what you are," Ross answered and Rhaenar grinned. Suddenly, another person appeared from behind Rhaenar and almost advanced, but was stopped by the prince.

"Don't even bother, Nymeria. Ignoramus' like him are not worth our time." Rhaenar turned back Ross and gave him a winning smile. "I have not come to deal with the likes of you. I am here to help you better understand and fight this evil. If you continue in this difficult and headstrong manner, I will have to subvert your authority and go directly to your president. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Rhaenar said. Ross felt a vein pulsing in his temple as his temper threatened to get the better of him. Rhaenar just gave him another annoying smile and pushed on past Ross. The remaining Sand Snake, Nymeria, fixed Ross with a dark glare before she followed behind the prince. A few choice soldiers came after her and Ross wondered if America was being invaded. "Where is my witch?" Rhaenar asked.

"She is coming with what your sister calls 'the Blight'. They'll be here shortly," Nymeria answered. Rhaenar nodded, knowing who Nymeria was talking about when she said that. Even though the Vision had not done anything directly to their father, the gem he carried in his forehead did, and Ragna hated that he derived life from it. If she could have destroyed it, she would have, with no care for the Vision's existence. 

"Good. I'm sure they don't want to leave me unattended for too long," Rhaenar said with a wink. Nymeria rolled her eyes and smacked his hand away as it strayed to her hip. They had enjoyed a few romps from time to time, but Nymeria had not been keen on doing it after she had had a pregnancy scare. The idea of having a Frostborn child outside of wedlock had terrified her. Loki would have forced her to live with Rhaenar, and Sansa would have killed her with her eyes every time they saw each other. That was when they heard murmurs from the soldiers and turned, to see Wanda Maximoff and the Vision flying down from above and approaching them. "Ah! Miss Maximoff! Ser Vision!" Rhaenar declared dramatically. 

"Just Wanda and Vision is fine," she said firmly. Rhaenar just grinned a little before his eyes sidled over to Vision.

"I must extend my deepest apologies for my sister's behavior when you first met her. She has... an extreme... dislike for anything that had to do with Father's time in New York," Rhaenar touched on lightly.  

"So I'm assuming that is why she selected James Barnes as her companion? He had absolutely nothing to do with the Avengers' stand in New York," Vision said. Rhaenar nodded.

"Yes, she did not want one of 'them' looking over her shoulder. That, and she's interested in his other half, the Winter Soldier," Rhaenar answered honestly.

"He's not going to like that," Wanda commented and Rhaenar chuckled. He turned away, just as another suit approached them and gave them a slight dip of the head in acknowledgment.

"High Prince Rhaenar, I am to escort you to the Oval Office. The President of the United States has requested an audience with you. He desires to understand what House Frostborn and House Targaryen intend to do to counteract this threat," the aide said. 

"Very well, lead on," Rhaenar said and he followed behind the man. He heard the sound of cameras flashing and the hollered questions of reporters hurled his way.

"Prince Rhaenar! Is your father coming to speak to the President?!"

"Prince Rhaenar! Is that your bodyguard or your wife?!" Nymeria's head snapped in that direction and the scowl on her face would have cut through metal. Rhaenar burst out laughing and had to cover his mouth a split second later.

"Prince Rhaenar! Are we to see your siblings in D.C.?!" Rhaenar and his entourage kept on walking until they entered the White House. Once the doors were closed behind them, Rhaenar was greeted by political and military staff hurrying around in a frantic rush. 

"I'm assuming the Wight Walkers have landed?" he asked the aide as they continue to follow him.

"They were sighted in Alaska. The state has been evacuated, but... not everyone made it out when initial contact happened," the man admitted.

"There were some fatalities?" Rhaenar pressed and the man nodded. 

"Do we have a number?"

"A couple hundred," the aide stated and Rhaenar's lips became a thin line.

"They are our enemies now, and must be dealt with accordingly. They are not to be shown mercy and they are not to be taken alive. There will be no information we can glean from them that we could not collect ourselves from observation. They are not to be spared, and anyone wounded by one of those things must be given a mercy killing and their bodies burned," Rhaenar explained and all the Midgardians around him looked mortified. "There is no way to heal those who are injured. They will eventually succumb to their wounds, die, and become one of the undead. It would be easier to give them an honorable death while their mind is still their own," Rhaenar answered.

"We're not in the habit of allowing seppuku or honor killings," Ross commented dryly. Rhaenar just gave him a half smile over his shoulder.

"Well, good thing I wasn't asking you then, wasn't it?" Rhaenar threw back.

"You should have been taught how to speak to your betters," Ross countered. Rhaenar stroked his chin and got a contemplative look on his face.

"When you see a better, introduce us," Rhaenar retorted. Before Ross could respond, they had arrived at the Oval Office and the Secret Service opened the door. Rhaenar entered and grinned when he saw the man sitting behind the desk. "Mr. President, I assume?"

"High Prince Rhaenar, I assume?" the man responded and Rhaenar nodded. He walked towards the desk and held out his hand. The President paused for a moment before he accepted it. 

"I am curious about what your father is doing. I'm told that he will be making an appearance in the United States when he is positive that Asia is secure. I hope you understand the American people's suspicious feelings on that regard?" Rhaenar nodded as he took one of the chairs in front of the President's desk and Nymeria stood behind him. 

"I also hope that you and your people understand where our people are coming from when you disrespect the Hand of the Queen in their presence. He saved Westeros twice now, and has been placed into stories, legends, and songs. His name is the most oft mentioned in our History books. Him and his dragon of fire and ice, Rhaegal, are heroes of Westeros. I would kindly ask that you respect him and if you must 'bitch talk' him, do it behind our backs. I and Dhaerin and Dagmar will be kinder about it, but will still retaliate. Our sister... Ragna... will be far less forgiving," Rhaenar said.

"I've heard of your sister. She's called the Wolf of Westeros or something like that," the President said and Rhaenar nodded.

"Yes, and her ability to forgive is non-existent at best. You don't want to say anything negative about Father in her presence."