Rhaegar Targaryen's Story

Ancient and powerful was Meereen. A city that had lasted a thousand, thousand years under the rule of its wise and powerful masters. Slave holders with more gold than most men could imagine governed the city to run on the backs of slave labor. A dynasty risen from the remnants of the Ghiscari Empire, they still held the Harpy as their beacon of pride and dominance. That was until, as had befallen old Ghis so long ago, a dragon came with Fire and Blood. Rhaegar Targaryen, after his sacking of the great slave port of Atsapor and the wealthy citadel of Yunkai, came for Meereen. Unlike the others however he did not conquer with the fire of his three dragons or the skill of his warriors but with the very people that had held Meereen up for centuries. Rhaegar showed the common people that they needed not fear their masters lash, not when their masters feared his dragons more.

Rhaegar sat in the water gardens of the Great Pyramid of Meereen, his current seat of power in Essos. His Unsullied saw that his rule was not questioned in Yunkai and Astapor, ensuring the slave holders never again rose to power yet he remained in Meereen. It had been the easiest to take yet the hardest to hold, Meereen proved a different beast than the rest. Many of the people in Meereen knew little else but their masters command so freedom was a foreign concept to them. It took time, and blood but the Meereenese were staring to see his way of things. See that freedom was not to be feared but embraced and the last remnants of the resistance group that called themselves The Sons of The Harpy were all but gone. There were still a few rats nests yet but he didn't need his dragons or his war hammer for them, his Unsullied and mercenaries saw to the pests at this point. Now came the future and with it came uncertainty.


Whenever Rhaegar found himself unsure of his next step he needed only look to his dragons, his daughters who had been with him since he began his crusade and he always found the way forward. There was Viserion, named after the brother whom he never met. Viserion was the smallest, cream of color with gold markings. Then there was Rhaegal named after Rhaella, his mother who died giving birth to his sister during their flight from Valyria. Rhaegal was green with bronze markings. The largest and admittedly Rhaegar's favored daughter was Daenerion. Daenerion he named for his sister Daenerys, who lost her life as an infant, never to see womanhood. Her death was the hardest loss Rhaegar had ever suffered. It was her funeral that breathed the first flames of life into the long thought stone eggs that hid his children within. Daenerion was the boldest of his children, she was strong and fierce, a danger to everyone but him and he loved her as he had the sister for whom she was named.



Rhaegar was reflecting on his journey up until this point and what lied ahead when he heard the soft footfalls of his spy master. Varys, sometimes called The Spider, had the largest spy network in the world. He had come to Rhaegar after he'd taken Meereen with Tyrion Lannister and offered his service. Rhaegar was skeptical at first but both man and half man had since gained his trust. Varys earned himself a council seat as Master of Whispers and Tyrion became his Hand of The King. Between the two of them there were no better men with minds for politics and Rhaegar was happy to have them. He could hear Varys softly speaking to Ser Barristan, the Lord Commander of his Kingsguard before the old knight allowed him leave to approach.

"Hello Varys."

Rhaegar said casually as he stroked the top of Daenerion's frills between the horns on her head.

"Hello, your Grace. It truly is a splendid morning. Meereen has the most beautiful sunrises, wouldn't you say?"

Varys was a unic, with a bald head, soft powdered skin that always smelled of strong flowers. He wore soft garments that hung off his round frame as he made his way around on silken slippers. Odd fellow but a better man than he let on.

"It does, though I hear Valyria has sunrises to rival it."

Varys permitted the softest of chuckles to bubble passed his lips in response to Rhaegars small joke.

"Well said, Your Grace."

"I take you it you're not here to discusses sunrises Varys, let me guess. Your little birds?"

Rhaegar asked turning to his spy master for the first time since he arrived. Varys nodded with a knowing smile as he so often did.

"The very ones. They sing to me of The North and a vanished hero King."

"Vanished?..."

Rhaegar repeated in surprise.

"Apparently Jon Stark, hero of the Wildling War and King of The North after the deaths of his father and brother has recently wed a radiantly beautiful gypsy girl from Naarth. Not a fortnight after their wedding he disappears. The talk is all the scandal, some accusing the new queen, others saying he ran off with a chamber maid, some still blame foul magic."

"What do you think happened?"

Rhaegar asked. Varys only smiled, that soft smile of his.

"I think any man who claims to know the truth is clearly lying. In any case what is true is that The North is lack of a king, it is vulnerable and the world knows it. The Starks are an old family Your Grace, as old as House Targaryen. It's holdings are vast if not a bit frigid. Wolves are dangerous creatures, to be sure, but no beast is a match for a dragon in his prime."

Rhaegar sighed, finally seeing his spy masters point.



"You want me to invade The North... Take it while it's king is gone or dead."

"I want nothing Your Grace, I am your master of whispers, it is my job to inform you of any developments of note. I figured the disappearance of a king from an old family was certainly worthy of note."

Rhaegar nodded, somewhat relieved.

"But..."

Rhaegar looked up, the concern returning.

"As a member of your small council I would argue the merits of such a course. Valyria is still firmly out of your grasp, with the support of The North you could take back what is rightfully yours."

Rhaegar ran his hand down Daenerions scales, her muscles twitched under his touch as she clicked her teeth in pleasure.

"I did not take Astapor to call myself a conqueror. I did not take Yunkai or Meereen to call myself a conqueror. I took them because I wanted to ensure no child would ever grow up with collar around their neck. I am not a conqueror, I am a liberator. The North does not need liberation. The North has a ruler, a queen and she is no enemy of mine. As for Jon Stark, I have had my throne stolen from under me, I will not do the same to someone else without cause... Thank you for your advisement but I won't be needing it."

"As you say, Your Grace."

Varys bowed and turned to leave when Rhaegar's voice gave him pause.

"Wait... I can do one better. Send a raven to the new Queen of The North. Tell her... that she has friends in Meereen."

"A wise alternative to war, Your Grace. Perhaps you're a better politician than you give yourself credit for."

Varys said respectfully.

"I'm not a politician, I'm a king."

Rhaegar replied with a wisdom beyond his years, one of the many reasons so many had flocked to his cause. Varys nodded with a smile before heading off. Rhaegar turned back to his dragons who splashed playfully in the water, all but Daenerion who never left his side.

"All men must die."

Hizdahr zo Loraq spoke, his voice shaky but resolved. Hizdahr became the head of his family after Rhaegar took the city. The Masters of Meereen, upon hearing of Rhaegars approach crucified a child slave every mile marker for sixty three miles leading to Meereen. Once Rhaegar was in control of the city he returned the favor by crucifying sixty three of the most influential and powerful slave masters in the city, most of them heads of great families. Hizdahrs fathers was one such master, if Rhaegar remebered correctly his fathers body had hung on its cross for nearly a week before Hizdahr sought audience to request his body be taken down and interred in his familial crypt. Hizdahr zo Lraq has since become a member of Rhaegar small council depsite how much he despised the man and his slavers ways. Rhaegar heeded wise council and permitted Hizdahr a seat to help him govern the city thusly granting him support from the rich.

Rhaegar leveled a steely gaze at the man across the table from him as the small council meeting neared its end.

"All men must die,"

He said again.

"But not all can die in glory."

"Glory?"

Rhagear scoffed, hardly restraining his disgust.

"Why else do men fight? Why did your ancestors cross the Narrow Sea and conquer the Seven Kingdoms?... So their names would live on. Those who find victory in the fighting pits will never become kings but their names will live on. It's the best chance they'll ever have."

Hizdahr spoke, almost pleadingly, to make his case. Rhaegar was hardly moved, his gaze unwaivering.

"Is that what you used to tell men before you set them to butchering each other for sport?..."

Rhaegar asked coldly. Hizdahr blinked, the question set him back but he pushed his case reguardless.

"Your Grace, today is the traditonal start of the fighting season."

"I do not recognize this tradition."

The Father of Dragons snapped scornfully.

"Traditions are the only thing that will hold this city, your city together. Without them former slaves and former masters have nothing in common. Nothing but centuries of mistrust and resentment. I can't promise that this is the answer to all our problems but it's a start."

Hizdahr spoke truths. The city was split in two. Half of the city hated Rhaegar for ripping them from power and taking from them the slaves that had brought them so much wealth. The other half called him Kepa and praised him for their salvation. Bringing Hizdahr on the small council was a tiny way of winning back some of his doubters but it didn't help that when Hizdahr spoke Rhaegar struggled not imagining punching him in the jaw. The council sat in silence awaiting Rhaegars response. Varys did not speak, nor did Daario Naharis the leader of his mercenaries. Grey Worm the commander of his Unsullied was silent as well but he rarely spoke so that was no suprise. Lord Commander Selmy leveled a stare at Hizdahr that could break bones while Tyrion was astonishingly lack of words. Rhaegar tensed his jaw, his mood was sour to say the least due to the discussion of the fighting pits for the third time this month.

"That is where you are wrong Hizdahr zo Loraq. It's not a start, it is the end. The end of Meereens chances of coming back from centuries of cruelty and mistreatment. I am the breaker of chains. I will not free slaves only to send them to their deaths fighting one another for yours or anyone elses amusement. I understand that this... tradition is an old part of your world but I will make this plain to you here and now. You, and others like you, can either live in my new world or you can die in your old one."

The silence in the small council chamber was deafening but The Dragon had made his decision and he would not be moved. Ser Barristan seemed pleased, as did Grey Worm and Varys. Tyrion was the only one who was difficult to get a read on. Hizdahr looked as if he was going to soil himself. He swallowed hard before lowering his head in defeat.

"If there is nothing else this meeting is over."

Rhaegar said before getting to his feet. His council all rose and left the room, leaving him in what he thought was an empty chamber.

"Do me a favor Your Grace and remind me never to get on your bad side."

Rhaegar Targaryen turned to see Tyrion Lannister still in his seat at the small council table. A cup of wine in his hand he seemed thoroughly amused by the events of the meeting. Rhaegar poured himself a cup of wine and joined the youngest son of Tywin Lannister at the table.

"That man damages my calm."

Rhaegar said in almost a growl before taking a thirsty drink from his cup. Tyrion chuckled with a nod of his head.

"Does he? I couldn't imagine why. Has Varys told you about the missing Stark?"

Rhaegar nodded tiredly.

"He wants me to invade The North."

"And what do you want to do?"

"Not invade The North."

Rhaegar replied flatly. Again Tyrion chuckled as he sipped from his cup.

"Invade, don't invade... either way a choice will need to be made sooner or later. Rhaegar Targaryen is too important to sit out of this for much longer."

Rhaegar looked up from him cup, a cautious curiosity playing across his strong features.

"Why do you say that?"

Tyrion smiled, that dark smile of his that told Rhaegar he knew how things were going to play out ten steps ahead of everyone else and was enjoying watching the events unfold.

"Pentos is marshalling an army, as is Volantis, as is Dorne, as is Naarth, as is The Reach and thirty or fourty other major and minor countries, terriorties and free cities looking to improve their power base. The North is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world, near as old as Valyria itself. Whoever ends up commanding the Throne of Winterfell will find themselves well situated to wield that power like a lion playing with house cats."

Rhaegar rose from the table and stared out the window, past the city he now ruled, past Slavers Bay and The Narrow Sea to a land of cold and snow where wolves howled and winter loomed.

"Sorry Dae." Arya said, and Dae nodded, unable to do or say much else.
Her father was gone, her mother, and unborn brother or sister and her husband was missing. She was told once, that she would never be happy. She thought the curse was broken but no. It wasn't. It was waiting for the moment, when would crush her the most.

"I liked your father... He told funny jokes, most he said never to repeat cause they'd get me in trouble." Arya said and she looked at the girl, trying so hard to be strong, knowing how weak Dae was at the moment. This was crushing her.

Arya got up, clearly out of her element and Dae was fine with that, she didn't want her to see her like this, she already did but it didn't have to last. Dae was about to try to decide what to do next, her father was gone now, and she needed to burn him. She wasn't sure if she wanted the whole kingdom to be there. They didn't trust her at all anyway, with Jon's disappearance.

"Meereen..."
Dae turned to see Arya standing outside the door, with a parchment in her hand. Dae took a breath.

"Dae? Where's Meereen? Is it near where you grew up?"

"Yes, my love, not far." She said, and took the parchment from the girl. Dae recognized the sigil. Targaryen.

She'd heard that there was a king there now, having freed the slaves in Slaver's Bay, liberating Yunkai, Meereen and Astapor.

What could he possibly know of her?

She cracked the seal and read the words.

She has a friend in Meereen. Why? Perhaps he could help with the search?

Dae, stood with newfound purpose. "Come Arya, we have help, we're going to find your brother." She said. "Grab some parachment." She said, pointing to the cabin nearest the window as she moved to the desk.

She took a seat and grabbed a pen and inkwell. Arya came over with the paper and she began to scrawl on the sheet.

The North thanks you for your concern, and could use your assistance.
We know not what has happened, and we worry greatly,
If you have any information at all of what possibly has happened to the King, please, let us know and whatever you need from us, you shall have it in return.

-Dae Missan Stark, Wife of Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King of the North.

She read it over and took a deep breath. She would not call herself Queen, not without her King.

"Take this" She said, rolling up the parchment and heating the wax to seal it. She pressed the Wolf Sigil on to the hot wax and blew it cool. She then handed it to Arya. She figured it would help Arya feel like she was doing something important. "Take this to the messenger, have them send their fastest raven." She told the girl. "Alright, go." She said, sending her off with a kiss to the forehead.

Jon is alive....She could feel it.

Arya was running as fast as her little legs would carry her. She clucthed Dae's letter in her hand as she sprinted through the halls of Winterfell. She'd burst fourth from Jon's room, leaving Sandor in her dust. He barreled after her, not knowing where she was going only that he needed to stay with her as was his duty. He was no where near as fast as the fleet footed daughter of Eddard Stark but he kept pace as best he could, charging behind her as he rattled in his armor with each thunderous step. She lost him on the stairwell to the rookery and did not hear him again until she was alread leaving the room.

"Seven hells girl!"

Sandor huffed, trying to catch his breath after bounding up the last few steps. Arya was smiling, her breathes coming significantly easier than The Hounds were but then again she wasn't even a quarter his size.

"The fuck you have me chasing you through the whole damned keep for?"

He asked as he took a moment to put his hands on his knees, hunched over sucking wind.

"Sorry Sandor but I had to send a letter right away, Dae gave it to me. It's going to Meereen."

Sandor arched an eyebrow as he stood up, his hands on his hips, still struggling to breath normally. He wiped some sweat from his brow.

"Meereen?... Who's in Meereen?"

Arya could only smile, a broad giddy smile.

"A dragon."

"How'd you do it?"

Rhaegar asked his Lord Commander of his Kingsguard Ser Barristan Selmy as the two stood over looking the construction of an orphanage in one of the poorer districts of Meereen. Rhaegar wanted to oversee the construction personally. Yet while he was there, as so often happened when Ser Barristan and Rhaegar had a moment to talk, they began swapping old war stories. At the moment Ser Barristan was telling Rhaegar about his first proper engagement, and the first life he took.

"Lance through the heart."

Rhaegar nodded with a knowing smile.

"Ah, quick one."

"What about you Your Grace? Who was your first."

Rhaegars mind flicked back to years ago, when Daenerys was still alive. She'd been learning to walk with his help, he remembered how the sun caught her silver hair and it seemed to shine. Her laugh could fill a room with joy.

"A Braavosi assassin."

Rhaegar said, his voice sombering some. He never liked killing, he accepted it as an eventuality of life but it didn't mean he enjoyed it. It was merely the path to peace in most cases and that was unfortunate but he would not shy away from blood to protect those he loved.

"Our enemies had discovered where we'd been living and sent someone to kill us. I was only ready for him because one of my guards screamed as he died. He broke in with a knife in his hand, no doubt thought he'd just made an easy payday."

"Wasn't expecting Dragon waiting for him, eh?"

Barristan asked. Rhaegar merely chuckled with a shake of his head.

"A tiny dragon, I was only eleven. He came for me first, grabbed me by the hair, never saw the short sword I was hiding behind my back."

Ser Barristan chuckled softly with a knownig nod of the head, they both knew what came next in the story. Just then a courier ran up and Ser Barristan intercepted him, should he be a cut throat. Fortunately he was merely a courier, bringing a letter brought by raven from the Great Pyramid.

"What is it?"

Rhaegar asked. Ser Barristan turned holding the parchment.

"A letter Your Grace, bearing the direwolf of House Stark."

The new Queen of The North had finally responded, Rhaegar spurred his stallion forward and took the letter scanning it quickly.



If Rhaegar had any doubts about the guilt or innocence of this new queen he had his answer. No murderer would ask for help in finding their victim and the way she referred to herself as the wife of the king and not the queen spoke volumes.

"Back to the Pyramid, I need quill and parchment."

Ser Barristan and Rhaegar rode hard, pushing their mounts to keep just below a full gallop. They weaved their way through the winding streets of Meereen and were back in Rhaegars chambers in minutes. Rhaegar took a seat at his desk, unrolled a fresh sheet of parchment, dipped his quill in ink and set to replying to Dae's letter.



Rhaegar set his quill down and quickly read over his work. Satisfied he blew the ink dry with soft breaths before rolling up the parchment, pouring hot red wax and sealing it shut with the three headed dragon of House Targaryen. Rhaegar handed the letter to Ser Barristan with purpose and vigor.

"Have this sent to The North at once and send me Varys, I have a task for him."

Rhaegar stood overlooking the city he'd controlled for little under a year. He remarked how peaceful thing looked from this height. He wondered if this was how Daenerion saw everything while she flew. He looked down and in his hand was a simple strap of leather and cloth, a bear embossed on the leather. It was Jennas, she'd left it after he'd banished her the first time, he'd never managed to give it back to her before he banished her the second time. He ran the strip between his thumb and fore fingers as his mind rippled in remembrance.

It was hot that day, the Meereenese sun beamed on the city cooking the sand stone buildings. Beads of sweat trickled down Rhaegar's neck as he waited in his throne room. The news Ser Barristan had brought him had unsettled him greatly, yet his ire was only matched for his desire for hope, his need for it. She couldn't have betrayed him, not her, not his oldest and most dear friend. There was something about the way she walked into the room, the guilt on her face, the shame and regret that dashed his hopes before either of them had spoken a single word. Jenna Mormont had been with him since he was a boy. He'd met her through Illyrio Mopatis when he was only thirteen years of age. A world weary and wizened warrior woman from The North, a fantastical place called Bear Island. She used to tell him stories of her home land, of the towering evergreen trees and the eagles as they soared over the lakes to fish for trout. She'd been at his side as he and Daenerys met with members of the Targaryen Restoration. She held him as he mourned Dany's death and witnessed the birth of his dragons. She'd been with him through the Red Wastes and seen him through the trials of Qarth. She fought beside him in Astapor. She'd stood at his side when it came time to sneak into Yunkai and open the gates as well as when they arrived at Meereen. Now she stood before him, accused of treason.

"Why did the Usurper pardon you?"

Rhaegar asked calmly, his voice even and measured despite the storm in his heart. Jenna swallowed hard, sweat beading off her brow. Her long brown hair, dotted with greys pulled back into a messy braid.

"If we could speak alone."

"No, speak to me here. Explain it to me."

She pleaded tentatively but Rhaegar stopped her. Whatever the truth was he would have it here and now. If she was innocent he'd be glad to hear it, if she was guilty he would know it from her lips.

"Who do you think sent this to Meereen? Who profits? This is the work of Stannis Baratheon or one of his minions. He wants to divide us, if we're fighting each other we're not fighting him."

She was still counselling him, even now. He almost smiled at that, almost.

"The pardon was signed the year we met. Why were you pardoned? Unless you're saying this document is forged?"

He threw her the life line and prayed she'd grab hold. If she told him it was a lie, if she told him they sought to turn him against her he'd believe it. He'd believe her and put this whole mess behind them, if only he could be so lucky as to have this be some cruel ploy and not what his heart feared it was. Her jaw tensed and he could see the conflict in her. She was too much the knight, too honorable to lie to him. He almost wished she had.

"It is not forged."

She plunged the knife deep with those simple words. Rhaegar's voice hardened then as he stared down at her.

"Why then?"

"I sent letters to Varys, the spymaster of Kings Landing."

He asked the question but he already knew the answer.

"What was the contents of these letters."

"Information."

"What information."

She played coy and he was not amused, following up her shallow response sharply.

"When you and Daenerys arrived in Pentos, when Illyrio called a meeting of your allies, his plan to win you the Iron Throne, when... your sister died."

He knew what it meant, what she was saying and what happened as a result of what she'd done. He almost couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that the woman he trusted so deeply had betrayed him.

"You told them where Dany was that night?"

He posed it as a question but in truth it was more of an accusation. She wavered under his gaze, under the fire in his eyes.

"I..."

"Yes or no."

"Dragon-"

"Don't call me that. Did you tell them where Daenerys was that night?"

He had no interest in her pet name for him as a boy. He wanted answers, he needed to hear it. The betrayal had to come from her mouth and she would admit it to him. She faltered, unsteady on her feet. Her eyes seemed unfocused and hazy, wet with emotion. To her agony she admitted the truth.

"Yes..."

Rhaegar rose, slowly. His stare full of fire and blood.

"That wine merchant, tried to poison me because of your information."

"I stopped you from drinking his wine."

"Because you knew it was poisoned."

He said as he descended the stairs, looming over her. The boy no more but a king, a dragon king in all his vengeful might.

"I suspected."

Was all she could say, she had no defense. None he would hear at this point.

"You betrayed me.... from the first."

She broke in that moment, her shame too great and the pain of his hate filled stare to heavy to bear.

"Please forgive me. I never meant.... Please Dragon."

She pleaded, begged him on her knees. She fell before him, the bear knelt before the dragon and wept.

"You sold my secrets to the man who killed my father and stole my brothers throne and you want me to forgive you?!"

His rage had sparked and none would withstand his fire. Jenna fell silent, not daring to speak again. She stared up at him in horrible sorrow and regret. She looked so weak and full of anguish, she was the proud shield maiden no more. He couldn't look at her, he couldn't stand her sight. He turned when he heard her voice. Fear was gone, as was sorrow but the shame was still there, a different kind of shame. A shame she has held onto for a long time.

"I have loved you."

Her voice turned him around and his eyes glinting off the fire light in the room as he looked down at her in disbelief.

"Love..."

He breathed at first, almost in a laugh.

"Love? How can you say that to me? Anyone else and I would have you executed but you I do not want you in my city dead or alive. Go back to your masters in Kings Landing, collect your pardon, if you can."

He was done with her, the very thought of Jenna Mormont disgusted and enraged him. He looked past her, as if she were nothing more than a bad smell in the air. She rose to her feet and took a step forward, reaching out to him. He snatched his hand away and stepped froward, almost daring her to try him.

"Don't ever presume to touch me again or speak my name. You have until dusk to collect your things and leave this city. If you're found in Meereen past break of day, I'll have your head thrown into Slavers Bay. Go..........Now."

Rhaegar blinked and the memory vanished. The sting of her betrayal was still there, as was the hurt of losing her. he held the strip of cloth out, prepared to toss it over the balcony. He held it for a long moment before closing his fist tightly around it and heading back into the pyramid.

"Someone tried to kill me." Dae said, her voice loud, echoing in the room. It caused Ghost's ears to perk up. "Where it not for Ghost, I would have a knife in my back." She said, trying to let fury take over the fear.

There were four men seated at the small council table. All men Jon trusted and trusted Jon. Maester Luwin watched her with sadness in his eyes. He knew how much she missed Jon, and was probably the only one would didn't entertain the thought of her having something to do with his disappearance. Joer Mormont, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a trusted friend of Jon's looked on with a frown, she could see the gears turning in his head. Edmure Tully Jon's uncle on his mother's side, who looked skeptical, he was one of the people that question their marriage in the first place, and Byrnden Tully, Jon's Mother's Uncle, who they all affectionately called Uncle Blackfish, looked at Edmure curiously.

"Well?" Dae asked the group, their silence making her uncomfortable. "Lord Tully?" She asked looking at Edmure. "What you think I had something to do with this?"

"I don't." Dae said, and looked at Blackfish. "but I only speak for myself." She said and he looked over at his uncle. "You were against their union from the start, Edmure, Don't deny it now."

"Yes, but that has nothing to do with the attempt made on her life?" Edmure shot back, and Dae sighed, tossing a dismissive hand.

"Maester Luwin, Lord Commander, Do either of you have any idea who that man was."

Maester Luwin took a breath. " He was...Northern...." He said, hesitantly. " I figured as much." Dae said, taking a seat finally, Ghost resting his massive chin on her lap, while she stroked his fur.

"With all due respect your grace, we shouldn't be too surprised, The people...they--"the Lord Commander began but Dae shook her head, cutting him off. "I know, I know what it seems, and I know what it looks like, Like I had something to do with his disappearance, I am neither deaf, nor dumb, Lord Commander. I know they blame me, and I should expect more attempts to be made on my life." She said.

"I'll add more men to your security...."

"No, I need all the men looking for Jon, beside, I wouldn't be able to trust them, No offensive to you, Lord Commander" She said, and the Lord Commander sighed, but nodded. It was then she looked down at the letter in front of her.

"I have received word from the King in Meereen."

"Rhaegar Taragaryn?" Edmure asked.

"Yes, he has offered me his support, and so far has heard no word regarding Jon's disappearance." She said, picking up the parchment and peeling the wax "This is his latest message, I thought it best to read it with all of you present." She said and they were all ears.

Queen Stark, I'm glad to hear from you. I understand your concerns regarding the disappearance of your husband. My Master of Whisperers boasts the largest web of spies in the world, I will put them all to use to track down Jon Stark. You have my word. In the interim I must warn you, I have heard tell of armies marshalling to move against The North. Many nations sense weakness there without a King on the Throne of Winterfell. Arm yourself my friend, there are too few good and honorable regents in the world and I believe you and yours to be among that valiant minority. I will send a raven the moment I hear news of your husband. Should you require more of me, know that The Dragon stands ready to defend The Wolf.

-Rhaegar Targaryen, First of his name, Rightful King of Valyria. Father of Dragons.

Dae took a breath. There was an army heading this way, for the North, and she knew nothing of this, while he knew and he was leagues away.

"I'll have my men readied, Your grace."

"Does anyone else find it odd that Rhaegar Targaryen from Meereen has taken such interest in the Queen?" Edmure asked and Blackfish threw an elbow in his shoulder. "Quiet boy, You have the Eyre and it's men, Your Grace." Blackfish said and Dae nodded. "Thank you, all of you...but he is right, I find it odd myself, he has taken such interest in Northern Affairs, but as of right now, He is an ally, that's more then we had before, and he seems to be one of the few people in the world, that believe my innocence" She said, looking pointedly as Edmure. "I want my husband found, that is paramount, Lord Commander, In the event that anything should happen to me, make sure you get Arya to the Eyre." She said and Even Edmure looked at her with regretful eyes. "We will find him, Your Grace, and we will--"

"I don't need false hope, Lord Commander, what I need is your word, Promise me you will get Arya to the Erye, she'll be safer then then anywhere else." She said and took a breath, trying to decide what to do next.
"As you wish, Your Grace."

Arya could hear each gulp as it went down The Hounds gullet, he drank like a beast but at this point she was used to it, he'd been around her long enough. The two of them were seated at a table in Winterfells great hall breaking their lunch on mutton, potatoes, brown bread and ale. Ale for The Hound at least, he wouldn't permit her ale because Jon wouldn't have permitted her ale. She had milk instead. She tore off a piece of bread and as she munched away her mind drifted back to Dae, as it so often had the last few days.

"You think she's alright?"

Arya mumbled behind a mouthful of food. The Hound just burped, ale dripping into his beard.

"Who?"

"Dae?"

"Aye, I imagine so. She don't go nowhere with your brothers wolf. You'd have to be a fucking idiot to try her now."

Arya nodded as she popped a bit of mutton in her mouth and chewed. Ghost had been, well as his namesake implied, a Ghost since Jon left. Then out of no where he appeared and saved Dae's life from an assassin, after that he rarely left her side. It made Arya feel good. Dae was protected and Ghost was a part of the family again.

"I told her you could have protected her, I knew you wouldn't mind."

Arya said casually before sipping some milk. Sandor merely grunted in his cup.

"If you think there's another Stark in the world who'd put up with my ugly face every day, you're drunk."



Arya chuckled. She didn't often admit it but she rather liked Sandor. He may have been gruff, foul mouthed and surly but she liked those qualities in him. He'd told her once, when he'd first been named her sworn shield by Jon. A dog will kill for you, die for you if he has to. But he'll never lie to you." The next few years had proven him right. He never coddled her, never treated her any different than he'd treat an adult and he never once lied to her. She got to her feet as did Sandor after downing the last of his cup.

"I want to check on Dae."

She said. The Hound nodded.

"After you, Wolf Girl."

She led the way, through the Grey Keep and up the stairs to the private quarters. No one stopped them, or even pestered them. She was the only living princess of House Stark and with the fearsome looking Hound at her back no one much lamented the idea of inconveniencing her. She reached Jons room quickly.

"You wait out here."

Sandor nodded and took up position by the door, looking grim and stoic. No one would bother her and Dae with her guard Dog protecting her. She walked inside, failing to knock. She found Dae hard at work at the desk. Working by candle light she was scribbling on a piece of parchment, only stopping to dip her quill in the ink well before continuing. She didn't even notice Arya walk in. Ghost did however. The massive white direwolf had been laying on the bed, Arya had thought him asleep but one step in the room and those blood red eyes were on her. He made no sound, nor did he move at all but she knew he was watching her. Arya decided to greet him first before Dae who was hard at work. After rubbing Ghost behind the ears she made her way over to Dae, working to crane her neck in hopes of seeing what she was writing.

"Who you writing to? Rhaegar Targaryen?"

Arya asked hopefully.

"Who you writing to? Rhaegar Targaryen?'
Dae jumped a little, her heart racing. "Gods, Arya..."She said a hand on her chest but smiled."You startled me..." She said, remembering how Jon mentioned that he used to call her Arya Underfoot for her fleet feet. Dae was glad for Arya, she'd been the only thing that was able to put a smile on her face since the moment she found Jon missing.

She shifted some, giving her space so she can read, trying not to think of that now, though it was never far from her mind.

She'd woken up, finding him not beside her in bed. She found it odd, but she got ready for the day, and shortly after she walked about the keep, expecting to find him in the throne room, or in a small council meeting. When she hadn't been able to find him there, she thought he'd was out hunting but Ghost was inside, and Longclaw was still hanging on the side of the bed. It was the fact that Longclaw wasn't with him did she realize something horrible had happened. He would never leave without it, It was the power of Longclaw that broke her curse, nearly relieving V'lane of his head, but instead Jon showed him mercy in exchange for permanent power in her legs. No, Jon would not leave without Longclaw, yet it was here and he was. She was in near panic, as she asked all the Kingsguard, servants, stewards, she even made her way to the Wall, and questioned the Night's Watch. All the same question.
"Where is he?"

"Yes, I am." She told her, blinking the thoughts away and the tears that came with it. "I just finished, Would you like to see?" She asked her and lifted the page for the girl to see. On the page, was written in delicate script.

King Targareyn,
The North thanks you for the warning, we are fortifying our Keep as I write this letter.
I must say, You're interest in the North, came as a surprised to me, but a warning to my small council. I am a new Queen, I know little of such matters, but I shutter to think ill of you, Your Grace.
So I have to ask, Why have you taken such interest in Northern affairs and how did you know of the invaders, to which none of my council had any knowledge of, when you are leagues away in Meereen?

-Dae Missan-Stark, Wife of King Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King of the North