*
Ser Arthur looked around scanning the empty hallway until his gaze rested on the two guards at the far end. Satisfied to notice that they had spotted him he addressed Rosby. "We need to get to the West Gate on the double. Every guard we encounter should follow and the first servant we see needs to fetch Ser Gerold. But our first priority is to guard our King." He turned to Jon. "We will go as fast as we can but I urge you to stay between us, your Grace."
They slowed shortly so Ser Arthur could shout some orders at the two guards when they neared the end of the hallway. By the time they reached the West Gate, Jon was accompanied by twenty guards. They all had their weapons drawn and those up front shouted to clear the way. Jon looked around frantically. There was no sign of Dany. Three bodies lay on the ground. One was covered with the cloak he knew only too well: half red and half black with a white three headed dragon on the back etched in silver. He kneeled and lifted a corner to reveal the pale, lifeless face of Ser Barristan.
"Your Grace," A guard whose attire made it clear that he belonged to the City Watch addressed him. "It might not be safe out here. Let Ser Arthur escort you to the guard house. The Queen is there under heavy guard. She has been asking for you."
"The other two casualties?" Jon asked, still in a kneeling position beside Ser Barristan's body.
"None of ours. Those were two of the perpetrators. A young recruit was wounded. He and Ser Brienne are inside with the Queen and two of her ladies.
"Let's move to a more secure environment, your Grace." This time it was Ser Arthur who spoke softly to him. The loyal knight had put a hand on his young King's shoulder as much in support as in a silent plea to move to a safer environment.
Jon got up slowly. "All right. Escort me to the Queen."
Dany forgetting all decorum ran into his arms the moment he entered the small room where they had brought her. While he encircled her slim body and pulled it closer to his, he watched out of the corner of his eye how Ser Brienne took a few steps to follow her Queen but stopped a few feet away to afford the royal couple some semblance of privacy. Dany held on to him for dear life and he was not keen to let go of her either when he felt her shaking in his arms.
"You are not hurt?" She shook her head. "I, … we were lucky to have Ghost with us."
Jon nodded. He made sure that Ghost accompanied her each time that she ventured outside the confines of the Red Keep without him. He petted his direwolf who kept close to both of them. Ghost had been glued to Dany's side when he walked in and the wolf had kept up with her when she ran into his arms. He didn't mind the fact that his coat got smeared with the blood that still clung to Ghost's fur. He sent a silent thank you to his wolf while he held his wife with both arms. His eyes scanned the rest of the room and he saw Lady Ashara holding Lady Roslin's hand. Both women looked pale but unharmed. He nodded at them and Lady Ashara returned his nod. A few Gold Cloaks kept watch by the door. Ser Brienne's eyes never left her charge, her hand on the pommel of her sword.
"Ser Barristan was not as lucky." A tear slid down Daenerys' face. "I should have insisted that he stay behind. He was not well, Aegon. He had not entirely recovered from his illness. He wouldn't hear of it though. Why would he not listen?"
"Sssh, he was his own man, Dany. He died as he would have wanted, protecting his Queen. You are alive because of him. Thank him for it. Don't berate him."
"Your Grace! My Queen! Are you both all right?"
Jon sighed. Ser Gerold had arrived. How to convince him to let Dany be for the moment? He already knew the arguments his Lord Commander would use. 'We need to do the debriefing now that events are still on the forefront of her mind and have not been contaminated by other versions.' He released Dany but kept one arm around her shoulder.
"I am all right, Ser Gerold, but the Queen is in shock. She needs rest." He spoke firmly.
Ser Gerold hesitated. "Did she describe what happened to you? Where did the attackers come from? How many were there?"
"Ser Gerold," Jon started but Dany silenced him.
"It is all right, Aegon. Better get this over with." She straightened herself and faced Ser Gerold. "As far as I could tell, they came from a small alley to the left of us. I saw three men walk closely together but paid them no further attention. Then it all started happening. Suddenly Ser Barristan jumped in front of me his sword already drawn and yelled to the others to get me to safety. I tried to look over my shoulder to see what was happening. When I caught a glimpse, the fight was already over. Ser Barristan was down before I reached the building. The only thing I know for sure is that Ghost killed at least one attacker. Then I was ushered inside a building and the door blocked my view. It was about that time that I noticed that we were joined by Gold Cloaks. I pleaded to let me check on Ser Barristan's condition once the attackers were all dead."
"Your Grace?" Ser Gerold addressed Jon now. "How did you get here before me?"
Jon sighed. "I was in the Red Keep when Ghost uh you know. Ser Arthur made sure they sent someone to alert you and then we ran over here with all the guards we encountered along the way."
"Ser Arthur?" Ser Gerold needn't say more.
"As the King said. When he felt what had happened, we sequestered ourselves briefly in the King's bedroom where he, you know," Ser Arthur mouthed the word 'warged' without making a sound. "Then we left his room and Rosby and I flanked the King while we hurried here. We alerted everyone that we encountered asking them to fetch you and join us at the West Gate. If you need more information, debrief Ser Brienne and the young apprentice guard that got wounded. I can't seem to recall his name for the moment. Make sure to thank them. You might also want to debrief the men from the City Watch who came to the Queen's assistance as well. Perhaps they can point out some of the smallfolk who were in the vicinity at the time of the attack. The City Watch told me they received help from a few citizens to trap the third man who tried to flee. The streets are still very crowded out there."
"Ser Gerold?" Ser Brienne who had been following the conversation was hesitant to interfere. Ser Gerold gave her a terse nod and she swallowed. "It was Edwyd Fossoway that helped me bring the Queen to safety. They are treating his arm. It is only a shallow cut on his left arm near his wrist."
Ser Gerold nodded. "Thank you, Ser Brienne. I'll speak to you in an instant. I'll briefly have a word with the two Ladies-in-Waiting first. Ser Arthur, get the King and Queen to the Red Keep under heavy guard. Double the guards at every gate. The number of guards patrolling the hallways near the royal quarters have been increased sufficiently already since uh you know." Being in public, it wouldn't do to call it the 'Tyrell debacle' out loud. "I'll stay out here and conduct the investigation. Ser Arthur, also see to it that word is sent to Lord Varys and Prince Oberyn. I need them to come down here. Make sure you find Prince Oberyn. At first sight the perpetrators might be Dornish."
Jon stilled. "Ser Gerold, whatever you learn, whatever you suspect, know that you do not have my permission to arrest Prince Oberyn. You can ask him questions in a respectful manner and will listen to his answers. In the unlikely event that you belief you have enough cause to take action against him, you will not act upon it but come to me first. Is that clear?"
Ser Gerold pursed his lips. "Crystal clear, your Grace."
Jon tightened his left arm around Dany and guided her to the exit, his right hand resting on the pommel of Blackfyre. The sooner they were safely inside the Walls of the Red Keep the better.
***
Later that same day
"My task would be a lot easier if they had apprehended at least one of the attackers instead of outright killing them." Varys complained. "Ser Gerold is not an easy man to appease and dead men are difficult to interrogate."
"Impossible to interrogate you mean to say, Lord Varys?" Dany remarked. She was sitting on a sofa that could easily accommodate two large men but sitting as close to Aegon as she could, the both of them barely needed half of the space it offered. Aegon had only released her for the necessary time to change her dress and had kept her company ever since. The attack had happened during the first part of the morning of that same day and it was now shortly before supper.
"I just use other means of interrogation, my Queen." Varys explained. "We check their pockets, search for sigils, tattoos, scrolls. I assess the style of their clothing and weapons. In short, we look for any clue that can actually help us identify who they are and why they attacked you."
"And what did you learn?" Dany knew that Aegon never liked the indirect long-winded speeches of Lord Varys. She put her hand on his thigh and gave him a tense smile.
"Are you sure you want to be here for this, Daenerys?" Prince Oberyn remarked. He was seated on a wooden chair a few feet away from them. Varys sat next to him and the both of them faced the royal couple. Davos and Ser Gerold had opted to keep standing while they all shared their findings with the King and Queen.
Aegon put his hand on hers in an encouraging gesture. "Yes, I do." She kept her voice firm. They had all gathered in the sitting room her mother had used decades earlier when she spent time with her Ladies-in-Waiting. It was conveniently located in the same hallway as the royal bedchambers. Jon knew that there were at least four guards posted at their door now and more further along in the corridor.
Prince Oberyn nodded and exchanged glances with Varys. Apparently the Master of Whispers allowed the Dornish Prince to explain because it was Oberyn who started talking.
"Once more they tried to blame an attack on the Dornish. Just like the two archers that attempted to take out King Robert on his balcony a moon before his abdication. And we suspect the same group was also behind one of the weaker assassination attempts on your wedding day. The culprits had the darker skin that could be mistaken for persons of Dornish origin. This time the clues we found were more straightforward and we can state with absolute certainty that your attackers were neither Dornishmen nor were they hired by my elder brother."
Dany saw her husband look at Ser Gerold to gauge his reaction. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard remained stoic which told Dany that that he had reviewed the evidence before coming to this meeting and was convinced it was legitimate. "Can you tell us about these clues, please?" Dany's soft voice broke the silence.
"Of course, my Queen." Lord Varys' sing-song voice answered her plea. "They had several items on them that hint to them being Ironborn or hired by Ironborn. One man lacked his tongue. On further examination, it was confirmed that it had been severed a long time ago and not recently to cast suspicion on Euron Greyjoy by mimicking his cruel habit. The other man, we suspect, was a faceless man. The Gold Cloak swore he looked Dornish but after he died, his face and hair colour changed. These men made another crucial mistake. Instead of learning their instructions by hard, one of the attacker had the scroll still in his pocket. This was no assassination attempt, your Graces. They intended to kidnap the Queen and bring her to the River Gate where a boat would pick her up. Unfortunately the scroll didn't mention where they intended to take her from there. It bore no signature."
Dany looked at Ser Gerold who shook his head and remarked. "By the time we found the scroll and sent a patrol over there, there was no trace of their accomplices."
"Or you didn't recognise them." Davos spoke up for the first time. He smiled apologetically. "I once was a smuggler, you see. As a smuggler you make sure that you blend in. If I had been there with nefarious purposes, I would have posed as a modest fisherman with a dilapidated little vessel, one just big enough to get my victim to a nearby sheltered location where a bigger ship would lie in wait."
Aegon looked at Ser Gerold who once more shook his head. "We didn't detect anything suspicious. I am sorry, your Graces. I'll widen the search perimeter and we'll be more thorough next time."
"Next time?" Prince Oberyn raised an eyebrow. "We won't sit by and wait for a next time. This must stop. How long has it been now that we have allowed Stannis Baratheon to stay silent? We know from our spies that he has declared himself King and has made an alliance with the Ironborn. Baratheons and Greyjoys are plotting a rebellion. Let's force the traitor to declare his intentions."
"It's been forty-five days since we took the throne." Aegon concurred. "I reckon his intent is clear. He renounces my claim. Perhaps we should attempt a parlay."
"And concede him what exactly, Aegon?" Oberyn looked offended.
"We will not concede anything." Aegon retorted calmly. "But if we let him state his terms, we at least officially know that he is an enemy to my rule. As things stand now, I cannot rally support to stand with me against Stannis Baratheon."
"A parlay is not without its risks." Ser Gerold cautioned.
"I agree," Davos supported the Lord Commander. "Perhaps we should start with sending another raven first, one with an unambiguous deadline. Make it clear that he need not come to King's Landing immediately but that we expect an official statement declaring himself for or against King Aegon. Give him a sennight upon receipt of the raven to reply. No reaction means he is in open rebellion and the Crown will be forced to annex the Stormlands by force."
"He'll just deny receiving the raven." Varys piped up and Dany noticed another silent exchange between the Master of Whispers and the Dornish Prince.
"We'll do both." Aegon decided firmly. "Davos, send the raven out today. Lord Varys, find a messenger we can send to one of our spies in the Crownlands near the border with the Stormlands and see to it that they deliver an official request for a parlay to Stannis Baratheon. I will formulate the document with the help of Sam and Davos to have the wording just right. I will have it ready for you by noon tomorrow at the latest."
"As you wish, your Grace." Varys inclined his head.
She noticed how Aegon started to scowl a no one in particular. She was about to squeeze his hand in reassurance when he spoke up. "Ser Gerold, my kin will arrive tomorrow. Arrange for their safe conduct to the Red Keep. Don't take any chances. In light of today's events, I'm sure they will understand that the Queen and I will not meet their ship on the docks to welcome them there but instead will greet them inside the Red Keep the moment they arrive here."
Dany was not the only one who recognised the relief on Ser Gerold's normally so stoic face.
"I'll confer with Prince Eddard Stark, your Graces. I know that he intended to go out to the docks tomorrow morning with his brother and young Prince Bran."
"I'll represent their Graces." Davos stated calmly.
"And I'll make sure that he takes enough men of his houseguard with him." The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was quick to close the subject before anyone might say something that could get the King to change his mind.
"Is there anything else I need to hear about the attack?" Aegon asked. "Have you learned more about the way Ser Barristan died?"
Ser Gerold's eyes once more lingered on Dany.
"I can handle it, Ser Gerold." Dany hoped she sounded less irritated than she felt.
"I reconstructed what happened with the help of several eyewitnesses. It mostly went as the Queen told us. Ser Barristan saw the attackers first and jumped in front of her. He ordered Ser Brienne and Edwyd Fossoway to escort the Queen and the Ladies-in-Waiting to the nearest building. They obeyed instantly and were assisted by the smallfolk. Ser Brienne stayed with the Queen and her Ladies. Fossoway ran back outside to help Ser Barristan. But by then Ser Barristan was already down. A Gold Cloak that was patrolling the streets had witnessed the altercation and hurried over to assist. Apparently one assailant had been disarmed by Ser Barristan and the King's direwolf had immediately ripped out his throat. But the second one had Ser Barristan on the back foot when the commander needed to block a powerful stroke."
Ser Gerold's voice trembled and he swallowed two times before continuing. "According to the witness it all happened in a heartbeat. Before the direwolf was finished with his first victim or before Fossoway or the Gold Cloak could intervene, the second man, the one we suspect to be a trained assassin, struck Ser Barristan with a dagger he drew with his left hand. He managed to mortally wound Ser Barristan. Before our brother bled out, he managed to kill the faceless man with the help of Ghost. The third assailant tried to get away but here the smallfolk intervened and blocked his escape route with a large cart. He got cut down by Fossoway but not before the man managed to wound Fossoway. He has a small cut on his left arm. He was blindsided by a spare dagger the perpetrator drew in a desperate attempt when he realised he was losing the fight. I offered Fossoway a position in your Dragonguard, your Grace."
Dany nodded her assent. And Aegon gestured for Ser Gerold to continue.
"All that was left to do was to cover up the bodies and cordon off the area. To placate the Queen they let her return to Ser Barristan's side for a short moment. By the time the King arrived on the scene, the Queen and both her Ladies-in-Waiting were secure in the nearest guard house of the City Watch."
"We were only fifty feet away from the orphanage that we intended to visit. How did they know to attack us there?" She looked to Lord Varys and Prince Oberyn.
"They didn't necessarily know beforehand, Daenerys." Prince Oberyn's soothing voice had a calming effect on her nerves. "Men like these are paid well to stay patient. It is highly likely that they were keeping an eye on every exit of the Red Keep for several days and were still devising a plan. My guess is that they were taken by surprise by your sudden appearance and they acted rashly instead of waiting for more accomplices to help them. Three attackers against three trained guards, those are bad odds for criminals."
"Perhaps not for a faceless man." Prince Oberyn remarked. "They have a bit of a reputation." When Dany threw him a questioning look, Oberyn added. "They always get the job done."
"Three guards to escort three ladies, one of them being the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms is not sufficient either." Davos looked accusingly at Ser Gerold.
"Ser Barristan was in charge. I only intervene with his schedule when I deem it necessary. The city was peaceful. We had no cause to suspect that the Queen would be in danger. It was a routine outing and she had Ghost with her." Ser Gerold pointed out.
"Did you know that Ser Barristan was not entirely recovered yet?" This time it was Aegon who questioned Ser Gerold's leadership. "Perhaps he was not thinking clearly enough. He surely lacked the strength to fight off his aggressors. If he had been in good health, these attackers wouldn't have stood a chance. Between him and Ghost, they would have dealt with them before they got two strikes in. Belief in his skill is the only reason why he was confident enough to order the two other guards to lead the Queen and her Ladies to safety. Apparently he overestimated his health. If this account of what happened is accurate, he was still severely weakened by his bout of sickness. Where was Ser Jorah?"
"Sleeping, your Grace. He just finished the nightshift. I checked the logs." Ser Gerold had deflated a bit.
"Ser Gerold, I trust you to up the Queens's security and appoint a new Commander for her Dragonguard. I'll expect a progress report during our briefing tomorrow. I urge you once more to evaluate the apprentice guards and move up the appointments. It also might be a good idea to dedicate an entire training session to teaching the men how to anticipate and how to react when an opponent draws a dagger or any other weapon with his spare hand. I will also want to hear at that time what Ser Barristan's last wishes were in respect to a funeral ceremony and where to inter his body. Does anyone else have anything to add? Prince Oberyn? Varys?"
"One of my little birds reported suspicious activity near the River Gate. I will investigate and hopefully get the information to Ser Gerold in time for his briefing tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Lord Varys. Davos?"
"I think we can end the meeting for now, your Grace. I'll send Maester Pylos to the Queen after supper. He can check her heart rate and decide whether she needs help falling asleep."
Aegon pressed her hand when she wanted to protest. "That is thoughtful of you, Davos."
Davos gestured the others to leave the room and they all hurried out, glad the tragic briefing was over.
Dany turned to Aegon. "I don't want a sleeping potion, Aegon."
"I know, my love. It doesn't hurt to let the Maester check you out. You can reason with him then and convince him that I am all you need to get you calm and relaxed enough to fall asleep."
"I think I will be exhausted all by myself, thank you. But I will not be able to sleep without your body warmth."
"Don't forget my strong arms and loving presence." He kissed her softly, one hand stroking her hair.
She relaxed her body against his. "Your love is all I need, Aegon. A thousand Maesters can't fabricate a potion that will make me feel as safe and relaxed as your presence in my bed does."
Jon kept moving his hand through her hair in a soothing manner. "I live to serve, my Queen." He whispered against her cheek and tightened his other arm around her.
***
The next morning
Davos looked out over the water watching the five ships navigate the bay to reach the dock. Four of the five ships flew the white mermaid with dark green hair and tail, carrying a black trident. The ship up front proudly showed off the personal sigil of King Aegon and Queen Daenerys. Davos smiled when he saw that. Daenerys had mentioned that she had sent a sail to the Fingers where the ships had docked to provision. It was obvious which ship carried the group that he and the three Stark Princes had come out to greet.
"They're here." Eddard Stark's serious voice announced. "If I am not mistaken, they just appeared on the front deck.
"I see two beautiful redheads." Benjen Stark remarked. "Sansa is easier to spot than Arya."
"Princess Arya is present as well," Davos told Bran. "Look left of the tall dark man. She stands next to the new Lord Gendry of House Baratheon.
Bran didn't reply but kept his gaze fixed on the large shape of the ship with the Targaryen sigil. That much he could make out.
"Brace yourself, Brother." Benjen put his hand on his older brother's shoulder. "The likeness of young Gendry with his deceased father is astounding."
"Why does it take so long to dock?" Eddard Stark looked at Davos for an answer. He pulled a cloth out of his pocket to wipe the sweat off his brow.
"You northerners and your furs." Davos chuckled. "We're in the south and still you can't venture outside without putting on a heavy cloak. It takes skill to navigate the ship between the piers. More so when the wind is blowing from an awkward angle. The captains need to take their time. I'd like to see you trying."
"I'll take your word for it, Lord Seaworth." Eddard Stark grumbled but raised his hand to waive back at his wife and daughters who had spotted them. He looked over his shoulders to check that the heavily armed guards stood at the ready to escort his family safely to the Red Keep. After the events of yesterday, Jon had urged everyone to be cautious while venturing outside of the confines of the Red Keep.
It took more of his patience but finally the gangplank was lowered and Arya was the first to set foot on dry land. "Father, Uncle, we've arrived and we are all well! Where is Jon? Is my new teacher here? Oh Bran, I'm so glad you brought Summer."
"And we are fine too. Thank you for asking, Arya." His father embraced her warmly despite the dry tone of his voice. "Greet your Uncle Benjen first." He gently admonished her when she turned to the direction of the direwolf. He released his youngest daughter just in time to see his wife and Sansa approach.
"Sansa, you look lovely. The sea air agrees with you it seems."
"Thank you, Father," she replied demurely but initiated their embrace.
"My Lady Wife." He turned to Catelyn
"My Lord Husband," She smiled and they embraced briefly.
He gave her a peck on her cheek. "All is well?"
"As well as can be. I am not much of a sailor. I was nauseous the first part of our trip. Thank the Seven for Lord Baratheon. He kept Arya in check so Sansa could attend me."
Eddard Stark turned to the young man who stood a few paces behind them awaiting his turn to be introduced. Even despite the warning, it was like seeing a ghost from the past. That was exactly how Robert looked back in the day before he got fat. Seeing Gendry brought memories to the forefront of all the times that he and his best friend had talked until the small hours and made plans for all the pranks that they would pull when they lived at the Vale. Not wanting to offend the young man, he quickly stepped forward to greet him. "Lord Gendry of House Baratheon, I presume. Well met. My name is Prince Eddard Stark. I am in your debt, I hear. Thank you for bringing my wife and daughters to me in one piece."
"It was an honour and a pleasure, Prince Stark."
Ned saw the nervousness reflected in the young man's blue Baratheon eyes. Robert's eyes had never looked at him like that. Robert had been cocky from a very young age already. Back then Ned had admired him for it. He swallowed as he remembered how he had buried his friend only recently. Robert would never get to meet this son of his that at first sight seemed like a good man. He wondered what stories the son had heard of his sire. Jon had warned him not to offer his condolences. He made sure to give the young man the respect he was due. "I highly appreciate it all the same, Lord Baratheon." He looked sideways and noticed that his younger brother was talking to his wife and daughters assisted by Davos Seaworth.
His wife caught his eye. "Arya was wondering where King Aegon was?"
Benjen who stood behind her rolled his eyes, but Ned's expression turned serious when he addressed his youngest daughter who was petting Summer. "He very much wanted to be here, Arya. But something uh important happened and he sent his Hand to represent him. I'll explain later." He noticed Davos resuming the conversation with his wife and offering her his arm. Benjen fell into step with them. Sansa and Arya followed with Bran and Summer. The wolf was indulging Arya by staying close to her and his human. The two Stark girls were both eagerly listening to their brother's tales of his stay in the capital. Eddard turned his attention back on Gendry Baratheon. "My daughters didn't cause you too much trouble while my wife was indisposed, Lord Baratheon?"
"Not at all, Prince Stark." The young man replied politely.
Ned raised his eyebrow. "Come now, my Lord. You can tell me the truth. I know my youngest daughter's disposition. Sennights confined on a ship without a single prank? You won't rescue her reputation by keeping silent. I am her father after all. Rest assured, I love her just the way she is."
The corners of Gendry's mouth lifted slightly upwards. "In that case, I might as well confess that she had me worried a few times. It was not easy to keep track off her despite being on a ship." Gendry's expression sobered when he recalled how on two separate occasions he had frantically searched the entire vessel when Arya seemed to have disappeared without a trace.
"Pray elaborate." Eddard Stark had seen some emotion flicker in the young man's eyes that he couldn't help but stare at. He wanted to know more.
"Nothing she needs to be punished for. Let me state that up front, Prince Stark. It gets boring on a ship after a while."
"Let me be the judge of that. I will keep her circumstances in mind when I decide whether she needs to be chastised or not. He saw the young man hesitate and added. "Has she ever complained that she has an ogre for a father that punishes her unfairly or way too harsh?"
"No, my Lord." The young man was quick to offer sounding sincere. "To the contrary. Princess Arya looks up to you. Every word that comes out of her mouth when she mentions you reveals how proud she is to be the daughter of the honourable Lord Eddard of House Stark."
"Then trust me to have her best interests in mind. Your words or rather those that you did not speak have made me curious, young man."
"Then I'll tell you about the two times that stood out and that she really had me worried." Gendry's formal demeanour had relaxed a little. "The first time it took me a while to locate her in the ship's kitchen where she had befriended a young baker apprentice named Hot Pie." He smiled when he remembered what Arya had looked like. "I almost did not recognise her and might have mistaken her for another kitchen help if she hadn't called after me and proudly presented me with a strange half burned shape and declared that it was the first bannock she had ever baked. She wore an oversized apron and had covered her hair so only her face and hands were covered in white flour."
Ned smiled imagining the scene easily and nodded. "And the second time?" He saw the young Lord stiffen slightly and take a deep breath as if the recollection still troubled him a little.
"The second time I searched the ship twice to no avail. Your wife was still indisposed and I didn't want to alert her needlessly so I mobilised half of the crew to help me look for her. We searched for a long time and I started to fear the worst. Pictures of her floating lifelessly beneath the waves were torturing me when shortly after dusk she showed up of her own accord with a grumbling stomach and dirty streaks of dried tears on her face. Apparently she had been searching the ship's hold for the sword that the King - when she still knew him as Jon Celtigar - had gifted her. She was inconsolable since she hadn't been able to find it." Gendry omitted to inform him how her devastated expression so uncommon on this usually vibrant girl had made him hold back on the scolding he had planned to give her. He had embraced her and told her it would be all right, that he would help her find it. He would never forget how scared he had been when they were out of places to look for her and the crew was about to give up moments before she showed up. The only time in his life that he had been more scared was near Hardhome when the dead had charged at them over the frozen lake with intimidating numbers. Lost in his recollections, he almost missed her father's next question.
"I saw the small sword strapped around her waist so I reckon that she found it in the end?"
"I had the Captain order a search of all the servants' quarters. It was found and the thief confessed. I made Princess Arya promise to always keep close to her mother or me after the incident afraid that some of the crew might retaliate for the dismissal of their comrade after they had cut of his right hand. I am glad to say that she caused no further upheaval worth mentioning. To be honest, I am somewhat relieved that I can hand the responsibility of keeping her safe back to you. I hope for your sake that her new teacher has arrived and will put some of that energy that she has in spades towards something constructive."
"I'm happy to say that he is in King's Landing. I'll introduce you to him later. He has been in the capital for a few sennights."
Gendry nodded and studied the guards wearing Stark colours that were walking alongside their party. "I wondered whether he was perhaps a part of your security detail. Is it normal procedure to bring so many guards with you?"
"No it is not." Ned lowered his voice. "There was a failed attack on the Queen yesterday. I won't take any chances with the safety of my family."
"I presume that is the reason why Jon, I mean King Aegon did not come out here himself. I had wondered. Is the Queen all right?"
"She is. You will see that with your own eyes soon enough. I have orders to bring you all to them as soon as you had a chance to refresh yourselves. And Lord Baratheon, in private, we all still call him Jon."
Gendry nodded and noticed Princess Catelyn looking over her shoulder. It was not the first time she had done that during his conversation with Prince Stark. This time her frown was more severe. "Perhaps you should join your Lady Wife? On the ship, I overheard her talking to Princess Sansa about how she looked forward to arriving at the Red Keep on the arm of her husband, who was a key figure in helping his nephew, ascend his rightful throne.
***
"We should have met them on the docks, Aegon. Won't your Aunt feel slighted? You told me more than once that she is big on protocol and attaches great importance to her new status of Princess of the North." She looked up at her husband and once more saw a fierce protective expression appear on his handsome face. He had hardly left her side since yesterday's attack. He had added an extra dagger to his sword belt and had one tucked away in his boot as well. Ghost hadn't left them either and always watched her left side while Aegon guarded her right.
"My Aunt will understand, Dany. I'd rather that you stay inside until we know more. I want to make absolutely sure that no more men that were complicit in the plot to kidnap you are roaming the city. I need to keep you safe." The hand that held hers tightened its grip. She reckoned it was an unconscious gesture. He had held her so close against him last night under their bedfurs that in the end she had been obliged to ask him to loosen his grip a little so she could fall asleep.
This morning he had dragged her along to his private training yard where his Kingsguards were ready to put him through his paces. She had obliged him by putting on her leather breeches and armour and he had spent some time teaching her how to defend herself with a dagger. Ser Oswell had been ordered to fetch a straw dummy and Jon had showed her how to stab a man beneath his rib cage and push the knife upwards so it could pierce his vital organs. If the man wore armour, she had been advised to look for an opening near his groin or under his armpit. If she could reach it without endangering herself cutting his throat was the surest way to kill him.
He had let her practice on the dummy while he fought his Kingsguard that had brought wooden daggers and attacked him without their shields but with a sword in their right and a dagger in their left hand. Ser Oswell almost had him when he jumped into the fight between Aegon and Ser Arthur wielding an axe. Aegon had ducked and countered in the nick of time even though he had been distracted because Dany had loudly called his name fearing he would get hurt. When they paused for a while, Aegon had reassured her that even if he had lost the fight, his Kingsguard would have held back and worst case scenario, he would have walked away with a few bruises.
They had refreshed themselves in their respective rooms but Aegon had left the panel door open and Ghost, back from his morning hunt took up guard in Jon's stead. She had not been fooled when Aegon had asked for her assistance while he changed his attire. He had ignored how nervous her presence had made his young squires. The rest of the morning they had been sequestered in his study both of them seated behind the large desk when Davos and Ser Gerold had presented their daily reports. For now they had finished reading the newly arrived scrolls and were keeping each other company while they waited for the King's aunt and cousins to arrive. She obliged him when he pulled her closer and climbed on his lap.
"I will indulge you for a few days but I am not going to be a virtual prisoner again, Aegon. I endured years of that life in Pentos. At least Ser Gerold has agreed to formally appoint five of his better recruits permanently to the Dragonguard. With Ser Jorah and Ser Brienne, I have a larger guard than you now."
Aegon looked at the door. They knew that Ser Oswell and Ser Arthur stood at the other side with Ser Jorah and a newly appointed Dragonguard. He encircled her and kissed her forehead. "Tonight there is an intimate ceremony for Ser Barristan. The Septon has agreed to hold it in the chapel here in the Red Keep. Afterwards his remains will be sent to Harvest Hall the seat of his House in the Stormlands. Ser Gerold apparently has records of each of his guards' wishes regarding their last resting place."
She rested her head against his shoulder. "I still can't fathom that he is gone. It seemed as if he was always present. I had grown to like him very quickly."
Aegon used his left hand to push a stray lock behind her ear and caressed her cheek absently. "I had also. We'll make sure the realm will remember him. Perhaps we can name something after him. A street, a building perhaps?"
She lifted her head slightly and looked into his eyes. "Why not the champion's price of the joust of each tournament that we will hold in King's Landing."
"The Barristan the Bold Award, I like that." He kissed the tip of her nose.
"Perhaps we can fabricate a trophy and incorporate something in its design that is associated with Ser Barristan."
"You have ample time to come up with an idea, Dany." Two loud knocks made them both startle.
Ser Arthur's head appeared when Jon gave him permission to enter. "Your family has arrived, your Grace. Seeing that it is almost lunch time, Lord Seaworth escorted them to the private dining room and has seen to it that it is an exclusive family affair. Her Graces' Ladies-in-Waiting, Lord Tarly and all the others will take their meal elsewhere."
"Thank you, Ser Arthur. Then please escort the Queen and me to them."
The moment Arya jumped into Aegon's arms with a large shriek, Dany knew exactly why Davos had made sure that the King and Queen greeted the Starks behind closed doors with only Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell being allowed inside the room. She wondered whether Ser Arthur had closed the door quickly enough to prevent Arya's shriek from resounding throughout the hallway. Jon obliged her by twirling her around a few times before setting her down.
"Where is your crown?" She asked when he put her down again.
Dany saw her husband chuckle for the first time since the failed attack and she liked Arya already.
"I don't wear it all the time. I'll show it to you later." A still smiling Aegon turned to her and led her by the hand to make the presentations.
His descriptions had been spot on. Princess Catelyn or Aunt Catelyn as she had been given permission to call her was the epitome of a Southern Lady. Even though she wore the Stark colours, her dress would not be remiss amongst the ladies of her Court. Princess Sansa, her eldest daughter was a younger version of her, a red-haired beauty with impeccable manners. Her curtsy was very elegant. Her words sounded much warmer than those of her mother's though.
Arya on the other hand even though she wore a dress, acted more like a young boy. On her mother's orders she made an awkward curtsy to Queen Daenerys but followed it up with an impulsive hug immediately after. Princess Catelyn wanted to interfere but Aegon prevented it with a small hand gesture. As predicted, Arya's next victim was Ghost and the young Stark hugged the large direwolf within an inch of his life. She saw Aegon's eyes mist over when he watched the scene and then he closed his eyes for a moment. Daenerys understood when she saw how Ghost patiently indulge the young girl that missed her own wolf dearly.
"Can Ghost sit close to me?" She asked with big pleading eyes. "He will help me miss Nymeria less."
Dany noticed that Aegon who had reopened his eyes shared a long look with the direwolf before he replied. "That can be arranged if you take the seat facing Dany and we'll remove the chair to your left so he has enough room. Let's all take a seat. I want to hear all about your travels and, …" Dany saw Aegon look around and frown. "Where is Gendry?" He turned to Ser Arthur. "Where is Lord Baratheon?"
"Lord Seaworth was not sure if you wanted him present during your family reunion. He offered to keep him company. I heard him send for the Lady Shireen and Ser Loras, your Grace. Lord Baratheon will get a warm welcome from them."
Aegon looked at her and when she nodded he addressed Ser Arthur again. "Then send a servant with the message that Lord Gendry can join us for dessert. The same goes for Sam, Davos, Lady Shireen and the other ladies-in-waiting."
"As you wish, your Grace." Ser Arthur stepped into the hallway for a moment and was back in an instant.
Dany made sure that everyone was seated before gesturing to Ser Arthur to allow the servants to bring in the food. At first a few polite enquiries were answered. Dany waited for the last servants to leave the room before she and Aegon relaxed their formal posture and by the time that Lord Baratheon and the others were announced, Dany felt she had made big strides in getting to know her good family.