A bit earlier on the beach.
Two Ironborn forced her to her knees on the sand of the beach that to her amazement was no longer wet. The strong wind that blew land inwards had already dried the upper layer of the fine white sand. There were still puddles of water visible here and there but the men had successfully lit a bonfire on a dry spot. She had startled when she recognised one of the Ironborn soldiers as the same man that earlier had been dressed as a Baratheon soldier. She was absolutely sure since it had been the very one that had winked at her, helped her out of the cave and then had uttered those ambiguous words 'you may yet live'. Once again his eyes had warned her to keep silent when he tied her hands. This time however they were tied behind her. Before they had dragged her out of the cave, they had also gagged her. The light of the large bonfire allowed her to count the Ironborn that were present. She could make out ten Ironborn if she included the two that flanked her. If not for the light of the fire, it was pitch dark outside. Clouds covered the faint light of the moon. She guessed that it was still rather early, still a while to go until midnight.
"My dearest future salt wife, I am glad that you have agreed to keep me company so that we can get to know each other better. You are wearing too much clothes however. It is not that cold here in the south and the fire is providing enough heat, wouldn't you say so?"
Daenerys shook her head and made an effort to provide a rebellious sound.
"You are a wild one. That is the way we Ironborn like our females best. Nothing get is up better than a good struggle that us men always win. Continue this way and we will have a fruitful relationship. You might get something out of it as well. That Targaryen Greenlander was nothing but a small boy who could not make your belly swell. It is only right we took you from him. Once you get acquainted with a real man, you will beg me to take you, again and again and I'll put a bastard in that flat belly of yours in no time. Being pregnant might grow you some real tits as well." Euron motioned to the soldier that she suspected to be a Baratheon in disguise and the man started to undress her slowly. He took his time making a show of untying her hands only to bind them again the moment he had removed her doublet. Euron Greyjoy licked his lipped as he watched on as the other guard dragged her to her feet when the first guard struggled to remove her breeches. Greyjoy laughed when Daenerys kicked the soldiers shin when the man succeeded in exposing one of her legs.
"Be careful with her." He warned the guard that was about to retaliate. "If I see as much as a single scratch on that beautiful pale flesh that is not of my own making…" He slowly got to his feet and approached her. "On second thought, I prefer to finish this myself." He gestured for the men to step aside.
Dany stood tall and refused to give in to the fear that threatened to overpower her. The men that sat around the fire laughed at her defiance and shouted to Euron to given them a good show. Greyjoy's smug smile widened. "Your coward of a boy-husband ran with his tail between his legs after a parlay that lasted shorter than it takes me to flood a whore's womb with my potent seed. In fact all the Greenlanders sped away on their horses as if the Drowned God had damned their souls. They won't be coming to rescue you anytime soon, Princess."
She shivered from disgust when Euron filthy hands grabbed her waist and turned her head away when he leaned in to kiss her.
He slapped her face. "Keep it up dragonwhore and I will only enjoy it more and take extra time to take you in every way I can think of."
Dany cringed at the foul smell of his breath that wafted her way when he almost breathed the words on her face. Luckily he took a step back when a loud commanding voice rang over the beach.
"What is the meaning of this! Cover the Princess at once!" Stannis Baratheon shouted with a thunderous expression. He sat astride his horse taking in the half naked body of the Targaryen Princess. He ignored the stirrings in his loin and looked in contempt at all the men who were enjoying the sight of the partially naked female hostage.
Euron made a hand gesture and some of his men disappeared in the shadows. One of the guards that had undressed her covered her with his cloak. She saw Stannis Baratheon stare at the man but since no further order was forthcoming, the guard remained close to her.
Euron slowly his back to her and faced King Stannis. "I merely wanted to enjoy this night with the Targaryen whore. Who knows what tomorrow might bring? That honourable besotted fool might decide to exchange his life for hers. After all, he was raised by House Stark."
"I assured them of my honour and implied the girl would stay unharmed. Will you besmear my honour?" Stannis still atop his horse and looked down at his ally with contempt.
"What harm will it do to let me fuck her? She's not an innocent girl but a wife. Her maidenhead has long been broken by that sorry excuse for a husband that can't sire a child. I was doing her a favour actually. She might even enjoy it and bear a strong son if she is lucky."
"I forbid it!" Stannis' voice ran out over the beach and the soldiers were all eying each other with wary eyes.
"And what if I do not obey? I promised you a dragon. Well choose here and now. The silver white dragonwhore or the silver white flying beast." Dany saw Euron grin when the men he sent away returned with a few Essosi slaves and a large horn.
"Are you seriously forcing my hand?" Stannis' was red in the face.
Dany noticed the Baratheon men now had a fearful look on their faces while the Ironborn looked confident. She could breathe more freely now that Euron Greyjoy had retreated a few more paces and was no longer within touching distance. She let out another long breath when the Ironborn strode further away from her towards the prisoners and the horn. She watched mesmerized how he cut his arm and smeared a generous amount of blood on the narrow end of the horn. Then he used that same knife to threaten one of the prisoners.
"Blow the horn or I'll geld you here and now."
The man complied and Dany recognised the sound that she had heard several times the morning she and Viserion had been taken captive. She watched Euron focus on the entrance of a large cave.
"Come to your Master." He repeated several times.
All the men stepped away from Euron Greyjoy when Viserion appeared and walked toward the Ironborn. Stannis Baratheon held on to the reins on his horse and did his best to keep it steady.
"Do I still hear your weak-hearted commands, Baratheon." Greyjoy taunted the King. "Better come off your high horse." He chuckled at his choice of words.
"We are allies. Let us talk this through before you go any further." Stannis looked pale now. "My men still outnumber yours. I hired the Golden Company. The contract is under my name. One signal from me and your ships are trapped. You have nowhere to flee to. The Dornish down south and the Tarly forces to the West are also under my command."
"Who will these men obey when you are reduced to ashes?" Greyjoy taunted and took a step toward Stannis Baratheon. Dany tried to catch Viserion's eyes. Even though they were bloodshot, and the flickering see saw in them might be caused by the dancing light of the bonfire, she could have sworn that she saw recognition shine through the pain in his eyes.
Stannis Baratheon's voice rang loud over the beach. "My men are loyal."
Euron smirked. "If they have only the tiniest bit of common sense, they will choose the side of the one who controls the dragon or better dragons come tomorrow."
Dany watched the Baratheon men look at each other and avoid their King's gaze.
"Enough." Stannis bluffed. "Send the dragon back to the cave and the Targaryen woman as well. We will renegotiate terms in my tent, you and I, no other witnesses."
"I prefer to discuss them here on the beach. You might want to witness the testing of a new theory."
"Let her get dressed again and I will oblige you." Stannis ground his teeth when he conceded and dismounted.
Euron nodded to the guard who quickly handed Dany her breeches. Dany with her hands bound had to let the guard assist her and despite his assistance almost lost her equilibrium twice. The men sniggered but Euron barked an order and soon Daenerys was decent again. Euron and Stannis sat down some twenty feet away from her.
"What is this experiment about?" Stannis' gruff voice rang loud into the night. The Baratheon had not let Viserion who had not moved another inch out of his sight.
"Normally, the dragon should have been enslaved with one blast of this magic horn. You might have seen that I brought slaves from Essos with me that have the Valyrian look. The wizard warned me that only those with Valyrian blood could fully control a dragon."
"But you smeared your blood on the horn?" Stannis frowned. "The slaves only blow it."
"That is because the horn is cursed when it is blown by an unworthy. Only those of pure Valyrian blood are worthy. We have a specimen here with us though. The blood on the mouth piece is the blood that binds with the dragon. The bond is not ideal since I have no known kin that hails from Old Valyria."
"You are stupid, Euron. If your great idea is to make the Princess blow on the horn, you risk the dragon bonding with her instead of one of us. And if that happens, our cause will be lost."
"Not as long as that pathetic, tiny excuse of a female is in our custody." Euron countered. "That is my back up plan. I know exactly how little pain such a thin young female can withstand. It won't take me long to break her spirit and have her do exactly as I tell her. Besides, I had intended to use your blood to smear the horn before I allow her blow on it."
"No, I forbid it. The risk is too great. It is just a theory that it will work. What if she doesn't survive this so-called test of yours. We need her alive for at least a day longer. I'll take the prisoner back to my tent to make sure that she survives the night. I made my choice, Euron. You can have the white dragon. I'll take the green one tomorrow."
"Wrong choice." Euron muttered and knocked 'King' Stannis out with one blow to his head. "Take your King back to his tent. He drank too much." Euron Grejoy acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary as he coldly ordered the Baratheon soldiers to take their unconscious King's body with them and leave him alone with the hostage.
The soldiers, not daring to argue with Euron Greyjoy when he had a dragon in the vicinity, quickly carried their King to his tent. They were all relieved that they were allowed to put a safe distance between them and that large fire breathing monster. Now only the Ironborn and Dany remained on the beach.
Viserion chose that moment to take a step toward the bonfire and startle the men. The dragon shook his head wildly from left to right. Euron and the Ironborn were forced to retreat in order not to get hit by the dragon's large head. Euron motioned to one of the two men that were guarding Dany to pick up the horn. Dany startled when she felt the other guard tug on her bindings under the cloak that he had draped over her shoulders once they had finished putting on her breeches and doublet again. Fearing that the strange acting guard was going to take advantage of the situation now that the others were all focusing on Viserion to feel her up, she tried to hurt the guard by clumsily moving her hands bound hands up and down. Her weak attempts resulted in the guard leaning over her and whisper in her ear. "I'm a friend. Keep still."
Dany felt the rope around her wrists loosen. Hope rose up in her chest when she gripped the handle of the small dagger that she was handed behind her back. As soon as her mouth was freed she whispered. "How many men has my husband sent?"
"None, Queen Daenerys. I act alone."
Dany's face fell. The two of them against a beach filled with vicious Ironborn. She looked around and took a few steps backwards. At once Euron Greyjoy's and Viserion's eyes turned to her.
Viserion took a step toward Dany and let out a mighty roar.
"Hand me the horn." Euron yelled, "And by fear of the Storm God, get her to kneel again. One more slip up and you can have your turn blowing the magic horn."
"Viserion, Dracarys!" Dany shouted.
Viserion took a step in her direction and opened his mouth.
"For Aegon and Rhaegal." She shouted before the guard put his hand on her mouth. "For appearance's sake." He whispered in her ear.
Viserion turned around and burned the slaves that were meant to blow the horn.
"Your master commands you to stop." Euron yelled and Viserion started shaking wildly with his head. Euron quickly smeared his blood on the horn and dragged it with him when he approached Dany. "A pity that things will end this way but I believe that my dragon wants to burn you, your royal Highness. You are not my type anyway. I prefer my salt wives to have a little more flesh on their bones." He gestured the guard who had helped her to step aside to take the horn. "Dragon, your master commands you, burn her but leave part of her body for me. I need her blood." Viserion shook his head wildly.
Dany looked into Viserion's eyes and saw the Dragon struggle with the command. "Don't worry." She called softly to him in High Valyrian. "Your fire won't hurt me." When Euron covered her mouth with his hand, she simultaneously bit his hand and stabbed him in his thigh with the dagger she had held hidden behind her back. While Euron roared and took a step back she yelled in High Valyrian. "Burn me if you have to Viserion but burn this false master as well. If he dies, you are free." She swallowed hoping that all she had just told him was the truth. They hadn't really tested her getting entirely engulfed in dragonfire nor did she know for sure what would happen with Viserion if Euron died.
Viserion opened his mouth but no flames appeared. Instead he swept his tail in their direction. The guard that appeared to be on her side pulled her away in the nick of time and only Euron was catapulted away from them. Viserion roared again.
The guard handed her the horn and whispered urgently. "I cleaned the mouth piece. Now blow and don't be afraid. Look in the dragon's eyes and promise to treat him as an equal. Quickly, before Euron can return."
Dany locked her eyes with Viserion and begged him silently as she had done so often in the past to be her friend. Out loud she spoke the word 'equals' in High Valyrian and then she blew the horn keeping her eyes locked with the dragon. This time a warm tone resounded over the beach. All the metal bands on the horn lit up, a sight that was emphasized by the darkness around them.
Viserion turned his attention to Dany. His eyes that already had been bloodshot leaked blood now. He roared and turned away from her, incinerating several trees and some Ironborn that were fleeing. Then he turned back to face Dany and his tail swept the horn from her hands. It was catapulted up in the air and landed on the beach close to the water. Viserion half sprinting, half flying followed after it and engulfed the entire length of the horn in a large burst of dragonfire. The guard tugged her behind some bushes and from there Dany watched on as Viserion roared in frustration when the horn still lay there, smoking hot but intact. The dragon grabbed the horn between his claws and turned his head around to check where everyone was. Dany could practically feel his rage when his dragonfire targeted a few men that were fleeing towards their fleet. Then he jumped in the air and flew east over the Narrow Sea with the still smouldering horn firmly in the grip of his large claws.
Dany stayed behind with mixed feelings. While she was glad that Viserion had been able to free himself and taken that horn with him so the enemy could no longer use it against either him or his brother, she was disappointed that the dragon had not seen fit to take her with him. She sighed when she lost sight of his shape. The darkness had swallowed him up despite the fact that the moon had emerged behind the clouds for a moment and the night was no longer as dark as it had been before.
She took her eyes of the sky when she felt her rescuer tugging on her arm and allowed him to drag her away from the scene. Dany looked over her right shoulder and noticed that the beach was deserted for as far as the remnants of the fires Viserion had lit allowed her to see. A few Ironborn corpses lay on the beach, some of the bodies were only half burnt but none of them seemed to have survived the dragonfire. As far as she could tell, there was no sign of Euron Greyjoy. The last she had seen of him was his body flying through the air when Viserion had swept his tail the first time. She had not actually seen where he landed nor could she remember hearing a cry of pain.
She ran further into the woods following her mysterious rescuer and stopped when he did. She allowed him to tug her behind a very large tree. Breathing rather heavily they both made use of their position to discreetly scan the area that lay between them and the beach to make sure that they were not being followed. Dany prayed that the Ironborn would presume that she had been one of the victims that Viserion had reduced to ashes. Seeing no movement they ran further into the woods.
"Who are you?" She whispered to her rescuer when they stopped running again and hid behind another large tree. The faint light of the moon made it possible to distinguish some of the features of her rescuer. She gasped when she took in the frail form of an old woman. "What magic is this?" Dany looked stunned. She distinctly remembered the strong pull on her arm moments earlier. But the woman whose wrinkled body stood inches away from her in ill fitted men's clothing looked to be on death's door.
"The Lord of Light chose to protect us." She declared and Dany watched mesmerized as the strange woman fastened a large red stone around her neck and her appearance changed, this time in full view.
"You are the Red Priestess who converted Stannis Baratheon." Dany whispered when she beheld a beautiful red haired woman. "Why did you help me?"
"Hopefully there will be time later for explanations. First we must get to safety. Can you feel the dragon?"
Dany looked at her as if she had two heads. Then she remembered the rage and frustration she had felt when Viserion realised the horn had not been destroyed. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on reaching out to Viserion. A piercing pain shot through her head. "I think he is rejecting me. My head hurts."
"You rode him here. I saw you yesterday." The red priestess whispered. "Can't you call him?"
"I don't know?" Dany bit her lip. "Maybe when he heals from the hurt the horn inflicted on him. I think he feels betrayed. I believe our best bet is to find the way to my husband's camp. We have been heading in the right direction."
A large shadow suddenly appeared before the Red Woman and sniffed her.
"Ghost!" Dany whispered and latched onto the wolf for dear life. "Show Aegon where we are. Ask him to come here please." She released the white direwolf when he shook his head. She immediately understood and made sure to stand in front of him so he could take in her entire figure. "Aegon, I am in the woods on my way to your camp. Viserion incinerated some of the men and then flew east. Helped by the chaos he created, the red Priestess and I managed to get away unseen. As far as we know we are not being followed. It is possible that they believe I am dead as well. I'll follow Ghost. Please come and get us?"
Ghost nodded his head a few times and then rubbed his head against her in an affectionate manner.
Melisandre looked at her in wonder. "You communicate with your King through his wolf?"
"Aegon can enter his mind sometimes. See through his eyes. He is a warg. Some call him a skinchanger. It would make sense that he sent Ghost here to scout the terrain and look for me before they attacked tomorrow. Going by Ghost's reactions, I believe that King Aegon was sharing his eyes just now. The safest thing to do is follow Ghost. He will lead us to my husband's camp."
Melisandre peaked through the trees. I think Ironborn are disembarking. We'd better not linger here."
Dany looked at Ghost. "Can you lead us to the camp. Make sure that we do not run into the enemy?"
The wolf sniffed her hand and looked in the direction of the men who were disembarking. He sniffed the air and took a few paces in the direction where Dany knew the Targaryen camp was located further inland. Ghost sniffed the air a third time and took a few more steps and then looked over his shoulder into her eyes. Dany considered that an invitation to follow him and they quickly hurried after the wolf who picked up speed. Suddenly Ghost stopped and they all ducked behind some bushes just in time to detect a stray groups of Ironborn in the company of what she suspected were female slaves returning from the woods and walk in the direction where their fleet lay anchored. When Ghost started off again, Dany was quick to follow him. Not quite seeing where she stepped, she stumbled over a thick tree root that grew partly above ground but had hardly been visible since once again it was very dark and the root had been partially submerged by a puddle of rainwater. She fell sideways and heard a bone in her left arm crack. Despite her efforts, a muffled cry left her lips.
"Hide in the bushes." Melisandre hissed. "I hear men coming. They must have heard the noise you made."
Dany studied Ghost looking from her to the direction where the men were supposed to be and back at her. "I think it is all right. The direwolf is staying calm. It must be our men."
Ghost, satisfied by her words lay down next to her and licked her face. Dany tried to reposition herself so she could cradle her arm against her body.
"Dany, are you near?"
Dany could have cried from sheer relief when she heard the voice of Aegon whispering through the trees. "Ghost, go get Aegon. I'm here. I'm here." She called out softly.
She saw Aegon appear first, quickly followed by at least ten heavily armed men, who had their weapons drawn. He immediately sheathed Blackfyre and kneeled by her side. Dany hissed when he touched her arm. "Careful. I think it is broken." When Aegon spotted Melisandre's bad fitting clothes, he unclasped his own coat and covered her with it.
"She saved me, Aegon. We have to take her with us."
"Of course, dearest. Can you walk?"
A few men had stepped closer she nodded at them when she noticed their White Cloaks. After nodding her head in a silent greeting she answered her husband. "Yes. I merely have to be careful not to move my arm too much." She secured her arm against her upper body and held it in place using her good arm. She bit her lip to hold in another cry of pain when he helped her to her feet.
Aegon's hand cupped her face. "The camp is not that far. Anything you can tell me about Viserion's whereabouts or what they did to him earlier? Rhaegal awoke the entire camp with his roar when his brother reached out to him in pain. Then nothing, but we could detect some smoke above the trees when we looked in the direction of their beach."
"Viserion is free and has taken the horn with him. I'll explain the rest later. Let's first return to our camp, please."
"Of course. Would you rather ride Ghost?" He asked her when she stumbled and he heard her cry out in pain. He caught her before she could hit the ground when she lost consciousness.
Melisandre was quick to reassure him. "Don't worry. She merely fainted. The child is unhurt."
"She is not pregnant." Jon corrected her. "She had her moonblood not that long ago." He returned his attention to Dany when she slowly reopened her eyes. " Do you think you can ride Ghost?"
She shook her head. "I'd most certainly fall off. How far is the camp?"
"Don't worry, my love. I'll get you there. He swept her up in his arms taking care not to move the broken arm too much. "Hang in there, my sweet." Dany closed her eyes and the next time she opened them, she was lying on the primitive cot in their tent, soft furs covering her entire body.
***
Interlude 50: King's hands only
At least he'd gotten a decent meal and some good northern ale. It had been sennights since he'd enjoyed a good brew. He sighed. The guards were casting weird glances at him once in a while. Ever since Daryn had finished his shift he had been left on his own. Well, it didn't matter. He would be on his way soon. That was the life of a messenger. Only he'd never been this far south and now he would need to venture even further in that direction. The Stormlands, Daryn had told him that the King was in the Stormlands. He would have lots of stories to tell when he returned to Bear Island. He was only the second messenger from his island that had been sent to King's Landing and now he would be the first one to visit the Stormlands. It would buy him free drinks in the taverns for moons. Everyone would flock to him to hear the tales of his travels.
But that was still far off. First he needed to complete this mission or he couldn't show his face in the North again. He would not only disappoint the house he'd sworn fealty to. He also was keen to use this opportunity to impress House Stark. The Young Wolf had personally entrusted him with carrying a message south to put in into the hands of his cousin, King Aegon, the famous dragonrider who had single-handedly defeated the Ironborn on Pyke only to head south next and take the Iron Throne without bloodshed. The young Stark heir had been looking for the most trustworthy messenger. Prince Robb had claimed that the letter was by far the most important message he had ever needed to send. And how could it not be so if the recipient was none other than King Aegon, the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
Rickard knew he had been chosen because he was the fastest and never got lost. However that reputation only referred to all corners of the Northern Kingdom. Being of a sunny disposition and always having an entertaining anecdote at the ready, had gone a long way to befriending guards at most of the northern keeps as well as cultivating a good rapport with tavern owners and blacksmiths. It made his nomad life as a messenger all the more pleasant. He loved being a messenger and he got antsy when he was stuck for too long in the same place. But when the Stark Prince picked him to hand deliver a message to the King, he had immediately realized that this was the opportunity of a lifetime. He touched the map of the Seven Kingdoms that he carried with him always briefly for luck. He would need to study it some more before he set off again.
He had been disappointed and excited at the same time when he had learned that the King was absent. His adventure would continue for a while yet. The only thing that worried him was that he had been told more than once that Prince Robb would be counting the days until he received a raven to confirm that the King had read his letter. All eyes turned to the door of the guard House when it burst open rather unceremoniously.
"Ricky Woodfoot! As I live and breathe! It really is you! When Daryn told me that you were here, I didn't believe my ears."
He was enveloped in a man hug and was catapulted back to his youth. "Benjen Stark, I mean, Prince Stark." He corrected quickly.
"Prince of the North at your service." Benjen, one of his youth friends grinned at him. "I see that they fed you all right. Take a walk with me?"
Rickard was quick to get to his feet. "Always." He answered and both men grinned at each other when they remembered many instances where one had convinced the other to accompany him on some childish adventure in the northern woods and that particular word had been their standard answer.
The guards looked at him with more respect now and they saluted him when he exited the building flanked by Prince Benjen of House Stark. He needed to take large steps to follow his childhood friend who by the looks of it had a destination in mind.
"The Godswood, Ricky. There we can talk for a bit without a thousand ears listening in. This capital, it is not like the north."
"I gathered that already. Gods, Benjen, how do these people stand it living on top of each other, so to speak. I've never seen anything like it. And the smell! To think I considered Wintertown overpopulated last winter."
"These people don't know any different. At least they have enough food and clean water now that our young King is in charge."
"Many a tale reaches our northern backwoods praising Lyanna Stark's son. All positive stories, every last one of them. The first one to insult King Jon, I mean King Aegon, on northern territory will not take another step before he apologizes and has vowed to never to do it again. He will bear the bruises for days to help him remember."
Benjen Stark nodded. "Who would have thought that our next reunion would occur this far south? Did you ever suspect that Daryn Hollen would prefer to stay in King's Landing rather than returning to Winterfell?"
"Must be our influence, Benjen. You and I travelled a lot and always made him jealous with our tales. Hells, you made me jealous. I travelled the North but you, is there a corner in the Seven Kingdoms that you did not visit?"
"I'm sure there are still many, Ricky."
"The purpose of those travels though, you can tell me now? Was it all in service of your nephew? Ever since I hear of his existence, I kind of wondered."
"You have the right of it. You understand I hope why I couldn't tell you? I did assist the Night's Watch as well, so it was not all a lie. I just kept silent about the part where I was helping to secretly raise the true King of Westeros out of my stories."
"I'd have done the same if I'd had a nephew like that. Gods, you must be proud of him. He is one of a kind. Can you tell me more now?"
"I will if that is what you want. But first, tell me what you are doing here. What mission brings you this far South? Or will you need to leave a bit out as well?"
Ricky shook his head under the scrutiny of his youth friend. "I carry a letter and as is often the case, the messenger doesn't know what it contains. It is one of the thickest I ever carried without it containing additional documents or drawings. The Young Wolf wrote a long letter to his cousin, the King."
"Can you leave it with me?"
"No, Benjen. You know the drill. I have to deliver it into the hands of the recipient and wait for an answer."
Benjen Stark nodded. "So you are off to the Stormlands then? To meet my nephew, the best King in all the history of Westeros?"
"I have to. I can't stay here and wait. No one knows when the King will return. Your nephew, Prince Robb I mean, is really anxious to receive confirmation that the King has read his letter."
Benjen frowned. "May I ask if Prince Robb was well when last you saw him?"
"As far as I know, very well. The guards have started a betting pool regarding the date of his betrothal. The nobles though are still none the wiser."
"That could explain the letter," Benjen looked thoughtful.
Rickard nodded. "Most likely he is begging for permission from his cousin, the King."
"Before his father can say no." Benjen concurred. "Do you happen to know who my nephew might have chosen to take as his wife?"
"Yes, but I can only tell you if you swear to you keep it between us. The guards at Winterfell would never speak to me again if they heard I was the one who spread the rumour. They have a reputation to uphold. It's only because they know of my friendship with you and Daryn that they include me in their little circle."
"I never spilled a single secret you told me, Ricky. I won't start now. I'm just worried about Robb's choice of bride. He's been without parental supervision for some time and a young hotblooded male is not always thinking with his head. Come on." He coaxed. "We're in the Godswood. No one will overhear and you know I'd rather lose my swordhand than to hurt Robb. He's my nephew and the heir to the North."
"Prince Robb chose well." Rickard bristled, a bit insulted with his friend's insinuations. "He is set to marry a noble maiden from House Mormont."
"Lady Dacey?" Benjen looked delighted when Rickard nodded. "By the Gods, the boy may have bitten off more than he can chew." He chuckled.
Rickard smiled now and leaned closer to Benjen. "Nobody suspects for now. Only the ones guarding the Prince know. He wants to keep it under wraps until his father gives his consent and they can make it official. The couple for some reason is anxious about it though. As if Prince Eddard would not welcome a noble maiden from his most loyal vassal House."
"Hence this letter to his cousin the King. Ricky, I'll help you get the message to my nephew. I'll give you an escort and also a fresh horse. One of the best of the royal stables. Just return it to me in one piece or the King will flay my skin." Benjen tapped his friend on the shoulder to show he was joking about the flaying. "And give my royal nephew my regards, while you are at it. Oh, and don't wet your pants when you see the dragons. They've grown much bigger and scarier since the Northern Lords last saw them."
"And here I had been focusing on surviving an encounter with the famed white direwolf with red eyes."
"Ghost will sense you are not a threat to his master. Besides he is of the North as you are. You'll live to tell yet another adventure, my friend."
***
The camp looked deserted or at least the part most inland when Rickard and his small retinue arrived five days later. The men Benjen has sent with him were friendly and they had made good time. As soon as they had left the city, the air had gotten cleaner and he had filled his lungs to capacity without getting nauseous from the smell. He'd never grow used to living in King's Landing. If Daryn hadn't waved him off with his arms around a beautiful brown haired beauty, he would still be wondering why the former Stark Houseguard had chosen to stay in this stinking part of the Seven Kingdoms and guard the gates of the Red Keep.
A few servant girls that were preparing food out in the open looked up when his party approached. Then he noticed soldiers lining up to prevent him from reaching the tents. They wore the banner of the Golden Company. Daryn looked at them with excitement having only heard descriptions of this legendary sellsword company from Essos.
"Halt, who goes there?"
Rickard barely held back a smile. No matter where you went, they all used that same expression. He held both the banner from Bear Island and the one flying the grey Stark direwolf sigil up for all to see and shouted the familiar phrases known to all. "Rickard of House Woodfoot from Bear Island in the capacity of express messenger on an assignment sent by Prince Robb of House Stark, hands of King Aegon only."
The better equipped soldier stepped forward. "Lorimas Mudd, Serjeant of the Golden Company at your service. The King has left for battle. We expect an update soon. For your own safety, it is best that you wait until he returns to this camp."
Rickard dismounted from the beautiful steed he had been riding and was glad that Prince Benjen had offered to send word to Winterfell by raven that the delivery of the letter would be delayed by a few days since the King was in the Stormlands to treat with Lord Stannis of House Baratheon. It seemed now that there was to be even further delay. "Battle?"
A Lord carrying the sigil of a rack of golden antlers on some blue white background approached with haste. "Lord Buckwell of the Antlers. I am in charge during the King's absence. "What is your purpose?"
The Serjaent of the Golden Company rolled his eyes but Rickard kept his face straight when he repeated his assignment holding up the banners. "Rickard of House Woodfoot from Bear Island in the capacity of express messenger on an assignment sent by Prince Robb of House Stark, hands of King Aegon only."
"The King is not here. That damned parlay was a farce. Our King had no choice but to retaliate." Lord Buckwell explained gruffly. "I have orders from the King to bring all messages to the Queen while he is out dealing with the traitors. I guess that includes stray messengers from the North. Before I bring you to her, I need to ask you to surrender your weapons. Merely as a courtesy to her Grace. They'll be returned to you the moment you leave the royal area of the encampment.
Rickard, very familiar with such demands immediately surrendered his sword and dagger.
"Lord Buckwell gave him his first tentative smile. "Bear Island, you say. Where exactly is that situated?"
A bit later he stood before a tent that was heavily guarded and was actively searched for weapons. The King took his Queen's safety very seriously. When he made a small remark in that regard, he was told that the King had ample reasons for his actions. The Queen had been rescued from the enemy camp only a few nights ago.
Rickard dropped to one knee when he entered the tent and saw the silver haired queen. Even the most excessive rumours he had heard didn't do the young Queen justice. The arm she held in a sling did not diminish the effect of her regal posture and the confidence and authority she exuded.
"Well, met Rickard Woodfoot of Bear Island. Please rise."
The warm voice in combination with the most exquisite purple eyes he had ever seen made Rickard fall in love for the first time ever. He had never cared for taking a wife, his adventurous life not suited for founding a family. He had bedded willing servant girls a plenty but none had made enough of an impression on him to still remember their faces when he reached his next destination. For the first time, he wondered whether that made him miss out on a certain aspect of life. He swallowed and pushed these thoughts to the background. She was his Queen and had the most valiant man in the Seven Kingdoms as a husband. Nevertheless, he was sure that he would still remember her eyes and the way she looked until his dying day. "My Queen. I have a message for King Aegon, hands only, I am afraid."
"I see. Would it help if I told you that my husband and I co-rule and in his absence I have his permission to open all his messages, even the private ones?"
"Not for documents sent by express messenger. Only exception when the recipient is deceased. I apologize, my Queen."
"Can you at least tell me who the message is from?" The Queen looked worried now.
No wonder. He could flay himself. Her husband was fighting a war and he was talking about the eventuality of the King's demise. "Prince Robb of House Stark, my Queen. He was very insistent that the message should be delivered to King Aegon's in person, hence the phrase 'hands only'."
"I see. The King will be displeased but then I presume he will understand your predicament. As it stands, you only have my word and no written proof. Next time, I'll make sure that King Aegon leaves written instructions behind." She studied him more closely. "Would that sway an express messenger, Rickard Woodfoot of Bear Island? Pray enlighten me."
Rickard swallowed and babbled nervously. "If the right phrasing is used, it would. The rules are very specific though but the Maesters all have the necessary knowledge to draft such a decree. When I was uh taught my trade, I learned that all acolytes at the Citadel have to pass a test on this subject before they are allowed to start forging their first link."
The Queen nodded and even gave him a small smile. "Is there anything else you can tell me to reassure me that a few days' delay won't hurt?"
Rickard inhaled deeply. He really was a moron. Prince Robb had insisted he did not cause alarm and now he had done just that. Those purple eyes had made him forget a part of his instructions. "I was ordered to inform his Grace, King Aegon that there is no cause for alarm and that Prince Robb's letter contains a delicate personal matter that he wishes to lay out before his King in greater length than a scroll would allow him to do." He exhaled when he saw the Queen nod her enchanting head.
"That is reassuring at least." She looked him straight in the eyes again. "Then it seems we are done here. My guards will see to it that you are provided with a tent and food. You have my permission to stay in our camp and wait for as long as it takes for the King to return."
Rickard bowed and then followed the guard that took him to a small tent. Nobody he encountered knew how long it would take for the King and his armies to return. They all hoped it would be any day now. He checked the furs for dirt before he lowered his body and allowed his limbs to relax. "King's hands only." He muttered under his breath, pondering his predicament. For the first time in his life he had struggled with the rules. He had come so close to giving in to the beautiful Queen. That would have been the first time since he had been sworn in as a messenger that such a thing had ever occurred. He was about to put his head down on the furs when his stomach growled. He looked at the sack containing his meagre belongings and sighed. Knowing that the little food still left in there was not very appetizing after days of being tossed around in his saddle bag, he ignored how tired he was, got back up and left the tent in search of a warm meal.
The next morning he awoke when he felt the ground shaking under him. Then he heard the typical signs of an army returning victorious. The chanting of the men almost drowned out the thudding of the horses' hooves. The camp followers were answering their shouts with relieved statements and well wishes. Rickard scrambled to his feet, adjusted his doublet and exited the small tent. An impressive cavalry was heading toward the encampment, a large direwolf could be seen running in front of the first line of soldiers as if it was their leader. A loud screech made him look up and his eyes beheld a dragon for the very first time. Benjen Stark had not exaggerated. He almost did wet his pants. The creature was enormous. When he saw no rider on the large dragon's back, he scanned the advancing cavalry. The moment his eyes found a certain figure, he realized that this part of his quest was at an end. On top of a magnificent steed sat a man fully covered in what he surmised was a Valyrian steel harness. He couldn't miss the sparks of sunlight that were reflected by the large rubies embedded in the breastplate. The King, for now there was no mistaking the identity of the rider, wore no helmet. He was flanked by the famous White Cloaks. The rest of the army followed waving their banners and shouting out victory slogans. It was more than clear that King Aegon had returned victorious.
"Hands only," he muttered under his breath and followed a small group of camp followers to the edge of the camp where it became apparent that the army would halt. "King's hands only." He repeated and smiled.
*