Bumblebeee
There's a little magic in every word you write
RHAENA TARGARYEN & OLIRA WATER
collab with @
The last three months had been hard on Kings Landing. Plague rolled through the population in surges that left the streets more somber than they had been in a generation and no one had been immune to it's wrath. Street venders had been wiped out at the same rate as guardsmen and though it had taken time to breach the isolation of the castle, even Kings had fallen. Since Rhaena was young she had lost more kin to pestilence than the sword and the plague had taken out her Father as well as her last remaining uncle and cousin.
The Red Keep that emerged from this illness had half its usual force and a new ruler on the Iron Throne. Hundreds of ravens were sent across the vast expanse of Westeros to tell the world the news of their new king and invite the nobility to the upcoming coronation in several weeks time. Most accepted, and Rhaena's life since then had been full of decisions. It was her job to keep the Targaryen dynasty afloat... At least for the next decade or so. Valarr was still so young, no one even bothered to put up a fight when Rhaena declared herself Queen Regent. After all, a woman on the throne was bad, but a King who just mastered speaking in full sentences was worse.
Rhaena hired as many skilled guards as she was able, settled matters in the city, comforted her sister and the boy King through the ordeal, and spent more days sitting at a desk than in her bed. Things could always be worse, but knowing that didn't exactly bring her any level of peace while she invited wolves, squids, scorpions and all manner of other beasts into her home. Rhaena's solution? Keep the nobles busy enough that they couldn't slip off and send them packing as soon as was polite to do so. The coronation was tomorrow, a celebratory tourney after that, and no one had been allowed into the palace until this very morning. They would stay up to a week and then be gone... Well, all but one family. Rhaena hoped that perhaps her childhood friend might stay a bit longer. It had been five long years since they had last spoken.
Regardless, there was an activity set up for tonight as well. The great hall of the Red Keep and the courtyard had been prepared for an evening of merriment. The extra servants had been called and (aside from the girl specifically selected by the Princess herself) vetted by the palace staff, the dragons had been fed, the celebratory events prepared for, the coronation preparations were nearly complete, and her sister as well as her 'brother' were dressed and ready.
Rhaena had hoped that when she saw the nobles milling about peacefully she would feel relief, like she could finally let out the breath she'd been holding, but it had been quite the opposite. It made her feel sick... Though, that could just be nerves.
"Darling," Rhaena turned to the brown eyed boy sitting on a throne that was far too large for him. "Stay here a while longer." She carded her hands through his white hair and smiled down at the little face that matched her own. "I'm just going to go mingle." Rhae had conflicting feelings about Valarr, sometimes when she looked at him she saw herself in the ways he smiled or tilted his head but others all she could see were those dark eyes that made her skin itch with memories... Tonight it was the former and for that she was grateful. "Perhaps Ser Thorne will entertain you in my absence."
The boy turned to his faithful guard with an open look of delight as Rhaena gestured for the fatherly man to watch over Valarr in her absence, and Rhae made her way down the steps and into the crowd. Two guards of her own lingered near enough to be known but not close enough to be intrusive as Rhaena entered the fog of perfume and insincere smiles. The Queen Regent made sure to steer herself away from the Northmen and their loud, gruff mannerism and instead wandered closer to a serving girl with pale blonde hair. She was another one of Rhaena's problems.
"Thank you, child," Rhaena murmured, offering a slight tilt of her head rather than a blatant dismissal as she plucked a goblet of wine from the girl's platter. Rhaena's face puckered as she sipped, but not from the taste. Her father had mentioned something strange to her as the illness loosened his mind and his personal records had confirmed it. The late king had fathered a bastard, and Rhaena wanted that liability close where she could keep control over it. Truthfully, she wasn't sure what she should do about the situation, but until she made a decision on the matter this 'Catlyn Waters' was staying near enough to snuff out or keep safe on Rhaena's own terms.
Mind spinning with thoughts of threats, thrones, and any number of other jobs that had yet to be done, Rhaena lingered at the edges of the room and watched the crowd, wondering who might be bold enough to first approach the Queen of Westeros.
~~~~~~
Events like this always made Olira smile. Despite her humble origins, Olira had always adored the colors, patterns, and music of noble festivities. To this day she still remembered accompanying Lady Stark to her eldest son's name-day celebration and experiencing the wonders for the first time. Perhaps the extravagance should have bothered her, she had starved through days as a child and yet there was food enough in this very hall to feed a whole village, but she found it enchanting.
Today, however, she wasn't looking for any fancy dresses or beautiful jewels. Today, she was looking for home.
It had been four years since she left Winterfell on Lord Stark's orders and acquired a job here, in the Red Keep. She had managed one visit since then to see the Starks and her Lady Ilyana, but if to remain undetected Olira had been unconnected save for the messages she sent back for the Rebellion and whatever brief instruction Gawyn issued via raven. Tonight, however, Olira was going to lay eyes on the people that she had done all of this for. The Starks were here, somewhere in the ballroom, as was Larra Sand, a woman Olira desperately wanted to see.
It was bittersweet, knowing that she might look them all in the eyes tonight but would not be able to wrap her arms around them or shout her welcome as she wished to. Still, it was better than nothing and soon enough she would be done with this rouse and get to return to the Stark's side, where she belonged.
The last three months had been hard on Kings Landing. Plague rolled through the population in surges that left the streets more somber than they had been in a generation and no one had been immune to it's wrath. Street venders had been wiped out at the same rate as guardsmen and though it had taken time to breach the isolation of the castle, even Kings had fallen. Since Rhaena was young she had lost more kin to pestilence than the sword and the plague had taken out her Father as well as her last remaining uncle and cousin.
The Red Keep that emerged from this illness had half its usual force and a new ruler on the Iron Throne. Hundreds of ravens were sent across the vast expanse of Westeros to tell the world the news of their new king and invite the nobility to the upcoming coronation in several weeks time. Most accepted, and Rhaena's life since then had been full of decisions. It was her job to keep the Targaryen dynasty afloat... At least for the next decade or so. Valarr was still so young, no one even bothered to put up a fight when Rhaena declared herself Queen Regent. After all, a woman on the throne was bad, but a King who just mastered speaking in full sentences was worse.
Rhaena hired as many skilled guards as she was able, settled matters in the city, comforted her sister and the boy King through the ordeal, and spent more days sitting at a desk than in her bed. Things could always be worse, but knowing that didn't exactly bring her any level of peace while she invited wolves, squids, scorpions and all manner of other beasts into her home. Rhaena's solution? Keep the nobles busy enough that they couldn't slip off and send them packing as soon as was polite to do so. The coronation was tomorrow, a celebratory tourney after that, and no one had been allowed into the palace until this very morning. They would stay up to a week and then be gone... Well, all but one family. Rhaena hoped that perhaps her childhood friend might stay a bit longer. It had been five long years since they had last spoken.
Regardless, there was an activity set up for tonight as well. The great hall of the Red Keep and the courtyard had been prepared for an evening of merriment. The extra servants had been called and (aside from the girl specifically selected by the Princess herself) vetted by the palace staff, the dragons had been fed, the celebratory events prepared for, the coronation preparations were nearly complete, and her sister as well as her 'brother' were dressed and ready.
Rhaena had hoped that when she saw the nobles milling about peacefully she would feel relief, like she could finally let out the breath she'd been holding, but it had been quite the opposite. It made her feel sick... Though, that could just be nerves.
"Darling," Rhaena turned to the brown eyed boy sitting on a throne that was far too large for him. "Stay here a while longer." She carded her hands through his white hair and smiled down at the little face that matched her own. "I'm just going to go mingle." Rhae had conflicting feelings about Valarr, sometimes when she looked at him she saw herself in the ways he smiled or tilted his head but others all she could see were those dark eyes that made her skin itch with memories... Tonight it was the former and for that she was grateful. "Perhaps Ser Thorne will entertain you in my absence."
The boy turned to his faithful guard with an open look of delight as Rhaena gestured for the fatherly man to watch over Valarr in her absence, and Rhae made her way down the steps and into the crowd. Two guards of her own lingered near enough to be known but not close enough to be intrusive as Rhaena entered the fog of perfume and insincere smiles. The Queen Regent made sure to steer herself away from the Northmen and their loud, gruff mannerism and instead wandered closer to a serving girl with pale blonde hair. She was another one of Rhaena's problems.
"Thank you, child," Rhaena murmured, offering a slight tilt of her head rather than a blatant dismissal as she plucked a goblet of wine from the girl's platter. Rhaena's face puckered as she sipped, but not from the taste. Her father had mentioned something strange to her as the illness loosened his mind and his personal records had confirmed it. The late king had fathered a bastard, and Rhaena wanted that liability close where she could keep control over it. Truthfully, she wasn't sure what she should do about the situation, but until she made a decision on the matter this 'Catlyn Waters' was staying near enough to snuff out or keep safe on Rhaena's own terms.
Mind spinning with thoughts of threats, thrones, and any number of other jobs that had yet to be done, Rhaena lingered at the edges of the room and watched the crowd, wondering who might be bold enough to first approach the Queen of Westeros.
~~~~~~
Events like this always made Olira smile. Despite her humble origins, Olira had always adored the colors, patterns, and music of noble festivities. To this day she still remembered accompanying Lady Stark to her eldest son's name-day celebration and experiencing the wonders for the first time. Perhaps the extravagance should have bothered her, she had starved through days as a child and yet there was food enough in this very hall to feed a whole village, but she found it enchanting.
Today, however, she wasn't looking for any fancy dresses or beautiful jewels. Today, she was looking for home.
It had been four years since she left Winterfell on Lord Stark's orders and acquired a job here, in the Red Keep. She had managed one visit since then to see the Starks and her Lady Ilyana, but if to remain undetected Olira had been unconnected save for the messages she sent back for the Rebellion and whatever brief instruction Gawyn issued via raven. Tonight, however, Olira was going to lay eyes on the people that she had done all of this for. The Starks were here, somewhere in the ballroom, as was Larra Sand, a woman Olira desperately wanted to see.
It was bittersweet, knowing that she might look them all in the eyes tonight but would not be able to wrap her arms around them or shout her welcome as she wished to. Still, it was better than nothing and soon enough she would be done with this rouse and get to return to the Stark's side, where she belonged.
The Red Keep that emerged from this illness had half its usual force and a new ruler on the Iron Throne. Hundreds of ravens were sent across the vast expanse of Westeros to tell the world the news of their new king and invite the nobility to the upcoming coronation in several weeks time. Most accepted, and Rhaena's life since then had been full of decisions. It was her job to keep the Targaryen dynasty afloat... At least for the next decade or so. Valarr was still so young, no one even bothered to put up a fight when Rhaena declared herself Queen Regent. After all, a woman on the throne was bad, but a King who just mastered speaking in full sentences was worse.
Rhaena hired as many skilled guards as she was able, settled matters in the city, comforted her sister and the boy King through the ordeal, and spent more days sitting at a desk than in her bed. Things could always be worse, but knowing that didn't exactly bring her any level of peace while she invited wolves, squids, scorpions and all manner of other beasts into her home. Rhaena's solution? Keep the nobles busy enough that they couldn't slip off and send them packing as soon as was polite to do so. The coronation was tomorrow, a celebratory tourney after that, and no one had been allowed into the palace until this very morning. They would stay up to a week and then be gone... Well, all but one family. Rhaena hoped that perhaps her childhood friend might stay a bit longer. It had been five long years since they had last spoken.
Regardless, there was an activity set up for tonight as well. The great hall of the Red Keep and the courtyard had been prepared for an evening of merriment. The extra servants had been called and (aside from the girl specifically selected by the Princess herself) vetted by the palace staff, the dragons had been fed, the celebratory events prepared for, the coronation preparations were nearly complete, and her sister as well as her 'brother' were dressed and ready.
Rhaena had hoped that when she saw the nobles milling about peacefully she would feel relief, like she could finally let out the breath she'd been holding, but it had been quite the opposite. It made her feel sick... Though, that could just be nerves.
"Darling," Rhaena turned to the brown eyed boy sitting on a throne that was far too large for him. "Stay here a while longer." She carded her hands through his white hair and smiled down at the little face that matched her own. "I'm just going to go mingle." Rhae had conflicting feelings about Valarr, sometimes when she looked at him she saw herself in the ways he smiled or tilted his head but others all she could see were those dark eyes that made her skin itch with memories... Tonight it was the former and for that she was grateful. "Perhaps Ser Thorne will entertain you in my absence."
The boy turned to his faithful guard with an open look of delight as Rhaena gestured for the fatherly man to watch over Valarr in her absence, and Rhae made her way down the steps and into the crowd. Two guards of her own lingered near enough to be known but not close enough to be intrusive as Rhaena entered the fog of perfume and insincere smiles. The Queen Regent made sure to steer herself away from the Northmen and their loud, gruff mannerism and instead wandered closer to a serving girl with pale blonde hair. She was another one of Rhaena's problems.
"Thank you, child," Rhaena murmured, offering a slight tilt of her head rather than a blatant dismissal as she plucked a goblet of wine from the girl's platter. Rhaena's face puckered as she sipped, but not from the taste. Her father had mentioned something strange to her as the illness loosened his mind and his personal records had confirmed it. The late king had fathered a bastard, and Rhaena wanted that liability close where she could keep control over it. Truthfully, she wasn't sure what she should do about the situation, but until she made a decision on the matter this 'Catlyn Waters' was staying near enough to snuff out or keep safe on Rhaena's own terms.
Mind spinning with thoughts of threats, thrones, and any number of other jobs that had yet to be done, Rhaena lingered at the edges of the room and watched the crowd, wondering who might be bold enough to first approach the Queen of Westeros.
~~~~~~
Events like this always made Olira smile. Despite her humble origins, Olira had always adored the colors, patterns, and music of noble festivities. To this day she still remembered accompanying Lady Stark to her eldest son's name-day celebration and experiencing the wonders for the first time. Perhaps the extravagance should have bothered her, she had starved through days as a child and yet there was food enough in this very hall to feed a whole village, but she found it enchanting.
Today, however, she wasn't looking for any fancy dresses or beautiful jewels. Today, she was looking for home.
It had been four years since she left Winterfell on Lord Stark's orders and acquired a job here, in the Red Keep. She had managed one visit since then to see the Starks and her Lady Ilyana, but if to remain undetected Olira had been unconnected save for the messages she sent back for the Rebellion and whatever brief instruction Gawyn issued via raven. Tonight, however, Olira was going to lay eyes on the people that she had done all of this for. The Starks were here, somewhere in the ballroom, as was Larra Sand, a woman Olira desperately wanted to see.
It was bittersweet, knowing that she might look them all in the eyes tonight but would not be able to wrap her arms around them or shout her welcome as she wished to. Still, it was better than nothing and soon enough she would be done with this rouse and get to return to the Stark's side, where she belonged.
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