Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

132 AC

Sam stared intently at the sparring squires. Davos Mullendore and Wendel Errol were of an age, four-and-ten, and around the same size, but one was twice the swordsman the other was. In days like these, Sam missed Runestone. The yard was full of squires, lordlings and young knights practicing, so there was no room for someone as young as him to train. In Runestone, there always was room for him. His cousin, Ser Lyonel Templeton, master-at-arms of the Red Keep, had promised he’d get to spar later as well, but he also told him that he could learn a lot by watching the older boys.

Rhaena was hosting a tea party with her friends and the Baratheon sisters next to the training yard. The day was cold, so they were all bundled up in their best furs and dresses and oil lanterns had been placed by them to ward off the cold. Many of the squires, wanting to impress the ladies, were trying their best. Sam didn’t really get it, though. No matter how good you were, you should always strive to be better and give your all when training; that’s what Runestone’s master-at-arms, Ser Robert Stone, taught him. He always gave each spar his utmost, no matter who was watching.

He looked at the ladies looking for Baela, his favorite aunt. She had promised that she’d be there, but Rhaena was the only lady with silver hair there. That was one of the things he missed about Runestone. There, Baela had been allowed to train with the squires, and it was always funny to watch her try out all of Ser Benfred’s dirty tricks. She’d throw dirt in their eyes, kick them where the sun didn’t shine and even blew kisses at the squires, which always made them stop in their tracks. Ever since they’d arrived at the Red Keep, she hadn’t been to training. She said it was because she was too busy with her books and Driftmark and dragon lessons, but Sam suspected it was because Cousin Ser Lyonel didn’t want to train a lady.

“Watch your footing,” Cousin Ser Lyonel barked. “Don’t be afraid of being hit, it only hurts a little and real steel will hurt more. Stop moving like that, you’re going to trip.”

Some of the girls watching started giggling. Ellyn Baratheon laughed so loudly that he could pick out her voice from among all the ladies. Sam nodded in agreement with his cousin’s instructions. Wendel Errol moved as if he was afraid of being hit and that just ended up making it more likely that he would be hit; he was flailing around whenever the other squire pressed him. He’d already almost tripped himself, trying to get away from his opponent. Had it been Sam in his place, he would have stood his ground. Mullendore wasn’t putting much strength behind his blows, which truly didn’t hurt that much when wearing a padded jerkin, and wasn’t doing anything fancy with his feet. There were guards in Runestone who could have beaten them both.

Sam’s training focused on the way he moved his feet and how he handled his training sword. He mostly practiced his footwork and how to slash, thrust and defend in a way that wouldn’t leave him open or have the force of his swings carry his sword out of his hand. His father and the knights called it learning the basics, and knowing the basics usually meant Sam defeated any page and squire put in front of him. He was well aware that he was big and strong for his age and that gave him an advantage when sparring. But, just like both his uncle Willam and Ser Ryman Stoneborn, one of Ser Jack the Black’s enemies-turned-friends, he didn’t use his size to bully the other boys. The Warrior had blessed him for a reason, so he must become a knight that brought honor to knighthood. After all, his Mummy always said that titles didn’t honor men, men honored titles.

“That’s enough,” Ser Lyonel said with a sigh. “You two,” he pointed at two young knights; around Baela and Rhaena’s age, they were likely knighted during the war. “Let’s see you go at it.”

Sam thought the two knights were decent, but he didn’t think they were good enough to serve his Mummy at Runestone. Father was a much better swordsman, Ser Simon Storm could defeat both at the same time, Uncle Ser Gunthor wouldn’t break a sweat, and Ser Benfred wouldn’t let them touch him. He shouldn’t be so judgmental however, he had to keep in mind that the knights of Runestone were the best in the Vale. His Mummy had made sure of it, recruiting skilled hedge knights and hosting so many tourneys and melees… though it had been far too long since the last. Sam wished they were having a tourney instead of some boring dance; at least his Mummy wasn’t making him go to the ball. He wanted to see his father ride in the joust as everyone said he was one of the best lances in the realm.

A large crowd of squires and lordlings came out from the keep, heading to the training yard. Sam recognized the red hair at the head. It was Lord Kermit Tully, behind him came the young lords and knights that everyone called the Lads. His Mummy had told him she was inviting them to break their fast with her, so they’d be arriving late to practice. Rhaena had planned her tea party around their arrival. She looked towards Sam and locked eyes with him, giving him a slight nod. Sam nodded and walked up to Rhaena. He knelt in front of her.

“My Lady,” Sam began, copying the words of Ser Jack’s squire, the secret prince Arthur. “Though armored I may be, I fear all steel will fail me lest I be roped by your beauty. I beg you grant me your favor.”

The girls around Rhaena began to coo and giggle, so Sam couldn’t help but go red. He knew it was only a game, he and Rhaena had even practiced it and Kermit Tully and his Lannister lady love would do the same thing after them, but his ears burnt against his will. He had to try and ignore the other ladies staring at him, else he’d forget the words.

“I don’t know, why should I?” Rhaena asked with a teasing smile, putting her hand on her cheek. “I’ve only one favor to give, what makes you worthy of it?” She took out a sash with pink dragons embroidered: it was Morning.

“There is not a man who lives under the son worthy of your beauty, my Lady,” Sam continued. “Alas, I’ve no other recourse but to put myself at your feet and at your mercy and beg for my Lady’s pity,” he paused briefly, trying to remember what came next. “O Maiden, I beg of you, melt my Lady’s cold, cold heart so she may grant me the gift of a smile and a piece of cloth.”

“A smile is all you want?” Rhaena asked, biting her cheek to stop herself from laughing.

“Have mercy on the boy!” A girl cried out from another table, prompting all of her friends to giggle.

“A smile from you, my Lady, is worth more to me than an endless summer,” Sam said. “Its memory would shield me better than the sturdiest of shields.”

“Grand words,” Rhaena continued, still struggling with laughter. “A smile I’ll give you, but if it’s my favor what you desire, then earn it you must.”

“Speak, my Lady. Your words are my commands,” Sam said, sighing with relief as that was his last line.”

“Win,” Rhaena commanded and smiled.

Sam stood up from his kneeling position, lifted his sword to salute Rhaena and ran back to the sparring yard. Ser Lyonel, with an amused smile, pushed him towards the center, where another squire waited. Sam didn’t know the boy. He was older than him, but almost the same height. The sigil on his jerkin showed a black manticore. Sam lifted his sword to salute the boy and put on his helmet. He sent a prayer to the Warrior, asking him to look over him and to keep him from making a fool of himself like Prince Arthur had. The speech that Rhaena had chosen actually came from a part in the story where the prince was lying to a maiden, and so he was soundly beaten by the angry townsfolk, and he had to run off to Ser Jack to ask for help. Hopefully, that Sam didn’t mean it wouldn’t anger the gods.

Sam walked up to him, slowly but steadily. As soon as he was within striking distance, he struck. They tested each other a little, swinging at each other’s swords. Once Sam knew how the boy liked to fight, he swung as hard as he could, aiming for his foe’s shoulder. The boy dodged backwards, so Sam let the swing carry him forwards and he pushed his shield in front of him, trying to topple him. The boy moved further back to avoid his shield, but he left himself open to Sam’s thrust. The sword caught him right underneath his ribcage, forcing the wind out of him. He fell, clutching his stomach. Sam waited for him to regain his breath and then offered him his hand. Both his father and his Mummy always said that he had to be gracious in victory.

“Well fought,” Ser Lyonel said. “Bryce, you have a shield, remember that next you spar.”

“Yes, ser,” Sam’s foe, Bryce, replied. He took Sam’s hand and gave him a little smile.

Victorious, Sam returned to Rhaena, who promptly tied her favor across his arm and complimented his sword arm. To Sam’s annoyance, the girls around them continued making the same sounds that Aly and Rhea made when their younger sisters did something adorable or when they saw baby animals. His annoyance only grew when Kermit Tully knelt in front of his Lady Lannister, spoke of her beauty and the Maiden’s hand in creating her and sang one of Sam’s father’s poems, and none of the ladies giggled. Instead, every lady sitting nearby was blushing and whispering to each other.

Sam frowned.

“How was training today?” Father asked.

“I won all three of my fights,” Sam boasted. “I didn’t get to practice much. Too many people training,” he grumbled.

“Anyone good?” Father asked, though his eyes were not on Sam but on Cousin Ser Lyonel.

Sam had joined them for supper. They’d be dressing up and leaving for the ball afterwards. Thankfully, Sam could go an play instead of having to dance. He’d been joining his father here and there these past few months and he was loving it. He taught him how to take care of armor and horses, how to train the guardsman and a lot of other useful things. His father was Protector of the Realm, so he had a duty to defend Aegon and Haera’s crowns and Sam was helping him.

“None that Grandfather would approve of,” Lyonel said with a snort. “The Riverlords have been through war, and are all very brave, but war found them before training ended.”

Sam had heard a lot of stories about his grandfather, Ser Jonothor Templeton. Whenever any of the squires complained to Ser Lyonel that the training was too hard, he’d tell them all about the old Knight of Ninestars and the hard hand that raised his heirs. Father also told him a few stories, like when he once tied him to a horse so that he’d sleep on top of it for the entire night or when he had him spar for an entire day with almost no rest. Because Ser Jonothor had done so, Father took Sam to watch an execution, where they strung up a criminal. He’d given him a long speech about justice, then.

“Aye,” Father nodded. “I fought with them. I know just what you mean. Kermit is skilled but still has a ways to go.”

“Lady Elaena’s cupbearer, the Cuy boy, he’s getting better,” Lyonel continued. “And he’s quite a deft lance. Will likely be an adequate sword, but a champion jouster down in the Reach.”

“I see,” Father replied, taking a drink of wine.

“Any news from the Vale?” Lyonel asked. “Luceon never writes to me.”

“Aye, Elaena received some letters,” Father said and looked down at Sam. “You old enough to hear about battles?”

“Aye, I am, Father,” Sam said with an excited nod.

“Lady Arryn writes that there was another attempt at going around the Bloody Gate. ‘Twas Ser Corwyn Corbray who routed them this time. Killed a war chief in single combat then chased the rest all the way to a canyon and pushed them in. Grafton has been hiring sellswords to bolster Gulltown’s defenses. A group of almost two hundred attacked villages near the Redfort, Lord Byron has been pursuing them,” Father began. “But what was more interesting was what Belmore wrote,” he leaned forwards and began to whisper. “Elaena shared her plan with him…”

“The one where she thinks one of the clans will side with us?” Lyonel asked with a grimace.

“Aye, that one,” Father nodded. “’Tis a sound plan, methinks, but not one fit for clansmen. Bloody savages would rather fall on their swords than sit at a table with civilized folks. Anyhow, Belmore caught one, a Milk Snake. After some sharp questioning, the savage claimed that Timett, son of Timett, formed his own clan and has been trying to unite all the other clans to take the Vale. According to him, some clans continue to resist him, but others have fallen to him. The people by the mountains are apparently calling him Timett of the Burned Hand. They fear that he’ll cast down the Eyrie and steal Lady Arryn and turn her into his woman.”

“Which Timett is this now?” Lyonel asked with a grin. “Didn’t great-grandfather hang a Timmet, son of Timmet, in the times of King Jaehaerys?”

“Aye, Father used to tell us stories about it,” Father said.

“We’re knights of the Vale,” Lyonel sighed after a while. “We should be there.”

“You won’t hear me argue with you,” Father replied. “Elaena wanted the man sent here, for further questioning, but Belmore informed her that the man didn’t survive the questioning.”

“Are the knights of Runestone fighting?” Sam asked.

“A few,” Father answered with a smile, messing with Sam’s hair. “There’s been some fighting around Grey Glen. Eldric led a group of knights on Elaena’s orders to aid Lord Tollett.”

“Have you heard from Lomas?” Lyonel asked. Ser Lomas Templeton was the youngest of Sam’s three Templeton cousins.

“No,” Father said with a sigh. “Waxley has been sending messengers back to Wickenden, but he’s still not left the mountains.”

“Is Cousin Ser Lomas with Lord Waxley?” Sam asked.

“Aye, he squired for him and was at Wickenden when clansmen attacked,” Father replied. “We’ve not heard from him. Though Luceon did write, asking Elaena to help arrange a good match for him.”

“Well, isn’t he a lucky brat?” Lyonel snorted.

“Don’t talk as if my Lady Wife isn’t helping you as well,” Father said with a laugh. “Isn’t your lady from the Riverlands here?”

“Aye,” Lyonel nodded with a smile. “Lacey Shawney. She’s the Lady of her House now, what with her brothers dead. And I’ve been thinking… you took Lady Elaena’s name and married into her family, and Luceon now has plenty of sons of his own. If I married her, my sons would one day be lords.”

“’Tis something to consider,” Father said. “I think Elaena will be arranging something like that for Lomas. The Marbrand girl, if she can.”

“I see,” Lyonel nodded. “They won’t have my name, but they’ll still be mine,” he continued, and looked down at Sam. “What about him? Arranging any matches?”

“I don’t know,” Father sighed. “Elaena hasn’t been very forthcoming about that. I don’t think she wants to make any more matches for the children. Alysanne’s match weighs heavily on her, though it’s a handsome seat she’s set to marry into. But… What do you say, Sam, want to attend the ball and look for a bride?”

“No,” Sam scowled. A dance sounded like the worst way to spend his afternoon.

Father and Lyonel laughed. That night, while all the lordlings and ladies bored themselves in the dance, Sam joined Rhea and Gaemon in the construction of Runestone, using building blocks.

“Just like that, milady,” the dragonkeeper said. “Command your dragon with confidence.”

“Come, Princess Sapphire, ‘tis time to eat,” Aly said with a voice loud enough to echo in the ruined passage of the Dragonpit.

Princess Sapphire, Morning and Moondancer had all made their nests in the ruins of the massive building; largely because Aegon didn’t want them in the Red Keep. Moondancer liked to live near a collapsed cave, but Morning and Princess Sapphire had chosen a spot near the entrance. Those two were friends, just like Aly and Rhaena. The dragonkeepers and guards assigned kept a close eye on them and made sure there was always a fire going to ward away the cold.

Baela said it was important for their bonds with their dragons to grow strong, so Aly and Rhaena tried to visit them as often as possible. That morning, Rhaena had a tea party with all her friends, so Aly was on her own. She only had a little time to spend with Princess Sapphire that morning, as she had to prepare for the ball. It was her very first ball and she couldn’t wait. She’d been asking Rhaena and her Mummy all about the music, the dresses, the food and the dances.

“Good, she’s heard you and is coming out,” the dragonkeeper continued. “Now, remember the words we taught you, Lady Alysanne. The dragon knows how to hunt, it knew how to ever since it was an egg, but it must learn to obey your orders.”

“I remember,” Aly said with a nod.

Princess Sapphire came out of her nest with a chirp and a swish of her tail. Aly locked eyes with her and felt a twinkle in them. She had grown a lot, ever since she was born, she now came up right under Aly’s waist. Morning was the same size. She couldn’t wait for her dragon to grow so she could fly with Rhaena and Baela. Her Mummy said that Aly wasn’t allowed to fly until she was older, but she was certain that once Princess Sapphire was big enough, she’d get permission. Baela always said that Aegon’s mother, Queen Rhaenyra, was the youngest dragon rider to ever exist at only seven and Aly would soon be seven herself.

She held out her hand and Princess Sapphire approached, letting her rub her face. She was a very pretty light blue, with golden eyes and she had two cream-colored horns that made her look very tough. Princess Sapphire growled affectionately and closed her eyes as Aly pet her. Her eyes suddenly opened as it began to sniff the air, smelling her food.

“We’re bringing out the chicken, Lady Alysanne,” a different dragonkeeper said. “Command Princess Sapphire to remain calm and only strike when you wish it.”

“Aye,” Aly said. She turned serious, like Mummy at court. “Princess Sapphire, stay, calm, wait,” she said in High Valyrian. Those were just a few of the words she’d learnt. When they brought out the chicken and it began to cry out, Princess Sapphire locked eyes with it and began hissing. “Stay! Wait! Obey!” Aly continued. Her dragon turned away from the chicken and looked up at her again.

“Now, milady,” the dragonkeeper said, having gotten far away from the bird.

“Go! Attack! Fire!” Aly commanded, pointing at the chicken.

Princess Sapphire pounced at once. She jumped towards the chicken. She fell on top of the chicken and used her claw to hold it in place, then, she opened her mouth and spat a pale flame that looked almost like the color of her horns. Once her meal was cooked, she began to eat. Aly never tired of watching Princess Sapphire spit fire. She loved looking at the pretty flames that each dragon could spew. Moondancer’s fire was green, while Morning’s was a pretty pink.

“Very good, Lady Alysanne,” one of the dragonkeepers complimented her. “Princess Sapphire is very obedient. Your bond is very well developed. You must continue to learn the tongue of your ancestors, while we continue to teach Princess Sapphire the commands.”

“I will!” Aly said with a grin, raising her hand. She was learning High Valyrian with the Grand Maester and with Rhaena, and she loved her lessons with Rhaena the most.

She waited for Princess Sapphire to finish her meal before leaving. Aly gave her a kiss between the eyes and said her goodbyes to her. The dragon keepers coaxed her back into her nest. They never had any trouble with the young dragons, Baela said. She’d tell them stories about how Caraxes would refuse to obey if Aly’s grandfather, Prince Daemon, didn’t visit him often, and how Vermax would snap at the air and threaten to attack if he didn’t like the dragon keepers put in charge of him.

One of the dragon keepers escorted her out to her carriage, where her guards waited. Her Mummy had assigned Ser Yohn Royce, a distant cousin, to guard her in the city. There were five other mounted guards around. Her aunt, Septa Myranda, waited inside the carriage for her. Normally, she didn’t go with them to the Dragonpit, but as both Rhaena and Baela were busy with their tea party, she had offered to join Aly so she wouldn’t go alone.

“How was Princess Sapphire, my Lady?” Septa Myranda asked with a kind smile. They had just heard that Eldric had a daughter, named after Mummy, and the septa was very happy.

“The dragon keepers say she is very well behaved,” Aly shared with her. “She listens to what I say and likes when I pet her. Do you think there’ll be an ice statue at the ball?”

“What’s an ice statue, dear?” Septa Myranda asked.

“A statue made out of ice,” Aly said matter-of-factly. “Mummy told us a story about one.”

“I don’t know,” the septa replied. “Where would they get the ice?”

“Oh, right,” Aly said, brows furrowing with concentration. “I guess it’s not easy to get a lot of ice.”

“’Tis not,” the septa said with a kind smile. “The Blackwater has frozen in the past, but it has been many years since last it happened.”

“Did you see my dress? Mummy showed it to me, and it looks just like hers,” Aly boasted.

“I have. I’ll be helping you put it on,” Septa Myranda replied.

“It has four skirts,” Aly continued. “They have runes embroidered on them. I helped with one!”

“What do you want to do in the ball?” the septa asked her with a smile. “Will you be dancing?”

“I will,” Aly said with a nod. “I must be careful not to offend my betrothed, so I can only dance once with each partner. Do you remember how jealous Prince Arthur got when Princess Philippa danced twice with the Grey Knight?”

“I remember, though I also remember how Prince Arthur’s jealousy brought him much ruin,” the septa said with a chuckle. “And well, I don’t think Royce Baratheon minds who you dance with.”

“Royce Baratheon,” Aly giggled. She always found it funny that she was marrying someone named Royce.

“Will you be dancing with His Grace?”

“If he wants to,” Aly shrugged. Aegon didn’t often join them in their games. Sam was still trying to get him to play monsters-and-maidens with them. “Mummy asked me to look after Haera so she doesn’t feel lonely or scared with so many people. I told Mummy that I’ll protect Haera and make sure no one scares her.

“That’s very sweet of you,” the septa said with an indulgent smile. “Though I think that’s the duty of the Kingsguard.”

“They’re old,” Aly dismissed them. “They don’t know what Haera wants.”

When she first met the queen, Aly had thought she was younger. She thought she was around Rhea’s age as they were almost the same size. She was very surprised to learn that Haera was actually a little older than Sam. By that point, however, she had been treating her like a fellow little sister, and it was too late to change things. Haera liked it, besides, she enjoyed being looked after and Aly was one of the few people she ever talked with. Haera no longer looked Rhea’s age, but she still looked smaller than Aly. Everyone always said that Aly was a great big sister, always looking after Rhea, Marsella and Rhaenys. Now she also had Haera to look after.

“Do you think Her Grace will enjoy the ball? Sometimes it feels as if your Lady Mother is forcing the poor girl,” the septa said with a worried sigh. She’d been looking after Haera as well and had grown to care for her.

“She likes music and all her favorite food will be there,” Aly said. “Mummy said that she doesn’t have to dance if she doesn’t want to, and if she wants to, she can leave after dinner.”

“I see,” Septa Myranda said. “We’re almost at the castle, my Lady. Remember not to run in front of the lords and ladies, as ladies don’t run. Go straight to your rooms and take a bath, as you reek of overgrown lizard,” she teased with a smile.

“Where are you going?” Aly asked. “Weren’t you helping me dress for the ball?”

“I am, but while you bathe, I want to light a candle to the Mother for Beth and little Elaena,” the aged septa said with a smile.

“Oh,” Aly nodded. “I also want to light a candle for them.”

“You’ll join me tomorrow, what do you say?”

Aly nodded. When the carriage stopped, she was about to jump down to the ground but remembered Septa Myranda’s instructions. She put her hand out for one of her guards to help her down and thanked him with a gentle smile, the kind that she’d seen Mummy give when thanking people. They escorted her back to Maegor’s Holdfast. She bathed quickly, not wanting to be wet for long with how cold it was, and ate a light supper, imagining the delicious food that there’d be at the ball.

“Not fair!” Rhea said, looking at Aly’s dress being prepared. “I also want to go!”

“You’re still too young, my love,” Mummy said, kneeling down. “But there will be other balls, I promise. Mayhaps not in the Red Keep, but the palace in Gulltown is the perfect place to host dances of our own. You’ll be a little older then and will be able to stay awake and dance. Won’t that be fun?”

Rhea nodded, though she still looked unconvinced. Aly thought Mummy made a lot of sense. Rhea was a sleepy head who always went to bed early. Many times, when they were playing with Haera, Rhea would fall asleep mid-game and have to be carried to her bed.

“And Sam will be here, you could play together,” Mummy continued. “Won’t that be fun? Now, what do you say? Want to help me dress up your sister?”

“Aye,” Rhea said, eyes locked on the pretty dress that Aly was wearing.

It was just like one of Mummy’s dresses. It had layered skirts that made it look a little like a puffy bell. The bodice had pretty embroidering in it, Aly had chosen it herself though she still wasn’t skilled enough to make it herself. Over it she would wear a small cloak to ward off the cold. It only reached down to her waist, so it looked very fetching, in her opinion. Once Aly was dressed up, Mummy herself brushed her hair and set it in a braid. Mummy’s hand was gentle and soft, and she didn’t pull her hair like some of the maids sometimes did to undo knots. Aly leaned into her touch.

“Will Danwyll sing tonight?” Aly asked after the court musician, who sang like Father.

“He will,” Mummy said. “He’s gathered a great many musicians, choosing the very best he could find. Rhaena chose a lot of songs, but Danwyll will be singing new songs as well.”

“I also want to hear the new songs,” Rhea whined.

“If you’re still awake when I return, what do you say I sing them to you?” Mummy asked, smiling at Rhea. Rhea nodded. “All set,” Mummy said, letting go of Aly’s hair. “You’re now ready.”

“You look like a princess,” Rhea said.

Aly twirled, enjoying how the skirts looked when they moved. The largest skirt reached just over her ankles, so she could dance and spin without worrying she’d step on it. She looked at herself in a mirror of polished silver and smiled. She truly did look like a princess. Her dress was blue and tan, it reminded her of Princess Sapphire a little, with Royce brown accents here and there. Her Mummy’s dress had similar colors, but they had the same number of skirts, the same kind of small cloak, and the same runes embroidered on the skirts.

“Thank you, Mummy,” Aly said and hugged her, feeling her Mummy’s hands squeeze her back.

The ball was truly everything she hoped for. There was always music going on, even when nobody was dancing. Danwyll’s musicians played gentle songs that you could listen to while you ate and talked. Every lady was wearing beautiful dresses in lovely colors; every lord was wearing his very best. It was very fun to see just how many ladies wore layered skirts like Mummy liked. Father was wearing Templeton colors, black and gold, and a half cloak draped over his shoulder that had the Royce sigil with his house’s colors.

Aegon was wearing black, he had insisted on it. All black, with a dark red three-headed dragon on his cloak. Aly didn’t care much for the dark colors, but the cloth used and the skill behind his clothes were second to none. On the other hand, Haera’s dress was much prettier. Her dress looked a lot like Aly’s, with its skirts and its pretty embroidering. The cloth had been dyed pale blue, and all the embroidering was done with silver thread. Baela had chosen the colors, saying they were the colors of Dreamfyre, the dragon that belonged to Haera’s Mummy.

The Queen’s Ballroom was full of tapestries and wall hangings showing all sorts of animals. Rhaena said that she wanted every sigil in the realm represented, so there were all sorts of animals. There were dragons, lions, fish, stags, falcons, sheep, ravens, horses, griffins, swans and many more. There also were a few that didn’t have any animals but had towers, runes, quills and other things. They didn’t have the colors of the houses, however, as they weren’t sigils; the lion wasn’t roaring like the Lannister lion but running across a field, the stag was nuzzling with a doe and wasn’t crowned, the fish were swimming, not leaping. The backgrounds were all made in pale blue, the animals in silver. Behind the royal table, however, huge Targaryen banners hung in Targaryen colors. The tablecloths were also pale blue, though even lighter, so the entire ballroom looked just like Haera’s dress.

Neither Aegon nor Haera had a father or a Mummy anymore. Aly didn’t know much about the war, but she understood enough to know that they had fought each other and died. Aegon’s father was Aly’s own grandfather, so he was her uncle though he was very young. Haera was her second cousin. As they were all alone, she didn’t mind sharing her Mummy with them. She could share her father as well, but he wasn’t as close with them as Mummy was.

Aly sat with the king and queen at the high table. Places had been made for the Lannisters, Baratheons and Tullys in attendance, but they were all dancing and talking with their fellow lords and ladies, so, Aly was alone with Aegon and Haera. She wanted to dance as well, but she had to wait for someone to invite her. Mummy had said she’d ask some of the younger squires.

“What do you want to eat?” Aly asked Haera.

“That looks tasty,” Haera whispered with a soft voice, looking at a pie with steam coming out of it.

“Her Grace would like some of that,” Aly said, pointing at the pie. She had grown accustomed to sharing Haera’s orders with the servants.

One of House Targaryen’s retainers moved quickly and cut two pieces of pie. Before putting one in front of Haera, he tasted it for poison. Only after a while did he serve the queen her pie. Mummy trusted in the cooks, but didn’t want to take any risks, so she had asked Aly to only eat what had been tasted for poison for Aegon and Haera. Aegon also asked for some of the pie. It was very good, Aly thought once she had some in her plate, it had a lot of meat and cheese and some vegetables as well.

“Do you want to dance?” Aly asked Haera in between bites.

“Not really,” she replied. “I’m happy just listening to the songs.”

“Oh, I know that one!” Aly said, recognizing the song they were hearing. “Danwyll played it in Gulltown! He wrote it about a friend of his, Mummy said.”

“I like it,” Haera said with a little smile. “It’s very nice.”

“I like the pie,” Aly said. “I want to try that roast boar over there. And that salad, it has fruit on it. Where do you think they brought the fruit from? Rhaena said they were having a lot of desserts with honeyed walnuts; do you want to try all of them?” she barraged Haera with questions. Their talks usually went like that.

“I do,” Haera nodded. “Have them bring over all that food, let’s try it,” she added with the little smile that she only showed Aly and Rhea.

Aly and Haera had a lot of fun while eating, talking about the food and the music. A few times they even got Aegon to comment and join in. The Baratheon sisters, the Lannister sisters and Lord Tully joined them after a while, asking Aegon and Haera for permission to sit and eat with them. Aegon granted it to them. Baela and Rhaena joined them as well.

Haera didn’t like the Baratheon sisters much, because they were very loud and sometimes even fought each other. She didn’t like that they shouted. When that happened, one of Haera’s ladies usually ran outside to get a guard to bring Lord Borros, who commanded his daughters to stop fighting and make peace. Aly heard from Rhaena that Cassandra was nasty and jealous that she was marrying her little brother and becoming Lady of Storm’s End, so Aly tried not to get involved with her future goodsister. She liked Floris and Ellyn, however, who were always happy to talk with her about songs and stories. At least Cassandra was leaving soon after the ball to marry her lord husband.

The Lannister sisters, on the other hand, were all lovely. Jocasta, the youngest and the one who was Haera’s lady, was not as lovely as her elder sisters but was very kind and sweet. She kept a cat in her rooms and would let Haera, Aly and Rhea play with it. The eldest sisters had come to find lord husbands. Mummy said that once they bound the realm with alliances it would begin to heal and they’d support Aegon and Haera, bringing peace quicker. The ball was made so that lords and ladies would find good matches and get the blessings of the king and queen. Every betrothal would receive a gift from them, so that they’d remember them fondly.

Surrounded by so many older ladies, and Lord Tully, Haera stopped talking so much and focused on her food. Aegon truly shone at that time. He was very good at talking with them. He had learnt to ask questions to his vassals about their homes and families, which always made them happy that the king knew about them. He asked Lord Kermit about how Riverrun used its rivers to defend itself, Lady Tyshara Lannister about the famed beauty of Casterly Rock’s gilded halls, and Lady Cassandra about her upcoming marriage to Alan Tarly. After a day in court, Aegon would always return to his rooms with an exhausted face, but Mummy was quick to always compliment him about his good job.

Lady Tyshara Lannister whispered something in Lord Tully’s ear. He smiled at her and stood up, walking towards Aly.

“Lady Alysanne, may I be granted your very first dance?” he asked.

“You may,” Aly replied, offering him her hand.

He led her to the dance floor, where she locked eyes with her Mummy, talking with a lord she didn’t know. Her Mummy smiled at her and gave her a nod. Kermit was a man grown, taller than her. But as Aly was quite tall herself, she was pleased to see she had little issue dancing with him. Lord Kermit led her in the dance, moving slowly for her sake. Soon, Lady Tyshara and Aegon joined them. Aegon’s brow was furrowed with concentration, and Aly couldn’t help but giggle, watching him so focused. When time came to switch partners, Aegon and Lort Kermit switched, so Aly was now dancing with Aegon. He was a good dancer, though he danced as if it was duty. After Aegon, she danced with Mummy’s cupbearer, Byron Cuy, then with a young squire from House Farman, her cousin Ser Lyonel Templeton, Garmund Hightower, young lord Jaime Reyne and even Baela.

After the dancing, she returned to the table, where Haera was preparing to delve into the different desserts. Aly joined her and they talked and laughed and japed about every dessert. She truly had the most magical time. By the end, she managed to convince Haera to try dancing, so the queen danced with both her and Aegon. When they returned to their table, she could see her own sleepiness reflected in Haera’s face, so they left the ballroom to go to sleep. Aly hoped the next ball would be soon.