章 54: Lynara Dovahkiin
Blackwater Bay, The Crownlands, Fith Moon of 279 AC
Rhaella Targaryen POV
Rhaella Targaryen was a dutiful woman; she was dutiful to her father, then to her husband, and then to her children. Never did she ever get rewarded for being dutiful, for doing the best for her family. All she got were bruises, cuts, and horrendous nights with her husband. Rhaella was tired, tired of "The Game," tired of the Red Keep, tired of being hurt and abused by her husband, so when Rhaegar told her she would be leaving the Red Keep to learn magic from the Skagossi lord, she didn't know how to react.
Should she be happy that her torture would stop? Should she be sad she was being thrown away? She didn't know what to feel, so she decided to do what she always did, be dutiful. She would learn everything she could from Lord Dovahkiin, and if the gods were good, Rhaegar would be the king when she returned to the Capital.
When she got to the massive black ship, The OldGods' Revenge, she had tears in her eyes; whether they were from happiness or sadness, she wouldn't be able to tell. On the first hour of their trip, Lord Dovahkiin called her to his solar cabin, where young Benjen Stark, Lady Dovahkiin, and Lord Dovahkiin himself were waiting for her. Rhaella, followed by her Kingsguard, Ser Darry, went on to the said cabin.
The solar cabin looked as northern as something could get; with Northern-style furniture and decorations, Lord Dovahkiin was seated behind a big desk made of weirwood, if she guessed right. The desk had first-men runes engraved all around it, as well as engravings detailing some important events of The North's history, such as Theon The Hungry wolf commanding an army, Brandon The Builder overlooking the construction of The Wall, Torrhen Stark kneeling to Aegon Targaryen; and engravings of House Dovahkiin's sigil, engravings of a man fighting Dragons, half bat creatures and a man with a tentacle mask. The Desk was a piece of art probably worth a few thousand gold dragons.
" My Queen, I hope you are feeling well. I've asked for your presence because I wish to explain what you will be learning in Skagos. Once I'm done explaining, Benjen will leave, and I will cure your body from… whatever happened to you. Dacey will stay to help me." Lord Dovahkiin's said calmly; Rhaella nodded but said nothing
" For the next five years, you will be my student. This means you will have my protection against everything and everyone, just like Benjen or the other students at The College of Winterhold do. No harm shall come to you while you're my student." Lord Dovahkiin said as he gave her a small smile, " On your time studying under me, you will learn restoration and destruction magic, as well as "Magicka" manipulation. You will also learn alchemy, or potion-making, as some call it here. Potion-making is an exact art, and few have the talent to master it, but if you have the talent for it, then few things in this world would be able to threaten your life. Now, the first six moons of your restoration and destruction education will be taught by Benjen as a test to him and you." Lord Dovahkiin concluded as he looked deep into her eyes; all she could see in those onyxes orbs was admiration, which confused her a lot as she didn't think nobody admired her, the poor meek Queen Rhaella.
" It would be an honor to learn from you, young Benjen Stark," Rhaella said to Benjen, who just nodded at her with a slight smile on his face " And I would like to thank you, my lord Dovahkiin for granting me your protection. I feel much safer knowing that if anyone wants to hurt me, they would have to go through you first." Rhaella said, and Lord Dovahkiin nodded.
"Good. Benjen, you may leave. I feel the next part of this meeting will be hard on us; you don't need to hear or think about this for now." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Rhaella couldn't help but feel apprehensive about what would come next. Benjen Stark left the room as he was ordered.
" I will conjure a healer's bed, and I want you to lay on it so I can examine all injuries you have… as well as see if I cure your womb from whatever affliction had fallen on it if there any," Ragnar said calmly. "I ask your grace to be truthful to whatever question I ask regarding your condition; it will be easier on us all." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Rhaella nodded. Lord Dovahkiin then did what he said he would; out of a blue portal, a healer's bed appeared, and she laid on it. Rhaella saw how nervous Ser Darry looked, but he wisely chose not to say anything.
Lord Dovahkiin's hand then glowed orange as he touched her, and his magic made her dress transform into a healing gown, which made her gasp in surprise.
" Your Grace?" She heard ser Darry ask
" No need to worry, Ser Darry. Lord Dovahkiin is only doing a healer's job. Like a Maester," Rhaella said; Lord Dovahkiin, however, seemed indignant at being compared to a Maester.
" I will begin the procedure, your grace. If you feel uncomfortable or in any pain, please let me know." Lord Dovahkiin said as his hand glowed goldenly. A few minutes passed as Lord Dovahkiin fell silent.
" How can this happen to a Queen? This is absurd! Hundreds of cuts not healed properly, old choking bruises not appropriately healed, inflamed and swollen genitalia… from years of abuse." She heard Lord Dovahkiin say, his voice low, but it was making the ship shake; with each word, she could see her surroundings trembling.
" When did it happen for the first time, Your Grace?" Lord Dovahkiin said, when she looked at him, she saw something she never thought she would; on the face of the 7'2 barbarian man, she saw tears, like her own, but unlike hers, who showed nothing but pain, his eyes almost screamed bloody murder.
" Ever since my fourth miscarriage… in 273. It is not as bad as it looks… the pain is bearable." Rhaella said, but apparently, it wasn't the right thing to say as he went still for a second before wiping his eyes.
" You are just like her, just like her… Always strong, always taking the pain, and always enduring the worse for your family." Lord Dovahkiin said lowly, " All you got do is ask me… you know? All you have to do is ask, and he will be no more." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Ser Darry unsheathed his sword.
" You dare threaten the King in the presence of a Kingsguard?" Ser Darry said, but Lord Dovahkiin didn't even look at him; he kept staring at Rhaella with pleading eyes.
" No… Rhaegar is not ready yet… there's no heir other than Viserys." Rhaella said; she could see the anger in Lord Dovahkiin's eyes, but he nodded nonetheless.
" Do not ignore me, fiend! You have threatened his grace in my presence! How dare you!" Ser Darry said; Lord Dovahkiin finally looked at him, snarling like a best, fast like an arrow, but when he spoke, his voice was low, calm, and collected.
" In the name of the warrior, you were charged to be brave; yet when you needed to be brave the most, you cowered. In the name of the Father, you were charged to be just; yet when time came, you chose to be amiss; In the name of the Mother, you were charged to defend the innocent; yet when an innocent woman needed your defense the most, you ignored. In the name of the Maid, you were charged to protect the woman; yet here your Queen stands, bruised, harmed, abused… You are unworthy of your titles! You broke your vows to your gods! You said I'm threatening your King? I say I will let the gods decide that; in a trial by combat. But I warn you; should you wish to go through with your accusations, your death will not be a quick one." Lord Dovahkiin said, and Ser Darry was surprised by Lord Dovahkiin's words
" Sheath your sword, Ser Darry. This is not a fight you can win, and Lord Dovahkiin didn't threaten my husband." Rhaella said quickly, and Ser Darry did as he was told.
" Good choice… dirtying my sword with the blood of a man who betrayed his vows to his gods was not something I wished to do." Lord Dovahkiin said to Ser Darry, who was probably having a small identity crisis.
" I will start the healing process; it shouldn't take long; the worse part will be the mental scars. To heal that, we will need time. You will meet me once a week to… talk about things, to talk so I can heal your mental scars." Lord Dovahkiin said as his hand once again glowed goldenly. This time Rhaella felt her wounds disappear, some pains that afflicted her for years disappeared, and her body no longer felt fatigued.
" Thank you, thank you…." Rhaella said as she cried her eyes out.
White Harbor, The North, fifth moon of 279 AC
When The OldGods' Revenge arrived at White Harbor, Ragnar Dovahkiin and Rickard Stark were having a conversation about the Western part of the North and how to make it prosperous. Ragnar told Rickard trade was the heart of prosperity and, as such, every way to facilitate trade should be welcomed. Ragnar told Richard about Skagos' concrete roads and how they would improve trade; Ragnar also suggested a traveling boat system that would make traveling, transporting goods, and moving military forces faster.
" The North has many rivers, my lord; most of them would be perfect for implementing the boat system; it would make things easier and faster, as it did for the Rhoynar before the Valyrians happened." Ragnar said and Rickard nodded
" Aye, your idea has merit; small tolls could be implemented for the boats and ships," Rickard said calmly
" It would be wise to create a guard force to protect the rivers; the tolls could pay for the soldiers. They would be like a small fleet, protecting the trade boats and ships against possible pirates or bandits." Ragnar said, " making the merchant feel safe is essential; a safe merchant is a recurring merchant, which means more trades," he continued.
" Aye… I will summon the Lords by the end of this year; by then, winter should be over, and it would give me time to think this through. Is there anything else you wish to tell me? White Harbors is close by, and I know you wish to arrive in Skagos soon so your child can be born there." Rickard said
" One more thing, In a few years, I shall travel to Leng to try to buy rice for the Neck. While planning this trip of mine, I had the idea to bring Zorses to The North. The Ryswells are good horse breeders; with a good number of Zorsers, they could breed a new strong kind of Horse, which would make them become the premier exporter of horses in Westeros. It would bring an additional source of income to the western part of The North… There's also the issue with Lys," Ragnar said, his voice cold as ice as he said the last part.
" Those are good ideas; no day goes by without me thanking the Old Gods for bringing you here, my friend. But do tell me, what is your issue with Lys?" Rickard asked, and Ragnar gave him a sad smile
" Everything… their existence offends me. A city of bed slaves," Ragnar spat with disgust. " The only reason I'm not raging war against the Free Cities right now is that my people need me, The North needs me, and Essos would not accept the end of Slavery without bloodshed. It would take centuries to end Slavery in Essos. Still, Lys has to fall; I will make it fall. I will kill all slavers there; Lys will be destroyed. Dacey's dragon will make their city a frozen wasteland." Ragnar continued.
" After everything you have done, I have no reason to deny you your quest. Just as long as it doesn't affect The North, you can do as you wish." Rickard said, and Ragnar nodded and offered him a grateful smile.
Rickard and Lyanna Stark disembarked at White Harbour with their guards. The Revenge sailed for Skagos the moment Rickard and Lyanna left the ship.
It didn't take long for The OldGods' revenge to arrive at Skagos. When it docked at Kingshouse port, the Ice Dragon flew over the city, roaring as if announcing the smallfolk about their Lord and Lady's return. The smallfolk were happy with their lord's return, and when they saw the Queen, they began throwing flowers at her and Dacey. Queen Rhaella commented that the large town, almost a city, didn't smell like shit.
When the Queen saw Winterhold, she couldn't help but stare at the marvelous city that, much to her astonishment, smelled like lilac. She had never seen such a city before, not even Oldtown. The people there looked like landed knights of the south, healthy and happy. She also saw a few giants working on numerous constructions. The innumerous amount of weirwoods trees with faces carved on them also got her by surprise; there were so many of them on the borders of the river that ran through the middle of the city that the River waters were red because of the weirwood leaves. Rhaella Targaryen fell in love, in love with Winterhold.
Ragnar arranged for the Queen to settle in a huge chamber at Frostfall. (What used to be Castle Volkihar).
The Castle was finished earlier than expected due to the giants helping the builders. The castle lacked decorations, but with time, that would be rectified. Ragnar didn't get to think about it because, by the end of that week, Dacey's water broke, and their child was born. On the fifth moon of 279 AC, Lynara Dovahkiin was born, with dark hair and onyx eyes, like her father.
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A/N: Hey guys! Here's today's chapter! A little heavy but happy in the end. Lynara will be a strong girl… literally. She will have half of Ragnar's strength ( not power just strength) and will have as much potencial in magic as him.
Thank you for your support 🙏🙏🙏
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