Queen of the Narrow Seas

As she flew over Moonstone as the sun rose, the sixteen years old Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Lady Paramount of Stepstones, smiled in delight. 

She had finished her aerial patrol for the day and was looking forward to some sleep before the audiences with her people later that afternoon. Behind her, her companion, the now twelve years old Elinda Massey, had finally fallen asleep, lulled by the warmth emanating from Syrax’s body. 

She could see from afar, Grey Ghost was dancing through the air, before flying beside his mate and her dragonrider. Together the two dragons landed on top of Dragon Keep (as Syrax was now too large to land on her balcony) staying long enough for Rhaenyra and Elinda to dismount before going off for a hunt.

Watching as Elinda clumsily climbed into bed without even taking off her riding clothes before snoring loudly, Rhaenyra couldn’t help but laugh, letting Prunella Celtigar (whose turn to help Rhaenyra with her morning preparations and schedule for the day) help with her hair. 

“We received letters from cousin Aemon, Rosie and Yanli last night. Apparently both Mylessa and Rosie are ready to give birth soon while Yanli wrote to say that she and Martyn will return next week with little Rhaelle.”

Martyn Beesbury, her trusted advisor, had finally married her lady in waiting Yanli Han after a long and very romantic courtship two years ago, Rhaenyra had given them lands by the coast of Moonstone to build their own keep. They were currently on leave to visit Yanli’s family in Scarwood with their first born daughter, little Rhaelle Beesbury, named after Lady Rhaella Targaryen. 

Rosamund Beesbury, meanwhile, had surprised everyone by retiring from her service and marrying Daemion Velaryon of Pearl Cove. She was currently carrying their second child, after giving birth to a son named Aethan. 

But the most shocking development in her household was her Scarlet Shadows, Aemon Celtigar and Mylessa Darke, had fallen in love with one another while guarding Rhaenyra and finally married three years ago. Rhaenyra had given them some lands in Dustspear where they had founded the House Darke of Stepstones and both were currently on leave to prepare for the birth of their heir. 

It was the last one that was causing some problem right now. 

As the Lady Paramount of Stepstone, it was imperative that she was never left unguarded at anytime (no matter how loudly Rhaenyra argued for Syrax) and even with Layla Strong, who was trained in archery and her distant cousin, Joffrey Arryn, who came escorting his Waynwood cousin, Rowena and decided to stay, much to his parents and Lady Jeyne’s despair, guarding her, they were still arguing about the distinct security problem.

And forget asking for her uncle Daemon’s help, he was currently on another of his trips with his twins. (Really, he was in Runestone; both to piss off Rhea and to visit his son Aelyx, training the boy in the art of dragon riding, as much to Rhea’s despair and Jeyne’s delight, the four year old boy had managed to bond with Sheepstealer of all dragons (now renamed Windsturm by Lady Rhea), finally giving Vale the dragon the Crown had promised them years ago.)

Morna Strong entered the bedchamber carrying a breakfast tray and a bunch of letters the princess needed to look at before she could nap. 

“More letters?” Rhaenyra asked in dismay as she bit into her breakfast. 

“Just some reports from the Chief Dragon Keeper in Dragon Den and letters from family for your ladies. I don’t think there’s anything important for you yet today.” Morna passed one such letter to Prunella while she settled down with her own letter.

“Thank the Gods then.” Rhaenyra yawned. “Are there any major issues to discuss for the audience session, Prue?”

“Other than some dispute over fishing rights, the only thing we have in the docket is about your personal security, Nyra.” 

“Not this again! Syrax is enough for me, she’s a dragon for God sake!” She complained as Prunella grinned. “We love you too much Rhaenyra, to play loose with your safety.”

Morna looked up from the letter she was holding. "Well, I think, Your Highness, I have a solution for your current problem. My brother, Harwin, is on his way to Stepstones, escorting the Weirwood sapling you requested along with a Green Man from the Isle of Gods."

(Rhaenyra, having seen the huge oak tree her people used as a substitute,  had written to Isle of Gods years ago asking for a weirwood sapling to be sent to Stepstones so her people who follow the Old Gods have their own sanctuary to pray in. 

It took several years and numerous letters from herself and House Strong (and to the princess’s shock, a letter from Lord Rickon Stark himself) for the Green Men to grant her request.)

“Oh, that’s nice of your brother.” Rhaenyra said, “Wait, why is he here helping solve my problem?” 

“Well Harwin is currently jobless after he was dismissed from his position in the City Watch by the Lord Hand,” the 19 years old woman pulled a face, “so when I wrote to him about your security problem, he offered to come here to visit and be your temporary guard while Aemon and Mylessa are away. Oh, do say yes. Harwin is renowned for his combat skills and would be a major asset in keeping you safe.”

Rhaenyra groaned again.

After the brief audience session (which Rhaenyra finally agrees to letting this Harwin Strong be her temporary shield after being harangued by everyone) the princess and Elinda fled to Scarwood with Syrax for some well-earned break (and to see someone who spotted just arrived at the island).

“How long will you stay this time?” Rhaenyra asked, not looking at the woman beside her, instead keep a watch at the docks where people were loading supplies on the ship. “Just a few days, there’s some rumors about pirate activities in Basilisk Isle I need to investigate.” The now 25 years old privateer sighed, rubbing her thumb against Rhaenyra’s hand she was holding. “I’m sorry I cannot stay long this time.”

Rhaenyra sighed but understood what the woman was telling her. 

Over the course of 4 years, Rhaenyra had fallen in love with the enigmatic sea captain but she knew Sayiddah’s first love will always be the sea and that she cared for the princess too much to let her be the second most prioritized thing in her life when Rhaenyra deserved to be the first. 

But it never stopped them from spending what free time they have, walking the beaches, cherishing every single touch and kisses that they shared together.

As if she could read her mind, Sayiddah gently placed her fingers under her chin, tipping her face upward before kissing her gently on the lips.

SAYIDDAH FA TOREN, IS THAT MY GRANDNIECE YOU’RE DEFILING?!” Both them quickly pulled apart, laughing as Vaegon and his latest apprentice came up to them. 

“Master Vaegon, just the person I hoped to find!” Sayiddah pulled out two books from her satchel. “I found you a rare copy of Beinecke’s Compendium of Magical Creatures as well as The Unknown World Through The Eyes of House Belaerys book that you were looking for.” She gently placed the tightly wrapped artifacts on his hands.

Vaegon, ready to yell at her, paused and looked at the books in his hands before reverently passing them to his apprentices.  “Are you trying to bribe me?” He said incredulously. 

Sayiddah, who had cultivated a healthy fear for Vaegon throughout the years, just smiled winsomely. “I do hope you enjoy the books Sir.”

Vaegon harrumphed loudly before walking away, his apprentice giggled behind him, before following with the books. 

Grinning at each other, both of them continued their walk alongside the beach together; Syrax and Grey Ghost bathing by the shoreline, their hatchlings playing around them as Vaegon and his newest batch of students record their latest findings on the dragons. 

Watching as one of the horse-sized hatchlings dancing in the air flew downward and toward Elinda, Rhaenyra smiled. If non-targaryens can be riders, sweet Elinda would be one of the first dragon riders, especially as the hatchling, Terrax, named after the famous Balaerys dragon, nuzzled up to her, biting her dress playfully. 

“Your Highness! Captain!” Both of them turned to see a young man in his late teens running up to them, a young boy clinging on his back. “I’m glad I managed to catch you whilst you were still here. I finally finished your saddle.” He smiled brightly, shaking the big dragon saddle he was carrying in his arms. 

“Really?” Rhaenyra said in delight. “You really are a genius, Ollie, I thought it would take weeks for the idea to take form and it only took you two days!” She immediately whistled for Syrax.

The young man ducked his head down in embarrassment, smiling shyly at her. 

Rhaenyra bit down a sigh as the man set down the magnificent-looking saddle and helped the boy get down from his back, passing his collapsible crutch to him, drinking in his beautiful face, from the soft white-gold curls, the bright sky blue eyes to the adorable red birthmark on his right eyebrow, down to his sharp nose and cupid bow lips. 

Olyvar Waters was a bastard from King’s Landing who came in her ship years ago and had managed to find his place as a dragon keeper. His beautiful Valyrian looks had caught the attention of many especially as he grew taller than most people and yet a gentle giant to everyone around especially to children, which includes the Dornish child, Kriss Sand, that he was carrying around with him. 

The crippled child and his widowed father had come to Stepstones three years ago, fleeing from trouble in Dorne. His father, Edmondo, was very skilled with metal smithing, had managed to earn him a place in Dragon Keeper’s village in Scarwood and Olyvar, bless his kind heart, immediately befriended the family and ended up helping him raise his crippled son. 

I didn’t mind trading kisses with this beautiful man , Rhaenyra thought as Olyvar put on the saddle over Syrax, cooing and heaping praises at the dragon as he did so. Syrax, used to the gentle giant, sat perfectly still, waiting till he was done before playfully nudging him with her head. 

Sparing a playful glance to Rhaenyra, Sayiddah slides beside Olyvar and begins telling him about her journey, fluttering her eyelashes coquettishly at him. For his part, he did listen, head tilted adorably as he made the last few adjustments to Syrax’s collars connecting to the saddle but it seems yet once again he didn’t realize she was flirting with him. 

Rhaenyra grinned when she felt a nudge, looking down. Kriss was smiling adorably up at her before tipping his head at his pseudo parent and the sea captain. The princess sighed and pulled a face as the child giggled, used to the sight.  

It was a pity the journeyman was so clueless that he didn’t even realize everyone was trying to court him (including the aforementioned friend he was co-parenting with). 

He’s lucky he’s so pretty. I can’t even be mad at him , Rhaenyra thought as she sighed again.

Rhaenyra, joined by her retinue, including her temporary personal guard, Joffrey Arryn, along with the Conclave of Priests that lived in the island, stood by the docks in Felstrong, watching as the ship from Riverland approaches. 

It was her prerogative that she was there to welcome the Green Man from the Isle of Gods. She should have met him in Moonstone but according to the reply she received, it was better that the sapling was transplanted as soon as possible, hence the meeting at the island that served as their religious sanctuary, as well as detailing the ceremony that they need to conduct. 

They all watched in awed silence as a green hooded man with antlers sprouting from its head disembarked, reverently carrying the red and white leafed weirwood sapling in his arms. The procession followed him silently as they made the trek to the Oak tree that served as the worship area for those who followed the Old Gods. 

The hooded man gently placed the sapling in the hole they prepared for it and gently stepped back from the tree. Rhaenyra and one of the Old God followers stepped forward, the latter carrying a goat in its arm.

Accepting the sharp iron knife from the Green Man, Rhaenyra gently cut her palm just enough for some blood to pool in her palm as she reverently kneeled, placing the bloodied hand over the soil.

Bless this land, guide my people that prays under your protection. 

She then accepts the goat from the follower and gently slits its throat, bathing the sapling with its blood. 

Accept our sacrifice and prosper in our island. 

She bit back a gasp as the sapling suddenly grew a foot taller before her eyes, winds rustling loudly around them, sounding like funerary bells. 

“It is done, the Old Gods accept your offering, Rhaenyra of House Targaryen.” The Green Man bowed reverently at her as she stepped back, letting her people take their turn to pray at the sapling. The man pulled back his hood to reveal his young Northern features. “I am Taryn Snow, the Old Gods sent me here to take care of its people.”

“Welcome Taryn Snow. We welcome you to Stepstones and will find a place for you here in Felstrong.” Rhaenyra nodded back before letting her ladies ushered her away. 

Wrapping her bloodied hand with a handkerchief Rowena had given her, Rhaenyra listened to Elinda chattering about the ceremony when Morna and Layla approached them, dragging a tall man with them.

“Your Highness, may I present to you my brother, Ser Harwin Strong, Heir of Harrenhal? Brother, this is Princess Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, Lady Paramount of Stepstones and the Narrow Seas.” Layla said brightly as she pushed the man forward. 

“Your Highness, it is a pleasure to finally meet you after hearing so much from my family.” The man bowed before looking straight into her eyes. 

Oh.

OH!!

Oh no , Rhaenyra thought as she took in the soulful brown eyes of the man towering over her, his rough hand was holding her hand gently as he bent down once again to kiss her hand reverently, I’m in so much trouble.