A Swift Disposal
Helena watched with scrutinizing sharp blue eyes, as Brandon stood in the center of the Yard sparring with Ser Barristan wielding a blunt bronze sword against dull wood, slowly leading the Wise Knight back allowing the Knights blows to wash down the length of his blade with a practiced ease that had Helena narrowing her eyes.
A swift fluidity to his movements that showcased a level of agility she had never seen from her baby boy, and Helena couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride as the sight brought tears to her eyes…
How hard has her baby boy been working, hidden from her eyes, to surprise her like this…?! Her hands clasped above her chest as her chest swelled, her smile blooming into something wide and toothy, a smile of boundless joy and pride eyes glittering with love as her baby boy deflected Ser Barristan's blows with a grace that may be difficult for her to replicate with a sword.
Oh, how her baby boy had grown…
It hurt, but that pain was inconsequential when compared to the overwhelming positivity that flowed through her in this moment.
Brandon gave a grunt of exertion as he locked Ser Barristan's sword with his crossguard, softening the blow with his knees, Brandon pivoted intently flourishing his sword in an attempt to tear the sword from the Knights hands, and expectedly it had failed to even surprise the old Knight as he angled his sword, dipping its point downward to catch Brandon at its end before he could reposition…
The youth heaved a long breath, before lowering his sword and lightly dipping his head towards the Wizened Knight to mark the end of their spar, and wordlessly give his thanks. The Knight gave a light chuckle, and gently grasped Brandon's shoulder before turning the youth to meet the positively radiant bundle of joy that Her Majesty was at the moment…
Helena, seemingly incapable of containing herself any longer, dashed forward and tackled the youth to the ground in a hug…
Brandon did not give any complaints as he hugged his Mother back, a bright smile upon his face…
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[4 Moons Later | 1st Moon | 299 A.C.]
Robert stood next to Helena, with their children standing before them as they awaited the arrival of the Targaryens. Oberyn Martell stood off to the side alongside Robb Stark and Willas Tyrell, as Renly Baratheon, Tyrion Lannister, and Edmure Tully lingered amongst their Men—At—Arms and household knights watching as a carriage ride through the gates…
Helena's eyes narrowed as she watched as the carriage slowed and a cock—sure arrogant youth stepped out, a low snarl nearly took her lips as the pest dared to sneer at HER CHILDREN—
A hand took her own, and she found Aria looking up at her, a breath slipped from Helena's lips as she calmed the anger simmering beneath, but soon to fade as a meek young girl stepped out of the carriage, seemingly afraid of the light itself before she looked upwards at the castle with wide eyes.
As for the arrogant youth, his eyes were trained on Robert's crown, and his sneer intensified… Robert held a frown, but an orator had already begun with the pleasantries and titles, his words falling dead in Helena's ears as her eyes trailed the young platinum haired girl looking at the castle with starry eyes. Before her gaze fell to her children, finding Brandon enraptured by the young Targaryen.
A huff left Helena's lips, while a certain Lioness sneakingly followed his gaze… Her smile grew strained as her fingernails dug into her hand… Helena's focus was elsewhere as she caught a raven flying overhead, disappearing behind the Red Keep's silhouette.
Sullivan advanced and introduced himself with a dignified bow, yet he kept his head raised and level with the arrogant Targaryen, a faint smile upon his face as he met that sneer with a neutral gaze, though a scrutinizing one…
Lord Arryn ushered everyone into the Castle, the arrogant Targaryen seemingly pleased that everyone had come to greet them, unaware that they weren't special in that fact… As Sullivan made it a point to greet all their specially invited guests at the gate…
Helena watched Brandon as he squared his shoulders, and took calm purposeful steps back into the castle, Helena trailed behind with Aria and they met all the dog—sized wolves in the main atrium of the castle. Three unnamed wolves raced towards Brandon 'calmly' fighting for a heel position at his side, while Harold leapt at Aria capable of taking her to the floor if she wasn't expecting it as she carried the wolf like it was still naught but a pup as his tongue lolled out over her shoulder as he watched those behind…
Sullivan's and Laenah's wolves; Choco and Lari respectively, lingered in the shadows stalking as they eyed everyone that passed, trailing through the room into the Throne Hall before the door closed, continuing to linger in the shadows. Helena nodded, finding that Little Sully as Laenah had trained them well.
Not that she could find faults in how Brandon, or Aria had trained their wolves. It was simply a matter of personality and intent, as Aria wanted a cuddly pet while Brandon wanted a 'Pack' whereas Sullivan and Laenah wanted protectors…
Soon, Robert had climbed his throne, and Helena her's as Sullivan took his place alongside the Small Council members, Aria went over to the Starks and began to fluff Nymeria and Lady's fur as Harold playfully nuzzled Arya's hand, as for Brandon…
Helena's brows furrowed as she found that her darling boy had managed to sneak off… Though a smile rose to her face as she saw Ser Barristanslip away, his gaze locked onto a certain passage where Helena assumed her darling boy had disappeared off to…
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Brandon hurriedly slipped through the halls of the Red Keep, before rounding a corner and swiftly stopping there, waiting for the metal—plated footfalls to catch up hoping that he'd be able to slip past Ser Barristan.
Unfortunately he had failed, as one of the Wolves brushed against the wall, bringing Ser Barristan to turn, "Quite the attempt Young Prince, while I believe Her Majesty would be proud of your ability, His Highness, Prince Sullivan would be rather upset at your actions. Would you prefer to follow me back, or be carried, Your Highness."
Brandon let out a sigh, "Lead the way, O' Wise Knight…"
Ser Barristan allowed himself a hearty chuckle as he gestured for Brandon to take the lead, "I apologize Your Highness, but I worry that you will sneak away once more if I give you the chance."
Brandon heaved a breath, as he began to make his way back to the Throne Hall, just in time to find Sullivan standing before Mother. A placating look upon his face, that served to calm Mother enough for Sullivan to turn and address the male Targaryen, "You don't understand what you have just brought upon yourself… You are no longer safe within these halls, and Guest Rights will be denied to you…
For you have angered Mother, thus you have forfeited such rights…
May the Gods hold you in their Favor, for another will not."
Brandon cursed, his eyes darting to his younger sister hoping for some sort of silent explanation, but to find her in tears was not what he expected. His steps fell still, and his mind grew loud…Oh…So…Loud…
His vision tunneled onto those tears, that terrible heart rending expression…
His little sister…
Was brought to tears…
BY THIS PEST?!
He didn't even know when he had pulled his bronze sword from its scabbard, nor when Ser Barristan's had grabbed his wrist, but it was all for naught as Brandon gave a loud slow whistle calling his pack to attention… By now he had garnered Mother's attention, but Brandon cared not, as he yanked his arm from Ser Barristan's hold and threw his sword.
As it it was a game of fetch, three wolves took off after the sword as it careened towards the Targaryen, it clattered against the floor but the Wolves continued on their target quite obvious as the pest began to scream and screech something about a dragon—
Brandon didn't care, as he bolted forward Ser Barristan on his heels—
Only for the young girl to step in front of her brother, putting herself before three bloodthirsty wolves—
A sharp whistle had the sliding to a stop a hair's breadth from the meek yet courageous youth, their growls and piercing eyes lingering as silence befell the Throne Room, before it exploded into noise silenced by Robert roar for silence and Sullivan's light words, "As I have said… You are no longer safe within these Halls."
The Crown Prince's warm brown eyes fell to the young girl, a sense of respect filling his gaze for the briefest of moments, "However, Daenerys Targaryen, you will be provided with Guest Rights, and welcomed within these Halls. Come, Mother, it would be best to see Aria now that she has begun to calm down."
Mother's eyes lingered on the indignant youth for a moment longer before she turned and sprinted off towards Aria who had begun to wipe her tears, though Brandon's gaze remained challenging the pest who dared sadden his little sister, the pest who dared to meet his gaze.
Only to fall away, showing the coward the Targaryen truly was…
Though, Sullivan's voice shattered Brandon's focus and dispelled his rage, "Brandon, some meet your Betrothed. If you'll have her."
Brandon nearly stumbled as he turned to look at Sullivan thoroughly in disbelief at what he had just heard… "My Betrothed…?"
"Indeed Brother," Sullivan raised his arm gesturing for Brandon to come to his side, "As you have already heard, this is Daenerys Targaryen. It would be best for you to spend some time learning about each other before you come to a decision about marriage, as Laenah and myself once had… Now, I'll leave the two of you alone; I recommend the Gardens, while I teach our 'friend' here about the Red Keep, it inhabits, and why it is best to keep our Sister's name out of his filthy mouth…"
The smile upon Sullivan's face was anything but one of nice intentions as he practically dragged the youth aside, a dagger pressed into the Targaryen's side and Sullivan angrily whispered into his ear… All with a smile…
Brandon cast a glance into the crowd to find Cersei, finding the woman's smile blooming as their gazes met, before his gaze fell to his betrothed… A young girl who couldn't even meet his gaze, yet interestingly enough was either brave or foolish enough to throw herself into the maws of three wolves…
Brandon kissed his teeth, bringing his pack to a calm as they curiously began to sniff at Daenerys, before one of them nuzzled into her hand, it seemed the pack approved…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Sullivan soon returned to Robb Stark and Oberyn's side as they made their way towards the study Sullivan had taken as a gathering room for the Heirs, "I apologize for my Family's lack of decorum, we tend to reveal more of ourselves when it pertains to Family… I hope you understand."
Before Robb could speak, Oberyn quickly interjected, a smile upon his face, "I am more upset by the fact that blood hadn't been drawn, I've always hoped to see Her Majesty in combat, the rumors and stories I've heard paint a wonderful picture. Though what I'm most curious about—"
"Is the story of how she fell The Mountain, you could have asked any of the Men in the yard yet you've not…"
Oberyn shrugged, "I wish to hear it from the Queen's lips—"
"If you wished to hear it, all you had to do was ask."
Oberyn and Robb startled as Helena spoke up behind them, her gaze level with Robb but she had to look up slightly to meet Oberyn's gaze, "I placed the sun at my back, and charged him, gaining a broken foot in exchange for my dagger finding the slit of his helm. Then, he died."
Oberyn nearly frowned, about to push for more information, but the cold blue eyes which lingered upon him caused his words to die out in his throat, before they shifted, "Sully… Have you killed the pest?"
Robb nearly coughed at the question.
"No, Mother, I have not, and I ask that you do not kill Viserys inside of the Castle."
Helena briefly frowned, before a gentle smile found her face, "Oh, my Little Sully, you know I can't do that… He made my baby girl cry…"
"I know Mother, but we all cry, it wouldn't be best to slaughter the youth for his—"
Helena's expression hardened, "Sully… It will die. It dared to try and claim MY little girl, and when refused dared to curse upon her name, and claim her a whore…"
Sullivan's expression hardened, and he had to force out a breath to calm himself, "It wouldn't do us any good for his blood to spill in these halls, Mother, I beg of you, don't kill Viserys while he is in the castle…"
"Fine…" Helena turned away, breaking off from the trip leaving Oberyn to give a shallow whistle as Robb watched the Queen disappear past a corner, his words little more than a whisper, "The Queen is—"
"A better Mother, than Queen," Sullivan jested, a smile returning to his face as Ser Jamie groaned having caught the youth's jest.
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As night fell upon the castle, Brandon was in his Training Room vigorously dealing blows to a wooden post, his knuckles leaving blood upon its surface and his elbows leaving skin as he vented his building frustration against the post…
His focus shattered at the door creaked open, revealing a Lioness in thin silk…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Helena stared down at the pest who dared— Absolutely seething, as she watched his slumbering form, the darkness hardly hindering her view of its sickening face…
With a cloth wrapped around her face, she uncorked a vial of one of Theobald's creations, placing it under the pests nose his breathing became shallow, and she grabbed him by his hair pulling his from the bed, and began to drag him through the halls…
Where she soon found the Royal Gardens, and the ledge overlooking the sea…
Without a single care, or hint of hesitation… Helena threw him over the edge, allowing its body to fall into the Red Keep, and splatter against the ocean below…
Yet, as she moved through the Red Keep, her ears caught the echo of a distant moan…
Yet, she paid it little mind… Such things weren't rare in the Red Keep.
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(A/N: [24?? Words] Uh… I ended up typing out another chapter…
Anyways, Until Next Time,
White_Dog
)