Chapter 2 is here, this is for Ella, Sad sabrin, Thunder18, Aguillar1180, Venus914 and ZodiacsKlaroline who reviewed the last chapter, thank you all so much for encouraging me to write more and telling me what you think of my work.

Hariel and Jon left Storm's End the next day, they were flying on Sunfyre high above the ground and Hariel loved the freedom of it. Jon was careful and controlled Sunfyre with ease and they neared King's Landing quickly, "When we land I will dismount first and you will stay on Sunfyre until I tell you to come down." He yelled over the wind.

"Why?" Hariel shouted back curiously.

"The courtyard holds all our dragons, you know Sunfyre but Balarion, Viserion, and Drogon will not be happy that a stranger is in their home. I would land in a different place if I could but Sunfyre is not well behaved near farm animals and the farmers get nervous when they see her." Jon explained.

"Okay, I will stay with Sunfyre," Hariel said and noticed they neared a great city; it had to be King's Landing.

They moved down and Sunfyre landed in a large open courtyard and immediately Hariel noticed the other dragons. Balerion growled and snapped at Sunfyre, Drogon clicked his teeth together and Viserion emerald green and more compact than the other dragons, puffed out a bit of smoke. Jon swung his leg over and slid down Sunfyre's flank, "Easy Balerion," he never took his eyes from the ruby red dragon, "Stay on Sunfyre I will get my father."

"Yes." Hariel was breathless with fear; she had had dreams of Harry out flying a dragon but Harry was not her, she caressed the golden scales and kept still, after what felt like hours but was most likely minutes Rhaegar and Jon walked into the courtyard. Without fear, Rhaegar strode up to Balerion and the dragon growled.

"No! Balerion this is fine, you do not get to decide who does what here, this is my home." Rhaegar said and nodded when Balerion lay down.

Jon hurried over to her and held out his arms, "Come down Hariel, nothing will happen now Father has his way with Balerion." Hariel was caught in his arms and her legs almost buckled but she gripped his arms and remained standing, "Come on let's get you inside." He kept his arms around her and together they walked towards the door, Drogon seemed to be curious and moved forward but Sunfyre blocked him and hissed warningly.

The door closed behind them, "That was intense." Hariel breathed.

"Yes, but it is fine when they get used to your smell you can come and go as you will." Jon smiled, "Let me show you your room where you can get freshened up."

Jon led her through the halls and Hariel compared it to her home, where Storm's End was decorated with tapestries and paintings the halls in the Red Keep were bare and the rough stone was exposed. They arrived at a door with a carving of a flowering cherry tree; Jon opened the door and proudly said: "This is your room."

"Hello, brother." Rhaenys smiled she had been seated on a chair in the room, "I am here to help Hariel get comfortable and welcome her to our home, Aegon wants to see you."

Jon looked at Hariel and she smiled, "Go your sweet sister will help me and answer my questions." Jon smiled and left the room.

Hariel looked around it was a big room with a dressing table in stone that was carved with dragons, the bed was big and looked comfortable the covers were a deep crimson the wood was dark and was carved with flowers, the sitting area was a large platform with pillows of different colors strewn over the surface and two chairs of white wood. It was not what she would have done but all in all, it was not too bad, some light touches here and there and this room would be perfect.

"Do you like it?" Rhaenys asked.

"Oh yes, it's beautiful," Hariel assured the princess.

"You have a beautiful view from your balcony, you can see the sea." Rhaenys gestured to the open door leading outside. They walked out to the balcony and Hariel smiled when she saw the sea it made her feel at home, "I helped decorate for you with Lyanna, if you want anything changed just tell me and I will help you get the right people, although I would refrain from doing it this soon as Lyanna will use it against you."

"How?" Hariel was worried now, she had never been around the court and she knew nothing about the political games.

Rhaenys smiled, "She will claim that you didn't like the rooms, were ungrateful and wanted to change everything." She held up a hand when Hariel would protest, "She would say it even if you only changed a chair, everything here is done with an ulterior motive. Just remember that and you will do fine."

"Thank you, Princess."

"Call me Rhae please; we are to be family, sisters." Rhaenys smiled and suddenly Hariel noticed the similarities between her and Jon they had the same smile and the dark hair made them look alike.

"Rhae then, thank you for your advice I know nothing of court but I will do my best not to offend or blunder too much," Hariel promised her new friend.

"Aegon wanted to meet you; do you have a dress you can change into?" Rhaenys asked with a sad look as she remembered her brother.

Hariel took the bag she had and pulled out a dress and sighed it was wrinkled and not suitable, she sighed and shook her head, "They are all wrinkled."

Rhaenys helped her hang her dresses so they would straighten a bit, "Lyanna has had some dresses made for you but –" Rhaenys walked to a door to a dressing room and sighed, "They are not suitable."

Hariel looked at the dresses, they were in every color except Targaryen red, a blatant offense as she was marrying into their house, and their cuts were wrong necklines cut too low and fabrics that were see through, Hariel laughed.

"This is not a laughing manner Hariel; she is trying to ruin you," Rhaenys said.

"Yes but not hard enough and I can fight back without seeming ungrateful."

"How?" Hariel smiled and pulled the dress she was wearing over her head and picked one dress that was purple, low neckline and then a white dress she found a pair of scissors and cut the white dress, "We do not have time for you to sew a new dress." Rhaenys fretted.

"I just need the skirt and a few stitches." Hariel took the skirt from the white dress and with some careful stitches she had added the skirt under the purple one, she put the dress on, "It will hold for today but then I need to reinforce the stitches, I was never really good at this."

"It looks perfect." Rhaenys said with a big smile, the white skirt underneath made the purple fabric seem less see through and it gave the dress some life, "But what about the low neckline?"

"I am a Lannister's daughter and I know how to dress." Hariel walked back into the other room and searched her bag and then she made a noise of triumph as she pulled out a choker, it was made with amethysts, opals, and pearls. It had delicate chains with small pearls that would frame her collar bones and right in the middle between her breasts a delicate chain with a big teardrop fire opal would rest. "This jewelry would never work with a normally cut dress, but now it will add to the dress and make it seem intentional."

"You have effectively outsmarted Lyanna without offending her, I'm impressed," Rhaenys said with a smile, Hariel began brushing her hair and let it fall in black curly waves down her back and it finished the look and covered her upper back again hiding how revealing the dress really were.

"There, now I can be presented to your family." Hariel smiled as Rhaenys led her through the halls towards Aegon's apartments, "Anything I should know about Aegon when I meet him?"

"Just be honest and don't pity him he is aware of how sick he is and he is not scared of death," Rhaenys said with a small sad smile.

They arrived and walked inside Lyanna, Rhaegar, Dany, and Jon were already there, Rhaenys curtsied and Hariel did the same half a second later, "Welcome to the Red Keep Lady Hariel." Rhaegar said.

"Thank you, your majesty, I am happy to be here." Hariel smiled sweetly as she slowly rose.

"Can't even hold a curtsey," Lyanna mumbled.

"And thank you, my queen, for decorating my room so beautiful and preparing the beautiful dresses, I am truly unworthy of your kindness." Hariel curtsied again.

Lyanna looked like a fish out of water for a minute before she pulled herself together, "I am glad you can find use of the dresses."

"My son wants to meet you alone, he is in there," Rhaegar said with a smile.

Hariel was shocked she had at least hoped to have Jon with her, but this was like another test Hariel nodded and gracefully she walked to the door her eyes met Jon's for a moment and he smiled encouraging to her and she opened the door to the bedchamber. It was dim and she walked quietly to the bed, "Your royal highness?" she curtsied

"You are the girl Daeron chose?" Aegon leaned forward his white hair shone in the dim light; his purple eyes were sharp.

"I'm Hariel Baratheon, your royal highness."

He smirked and narrowed his eyes "What do you think you can do to become the queen?"

"I don't think I can do anything to become queen, I am marrying the prince and therefore I will not become queen. But I will do anything to support my new husband." Hariel smiled.

"Why do you wish to become a princess and possibly queen?"

"I have no wish to be neither a princess nor a queen, I'm satisfied with being Hariel Baratheon but Jon asked me and I want to be there for him and support him through the tough times and the easy. I want to do whatever it takes to make mine and Jones marriage a happy and successful one."

Aegon looked at her and then he nodded, "You will do well, learn to play the game and you will do great." He coughed and Hariel looked away as she noticed a dark shadow it seemed to encompass the entire room, it reached for Aegon and Hariel moved without thinking she grabbed the shadowy hand and was startled when the shadow was tangible. The shadow turned the great head and it seemed to stare at her, faintly she noticed that Aegon seemed frozen and she couldn't hear the sea or the gulls that she had heard before the shadow appeared. "Mistress?"

Hariel shivered, she knew that voice she had heard it when she dreamed of Harry, specifically, the dream where Harry had accepted his responsibility as Master of Death, the birthmark on her hip hurt like a branding iron was placed on her skin. She tried to talk but even her voice seemed to be frozen, cold air flowed over her and she gasped, "Please." She whispered.

"Mistress," the shadow changed and soon she saw a young blond man standing where the shadow had been he had light green eyes and a smile that made her relax, with his other hand he caressed her face "You are here, you were lost to me." He whispered almost reverently.

"Lost?" Hariel felt as if she was underwater, "Who are you?"

"You know me, mistress." He laughed freely.

"Death." She remembered the rumors she had heard the servants whispering that she somehow was connected to death, her father had never allowed her to be close to people who were dying and now she understood, her dreams were not dreams they were memories.

"Yes, I am Death and you are my mistress I have searched for you. I will take this boy and then we can go." Death smiled and reached for Aegon again.

"No!" Hariel grabbed his hand again, "And go where?"

"He needs to die." Death blinked when she didn't let go, "And we need to go home."

Hariel shook her head, "No. Aegon is not – he can't – I'm marrying his brother."

"No, you need to come with me. You are mine." Death seemed to change his eyes were becoming darker and so was his hair.

"No I am me not him, I cannot be him!" Hariel denied she didn't want to be Harry or end up like him, "I am not your mistress! I can't be I am just Hariel Baratheon!"

"You are Harry, Hariel, master and mistress!" Death growled his eyes were completely black now.

"No!"

"You belong to me!" Death hissed his hair was black and his clothes were black as night.

"No!" Hariel cried, "You do not own me, I am not who you think I am! I will never be your mistress." Darkness seeped into the room it was almost completely dark now Death seemed to get bigger again, her breath made small clouds as the temperature dropped again, "I refuse."

"Give me my items!" Death growled.

"I can't, I don't know where they are!"

Death sneered and looked at her hip, "They are there I can feel them."

He placed his hand on her hip and she yelled in pain when the hot feeling returned even worse than before, it felt as if she was touched by hot coals and that something was ripping her skin of off her hip "No it hurts."

Death pulled back shocked, "You," the darkness receded and light returned to Death, "You are my items."

"What?"

"I can't take my items, you are the items the foolish red-haired boy took you from me and then you became my items. I need you, but you cannot come to me. I must wait."

"For what?" Hariel asked breathlessly.

"For your death, so you can be mine again, you do not accept the responsibilities I will take the boy and then I will be gone." Death said but Hariel still held his hands.

"I – You can't take Aegon please," Hariel begged

"It's his time."

"Is there no way of letting him stay?"

"No. He is at his end."

"Do you know what ails him?" Hariel needed to know, every last maester that had been to see Aegon had claimed that they didn't know what ailed the prince.

Death looked at Aegon and then he nodded, "He was always weak and would never have survived, but he was aided."

"Poison?" Hariel whispered.

"Yes of some kind, he is ready and it is his time to go." Death said with finality.

"Will you let him live to see my wedding?" Hariel asked desperately.

Death looked at her for a while, "Would it help you, mistress?"

"Yes, if I am married to Jon before Aegon dies I will be safer. Let him see our wedding."

Death turned away and sighed, "Return to your spot by the bed and I will do as you ask, this is the last favor you can ask me."

"Thank you." Hariel walked back to her place and looked as Death waved a hand over Aegon and his black eyes met hers,

"He will be stable until after your wedding and then I will take him."

"Will I see you again?"

"You are my items; I can never hide from you. You will see me when I collect people near you but never again can you ask me to hold back. I have a purpose and it can be cruel and hurt, but this is for the best." Death smiled grimly.

"I understand thank you again." Death faded, other sounds returned and time seemed to move again, Aegon smiled at her. "Thank you, your royal highness I am grateful for your support," Hariel said.

"Call me Aegon, sister."

"Aegon, I am happy that you approve of me for I suspect that Lyanna doesn't," Hariel whispered with a teasing smile.

Aegon chuckled, "She is just worried, you are the sunrise and she is the setting sun both equally beautiful but different. She knows that you will become queen when our father passes away and then you will have power and strength." He studied her, "You have a peculiar taste in clothes."

Hariel laughed, "This is Lyanna's idea of a wardrobe and I just changed it a bit and added the jewelry."

"Yes, that is a peculiar piece, where is it from?" Aegon asked and gestured for her to sit down on the chair by his bed.

"It belonged to my grandmother Joanna Lannister; she received it from Queen Rhaella when she ended her service as a lady in waiting for the Queen."

Aegon nodded, "It is beautiful and I can see my grandmother's influence in it."

"She bequeathed it to my mother but my mother didn't feel like it matched her coloring so she gave it to me." Hariel smiled, "It is one of my most treasured belongings."

Someone knocked at the door and Jon opened the door, "Is everything fine?"

"Come in Daeron, I was just talking with the beautiful Lady Hariel." Aegon smiled faintly, "She is very clever and eloquent I like her."

"Thank you, Aegon." She said with a small laugh.

"So you approve?" Jon asked jokingly, "I got worried when you stayed in here for so long." He grinned like a naughty schoolboy.

"No, I just enjoy your brother's company," Hariel said as she winked to Aegon.

"Yes, she has decided that she would rather marry me and become the Crown Princess than marry a simple prince like you," Aegon said with a laugh that ended in a cough.

"I knew it!" Jon laughed, "While you are lying in bed playing sick, you were just waiting for me to bring my future bride home so you could steal her."

"You know me so well." Aegon drawled while he coughed again.

"Rest Aegon, you need to regain your strength." Hariel said with a smile as she made sure he was comfortable and refilled the glass with water from the pitcher that stood on the bedside table, "I will see you later."

They walked out and Jon smiled at her "You were good with him, thank you."

"I am not scared of death or sickness; he seems so nice and made me feel welcome." Hariel noticed they moved towards bigger hallways, "Where are we going?"

"To the throne room, my father wants to introduce you and possible ladies-in-waiting will be chosen for you," Jon explained.

"Oh." Hariel had hoped to get more time to prepare, but she also knew that they were rushing through things so they were prepared for Aegon's passing.

The guards opened the doors and the whole court were present, Hariel took Jon's arm and they walked together towards the throne, "May I present," Rhaegar said his voice ringing loudly through the hall, "My son Prince Daeron and his betrothed Hariel Baratheon, they will be married in a week."

This proclamation was met with chatter and rumors, Hariel could see the power games already beginning. Many of the girls were looking at her dress and the choker she wore and she knew that some would be copying her dress soon. Her dress and style were a direct opposite to the Queens fashion she wore heavy gray and blue dresses, the necklines cut straight across, her hair was always brushed away in a bun and her only jewelry was the tiara made of silver, made with delicate flowers in gold and diamonds and at the center was a wolf in diamonds. She looked like the northern bride she had been and not the Targaryen queen she was.

They stopped in front of the dais that Rhaegar stood on and Hariel curtsied and Jon bowed, "Welcome Hariel Baratheon, we have anticipated your arrival for a while." It was a lie of course but it made the decision seem like it was less rushed.

"Thank you, your majesty, for your gracious welcome, I am very happy to be here." Hariel saw the hand Rhaegar offered her and she took it and straightened as he gave her hand to Jon, it was a symbol that the two were blessed by his father. With the formalities out of the way everyone began mingling, rumors and gossip fueling every conversation.

Rhaegar smiled, "Welcome again, I have picked noble girls that could become your ladies-in-waiting if you want to keep them of course." He led Hariel over to six girls that stood together, "Hariel this is Zia Frey, Marissa Frey, Wylla Manderly, Brienne of Tarth, Margaery Tyrell and Elinor Tyrell, ladies this it Hariel Baratheon."

The girls curtsied and Hariel knew she had to choose between them or keep them all, she smiled as she saw Brienne she was from one of the houses sworn to the Baratheon house so she knew Brienne very well, she knew Margaery a bit from the time she met Lady Olenna when her father had tried to make a match to Loras Tyrell, Zia and Marissa Frey were some of the many Frey girls, Wylla Manderly and Elinor Tyrell were not girls she knew anything about but she knew what Rhaegar had done he had chosen girls from the north and the south and made sure she had a diverse choice so he wouldn't offend anyone, she smiled to them, "I want to speak with each of you and then I will make my decision, we will speak tomorrow."

The girls curtsied and nodded to her, Hariel turned and saw her uncle Jaime make his way over to her, "Uncle Jaime, I haven't seen you in ages!" she took his arm so they could whisper together and no one could overhear their conversation.

"Little Deer," Jaime smiled, "You have grown more beautiful than ever and betrothed to a prince, a man I can't threaten."

Hariel laughed, "He will treat me, right uncle. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know. Your uncle Tyrion is here as well and father." Jaime looked at her from the corner of his eye and kept his mask firmly in place.

Hariel's smile faded, "Oh,"

"Don't look like that, you have to play the game and never let anyone see your true feelings. Smile Hariel."

"I know but what does he want?" Hariel smiled and nodded as two nobles curtsied to her.

"He wants power," Jaime sighed, "He wants to gain influence over you and Jon, he is your grandfather, a patriarch, and a Lannister."

"If only he would love me without trying to gain power through me," Hariel said wistfully.

"He loves you but rumor has it that Jon Arryn is dying and the position as the Hand will be free."

"And he wants to be Hand?" Hariel shook her head gently, "He reaches too far."

"But he expects you to influence the king." Jaime smiled, "He thinks that Rhaegar and Jon are weak."

Hariel nodded and smiled widely as Tyrion made his way towards them with a pitcher in one hand and a glass in the other, "Little Deer!" He exclaimed with a big gesture causing the wine to be spilled onto the floor narrowly missing one of the Lady Frey's' dresses, "Congratulations!"

Hariel giggled, "Thank you uncle Tyrion, I think you are tipsy." She loved Tyrion, he was a dwarf and incredibly intelligent, he had made it a mission in his life to visit his niece and he told her stories and sang songs for her. That he made Cersei frown and resent his presence, his snide remarks, and verbal jabs was something that Hariel loved as her mother was cold and cruel towards her. Tyrion was also the one who had insisted that she be taught to read and write as good as any man, thanks to him she could take every man down with only her words.

Tyrion looked into the pitcher and nodded, "I'm very much drunk my girl, drunk. To my misfortune, there is no more of the good Dornish red."

"That is not good, to run out of a good red is very poor manners, and a Lannister should never be drunk." She said seriously.

"No," Tyrion swayed a bit, "But how else am I supposed to get through these celebrations."

"With tact and decorum!" Tywin hissed as he joined their little circle.

"I always forget that," Tyrion said dryly and winked at Hariel who stamped down her giggles.

"Grandfather." She curtsied.

"Granddaughter, you look well." Tywin looked at her and his eyes focused on the choker.

"Thank you, Grandfather, I am well and you look as strong as a great young Lion." She smiled sweetly playing with the names people had given him of the Old Lion and the Great Lion of the Rock.

"I am, walk with me granddaughter," he held out his arm and Hariel took it with a silent sigh, "You look like your grandmother wearing that."

"Really?"

"Yes, she was also beautiful but I think that the amethysts suit you more than they did her with your dark hair and those green eyes." She knew her eyes were different than the normal Lannister eyes they were normally a more calm green sometimes with hints of gold. Together they walked passed many people who noticed Lord Lannister and his granddaughter who was climbing to get closer to the throne. Many bowed and tried to get closer but Tywin was an expert in the court and he evaded them efficiently, "Now you must take care and never do anything that can cause our downfall, we are rising higher than anyone could expect. Lannister's will be closer to the throne than ever."

"I know grandfather, I will bring honor to our family."

"I want you to take Gerion's daughter into your service."

"Gerion's – but she is –"

"Yes but she can rise with us it only takes one good marriage," Tywin said coldly, "She is a beauty, let her be one of your ladies and she can make a good match."

"She is only eleven summers."

"She is more than ready to serve you." Tywin grabbed her arm tightly and she knew he was serious, he would not let her go without a positive answer, she nodded and his grip slackened.

"May I borrow my betrothed?" Jon cut them off with a tight smile, "For a dance?"

"Of course Prince Jon." Tywin bowed stiffly his eyes flashed with anger at being interrupted.

"I would be delighted," Hariel answered.

"I thought you needed a bit of a rescue, it looked serious." Jon led her to the other dancers and he smiled, "I don't particularly like your grandfather."

Hariel smiled back, "I don't either; he is very focused on himself and the Lannister reputation. I am happy you got me away before I was forced to tell him what I really think."

Jon laughed, he remembered her sharp tongue and they separated as the dance required, they found new partners in the dance, danced through the steps and soon they returned to each other, "He wanted something from you?"

"Yes, his brother Gerion's daughter Joy, he wants me to make her one of my ladies." Jon led them out of the dance and turned so he could look into her eyes, "She is just eleven."

Jon sighed, "She is awfully young."

"You don't know the worst of it; she is a bastard Joy Hill."

"What?" Jon looked shocked, "How can he expect you to choose her?"

"She is a very good girl and she has been hidden in our family, no one would know."

"They would." Jon said with solemn eyes, "They would dig through all the information about her until they found out who she was."

Hariel sighed and thought, "I could take her and let her serve me, we do not hide her name but she would be lowest amongst my ladies."

"Don't accept her until you have almost filled their positions with other noble girls then make it seem as if it's a favor to a poor family member."

"Out of the goodness of my heart and family affection," Hariel nodded, "I know what to do."

They danced together until Rhaegar swept Hariel away and danced with her, he was a charmer and Hariel laughed more than she could remember ever doing. A smiling Jaime danced with her too, causing many girls to sigh he was gallantly leading her across the floor winking to the maidens and ladies, the Lion of Lannister, of the King's Guard, featured in the fantasy of many maidens and Jaime knew it all too well. Hariel was surprised when she saw her uncle Renly at the party he loved partying but he normally preferred to stay away from political situations, but apparently, he was here to see his niece betrothed.

"Uncle Renly."

"Niece," Renly smiled, "I have not seen a woman radiating so much since your mother found out she was pregnant."

"Until I was born a girl," Hariel hissed, her uncle was always good at finding people's sore spots and using them when he wanted.

"That is not what is important," Renly waved his hand carelessly, "you are going to be a princess."

"Yes, I am betrothed to the prince so I guess I am. Why are you here Uncle?"

His blue eyes so much like her fathers and Gendry's met hers and he smiled, "For the party of course."

Hariel sighed her father, his own brother, couldn't deal with Renly on a day to day basis so normally he would send Renly away, just to get some peace and quiet. She had often laughed when her father had said that he didn't know who was worse, Renly or Cersei when they complained. "It was nice to see you Uncle but I have to find Jon."

"Of course," Renly laughed, "I will find something to amuse me."

Hariel turned and hurried away as fast as possible, who knew what Renly would get up to. The gathering was beginning to end and Hariel was silently glad, she had been up early and traveled on dragon to the Red Keep, then the meeting and gathering she was very tired.

Rhaenys found her and smiled, "It's time to retire before the men get too drunk."

"Of course Rhae, will you show me the way I am not sure I could find my own room." Hariel laughed as Rhae linked their arms.

"Sure, we need to get you to bed and you will join Jon as you both visit the Great Sept of Baelor."

"Why do we visit the Sept of Baelor?"

Rhae laughed, "So your union can be blessed by the High Septon, Septons, Septas and the Silent Sisters. They will all bless your union and you will both be acknowledged by our faith as a future pair."

Hariel nodded, "I hope they will accept it."

"They will. We are the house blessed by dragons. They will not do anything that can pull us from our generous mood." Rhaenys stated. "Your family is also on their way, they will make it here before the ceremony."

"I am happy to hear it." Hariel said with a smile, "I need to fix my wardrobe I cannot add these jewels to all the dresses. I need some thread in different colors and needles so I can change them."

"I will help you change them, together we can make them more fitting and I have some white fabric we can add under the skirts so it will be less see through," Rhaenys promised.

The next day Hariel dressed in one of the dresses she brought with her it was orange-golden silk, off-shoulder with long poet sleeves, it was draped with lace in a gold color. It was a simple design but it was one of Hariel's favorite dresses, she found her great-grandmother Rhaelle's fire-opal it was made of the raw stone, only rounded so it didn't have any sharp edges and a delicate silver chain was added it was one of her treasures. She fastened it around her neck and made a rope braid with the sides of her hair and joined both ends so it fell like a rope down her back, the rest was free to curl around her.

Someone knocked on the door, "Enter." Hariel called out.

"Lady Hariel?"

Hariel turned to the door and smiled when she saw Brienne waiting for her, "Brie!" she smiled, "Come in."

Brienne curtsied clumsily, "Thank you."

"Brie we have been friends for many years, please do not be so formal with me, come sit." Hariel sat and Brienne did the same, "Your father sent you, didn't he?"

"He wants me to make a good marriage," Brienne sighed, "It will never happen."

"Perhaps you just haven't found the right one yet." Hariel assured her, "You are my friend and therefore I am expected to show you favor, but I want to help you. You are trained in the art of war and I want to make a Queens Guard of capable women. I want you to lead them." Hariel whispered the last bit to her.

"A Queens Guard?" Brienne frowned.

"Shh – no one knows yet. I want to make it into a guard that can blend into the surroundings here at court. Like knights in dresses with skills to be deadly, if the situation calls for it."

"Ah, and you want my help?"

"Yes Brie, you are one of my only friends and I like you a lot. Please say you will help me in this trying time." Hariel begged her.

"I will do what I can to help you Hariel." Brienne nodded she rose and towered over Hariel in a way that had amused people Brienne the Beauty and Hariel the Graceful, together they were an odd pairing but they were good friends.

"Thank you." They hugged and Hariel smiled, "Then I expect to see you tomorrow as my lady-in-waiting."

Brienne curtsied and left the room and the next girl walked inside, it was Zia Frey she was a thin willowy girl with brown hair that she had pulled up in a simple ponytail, she wore a blue dress made from wool and she had no jewelry at all.

"Zia Frey right?" Hariel asked to be sure.

"Yes, Lady Hariel." Zia had a beautiful voice, she would be a lovely singer, and her big brown eyes seemed to be curious and weary.

"Please sit down," Zia scrambled to do that she almost plopped down into the seat, "Now why do you want to be my lady-in-waiting?"

She seemed to hesitate, "I am a hard worker, I will help you and do as you ask."

Hariel smiled such a simple and timid answer but then again she had heard that the Twins were filled with Frey children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her soft spoken voice would not be well received in that mess, "I see, that is good qualities but why do you want to be my lady-in-waiting?"

"I – I am…" she seemed to falter.

"Be honest with me."

"I want to be free of home, my family – you have of course heard how they are all waiting to become the next Frey Lord." She looked up, "If I served you I could find a nobleman to take me away from the Twins and I could be a Lady of my own home."

Hariel smiled, "I see, exactly how long do you expect to be in my service?"

"As long as you want me to." She hurriedly said and Hariel nodded, "I wouldn't want to leave you without your support and permission."

"Then I expect to see you tomorrow." Hariel bid her goodbye she knew she couldn't take more than 5 girls or her ladies would surpass Lyanna's, she had two now and the correct number would be four so one more and then Little Joy. Margaery Tyrell strode confidently into the room and Hariel smiled, Margaery never hesitated to make an impression her dark hair curled around her elegantly and her blue eyes smiled along with her lips, she wore a blue gown in her own distinct style. She had a necklace on with a golden rose.

"Hello, Lady Hariel."

"Margaery, it's been too long."

"That it has, how are you dear?" Margaery smiled sweetly.

"Fine and you?"

"Oh father is arranging a marriage for me; I am apparently going to the North. To be the bride of Robb Stark," Margaery stuck her tongue out, "Thanks for that, now that you snagged the prince I am left with the cold North."

"If anyone could tame the North and whip Robb Stark into shape it would be you." Hariel laughed.

"True."

"Lady Olenna would be proud of you when you did that." Hariel smiled, "And I would love for you to be in the North, you could help me, I don't have a firm hand on the North with Lyanna against me. I fear for my place." Hariel confessed in whispers.

"Do you promise to be my friend and perhaps get our children together?" Margaery asked with a serious look.

"I promise to always be your friend and we can see if our children like each other when they get to that age," Hariel promised and Margaery nodded.

"Then I will marry the boy if he is honorable."

"That he is, he is a most eligible candidate for marriage and good looking," Hariel promised and they both giggled.

"Goodbye Princess Hariel," She curtsied with a laugh, "I will see you when I marry or when you visit me."

"Goodbye Margaery, may you find great happiness." Margaery left and Hariel sighed deeply, only three ladies to go.

"My lady." The girl curtsied as soon as she entered, she was another Frey girl and Hariel knew she was more scheming than Zia, Marissa Frey was a robust girl with cold brown eyes.

"Marissa Frey, why should you be my Lady-in-waiting?" Hariel did not offer her a seat to see how she reacted.

"I am the daughter of Merrett Frey and Mariya Darry, I am a noble girl with the bloodline that shows my fitness in being a companion to any princess." She sneered.

Hariel was sure that she never met a more unpleasant girl, besides she could not favor the same family two times over. She had already chosen the sweet Zia Frey, "Thank you, Marissa Frey, I think that you would be great in my service but I believe that you are destined for greatness and not for service."

Her flattery worked and the girl smiled with superiority, "So you do not need me in your service?"

"I believe that you belong somewhere else and I would only hold you back." Marissa nodded and left without a word, she was flattered and would not speak ill of Hariel.

"My lady," the next girl smiled, she had dyed her long hair green, her eyes were a piercing blue and she seemed to observe everything at once. She sat down without being asked and just looked straight at Hariel.

"Wylla Maderly, why do you want to be my Lady-in-waiting?" Hariel asked her

Wylla looked at her and scoffed, "Honestly?" Hariel nodded, "I do not want to be here, my father thinks this will offer him a better standing and get me a better marriage. I hate the court and the thought of being in someone's service, but I will do what my family wants; besides it might push the idea of marriage a bit further back in my father's eyes."

"Thank you for your honesty, can I be honest back?"

"Of course."

"I know what people think of me when they hear my name they think I am a hotheaded Baratheon and a scheming Lannister for how could I not be when my parents are who they are?"

"Are you not hotheaded and scheming?" Wylla narrowed her blue eyes.

"I'm very much hotheaded when the mood strikes me," Hariel laughed, "And I can be scheming, I'm very good at making things go my way. But people think that's all I am, they don't want to give me a chance or make me prove myself."

"You are judged not on your whole character but by a few rumors and claims." Wylla nodded understanding entered her eyes.

"So my position here is fragile and I know that one misstep would leave me with a ruined reputation and a possible rebellion."

"Rebellion?" Wylla whispered scared and wide-eyed.

Hariel leaned forward and whispered the next part one never knew who was listening, "My father is a wise ruler but he is the essence of "Ours is the Fury", he will see my disgrace as an offense towards him and he will defend my honor and that of our family to death. If he decided to defend me the Lannister's would join his cause and then the realm would be torn apart by dragon fire." Hariel looked outside at the blue sky, "I know what's at stake and how I must watch every step I take to avoid any scandal or rumor. I need some good women at my side, women who wouldn't report to others, who would show me the honor of being my friends in this lonely place."

"You need women who will support you and not run with gossip." Wylla said her tone wry, "That can be difficult."

"I know that is why I wanted to meet with all of you individually, to see if you would be honest and how you would behave when facing me." Hariel smiled, "I want you to be a part of my ladies, what is your answer?"

Wylla leaned back in the chair and thought for a bit Hariel rose and walked outside on the balcony and looked at King's Landing people were busy buying, selling, working or talking it made Hariel smile to see so much life in one place. "Lady Hariel…" Wylla walked out and stood beside her, "I would say yes, I believe I would enjoy being with you every day and helping you."

"Thank you, are you ready to stay or do you need to go home?" Hariel had not asked Brienne or Zia if they were ready as their families would provide everything they could wish for here, she didn't know how wealthy the Manderly family was.

"My father will send me what I need if I miss anything, should I wash my hair?" Wylla asked while she gestured to her hair, she would be blond if she washed the dye out her eyebrows were not dyed and they were pale blond.

"No, I like it. You are yourself completely and I prefer that." Hariel answered honestly.

Wylla smiled brilliantly "Thank you."

"You're welcome, now I want to see you tomorrow as my lady-in-waiting. Write your father and tell him of your great misfortune." Hariel laughed.

"I will, perhaps if I make my situation seem extra wretched then he will send me more funds." Wylla laughed as she hurried out of the room.

The last girl was Elinor Tyrell, Hariel had filled her ladies but she didn't want anyone to feel like she didn't offer them a fair chance. Elinor was a delicate willowy girl with a smile on her face; she almost danced into Hariel's rooms.

"Hello!" she said almost bouncing with joy; Hariel could just imagine the great Olenna trying to calm this girl down.

"Welcome to my rooms Elinor Tyrell, why do you want to be my lady-in-waiting?"

"I want to be at court, to see the world, to find a wonderful man to marry and to run a great house," Elinor spoke hurriedly as if she needed to get it all out.

"I see, but you will not see much of the world here, I will get married and then I will be here unless my husband wants to take me with him," Hariel said with a wink to Elinor who giggled.

"I see, but to be at court must be romantic." Elinor sighed.

Hariel nodded she was a sweet girl but she could never be in court, with her romanticized ideas she would be eaten whole by the wolves at court. "I am sorry but I am not sure you are ready yet for life at court, I know you will do any position honor and if one of my ladies marries I will, of course, think of you immediately."

"Thank you, Lady Hariel." Elinor curtsied and left with a big smile. Margaery and Elinor couldn't be more different if they tried, but Elinor could still grow into a formidable woman.

Hariel hurried outside after all her meetings she needed fresh air and she sank onto a bench where she could relax and breathe alone for a while. Rhae found her after a while it was time to go to the Great Sept of Baelor, Hariel had been in the gardens for a while and had found one of the most beautiful flowers, she had it in her hand as she walked towards Jon.

"Are you ready?" he asked looking worried.

"Yes, as ready as I will ever be." Hariel smiled.

They walked together into the sept and the High Septon met them, "Welcome Prince Daeron and Lady Hariel, you have come for our blessing?"

"We seek your blessing and the blessing of the Seven," Jon said with a firm voice.

"We need their guidance when we enter into this marriage, we ask you humbly to pray for us," Hariel said with a small smile and the High Septon seemed pleased these young people needed him and he was flattered by them.

"I will pray for you both, my blessings will go with you." He led them further inside and the Septas hurried to her while the Septon's hurried to Jon, the Silent Sisters were a few paces away from them all and they seemed to wait. They all began praying and began appealing to the gods, they called them by name and when the Stranger was called Hariel saw Death appear he smiled and bowed to her.

After the combined blessings the Septas pulled her away from Jon, "Do you wish to pray to one god?" they asked.

"I wish to pray to two,"

They began whispering amongst themselves until one of them told the others to be quiet, "Who do you want to pray to?"

"I wish to pray to the Maiden, as she will protect my innocence and purity until my marriage day and she has never steered me wrong." They murmured their agreement with her choice, "And I wish to pray to the Crone I need her guidance and wisdom when I become a princess of this realm."

They seemed a bit worried, "It is normal for a young woman before her marriage to pray to the Mother for children and a happy marriage." One of the septas said.

Hariel smiled, "I will pray to the Mother on my wedding day as is a tradition in the Baratheon house until that day I should never bother the Mother with my prayers as I am still a maid and will not get pregnant."

They nodded and led her to the Maidens shrine it was bedecked with flowers, bouquets, and jeweled flowers, she placed the beautiful flower on the shrine and sighed she knew this prayer was to be said out loud so everyone would know what she prayed for. She had agonized almost the whole night until she had her thoughts in order; she hoped that this would show everyone that she was a good choice.

"Maiden, protector of the innocent and the young please hear my prayer. I hope you understand that I will become a woman in a few days; I will need your guidance in these last few days. I bring you a flower, for although the flower will fade like youth it is still the most beautiful thing in a garden and a humble offering is all I can give you for these days where I need you more than ever." She curtsied and somehow she thought the statue smiled at her. "Protect the innocent and guard their lives, I promise to never let anything happen to children when I can stop it, guide me and never let my resolve weaken as I enter this marriage."

They proceeded to the Crone and that shrine was covered in jewels and other precious things, the Septas seemed worried that she didn't bring anything. Hariel curtsied and picked up a knife that was on the shrine, she gathered some of her hair and cut it cleanly the septas gasped. Reverently Hariel placed the knife on the shrine again and twined her hair with a delicate golden chain she had wrapped around her wrist as a bracelet.

"Crone, I know I have not spoken to you as often as I should but I need your wisdom more than ever now. I am to become a princess and I need your wisdom to be the best princess I can be. Help me bring the people into my husband's heart, let them come to me for help and let me guide them with your wisdom." Hariel placed the hair on the shrine, "I give you locks of my hair and a golden chain as a symbol of my youth I pray that you find my simple offering proper as I will leave my youth when I marry and become a woman."

She curtsied and the stunned septas led her out to wait for Jon, just a few hours later the entirety of King's Landing knew what she had done, her words and her offerings. The poor thought her offerings were wonderful and showed that she knew her people, the rich thought her humble and honest something they admired, and the middle classes thought she was the right choice for a new princess with such insight and understanding.

She was quickly learning that Lyanna cared little for anyone but her family and her closest friends and that left a gap for Hariel to use. Hariel smiled as her ladies gathered three days later the day before her family was to arrive, she had requested that they all wore white this morning and they all had on white dresses.

Hariel had a white wool dress on and she had collected baskets of things she wanted to take with her. Three members of the Kingsguard were coming with them to protect them, Lewyn Martell, Arthur Dayne and Jaime Lannister, they walked to an orphanage and Hariel made her way inside the woman who greeted her was shocked to see the royal visitors. Each of the ladies and Hariel carried a basket covered with a white cloth; they were all smiling and nodded pleasantly to the woman. The woman had blond hair and kind brown eyes; she was petite but still looked stern enough to manage the children.

"I am sorry to come like this without a warning but I wanted to see if you or the children needed anything." Hariel was aware that they had had curious followers from the moment they left the Red Keep and now people gathered outside to see what the future princess wanted in an orphanage.

"It is fine Lady Hariel, what can we do for you today?" The woman said while she brushed her blue dress with her hands in hope of looking more presentable. "I'm Lyra."

"Lyra I'm here to meet the children if you will let me."

"We would be honored but the children are not suitable for such distinguished guests."

Hariel guessed that that meant that the children were dirty. "I would like to meet them still."

Lyra nodded and led them further inside, the place was clean and relatively tidy with at least twenty children running around playing. "Children!" Lyra called and they turned to look at her stopping their playtime, "Lady Hariel has come from the Red Keep to meet you, remember your manners and be good for her."

The children turned their curious eyes to Hariel and her ladies and Hariel smiled, "Hello can we sit? I have some things for you all." The children gathered around her when she sat she pulled her basket closer, "Let me see," she rummaged through it for a bit and then she pulled out a small dress and presented it to one of the small girls the girl gasped and gave a gap-toothed smile, "This is for you sweetheart, you will all get some new clothes from me today, I want you all to have what you need and to be happy."

They distributed clothes amongst the children and Hariel listened to everything the children told her, she treated them with respect and understanding. She laughed when one of the boys hugged her and left dirty fingerprints on her dress, it was partly why she had dressed in white so people would notice them and would see that she was not afraid of a little dirt, and neither would she shy away from the poor.

They visited three orphanages; distributing clothes, food, and toys, and Hariel left them with a promise to come back and promised them assistance if they ever needed anything. They walked back to the Red Keep and Hariel knew every last person's eyes were looking at her, she was building a reputation slowly but surely.