Chapter 13

Alysanne Dustin tried to hide her grin as she watched Jon and Alan Umber through up their midday meal into the sea. The two huge men had the worst case of ship sickness, it would seem, and just three days out of Pentos and they were already on their way to lose a stone if they kept this up. Alysanne and Dacey, both women of the north, were not throwing out their meals into the sea, as they were used to the trips between Bear Island and Barrowtown.

Serves them well, she remembered their typical comments about the weakness of women. The heir to Barrowtown was tired of the way they spoke of women. Not that they said such things out loud anymore. Not with the number of capable women around to prove them wrong.

Alysanne watched the woman commanding the ship, clad in a woolen green skirt, a white tunic embroidered with gold thread and a vest that made her curves even more appealing to the eye, and not at all the image of what a ship captain supposed to look like. But despite it, she still commanded this ship, and the men obey her.

I want men to look at me like that. To listen to every word and not undermining my orders.

Mother had the respect of the people of the barrow lands, something that took a lot of time, blood and sweat, but while Alysanne loved her mother and adored that she allowed her to pursue un-lady like lessons, even going as far as writing to Lady Maege Mormont to have her foster with her bears. And giving me my Dacey in the process.

Barbrey Dustin was as cold as the wall, many though, and sometimes even her daughters would think it, but she wasn't cruel like Domeric's father. She expected her daughters to be the best they could, and had no problem and telling them when they failed. But she also praised when deserved. But her daughters not always thought that. Alysanne had once believed her mother unfeeling and too stern. Ironically, it was in Bear Island that Alysanne learned to understand her mother. It was in the actions, not the words.

When Alysanne confessed her desire to train in martial pursues, her mother had her fostered her in the only place where those desires would be cultivated instead of crushed. Something that was not well-received from the Ryswell part of her family.

When Bethany showed her interest in numbers, her mother sent for a merchant, trained in a guild, to teach her more of the art, despite the master's protests of being unseemly for a lady.

She did the same with the many proposals for betrothals or outright marriages. No daughter of hers would be wed before her six-and-ten nameday. But Alysanne was the heir to one of her most desired seats in the North, and Bethany was growing into a true northern beauty, so proposals came constantly.

Lady Dustin did not promise they would wed someone they loved. She, however, promised they would wed men worthy of them, who would respect their wives and never raise a hand against them. Barbrey Dustin refused to let her daughters suffer as she and even worse, Aunt Bethany did.

She heard Princess Daenerys laughter as her dragon came to lick her cheek, causing Domeric to turn to fast, and fall on his ass even faster, a gift from Dacey swift move. She gave her cousin a grin and turned to kiss her Dacey in the cheek. The taller woman blushed when Lady Nymeria winked at them, but the men did not say horrible things. It was so freeing, being open with Dacey, or as open they could be. No one spoke a word against it in this ship. Not when Lady Nymeria did nothing to hide her love affairs with ladies of her gender, or when Obara cut the hand of a man who tried to show Lady Nym what 'a real strong man should do with a woman like her'. The eldest Sand had only slight beat the lady in question and their father in defending her honor. Prince Oberyn then had to be calmed or they would risk him killing a Pentosi magister. I should have been born in the Dorne. Remembering the invitation of Nymeria Sand had made to them to share her bed, Alysanne threw her a cold glare. The Dornish beauty turned back to the conversation she was having with her cousin, but her viper eyes were mirthful.

"You look like your mother when your jealous my love. You have the eyebrow raised and the curl of your lip copy to perfection," Dacey whispered. "Either way, I prefer my lovers with a bit more sternness. I like a winter rose, not a summer flower."

"I am no flower." She turned to the group of chatting ladies, "And you would be a fool if you think any of them are simply pretty flowers. Despite the yards of pretty silks they wear."

"And they are very pretty silks"

It was true. Princess Arianne, somehow still looked like a perfect Dorne heiress, after days at the sea. She was gazing at the fight between Ser Daemon Sand and Jon Snow. A great show for Ser Daemon was swift and his footwork the envy of many and despite his youth, Jon Snow was keeping with the pace. For a green boy, the not at all Bastard of Winterfell was proving himself a worthy swordsman. A skilled archer as well, as he took upon himself to practice with his sister an hour per day, the hidden queen was tremendously skilled with a longbow, and few in the ship could stand against her. Yet, Alysanne was winning 2 to 1. I am losing 3 to 1 to Sarella Sand, however. The Summer Islander blood was strong in Sarella and not just in her appearance. That girl was as deadly with a bow as she was with a book. She was currently on working shift.

Ser Arthur Dayne's eyes did not leave his trainers, for he was an indomitable tutor, and gave the boys no rest. Arthur Dayne was a mystery to Alysanne. He was probably the most gifted swordsman alive, and he was always courteous, but not over the top as most were south of the neck. He was silent, only speaking when needed, but he carried a weight about it, that made him seem older.

Dacey was of the opinion that Ser Arthur hid behind his silences and Ser Oswell under his jest, but both wear masks. And guilt. A lot of guilt.

The griffin lord also had his eyes on the fight, he had come from the captain's quarters, where he and the Rhaenys were seen arguing once again. About what, none could say.

Jon Connington was a completely different animal that she couldn't even try to understand. Not even Dacey. But she had her opinion. He's a male version of your mother.

Alysanne did not think her love meant it was a compliment.

She smiled as Obara Sand threw a spear at her, and from the corner of her dark brown eyes, she could see the sharp eyes of Dacey, as she herself trained against Domeric Bolton who was trying to avenge his embarrassing defeat from the previous morning. Next time cousin, don't lose your foot just because a pretty girl appears on the deck.

They had practiced until Alysanne counted the third defeated, no time did she managed to defeat her. She no longer felt the pressure of inferiority, it brought her in the beginning. She had seen it in Pentos, only one person had defeated Obara with a lance, and that was Prince Oberyn. And if Ser Arthur was the best swordsman, Prince Oberyn sure was unparalleled with a lance.

"You're making fewer mistakes." The grumpy Obara said as a way to finished their practice before she went to probably beat and bloody Daemon Sand.

"That is the large compliment coming from Obara. The best one you shall get Lady Alysanne." Princess Daenerys said, offering her a goblet of lemon water.

"Thank you, Princess."

The woman-child smiled at her, and Alysanne could see why Domeric looked like a fool when around her. Covered in the colorful silks of Dorne, but in the scandalous style of Pentos, that somehow she could still pass as not being provocative, for her body was still clinging to its youth figure, the Princess still showed the beauty she would grow into, leaving most green boys tongue-tied. Even now, a deck away, Domeric gazed at her with a dreamy expression that was sickening. Mother would box his ear if he knew of his behavior. Or drag Dom and his princess to a heart tree. Maybe, she would even set a foot in a sept so no one would context that her favorite nephew wed a princess.

Domeric could do worse. Aly remembered that pretty flower with no thorns watching her half-brother and the largest number of Northerners embark on since the time of the Wandering Wolf, moon ago in White Harbor.

Lady Sansa Stark had clearly taken the opportunity to leave Winterfell walls, and act like White Harbor was King's Landing and she the princess. She had done her hair in braids of the south, dressed in its fashion as well. The heavy Tully theme of the clothes showed they had probably belonged or been inspired by the dresses of her mother. She looked like an outcast who seemed to look at the noble of the north as if they were the savages the south so like to call them.

And gods, she had been forced to speak with the fish at the ball. Lord Manderly hosted a large celebration in his Mermaid Court before they left and the girl was so utterly boring and futile. Bethy was a proper lady, but she also knew how to run a household better than Aly ever would, and could have a conversation about more than clothes and princes and pretty stories.

The red-haired had been idiot enough to say to Willa Manderly and her equal clever but more restrained sister, Wynafrai, how she rarely prayed to the Old Gods preferring the Sept and the faithful teaching of her Septa. Sure the Manderly's followed the religion of the south, but each Lady Stark of Manderly blood converted fully to the Old Gods and each boy and girl learned to respect the gods and the old customs. And they sure as well did not dressed and fashioned their hair like southrons. Well, Willa was a bit of a wildcard with her green hair, that she somehow managed to make it appear proper.

And to say such a thing in a room full of North lords and ladies. And Wynafrai played her like a fiddler. Sansa Stark spurn tale after tale of House Tully great accomplishments, and proved to know a great deal of history- of the south! If she didn't love Dacey and was faithful to her, she would have kissed the oldest Manderly girl for her little plot, and the entertainment it provided her.

It was shocking that bold Willa didn't knock some truths into the girl. If mother was there she would have laughed at what Rickard Stark's south ambitions did to his house. No wonder everyone was betrothing their sons and daughters to others, everyone knew Lady Tully wanted 'proper' south marriages for her children.

Alysanne Dustin had been exasperated at such disrespect to the costumes of the north, and how Lady Tully seemed to think her children above marriage to Northerners (almost as much as when she heard about the Sept in Winterfell), but she had imagined the spiteful gleeful way her mother probably felt. All Rickard Stark Southern Ambitions did was made her mother influence in the north even larger than Lady Catelyn Tully's. After all, it had been to Lady Barbrey Ryswell-Dustin, all ladies and their daughters had turned too for inspiration, and Domeric had not been the only foster child her mother had in Barrowtown. Willa and Alys Karstark were going to join Bethany now that she was alone without female company. And knowing Lady Dustin soon would have pages to keep her company now that she did not have Domeric.

"Obara must be in heaven at having found a worthy adversary of our gender with of noble blood." The deep but feminine tone came from behind her, but she didn't need to turn to see who it was. "I fear my uncle will lose his oldest daughter to Bear Island."

"Lady Maege would welcome another daughter with open arms." Wendel Manderly spoke, as he had accompanied the ship captain to the upper deck.

If Rhaenys was here, Vaenor Velaryon was at the helm, as she trusted no other with it. That she left it when it was her schedule time be at command, made her pick of companion important. Rhaenys was not one to fail in her duties for a simply joyful conversation.

Watch her Aly. That woman will rule one day, and we have the opportunity to put our name in the pages of history. Be her ally. Be her confidant. Her mother had asked of her, but the last part of the task was daunting. While the hidden queen and her mother had gotten along as old friends after two days of knowing each other, Alysanne had little of the woman's confidence. Few did.

Aly had observed like her mother had taught her and asked of her.

Rhaenys Targaryen had more beauty than one should be allowed, especially with her wits. She was much more delicate looking than her cousin, Princess Arianne, but more seductive than Daenerys Targaryen. The perfect mix of both Valyria and Rhoyne. But she knew how to play to people's expectations of her. Clad in a simple green gown whose skirts flowed like the winds to give her all the movement she desired, and a painted vest of brown leather with wildlife in greens, whites, and gold, the braided crown of dark hair that the heir of Barrowtown associated with her was held with pins of carved wood.

"She is a woman with a path, and I don't think it simply being the queen of Westeros." Dacey had whispered to her some nights prior and she couldn't help but agree.

But what does she want?

"But Lady Aysanne would prefer if my cousin did not take Nym with her," she said with a slightly teasing tone. Somehow it seemed out of place. Wendel Manderly laughed not unkindly. But the Manderly's always played the courtiers. "Worry not, Nym is all teasing, she would not get in the way of a true partnership." The slight sharpness in Manderly's eyes showed that he had his father's shrewdness. Someone was looking for a partnership with dragons as well.

"Like my cousin and your aunt, or your brother and Princess Arianne."

"Yes, this ship is full of blooming love."

The woman's plump lips turned into a smile that reminded Alysanne of a cat. "I can say I was surprised by how Domeric connected with Daenerys. But we shall find you a lady as well Ser Wendel, or perhaps a male lover?" The second son blushed heavily under the regal woman attention.

Turning to the couple in question, Alysanne couldn't help her smile as she watched Domeric teaching his princess how to play the harp. Not his harp, she easily noticed the silver-stringed harp, carved in ivory, the shapes like flames. Even Alysanne could see such an object would be costly. What surprised her was how tense Rhaenys had become, her hands were fists in the handrail, and her pale violet eyes turned darker and haunted.

"Excuse me." The woman said sharply, turning back and leaving them as swift as Dacey fought.

"Prince Rhaegar was well known for his love of the harp." The Manderly offered her, probably seeing the confusion on her face. "I was present at Harrenhal. My brother's wife was with child for the first time and he did not want to leave her side, so my father sent me to go in their place. The prince famously played a song that made all the ladies of the realm wish to be his lady love. I would beat my bow that that harp belonged to the prince."

"It did." Lady Nym spoke, joining them with Arianna whose arm was wrapped around a Jon Snow to truly looked like he wished not to be dragged into this conversation but at the same time wanted to know more. "And Dany should know better than to bring it with her." She spoke before following her cousin's path.

The Princess of Dorne whispered something to the not-bastard of Eddard Stark who looked at her with a thankful expression and asked something in return. This time, Alysanne was able to hear the reply, even if she didn't understand half.

"She was very good. She used to play when we were children, back in Tyrosh. Griff used to bed her song after song when they were wed, and she agreed because she knew he was on his deathbed. But I haven't seen her play since. Not even Dany can convince her to play or sing again."

That night she replied the conversation to Dacey.

"If Prince Rhaegar enjoyed music so much and that is in fact his harp, with all that happened at Harrenhal is no wonder she doesn't like it."

"I think we can add, Prince Rhaegar as a pressure point." Alysanne had whispered in the quiet of their chambers.

"Even Lyanna would pick that." Alysanne raised an eyebrow. "Wrong sister to bring up?"

"You're terrible," Alysanne said with a smile.

Dacey pulled her into a kiss, and they almost fell off the bed when the ship moved, probably hitting some wave.

"I cannot wait to touch land again."

"You hear them at dinner, my grumpy bear, we'll be in Volantis in less than two days."

"You think we'll have another ball?"

"I sure hope not. I want to see the city, not dance in front of pretty lords and their prettier ladies."

"Can't be pretty than those in Lys." Alysanne had remembered the Targaryen looking people in the soft silks with melodically voices. She had hated them. Most of the men, however, could not have been seen most of the three days the spent in the 'isle of pleasures', as Princess Arianne had called to a blushing Jon. "Do you think Princess Arianne dragged Jon Snow to one of the so-called pillow houses?"

"I hope so, the boy blushes more than a maid in her wedding night," Dacey too had dragged her to one of the pleasure houses, but not one made to betray your lovers, but rather to learn how to please each other,Alysanne would be lying if she said she did not find it worth the red faces. "If Prince Oberyn had come with us your bet Jon Snow would no longer be green. That man makes me question my love for you."

"Jon Snow?" She said teasingly while tracing a finger up Dacey's spine.

"Oberyn Martell."

"I believe that is why the gods put in this world."

"Well, they were very inspired that day," Dacey said, before kissing her neck. "What did you find today?"

"Manderly is plotting with Rhaenys."

"He's a Manderly it is in his blood. Think he wants a marriage?"

"Haven't they tried it before? Last time the princess died before the wedding. Besides can you see a woman like Rhaenys marrying the loud and boisterous second son who I think one day will be as fat as his father? She already has a fair-haired man warming her bed."

"Speaking of men who made me doubt my love, is there any marriage between Velaryon's and Martells?"

"Not that I know off. See this is what Beth should have come. She would recite us the entire family tree."

"I have no desire to get naked with your sister."

"Neither she with you. She has her eyes on Hornwood."

"The boy or the castle?"

She raised an eyebrow in reply. "Both."

"Is that why our bruised the poor boy during your match."

"He must be drilled into not forgetting I can crush him if he hurts Beth, I will not have my sister shamed."

"You are incredibly delicious when you act all protective, Warms a certain part of my body."

Alysanne blushed.

"Are we sure you're not related to Jon Snow?"

"Everyone is related to everyone"

After some silence and gentle touches, Alysanne spoke about the beginning of their conversation once again.

"Arianne Martell said she used to play to someone named Griff. I doubt it was Connington since he is dead."

Dacey's green eyes looked at her surprised. "You don't know. Rhaenys was wed before. The boy they spoke of was her husband."

"I thought she was always involved with Vaenor. Didn't they knew each other since they were swaling babes?"

"Yes, but when she became a maid, she married another," Dacey said, sleepily.

Who would Rhaenys wed, if not the one she loved?

Rhaenys Targaryen dressed in night robes and walked out of her chambers, letting the cold night air calm her down. She could feel the agitation of her dragon as she set him free into the ocean. I wish I could run away as well. As she watched the moon, she reached into the robe and pulled out a sealed scroll. The black lion stood up, a sword across his back, she could almost feel the wickedness. Such a waste of a sigil. She had gotten the parchment in Lys from a pretty slave with green eyes and silver hair, dressed like a damned pirate. You might not like your brother, but you sure know how to play with one's emotions. Finally gathering the courage that lacked in the last days, she broke the seal. The old, unspoken language was written in perfect flowery writing that almost made her roll her eyes. There was nothing flowery about the words, however.

Word around town, well river, that our friend was last heard to being seen in Isle of Toads. I cannot confirm it, but our friends in Volantis might. Trust him to be mad enough to set a foot in Sothoryos. And without us.

I can confirm that the Warlocks were not happy with your diplomacy, despite how flaming I thought it was. Be careful of the sorrowful man, I would hate to shed a tear for you.

If I can, I'll meet you downriver. Ditch the pretty boy, you know I like to be the prettiest in the party. I don't do northern either. And the Dornish don't like my blood, can't think why.

If I don't appear and you need me, you know where to find me, you sent me there after all.

Don't send a raven, I might kill it out of spite.

The only lion you like.

Did you like the pretty boy, I sent you? His eyes aren't as bright as mine, I know.

She threw the letter in the air and allowed Aeraves to burn it. And finally, the dark shadow appeared.

"Spider's report?" Connington asked. The look in his eyes told her he got as much sleep as she did.

I know what haunts me, but what truly keeps you awake Jon?

"Petyr Baelish work as the master of coin seemed to be better than we expected. They were able to withhold from asking the Iron Bank another loan. He's proving himself cleverer than even Varys predicted."

"He is non-important; when war comes he'll either by loyal to those who gave him a place or turn to our banner. He may be clever, but he doesn't have the birth or the skill of arms to truly be worthy of much thought. Look at what his time in the Riverrun proved."

"You're an idiot if you think that. Illyrio and Myrio don't need a sword or status to be of danger. Varys came from nothing and look where he is now. And his time in Riverrun allowed him to be in favor with the Arryns. It was Jon Arryn who put in the small council, and I would bet his place before did not come without help."

"So, he's bedding Lysa Tully, what of it."

"Jon Arryn isn't one to be fooled. His honor would demand he set her aside. She would be accused of adultery and the gods know what else."

"Serves her and her father well. Hoster Tully may be playing the sick old man now, but he won a foot in the north and a disgraced daughter wed to the Hand. His grandsons will rule have at least three high seats. It was his treason that signed the outcome of the war." They stood in silence for some heartbeats, until Jon finally made the connection. "Is the Arryn boy as much as Jon Arryn son as those bastards of Cersei?"

She gave him a cutting smile.

"We should use this."

"It's too soon, won't be ready for at least two years. And I am no Bittersteel."

Author Note: I finally published my other story, it is under the name "And Now My Watch Begins" it would mean the world to me if you checked it out, to see if you liked me to continue.

ElyzabetShardlake: Not a lot of friction yet, more of a build-in chapter, as I wanted to bring out a different opinion. I hope to make the next chapter for fast-paced. I'm pleased to enjoy Domeric and Dany, in my mind, they are perfect for one another.

Valen Goncalvez: Thank you, and I apologize for the slow update.

The G'ddam Dark Knight: As I have said previously, Arianne Martell and Daemon

Morgan: I also never saw it before, so one more reason to write it. It just feels like they would connect much more than Sansa and Domeric, even if I see where the idea of the fans comes from. Domeric in a way can be its own original character as we have little information on him. Yes, Willas is Tom Hiddleston, and he shall always be. Dany will be a big focus on my story as well, but she won't be going mad, mostly because she won't go through all the suffering she went in canon. I actually can and would like Mad Queen in the books, not because it has been teased, but because it would be amazing to see a character that was so purely good when we first meet her, crack under the pressure of life. But it was to be well-build and explained. Not just simply because she 'snapped'. I won't even speak of Jaime, one of my favorite characters, and its end, as character assassination it's up there with Stannis and the Martell family.

Force Smuggler: Jon might not be a player of the game, but he is no fool, and he will not be screwed over if he fails it will be his own undoing. Rhaenys won't go mad Rhaenys like Show Dany, because I hate what happened. A person doesn't burn a city all suddenly. Roose Bolton will not hurt a hair out of Rhaenys pretty face when he finds out about Domeric courting a Targaryen princess. Trust me, he'll be silently screaming Team Targaryen, and plotting in their favor… is that good? Probably not. It's Roose. And don't forget the "Martell bastards" saved his precious heir and killed his troublesome bastard son. A lot will happen before they return to the lands of Westeros that will make their return even more interesting. Jon's reveal will be in true literature fashion, what is all I can promise. White Walkers will be slowly built, or not since Rhaenys knows more than she lets on about what is north of the wall. Yes the Dornish feelings about Lyanna will cause tension later on, but not between Jon and Rhaenys as neither wants to be compared to them. Well, Elia and Rhaella are well-loved by both. Yes, we will get Arianne's POV in two chapters. Euron is currently very busy. But he is a pirate and they are at the sea ; )

Zukafew119: I am so glad Dany and Domeric were so well accepted, and your reflection on them brought a huge smile on my face because it was exactly how I see it. And Mothers Are Important, no matter if they are dead or alive. I cannot promise fast updates but I promise that it won't go in hiatus. Thank you for your kind words and well-wishes.

Diana: Roose Bolton will be very proud of his son, well, not as of it as he did not wed the princess. Roose will demand, icy and without raising his voice, to know why. Was it the lack of Heart Trees? He'll order someone to plant more. Rhaella and Bethany already have a long list of baby names. Yes, the status of Domeric in comparison to Dany will come up, but they are currently my favorite writing couple, so they won't break. Yes, I am a writer who picks favorites. All mother deserve voices. Especially those easily forgotten.