Braekfyst at Targaryeny's

[Deleted]

Saenarys chuckled.

"There are no women who would be bound to me, I am a bastard Rhaenys, do not forget. You four have not felt that way for me, but any one else is bound to. I am of no strategic matrimonial value. Though, I do not think you should be so rash as to jump into these marriages, sister. Your mother was many things, but to me this letter seems as though it should not be taken at face value."

He sat back, his eyes sweeping the family, landing on Kyma and then back to Rhaenys.

"Whoever is to become Queen is to make this decision. You may respect the wishes of the dead. But they are not always the best wishes to respect."

[The Smith]

Kyma snarled, "You want to rule Kingdoms Rhae. I am content to simply live. I will marry some one I choose. But Selwyn and Martyne I have rejected. I am not a puppet."

Liliyanna spoke up solemnly, "I wish not to marry Selwyn. I will take the Martell if you think we must, Rhaenys." She looked down at her hands sadly.

[Deleted]

Saenarys waited to see anyone else's response. Maekar had been strangely silent this whole time.

[Marie]

Rhaenys had listened to the others before she spoke again.

"Saenerys, yes, you are a bastard, but you are still my dear brother and you have the dragon blood. You would make a fine husband for an heiress, especially one whose family seek a connection with us. The same applies to Maekar, of course. Let's not forget Orys Baratheon, bastard brother of Aegon the Targaryen, who wed the Storm King's daughter and ruled over all the Stormlands."

She grinned at him then looked back at her sisters.

"Kyma, Alysanne, I will not have it said that I forced any of my sisters into marriage, but I hope you will both consider other men if we need to tie other houses to us."

Then she turned to her twin.

"Liliyana, thank you, I'm glad at least one of my sisters understands the necessity of our situation. Speak with Martyne Martell, see how the two of you get along, and if all goes well, wed him in due time."

She sighed and looked around at them all.

"As for me, I suppose I must wed Selwyn."

Her voice was resigned. Maekar frowned but chose not to comment.

[The Smith]

Lliyanna spoke softly, "I met him when we were in Dorne. He will be acceptable." Her face paled, and she rubbed her eyes.

Kyma sat down and crossed her legs, "That seems wise, sister." Her sardonic tone was hardly respectful.

[Edric Stark]

Alysanne's face and mood lightened up unintentionally.
Nevertheless, she gave Rhaenys an encouraging smile and tried to boost her mood.
"If anyone can do it, you can,"

[Deleted]

Saenarys smiled bemusedly.

"Rhaenys, we have not always been the closest at times, but you understand my position, I think, better than the others might." He drew himself up.

"Making those marriages is dangerous. My pardons if it is rude, but your mother was doing what she thought was most fortuitous, not exactly what was the most safe. As your brother, I would hate to see you put into unnecessary danger. If something happened to you, it would end me. It is easy for the Targaryens to be clipped of their wings when in bed with other beasts."

[Marie]

Rhaenys had a smile for Alysanne, a frown for Kyma and a hug for Liliyanna.

"I will do what I must," she said. "We must have peace in the Seven Kingdoms even if our personal happiness suffers. We will move slowly. There will be no announcements of such things until Lilyanna and I have spoken to the men in question to determine their feelings on the subject."

She turned to Saenerys.

"I know that it is dangerous to marry men we don't fully trust yet, but it will be more dangerous not to marry them and risk rebellion. I am sorry if that makes you uncomfortable but it is my duty as Mother's heir to marry a suitable consorts. Besides, I have you and Maekar at hand if there is trouble."

"Aye, you do," Maekar agreed. "Perhaps, Cousin Saenerys, you will understand one day that duty comes before pleasure for those of royal blood."

[Deleted]

"Aye, I think I understand better than anyone else here, what duty means. I was gone for five years, as was my duty. I deprived myself of my family for five years, as was my duty. And I returned to aid my family in battle, as was my duty. I'll not have your like reminding a bastard of what his duty is."

Saenarys stood and left without another word.

[Edric Stark]

"Is there anything else you would like to talk about?" she asked Rhaenys.

[The Smith]

Kyma snorted, "He was always so dramatic."

[Marie]

"Too dramatic," Maekar grumbled. "I will wed for duty if Rhaenys thinks it necessary but I, unlike Saenerys, see that marriage it is different for monarchs than for ordinary mortals and different for women than for men."

Rhaenys nodded.

"I am glad that you do, cousin, but try not to provoke Saenerys. I don't care to have my favourite men at each other's throats."

She turned to her sisters once more.

"I have named Selwyn my Hand. His support will be crucial to us and I wanted to bind him to me before any other bonds are established."

She chose not to mention that Selwyn had already made plans with his own loyal men. It would be better all round if everyone thought she and Selwyn had plotted it together. She looked at her sisters, waiting for their reaction.

[The Smith]

Kyma looked up and nodded, "You will need him. But do not let him take control, Rhae. He is the kind of man who will just walk all over you if you let him." She directed her gaze at her sister.

Liliyanna was quiet but nodded at Rhaenys.

[Marie]

"I have the same concerns," Rhaenys assured Kyma. "don't worry, I have made it clear that I am queen now. I will have to give him a new title to replace that of king, however. I'm of a mind to give him a new seat, perhaps a lordship where the ruling house has died or, or give him a grant to build his own castle. It will be bad for my reign if Selwyn is still called king by those who love him."

[The Smith]

Kyma shrugged, "I will leave the great game to you sister. But if you ever need any one to set him straight simple ask and I will show him the errors of his ways." She nodded vigorously.