A Tent

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel chuckled. "My cousin. She is the heir to Saella Arryn, the lady who brought the dragons. I am the last descendant of Aegon the Ninth, and by extension the senior descendant of Aegon the Conqueror. We disagree on who ought to rule Westeros, if you understand my meaning."

[swedishchameleon]

Halliron's head spinned, and trying to get all of this in head made it ache even harder.

"Queen Saella is dead? We really lost everything up here, didn't we?" he said with closed eyes.

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel nodded. "Queen Saella is dead. Queen Rhaenys now commands the Dragons and the loyalty of most of the lords, though there are some who have...not bent the knee, as I have not. And as you have not, though you can scarcely be faulted for that right now."

She shrugged. "As far as I can tell, there are fewer than three thousand who survived the Last Campaign."

[swedishchameleon]

"Why would people not bend the knee? This is making my head ache." Halliron said. "We need one ruler or else there'll just be more war and I for one is tired of fighting."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Princess Ariel shrugged. "As I understand it, Lord Horas is plotting to sell his allegiance for something. He's like that. Lord Wyl didn't bend because he was waiting for Lord Horas. And I refused to kneel because I believe my blood higher than that of Saella Arryn and her daughters, and the Queen didn't press me."

"What about you? Mean you to bend the knee?"

[swedishchameleon]

"I need to be able to stand before I can bend any knee to someone, Princess. Though I will probably bend my knee as soon as I am able to, I don't want to see more suffering and death because of a title. This war should be a reminder that it's time for a new era, a time of peace."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel nodded. "It won't happen for years, Lord Halliron," she said. "The Realm remains in chaos. The servants of the Dead God and the traitor Thatcher hold King's Landing, the Westerlands...well, we know about that, and of course Horas Martell's motives are known only to Horas. Even I have agreed to Rhaenys that we're not feuding unless and until any other threats are settled." She gave a smile.

"But we'll need more good men like you to rebuild the kingdom. And I'll need strong men by my own side. Rhaenys has not yet the strength of character to rule, that much I have seen. 'Till this war is over, and this realm is at peace, those who would seek to supplant her must fear me in turn."

[swedishchameleon]

"Well, I can not decide anything now, Princess Ariel. I need to heal first and let people know that the Oakhearts is still alive and breathing. I will be forever thankful to you for saving my life, that much I can say at least"

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel nodded. "I'll keep your existence quiet until you are recovered, or longer if you wish. No sense in letting command get confused again." She grinned. "Besides. Selwyn's been blustering threats about beheading anyone who doesn't kneel, weak knees or not."

She smiled. "Is there anything else you need to ask me?"

[swedishchameleon]

"No, Princess Ariel. I thank you once again and I will not hold you from doing your work anymore. Besides I need to rest if I am ever going to feel like a whole person again."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel nodded, then raised her hood and slipped from the tent.