mariethekitten

[mariethekitten]

The Dragon and the Fish part two

INFORMATION: this is the second part to my first ever fic of the same name. No idea if you wanted this but, you’re having it anyway. Plot is entirely fictional and not cannon.

Nobody x Nobody (this is still not romantic)

The city of Oldtown bustled on as it always does. Lords and ladies arrived every day from their manors and great seats and castles across the realm and its neighbors. Some come to seek a bride or husband, some for commerce, some to learn the ways of the maesters, some as envoys of their lords. It was a place of commerce, of culture, and of politics. It was also the seat of the largest and most powerful faith on the continent. The great Hightower dominated the city, standing as tall as the wall and being said to touch the very stars. It had been 4 months since Evangeline Tully had been spared by Prince Daemon Targaryen, 4 months since he had taken over Oldtown, a clear message to the greens. The Blacks were not going to surrender, Rhaenyra would be crowned Queen, no matter what. Evangeline Tully was currently running through the streets, her heart beating out of her chest, she had delivered Prince Daemon’s message and despite her best efforts her father still refused to acknowledge Rhaenyra as Queen. She had managed to convince nearly the whole of Riverrun but, without the permission of their Lord, they could not support her. And now here she was running to inform the Prince of her failure. Evangeline was out of breath when she reached the Hightower. She had run every step of the way, desperate, determined to find the prince. She collapsed, gulping for air before looking up and seeing the guards at the gates. “I must see Prince Daemon!” She panted, pointing to herself. It was clear she was quite distraught. The guards exchanged a look, one shrugged and nodded to her as they opened both sets of the great gates. Another guard moved to help her to her feet. The girl was a noble, it seemed. Entering the gates and clinging onto the guard for dear life she tried to calm her rapid heart and heavy breathing. She could hope for life imprisonment, anything would be better than death. Still out of breath her eyes widened in fear as the guards led her towards a familiar figure. One with long silver hair.

Daemon saw her almost immediately, the slightest hint of surprise flickering across his face, he was not expecting to see the child. His face returned to that same cold, calm expression however, and his eyes remained stone. His deep purple eyes looked down at her the same as they had last time, those eyes that carried the wisdom of ages, the eyes of an eternal night that could see the deepest truths and darkest lies.

She did have his attention however. “What is it, child? My time is precious.” And so was his mercy, she had learned from the last time. Once he had spoken Evangeline knelt, staring the Prince in his eyes as she did. Then, in the calmest voice she could muster she spoke. “My Prince. I have come to inform you of the state of Riverrun. The whole city, Lords, commoners and servants have agreed to support the Queen Rhaenyra but, I am sorry to report that my fathers mind would not be swayed. He refuses to acknowledge her and without our Lords permission our house is unable to renounce our loyalty to Aegon. In other words…“ she takes in a deep breath. “I have to come to die. I failed you and now, you are going to kill me. I thought it best not to run.”

The prince remained calm and collected, but the stone look in his eyes softened a little as he looked down at her, with sympathy or pity or something else she could not name. He nodded his head slightly, and there was that slight flicker of a smile once again. “It is no crime to fail. Only in refusing to learn from it do we do wrong. And you have not done that.” His face regained its usual calm look. "Rise, lady Tully." Her face scrunches up in confusion, why was this man so strange? Slowly, she rises, her eyes never leaving Daemon’s face.

He looked at her, standing straight and tall. He was a man tall and well built, but he always somehow seemed taller and more imposing. When he spoke, he held himself up with the pride of his name and his line. “Speak honestly, child. Tell me, how do you feel about your father's actions and his choices?” She blinked, the questioning catching her off guard, well, this whole conversation was catching her off guard. She was going to tell the truth, obviously, she only hoped that he believed her. “At first I was confused, I was there the day we swore allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra. When he came to tell me that King Viserys died and Aegon had taken over I thought there had been a mistake, but he told me that the King changed his mind and that Queen Rhaenyra was trying to steal the throne. I did not discover the truth until you kidnapped me and told me of his treason. When I found out I was upset, he was my father, I couldn’t believe that he’d lied to me and betrayed the crown. I am still ashamed of him. I do not understand why he won’t accept Rhaenyra as Queen but in doing so he is putting all those who live in Riverrun in danger. And that, makes me angry.” There was an anger behind his eyes as he listened to her words. An anger that simmered within him like fire. “Your father's betrayal is indeed an awful one. There is no excuse for such... Treason. Nor for lying to his children. But you have done a noble thing, child. Even though it was dangerous and risky you stood by the truth. By the rightful queen. And you came to inform me of all of this.” He did not sound angry, or upset. He only sounded calm. This is a good sign, she thinks. With Daemon Targaryen you never really know. 

“So, what will happen to me? If I am not to die will I be imprisoned?”He took a step closer, towering over her. The confidence he carried himself with was truly impressive…And intimidating, incredibly. The presence he had filled the entire room. “I do not wish to punish the innocent for the crimes of others. You're honest, and you did not hide your father's treason. You came here to inform me yourself out of duty. Not knowing the cost of such a decision. I am impressed. It takes great courage to do something like that.” He reached across and placed a hand on her shoulder. Evangeline looked up at him with a half scared half happy expression. She pondered her fate in her mind. She truly did not know what his plans concerning her were. He squeezed her shoulder with a smirk on his face, the second real smile she had seen from the prince. It wasn’t a half smile like before, or small one. It was a genuine happy smirk. His grip was reassuring but firm and warm. “You're wise and loyal. Such people must be kept close.” His voice was warm now. His purple orbs showed a kindness. Those terrible, cold, dark eyes, they were truly kind for the first time. “You will be a valuable and trusted advisor when I come to rule the seven kingdoms with my Queen. You have a future at our side, do you want it?” Evangeline’s face fell into shock and disbelief. Her, at the side of the future King and Queen of Westeros? Wow! She did not see that one coming. At all.

“It is a generous offer my Prince, I would be glad to accept it.” Her words are filled with gratitude and pride. He looked into her eyes once again, this time with an intense look and for quite a while. His eyes held all the weight of centuries of Valyria, the thousands of Targaryens that had come before, all the weight of his own line. “You will be tested. I am not a merciful man. You will help us win this war. You will serve us well, and in return I will reward you with a seat at our side. Do you understand me, little Tully?” Oh she understood alright. Prove to be disloyal and he’ll have her begging for death. No mistakes. No second chances. Her own face hardened as well, determination settling in her bright green eyes, they shine with purpose as she spoke. “I do my Prince.” He nodded at her, seemingly satisfied with her answer. “Be loyal and you will prosper and bring your people with you. Be disloyal and you will die or wish you had. You understand the stakes. Will you accept them?” One chance, no more. “I will my Prince” His hand fell away. His eyes returned to their cold fury. He spoke quietly, each word uttered with a terrible intensity and meaning, as though every word was a death-knell. His voice was as cold as the deepest winter. “Good. If you prove your loyalty in these coming days then you will have your reward. If you prove disloyal... Then you have already sealed your sentence. Do you understand me, Lady Evangeline?” The intensity was frightening, but the more time she spent around Daemon the better she got a hiding her fear. She would not have a repeat of their first ever meeting. He would not see her cry again.

“I do my Prince. I assume I am to stay here during the test period.” She would expect nothing less from the Prince. He knew who to keep close and who to let go. He thought a moment. The great walls of the Hightower towered above them in the distance, and all the guards in their red cloaks and silver armor seemed to stare from the battlements. Daemon spoke in a low voice at last. “You will. And until I have won the crown for my Queen and our position in the realm is secure, you shall remain my hostage.” His face returned to its usual cold expression, and he looked down at the child with his usual dark eyes. And then, a last grin, not malicious but warm and reassuring, he nodded. “Understood?” She had to stop her face from falling into a look of annoyance. Being a hostage isn’t exactly her dream scenario but, it’s better than being dead so, look on the bright side. She smiled back at him. “Yes my Prince. Wait! What about my belongings? I only brought myself.” He nodded again. “There are chambers within the tower where you will be staying. You are permitted to bring any belongings you need, they will be delivered to you. Any servants you may want to bring with you can come too. You and you alone however, must remain our hostage.” His purple eyes bore into her soul again. She wished he would stop doing that, it’s very unnerving. Makes you feel guilty even if you’ve done nothing wrong. “Until the day comes when you have proved you are worthy of trust and your father's treason is not your own, it must be you who remains in my custody. Only then may you go free. Is this understood?” This man wanted absolute certainty that she was not going to do a runner. She didn’t blame him, but if he kept this up she swore that she was going to have a heart attack and drop dead from fear.

Thinking back to his comment about servants she had to laugh. “Oh those were the days!” His brows furrowed so Evangeline quickly explained herself. “Of course I understand. Sorry for laughing my Prince it’s just, the servants. I lost them long ago. Father took them off me as soon as I began to convince the people of Queen Rhaenyra’s right to rule. Naturally he didn’t approve. Will I be under guard?” His tone was cold but he kept his face calm. And a strange light appeared in his eyes, it was one of curiosity, and there was a certain kind of admiration in it too. “You convinced them on your own? Then you will have no need of servants. You may send for any books or other items at your leisure.” He frowned for a moment but the light had returned to those strange eyes of his. “You will be under constant guard until I win her crown. I will reward you with trust when the war is won. They will not mistreat you child, I will make sure of that.” Ok, constant guard but any objects she wanted from home she could have. Not too bad. Evangeline could live with that. “Thank you my Prince, these are very fair terms.” Her voice was genuine and sincere, she meant what she said. He nodded, satisfied. His tone stayed soft and calm. “You have no idea how valuable an asset you have proven to be. You are an intelligent and resourceful child. Do not throw away these gifts of yours. They are much better than riches or strength or power.” He smiled and leaned down a little to bring himself to her level. “Stay loyal to me Little Tully. And you may prove to be an asset that few others could hope to replace. But if you betray me I will not hesitate. Im glad that our agreement is clear.”

Evangeline smile back at him, “as am I.” She did a small curtesy as a gesture of respect before straitening herself again. The Prince continued to smile. He took her hand and squeezed it softly. “Be careful what choices you make. War is dangerous. Especially for a young lady. I’m shall have my men escort you to your chambers, I’m sure you want to get settled in.” Evangeline nodded preparing to follow the two guards that came forward before a thought popped into her head. “Sorry my Prince but, where may I find the ravens? I want to send a list of things I would like brought back to me. You may approve the letter of course, I don’t wish for you to think I am writing anything else.” Her face remained calm and collected, she felt much more comfortable in his presence now. He nodded. “Of course, you will find the ravens in your chambers. Your list will be reviewed by me personally. I will bring whatever requests you need in good time.” He gave her a faint nod. “Is that all, little Tully? Or is there anything else you need?” He had that half smirk back on his face again. Evangeline thought for a moment before a small smirk crossed her own face. “Could I ask for a glass of wine? The day had been quite stressful.” Daemon then let his smirk grow wider. “I will send a servant up shortly.” He then turned to face the guards speaking in a quieter tone so that Evangeline did not hear. “I assume you will be keeping an eye on our Little Tully? She might need protection too. It will not win her love, but it will win her trust. And that goes a long way as well.” The guard nodded once before moving to stand next to Evangeline, waiting for her to leave. “Goodnight my Prince” she curtesys again before turning and leaving. He gave a curt nod, and gave a meaningful look to the guards. “Good night Little Tully. I'll see you again soon.” 

He turned away, his dark orbs studying her for one last time, his face returning to its usual cold, stony demeanor - but the hint of a smile had returned. He left, the guards closing the gates quickly behind him. 

The next time they'd meet would be many months later, after many battles but finally the blacks were gaining the upper hand. The Prince brought to her a story. A story that should have made her sad but instead it made her happy. Just last week her Lord Father was found dead by the road, a knife through his neck. He spoke of how Some said it was he who killed him, whereas others said it was a rebellious servant. In the end, no-one really knew for sure. Well, none of the Smallfolk did. He did not have to tell her but Evangeline knew that it was in fact Daemon. The look on bus face as he told the story and then meaningful glances was all she needed to know. He deserved it though. Her father was a traitor who endangered his family and his people, he had to go. The story of his death spread quickly like wild fire, and soon all the Riverlords were swearing allegiance to the Targaryens - but it wasn't the death of their Lord that made them choose to side with their rightful Queen, it was the bravery of a young girl whose family had chosen the wrong side.

[mariethekitten]

The Dragon and the fish

DISCLAIMER: I have never wrote a fanfic before so if this is bad sorry. Basically I just thought this up one day and went yea why not write it. Sorry If the characterisation of Daemon is wrong I did my best. Also, I know that in the books House Tully supports the Blacks but for the sake of this fic we’re gonna say they didn’t and that instead Lord Grover Tully went with his initial thought to support the Greens. Also Evangeline Tully is not real, I made her up. I do have a part 2 to this and will post it when I finish it. Enjoy

Nobody x Nobody (this is not romantic)

It is midday in the Riverlands, the sounds of the stream bubbling fills the air along with the chirps of birds. But, there is another sound, a voice, that of a girl carrying in the wind. A distance away from the river a teenage girl girl in a blue dress is being dragged across the grass by two men in armour. Her eyes are wide with fear. She is thrown onto the grass suddenly as the sound of a horse approaching can be heard. The horse is midnight black and it stops a few feet from the girl. As the rider dismounts the two guards bow. “My Prince, the Tully girl.” His voice is strong with a hint of pride to it. The girl is internally offended at that. How is kidnapping something to be proud of? Her thought bubble is immediately burst however when she hears a confident voice laced with malice reply. “Good. Hello girl.” Panic surges through every ounce of her body as the girl looks up into the cold, unforgiving eyes of Daemon Targaryen. Her eye immediately drop down to his chest, she can not look at him. “My Prince! Please! Why are you doing this? I haven’t done anything. Please my Prince! Please let me go!” As she speaks her entire body trembles. Her eyes remained glued to his chest, she can not bring herself to meet his brutal gaze. Suddenly her head is yanked up by one of the guards, she lets out a yelp as her head snaps back. “You will look at the Prince when you speak to him!” The girl flinches as the guard shouts before nodding and slowly moving her eyes to stare at the face of the imposing figure before her. He smirks.

“I am a Targaryen. We are the last of a line of kings that stretches back to Valyria. From the burning ruins of Valyria, to the wall, the Kingsroad and the Iron Throne they stand on. When my brother died the rightful Queen Rhaenyra found herself exiled from her own kingdom. From her birthright. Thanks to people like you supporting the usurper. But that time is over. We are going to take back the seven kingdoms, and restore our bloodline to its rightful place.  The only way to do that...is by fire and blood.” His voice remains cold and harsh the entire time he speaks, never once wavering or cracking in any way. He does not smile either, he merely looks down on her with hatred in his deep purple orbs. Oh gods. As he finishes speaking the girls breathing picks up. He was going to kill her, he thought she was a traitor, all because her father made the wrong choice. “But why take me? What purpose does this serve other than causing a girl and her father immense distress. Please, I do acknowledge the true line of succession. I know that Aegon is not the true king!” He girls voice is full of fear but as she pleads with the Prince he only smirks at her waiting for her to finish before stepping closer to her. “A true Targaryen must be cruel and cold when required. Your family's loyalty is in question. The price of such doubts is blood. Yours or theirs, it matters not, so long as we send a message.” Her blood runs cold as he speaks, her fears confirmed. He was going to kill her. All hope had left her at this point but still, a tiny voice spoke inside her head convincing her to ask him, confirm her fate. She takes in a shaky breath before letting her eyes stare directly into his. Not near them, into them, bright green into dark purple. “So you’re going to kill me?” Please don’t say yes, please don’t say yes. His own orbs stare directly back at her as the question falls from her lips his face a mask of coolness, it gave nothing away.

“I don't want to. But if I must, then I must. Valar morghuls.” Her eyes widened as he spoke in the ancient tongue his words void from any emotion. Now, she was no expert in high Valyrian but, she did love to read, and throughout her youth one of her favourite books was all about the ancient language. If the phrase meant what she thought then what the Prince intended did not match up with his statement. Feeling a momentary surge of courage she decided to point it out. “But I am not a man, I am a girl!” Her words still contained the fear from before but it was now laced with desperation as well, she wanted to keep her life, she did not want to die, not yet. He looked at the girl with his piercing gaze. His eyes were like two dark pools, deep and unyielding. He showed no sign that her words had changed his mind. “Valar morghuls is high Valyrian. The phrase means 'all men must die'. But the dragon knows no gender. You will die just the same, girl.” Hope was drained from her system once more, he would not be swayed, she would die, there was no changing her fate, the Prince had a task and he intended to carry it out. Her eyes began to tear up as she continued to look at him, knowing that time was running short. “When?” It was a simple question, one that required a simple answer. Her eyes flicked down to Darksister, half expecting her answer to be a non verbal one but, as the tears fell down her face Daemon’s face lost its cold mask and for a split second his eyes flashed with pity. The girl did not see this, instead when she looks back up the mask is still there but his lips hold a faint smirk on them.

“Tell me, child. Who is the rightful heir to the throne?” His voice had an heir of mischief about it and his eyes sparkle ever so slightly. This is trick, it has to be. The girl can not come up with another explanation for his sudden question. Answer the way he wants you to, the voice of hope speaks once more, who knows, she may survive this encounter yet. Taking a deep shuddering breath the girl is able to keep her voice steady as she answers. “The Queen Rhaenyra.” The faint smirk grows wider at her answer the twinkle in his eyes brightening. He is impossible to read. Years of practice have made this man very difficult to read, even when he shows emotion you still don’t know what he is thinking. Wether you are safe. “The queen Rhaenyra... Is the true heir to the throne you are correct. But in order to sit the Iron Throne with absolute certainty... there has to be no challenge. Not my nephew Aegon...Your family. No one. You understand what I mean by that don't you?” Why is it that every time a glimmer of hope presents itself this man is able to snuff it out like it is nothing? The girl feels as if her heart has been ripped from her chest, being squeezed by the Prince in a painfully tight grip, seconds away from being crushed. Sometimes his fingers loosen and the pressure lifts hope seeping through the cracks, but he always tightens his grip again pushing any hope away, squeezing it back out. Tears continue to fall down her face, but she does not care. She recalls that one time her father was speaking about battles and he told her that men shit themselves when they die. That may be true, but know she know that women don’t, men shit themselves and women cry. 

All hope may be gone but she is desperate. Highborn or not, in her current state she is certainly not above begging. She no longer tries to hide the despair in her voice, he can hear it, it matters not, soon she will never speak again. “I do. But please I had no say in this! Why punish the child for the actions of her parent? please. Have mercy on me!” The tears that flow down in her face in a never ending stream take over he entire body and she allows herself to slump onto the grass by his feet. Steady tears turn into hysterical sobs as she lays on the floor death inches away. She feels a large hand come and rest itself in her hair. Confusion turns to pain as his hand pulls a clump of it upwards forcing her to face him once more. His face now shows a steely resolve, he will not change his mind, his face says it all. “Mercy is a sign of weakness. If we are to be kings again. If we are to be the greatest dynasty since Old Valyria itself…This cannot be done with mercy.” Her sobs grow louder as he speaks, Terror, pain, denial, anger a million emotions flow through her at once, her mind can not settle on one. “But why kill me? My father chose to betray you. I did not. You know better than anyone that you do not argue with your father. You and the Queen have many children you must know what it is like. What would you have had me do?” Her voice shows her mass hysteria, as does her face, bright red and puffy from crying, a pitiful sight wasted on uncaring eyes. Or so she thought.

He looked down at the girl with his narrow, deepset eyes for a long moment before speaking again, slowly untangling his fingers from her hair, his hand coming to cup her face instead, his eyes taking in her broken features. The tears, her expression, everything. It is almost as if he is surveying her for the first time. His next words are no longer cold, firm and calculated yes, but not cold. “Perhaps I have treated you harshly. But if I am to be King and Rhaenyra Queen I cannot afford to be weak. You'll understand that when you’re older. I cannot permit any challenges to our claim. So when you go home, tell your father that he is to support our cause to the death. No half measures. No more wavering. Do you understand?” His words shock her, the sobs stop almost instantly and turn to uneven breathing and heavy sniffles. “You… You will spare me?“ this time it is her eyes that betray nothing. Her hope has been crushed one too many times, she will not show it to him in case this is one last horrible trick. His fingers caress her cheek before he answers a faint smile ghosting over his lips. “Yes. I have seen fit to show you mercy. But if you do anything foolish or disloyal...I will not be so kind. Understand me?” His words continue on in the same tone as before, but his eyes now hold warmth to them as well. Her mask drops and her face breaks into a tear stained smile, relief coursing through her veins, flooding her entire body.

“Of course my Prince. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.” Her words are fast and filled with gratitude, her eyes shining with pure joy. She will live. He removes his hand from her face and lets his cool mask from before return to his face, he is being honest, but he is serious, he will not give second chances. “And I mean anything foolish. I am not a merciful man. You will show yourself to be the opposite of your father. Loyal. Diligent. Brave. Never question me or my motives. Understand?” She does, this is her one chance, mess this up and Darksister may yet get a taste of her blood. Her breathing has finally slowed, her tears dried up and voice evened out. Deep breaths. “I do. So I may return home?” He glanced behind her, towards the general direction of her home. He nodded. “You may. Remember what I told you, and pass it along to your father. You will do well not to disappoint me. Go now.” The faint smile returns as he speaks. It suits him she thinks, he should smile more. Her musings are cut short when an unpleasant thought comes to mind, her father is a stubborn man, will he listen to her? “What if my father won’t listen to me? What if he still tries to support the usurper? Will I still die?” Her voice is now laced with fear once more, and as soon as she speaks his smile vanishes and his face turns to stone again. For a moment he was silent. His purple eyes locked with her tear stained green ones and seemed to see right through her, a coldness in them that scared the girl, more than any of his previous cold stares, this one was on another level. A coldness that gave the impression that she was a tiny piece in a game much larger than herself. And she was right. Then he spoke, his voice cold and low, it sent chills down the girl's back. She trembled at the sound of it. Anyone who heard it would. “There is only one way to find out.”

Deciding that she would worry herself with this later she let out a breathy and nervous laugh before answering very quickly, her voice a mere squeak. “Yes my Prince!” There was one last flicker of that strange half smile, barely visible. His face became inscrutable again. He inclined his head towards her, his eyes darker than ever. Then he snapped his fingers. One of his guards stepped forward and took hold of the girl, picking her up off her floor. Daemon beckoned them to follow as he walked to his horse. Upon reaching his mount, he turned and spoke again. “Tell your father I will have my answer.” This time his voice made it clear that there was no room for argument. “Yes my Prince.” As she spoke she bowed her head in respect. He looked her up and down one last time, his face returning to a frown. Then he looked away and moved to his horse, climbing into the saddle and turning again to look at the girl.

“Make me proud, child.” He looked her deep in the eyes with those orbs of the richest purple for one last time, and then, he was gone. The guards disappeared after him, and the girl was alone, her head spinning with what had just occurred.