Chapter Text
During the reign of the Targaryen's, my father and his ancestors were left alone to rule solely over the realm of Hothal as kings and queens. When the mad king was removed from the infamous Iron Throne, Robert Baratheon was against the idea of any of the allies that the Targaryen had to be rulers. Unfortunately for him, due to the war Robert's armies couldn't withstand another war so after only one year my father, Georgey Bentham, won the war keeping his title as King. This caused for both kings to come together and create a peace treaty: stating that both Kingdoms will remain neutral towards one another.
It was almost laughable with how the day they all arrived was the first day rain fell from the sky after months of warmth and sunlight. Though the rain fitted the royal family perfectly. Hushed whispers of gossip that spoke of the man who called himself King of the seven kingdoms, his beautiful ageless wife who had an equally beautiful twin brother, the short man who was told to be a disgrace, and the three blonde hair children who boar no resemblance to their father. What the people did not expect was the Stark family to be following right behind the Baratheon king, only it wasn't the whole family. Just Eddard Stark, warden of the north, and his two daughters: Sansa and Arya Stark.
The disapproving look on the queens face was almost enjoyable to watch, until the cruel reminder of their month long stay gloomed my mood. I was ready to turn in the other direction and become a sheep herder in some remote village so I wouldn't have to be put through this month. My father greeted the royal family with a smile and open arms due to the wanting of not starting another war between the Baratheon and Bentham families. Though when fathers hand met Roberts, the tension in the air seem to rise, its been 16 years since both kings have shared the same air.
"It is an honor to have you as a guest", my father began to speak letting go of Roberts hand, "might I introduce my daughter to you?"
Though it was posed as a question, father didn't wait for an answer as he moved his arm so it was resting on my back, urging me to come forward.
"It is a pleasure to meet you King Baratheon."
My voice shook as my eyes traveled form the king to the guards standing along side his family and friends. I was quickly caught off guard as a rough hand was settled onto my cheek causing me to take a step back, slamming into my fathers chest. Feeling the familiarity of his hands gripping my shoulders with a light squeeze.
"You look just like her, just like-"
"Robert, that's not her", this time Eddard Stark was the one to speak up. Coming forward to grip his friends upper arm, jerking him away from where he was in front of me.
"Of course she isnt. My Lyanna is dead," Robert took deep breath before he looked back at father and I, "I am sorry. You remind me of a girl I once knew."
After that encounter I was swiftly introduced to the rest of the Baratheon, Lannister, and Stark families, until the servants came forward to show them all to their chambers.
The moment I entered the throne room with my father trailing right behind me I started pacing. Father spoke in a hushed voice to his hand, Matthias Sand of Dorne, of some arrangements that needed to be made with the training of new recruits. It is required that once any boy reaches the age of 15 he must serve 2 years in the royal army and can choose if they want to continue with being a soldier or guard. Many of them chooses that lifestyle, because it provides free housing for their family and a comfortable life, those who decides to leave after the two years are finish will receive a certain amount of money and be assigned a job that correlates with their skills. Criminals are force to serve in the front line, and if they come back after a fight will be granted freedom. Though there is one heartbreaking thing, in the event of a war all men must fight, regardless if they left after serving the two years.
"Malda, my child, what do you purpose we do?"
"I am sorry father, I was not paying attention. What is it you're asking?"
A small smile reached fathers lips as Matthias outreached his hand to hand me a letter. Taking the letter, my heart nearly stopped once I saw the seal that kept the paper closed. The three headed dragon, the symbol of the house Targaryen. Quickly reopening it, my eyes scanned the inked words. It was from Viserys Targaryen saying how him and his sister Daenerys, who is the same age as me, have been staying in the Free City of Pentos and he is now ready to come reclaim the Iron Throne, which in his words is his birthright. The letter continued to say that he wanted King Bentham to swear an alliance to him just like he did for his own father the Mad King during the war. Apparently he has arrange a marriage between his sister and a Dothraki king named Khal Drogo in order to secure an army.
Matthias broke the silence as I finally handed the parchment back to him.
"What would you do in this situation? The king who sits on the Iron Throne is staying in your home while the man declaring its his birthright for the same throne and is demanding for you to swear to follow him in taking it back.
"I am not my father and neither is he. I am not bond to whatever alliance he has made before I was even born. For Viserys to write a letter saying that it's his birthright, so we should supply him with an army is not something I would allow. We haven't heard from a Targaryen since the death of Rhaella Targaryen. If he wants to talk about birthright, then Robert Baratheon has as much claim to the throne as Viserys, Robert's grandmother was Viserys's mother. Also he if is in Pentos he will have to travel across the water with a group of Dothraki warriors. How will he managed that if the Dothraki refuse to cross water? Numbers don't mean anything if he can't use them."
"Matthias wait until our guest leave and we will be sure to have an answer to deliver. In the meantime we need to try and figure out how much wine we got stored. Did you see Queen Cersei? She looks like a woman who could empty any wine cellar no matter the size", father began to change the subject as he stuffed the letter into his coat.
"That elder son of theirs is who I would watch out for. He looks like a little prat", Matthias laughed at my comment.
"I don't know young one. Maybe he is your prince charming. Such a wonderful couple the two of you will be. Little blonde headed children with an attitude that matched shit in a brothel house."
"Mind your language Matthias. You may be a friend, but I would rather my daughter have manners when it comes to her words."
"It's not like you have a mouth of a saint father", I started making my way towards the throne doors to leave, "then again I've heard actual worse saying from the kind women in the brothel houses."
Those final words caused my father to freeze and drop his smile, words began to stumble out of his mouth in a incoherent mess while I closed the door. Laughing to myself I gathered a fistful of my dress and began to run down the corridors towards the library. Once I reached a corner I ran face first into a chest of iron. Falling on my back I was met with the sight of a man who looked to be giant, and standing next to him was the one called Joffrey, who I just a few moments ago called a prat.
"So sorry princess Malda. My dog was stupid enough to not watch where he was going", Joffrey stretched out his hand in which I slowly took in order to get back on my feet, "apologize to the princess, dog."
The way he spoke towards his protector made my stomach turn in a bad way. How you treat those whos ' status is below you, really shows what type of person you are. My accusation of him being a prat have proven to be true so far.
"It is not his fault. I was the one who was carelessly running like a mad man. I am truly sorry Ser for the inconvenience of running into you."
My eyes were trained at the large man, trying to avoid looking at the right side of his face. It was severely burnt, looking like an old scar from years ago. Part of his hair was missing on that side making it appear like he had random strands of hair missing.
"Nonsense! It was his-"
"No, it was my fault, and my fault only", I quickly cut off the prince with a stern tone, "now if you can excuse me I have matters to attend to. Have a good day."
[UNEDITED]