The next day, early morning.
Ra was feeding Elia the healing broth as she lay on the bed, groaning.
"You are a monster," she muttered, and Ra sighed, spooning her another mouthful.
"Did I… hurt you?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, no," she said, then sat up and held his face. "You did not hurt me, it's just… nothing." She kissed him, fingers tangling in his golden hair.
Ra sighed in relief. When she finished the broth, Elia got up, adjusting her robe. "I should leave before someone notices me absent from my room," she said, stole a quick kiss, and turned to go.
"I love you," she said softly before leaving, her words scattering in the morning wind before he could reply.
Time passed, and little Aegon learned under Eddard Stark and Maester Luwin, while Rhaenys spent most of her time with Elia and Ra.
"You should learn from Lady Catelyn, like your brother learns from Lord Stark," Elia told Rhaenys.
Rhaenys shook her head. "I tried. They told me how to be a lady and all that," she pouted.
"Who cares if I don't cover my mouth when I laugh?" she muttered, earning a laugh and a kiss on the cheek from Elia.
"Do you wish to be a warrior, then?" Ra asked.
Rhaenys shook her head again. "No. I just wish to be… me," she said, nodding proudly.
Ra and Elia laughed at her antics. Rhaenys often spent her days dodging Catelyn and playing with baby Robb.
(Year — 285 AC)
Aegon was now four years old and often accompanied Ned to meetings with other northern lords. He wasn't old enough to be a cupbearer yet, but he was allowed to sit beside Maester Luwin and listen to his counsel.
Sansa had been born a week ago, and the halls of Winterfell still hummed with celebration.
It was during one of those feasts that Catelyn noticed Ned brooding.
"What is it?" she asked, placing a hand over his, worry touching her face.
Ned smiled faintly and held her hand. "It's… nothing serious. I'll be leaving for the Bear Islands soon. We'll discuss it after the feast," he said.
Later, after the feast, Ned, Elia, Ra, and Catelyn gathered in a chamber. Ned exhaled heavily before speaking.
"There's been an increase in Ironborn sightings near the Bear Islands. Lord Mormont has requested aid," he said.
Elia and Ra exchanged a glance.
"Are you thinking of going yourself?" Catelyn asked.
Ned nodded. "I will be going with Benjen."
Catelyn frowned. "Are you not tired of war? Why must you go with him?" she asked, displeasure clear in her voice.
Ned sighed. "Because this time we will not simply repel their raids. I intend to give them pause the next time they think to test our shores," he said, eyes hard with resolve.
He looked toward Ra, clearly hoping for his support. Seeing Ra's hesitation, Ned stepped closer. "You have my word, she will be safe in my home," he said firmly.
Ra glanced at Elia. "Please, give us a moment. I'll tell you my decision," he said.
Ned and Catelyn nodded and left them alone.
"Do you wish to go with him?" Elia asked quietly.
Ra nodded. "This is no war. Those Ironborn come to pillage and enslave," he said with a sigh.
Elia smiled softly and hugged him. "I will be safe," she reassured him.
Ra lifted her chin and kissed her before pulling a golden ring from his pocket and kneeling before her. He slipped it gently onto her finger.
"Keep this on every second I'm gone. Stay close to the children," he told her.
Elia smiled like a flower in bloom and kissed him. "Tonight, I'm going to make up for all the time you'll be away," she whispered with a giggle.
The next day, Ned, Ra, Benjen, and their men set out for the Bear Islands. Rhaenys clung to Ra, refusing to let go until she was pried away.
Ra kissed her forehead and gave her a small gift before leaving.
"The girl thinks of you as a father," Ned said as they rode.
Ra sighed, and Ned chuckled. "I could ask Robert to make it true," Ned teased.
Ra's jaw tightened, his grip on the reins firming at the mention of Robert's name. He didn't need Robert's permission to marry Elia. Only his leave to let her return to Dorne, where they could be wed properly.
Ned noticed the flicker of anger but said nothing.
"I would appreciate your help, Lord Stark, if you might ask the King to allow Princess Elia to visit her family," Ra said evenly.
Ned nodded. "I'll send a raven today," he promised, and they rode on.
They reached Deepwood Motte, seat of House Glover. Where they resupplied and gathered more men. From there, they sailed from the Stony Shore with five ships and three hundred men, bound for Bear Island.
Their arrival was met with urgency.
"You've come in good time, my lord. We'll need every sword," Jeor Mormont said as he shook Ned's hand.
"And you've brought a horned giant with you," Maege Mormont quipped. "I thought those were extinct."
Ra stood in full armor, golden and immense. He shrugged. "I am the last of my kind," he said dryly, earning laughs and hearty pats on the back before they were shown to their quarters.
A/n: power stones and reviews please.