Chapter Text
Much can be said of the children of Rhea Royce and Alaric Stark.
Ben Royce, named for his grandfather. A compassionate and serious boy who inherited the amber eyes of his mother but in every other way was a Stark. Ben who was the pride and joy of his mother. Ben who would despite his kindness would grow to be a fierce and fair lord. A boy who was trained under both Alaric Stark, known as the Mountain Wolf amongst the mountain clans of the Vale and Westeros, and Daemon Targaryen, the soulmate of his mother and the infamous Rouge Prince. Ben Royce would help steer his House into the beginning of the Bronze Age as it is now known. A time of greatness and intrigue. One of the greatest feats Ben Royce would accomplish would be to show kindness to a young boy blinded by his own kin. The Heir to Runestone would forever earn the loyalty of Aemond One Eye that day and afterword when he agreed to foster the boy in the Vale. But that is a take for another day.
Arthur Royce with his grey eyes and brown curly hair is perhaps the most famous of eldest three children of Rhea Royce. A boy whose wanderlust would lead him to every corner of the known world. A boy who would brave the shadows of Assai and the cold North of the Wall. A boy whose interest in travel would lead him to surpass the Sea Serpant in riches and legend. It was through Arthur and his marriage that Essos would become involved in the so called Dance of the Dragons. But legends take time to grow and his wanderlust will have to wait awhile.
Liam Royce is the younger of the twins and is by far the one who inherited more the wolf blood of the three children of Rhea and Alaric. A prodigy with weapons Liam also had a fierce tongue that almost got him killed many times over his life. But his dedication to his blood is noted. It is Liam who would go on to avenge his father’s death but killing every single man who was member of the Stone Crow tribe of the mountain men of the Vale. This would lead to a war that end with Liam known as the Magnar of the Mountain Men of the Vale. It was Liam who would bring the Mountain Clans into the fold of the Vale. It was by his leadership and alliance with his elder brother and cousin heir to the Vale that Liam would begin something everyone thought impossible. The mountain men were fierce warriors who would forever be indebted to their Magnar for improving their quality of life with settlements, education, and trade. But it would by years before Liam would wield his sword in this struggle.
For now the children of Rhea Royce are young but not stupid. As they are herded out of the hall but their kinsman they known something seismic has happened. Their mother has always told them Westeros was never to know of their warging abilities. They would forever be looked down upon for this. So the boys had kept it quiet when they would dream of wolves and howls and the cold of the North. But by saving Ben’s life Rhea has revealed her own mighty abilities and also her Soulmate bonds.
Ben looks at the Rouge Prince who clutches the hand of the mother in her own. Who holds Dark Sister at the ready and who was prepared to shed blood against Uncle Rickon to get to them. Who is looking at everyone with a deadly bloodlust and would kill anyone who dared separate him from the one the Old Gods deemed his.
Arthur looks at Grandfather and Uncle Rickon. He knows that even though Father is dead Mother is still considered kin through her own Stark blood and her children. Daemon Targaryen is now as goods as theirs. The Old Gods have said their peace. An if the North has to go to war over this then so be it. All of First Men descendent would support them.
And Liam looks at the Rouge Prince and then his mother and he sees the depth of emotion in her eyes. he does not know why his mother had spent all these years lying. But he knows his mother. If she did is was for a good reason. And when his eyes meet the bleeding eyes of the Rouge Prince Liam knows that there is no going back. In those dark amethyst eyes Liam and his brothers now belong to Daemon Targaryen.
As the group heads to the quarters which they were given in the Red Keep the night will end with Rhea Royce sleeping in the same room with her children. The gaggle of boys in the bed with Rhea sitting in a chair beside it. Daemon Targaryen will sleep with his sword in his arms at the ready in the doorframe. Despite the anger and rage the elation in his blood had not faded. His heart beats in sync with the woman who refuses to parted from either her children or him. The woman who confounds him and earns his respect at every turn.
And he knows every other past bond does not matter. Everything important to him now aside from his dragon are in this room. He knows this as surely as he knows a few hours past he merged his soul and heart with Rhea Royce. His lip is still bleeding from where she bit him and his back still aches from her nails. He knows that her throat and shoulders are marked by his own lips. It had been quick and result of the pent up emotions and a new forming bond. But he knows it is the first of man nights. She is his now as he is hers. No man will tear asunder what the gods have decreed.
And in the night of Kings Landing howls are heard from beyond the city. It makes the small folk uneasy as rumours already spread of the Soulmate between the Rouge Prince and the Bronze Lady of Runestone. Rhaenyra Targaryen mourns for her uncle and declares Rhea Royce her enemy. Otto Hightower drinks himself into a stupor and curses Daemon Targaryen to the Seven Hells for taking what should have been his. And in the dark caves of Dragonstone a dark behemoth with eyes the colour of wild fire awakens. The beast feels something in its chest. A bond is forming. A child of Bronze and Fire has been conceived. A child who ride the dragon all though unconquerable. The Old Gods have spoken.