We Bleed Silver(GOT/ASOIAF Fanfic)

Dragon's Nest, Raven Tower.

The maester on duty was doing as he always did—keeping an eye on the ravens' nests while leisurely reading a book. There was rarely any urgent correspondence in Dragon's Nest, which made the watch over the Raven Tower one of the most relaxing duties a maester could hope for.

It was, in fact, the favorite spot of all the maesters in Dragon's Nest—a legitimate place to slack off.

The maester read his novel with great interest. It was a newly written tale recounting the legendary Great Expedition. Though parts of it stretched believability—so much so that even a maester who hadn't studied military chains could sense the flaws—the prose was excellent, making it a perfect idle-time read.

Especially the inclusion of romantic subplots for several dragonriders.

The author had better pray none of the riders' wives got their hands on this. The maester chuckled inwardly.

Just as he was about to flip to the next page, a raven's shrill cry pierced the air.

"What now?" A sudden sense of dread struck the maester. He hurriedly stuffed the book into a raven's nest and rushed to the window. A jet-black raven shrieked as it landed on the perch, and the maester quickly retrieved the letter it carried. The red wax seal immediately caught his eye.

His heart clenched.

Abandoning standard procedure, he didn't copy or archive the message. Instead, he clutched it tightly and scrambled downstairs.

"What happened?" asked Evens, the elderly archmaester of Dragon's Nest, who remained the citadel's senior scholar. He often lingered just below the Raven Tower himself, though the tower sat directly above Rhaegor's offices—so even he slacked with some caution.

"It's from the Conqueror's Hold... I think that's what it's called. It's an urgent message," the younger maester said, voice trembling. Truth be told, this was the first emergency he'd encountered.

Evens frowned deeply and took the letter from him. "I see. Return to your post—I'll deliver it to His Highness."

Without another word, Evens turned and descended the stairs.

Something's wrong. Very wrong.

He knew that receiving a sudden letter at a time like this wasn't normal. The whole kingdom was tense—Queen Dowager Samantha was gravely ill, and Queen Jeyne was nearing the end of her pregnancy...

"Your Highness, a letter from the Conqueror's Hold."

Rhaegor looked up at the unexpected intrusion.

"What kind of letter would we even be receiving from the Conqueror's Hold?" asked Dan with a puzzled expression. He and Jacaerys were currently enjoying a rare spell of peace, raising their children and focusing on self-improvement, occasionally assisting their elder brother.

Rhaegor felt an ominous weight in his chest. He picked up a letter knife and broke the wax seal.

The letter was short.

But Dan and Jacaerys had never seen their brother so shaken.

"What is it?" Jacaerys asked in confusion.

"Rhaegar has been assassinated!"

Those few words sucked the air from the room.

"Who?"

"Rhaegar was assassinated." Rhaegor stood without hesitation. "Dan, have Orion go to Raventree Hall immediately and summon Seryna. If possible, bring back Brynden as well. The family's dragonriders must gather."

Dan nodded. He knew better than to ask questions at a time like this.

"What about Hornstorm?" Jacaerys had already collected himself. "Is Rhaegar alive or dead? Was the assassin caught?"

"He's dead. The assassin's dagger pierced his heart." Rhaegor's face was expressionless as he jogged toward his father's chambers. "Hornstorm is fine. When our men discovered Rhaegar had been killed, they immediately cut its chains. Enraged, the dragon set fire to the entire Hossaru. Now the wild beast is flying straight toward King's Landing."

"Who did it?"

"Could be anyone." Rhaegor was already pulling Jacaerys with him as they ran. "But it wasn't the Faceless Men. This isn't their style."

King's Landing, Red Keep.

Samantha lay groggily on her bed. Her youngest son, Baelor, was nestled beside her, quietly reciting verses from the Seven-Pointed Star.

Suddenly, Samantha—no longer the beauty of her youth, her face now lined with age—snapped her eyes open.

"Rhaegar! My Rhaegar!"

"Mother…" Baelor looked at her, lost and startled. "What's wrong?"

Samantha gradually came to her senses. Panic clouded her eyes, but when she saw that Baelor was unharmed, she relaxed somewhat and, with effort, pulled her son's head into an embrace.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Mama's fine."

Just moments before, she had dreamed of her second son drenched in blood. And her daughter-in-law Jeyne—covered in blood as well.

As Samantha's heartbeat finally began to settle, a sudden commotion stirred in the castle. Cries could be heard, laced with sorrow.

Her chest tightened.

A terrible premonition welled up in her heart.

"Your Grace!" A midwife, her robes soaked in blood, rushed in. "The Queen is in grave danger—she wishes to see you."

Samantha immediately felt a wave of dizziness crash over her. Luckily, Baelor, though still young, was tall and strong enough to catch her before she tumbled from the bed.

"Take me to Jeyne—quickly!"

Samantha cried out in distress.

The birthing chamber.

Jeyne had lost all strength.

It felt as if a fire had been lit inside her womb—something was being forged in those flames. The burning heat spread from her swollen belly throughout her entire body, as if even her blood were aflame.

The child thrashed violently within her, as though trying to claw its way out of her body.

The agony had knocked Jeyne unconscious several times. By now, the birthing bed was soaked entirely red, yet there was still no sign of the child being born.

Daeron stood tensely at her bedside. He had never lost a battle in war—but here, he could do nothing.

"Daeron, my son, how is she?"

"Mother?" Daeron turned in shock to see his mother stumbling in, followed by his younger brother, eyes brimming with worry.

"Baelor, how could you…"

"I came of my own will, Mother."

At the sight of Jeyne's condition, Samantha nearly collapsed. Had Baelor not caught her again, it would have been the Grand Maester rushing to save the Queen Dowager instead.

"Your Grace, Your Majesty—Her Grace the Queen is in critical condition." The Grand Maester's gloves were soaked in blood. He had exhausted every technique known to him, but it was all in vain. "The child in her womb is killing her. Your Majesty… we have no other options left."

"Silence!" Samantha didn't know where the strength came from, but her voice rang out like a whip crack. "I order you—use every means to save her!"

Looking at the helpless maesters around her…

Samantha was suddenly overwhelmed by a crushing weight. She felt as if her heart were being squeezed in a fist—every breath grew harder to take.

At that moment, another maester burst into the chamber, panic scrawled across his face.

He was heading straight for the King.

But he had come at the worst possible moment—or perhaps no one could have guessed why he'd charge in just then.

Because the moment he cried, "Prince Rhaegar has been assassinated—"

Samantha collapsed.

And from the courtyard of the Red Keep, the shrill cry of Candlelight pierced the sky.

The sound echoed through every stone of the Red Keep—through all of King's Landing.