Chapter Text
Jenna Royce’s labours begin in midafternoon during her ninth moon of pregnancy. Three moons before she had expressed a desire to give birth to her child in the place where she grew up despite tradition and her marriage to the heir of Runestone. But for love of his wife almost twenty-five name days Ben Royce decides that he will honour her wishes. The entire Royce family, except cousin William who will stay behind to rule as Regent in Mother’s name, descend upon the Eyrie. And when Jenna’s labours begins Ben is right at her side. The Old Falcon, Rodrik Arryn, waits with his son, Elbert, (and Jenna’s father at his side). Lady Rhea Royce and her husband Alaric Stark are there with their other three children: twenty year old Arthur, fifteen year old Ella, and ten year old Harlon. The labour is thankfully a short one. But once the babe is born screams fill the chamber.
Rodrik enters when Master Amos calls for him and Jenna’s cries are heard. Rhea races in with Alaric shortly behind her and the sight she sees fills her with horror. Jenna’s babe, minutes old and crying, has a head full of thick silver hair. And Rhea knows if those eyes open they may be a deep amythest. She almost collapses but Alaric holds her up. She slams the door shut behind them. The noise stuns everyone into silence.
She looks to the Old Falcon and to her son who has a fury and a pain in his eyes. “Uncle you must let them clean up Jenna. I know you and Ben have questions. And I will answer as soon as Jenna is clean and the babe looked at. The babe is your’s Ben.” She takes a deep breath and this is when the tears start to choke her throat. Rodrik, her beloved uncle looks at her with alarming understanding and fury. Ben looks angry and confused and Rhea knows he may never forgive her for this. “The babe is you blood son.”
“Then why does does the child look this way Mother!!!!”
And her son’s angry interrogation is interrupted by the calm voice of her husband. “Ben. The babe is of your blood. The child of you and you wife.” Alaric sighs, closes his eyes, and looks at the man in front of him. The man who was a boy her loved and raised as his own. “The answer is simple. You and the babe have dragon for blood kin. Not any wolves.”