Chapter 8 | NAME DAY

RHAELLA WOKE UP EXTRA EARLY to get ready for her special day. As her maids unbraided her hair, she wondered what dress she would wear. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in!" She chirped. Bran opened the door, greeting her with a smile, "happy name day!" He was clad in white and black. Rhaella thanked him with all her heart, giving him a warm hug. Summer waltzed himself in, wagging his tail. She held his paw and patted his head.

"I came to bring you this!" Bran handed her a trunk. "Oh, what is it?" She wondered, placing it on the bed. He leaned against the wall, with his arms crossed. "I'm not sure, but it was delivered here. I believe Maester Luwin said it was from Kingslanding."

When she opened it, her eyes widened, "wow!" It had to have been the most beautiful dress she's ever seen! The shiny silk was the color of plums, dark purple fruit she used to eat in Pentos. The bodice was adorned with delicate white lace. The sleeves were long with puffed shoulders, as she imagined princesses wore in fairytales. In the center of the sweatheart neckline, a circled shaped amethyst gem. The dress looked old fashioned, but still elegant and beautiful.

"Does it say who it's from?" Bran asked, clasping his hands over his lower abdomen. He wondered who on earth would send such a gift, making him feel anxious and paranoid.

She found a little card inside, but it only showed an illustration of a spider. "No, it doesn't," she frowned. She held it up to her chest, staring at her reflection. Bran smiled, "it brings out your eyes."

"It does, doesn't it?" She grinned.

"Well, I'll take my leave," Bran said. He called for Summer to follow him. "Rickon will come and escort you to the Great Hall. We have gifts for you!" Hearing him say that only boosted her excitement.

As the maids helped her in the gown, she thought to herself, I'll definitely look like a princess with this dress on! She remembered Sansa gushing about the wardrobe in the South, saying that once they go to Kingslanding they could try on as much dresses as they liked.

Poor Sansa. She remembered the dream of Lord Stark's death. The pain on Sansa's face and in her eyes. Her pleas to spare him. I hope she's okay. She quickly remembered what Bran said. I shouldn't be sad today. It's my special day.

After she finished getting dressed, Rickon greeted her at the door, "happy name day, Rhae!" He giggled, jumping into her arms. Shaggydog followed behind him. The wolf was black with vicious eyes. She thought of the wolf to be the most frightening out of all of them, but she still loved him. She pet Shaggydog's head, making his tail wag. Rickon offered his arm, "I'm here to take you to breakfast!" She wrapped her arm in his, thanking the maids as they left her bedchamber.

Rhaella could smell the scent of delicious food as they were almost to the Great Hall. Once they got there, the table had all of her favorite breakfast food. Eggs, bacon, and fresh-baked bread. Most importantly, there was a whole stack of cream and lemon cakes, her ultimate favorite dessert! Her eyes sparkled at the beautiful sight of the food.

"Happy name day!" Maester Luwin announced. "I made sure the chefs made your favorites," Bran smiled. She gave Bran a warm hug, "Wow, Bran, thank you! I'll be sure to thank the chefs in the kitchen too."

As they were eating, Rhaella asked the boys, "Do you guys wanna go horseback riding later?" Rickon's eyes lit up, "can the wolves come too?" She smiled, "the more the merrier!" Rickon was excited to go riding on his pony.

A servant brought out a big box as Maester Luwin announced, "Rhaella, there's a special gift for you from the Night's Watch."

"Really? From Jon?"

"And someone else," he smiled. "Go ahead and open it, the letter is in there."

She opened the huge gift and her eyes sparkled. It was a wooden beautiful harp. Running her fingers upon the strings, beautiful notes floated throughout the room. "Wow!" She took the letter out of the box, noticing it being signed by "Maester Aemon." She tilted her head, who is that?

Dear Rhaella,

Jon snow and I wish you a happy twelfth name day! I am aware that you have no knowledge of my existence, but I just would like to tell you, I know how you feel. Being a Targaryen, alone with no family around, is truly a terrible thing. Believe me when I say this, I wish I could come and visit you. Unfortunately, I am a Maester and have my own duties. Jon is not here with me as I am writing this letter, going on an expedition, but he told me you have a lovely voice for singing and a passion for music, so we hope you enjoy our gift to you. We had it hand-made just for you. Hopefully one day, we will finally meet. Perhaps we could hear you sing and play the harp as well.

From your great-great-great uncle,
Maester Aemon

After she finished reading, she held the letter close to her chest. Thank you, she thought. Hopefully the war will be over soon, so we can travel to the Wall, like Robb promised to Bran.

She took a look at the harp again. Around the frame were carvings of winter roses and dragons. The roses were definitely Jon's idea, he knew how much I loved them. That made her smile. The dragons must have been Maester Aemon's idea too.

"Time for your next gift!" Rickon cheered. "From the both of us!"

"What is it?"

The servants handed Bran a much smaller box. "You'll see," he said, placing it gently on her lap. The box lightly moved, startling her. She nervously opened the box, expecting it to be a prank or joke. As she lifted the lid, she could see big black eyes staring at her with white fur.

Rhaella gasped in delight. "A puppy!"

Bran leaned in and whispered, "it was my idea, but Rickon helped me pick. Do you like her?"

"I love her!" She answered. She lifted the white bundle of joy and held it in her arms, feeling its silky, soft fur against her skin. "She's so fluffy and soft." The dog looked up at her, its big eyes sparkling like stars. It began to lick her face, making her giggle. "I think I'll name her . . . Snowbell!"

Later on the day, Rhaella changed into riding clothes, afraid that she would ruin the purple dress. Draping herself in a thick fur cloak, leather breeches, and knee-high leather boots, she was ready to go.

She ran out to the courtyard, finding Bran and Rickon mounted on their horse and pony. Osha helped her mount Cloud, "now, just out in that field, don't—"

"Don't go too far, we know!" The three of them said in unison. Bran and Rhaella learned their lesson of traveling too far already, they knew better then. Maester Luwin made his way over, the sound of his chain filling their ears. "We are serious, do not go too far, understand?"

They all nodded. With the dire wolves following them, they all rode side by side. Rhaella and Bran wanted to race, feeling the wind rush through their hair, but they didn't want to leave Rickon. His pony was too slow.

They reached the open grasslands outside the castle, finding a perfect spot to watch the sunset.
After dismounting their horses, Rickon ran around, playing with the wolves, while Rhaella and Bran laid in the grass, looking up at the sky. "The sky sure is beautiful," she murmured. They stared in awe at the display of colors in the sky.

"It sure is," he replied. "And I almost forgot, your gift!"

They stood back up on their feet while Bran searched his pocket. "Okay, close your eyes," he told her. "Now, open!"

When she opened them, Bran was holding a necklace. It was an oval shaped and silver. On the oval was her house sigil, the three headed dragon, and his, the dire wolf head, under it. "Rhaella," he began, "this was made just for you."

"Wow, Bran, it's beautiful!" She lifted her hair for him to put the necklace around her neck. "Bran, you really didn't have to do that, it's such an expensive gift!" After he clasped the necklace, she continued, "first, the puppy and now this!"

"Well, you know that I am a prince now," he said shyly, clasping his hands together. "And, since we will be married one day, that means you'll be my princess. I thought maybe it was about time that I start treating you like one." She smiled down at the necklace.

She gave Bran a hug, "thank you so much, Bran." She kissed his cheek, causing his face to turn red. "This means more to me than you'll ever know."

As they walked back to their horses, Rhaella asked, "when will we get married anyway?"

"Perhaps when this is all over and they return home," he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure."

"Hm, Do you think my wedding dress can be purple?"

"Typically the brides wear a shade of white." He said. "But purple is a nice color on you."

"Maybe a delicate light purple then?"

"I could see if that can be arranged." He smiled. "I'll be wearing grey and white."

"Like you wore for the feast!" She remembered. "I like those colors on you."

Rhaella glanced down at the necklace once more, smiling to herself. She was so grateful to have a friend like Bran.