randomosity | [For Hannibal] The Raid

[For Hannibal] The Raid

Since the Lannister execution and the overthrowing of Tommen Baratheon, Hannibal had settled into the Iron Throne rather comfortably with Margaery at his side. The Bolton reign had begun. And having already amassed a strong brood of children, the dynasty looked as if it would be set for some time.

Of course there were those who opposed their new King. Remnants of those loyal to the Lannisters, or the true Targaryen loyalists who considered Hannibal an unworthy successor in comparison to Daenerys. There were minor uprisings, which were put down with ease between the Bolton and Tyrell army.

But a raven arrived one morning from Winterfell.

The royal family sat at the breakfast table. Rhys and Reina were bickering over the last biscuit, while Aenar crumbled his food between his tiny fingers, and Margaery held Lorys to her breast to feed her. A servant brought the note, addressed to Margaery, which Margaery took with her free hand. Her expression turned grave as she looked to Hannibal.

"It's from Sansa. She says a few days ago a messenger from the Dreadfort arrived and told her that there was activity stirring on the Iron Islands..." she was nervous. The Ironborn were a salty, devious lot. Her grandmother had always preferred the quasi-savage Dornish to the Ironborn.

No sooner had she read the message, then the signal horn sounded and Gold Cloak rushed in. Black sails bearing the golden kracken were approaching Blackwater Bay at top speed - faster than any ship they'd yet seen. Margaery went pale.

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Rhys and Reina both cried out in joy when they were told they were going to Highgarden. But then it registered that their parents would not be coming and of course they were upset. Rhys pouted and Reina felt tears welling in her eyes.

But when had in all exclaimed, they both bowed their heads and nodded. They understood. Reina held her mother and began to cry a little. Margaery wrapped her arms around Reina and kissed her cheek.

"It's going to be fine, Papa will the care of me and Mimi will take care of you all," Margaery assured her.

Hannibal pulled Rhys off to the side. Rhys looked up at his father in deep thoght. "This isnto help fix Mama?"

Hannibal pat his son on the back proudly. "Yes son. I need time with Mama." He said.

Rhys frowned a moment before nodding in understand. "I will help by going with Mimi." He promised.

"We'll be good for Mimi," Reina pouted despite her promise. "Promise, Mama."

"Good girl," Margaery kissed Reina's forehead. "Take care of your brother and sister for me?" Reina nodded. She would be a very helpful girl for her Mimi.

Margaery hugged Reina before hugging Rhys in turn. She would get milk for the baby soon and would make sure there was enough for a small store for Olenna to use while she had the children.

Hannibal looked at his children with pride. "Now, finish your studies so that we can discuss the special challenge I have for you. You just finish everything the tutors have in mind for you." He said.

Both children peeked up at the promise of a challenge. They both hugged their parents excitedly before going off to finish their studies.

Hannibal smiled as he offered his arm to Margaery. "Why don't we find Loerys and spoil her rotten for a bit before we begin collecting some milk. I don't mind assisting you with that process." He said with a teasing smirk on his face.

Rhys and Reina were eager to show off for their parents. So they went straight back to their studies. Margaery nodded and smiled, but still felt a little uncomfortable with sexual prospects. Her core still ached a bit, and something tugged at the back of her mind.

But she did want to be near her baby. She wanted to be with Loerys. "Aenar too, I want them both for as long as possible before we leave." Margaery had worried that she would never see them again. She stood up slowly and waited for Hannibal to join her.

Hannibal saw how there was not even a hint of a spark in her eyes at his mild tease. This reaction was put at the top of his list of concerns to work on. He had felt her passion in the few kisses and in the tub, but this reaction was not expected. To see no amount of interest in a game with him...she was far worse off than he had thought.

He gave a nod of his head and stopped all teasing. "That is understandable. Let us go and find Aenar first." He said as he led her towards where the tutor usually was at this time with Aenar.

He was thinking through how he would need to break down the wall Margaery was beginning to build around herself. He needed to stop her construction and tear it down before it began to cause serious problems.

Margaery felt guilty, she knew Hannibal was concerned when she didn't play back with him in his banter. But she just...couldn't seem to manage it. In her mind flashed images of Euron's sneering face, and she couldn't get it to stop.

She walked with Hannibal to Aenar's study room. The boy was of course happy to see his parents, and he toddled towards them. He was still young, so missing a few hours of study would do no harm. Margaery took the boy in her arms and hugged him close.

"Hello sweet boy," she smiled as she kissed his cheek. "Shall we get Loerys from Mimi and go have some fun?"

Aenar agreed of course, exclaiming loudly in excitement. Margaery smiled and looked to Hannibal, not wanting him to feel completely shut out. She wasn't trying to put up walls, she really wasn't.

Hannibal saw Margaery assessing his reactions and felt a bit of hope. If she could spot what she was doing, that would help him in his goals. He knew the wall building was not being done on purpose.

He kissed her temple as they collected young Aenar and went to find Lady Olenna to collect their youngest child. He gave a bow to the older woman. "The children will be ready at first light. We want this done quietly to prevent any unnecessary rumors." He said. It would be easier for her to travel alone with the children safely alone.

Olenna glanced up when her granddaughter and grandson-in-law appeared. She returned Loerys to her father and nodded slowly in response.

"Indeed, I would have it no other way," she replied. "I'll send for a carriage and make sure they think the extra room is for my extravagant tastes."

Margaery kissed her grandmother's cheek before looking to Hannibal and moving to leave the room. There was a small pond in the gardens that she liked to frequent with Loerys. Aenar enjoyed it as well. Margaery thought it would be the perfect choice for their brief outing.

Hannibal chuckled as he nodded to her. "Excellent, no one will question it." He said before leading hud family outside. He smiled as they walked out to the fountain.

He smiled as he held young Loerys. "Tell me love, is this your favorite place in King's Landing?" He asked her.

Loerys was content in her father's arms. Of course young Aenar was squirming and reaching for the water and the fish within it. Margaery held him closer to the water and let him touch it, laughing when he reacted to the cold temperature.

"Here? No," she replied softly. "You know my fondness of the gardens. I much enjoy the solitude and peace of the flower hedges and of course the canopy by the bay. Grandmother and I take tea there often enough."

Hannibal played a simple game of hide and seek with young Loerys to her delight. She giggled at the game and kept sayin Papa over nod over again as they played.

Hannibal gave a nod as she listed off her favorite places. "What about inside he castle? Are there any places you enjoy spending time there?" He asked her.

Loerys had grown bored of their game and also began to reach for the water like her brother.

Aenar saw his sister reaching for the water and playfully splashed at her. Margaery allowed this for a short while before pulling Aenar back from the fountain and kissing his head.

"Inside? Our bedroom makes me feel safe I suppose," she replied. "The library and the sitting rooms are also comforting to me. But why ask all this?"

She was a little put off that he was asking, implying that he didn't know.

Hannibal gave a nod and pulled Loerys back to curl into his chest. He gave a soft sigh and nodded his head at her answers. He smiled to their children before speaking in Valerian to Margaery. "I have noted favorite locations throughout this place. Although, I do recall a time when your answer to such questions was in my arms." He said to her.

There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he said it. She might not be intentionally doing it, but subconsciously she had lost her complete trust in him. Something he would work to remedy quickly.

Margaery's eyes widened and immediately she knew her mistake. She looked sheepish, looking away from Hannibal out of guilt once more.

She stroked Aenar's hair and looked down at him for a long while before speaking. "I'm sorry..." She finally whispered in High Valerian. "I did not mean I do not wish to be in your arms. Surely there is no safer place in this world than in your embrace..." She whispered.

Hannibal moved to her and pulled her close as he kissed her temple tenderly. He continued speaking in high Valerian. "I will fight to regain your trust my love. I know that you are not doing this on purpose my love. I will be here to help you let go of your doubts and fears. I will make you whole again. That I swear to you." He promised her.

Margaery nuzzled his neck when he pulled her in so close. Tears welled in her eyes as she took in his words. "Have I truly made you so tormented?" She asked in High Valerian. "Forgive me...I should be praising you as a god, as the Warrior, for saving me as you did." Margaery leaned in and kissed him softly. She would not allow this feeling to rule over her.

Hannibal held her close and kissed the top of her head as he saw the moisture gathering in her eyes. He kissed her eyes tenderly before returning her kiss. He looked deep within her eyes and saw a small spark there. He gave her a genuine smile. "Be careful my love. I do believe the gods will grow jealous if you continue to praise me so highly." He said as a very gentle jest.

He felt a sense of hope when he saw her determination. Perhaps she would come back to him after a week.

Margaery smiled at his jest and nuzzled him again. "They know I am in a damaged state of mind, they know I need my husband now more than ever."

She was determined to get over this horrible event. Margaery was not about to let it rule over her life. She pressed her forehead against his, and closed her eyes for a moment. "Be patient with me...I am trying."

Margaery would have said more, but curious Loerys reached out and tugged a lock of Aenar's hair, causing the boy to yell loudly and tears formed in his eyes.

Hannibal smiled as he kissed her temple tenderly. "I promise to be patient my love." He said to her. He shifted Loerys away from her brother and tutted her softly. "Now, now Loerys. We will have none of that. You will wait your turn to have attention. Come now, apologize to your brother." He said with a calm voice. There was no harshness in his tone as he scolded their youngest daughter.

Margaery bounced Aenar in her arms to soothe him. "Now, my little love. That's hardly how a young man behaves, is it? Don't despair, the pain is nothing to such a big boy, surely."

Aenar sniffled a hit, but yes he had to be a big, brave boy for his Mama. He stopped crying and curled in close, glowering a little at Loerys, but not holding a grudge.

"That's better," Margaery smiled.

Hannibal gave a nod as both children calmed down. Loerys even reached over towards her brother to kiss his hand as an apology. Hannibal gave a nod of approval as he looked at his young son. "Do you accept your sister's apology son?" He asked.

Aenar pouted a bit, but eventually nodded before leaning out to kiss Loerys's forehead. "Very good, son." Margaery praised him. "Shall we get a treat from the kitchen?" Of course both children were alight with excitement.

Hannibal nodded his approval at the children's quick forgiveness and eagerness to get a treat. He led the group inside for their treats.

The rest of the evenin went well and soon the dawn came when the children were taken into the carriage to travel down to Highgarden. They were able to leave in secret as Hannibal led Margaery to their session in the throne room where they heard requests from the people for an hour. It was important for them to establish that nothing was amiss with their reign.

Margaery had said her tearful goodbyes to her children early that morning. She knew her grandmother would take care of them.

As they progressed into their typical routine, Margaery focused all her strength on letting composed. True though, she was distracted. Many of the people looked at her longer than she would have liked. Brienne was right, the truth had been contained, but the people knew only one thing would make their king take off so quickly as he had. They wondered what had happened to their queen, but of course Margaery didn't let on that anything was amiss. Though that did eventually take its toll on her energy.

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