Chapter 29

                                    

                                          
Rolf was beside himself with worry.
He'd scolded Alyssa as sternly as he must have been able to, for it did not come naturally to him yet still he was as upset as Daenys had been when she realized Alyssa had come to Tumbleton. Daenys couldn't remember a time Rolf ever yelled at their children or struck them, and even now he did not reach that level. He cried instead, hugging Alyssa and thanking the gods for her safe return.
By the time they'd returned to King's Landing, word had begun to circulate about Alyssa the Kinslayer– a name that would forever differentiate her from her grandmother, and even from Alyssa Velaryon, mother of Jaehaerys and Alysanne. Rolf had worried he'd find his girl returned with a too-cold demeanor, but was relieved to see her bits of regret. 
For now, she'd be exempt from patrols until she felt ready to fly again. Even the journey back to King's Landing had been hard on her, for Frostbite had seemingly liked attacking Tessarion and Alyssa had carried the reminder the entire ride.
There was more that ailed Rolf, however. He'd heard from Cliff twice– the first time, to announce that his cousin Elmo had died drinking bad water. He'd been at his side and held his hand as he passed after a night of retching and trembling, becoming paler and paler until at last he fell asleep and did not wake. Cliff had been the one to light his pyre in the nearest body of water they found, hidden from Lannister scouts.
It meant one thing, something they'd been prepared for but hoped might not have to happen so. Lord Grover, still alive but soon to pass as well, would be succeeded directly by Cliff. Rolf stood by his decision to not assume the role of Lord of Riverrun. The seat would pass directly to Cliff, who neared his twentieth name day. 
"It's going to happen in the field, presumably," said Rolf to the Small Council. "Undoubtedly, my father will not last longer with the news of Elmo's death. He's held on... surprisingly well despite the war."
He did not deign to reveal to them a truth only their immediate family knew. Lord Grover had never intended to raise his banners in Rhaenyra's name, and would have purposely ignored Rolf's letter to sit idly by and spare his men. But in front of Elmo, Cliff had called his grandfather a coward and said that his words no longer mattered when he could hardly muster up the air to speak them. Lord Grover might've laughed at that then, but were it his choice alone, he would never have lifted a finger for this war in the first place.
"Then, we should hope for a swift raven," replied Rhaenyra. "To inform us when we begin relaying all messages in their entirety to Cliff. Congratulations, Aunt Daenys and Uncle Rolf, this is a great accomplishment for my dear cousin."
"Thank you, Your Grace," replied Rolf. "Cliff's second letter contained much information gathered from around the Realm. He's heard of Tumbleton by now..." And heard that his sister is known now as a Kinslayer... which he probably likes for sounding anything like Cliff Cunt-Maker. "He has also reported sightings of the patrol sent out. He met with Daemon and Baela on their hunt for Aemond and Vermithor at Maidenpool."
Rhaenyra glanced at Daemon's empty seat. She'd sent him off to locate Aemond when Daenys left for Tumbleton, and he'd chosen to take Baela alone with him after Alyssa vanished. Bertram hadn't been ready to accompany them on such a long voyage, though Aegarax itched to fly further than the borders of the city. Gemma might've accompanied them, for they were not expected to engage in any battles, but Daenys knew that Gemma, unlike Baela, was going to loathe every second of sleeping in the woods and digging holes in the dirt for makeshift privies. 
"It is here that we finally find joy," said Rolf. "Cliff stated that Rhaena found them there, upon the dragon Sheepstealer." A murmur of interest passed through the Council. "It seems she strayed from the boys in the Vale after she heard of some sheep missing in the flocks of Vale shepherds. It took much coaxing, but she managed to bond with the dragon. She was being housed by an old farmer who helped her make a saddle for Sheepstealer. She flew to Maidenpool after returning to the Eyrie to ask Lady Jeyne for what she knew of our movements."