Of course, as that short talk with his mother sorta wrapped up and with the Ice Dragon to be shored up... eventually...
Ronan then just gave a few more orders, cause that really could take a while.
In any case, it was just about assigning men to guard that big corpse, which is obvious enough.
While he also tasked some of them to continue unloading the contents of the ships... to wherever those should be stored away.
And that should be that... with his Lady Mother taking over the spectating rest... because Ronan's just kind of glad to be back home and he simply took the chance to settle right in.
To finally relax and chill from the ups and downs that his adventurous excursion has been.
Such a wild ride, that sure was.
But, as they say, there's no place like home.
There's no place like Runestone.
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Concurrently, back at the Red Keep's confines...
While guests and court were almost frozen in place, as if the Ice Dragon itself had cast its breath on them... Queen Alicent had her responsibilities.
Hearing about another of the Bold Bronze's exploits had her conflicted enough... so she got out of there to get some air.
It should be good for the pregnant state she's in.
And while she's at it, maybe she can work on finding the missing princess that the King has inadvertently forgotten already.
For it was a wife's duty to see to what her husband wants... and it is the stepmother's role to try to at least align herself with her stepdaughter.
And as Rhaenyra's oldest friend, she happened to know where Rhaenyra should be.
And sure enough, she was...
"Under the thousand isles~"
"Under the thousand isles~"
Which was actually just what the bard Samwell was singing... by the Heart Tree of the Godswood.
But consequently, Rhaenyra was also there, reading some book and could be seen requesting. "Again."
"Perhaps the Princess might like to hear something else?" Samwell pleaded, perhaps after singing '300 Under the Thousand Isles' on repeat.
However, Rhaenyra just said. "She would not, as she likes that song. So, just play it again."
And without much choice, Samwell sighed as he plucked his instrument to sing...
"He led with his ships~"
"And his Order~"
"His sword ready for those~~~"
"Your Grace!" Samwell abruptly stood and said as he finally noticed the Queen's presence.
Rhaenyra could be seen sighing at the interruption but actually did not begrudge Samwell for it...
She simply continued to read her book, absorbed in its text and acting oblivious to the new interrupting presence.
So, Alicent could only call out. "Rhaenyra?"
"Yes, my Queen?" The Princess responded without looking.
"Your presence is wanted in the outer courtyard." Alicent continued. "The royal hunt readies to depart."
"I see..." Was what Rhaenyra muttered and then she ordered. "You may go, Samwell."
Which stalled the bard as he seemed caught off guard... but he still did accordingly.
"Princess..." He bowed to Rhaenyra and to Alicent, he bowed even more with a. "Your Grace..."
And as the lad went on his bardly way, Alicent ensued her intent as she added that. "The King wishes for you to join us."
"The King has much to celebrate, indeed." The Princess nodded as she folded her book.
"He wants for us all to be together." Alicent smiled at her perceived assent, musing on that. "Perhaps the hunt could be fun."
But Rhaenyra did not have much to respond to that. Only nodding silently at what was said and then walking off... to mayhaps prepare herself for the trip.
But Alicent had enough of the cold treatment she's been given, as she pleadingly said. "None of it needs be this way in truth, Rhaenyra. It need not be..."
Alas, Rhaenyra was not hearing her anymore... and just left to where she was asked to be. Possibly...
While Alicent inadvertently looking back to the Heart Tree... the very place they've once frequented under, as the very best of friends.
Simpler times that they might never be able to return to.
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Consequently, back in Runestone and by nightfall of the same day, Ronan found himself waking up at an odd time.
With him tuning down his constant vigilance and temporarily cutting off his warg nodules... he literally just dozed off as soon as he reached the bed.
Many years of epic adventures were great but there were downsides to them.
Sleep, for one, became rare... and he might have utilized the whole rest of sun-up to get some needed shut-eye.
Especially apparent when it's already dark outside with some of his self-designed lanterns actually lit up.
Or in the process of being lit up... perhaps by the very mindful attendants who kept this room tidy all these years.
But... as he trailed his eyes on who was doing so, to give his thanks... said eyes almost bulged when he noticed it was actually the red-sleeved and finely-fitted princess.
"Rhaenyra?!" He blurted. While double-checking if he was actually awake.
Either way, his call stopped the candle-holding girl in place.
Making her turn herself towards the bed as she greeted. "Good evening to you, Ronan. Don't mind me, just lighting up this room and marveling once again at how these lamps of yours dispel light so neatly."
"It's all about glasswork and dispersions, but I'm actually partial to replacing it all with glowshrooms..." He inadvertently muttered. "But that's beside the point... cause what the heck are you doing here?"
Looking like how she looks in Episode 3. Cause it should be that time in the timeline already.
Which really meant that this girl should be like lollygagging in the Kingswood at this point in time, probably.
But unaware of those meta-ruminations, Rhaenyra simply replied that. "I let myself in."
"And mother didn't stop you?" Ronan wondered. Especially because his room had very specific locks.
"After three years, I'm a delight to Lady Rhea as well." The Realm's Delight prided but then she pouted. "Though, I can't say the same to you."
To which, he shrugged.
So, she droned on. "After your great Cleansing of the Mountains and Healing of the Hills, you avoided my presence. Even after hanging up your masterwork of a painting, it would seem you preferred to just read and write... and hammer away on your forges. And before I or even Jeyne's redhead messenger could pester you any further... you've actually taken to the seas..."
"Carving out your legend, which is nice and all... but throughout that long while, have you come to a decision?" She asked. "Of who you mean to marry?"
"Uhm... well..." That got him stumped. Cause he shirked those responsibilities so much that he really didn't put them into mind.
With his "betrothed" being in air quotes... cause there was yet to be one.
Nonetheless, his obvious hesitations didn't seem to bode well for the Princess... and out of nowhere, she actually puckered her lips and suddenly charged towards the bed.
But with a light smack... her smooching pretty face was stopped by his palm in place.
"Just what even are you doing?" Was what Ronan asked with a sigh to the slowpoke that was no zooming zorse nor darting demon.
Red-faced from such an embarassment, Rhaenyra retreated back and could only admit to. "Trying to seduce you."
Which prompted the Bold Bronze to just sigh even more.