Game of Thrones Iron Stark

Shireen's eyes went wide when she heard what the potion could do. "You can turn into someone else? Tony, can I try it? I could go anywhere and no one would know it was me!"

Tony smiled at her excitement. "Once your face is fully healed, you should go to the Citadel and study. You could be the first woman in Westeros to earn a maester's chain."

The yard went dead silent. Even Davos looked like he'd swallowed a bug.

"My lord, the Citadel doesn't let women through the gates," Davos said carefully. "And Lord Stannis would never allow it."

Shireen's face fell.

Melisandre stepped forward, red robes whispering across the stone. "If you wish to learn power, little princess, I can teach you. Serve the Lord of Light. Become something greater than any maester."

Shireen looked between them, then at Tony. She didn't hesitate.

"I want to learn from you, Tony. Medicine. Everything you know."

Davos let out a breath he'd been holding.

Tony ruffled her hair. "I won't be on Dragonstone much longer. I'm heading to King's Landing soon. You can come with me if your father allows it. Myrcella and the Stark girls are there. You could actually have friends your own age."

In the Red Keep, Robert and Ned sat alone in the king's solar. The tourney plans lay spread across the table.

"This many lords in one city is asking for trouble," Ned said. "Gold Cloaks are already stretched thin."

Robert waved it off. "Janos Slynt can handle it. That's what we pay the bastards for."

Ned leaned in. "Tyrion's been adding Lannister men to the Gold Cloaks. A lot of them. I'm not sure who they answer to anymore."

Robert laughed. "You think Tywin's going to rebel? If the lion wanted the throne he would've taken it years ago instead of putting me on it. Cersei got what she wanted. Joffrey's got Lannister blood in his veins. They're not stupid enough to bite the hand that feeds them."

Ned stayed quiet. He knew things Robert didn't. Not yet.

The door burst open. Myrcella ran in, golden hair flying, her fine dress swishing around her legs.

"Father! Lord Eddard!"

Robert's face lit up. "There's my girl. What's got you running like that?"

Myrcella stopped in front of them, breathing hard. "I want to train. Like Sansa and Arya. I want to learn how to fight."

Robert raised an eyebrow. "Fighting's hard work, little stag. Your brother Joffrey can barely keep up with Jaime. You sure?"

"Yes." Myrcella lifted her chin. "Yoyo threw me off today. The white stag. If I'm going to ride her in front of everyone, I need to know how to stay on. And how to use a sword."

Ned blinked. "Yoyo?"

Robert grinned. "She named the white stag. I like it."

Myrcella turned to him. "Can I train with Uncle Jaime? Please?"

Robert didn't even pause. "Go on then. He's out there with Joffrey right now. See which one of you makes a better heir."

Myrcella beamed and ran out.

Once she was gone, Ned stared at his old friend. "You're thinking of naming her your heir."

Robert met his eyes without flinching. "You got something against women ruling, Ned? King and queen both mean the same thing—someone who rules. Maybe a woman would do it better than the rest of us."

Ned chose his next words carefully. "You're planning to use the tourney to find her a strong husband. Someone who can back her claim."

Robert looked north, out the window. His voice dropped. "Winter's already here, Ned. I don't want us tearing each other apart while something worse waits beyond the Wall. Something older and colder than any wildling."

Ned went still.

In her chambers, Myrcella told Cersei what Robert had allowed.

Cersei's face tightened. "You want to ride and shoot and swing a sword like some hedge knight?"

"Father said yes. Uncle Jaime is going to teach me. Joffrey will be there too."

Cersei let out a long breath. She had once wanted to be a knight herself. That dream had died the day she became queen.

"Fine," she said at last. "Since your father gave permission, do it properly. Beat those Stark girls. Become the strongest one in the yard. Do you understand me?"

Myrcella smiled, bright and fierce. "I will, Mother. I'll be the best."