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The Road of Gold

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Home. Julienna was finally going home. After three years in the godforsaken city of Lannisport, she was going home. Well, maybe not home, but rather back to her rooms at the Red Keep, which she had occupied before her marriage. She had done her duty and married Roberd Lannister, twelve years her senior, and had produced an heir, thereby securing an alliance. Her father should be proud of her.

From her seat in the carriage, Julienna bounced her young son, Braedon, on her knee. Braedon was her sole purpose for living and had been since he was born. Roberd had never been unkind toward her, never raised a hand in her direction, but he also never loved her. Nor did she love him. Most times Julienna found Roberd more like a brother. Except for when he needed her to perform her wifely duties.

Roberd had been a wealthy man, as a cousin of the Casterly Rock Lannisters and highly influential in the Westerlands, she had to want for nought. But despite all of this, Julienna had felt utterly alone. She never felt as if she had true friends in Lannisport. Sure, she was respected and had allies, but that didn't make up for the love she shared with her dearest sister, Alicent.

Julienna had begged and pleaded with her father to let Alicent visit, but her sister had never been allowed to make the trek. Thankfully, now Julienna was headed back to her beloved little sister. Alicent hadn't mentioned any suitors in her letters, but she wouldn't put it past her father to arrange a marriage for Alicent as he had for her. Her father's letters hadn't made mention of any such scheme, but he had never been in the habit of sharing his schemes with her. Instead, he just used her as a pawn for his own gain.

At one and twenty years, Julienna would never have dreamed of herself as a widow. Fate had been cruel to Roberd. She had been his third wife and the only one to produce a son. She thanked the gods for that small kindness. But Roberd's death had been painful to watch. He had broken his leg - the bone protruding through the flesh. Despite her husband's many protests, they removed the limb, but the infection took him in the end. Braedon seemed to be the only thing that made him smile in those dark days.

The Lannisters hadn't been too keen on her leaving Lannisport, because of Braedon. They likely didn't care much if she left. But their heir leaving didn't sit well with them. They had even offered for him to stay with relatives in Lannisport while she returned to court in King's Landing. She knew they hadn't meant it maliciously, but Julienna knew that if she were to be able to keep her son she would have to portray their request in a different light to her father.

Thankfully, her father had gone to the king, who requested that both she and Braedon return to the Red Keep under the protection of her father. Her stomach didn't set well for days after the matter had been settled, but there was no chance in hell that she would be parted from her son. To her dismay, there had been compromises to make. When Braedon came closer to being of age, he would be returned to Lannisport to fulfil his role as Roberd's heir. For now, Roberd's younger brother would act in his stead.

Julienna pulled Braedon toward her breast and pressed a kiss on his chubby cheek. He returned a slobbery kiss on her cheek, which made her giggle. She brushed his hair from his forehead and pressed another kiss there. "I'll always love you," she whispered.

"Mama!" Braedon responded jovially, bouncing himself on her lap.

"You'll take care of your mama, right?"

He grinned a toothy grin at her, which made her heart soar. Braedon would always be the best thing about her time with the Lannisters. She had learnt much about life there. But she had also learned that her heart was capable of more love than she had ever known in her father's house. Julienna was keen to share this knowledge with Alicent, hopeful that her sister wouldn't befall her fate.

The carriage hit a bump and jostled the passengers inside. Julienna managed to hold tightly to her son, lest he fly out of the carriage. Breathing heavily, she still held her son until the carriage managed to steady herself. But something didn't feel quite right.

She set Braedon down on the bench next to her before shouting, "Stop! Stop the carriage!"

Moments later the carriage began slowing down. It hadn't even come to a complete stop before Julienna fled the carriage for privacy behind a boulder where she hurled the remnants of her last meal. Between her fits, she called for the guards to stay put. It wasn't a pretty sight. After vomiting several more times, Julienna leaned against the boulder with her eyes closed trying to get the world to stop spinning. She hated vomiting. Morning sickness with Braedon had been unbearable.

"Lady Julienna, you alright over there?" a guard called out.

"I'll be a moment yet," Julienna called back, still with her eyes closed. "Please keep an eye on my boy!"

Slowly, she breathed in and out, praying that she needn't vomit again. The driver and her guards were likely annoyed with her frequent stops. She needed to make sure that they were paid extra for all the trouble.

"I don't mean to interrupt," the man called out again. "But if we aim to make King's Landing by nightfall, we ought to be going."

Julienna groaned to herself before calling out, "Coming!"

When she appeared on the other side of the boulder, she found a guard had dismounted his horse and was holding Braedon in his arms. Julienna reached out her arms to take him, but the handsome guard shook his head. "Let's get you taken care of first," he said.

Julienna gave him a curt nod before she accepted his hand to help her up into the carriage. Once she was settled in her seat, she reached out for her son once more and the guard handed him over. "Thank you," Julienna told the man as she cuddled her son.

"I'll tell the driver to be more careful with the driving," the man responded.

"You said that last time," Julienna teased. "And the time before. And the time before that. And I believe the time before that, as well."

The man blushed from her teasing. "Sorry, Lady Julienna."

"You've nothing to apologize for. I'm safe. My son is safe. You've done a fine job thus far. Although, if we want to get to King's Landing before nightfall . . . " Julienna gave the man a wink.

Somehow the man's face became even redder and as he turned away, Julienna could see that even the tips of his ears were red. Her father would likely scold her for acting so familiar with the man, especially since he wasn't of her standing. But in Lannisport, Roberd hadn't understood her teasing nature, so she so rarely had a chance to show it. That was another thing she was looking forward to about being in her father's home once more - she might be free to be herself once more. Or rather, her former self. If she was still there somewhere.

The rest of the journey was blessedly uneventful.

When King's Landing finally came into view, Julienna's stomach was aflutter, but not with sickness. Rather, doubt began to plague her thoughts. Had she made the right decision to return to the capital? Would she have been better off in Lannisport? Should she have sought out a new husband instead of returning home?

Julienna fidgeted with her son asleep in her arms. He was the reason she was returning to her father's protection. She didn't want to remain in Lannisport lest someone attempt to become a usurper. She would never fully be able to trust Braedon's other kin while he was too young to fend for himself. And she had no desire to marry again. Once had been enough for her.

The sun was beginning to set as the carriage rumbled through the city and the hooves of the guards' horses clipped against the ground. Julienna held her son even tighter and silently prayed to the gods that no harm would befall them. She briefly glanced outside and saw a man picking under his fingernails with a dirk. He gave her a small nod and then returned his attention elsewhere. Her gaze turned toward the other side of the carriage. Again, there was a man who was leaning against a barrel. He offered her a small nod.

"Oh, thank gods," Julienna whispered. "Thank you, Father."

While being Otto Hightower's daughter certainly wasn't easy, it came with a few perks. He likely had placed the men to see that her carriage made it safely through King's Landing. Not all carriages that came from the westerlands were lucky enough to finish their journey safely. Especially not when they carried as many trunks as Julienna did. And those trunks were filled with finer things than many common folks ever had the pleasure to set their eyes upon. Not that her possessions were the most precious thing in the carriage. No, that would be Braedon. A Lannister heir and grandson of the Hand of the King. More importantly, her son and sole reason for living.

The carriage finally came to a stop outside the Red Keep and two young ladies came running toward her. "Juli! Juli!" they called.

Julienna smiled softly. It had been years since she had heard anyone call her that. In Lannisport she was always referred to as Julienna or Roberd's wife or that Hightower girl. It was odd, she hated her nickname, Juli, growing up. But now, it sounded like music to her ears.

Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra came into view and seemed to be bubbling with excitement. So much so, they were bouncing outside the carriage with large grins on their faces. She was grateful they still had a sense of innocence about them yet. Not that they'd have it much longer, she mused.

"Looks like someone's happy to see you," the driver whispered to Julienna as he opened the door to the carriage.

"And one of them's the even the princess," Julienna responded, cradling Braedon tightly in her arms, carefully stepping down from the carriage as the driver steadied her with his hand guiding her.

Once Julienna was safely on the ground she smiled at her sister and the princess, before gently swooping into a curtsey, still with her son in her arms.

"Enough with the formalities," Rhaenyra announced in exasperation. "Give me that baby and hug your sister." The princess held her arms out to take Braedon and Julienna gladly relented and passed her son over.

Braedon was hardly in Rhaenyra's arms when Alicent launched herself at Julienna. Thankfully, Julienna was ready for the impact and caught her sister. Although, not quite as easily as she had been able to three years ago. "My how you've grown, Ali," Julienna chuckled as she held tightly onto her sister.

"I've missed you so," Alicent mumbled into her sister's dress.

Julienna was sure that her sister had missed her terribly. Around their father, Alicent seemed like a withered flower of herself. Then again, their father wasn't good at showing his affection and it had been up to Julienna, as the older sister, to see that Alicent got any. Having a passel of brothers didn't help matters either.

Once Alicent finally released her sister, she walked toward Rhaenyra and Braedon. "Is this my nephew?" she asked, turning toward Julienna for an answer.

Julienna shrugged her shoulders. "No, we made a stop along the goldroad for a child. That's what took us so long."

The confusion was evident on Alicent's face, which made Julienna laugh. She had sorely missed teasing her sister because Alicent always had the best reactions. "Yes, he's your nephew, Alicent. I didn't labour for seven and ten hours to come away with nothing, now did I?"

All Alicent managed was an oh before she plucked Braedon from Rhaenyra's arms. Her grasp on her nephew was a little awkward, but someday when she had her own children that would change. "I'm your Auntie Alicent," she announced to the small boy.

"He knows all about you," Julienna told her sister as she walked toward them. She made a surprised expression on her face which made her son smile. "Don't you? You know all about Auntie Alicent."

"Auntie Al-a-fint!" Braedon giggled, bouncing himself in Alicent's arms.

"What did he just call me?" Alicent asked with a furrowed brow.

"I think he called you an elephant," Rhaenyra teased.

"No, no, Braedon. It's Al-i-cent. Alicent."

"Al-a-fint!"

Rhaenyra giggled. Julienna tried to mask a smile. Alicent groaned and Braedon began to slide from her arms. She awkwardly tried to heave her nephew back to his resting spot on her hip, but the whole ordeal was a struggle.

"It's alright, you can put him down. He can walk for a bit," Julienna said and Alicent sighed with relief as she tried to gently set Braedon down. The young boy began to run in circles around his mother.

"Careful," Julienna gently chided her son. "It's dark and you might slip."

Braedon came to an immediate halt before he buried himself in his mother's skirts. Julienna sighed. That wasn't exactly what she meant, but while this was familiar to her, it was all new to her son. She reached down and gently stroked her son's honey-blonde hair.

"Where's Father?" Julienna asked. She knew better than to expect him, but she had hoped.

"Meeting of some sort. He said to tell you that he'll call on you when you break your fast," Alicent responded, wringing her hands.

"That should be fine," Julienna responded diplomatically, despite the sting she felt in her heart. She knew her father wasn't a creature of affection and that she shouldn't expect him to change overnight. Although, she always did.

"You're probably tired from travelling," Alicent said, tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear. "Perhaps you'd like to find your chambers."

Julienna nodded her head. "A fine idea."

She reached for Braedon's hand, but her son requested to be picked up instead. Julienna sighed and was about to pick up her son when Rhaenyra piped up, "Please let me carry him."

"I couldn't ask that of you," Julienna sighed.

Rhaenyra grinned. "You don't have to. I'm demanding to carry him." The princess winked before she took hold of the young boy. Soon the princess and Braedon were engrossed in a conversation about absolutely nothing as they stepped inside the walls of the castle.

Alicent and Julienna followed behind them. They walked in silence as Rhaenyra and Braedon babbled on. There was so much to say that Julienna wasn't sure where to begin. But some things would be better discussed behind closed doors. So Julienna reached out and took her sister's hand, which made Alicent smile.

"I'm truly glad you're back," Alicent said with a soft smile.

"Well, I'm pleased to be back," Julienna responded.

"Was it awful?" Alicent asked. "Being forced to marry and live so far from home."

Julienna's instinct was to ask if their father had already arranged a marriage for Alicent, but she knew better than to ask out in the open where anyone could overhear them. So, she chose a more diplomatic answer. "It wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. The Lannisters, at least the ones I mingled with, were kind enough. But I was still quite lonely. My heart ached to be parted from you."

"So did mine."

"Then we must mend our aching hearts," Julienna told her sister, giving her hand a firm squeeze. "Would you like to stay in my chambers tonight, like when we were little girls?"

Alicent quickly nodded her head with a genuine smile painted on her face.

"But I must apologise, but we'll have a boy joining us this time," Julienna teased her sister.

The younger Hightower girl glanced toward her nephew, who was still conversing with Rhaeynyra. Alicent responded, "I suppose we can make do. He's lucky he's cute."

"That he is."

The sisters giggled together, which made the princess look over her shoulder at them with a confused expression. That only made the sisters laugh more. Rhaeynra shook her head and whispered something in Braedon's ear. Braedon then burst into giggles. Julienna's heart soared. This was what she had missed. The ease that interactions could be. The lightheartedness.

Rhaenyra let them into Julienna's chambers where her trunks had already been delivered. While they weren't the chambers she had occupied before her marriage, they would certainly be satisfactory. They were a little larger than her former chambers. Likely to accommodate her son.

The princess set Braedon down on the bed. Holding onto his hands, Rhaenyra encouraged him to take a few jumps. Julienna gave them a pointed look, which made the princess and her son giggle.

"I should probably go before your mother decides to yell at me," Rhaenyra told Braedon, loud enough for Julienna to hear.

"No go!" Braedon cried.

Julienna was about to reprimand her son, but Rhaenyra quickly intervened.

"Come now," Rhaenyra said before gesturing toward Alicent. "What about your Auntie Elephant?"

"Auntie Alifint!" Braedon shouted with joy.

Alicent gave Rhaenyra a pointed look before she walked to stand beside the princess. "I'll have you saying Alicent by morning," Alicent said, side-eyeing Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra grinned. "You could have him saying it in five minutes, but I will always remember Auntie Alifint."

Alicent groaned.

"On that happy note, I shall take my leave," Rhaenyra told the Hightower sisters. She walked toward the door before turning back. "I'd say sleep well, but I think we all know you two will be doing more talking than sleeping." With that, Rhaenyra exited the room and closed the door behind her.

Julienna readied her son for bed before placing him on the small bed in the corner of the room. Alicent and Julienna told Braedon stories before the young boy was fast asleep. Then both girls readied themselves for bed and hopped into the big bed. Not to sleep, of course. For they had three years' worth of catching up to do. And that was exactly what they did until the early morning hours when sleep overcame them.

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A/N: Huge thanks to darkwolf0207 for beta-ing and encouraging this!