Book One

The Dragon's Fool

ELIA

The princess walked into the throne room to the sound of the king's frightening laughter; before her mad father by marriage, she saw a man, dressed in black and red motley, moaning about, flailing a rapier about with his right arm, and dragging his left foot. The fool in motley was humming tunelessly, making his way to the large open flame Aerys liked to have lit in his presence, making as if to attack it; as she approached the deus, Elia got a look at the man's face, contorting and biting his upper lip, and which, by her guess, was somewhere between thirty and forty years of age.

The king laughed. "So Fool, how does my champion fare against your skill?"

The fool's voice was that of a touched mind, swinging between high and low, loud and soft, and stuttering as it went; "It i-is a w-w-w-orth-y ad... versary, m-your G-Graaace."

The king laughed again, and turned to Elia; her stomach churned to hear his joy at tormenting the poor fool, and to see his disgusting grin. "This simpleton was sent to us by your brothers as a gift for you, daughter; tell me, do you find him as entertaining as I do?"

Elia wanted to tell her husband's father that she did not find his treatment entertaining at all, to say the old man there was the true fool, as a repulsive one at that. But she did not. Truth be told, she found jesters like these in poor taste, and was surprised to hear that her brothers would send such a sad creature in an attemt to lift her spirits. Then again, it had been so long since she heard anything at all from her beloved Oberyn and dear Doran, and did not want to send away the first thing they sent. "I am happy to receive him" was the only thing she could both prudently and honsetly say.

Aerys waved his hand, as if to say he was satisfied enough with the answer; "Take him then. I am sore from laughter, but may ask for him again in time." Elia excused herself, and walked with the fool to her husband's room.

When they were some distance from the throne room, Elia turned and noticed that the fool was now walking normally, without a limp. To her further surprise, he leaned toward her as they walked, and whispered: "So, what did you think of the performance?"

Elia smiled; she knew her brothers would not send to her the type of fool common in the other courts of Westeros. "It was convincing, good ser."

"I'm no 'Ser'" said the gift, "only a friend of your brother's, sent to look in on you. Just so you know, once I pass along my report, it is my intention to find my way out of this place."

"That is probably for the best. You know my brother then?"

"Yes, I met your brother as a lad, when I was still a slave in Lys. My master was a shopkeeper who intended to use me to keep the books and other records, and so allowed me as a young boy to become educated. Unfortunately for him, the more learned I became, the more I came to resent my status and our arrangement..."

"You met my brother in Lys? So this was seven years...?"

The fool raised his hand. "Apologies Princess, you asked how I knew Oberyn Martell, and I have been boring you with my life story. I should simply say, then, that when your brother first saw me, he saw me and my master, the latter of who was screaming and proceding to beat me again..."

"Again?"

"Yes, I lost count as to how he had done so prior. Suffice to say, your brother found my situation intriguing enough to hold my master's hand and ask what it was about. He asked about my offense - I cannot recall what it was I had done that day to upset master - but I do recall your brother asking me what I thought of my life. When I gave him my honest appraisal - that I found it wanting - he laughed and asked if I would prefer to have my freedom. When I gave a strong answer in the affirmative, he asked me a third question, 'What would you do with your freedom?', and I told him I would get the fuck out of Lys - pardon my language, Princess."

"No that's fine. So my brother offered to buy your freedom, I take it?"

"That he did. Additionally he gave me enough money to buy my way to any place outside of Lys of my choosing, and told that if I ever needed to ask another favor, to come to his home at Water Gardens of Dorne."

"And you've now came back to repay your debt?"

"Oh gods no; first thing I did with your brother's gift was make my way to Braavos, where I was happy to live the rest of my days. Nearly did really; did quite well for myself in a mummer's company, made myself a small fortune, found myself a... well Princess, as I said, I don't want to bore you with my life story."

"It doesn't sound boring at all."

"Well I thank you Princess, but suffice to say, I would never have thought to leave the city or see Westeros at all, had I not learned that it would be a good idea to disappear from the city I loved for a time, if I wished to continue living. So, recalling your brother's offer, I made my way to Sunspear to see how I might make Dorne my home for a time..."

Elia could put together the rest. "So you were reaquainted with my brother, he reminded you of your debt..."

"Well I suppose in so many words, but yes, and... here I am." At this, the two arrived at the chambers of the Crown Prince and Princess.

Before they entered, Elia asked the man in motley, "What is your name?" "While we are here Princess," he answered, "it is Stevron the Lackwit. You have little need to know any of my others."

It was only Elia, her children, and Stevron in the quarters that night, as the Crown Prince had already ridden off to Harrenhall to arrive early; she, his wife, was to come later, while his father stayed to rule in King's Landing. Elia told Stevron about her condition, that she was safe enough, that her husband treated her well, and that the only person it the keep she ever had reason to be cautious of was her father by marriage, the king. "And even there, my husband protects me. When we travel to Harrenhall, arrangements will be made to provide for my safety and position permanently. Tell my brothers that if they want to look after my interests, to make sure that Oberyn or a sufficently influential relative is in attendence to work with my husband." Upon ending their discussion, Stevron made his leave.

...

As it happened though, this was the last time Princess Elia Martell saw or heard from the man known as Stevron the Lackwit. She did not learn of his fate until the final preparations were being made for their departure for Harrenhall were being made - and King Aerys summoned Elia Martell and her company to the throne room.

"There has been a change of plan" the Mad King said upon their arrival. "I will be joining you and my son on your visit to the tourney."

Elia's heart sunk at this. This complicates things, she thought; how can my husband call a council with his father in attendence?

But the king was not done. "Incidentally my daughter" he said with a sly smile "your new fool will not be joining us. My spider had brought me information suggesting that this new simpleton may not be all he appears, and so has been sent to the black cells on suspicion of being a spy. I did not want to kill him as he was so amusing earlier, but he is to remain in the dungeons until our return."

But Elia Martell could not concentrate on the his words. The king is coming to Harrenhall; am I as safe as I thought?