Jamie

The atmosphere around Dragonstone was intense, as the winds howled and the rain pounded, Jamie Lannister stood central outside the Queen's chambers trying not to hear the heated discussions that were emanating from the other side of the heavy oak door. The first night Rhaegar had arrived, he had a frenzied look in his eyes as he pushed past his daughter into his mother's solar, taking one look at the Queen, who despite her high necked and long sleeved gowns, could not hide the abuse and the pain. Rhaegar had taken one look at her and then had closed the door telling Jamie to remain outside and allow no one to enter. Jamie had vowed as much and since had stood his vigil whilst drifts of angry, desperate conversation floated into his ears sending his mind whirling.

"Tywin will not help us Rhaegar, I went myself. I stood in his hall and demanded it of him and do you know what he said to me?" The Queen was now spitting her words bitterly.

There was no verbal consent only the creak of chair. The prince must have taken a seat.

"He told me that he warned against this years ago! He told me that he had told you at duskendale that this would happen, that if you needed a man to help you climb those damned steps he would be that man-"

"I refused…that is why he will not help us?-"

It was one of many reasons, Jamie knew. Tywin Lannister was bitter over Jamie becoming a King's Guard. He was bitter still over Aerys' obsession over Joanna. He was bitter that the King refused to allow Cersei to marry Rhaegar, something that Jamie did not care for anyway. His father's pride had been shamed and whenever that happened his father was a recluse, he was stubborn and Jamie hated it. Lives were at stake and the mighty Tywin Lannister was turning a blind eye.

"He needs to be stopped Rhaegar, I know deep down you still care for him and I would expect no less from him, but please my son, head my advice. With Aerys gone, our problems will be lessened. You can climb those steps Rhaegar; you can take the crown and heal this country. We can return to peace-"

"What of father then? I can't put him to the sword, I won't."

"Then have him arrested, arrested for his crimes and send him here to be guarded and live out his days."

"I will Mother, but we need to deal with the larger threat. Robert is yet to lose a battle-"

"He lost at Ashford" Rhaella interjected and Jamie could hear Rhaegar make a sceptical noise.

"Yes at Ashford, but that was quickly rectified by Eddard Stark" Rhaegar sighed and the pouring of wine could heard. "The fact is Robert is stronger than we ever anticipated and he is only strengthened with the Lord of Winterfell at his side. Robert has an entire kingdom behind him. The north is a strong and deadly force and we need it on our side."

There was silence. "Rhaegar, they won't fight for us, we killed their Lord and his heir. They are fighting for Lyanna, who by the way you have not spoken of, what were you thinking Rhaegar? Kidnapping her-"

"I never kidnapped her mother" Rhaegar muttered quietly, Jamie could hear the danger in his voice. "But you're right; the North is fighting for their family. They're fighting for the Starks. They want father gone." Rhaegar laughed "We want the same things"

"They believe Robert, my son, they believe you took her, raped her….. The stories I've heard, what are going to do to change their minds? There is nothing you can do. The seed of doubt has been planted."

"It's not about what I will do. It's about what you will do. As Queen of the seven kingdoms-"

"Consort" Rhaella argued.

There was silence "You can still hand out….certain titles, and don't worry, you won't have to be Queen consort for much longer, there will be a new Queen soon. A Queen that, Eddard Stark cannot say no to."