ARTHUR
He swore an oath to serve the King, to stand by his side to the end of his dying days, to the last breath of his life, from his darkest days to his most glorious days, and yet, he has failed. Instead Arthur would devote his life to protecting Rhaegar's last living child, to atone for his sin for not being able to protect House Targaryen.
Yet Now his oath means he must protect Rhaegar's Lady wife… the ruling Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and wife of Robert Baratheon. Arthur could hardly look at the King without imagining his head on a silver plate. This desire grows each time he holds Jon, the tiny babe wrapped up in a cloth, looking even smaller in Arthur's arms than he truly is. The burning rage is the worst when he called Jon, 'son'. Arthur always had to prays to the gods for strength to keep his rage under control.
It has been a year since Robert's rebellion came to an end, and still widows howl, orphans cry, and sorrow persists in everyone's heart. It is all for a new King, one driven by his love for his kidnapped Lady.
Yet the war was built on a lie. Rhaegar never kidnapped Lyanna Stark, never raped her. He loved her as she loved him. Arthur remembers well, how the smooth cloth tied their hands together. He can still see how, in that moment, nothing mattered to either of them: not honor, duty, or family. Nothing at all mattered, but the two of them as they vowed their love for each other.
Then, not long after they had wed, Lyanna Stark, began to carry Rhaegar's child in her womb, though now she is believed to have carried Robert's. Arthur doesn't ask about of how Lyanna had managed to explain Jon as Robert's son. The once he'd considered asking, but her cold eyes stopped him. He hopes someday she will be able to answer without shedding tears.
Still, there are calm moments when Lyanna is just a woman, as she spends time in her favorite spot in the Red Keep's gardens. Right next to a water fountain. It's incredibly beautiful, surrendered by the most colorful, wild and exotic types of flowers that grew within.
It becomes a significant place later on for the Queen and her beloved sister Ashara. As this place mostly becomes a habit to find Prince Jon with either of them, both of them having a smile on their face. Even better for Ashara, who's smiles becomes more vibrant than before.
But now as he watches her, he sees the light play on her face as she contemplates the treasure on her arms. The babe follows every movement of her eyes as if though Ashara might escape if he does not hold her with his gaze.
"Oh little one," she croons. "You must be tired my little pup," she says as Jon nuzzles his face toward her breast.
Arthur remains silent
He is a Knight of the Kingsguard, and while the Kingsguard hears and sees all, they do not speak of it. The secrets instead burn in their minds.
At the moment, his thoughts turn to the young prince of Dorne, who Robert denies justice for the murder for his sister and her children. It seems he is now to come to King's Landing at the Queen's invitation. It is an unforeseen move in the eyes of many, but those who know the She-Wolf have long been expecting her to make a move. That does not mean, however, that all who know her are pleased. The King, for example, is furious. He does not want the Dornish snake near 'his child,' and he makes this well known.
"How could you allow that vicious snake near my son?" Robert's bellow echoes through the chamber, but Lyanna doesn't flinch. Most women would show fear, but Lyanna doesn't. She stands her ground.
"Our son, not yours, Robert," she fires back. "And what I'm doing is for the good of the Kingdom. These bridges must be rebuilt if we are to avoid further bloodshed."
"Damned the people!" Robert steps forward, and Arthur's hand instinctively moves to grasp the hilt of Dawn. He does not need the sword, however, because Robert simply leans in to brush his fingers along her cheeks.
"I am not going to lose you or our child, not again." He adds firmly. "Now that we have started a family."
"And you won't," she replies calmly, her hands bringing his cheeks forward until his forehead is against hers. "But you must trust me. I beg of you to let me do what is right, not just for the kingdom, but for our child. For Jon, so he inherits a better kingdom that we have lived in."
"For Jon?" he asks.
"Yes. For Jon." she insists.
Robert leans away, taking note of Ser Arthur's presence. "If any harm that comes to my queen and my child," his bright blue eyes harden. "Kill that snake."
Arthur nods. I won't forsake my vows. Not ever again. He won't allow any harm come to Lyanna or Jon, as he has vowed, that in his last breathe, that his duty lies in protecting them as they are the few people who are left to live for.
At that time, a fortnight flies by and finally, the day comes for Prince Oberyn's arrival in King's Landing.
For that day, the king has announced that his party and he are to go on a hunt, and of course, this is arranged by the King's Hand, Jon Arryn. Was the only man that was able to place Robert's range under control. Something that no other man has dared to do, as they fear of what the King might possibly do to them.
"Your grace, it is time." He says as he moves to join with Lyanna by her side.
The Queen, who has been admiring the view from the balcony, she spoke. "It has its beauty."
Arthur hesitates (before), replying "Yes, your grace."
"You can cut off with 'your grace' Arthur. You know I'm not fit to be a lady, not fit to even be locked away in a city that I must call home. Yet despite this, a crown has changed everything. My heart does not longer need, but my actions will define who I am."
She turns to face him fully then.
"So, will I ask you once again Arthur, will you stand beside me in every choice that I make? Do I know where does your loyalty lies?" she asks, as Arthur sees a glint of an unsettled flash in her grey eyes.
Arthur gently touches her hand and grasps hers, pulling in his chest; lying on the left side of his breast. Where his heart lay beating. Her eyes glued to his.
"My life is to serve you and Jon. Every choice you will make, I'll stand beside you wrong or right Lyanna Stark."
As my good friend Gerold and my dearest sister Ashara have claimed to do the same. As she is the light of this kingdom. She is the salvation, the healer for this petrify Kingdom that had been tormented by Aerys reign.
A faint smile makes its way onto her face. "Then I have nothing to fear." Her eyes shift down to where her hand lie down on.
He shakes his head. "You will never have to." He replies, squeezing her hand.
As odd it was to watch the dark-skinned Dornishman sat down, carelessly watching the prince playing with the pillow, trying to eat in reality. Arthur kept remains in his place, seated beside Prince Jon on the bed, the knight's fingers laced with the prince's tiny ones.
For a year old baby, he sure was still tiny, could it be he isn't fed properly? Or is this how children slowly begin to develop their body?
"He won't break." The second prince drawls in his heavy southern accent. "So please stop with this patronizing." He releases a slow sigh before he settles himself, running a hand through his hair.
Arthur's eyes turn to Jon who is now playing with his fingers, trying to eat them. "May I ask my prince, what are your real thoughts on who is to come to King's Landing?" Arthur bluntly asks.
"I was invited." He replies.
"Are those your real thoughts? To step in King's Landing because of a mere invitation?"
Prince Oberyn's eyes gaze at Arthur. "You ask me, why I am here? You know the answer, Arthur. Justice."
"Justice." I knew it why he is here. No doubt of it. "So you decided to reject the Queen's offer and chose that path."
"Then what would you have done, Arthur?" He growls." You that have a sister. Would you have craved for justice to be done or done nothing and allowed the gods to laugh at you because you are cursed and bound to protecting your king."
He is no-"
"That's enough." A familiar voice cut through his declaration, capturing their attention. Arthur's eyes widen and his breath caught.
Lyanna was stunned. Her long curly brown hair fell straight down her shoulders and back, except for a braid ringing her brow like a tiara. She looked like a queen. His eyes took in the dress; black as ebony, with gold lace trim about the neck and sleeves.
It wasn't her colours yet it matches her.
"Your grace." Arthur drops to a knee while Oberyn stays sitting.
"So the girl decides to join us." He drawls, his elbows upon the arms of the chair, fingers pressed together. "You finally decide to stop hiding in the forest."
"I haven't Prince Oberyn," She says as she sits in the chair beside Oberyn. Her gaze locks with his inky eyes, her lips curved into a smile. "I brought the forest with me."
The Dornishman leans back, taken aback yet a grin slowly stretching across his lips. "A girl in a forest is a dangerous place, you won't survive."
She is not a girl. She has never been.
A wolfish look glints in her face for a moment and she replies, "But a wolf does; they become man's greatest fear."
Prince Oberyn chuckles, a rare action he has done. "So the rumours are indeed true," the man leans forward, grinning. "You have the wolf-blood. The She-wolf so they have named you."
The She-wolf had, they already named her through the seven kingdoms once she was crowned Queen; the rumours had spread out from the coldness of the north to the warmth of the south. Although it does fit her, she needs to change as she is no longer just as "She," but also now the Queen.
"You must not haven't come just to confirm for such rumours Prince Oberyn," Lyanna muses, carefully. "You are no man who would travel this far, especially to King's Landing without cause. Therefore, the only reasonable reason is for your revenge against the Lannister."
Oberyn raises a brow, clearly as confused as Arthur was. Until Lyanna continues, her words. "I'm not as thick as you imagine. I understand the pain you have gone through." Her hand moves to touch her heart. "I lost the two dearest people I most cared for: my father and my brother who had an incredible road laid ahead."
Lyanna's older brother, Brandon Stark – eldest son and the late heir to Winterfell. Arthur saw his presence in the Lord Whent's great tournament. It had been one of the greatest tourneys in all seven kingdoms, where all the greatest champions had gone only for Rhaegar to best them all.
Still, in the time that he had been guarding the tower, Lyanna had shared stories of her childhood times; many stories involved her siblings who she cherished as they same do for her.
So, he knows how much she loves Brandon, the way she speaks about him, and how devastated she had been upon hearing the news of his death. The nights she sheds many tears for her family it are still fresh in his mind.
"You would have far to declare another war for your sister." She speaks with a steel in her voice, but her eyes betray as it softens.
Oberyn nods. "As children Elia and I were inseparable," a moment of silence follows, as Oberyn's mind seems to be remembering a piece of the past. "There is nothing in the world that would stop me from doing anything to vengeance her."
"Knowing that the King you claim to the throne is barely just a boy."
The man shrugs. "So was Daeren Targaryen, a boy who conquered."
"And died as a boy." She points out. "Still, you want to wager the boy's life? I doubt Queen Rhaella would want her son's life to be at the edge of death."
"In life you die or live. Queen Rhaelle died. The dead cannot rise again." He says fiercely. "But we can avenge them."
Lyanna blinks. "The boy deserves better than this. Hasn't there been enough suffering for everyone?"
"For your people," he spits out. "But Dorne will never forgive what the Lions did to us. The seven kingdoms cannot be at peace."
Arthur watches carefully with narrowed eyes. Hearing such a bold threat towards Lyanna, his hand slowly travels down to his sword. Anyone who tries to harm Lyanna or Jon, would be met with a swinging sword.
"I had shared your ambition Prince Oberyn," she admits wearily. "House Lannister must pay for their crimes. But Jaime, Cersei and Tryon Lannister will not be punished for the crimes of their fathers," she stated, pointedly.
Oberyn's face hardens, his inky eyes hollow. "That's to say the same for my niece and nephew, nevertheless they paid for their father's crime with their lives."
Arthur's face falls, nearly stopping his heart, the mention of Rhaegar's children: Aegon and Rhaeny's names leave an internal scar for eternity. He manages not to show any of his expressions. As this moment he couldn't let his guard down, not now that Lyanna needs him.
"I myself cannot argue with your words, my prince. What they did to your family is unspeakable. Yet the king does nothing, however, I should let you remind that I am Queen."
"I am aware of that." He briskly says.
"Nor you aren't." She returns. "Especially woman not as you are blindfolded by man's nature."
"It is pleasure that finds us, your grace." He drawls, stretching a peculiar smiled. "The Gods created two different people: girl and boy for this purpose in this world. But when it comes to love I don't choose sides." His eyes land on Arthur and he winks.
The knight looks startled, perhaps disgust he felt. He doesn't judge the prince to bed boys, but Arthur finds discomfort in thinking of boys in this way. Lyanna was able to sense Arthur's worries that she keenly changed the subject. Not wanted to hear about of man's nature no longer in the presence of her son.
"No matter," she clears her throat. "Queen's do not need kings to rule. We can also rule."
"Robert might believe that they have pledged their loyalty to him. For brave Robert has won the war, but the north remembers," she boasts, her chin up and sat straight. "Remembers that their loyalty lies to the name Stark."
Arthur moves to step forward, but before he does so, he places the pillow into Jon's arms whom immediately wraps around the softness and presses his face against it. "Half of the seven kingdoms does our Queen possess. They say Northmen are a savage folk, and stubborn. But their loyalty is fierce as Valyrian steel."
Oberyn frowns, in fact he is still not convinced. "The Mad king thought the same of the Lannisters."
She rises to her feet. "We are not Lannisters." Her voice firm, she leans forward, her hand pressed against the cold surface of the wood. "When we pledged our loyalty, there are vows that live within us. That is part of what makes the north, what makes Winterfell."
The room is silent; the only noise that could be heard is the prince interest noise he makes as the She-Wolf finishes with such control in her tone. She sees much more than just a queen, instead a wolf, the Wolf-Queen.
Oberyn's eyes brighten with amusement, head bowed slightly. "I may have underestimated you, Little Wolf."
Her eyes narrow. "Then you have fools' eyes, my prince," Lyanna says testily. "I mayhap have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but do not test my power and do not tempt the fury of a queen."
"Then how shall we seal this offer, Little Wolf?"
"What do you mean prince?" she questions, sitting down on her seat.
"Words are just meaningless if they are not being proved by actions Little Wolf," he scoffs. "I came here for revenge; how could I know that you would hold your words up to the Gods. As now Dorne is crying for justice for what has been done to their princess."
To be truthful this is the matter that has been a concern about it, and is the reason for the invitation to the prince to come to King's Landing.
"I have an offer for you Prince Oberyn, I hope you think wisely of your replied" says Lyanna. "For Dorne, I offer you, Prince Oberyn, to become the Queen's Hand."
Oberyn raises an interested brow. "I don't think I need much of thought for an answer. Such a poor offer to make, Little Wolf."
"Knowing this offer granted you, such as to be the second most powerful man in the kingdoms, meaning that such as finding the man who murdered your sister and her children would be easy to do."
"You know!" Oberyn gives Lyanna a withering glare. "And you kept quiet!"
"No, my prince. I do not who was the man." She shakes her head. "However once you become my hand, I promise that you will find the man who did it and make him pay for his crimes."
"You hav-"
She cuts him off. "You are right. Only kings have a hand to guide them. Queens don't." A mischievous smile rises from her lips. "Yet. Just like I said, Prince Oberyn, queens can also rule; they hold the same power as Kings. But for now, you must be known as my advisor rather than my Hand."
"Little Wolf if only I had met you sooner," he murmurs, smiling slowly. "Then I hope to see more of the wolf-blood so they speak of it. It's fascinating."
"You only saw a glimpse of it Prince Oberyn. But, I hope to see more on why they called you the 'Red Viper'."
Arthur closes his eyes and prays to both gods whom have shown mercy to this day, that this ends without trouble, now that Prince Oberyn has decided to become a part of the pack. Still, he doesn't trust the prince as he sees a glint of venom in that smile followed by daggers in Oberyn's eyes.