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Chapter 10

Jaime Lannister moves to where his clothes lay, where in his frenzy, he haphazardly tossed them.

"Jaime, where are you going?"

He turns to look upon his sister. Moving back to the bed, he leans down to kiss her once more.

"Good, you are awake. Go on, bathe, the water is still warm. Breakfast is in the outer chamber."

Confused, she replied, "It is still early. Certainly you do not mean to leave me now?"

Looking at his sister's reaction he sits down on the corner of the bed. "Certainly you do not wish for us to be seen like this? What with King's Landing so filled with our vast family in preparation for your upcoming wedding? Even if Father will be out with Uncle Kevan and Aunt Genna until midday it would not do for anyone to come upon us looking as we do. No one will believe we breakfasted for hours. We have been careful thus far, but, fate may not champion us every time."

"Very well, I shall be out in a few minutes."

Shortly after, Cersei joined her twin at the table. She noticed the slight urgency her twin had while eating. "Where are you going in such a hurry? I hope you are not trying to flee from me."

He smiles. "Of course not. Tyrion will no doubt send someone to look for me; Prince Viserys likely as well. It seems I owe a sword lesson and there have been hinting since midday yesterday that the sword lesson is to be collected on. Prince Viserys should be finishing up his lessons with the Maester soon. We risk too much as it is."

Cersei groans, grimacing. "Sword lessons? You leave me for sword lessons with our brother. What good is a sword lesson for him? It is bad enough he is here."

Jaime frowns. "Cersei, he is our brother and he is a boy like the others. He'd do well to be in the company of lads his age even if he sits in the practice area with a book while the other two play at being soldiers. There are worse things for Tyrion then be on good terms with His Grace's younger brother."

Cersei fought not to roll her eyes. "But, that does not mean you have to be the one to tend to him."

"No, I do not; still, I would be more comfortable if I was there with him and it would do better to have me there when Prince Viserys and Lord Renly have their lessons. Lord Baratheon intends to leave soon with Lord Renly and it would be better for Tyrion to make friends with the prince and younger lords while our family is at court."

"You protect him too much."

"He is our brother." Seeing her expression, but, wishing not to upset her, he changed his tact he used an argument which would settle the matter, for now. "Father agrees with me. Father commanded he be here for the wedding. The whole of our family is. People would whisper if he was not here as well."

Cersei looked unconvinced; however, she would not gainsay their father. "People will talk when they see him regardless and since when do we care of what others say?" At her brother's pleading expression she relents. "Very well. Still, why do you have to go now? We rarely spend time together anymore. I miss you."

He laughs. "Oh; and what we have done, this was not spending time together?"

"That is not what I am referring to. Your duties keep you so busy and the queen."

Jaime raises an eyebrow. "You only have to call for me and I would come to you. It is you who are too busy." Gesturing to the nearly finished Lannister red cloak perched over the back of a chair.

Cersei's face slipped into a serious expression.

Jaime laughs and kisses her lips. "My sweet sister, come now. I have no eyes for anyone else, and the queen counts you as a friend. Even without her being my queen, you know the Martells have been very good to us."

Cersei had to concede the points her brother were making were accurate. Jaime loved her, was completely loyal to her and she knew it. As to the Queen, even if she had believed they were rivals in the past, with all that happened, the silver prince Cersei had believed herself to be in love with then lost much of his charm. Jaime was correct; Elia was a kind woman, much too kind to scheme to take another woman's man, as had been done to her, even if the woman was set to marry her brother. As for Oberyn, he was as near as perfect a husband she could ask for, given the circumstances.

Before she could say anything more, Jaime spoke, "If anyone is to be jealous should it not be me? You are the one marrying someone else and judging by Father's grumbling, planning on taking you farther away, to the Free Cities."

"It will only be for a short while. It was Prince Doran's idea. 'It would be good for me to see more of the world'." Cersei's face turned serious. "But, you know I love you, no matter how pleasing Oberyn can be."

Her expression was mirrored in his. "Yes, I know that and I am grateful for his understanding."

She too frowned. "Still I worry and Oberyn does as well. Do not think for one moment it escaped our notice that there was something odd about that day we were together or that you and the queen both have been distracted lately. Oberyn and I can sense that you both are troubled. Do not say it is nothing to fret over. What happened?"

His sister knew him too well. "You will not leave this will you?" Seeing her expression he sighed. "Swear that this remains between us."

"I swear it."

"Aerys Targaryen."

Cersei was incredulous. "King Aerys? What of him?"

Jaime rubbed the bridge of his nose. "The former king was a hard man to forget, even when he is dead…"

He trailed off and Cersei flushed and fell silent.

Cersei did not need her brother to say much more; she never needed him to. Even if she did not need him to protect her, Jaime kept very little from her unless it was to shield her from what was truly horrendous, but, she was she was no feather headed fool that believed that King's Landing was anything but a nest of snakes, and during the war, the Red Keep housed the most dangerous of them all. Even if Elia was much too polite to speak of such things and while Oberyn was less circumspect, even he was discreet about what the Mad King had truly been like, people talked and news from King's Landing travelled into Casterly Rock regularly; even after their father resigned as Hand. Hearing just a fraction of it all was what caused her to lose interest in being in Elia's place. Being future Queen of Westeros was one thing; the good-daughter of Aerys Targaryen quite another. She shivered. No title or silver-haired husband was worth that.

Though she was certain there was more to the tale than what her brother was saying she let it go. "I see. Do you wish for me to keep this from Oberyn?"

"If he asks if you know tell him to come to me. The Queen would rather put the whole mess behind her and I quite agree it would be best for us all. What is done is done. No good comes from dredging up matters best left alone."

That ended the matter for the siblings.

Hearing a knock at the door Jaime goes to answer it. It's a Lannister servant, with a note from his father in one hand, with Tyrion at her side, book in his hand. Jaime fights not to laugh as he lets the pair in.

"Brother, had you seen our sister lately?" Oberyn Martell sat down, in ill-temper, tinged with worry.

Putting aside the scrap of paper he was looking at, Doran replied, "This past evening; why? Has something happened?" Doran furrowed his brow, looking concerned at the question and his brother's state. As far as he knew there was no cause for the level of concern his brother was showing for their sister.

"She said she had been sleeping rather poorly of late."

Doran looked at his brother in disbelief. In a droll voice, he managed, "Everyone is allowed to sleep poorly once in awhile, even our sister." Elia had appeared tired, but, that had not worried him. His sister had always had delicate health, though now there was no reason why she would be affected by it too badly and he would have known if something had happened. Still, worry crept into his voice, "Has she been to the Maester?"

Oberyn let out a long-suffering sigh. "She had said the Maester gave her something to help her sleep a few nights ago. Still, I know our sister better than that. There is more to what she is saying. She and Ser Jaime were acting quite unusually when Cersei and I went for a walk with them."

Now sitting back comfortably, Doran remarked, "I do grant it is likely perhaps she is ill and does not want to worry you or it could easily be she is simply tired. Still, not everything is a conspiracy, brother. Perhaps they were discussing council business or something to do with the children. Have you thought it just might be that?"

Oberyn nodded his acceptance of that. Thinking on his brother's concerns, Doran could find multiple scenarios which would cause Elia distress. Though he might not be as close to his sister as their younger brother, he loved his sister just as fiercely and knew her well enough to know she would not disturb anyone else unless necessary and he also knew her lot was not one without worry. Being Queen of the Seven Kingdoms while being mother to five children was no easy thing. Adjusting to the return of that husband of hers from that overlong, foolish war would no doubt be difficult. She had other duties as well. Even with the most robust health there was cause for her to be out of sorts. Her health was not particularly vigorous even if it failed her less as of recently.

Looking at his brother, it was obvious to him that Oberyn thought though he was being dismissive. "It is more than that. She also seemed distracted and Ser Jaime has been as well. I was not the only one who noticed something was amiss. Cersei noticed something was off with her brother as well."

Doran tilted his head, forward, "Oh? And where is she now?"

"With Ser Jaime."

Before this, Oberyn could count on one hand how many times he had well and truly surprised his brother.

"Is that not quite the risk they take?" Doran took the particulars of the Lannister siblings in stride, yet, having practical knowledge of their actions in King's Landing was atypical.

"They know to be careful."

Another thought flew to Doran's mind. "Certainly you did not put…"

"Of course not. She loves him and is friends with Elia." Oberyn said hotly. "She was just as concerned as I am."

Putting aside his thoughts on his brother's betrothed's relationship with her brother, Doran continued. "Elia is bound to have difficult nights and be tired and distracted, Oberyn. Everyone with many duties tend such as hers are bound to have rough nights once in a while. The same goes for Ser Jaime." Doran felt his argument was a logical one, as the ruling Prince had more duties, but, Oberyn would not relent, not after how strangely his sister and his future good-brother were behaving.

"It is more than that. I swear it. Even that fool husband acted strangely. Did you not catch the looks he was giving her? I could smell the sadness and grief rolling off of him. He is the cause of it I am sure! He must have done or said something to disturb her further." Doran fought not to roll his eyes while sending a prayer to the Seven in thanks that that they were alone in his chambers. Oberyn took far too much pleasure in needling their good-brother and their good-brother was well aware of it. It would not do for Rhaegar to find out about Oberyn's words and cause even more difficulties for their sister; even if it was likely Rhaegar Targaryen was at the center of whatever ailed his sister, assuming, of course, something of note actually had occurred between them.

Still, he ventured softly, "You cannot blame him for everything when she had not said he was at fault, if there actually is anything to find fault with."

"Certainly you know that man legitimized his bastard. Do you think she took that well? You can surely blame him for that. It is bad enough he insists on raising the child here with her own children. Her having to see that whelp is enough of a travesty, even more than the brat's existence."

Doran fixed him with a look; his thoughts obvious.

Oberyn countered, "I never gave them my name, now did I?"

"No one is saying you have, Oberyn." Doran took a fortifying breath before continuing. "Even if they quarreled again, has she complained to you about it? No? Then leave it be. No marriage is without it is arguments. Our sister is not incapable of seeing to her own affairs. She would not thank us if we meddle or allow for others to believe we see her as weak. As to our good-brother's son, you knew that was a likely possibility before we even arrived. Even then, our nephew is, undisputedly, the heir, and the child is not even second in line. The succession is confirmed with the boy placed after Prince Viserys, at that. Certainly you find no fault in that?"

Oberyn hissed, "That is not the point. The other one only had to be legitimized because fate was kind enough so that the chit died before that fool made it back to the Tower with a sympathetic Septon at his heels!"

"And where near the Tower of Joy do you think our good-brother was going to find a Septon, a sympathetic one, much less, to preside over another wedding for our good-brother, before Jon could be born?"

Oberyn turns sharply to his seated brother. Except the stress on the name of the Stark wench's brat, Doran's voice was mild as he put forth this particular argument. Doran snorted as he continued, "Come now Oberyn. Where was he going to find a Septon in Dorne of all places; after that mess at Harrenhal, when the banners of Dornish houses loyal to us were raised because of Aerys' madness for a war no one in Dorne truly had no desire to partake in, after the war was won, but, with him not present and the girl dead?" Doran posed his question calmly; yet his tone was too serene for Oberyn's taste.

That gave Oberyn pause. Doran had been remarkably calm throughout most of this entire debacle though Doran had been just as angry about that mess at Harrrenhal as he had been and when war was declared. Doran, though he was never severe, would never be objective or tranquil about their sister's humiliation or threats to the legacy of their kin. Oberyn thought over his brother's words carefully coming to a conclusion he was not expecting.

He accused, "You know something."

"I have seen much of the world and have been a Prince to my own realm for many years. I am of an age to know many things."

"Well?" Even the silkiest and most dangerous tone of his voice caused nothing but a raised eyebrow in his brother. Oberyn never thought his brother would keep anything of magnitude from him, but, there was something in the way his brother was saying what he was which put him on edge.

"I know House Dayne of Starfall, House Qorgyle of Sandstone, House Manwoody of Kingsgrave, and House Blackmont of Blackmont are friends to us and have been loyal to for years."

"I am not some toddling child ignorant of geography or traditional house loyalties brother! As it is, Ser Arthur is a Dayne and he still served our good-brother and pandered to the Stark girl."

"He is also a friend to the King and a member of the Kingsguard. I expected nothing less than for him to follow Aerys & Rhaegar's orders and you know full well he, nor any of them, went to any other Dornish stronghold during the war."

"So?"

"Those four locations I just spoke of are nearest to the Prince's Pass where the Tower of Joy stands."

"And?" Oberyn thought his brother was being deliberately difficult and secretive; something he had not expected from his older brother.

"No help was given to them by any other Dornish ally of ours was there?"

Oberyn admitted gruffly, "No."

Doran sat forward, his eyes blazing, but, vice soft, "What makes you think they or any other Dornish house would not know what occurs in their own domain, even if it was a simple thing as knowing the identities of those who enter it or who resides in them for extended periods of time. Or do you believe they would actively aid someone by providing a man, even a prince, a Septon, even a wandering one, so that he may have a second wife or heirs if it meant betraying sons and daughters of Dorne? Or is it your belief they would dishonor their liege-lord by allowing an insult to the daughter of the former ruling Princess or sister of the current ruling Prince?"

Oberyn had to concede the points his brother made were valid, but, still there questions which had nagged at him. "They allowed them entry into Dorne."

Doran inclined his head, "Rhaegar Targaryen was husband to our sister; at the time no one could have known what baggage he brought with him. Brother, think of it as a room one enters: simply because one was allowed in does not mean that they would be allowed out; and the girl did not leave by her own volition or alive for that matter, did she?

Oberyn's face clouded in anger. "But, brother, suppose the girl had lived, what then? You know that fool would have taken her to wife."

Doran snorted inelegantly, but, looked his brother squarely in the eye. "Do you think Aerys Targaryen sent his Kingsguard after Rhaegar & the Stark-chit because he held affection for his son or any at all for the girl?"

Doran laughed. "The Kingsguard were meant to find our good-brother and keep that girl safe so Aerys Targaryen could use her; a bargaining chip to use against the North and Rhaegar. Our sister at least had the benefit of Targaryen blood and having given the realm a prince; at the time the girl could not claim either. Do you think Lyanna Stark would have had the fortitude to act like Aerys' good-daughter knowing that he killed her family? They were fools if they believed their love would protect them from Aerys's madness. Can you imagine Aerys allowing her to be a queen when he did not give Rhaegar leave to marry the girl before he absconded with her? He would have more likely killed his son and the girl for their impertinence; perhaps the child as well if the mood struck him. Rhaegar Targaryen had better thank the Seven for gifting him with the death of his father before he returned here, even if they denied him the girl."

Now Doran's voice was even lower and the venom in his voice almost caused Oberyn to shudder. "It was insulting enough Rhaegar favored the girl over Elia once before. Still, our good-brother did himself no favors by bringing that girl within our borders. Even if any Dornish lord would have been kinder to her than Aerys, do you honestly think any of them or I would have let them go so that the girl could usurp Elia's place? Had the girl lived, I would have seen her sent packing back to her brother, whichever one lived long enough to call himself Lord of Winterfell. Rhaegar would not have had her, under any circumstances. Yet, no action on my part was required long before the war ended."

Silence weighed heavily about then as Oberyn considered his brother's words. His brother would have arranged for the girl to go back to the North had she lived.

Oberyn leaned into where his brother was seated, questioning, but, not asking.

Doran shrugged a shoulder. "The Dornish desert is unforgiving and childbirth could be as well." Oberyn conceded the point; Elia almost died birthing Aegon.

Oberyn could see the intelligence of his brother's words. "You knew for certain the girl had died."

Doran admitted, "I did. As I said, the other Dornish houses have been loyal to us for years. Even if no Dornish lord had any aid to give those at the Tower, they would not have been ignorant of what occurred there. It is remarkably difficult to keep such things as a birth secret where not many people should be in the first place".

"You told me nothing of this, not once."

"I do not like speaking on uncertainties and once the matter came to light and it simply would not do for our good-brother to see you look so cheerful at his misfortune." There was brotherly censure in that, no matter how light the tone. Doran sighed. "Unfortunately, I did not foresee Rhaegar bringing the child here and not leaving him with her kin".

Giving his brother a firm look, Doran continued, "We can not change what happened; only mind the present, and prepare to safeguard our future. I would have failed our parents and their dreams for us if I allowed them to crash because the foolishness of others. I can only call it fortunate that both the girl's and Aerys's deaths was satisfactorily timed. I certainly do not mourn either loss. All I ask is this: do not speak ill of the child; no more goading Rhaegar; and no more insults hurled towards him, Aerys, or the Starks; none of it. I do not deny they wronged us. Yet, it would not do to speak ill of the dead or our good-brother. Do not give others cause to think badly of us, if not for our sakes then for Elia's and the children. Our hands are clean, Brother."

Oberyn nodded. Their hands would remain clean. For family he would do plenty, no matter how distasteful it was to him.

"Good. Now, tell me, has Lord Lannister accosted you of the antics you and you lady have been engaging in aside from the ones the three of you kept secret."

Oberyn smiled for the first time since he sat down.

The clang of swords hitting each other sounded as the king, Rhaegar Targaryen, and his close friend and member Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning, practiced with their swords.

After the third time he disarmed his king, Arthur spoke, frowning. "Your Grace, you seem distracted. Does something trouble you?"

The king had been out of sorts these few days past. At first Arthur thought the king was just distracted because his duties wearing on him. Being King was never an easy task and even the Mad King in brief moments would argue of the difficulties of being king. Of course, this king had to contend with a fractured kingdom and this one was actually mindful of the state of the kingdom. Yet, Arthur could see it was not merely that.

He wondered if the king and queen fought again. Not days ago they were seemingly completely reconciled, yet, as far as he knew they had not spent nights together as they had been known to recently.

With one last glance about, the king led the way to the armory to store their weapons in silence.

After some time, Rhaegar sighed glancing around to see if they were in private. "Do I have your word that this remains between us?"

"Yes, of course." Now Arthur was well and truly worried. The king never had to ask to keep his counsel secret before.

Almost speaking in his friend's ear, Rhaegar started, "Some nights ago I witnessed Elia in the throws of a nightmare; a terrible one."

Arthur looked at his friend and king in confusion and concern. At first what he heard sounded ridiculous considering the grave nature of the way the King was speaking to him, but, his mind was flooded with questions. What nightmares? As far as he knew Elia never suffered from nightmares. What could they have been about? When had they started? Why had no one told him?

Arthur ran a hand through his hair. He was fooling himself. Elia and not even Ashara, if she knew about nightmares, would have told him about them. Since they had returned from war, with Jon, Elia seemed to distance herself away from him. There was no cruelty in Elia so he was sure it was not meant as a slight, but, they were not as close as they used to be. Ashara loved him, he did doubt that, but, now she rarely spoke to him about Elia or Rhaegar. No, after they returned from war, there was a wall of sorts, one that had been built long before Arthur had been commanded to go to the Tower of Joy.

Before all of it there was a deep friendship between the four of them. But, since Harrenhal, since the war, that bond between them faded and grew into divided loyalties. Though they never spoke of it, Arthur knew both women held him responsible to some degree.

That damned tourney, it always came back to that. He did not know what possessed Rhaegar to honor the Stark girl in that way, and he never offered Arthur an explanation. Of course he had not asked. Ashara had been furious with him as well for not knowing why and not asking. Elia never spoke to him about it though she had been hurt. Though Elia never said anything, Ashara had said enough for him to know that Rhaegar's actions with Lyanna Stark induced anger and bitterness in both women for different reasons.

He knew why they would have hoped he would control his friend, but, it was not as simple as that. It was true, he and the king were friends, even though they were different; he was seen as the sensible one while the former prince had been the dreamer. Yet he could not have asked his friend for an explanation or admonished him; not when he was the Crown Prince and now that he was the King.

He sat silently and saw the look on Elia's face at Harrenhal as Rhaegar gave the girl the "crown", stood by and watched as Ashara was commanded to return to Dorne when it was discovered she was with child, he sat through Aerys's fury, he lived through the consequences of Rhaegar's madness. He had to.

King Aerys had sent him to look for Rhaegar, in part because he hated and mistrusted the Dornish, but, also because of the friendship between his son and himself. That he would be the ne to make Rhaegar see reason. Ashara never understood that he could not control Rhaegar, that he could not forsake his duty to his king; no matter what his feelings were.

When Aerys sent to go find Rhaegar they had been ordered to secure Lyanna Stark, if the girl was with him, and keep the girl secured. He along side his brothers' did just that. They searched for Rhaegar and protected the girl as their king commanded. He could not scream at Rhaegar for taking the girl, for hurting Elia, could not join his brothers in battle, no matter what he wished. How he had wished.

Though news at the Tower was infrequent, he knew he could not leave for any other Dornish city. He had been in Dorne and he could not look to his own family or friends, not when the reason why he was in Dorne was to protect that which was an insult to all Dornishmen. It disgusted him that he was sitting in a tower waiting with that Stark girl, as if he wanted to be there. He could barely look at her sometimes because in her face he kept seeing Elia and Ashara. When the others in the Tower spoke of the child his mind flew to the Keep where Rhaenys and Aegon waited, and the thought of his sister's then future child. Rhaegar might have not thought about who he had to answer to about why he had left, but, Arthur did and every possible answer was lacking.

Yes, he witnessed his friend change and started to do things which were so alarming and witnessed everything as their lives ripped apart. But, he was powerless to stop it, because it would have meant betraying his vows and that he could not do.

What he did was the only thing allowed for him to do: his duty. So he beside the girl, watching and waiting as her stomach swelled with the child, watched and waited throughout the war, and then watched and waited as she died, until it was no longer required for him to do so.

The cloak never weighed as heavily on him as it had then. He was a member of the Kingsguard. What else could he do? No matter how much tore at him, he was sworn.

His vows and his friendship with the former prince would not allow for him to disobey the king or speak against Rhaegar's actions and now, because of it, for Ashara and Elia, no matter how much they still loved him, his star had dimmed.

Most often he could ignore it, but, there were times like when he is in the company of Ashara and her polite, but, reserved betrothed or when sometimes Elia and Oberyn look at him, he can not help but think of friendships left changed because of his adherence to his vows and it pains him so thoroughly.

None of that resolves the more immediate problem and so he prompts, "When?"

"It happened the night she joined me in my father's old chambers. I could do nothing to stop it and nor had I seen such a thing."

"What happened?"

"That dream. I never saw her frightened." Arthur had never seen his friend look so furious, but, the slump of his shoulders spoke of defeat.

"I do beg your indulgence, but, what was it about?"

"Do you remember the first night we returned?"

At the abrupt change of topic Arthur could not help his confusion. "Yes, what of it?"

"Do you remember Ser Jaime reluctance and unease and their reactions to us, to me?"

Yes, the knight had been reserved and not particularly forthcoming and the memory of Princess Rhaenys' reaction to her father stood out. "Yes, what of it?"

"Do you remember him telling us that my father was unkind?" Arthur did remember, but, there was something odd in his friend's words, and Arthur detected the faintest hint of bitterness in his friend's voice, but, that was not important just yet.

"Yes I remember." Arthur felt his stomach dropping as his friend's expression became increasingly thunderous.

"It was more than accosting her at times. He was no less cruel to the children. Because of him, this was not the first time she had such dreams. The children used to have them as well."

Arthur swallowed. "Ah." What does one say to that?

Still, he prodded, slightly, "It must have been horrific to see that."

Looking at his friend's face, "I could do nothing, but, watch. If it had not been for…"

Rhaegar trailed off as Ser Jaime and the newest knight of the Kingsguard, Ser Lucas Corbray, were leading a trio of young, talking boys out to the practice field. Two of them were armed with fake swords while the third, a child much smaller in stature and with much less coordination, holding a book. Once the group saw them the approached the pair of now silent men.

Ser Jaime inclined his head and spoke first, "Your Grace, Ser Arthur."

Ser Lucas Corbray, on the other hand gave the same simple greeting his fellow knight did, but, his voice was filled with the awe which came from those unfamiliar with the Sword of the Morning and the King of Westeros. It seemed that the younger knight's expression was more earnest now that he was in front of his king and "brother". Showing the younger brother of the king how to use a sword was one thing, it was quite another when one was going to do it in front of the king.

Arthur mentally compared both of the knights greetings, and found that the tone of the slightly older knight's voice was duly respectful, but, even; and it only held slight warmth when introducing his younger brother to the pair and when prompting Prince Viserys and Lord Renly Baratheon into greeting him and the King. Arthur considers the serious and direct man in front of him and remembers the Jaime Lannister he knew who had joined the Kingsguard. Even if initiated in less than ideal circumstances Arthur remembers the then lad's eagerness and the idolization the knight had for his older "brothers". He wonders if it was simply his maturing or of his and the king's stars dimmed for the other knight just as it had for his sister and the Queen.

Observing the group, Rhaegar spoke first, "Ser Jaime, Ser Lucas." He gestured to the wooden swords in the two boys' hands. "Yet another sword lesson?" Arthur thought he imagined an undercurrent of something unusual in his king's voice.

"Quite right, Your Grace." Turning to the trio of boys, Ser Jaime spoke, "It seemed we were anxious to get started on one this morning, yes?" Prince Viserys and Lord Renly seemed eager enough, but when their gazes turned to Arthur and Rheagar the younger Targaryen looked rather anxious and the younger Baratheon turned rather solemn.

As if to distract himself from wondering why those expressions were on the faces of the two boys the King turned to the younger Lannister. "Lord Tyrion, will you not be joining them?" Though this child seemed eager enough to join the boys, and if Arthur recalled, some years older, he was not similarly armed.

"Father does not want me to try swords yet." The child shrugged. "I like reading more." That triggered the other boys rolling their eyes, but, the flat tone indicated truth and that the boy did not wish to be pressed. Arthur noticed the slight frown on the Lannister knight's resigned face which quickly disappeared; it seemed to be an old argument left unresolved. Still, the answer was rehearsed and Arthur could not decide of the Lord of Casterly Rock was being kind or cruel to his son by not allowing him other activities lads his age would be familiar with, even if it was to save the boy's pride. More likely, Arthur thought uncharitably, it was to protect Lord Tywin's own.

The uncomfortable silence was disrupted by Ser Corbray clearing his throat, voice over-cheerful. "It is best we get started then." Ser Jaime smiled at his newest brother, and nodded. "Quite. Your Grace, Ser Arthur." The knights nodded once more and went out to the field, herding the boys with them.

Arthur and Rhaegar stood for a while just to observe the scene playing out in front of them, as both Viserys and Renly were instructed and took jabs at each other when directed. Viserys being slightly older and having some more experience seemed more comfortable with the weapon in his hand, but, young Lord Renly, it seemed, would make a fine swordsman one day. Both of the boys became much more animated with just the two knights near them. Even young Lord Tyrion showed his age by putting his book aside and shouting out commentary once or twice.

Arthur heard his friend sigh aloud. He turned to his friend whose attention was directed at Ser Jaime as the knight ruffled the hair on Prince Viserys's head after he successfully disarmed Lord Renly.

Rhaegar finally spoke. His voice was so soft Arthur had to lean in closer. "Only he was able to calm her."

"What?" Arthur was so very confused.

"That night, after she woke from that dream, I stood there; however, he knew just how to calm her." He laughed; to Arthur it was the saddest sound he ever heard. "That night she flinched from me, but, he stormed in like a knight from a song and vanquished the dragon haunting her sleep."

Rhaegar turned to face him fully. "He even yelled at Ser Barristan who he felt was moving too slowly." Ordinarily that would have made Arthur laugh, but, nothing was humorous about this. Before Arthur could comment Rhaegar continued, "Once the Maester gave her something to return to sleep, he was the one to tell me what she dreamed about and what the children had dreamt about. He knew what to do because he was here and saw it all. Arthur you should have seen him sitting there recounting things that my family had seen in the day and in their sleep; the things my father had done and the things they should have been shielded from."

Trying to comfort his friend, Arthur ventured, "You could not have known."

"But, I did know what my father was like and did nothing about it while I had the chance."

"What could you have done, things being what they were? You bid Ser Jaime stay and care for your family; there were others here to protect them."

Rhaegar's voice was low and dangerous. "I foisted my duties onto someone else to fulfill and they still suffered for it." His voice was filled with self-recrimination.

Even knowing what it was like to wade in a sea of regrets, Arthur countered, "We were in the midst of a war. You could not have been here to protect them and fight at the same time."

Rhaegar hissed brokenly, "My father told her the only reason why did not treat her less cruelly was because no one would have cared enough; that I would not have cared enough."

Arthur could not find anything to say, if there was anything one could say to that. There was no doubt Aerys was cruel, but, this was something else.

After some time Rhaegar spoke again, "Before that night Elia and I were moving closer. We were almost happy again. One night in my father's old rooms turned that into dust."

Instead he says, "Well, if the dreams are infrequent and as you say the most likely reason for them is done away with there is no reason why that which was on the mend can not be fixed again."

Rhaegar nods, "You do have the right of that."

"If she will not come to you, you can always go to her." They shared a laugh.

"It will pass. I know it. Give it time."

"I hope you are correct." Rhaegar continued. "She refused to come to those chambers any more. That is why I changed my quarters again, I thought it would help."

Arthur remembered when Rhaegar had announced he would be switching to another set of chambers, that his father's old rooms had not suited him. Of course he was the king and so Arthur thought not much of it at the time; after all the rooms were particularly garish and the former king had died in those rooms. No, not died; killed himself. Thinking back to that moment, it made more sense. When the announcement was made Ser Jaime had been frowning though he tried to keep a stoic expression while Ser Barristan started to look very uncomfortable and, he kept surreptitiously glancing between the King and Ser Jaime. It seemed those two 'brothers' of his had known something, but, remained silent. Now he knew what caused it.

Looking back to where Ser Jaime was, Arthur spoke, "Neither Ser Jaime or Ser Barristan said anything to me."

Rhaegar smiled, though the smile held little mirth, "Ser Barristan is likely too confused himself and too hesitant to come to me for fear of overstepping his bounds. Ser Jaime, you see…"

"Your Grace?"

"He said he never said anything to protect her and the children."

"I am afraid I do not see how would have keeping this secret would have protected them."

"They both said before that night the dreams were all but gone for all of them; a thing of the past. If it was known what transpired here during the war, what they dreamed, it was a weakness which could be exploited. To keep whispers from growing, they thought it was preferable to let the matter rest. He said nothing because he was sworn."

Laughter almost bubbled from Arthur's throat. Somehow it always comes back to that. Looking at Ser Jaime again Arthur wonders if his "brother" felt his vows were easier to keep.

Once she puts her daughter down for a nap she opens the wardrobe in her chambers to pull out an ornate, but, tasteful new gown.

"Is this to your liking?" Lady Ashara Dayne gestured to the gown in her hands, presenting it to the man in her chamber's sitting room.

"Is it to yours?" Her betrothed's face would have been severe if there was not confusion in his countenance as well. She hoped to steadily decrease that severity; so far it was a very slow endeavor.

"I like it very much, but, I wish to have your opinion."

"Why? I will not be the one wearing it." Stannis's tone made it clear that he saw no purpose to this discussion, particularly if she liked the dress well enough.

"We are to be married."

Ashara fights back a smile as he frowns. "I fail to see how my opinion of a dress has to do with our marriage. I hope you do not intend on asking me every time you procure something."

Ashara could not help the laughter which bubbled out of her throat, but, it quickly subsided when she saw the expression on her betrothed's face. "No, no. this is the gown I intend to wear when we marry. I want to know what you think of it."

He let out sigh, which Ashara believed was undeserved. He ventured, "It is quite nice."

She smiled a bit. He was trying to be kind in his own way; still, he had been mostly silent. He always was terse, unless there was something which really affected him. This silence though, it was as if something was wearing at him. Fortunately for her Ashara knew exactly what.

"How was last night? When Lord Stark came to see Alya, he said they have prepared on taking their leave of King's Landing tomorrow; for the North." Ashara knew the topic would have seemed rather innocuous to anyone else however the last evening Stannis dined with Ned Stark. Given who they both were, the Starks would never be innocuous for either of them.

He frowned at her. "Yes, he did say they were leaving."

"What do you think of it?"

He shrugged. "I am rather shocked they stayed this long. We will leave soon enough as well, once we marry. Prince Oberyn and Lady Cersei will be marrying within the week, yes?"

"Yes, then the Septon will be we are free to marry to marry us. So tell me, what do you think of him?"

Confused, he asks, "Who? Prince Oberyn?"

"No, Lord Stark?"

Stannis stiffens slightly. After a minute he answers. "He seems to be an honorable man."

"All this time you have been in close proximity and that is all you can say?"

"We barely know each other. He was Robert's foster-brother; not mine."

"Certainly there is more to that?"

"I knew him as much as I knew Robert. That is to say not very much."

Ashara thought of the close relationships she had with both of her brothers. "What does that mean? You and Lord Robert were only one year apart in age."

Stannis started to grind his teeth slightly.

"Stop that." He actually stopped. Did wonders never cease?

He threw her a dark look, but, it held little heat. "Robert and I were never close. We were too different. Perhaps it was because he was the oldest or the heir, or perhaps we were too close in age. Then we watched as our parents died." He snorted in derision. "The last time I saw him before he…" A pause, "died was when I saw the back of him while he left for the Vale."

Ashara thought darkly that it seemed to her that the only reason Stannis refrained from saying 'was killed' was not because of where he was or that he feared the wrath of the king, but, rather that Robert died fighting in a war and therefore could not be said to have been killed.

Ashara was shocked as she registered the rest of what Stannis told her. "That was years ago. You never saw him in the intervening years?"

Stannis coughed, though in anyone else it would have seemed a humorless laugh, "Oh, we, that is Renly and I, received a few letters occasionally, but, no I never saw him before he died since he left for the Vale. Once Lord Arryn called the banners, Robert sent me a note. 'Keep Storm's End for me.'" He looked at her. "Now he is dead and Storm's End is mine." He shook his head.

"That is what Lord Stark and I tried to speak about yesterday, but, the both of us were not close as I said, so we spoke very little."

"What do you mean?"

"He spoke, or rather tried to somewhat, but, as I said we were not friends. Yes, we have Robert in common, but, it seems as though Robert was more a brother to Eddard Stark than he ever was to me." He shrugs, but, she thinks he is not as unaffected by that revelation as he seems to try to appear.

Stannis starts speaking again. "I do grant there are certain similarities…"

She smiled slightly, "How so?"

He looked uncomfortable, but, she wanted to know what he meant and he knew that. For all they still are rather formal it is strangely comforting that they know each other to some degree.

He turned away, but, still spoke. "The lives we have are what are brothers would have been had they both lived; although that is truer of Lord Stark than it is of me."

Ashara falls silent for a little while considering the matter. She could see why they both thought that way; both older brothers, Robert & Brandon, were handsome, bold charmers. She thought rather sadly, in the end they were also hotheaded and reckless and they died far too young. Stannis and Ned were polite, graver, and seemingly cold, but, Ashara found she learned to appreciate seriousness more.

"In what way was it truer for him?" She thinks he knows what he means, but, for some reason, she wants to hear him say it. He did not speak so she repeated the question.

He looked at her. "I am not marrying you to honor a promise made by a dead man."

Unable to resist trying to shock him she asks, "What of promises by men who are alive?"

He narrows his eyes, "I would not need to honor any such promise as you were not promised to anyone."

She smiles. "Then why are you marrying me?" She wants to know why he would even agree to marrying her. She liked that he could be truthful with her even if what he says lacks the charm she has been familiar with in the past. She knows theirs was not a romance out of song and he would likely laugh at such a notion; not with who she was and not with who he was. Still she enjoys being with him and he does not dislike her and she notices his eyes follow her some times.

"Why would I not want to marry you?" He would deflect the question by posing another.

"Because I am Dornish. Because I have a bastard daughter."

"Your heritage is immaterial. As for Alya, she did not spring from you alone. She is Brandon Stark's child as well. If you are guilty of that then so was he."

She smiles at how simple his philosophy is, how matter-of-fact. "But, he is dead, and most in Westeros still see it as my disgrace."

"You love her all the same. She is a pleasant enough child." It would not be a glowing recommendation from most others; from Stannis Baratheon that is high praise.

"Yes, I do and yes she is. Still it can not be easy; living with the whispers; that you would have to care for another man's bastard."

"Certainly you have not forgotten that I will be doing that even if I had not married you. As it is, I am an acknowledged traitor. There would have been whispers following me regardless of who I married."

Even if it is ungracious to think ill of the dead she takes a moment to curse the Mad King, who was the cause of most of this, though the rest of the blame lies with Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark. She looked at Stannis sadly. "How can you consider yourself a traitor?"

"I betrayed my king. That does mean I am guilty of treason; even if it was because my brother asked it of me." Sometimes his world view is less than delightful even if there is truth in it. She muses it is that which makes others believe he is less than amiable. There were those amongst them who still held similar views, even knowing the old king's crimes. She, however, is not one of them.

"Aerys was a monster." Though, he knows it and she does not have to tell him that, she does it regardless.

"But, he was my king."

"He is gone."

"Yes, he is."

"Now there is Rhaegar Targaryen, First of His Name."

He tilts his head in confusion. "You say it as if you are not friends."

"I am better friends with Her Grace."

He blinks, as if seeing her for the first time. His demeanor is still grim when he says, "Ser Arthur joined the Kingsguard willingly; it only enhanced their friendship.

Thinking of her brother, Ashara silently acknowledges what Stannis says as true, but, it also makes her wonder what Stannis thinks of him. Most would say that was just the "Stormlord's" way, but, she had seen regular glimpses of warmth from him towards her and Alya, but, not many for Arthur. Stannis was always formal and distantly polite with him. She wonders some times if Stannis dislikes Arthur because of his friendship with the man who killed his brother; but, is unwilling to voice it because he deems it not his place and if it is partly because of her.

She and Arthur were not as close as they used to be and it was partly her fault. She knew she was being unfair to her brother, but, in the beginning Rhaegar's actions with the Stark girl caused her to not only be furious with Rhaegar, even though Elia told her not to bother, but, it also made her angry at her brother; particularly after Rhaegar left. This was definitely true after Brandon was killed and Arthur stayed away until the war ended and Westeros was safe again. She knew that his vows only allowed for so much loyalty to those who were not of the royal family, but, at the time it stung that he was more loyal to Rhaegar and Aerys then his own. She still loved him fiercely and she hoped he knew that.

Before she can say something more there is a knock on the door. Stannis goes to open it and it is Arthur with a ruddy cheeked Renly at his side.

Renly settles himself next to Ashara while Arthur moves to kiss Ashara on the cheek before he goes to sit down.

Stannis speaks first, though with a glance at Ashara first. "Ser Arthur, thank you for escorting my brother back."

Arthur smiles, though Ashara can see it is sort of uncomfortable. "It was nothing. I was at the practice field as it was." With a quick glance at Ashara before turning back to Stannis, Arthur says, "And it is just Arthur, you are to be my good-brother."

Stannis looks at him, before slowly responding, "Very well, Arthur." If Ashara was the type to beam, she would, but, she settles for a soft smile in their directions instead.

Stannis turns Renly, "How was your lesson?"

Renly, in his enthusiasm pipes up, rather proud, "I disarmed V-" Noticing the look forming on his brother's face he quickly amends, "Prince Viserys twice". If anyone took note of the stress the child put on the name no one mentions it, but Arthur and Ashara do share a smile.

Ashara says, rather proudly, "Very well done."

Renly faces his brother once more. "Prince Viserys was telling me he is also learning how to use the spear from Prince Oberyn. Do you think when we return to Storm's End, you could teach me to use the warhammer? I want to know how to use more than just one weapon."

The reference to Robert Baratheon's weapon of choice causes the adults stiffen, but, Stannis looks at his brother and sees an innocent expression. Stannis takes a deep breath and quickly looks to Arthur who stares back mildly as if the answer does not matter to him, before admitting, "I was always more comfortable with the sword, myself." Noticing his brother's eagerness slipping, he says, "But, I do not see why not."

Renly's cheerfulness at that pronouncement diffuses the slight tensions which previously rose.

Ashara comments, "If siblings were all the same, life would be quite uninteresting." It does not escape her notice that both Stannis and Arthur seem rather relieved at her pronouncement; though she thinks it is likely for different reasons.

Chapter 11: Two weddings and too many relatives.