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Jaime Lannister II

Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 282 AC

The King had called every courtier in the Red Keep to the Throne Room and so everyone was present. Looking to the monarch, Jaime noticed that he was quite impatient this time, seated on the Iron Throne, he was playing with his fingers and occasionally he leaned forward and gritted his teeth angrily, a clear sign that he was impatient. There were murmurs but Jaime paid them little mind, instead, he was quite curious about why the King summoned everyone.

He considered asking his sworn brothers but then he saw men in brown robes enter, all of them with smirks in their lips and with some sort of pots in their hands. The Gold Cloaks came right after with three men that were dressed in peasant clothes. It seemed they were the ones that the King was waiting for as he got all excited upon seeing them.

"Your Grace." One of the men in brown robes proclaimed. "We bring you the criminals."

"Wonderful!" The King nodded. "Ladies and gentlemen, behold these three criminals who have committed grave offenses to the realm! Ser Triston please tell us of their crimes."

An old man excessively similar to Pycelle stepped forward, Jaime knew he was the King's Justice, Ser Triston of the Mud Gate as the man went by. "The man on the right, Alyn he is accused of raping a woman in Flea Bottom, the one on the center Mark is accused of theft and so is the one on the left whose name is Denys."

"All Kings must seek to achieve a realm in which there is no crime, a land of peace and prosperity and for that there is no room for those who commit crimes." The King said with some sort of pride. "As the Codes of the Realm dictate death is the punishment every criminal must suffer." What? "Rossart burn them all!"

"Of course Your Grace." The man of robes that had spoken earlier nodded as he showed his teeth in a huge smirk, the accused however were begging for mercy but it seemed they would be getting none…Jaime knew the Codes of the Realm had the death penalty for pretty much every crime there was but from what he also knew, the King was supposed to soften the punishment in accordance with his will…

The accused were tied up to the ceiling as they kicked and screamed for someone to help them, no one did a thing to stop the men in robes and a minute later, they were burning in green horrible flames as they screamed in agony…Jaime watched the scene in horror and to make everything even worse, the King was laughing nonstop making a scene worthy of a nightmare…a horrible and never-ending nightmare…

When the three were nothing but mere piles of ashes, the King told everyone that this was the destiny for all those who practiced crimes in the realm, it seemed some peasants were present to pass the message on…and then the King left with Ser Barristan and Prince Lewyn following him expressionlessly. The Throne Room quickly got empty and only Ser Arthur and Jaime remained.

"We have patrol duty to do Ser Jaime." Ser Arthur plainly stated, his gaze not focused onto Jaime but something else but when Jaime remained did not respond or moved he looked straight at him. "Is something amiss?"

"How could it not be?" Jaime asked indignantly. "These people were brutally murdered! Yes, they are criminals but this is too much!" How could Ser Arthur remain so calm after witnessing such atrocity? How could anyone stay calm at all? It seemed that only he was affected by it.

"I believe I told you this in the day I returned to King's Landing, Ser Jaime." Ser Arthur began as he stepped closer to Jaime. "If you wanted to prove your worth as a knight and serve the realm, then you definitely came to the wrong place."

"I didn't…I didn't know it would be like this…" Jaime admitted sadly and somewhat frightened…I just wanted to be close to my sister and show that I'm a good knight…Had he known, he would have refused. And Cersei wanted to be here? Does ambition have no boundaries for her? Was Rhaegar worth this?

"It wasn't always this bad…" Ser Arthur murmured with a hint of sadness in his speech. "When I joined the Kingsguard five years ago, it wasn't as bad as this, but it has been getting worse and worse by each passing moon ever since your father resigned his position and it will get worse still."

Obviously, his Lord father would have kept the Mad King controlled but he couldn't be the only one! "It can't remain like this!" Jaime insisted. "If every sentence ends up with burned people then either the realm is left with no soul or the King is going to face a huge revolt."

"It's not in our place to judge Ser Jaime." Said Ser Arthur with a serious face. "We swore a vow, an awful vow but we must keep it."

"But..."

"Neither you nor I are the King, Ser Jaime." Ser Arthur insisted. If I was the King, things would certainly be different…I might not be smart as my sister or father, by I would be better than this for sure. "You had a wonderful life ahead of you as the Lord of Casterly Rock and the Westerlands, Ser Jaime." Ser Arthur continued. "You would have gotten married, you would have children and you would have proven yourself as much if not more of a knight than me. You forsook all of it and as such, you will have to deal with the consequences now. And I assure this isn't the worst that you will witness, brace yourself."

He would never live up to his father's standards and he would have never had Cersei if he became Lord of Casterly Rock but as of now, it did seem like something much better than this madness. But as Ser Arthur said, he forsook all that… "I understand…"

"When you witness something like what you saw today, think about what you love the most and the place you would wish to be, then focus yourself as if you were in it and forget your surroundings." Ser Arthur suggested as he placed his hand onto Jaime's shoulder. "It's going to take you a while but soon you will be able to cope with it a little better."

"I understand…" Jaime repeated.

"It's a good thing you feel bad and angry Ser Jaime." Ser Arthur said. "It means you care about others, unfortunately, our current state of things is far from being the best, but things might change soon…"

Does he mean when Prince Rhaegar becomes King? But when would that be? Mad Aerys certainly doesn't look like he is going to die soon...he was still young even if he looked as old as Walder Frey…

"You patrol the courtyard whilst you refresh your mind a little." Ser Arthur commanded while he patted Jaime on the back this time. "Things will change for the better Ser Jaime, we just have to endure it a bit longer."

"Yes Ser…" Hopefully, things would indeed change for the better…

Jon Connington I

Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 282 AC

Rhaegar was arriving in King's Landing that day. Neither Jon nor Myles or Richard seemed to know what came into Rhaegar's head to crown Lyanna Stark back at Harrenhal…It had been the perfect chance to overthrow King Aerys from power but it somehow was missed, a perfect plan turned to nothing...

Jon was growing increasingly worried as the days had gone by, Rhaegar had remained at Dragonstone for almost an entire month and they had gotten no instructions on how to proceed, no plans to follow...Richard even began japing that perhaps it was all forgotten and annulled but Myles rightfully dismissed it and so did Jon, Rhaegar would never give up, that much was known. Richard was a friend but somehow he was becoming more and more like that oaf that was Robert Baratheon and that, of course, worried Jon because the animosity between House Connington and Baratheon was rising and House Lonmouth's support could be needed if things turned bad.

Still, it didn't change the fact that they were not informed of the details. He should have asked Ser Arthur who was Rhaegar's best friend and confident but the opportunity to do so never arose for the knight was on constant duty.

To be honest, Jon was quite jealous of the Kingsguard knight, he would have given everything he could to replace the Dornishman's place and be his Silver Prince's sole counselor…

Jon had discovered that he did not felt attracted to women when he was growing up, he felt nothing for the lesser sex and when he first saw Rhaegar he understood that his preferences laid in the…same-sex as his…Obviously, a lord such himself was expected to marry and have heirs and he hoped to do that but his priority was to place the man he loved in the throne, as it should be.

The galley that came from Dragonstone was now allowing it's passengers to exit it and amongst them came Rhaegar followed by Ser Oswell. That meant that Ser Gerold remained in Dragonstone with Elia Martell. Honestly, it was better that way as Jon disliked Rhaegar's wife, she was Dornish, weak and frail, unworthy of Rhaegar who was the Crown Prince. To Jon only women like Ashara Dayne or Cersei Lannister were worthy of Rhaegar…maybe it was actually better they were not Rhaegar's consorts…they were deemed beautiful by many men and so Rhaegar could care more for them than he does to his wife.

But the biggest doubt in Jon's mind was that Stark girl…what exactly happened between them? Did they become lovers as some say? Was she a threat? It would be one of the things Jon would like to question, that and what their plan was now because Mad King Aerys was still sitting on the throne.

"Gentlemen." Prince Rhaegar said, his tone melodic as always, his face beautiful as ever. Waiting with Jon were Ser Arthur of course, Myles and Richard.

"My Prince." They acknowledged with a nod.

"How is everything? I hope my Royal father is as calm as it can be."

"There were three burnings yesterday…" Ser Arthur spoke. "Minor criminals…one was a rapist though…"

The Prince sighed as he led his right hand to his clean shaved chin. "Just three while I was at Dragonstone? That is not bad…"

"Aye but that is because most of the prisoners were burnt before Harrenhal," Richard said. "It's a question of time before more are captured and killed…"

"My Prince…" Jon called shyly. "I would appreciate it if you could brief us on what happened at Harrenhal and what has become of our plan…that is if it's not an inconvenience…"

"Jon is right, we know nothing and we are your allies!" Myles said with indignation.

"Lyanna Stark heard Lord Tully and Lord Arryn speaking to each other on the possibility of pressing forward my cousin Robert Baratheon's claim to the throne and I did not feel I had the conditions to call for a Great Council as I intended," Rhaegar explained and Jon was abashed by his words, Robert fucking Baratheon to be the King? "I made the mistake of crowning Lady Lyanna because I was no thinking straight, there is nothing between the two of us, I assure you all."

"Robert fucking Baratheon as King?" Was the only thing Jon could ask upon hearing everything. "Are they insane?"

"My cousin does have a claim even if a weak one," Rhaegar said. "Not to mention that considering their pact, House Baratheon seems a better prospect to House Targaryen."

"Robert is a cool man and all but…he hates to rule…" Richard said and Jon laughed, hates to rule was too soft, he was unfit to rule. "I don't think he would accept…but then again…"

"Few men would refuse a crown." Ser Arthur interjected.

"True." Richard agreed.

"Bunch of arrogant fools…" Jon spat out angrily. "They ruined months of planning to put that empty-headed fool in the throne, pathetic."

"Robert is not on the throne as far as I know." Richard quickly corrected, showing Jon some signs he did not like to see. "And I would prefer him over Aerys."

"That is blasphemous!" Jon ranted, a hint of fear in his voice as it seemed Robert fucking Baratheon was gaining another ally in Richard. "Rhaegar is the only heir both legally and worthily."

"Calm down Jon, we all agree Rhaegar is the man we wish to put on the throne." Ser Oswell said. "There is no point on you raging, control yourself."

"Fools or not, the council is not an option anymore." Ser Arthur proclaimed before he turned to Rhaegar. "Did Elia spoke of the arrangement we did with Ashara?"

"She did." The Prince nodded. What arrangement?

"And what is your decision?"

"I accepted."

"What arrangement are you both speaking of?" Jon asked angrily, he hated not knowing as much as the Dornish knight.

"Yes, we want to know." Myles joined in.

"We have planned on having a marriage between my sister and Lord Eddard Stark which should get us in their inner circle and give consistency to our original plan of having Rhaegar as King." So that is where Lady Ashara is…with the Starks…Jon had found it odd that she was not around… "That is if everything goes accordingly now and no more unexpected obstacles arise..."

"Lady Ashara and a Stark? Gods what a waste…" Richard murmured.

"Eddard Stark is not that bad of a person…" Ser Arthur said. "Or was it that you wished my sister's hand?"

"I…" Richard blushed like a fool when the Dornish knight made the question.

"I think his reaction tells everything…" Ser Oswell said as he broke into laughter just as the rest of them did, Jon did the same but he felt no amusement in any of it.

"You will have to search somewhere else Richard…my sister has made her choice…" Ser Arthur warned.

"I guess so…"

"There are more fish in the sea Richard." Myles proclaimed in a way that he hoped would cheer the current Knight of Kisses.

"I intend to go on a quick trip to Summerhall." Rhaegar let it be known when the laughs ended. "I will leave today as I promised my Lady wife that I would be with her when the child was to be born."

"What about your father?" Ser Arthur inquired. "Don't you think you should try to soothe him a little so he does not burn the whole realm?"

"Until the marriage does not occur, there is little I can do besides greeting him as to not let him think it as a slight that I did not go to see him," Rhaegar said. "He would most likely dismiss anything I say and perhaps he would do the opposite just to anger me."

"You ought to admit Rhaegar is right Arthur." Ser Oswell said. "You know how the King works…"

Ser Arthur shrugged and said nothing more, it was Rhaegar who continued his reasoning. "I was thinking of taking Ser Jonothor with me as he is my father's creature and will tell everything to him, this way he can't say I went there to have a meeting or something of the sort."

"Must you really go?" Ser Arthur asked with insistency. "I think you should remain with Princess Elia, your Lady wife…"

"I have to go to Summerhall, it's very important but I promise it will be a quick and simple visit." Rhaegar insisted as well. "In the meantime, I expect whatever developments that occur here and with Lady Ashara to be reported to me when I return."

"Of course." Jon quickly said. "Everything we learn will go straight to your ears, My Prince."

"Very well then, I will go and see My Royal sire and then leave with haste. It was nice speaking to you gentlemen again." And so Rhaegar left to meet his father. The rest of them did not remain too long on the sport and dispersed for their own affairs.

Jon certainly felt relieved that a new plan was made and seemed to be in motion, he, however, failed to understand the need that his Silver Prince had to visit Summerhall and he suspected he was not the only one…that place was still mostly ruined…whatever it was it certainly had a function and if His Prince felt better by going there than so be it. He just hoped they would support him when the inevitable conflict with Robert Baratheon came…

Eddard Stark XII

Winterfell, North, Year 282 AC

The New Year had come a day or two ago. This year was certainly going to be special to Ned as he was going to get married by the end of it.

These joyful thoughts had prompted Ned to accept Brandon's invitation to have a drink at the Smoking Log back at Winter Town a while ago, to celebrate his betrothal…well…it went poorly to say the very least…one of Ned's worst ideas…Brandon in his wisdom decided to bring Benjen along as well and while Bran and Ned were capable of enduring quite a lot of drink, Ben had never gotten drunk before and the only thing he ended up doing was throwing up and fall asleep.

Upon seeing the three of them return home, both Lyanna and Ashara, who had been enjoying a conversation in the Great Hall, scoffed at the sight of them, being quite surprised that Ned accepted such nonsense in the first place. They were also reprehended by their father and by the hangover itself since it lasted for quite a while, especially to Ben who had to bear it for two whole days.

Nevertheless, Ned's thoughts were focused on his marriage ever since the confirmation came. He was hoping for a simple ceremony and told his father as much which made him earn a chuckle from the man. They agreed on it and his father also told him that Maester Walys was preparing a raven to begin a communication line with Starfall without interruptions. Since the closest destination they had to Starfall was Sunspear, this meant that any raven destined to Starfall had to pass through Sunspear and vice versa, meaning it would take much longer for a simple message to be sent and received, so any improvements were welcome.

But the new year also brought some less welcome news…Ashara had to leave for Dragonstone to be next to Princess Elia when the new royal child was to come to the world. For that reason, Ned, Brandon, a few of Winterfell's guards and of course Ashara had arrived at White Harbor so she could catch a ship to her destination.

They were now standing in the inner harbor where Lord Manderly had kindly arranged the best ship that was to moor at Dragonstone, a Braavosi Galley whose final destination was Oldtown, all so Ashara could experience the safest voyage possible.

"The captain is a good friend of mine Lady Dayne." Lord Manderly proclaimed with a big smile. "In his ship, you will be as safe as you never have been in life."

"Thank you so much, My Lord." Replied Ashara with a polite smile. "Truly I'm thankful for such kindness."

"Not a problem My Lady." The chubby Lord dismissed with a big smile. "Any friend of the Starks…" he glanced Ned with a smirk. "Better yet…any future Lady Stark is to receive the most exceptional of treatments that House Manderly can provide."

Father had written a letter intended to Lord Manderly which apparently explained that Ashara was engaged to Ned…That was why Lord Manderly seemed especially happy in the occasion…The Manderlys often recited the debt they had to House Stark despite it being repaid a long time ago.

"Once more thank you, My Lord," Ashara said with a polite nod.

"No problem, My Lady." Lord Manderly dismissed it with a hand gesture. "I see young Eddard is a lucky man..." That made both her and Ned blush while Brandon laughed.

"Lord Manderly." Called Brandon with a big grin. "Shall we go discuss some not important things that can be seen as important to let a certain pair of lovers say goodbye to each other?"

"Certainly Lord Brandon." Lord Manderly laughed loudly. "I have a variety of nonsense we could discuss."

"Don't take too long Ned," Brandon said, as he began leaving with Lord Manderly. "We have a marriage to attend at Barrowton in less than a moon's turn."

"Don't worry!" Ned assured. "I will be ready in a minute!" Or two…maybe five?

"Are all the Northerners this friendly?" Ashara inquired.

"Not all of them…" Ned confessed. "The Boltons and Ryswells are bit…different, the Skagosi Clans are not too fond of Starks and the closer you get to the Wall, then less friendly people are to southerners," he explained mostly with understatements as many of these houses would certainly try to skin some direwolves... "Lord Manderly is also used to deal with people from the south, so it's not a surprise he is friendly towards you. That and the fact that my father gave him a letter for him to arrange you a ship…"

"Your father is kind in his own way," she told him. "I appreciate his concern."

"Me too…"

"I guess this a…goodbye…" she murmured, certainly saddened with her departure, just as much as he was really. "I had so much fun at Winterfell and I can't wait to return and get married there, to you."

"Likewise." he nodded as he glanced her beautiful haunting violet eyes that made him fall in love with her during the tourney at Harrenhal.

"You will write to me, won't you?" she asked or rather demanded…

"Of course I will," he assured her. "As soon as I arrive at the Eyrie, I will send you a letter. By then you should be settled at Dragonstone a long time ago."

"I believe so," she nodded. "One travels faster by ship, so hopefully I will be by Elia's side when she is to give birth and I can't wait to see how much has Princess Rhaenys grown."

"I know I have said this already…" he began. "But do give her my wishes, and of course, of House Stark for a quick, painless and safe pregnancy, with a healthy child as a result."

"I will do not worry about that." Assured Ashara as she picked his hands. Silence befell upon them just then, they were staring at each other as well and his nervous self returned…he wasn't good with farewells, he did a poor job when saying goodbye to Lya and Ben all those years ago and now it wasn't much of difference from then…but just as many times before, she was the one to free him from awkwardness as she pulled him for a deep and passionate goodbye kiss, this would be their last kiss for quite some time…

They did agree on meeting each other in Gull Town and from there ride to Riverrun for Brandon's marriage, but that was almost half a year away for that to happen. He lived without her for eighteen years but now that he found her, he couldn't last that long without her... "Safe trip for you and Starlight, Shining Star." he wished as they broke the kiss.

"Safe trip for you and your crazy nice brother," she said laughing. "Don't let him tease you too much, that's my job."

"I will make sure he gets to know that." he chuckled as well.

She then made her way to the ship and embarked onto it while a sailor led Starlight inside. Then she appeared on the side of the ship's hull glancing at him and him at her. After a few minutes more the ship was ready to sail and the sailors brought the anchor back up. The ship began its journey. "SEE YOU LATER EDDARD STARK!" Was what she shouted at him while waving a goodbye nod from inside the ship.

He, of course, felt the need to reply in the same manner as her. "SEE YOU LATER ASHARA DAYNE!" A few minutes more and the ship was quite far away from him and he saw her enter the cabins, she was gone…he missed her already…

He found Brandon talking with Lord Manderly not too far from the docks. "My granddaughter Wynafryd is such a cute baby." Lord Manderly commented with a proud smile. "Her eyes are icy blue and her hair is the same color as both my sons and my wife Alysanne."

"I guess the children I will have with Catelyn might have her coloring…" Brandon deduced. "Auburn hair and deep blue eyes…it's not such a bad coloring…"

"It certainly isn't My Lord." Lord Manderly nodded as he noticed Ned arrive at their side. "Ah, Lord Eddard, is the beautiful lady gone?"

"Yes…" he murmured.

"Oh someone misses his love already…" Brandon teased. "Come on Dumb Wolf, let's ride to Barrowton before you cause the White Knife to flood with your tears." Ned then felt Brandon clapping him in the back. "Lord Manderly, thank you for everything."

"It was a pleasure, My Lords." The corpulent man said laughing a booming laugh. "Do not feel so sad Lord Eddard, soon we will see you both at your wedding."

"Indeed My Lord, I will look forward to seeing you there."

"I will make sure I'm present." Lord Manderly replied. "Safe travels to you both."

"Thank you, My Lord." They replied in chorus and with a polite nod, as they mounted their horses and left White Harbor.

Brandon had been surprisingly quiet until they were out of White Harbor, but he was surely just thinking about ways to tease him…Brandon would never change... "Miss her already little brother?" Brandon asked as their horses galloped by the dirt roads.

"Yes…"

"It's just a few moons, Dumb Wolf," Brandon commented. "Then you both will pledge for all eternity."

"I guess so…" Ned sighed…he missed her laugh and eyes too much already...

"Now…I have been meaning to ask…" Brandon began rather shyly. "Is the reputation that the Dornishwomen have in bed, true?"

"Brandon!"

"What?" he asked as if offended. "I just want to know…The Gods made us experience curiosity for a reason and I wish to satiate mine."

"She…is good in bed…" Ned murmured blushing.

"How good?"

"Brandon!"

"I just want to know!" Brandon insisted. "I won't steal her from you, I do value my life, you know?"

"How am I supposed to know if she is the only woman I laid with?"

"Well…that is a problem…" Brandon agreed. "But what can you tell me about her?"

"She knows her way in bed," Ned said. "She is experienced…and she also screams a lot…"

"A screamer, heh?" Brandon questioned with a raised eyebrow when he turned to him. "Damn you lucky bastard, you got the whole package in her."

"Can't we speak about something else? This is leaving me uncomfortable…"

"Sure." Brandon agreed while rolling his eyes. "Did she suck your…"

"BRANDON!"

"Okay…I will be quiet…"


Thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.