Hello again. Before I begin, here's a summary-
Dragon eggs,dragonknights, politics, and , and lots of cute baby moments.
Please note that I have made some age/relation changes to characters. We first saw this when I aged Jayne up a lot and gave the family more power, and we will see it again through Stannis' wife. Now I saved people who planned to complain the time needed to do so ;0.
Upcoming plan- Rewrite some moments in chapter 1-8. For example, change the trial by combat so Arthur doesn't look weak for no reason and adding in a line about Rhaella's grandchildren when speaking to Jaime. Other general QoL things too. If I don't do it now, I never will, and chapter 1 will always look super sloppy.
King's Landing
285 AC 8th moon
Rhaella
Rhaella had just entered the Red Keep when she was greeted by shouts of "muna" coming from two silver-haired children and another with raven hair. The first one to reach her was her last living son. Who was looking more and more like his older brother Rhaegar as he grew. Viserys was on the edge of his ninth name day by now and was growing taller by the day. By the time he sees his majority, he will be the image of Aemon the Dragonknight, Rhaella thought to herself. To live up to such a name, he would need to start squiring soon. Perhaps Ser Barristan would take him on and teach him the ways of the world if she asked.
Next was her only living daughter, who was now getting the hang of walking and talking. Her only living grandson was only a few moons older than Daenerys and was right beside her.
"I missed you so much, mother. Lord Eddard said when you got back, you would arrange for me to start squiring for Ser Barristan or one of the other Kingsguard, is it true? Please tell me it's true. He was looking up at her, clearly excited at the idea that Lord Eddard had put into his head.
She chuckled at his excitement and said that she would ask Ser Barristan, but he would have to be there when she asked. Viserys seemed satisfied enough by the answer. The shyness trait had skipped him clearly, but he had a lot to learn, and Barristan Selmy would be the right man to turn him into the perfect combat worthy Prince.
She then kneeled down to be on the same height as her daughter and grandson.
"Have you missed me, my little dragons? I have sure missed you both. I hope you were both well behaved for Uncle Ned."
They both nodded and gave her another hug before running off again, being chased by some poor Septa.
She next noticed that Lord Regent Eddard was standing in front of her next. So she greeted him in kind.
"Lord Regent, it is good to see you again. As you can see, I have returned from the Lion's Den without a scratch on me."
He smiled at her jape then replied, "I am delighted to hear that, Your Grace. I'm sure you have quite a lot of information to tell me regarding your travels, and I have some information to tell you too. If you don't mind meeting the Lord Hand and me in the council chambers within the hour, that is.
"Of course, Lord Eddard, please call a servant to find my Uncle too."
Ned nodded to one of his guards before leaving her to settle back into her chambers.
After getting settled back into her life in a prominent role in the capital, she started heading to the council chambers when someone walked up behind her…
"Muna"
She turned around to see Viserys looking up at her with a troubled expression.
"What is it, my big dragon?" she replied.
"I've had odd dreams. In these dreams, something is whispering my name and telling me to find it. Usually, everything is dark except when I see a cave for a moment before I wake up. What does it mean, Muna?"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Viserys, it was just a bad dream. We all get them, even me" She tried to give him a comforting smile.
Viserys wasn't entirely satisfied. "I think Jae and Dany are having these dreams too, I hear them crying during the night, and when I asked Dany what was wrong one day, all she was was 'dragon.'"
This gave Rhaella pause for a moment. She couldn't let Viserys know what it was she needed to speak to her uncle about, but she could sense that there might be some connection between it all.
"Don't worry about that, sweetling. Dany and Jae are only babes. Babes say odd things sometimes. She probably didn't understand and was just repeating a word she heard me call her."
"Alright, Muna, don't forget that you agreed to help me ask Ser Barristan to squire for him," Viserys responded, doubts quenched for now.
"How could I forget when I was the one who came up with the idea? Now run along," She said, chuckling. She was glad she could give Viserys the love and affection he needed. They had begun to grow apart when Aerys was around during his later years, and Rhaegar barely paid any attention to him.
She reached the council chamber to find Ned, Jon Arryn, and Maester Aemon waiting for her.
"My apologies, my lords. My son stopped me during my trip here. He was asking about squiring for Ser Barristan. I believe I have you to thank for putting that notion into his head Lord Eddard."
Ned just smiled in return. Some japing was always needed before discussing severe topics.
"My apologies, Rhaella. I didn't realize he would take the comment to heart. I wasn't thinking straight. Cat is less than a moon from giving birth to our twins, and I am quite excited."
"There's nothing to forgive Ned, I look forward to meeting Jae's new cousins. Now shall we begin?"
"I think I better start." She said after seeing them nod their heads in response.
Aemon Targaryen
"A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing." For a long time, Aemon Targaryen was alone. Yes, his family were ruling the Kingdoms a thousand leagues away, but that didn't matter much when you were stuck in the cold North on the Wall left to rot and die by one's self, with no family around you.
It was true that his uncle Brynden went to the Wall with him, not by his own choice, but he was lost a long time ago. He would also consider some of his Night's Watch brothers his family too, as the name "brothers" implied, but it was not the same.
That life at The Wall that he brought upon himself to avoid being a political pawn was over now, and he was much happier to be surrounded by family.
Although his days of seeing his family members with his own eyes were long over, it did not matter. If he was ever allowed to go back to a life of serving at The Wall, he would never take it knowing what he knows now.
At the end of the day, nothing brought him more joy than hearing the laughter coming from Jaehaerys and Danaerys as he told them stories of their ancestors Maekar the first and his brother Aegon the Unlikely. He would tell them how Aegon once traveled across Westeros with Ser Dunken, the Tall, one of the greatest knights the Realm had ever seen. Of course, given their age, he left out the part where he died in a fire to save Rhaella. Therefore being an indirect reason for both of them living right now.
Viserys would also join him for lessons. He was quite a few namedays older than Jae and Dany. He would typically have one-to-one classes with Aemon, where he would teach him the words of each great house, what their region is known for, and so on. Viserys loved hearing about Ser Dunken the Tall and Aemon the Dragonknight and all the other great Kingsguard, but he was also a good student.
Indeed, Aemon had never been in a happier place, but as Grand Maester, he also had the Realm's worry upon his old shoulders. Needless to say, it could have been worse, though. It was Lord Eddard and his niece making the decisions, not him. He could only give his advice. Now being elected King, that was something he did not regret turning down.
One of the reasons Aemon had for not regretting turning down the crown was because of the arguing that was happening right in front of him. Lord Eddard was not as forgiving as Rhaella was when it came to Jaime Lannister. It merely went against the whole idea of honor he held so dearly. No matter the consequences of what would have happened, Jaime had murdered Aerys, and there was more to it than that. Ned asked why he didn't protect Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon, for which Rhaella became very silent at that point, a very valid point Aemon personally thought. Still, it wasn't as if he was in that position.
It wasn't as if they could bring Jae's brother and sister back from the dead now though, those who committed the crimes were killed for their actions. Besides that, there was little more than could be done now.
Aemon spoke up for the first time during their meeting. "I'm sorry to interrupt your little disagreement, but did Ser Jaime mention anyone else who may have been involved in this plot?" He said, looking at Rhaella.
Rhaella grimaced for a moment then answered. "Yes, he mentioned that Aerys' former and last Hand of the King was the main conspirators and that there were two other pyromancers involved as well."
Jon Arryn spoke next. "I am nearly as unsettled by the new information regarding Ser Jaime as the rest of you are. However, the fact remains that there are still two men within this city that knew of a plot that would cause the death of a million people at the least. We must find them and prosecute them."
"I agree, Lord Hand, but they would just say they were following the orders of my idiot husband, and we need the assistance of the order of alchemists to dispose of the wildfire safely," Rhaella responded.
"We need the assistance of the order in general. I'm sure there are plenty of pyromancers within the city. Those two will be brought in for questioning while the rest help us get rid of the wildfire. Once we have confirmed the information, a small discreet trial will be held if they do not admit what we already know. Either way, I will take their heads before the issue is done with." Lord Eddard sounded more like a fierce wolf than a quiet one every day Aemon got to know him.
"I see no problem with that motion Lord Eddard," Aemon replied.
"They are not highborn, and they are not loved by the people, so there won't be any outrage but do not expect either to come quietly, prepare for a difficult fight once you confront them. In fact, they would be very ill wised to presume they are still in this city."
"You're right, Prince Aemon, this situation will be settled before the night is upon us, though, that is for sure. It has plagued our progress for far too long. I will call for Ser Barristan and Ser Richard to lead a group of twenty men of my household to deal with this issue. Unless anyone has any rejections?" Ned replied with a certain flair of haste.
No one objected. It was the right course of action either way.
"I will go speak to Ser Barristan myself to sort it. I need to arrange for my son to squire for him, so I need to find him anyway. If there is nothing else, my Lords, I will be going." Rhaella responded.
She was about to leave the room when she stopped again and looked at Aemon.
"Uncle, I've been meaning to ask you, have you had odd dreams recently? It's just Viserys has, and I have too, and even the babes have been offering signs of such a thing."
"I'm afraid not, Rhaella, such things are for the youth to enjoy. Old men like me barely sleep in the first place." He chuckled
She nodded then hurried off to find Ser Barristan.
The Bold Knight who knelt
Ser Barristan Selmy. The knight who could arguably be credited for ending the final Blackfyre rebellion due to slewing Maelys The Monstrous, the last of the male line of the Blackfyres House.
He was significantly rewarded for it when he returned from the rebellion to a white cloak from Jaehaerys, the Second of his name, but that King died from sickness not too long after. He was replaced by King Aerys II.
King Aerys was beloved by his people during his early years. The Realm was secure under his rule and that of the cunning Tywin Lannister, but that all changed after the Defiance of Duskendale.
Every so often, Ser Barristan would think to himself, "what if I hadn't offered to save him?" What did Barristan's braveness cost the rest of the Realm by saving the future mad King? How was he meant to know that the King that was meant to be would die on the Trident? How was he meant to see that he would kneel to the man who killed him to save his life? Robert may now be known as the 'Demon of the Trident', but he would be one of the many demons who now haunts Barristan.
He remembered when he returned from the war, he nearly broke down to Ser Gerold, saying he felt like a traitor for kneeling to Robert. Still, he was soon reminded by Ser Gerold that what he did was not of his own choice. It was the only option that would have kept him alive.
That didn't stop the guilt for what he did, though, or for what he didn't do. It was time to serve the surviving Targaryens for every breath of his remaining days. Ser Barristan made a vow to himself to fight for the Targaryens until he was dead, and by all the Gods, he was going to keep this vow.
His thoughts were interrupted by the widowed Queen standing in front of him. Who had a younger copy of Rhaegar by her side.
"Ser Barristan, a moment of your time if it pleases you?"
"I am at your service as always, Dowager Queen Rhaella. What is it you ask of me?" He replied with slight confusion as to why she had sought him out personally.
He was currently on duty protecting his new King outside his chambers.
"Ser Barristan, it has been decided that we are to arrest two of the Pyromancers. They go by the names of Wisdom Garigus and Belis, Lord Hand Arryn will fill you in on the rest of the details, and I'm sure Ser Arthur will give you further details involving Ser Jaime once you return." Even when possibly condemning men to death, Queen Rhaella had a sweet way of doing it.
Barristan was confused about how this involved Ser Jaime but decided to get further information off Ser Arthur rather than explore the issue now.
"Of course, Queen Rhaella, I will leave to meet him right now. Ser Brynden is due to replace me any moment now."
She nodded and smiled slightly in thanks.
"There is also something my son would like to ask you before you leave."
She said while turning to Prince Viserys, who looked as if he was going to faint.
Barristan smiled at the Prince in an attempt to encourage him to speak.
"Ser Barristan, I-I….I would like to squire for you if you have me? I want to be the greatest knight one day, and I know you will teach me everything you know," Said Viserys, unusually shy, he noted.
"It would be my honor Prince Viserys, but don't expect your training to be easy just because of your noble birth. If you agree to let me train you the way I was once trained, I will make sure Ser Duncan the Tall is envious of your ability, but it won't be easy. You will arise at dawn every morning, do what tasks I ask of you, train when I tell you, and take moments of rest when I give Permission. Do you agree, Prince Viserys? Think carefully upon your answer now."
He was more than humbled to be asked to train Rhaegar's brother in earning his knighthood, but if he were to make the training easier due to his high birth, he would learn nothing in truth.
Viserys looked at his mother, who nodded back at him, then he turned around to Ser Barristan again.
"I vow to do whatever you ask of me, Ser Barristan, whenever you ask it of me."
"I am glad you hear it, Prince Viserys. Your training starts tomorrow at sunrise. Meet me in the courtyard, not a moment late. I think we will first train you in the longsword, but we will be using wooden swords in the beginning."
"Thank you, Ser Barristan" Rhaella smiled at him, pleased that her only living son was happy and had a purpose in life.
"It is always a pleasure to serve House Targaryen."He said while bowing his head.
"Now, if you excuse me, I have criminals to arrest."
And with that, he left.
Rhaella
"There once was a King named Jaehaerys. He had a wonderful wife named Alysanne. They ruled together as equals for near on fifty years."
"He was as wise as Uncle Aemon and as brave as Ser Barristan. As fierce as Uncle Ned and as dangerous as Uncle Arthur".
"They brought the Realm together and even made a journey to Winterfell during their time as King and Queen. They had good times and bad, sad, and happy."
"But now, many many years later, the people of the Kingdoms say. 'There has never been a better ruling couple than Jaehaerys the Conciliator and Good Queen Alysanne.'
"Perhaps one day they will say the same about the two of you. You may rule together as equals, bringing and maintaining peace to the Kingdoms you rule. Just like your namesake Jaehaerys the First."
You'll do this with help from your cousin who will rule as your right-hand man protecting The North from Winter, just as his father and your Uncles do for you now."
"That reality is a long time away, my children. For now, it is time to sleep."
From the day Daenerys turned one name day in age, she told herself and Jaehaerys a story each and every night before they retired for rest.
Sometimes it was from a book, and sometimes it was from her own mouth. Tonight it was about the tale of Jaehaerys, the Conciliator, and his sister-wife Alysanne. Of course, the story itself wasn't very detailed.
Perhaps when they were older, she would explain the lore behind all these great Targaryen monarchs, or maybe it was best to leave that to Maester Aemon. None the less she enjoyed this time she had with her daughter and grandson. Before she knew it, they would be ruling, and she would be dead, so it was best to make the most of the time she had while they were still small.
Some moons into her storytelling Robb Stark decided he wanted to be in on the tales and thus began her research into Northern history. Much to her annoyance, most stories from The North were even less age-appropriate than those of The South. Still, at least she could tell them about Cregan Stark, the man who cleaned up The Dance of The Dragons and how he met his Blackwood wife during his brief but fearsome stint as Hand of The King.
Oh, what she would do to go back to the days of her younger years. Life was much simpler when you weren't running Seven Kingdoms. Now she had sleepless nights worrying about Tywin Lannister, thinking about Lord Varys and what he could be planning and, of course, all the family she had lost while she still lived.
Her own son Rhaegar, her cunt of a husband Aerys, her grandfather and great-grandfathers named Aegon and Jaehaerys respectfully. Even the grandchildren and the children she had lost during the many failed birthing experiences.
She thought about her family every night, and every night she was thankful she was still alive.
Right now, she was trying to sleep in her chambers. She had kept her old ones and would for the foreseeable future.
However, she couldn't sleep soundly tonight. She kept having visions of a cave, possibly the same cave Viserys had described to her earlier.
That was when the voice came to her, and it said one word.
"Dragonstone"
It was time for a trip to her ancestral home.
Viserys
Viserys rose up early the next morning, and he did so with glee knowing he would train to be a knight by the illustrious Ser Barristan the Bold.
He met his new mentor in the training yard and practiced hitting a straw-filled target as hard as he could, as best as he could.
He liked rising so early that he would hear the voices calling his name for fewer amounts of time. He knew they meant something even if his mother didn't believe him. It was just a case of figuring out what that was.
"Ser Barristan, please tell me about how you met Duncan Targaryen at the tourney at Blackhaven." He said, eager to learn as much as he could about his heroes.
Barristan chuckled and said, "Very well, Prince Viserys, but after I finish telling you the tale, we will get back to your training. If we waste too much time, it will be dark before we realize and too late in training terms."
Viserys smiled and excitedly nodded his head in response.
Ser Barristan continued. "I was only a boy back then, ten namedays old, I believe so not too many years older than you. I entered in a tourney at Blackhaven as a mystery knight. I was much smaller back then. People laughed when I fell."
"Everyone but your Great-uncle Duncan Targaryen. He was meant to be King after his father Aegon the Fifth, but he died the night your brother was born at Summerhall."
"Anyways, as I was saying, when I unhorsed himself and Ser Duncan the Tall, I must have earned his respect because when I revealed myself under my helm, he was the one who told people to not mock me. Instead, he shook my hand and congratulated me for unhorsing him."
"As fate would have it, six namedays later, I was knighted by his father, and well, the rest of my story can be saved for another time."
As if being called upon, Viserys mother ran up to them, shadowed by Ser Arthur. She had a look of concern upon her face, which made Viserys worried.
"What's wrong, mother?" Viserys said.
"Nothing is the matter sweetling, I am just here to inform you that we are taking a trip to Dragonstone, we are leaving right now, and a ship is being prepared as we speak."
He was shocked by how focused she seemed but moved to follow her to ready his things all the same.
Ned
"Thank you, Lord Baratheon and Lord Tarly. Your words of wisdom on our coastal defenses have been most valuable. The Iron Born will have a hard time staying up on the mainland, especially with all the losses they are sure to incur." Ned said, trying to end the meeting. Catelyn was due to give birth within the next few days if Maester Aemon was correct.
"Lord Stark, we have some other issues to discuss if you don't mind," Stannis spoke up. The man had really taken the role of Master of Ships to heart. It seemed to Ned that he had formed a sort of friendship with a Ser Davos and mutual respect with Lord Randyll Tarly.
"Very well, Lord Stannis, please do sit back down, tell me what irks you both," Ned replied. If these two men had something important to say, it was clear he should listen.
He nodded at Lord Tarly to start
"My wife gave birth to a healthy son, round the same time as the King. I would like to bring him to court to be trained by the Kingsguard if it suits you, my Lord."
Ned smiled. "Of course, my Lord, that sounds like a great idea. The more friends the King and my son have, the better they will be once we are all dead."
Lord Tarly just nodded in response as a way of thanks.
"I have found a Lady wife, Lord Stark, I ask for your permission to marry her, in Storm's End, the seat of my House." Stannis blunted piped in.
"Permission granted, my Lord. May I ask who the lucky lady is?"
"Her name is Wynafyrd," He said. A small smile appeared on his lips for a brief moment. Still, a brief moment was all you needed to understand the seriousness of the situation when it came to Stannis Baratheon.
"Wynafyrd Manderly? Wyman's daughter? Congratulations, Stannis, I am so happy for you, marrying a Northerner? that is certainly not something I would have expected to happen today." Ned replied.
He was undoubtedly thrilled for his best friend's brother, it would help expand the trade between the South and the North, and it seemed like this match was more than just politics at play.
"Thank you, Lord Stark, we are to be married within half the year. The war with the Greyjoy scum could break out at any moment. I wish to begin the process of making an heir before that. Time is of the essence."
"I look forward to hearing about further arrangements, my Lord. Please do let the crown know if there's any way we could help. Queen Rhaella might be of more use to you, though, for this situation. She left for Dragonstone for a short visit this morning."
Stannis nodded, so Ned started to try to end the meeting again.
"If there is nothing else, my Lords, I have a wife to attend to. Our children are due at any moment now."
"Lord Stark, before you go, we wanted to make you aware that we believe Varys is planning something and that he was behind that assassin attempt during the trials last year," Lord Tarly said.
It didn't surprise Ned that neither man trusted Varys, he didn't either, but they had no proof he had done anything wrong as of right now.
"You have my word, my Lords. I meant my threat to Lord Varys. If I can prove he has committed treason, I will arrest him, travel to the Wall, and throw him off it from its highest point. All before he can utter a single riddle."
They both seemed pleased by his answer, but they were interrupted by a Stark guard knocking at the door before they could say anything.
"Lord Stark, its Lady Stark, she's about to give birth, come quick."
With that, he rushed from the room.
He made it to their chambers, where he was greeted by a group of Septas surrounding his wife with Maester Aemon barking out orders.
"I see one of the heads, Maester Aemon," One of them said.
"That is a good sign Septa," Aemon replied. "Now, Lady Stark, one more push should do it."
"On my count…."
Dragonstone
Rhaella
Rhaella, Viserys, and Ser Barristan arrived at Dragonstone only half a day since they left King's Landing. The trip was short by boat. She imagined what it would be like if she had flown from Dragonstone to King's Landing and back again. How long would that take? Not that it mattered. All the Dragons were gone.
Her ancestors who abused them during the dance and Aegon Dragonsbane could be thanked for that.
However, she couldn't help but wonder if the reason she was here in the first place honestly had something to do with dragons. From the caves she saw in her dreams to Dany saying the word 'dragon' when she was asked what was troubling her could undoubtedly be related.
She hoped this visit would help her out.
"It's been over a year since I've been here mother, what would the smallfolk think of me? I'm their Lord, and yet I abandoned them," Viserys said. She had noticed he was beginning to express his emotion better than he did when Aerys was alive.
She chuckled, then looked down at him and replied. "Do not worry about that, my son. The castellan has been looking after everyone just fine, one day, when you are older, you will rule here in the name of your nephew, and when he has children, we will find you a new keep."
She internally hoped he had forgotten about how their staff would have sold both herself and Viserys to Robert if he had won. If Ser Willem and Ser Oswell hadn't been there to rescue them, Gods would know what would have happened.
"Thank you, mother. I will give my thanks to Monterys Velaryon," Viserys replied.
"How interesting Viserys, you spend one morning of training with Ser Barristan, and you are already showing more chivalry." She said, looking to Ser Barristan, for which she got a laugh out of both.
"Your Grace, Prince Viserys, we were not expecting your arrival. Please excuse the lack of honor guard," Monterys Velaryon said.
"That's quite alright, Ser. My son and I are just here for a short trip to the caves. Ser Barristan will accompany us. That is all the honor we need." She replied in earnest.
"Very well, your Grace, I will inform the chef to prepare a feast in your honor. It is the least I can do."
He said, then bowed and walked away.
"Where do we look first, mother?" Viserys asked excitedly.
"Down these steps will lead us to the caves, my son, hurry now. There's no time to waste."
It took them nearly half an hour to reach where her dream had been showing her, and then they spent another hour of searching. It took so long because they did not precisely know what they were looking for.
They were, in fact, about to give up when suddenly.
"MOTHER MOTHER COME QUICK. I FOUND SOMETHING."
She rushed over to Viserys to find him holding what looked oddly shaped stone, golden in appearance.
"Look, mother, I can feel something inside of it. It's moving. Touch it, Ser Barristan."
Barristan did as requested but made a face that suggested that he wasn't getting the same reaction from the egg.
"I don't feel anything, my Prince." He said.
Viserys then turned to Rhaella again.
"Look, mother, there's more as well. A lot more."
She looked where he was pointing. It seemed that there were nine dragon eggs in total, just lying there behind a rock.
She could not describe it, but it seemed one, in particular, was calling to her, oddly. It was as pale as creme with a gold hint, but it felt alive with scarlet ripples and swirls. Much like Viserys egg, when she held it in her arms, it felt warm as if something was inside it.
Dragon eggs, the cause of Aegon the fifth's death, the night Rhaegar was born. She felt nothing when she touched those eggs all those years ago, but this was different.
It is as if this egg for meant for her.
Her daydream was awoken by a servant.
"Your Grace, word comes from the capital just now, Eddard Stark's wife has given birth to two healthy girls, the feast is awaiting upon you to start."
She smiled widely but not as wide as the shocked servant when he saw the dragon eggs.
"Thank you for telling us. We will be up to feast soon enough. A toast to Eddard Stark's daughters will be called for, now help us carry these eggs."
Ned
285 AC 10th moon
Brother, I am happy to write to you with some delightful news. Dacey gave birth to a healthy baby boy not too long after your twins were born. It was a complicated birth, which is why I am only sending word now, Jae has another new cousin, his name is Cregan Stark, as a way of marking how his uncle seized power in the South.
Unfortunately, I also bring bad tidings, I have received word that Roose Bolton has married Cersei Lannister. Perhaps you will know this by now. However, considering you have not sent word back to me, I will presume you have not. I await instructions on how to next to proceed.
Send my regards to all my nieces and nephews.
Benjen Stark, Acting Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
That had to be the most challenging letter Ned Stark had ever read in his life. He had a new nephew for which he was overjoyed, but Roose fucking Bolton had married Tywin Lannister's daughter. He needed to call the council. A rage inside him was building, just a small part of him thought it would be best to end the Bolton line right this moment, but would that make him any better than the mad King? More opinions would have to be taken into account before a decision was sent back to Benjen.
He looked at baby Sansa and Arya, who were inside their cot together. They looked nothing like each other. If he hadn't been there for the birth himself, he would not have been able to guess that they came from the same womb.
Sansa had her mother's hair and general Tully looks, just like Robb. At the same time, Arya was the image of Lyanna when she was a babe, reminded him of Jae when he first found him at the Tower of Joy near on two years ago.
"Everyone I do, I do to protect you, my girls."
"You, Robb, Jae, Dany. It is all to give you a better future." He said with a hint of sadness.
Ned had to come to accept that the quiet wolf would have to die if he was going to be able to keep to that promise.
Regency Council meeting
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Ned said, looking around at some very groggy bodies.
Nearly all the council members who were on it full time were present. As well as Hoster Tully, who had stayed in the capital to welcome the birth of his new granddaughters longer than Ned had expected.
He would need as much input as possible.
"My Lords, Queen Rhaella, I have received troubling news from my brother, Roose Bolton has married Cersei Lannister. This is possibly a political alliance that is attempting to take House Stark's most powerful bannerman away and into the clutches of Tywin. What I am asking you is why?"
Stannis spoke first. "Lord Stark, it is clear he plans to attack you. The Dreadfort is the first step to having a stronghold in The North, kill Roose Bolton for his treason, then march on The West with the other Kingdoms' strength. It is the only way to remind Tywin Lannister, who holds power."
He received a few nods of agreements for such a suggestion.
"I agree with Lord Stannis, end the problem before it grows root in Cersei Lannister's belly. If Tywin Lannister has a grandchild in The North, what's to stop him from pushing that child into marrying one of yours?" If he does that, he will kill whoever he has to make his child Warden of The North."
Lord Tarly chimed in support of Lord Stannis.
Ned nodded respectfully. Both of their ideas and solutions had much merit. He could not deny that. However, ending the whole Lannister line would not be justified. He had grown quite fond of Tyrion and Tygett, and he had mixed feelings on Jaime, but they were not worth killing over, not to mention what he suggested meant killing a possibly pregnant Cersei. It was simply too extreme.
He turned his attention to his other counselors.
"Jon," He said to his former foster father.
"What do you make of all this?"
"Unfortunately, Ned, it comes down to timing. If the marriage is consummated and both parties said their vows willingly, then little can be done. The only way to undo it now would be to send Lord Bolton to the Wall and Cersei to the silent sisters. I can only speak for the Faith of The Seven, though."
"The Lord Hand is right. How much do we know? Maybe they were only married under your tree gods, is there any guidance regarding divorce in your religion Lord Stark?" It was Hoster who asked an important question.
Ned nearly rolled his eyes at the words 'tree Gods.'
"There is no organization in the worshipping of The Old Gods, Lord Tully. I won't deny your good point."
"Lord Tully is right with his evaluation, I'm afraid."
The voice came from the door. Ned hadn't even realized it wasn't closed.
The voice belonged to Lord Varys, accompanied by the one and only Tyrion Lannister.
"I apologize for being late, my Lords, but my birds were slightly delayed with their song. It appears Roose Bolton married Cersei soon after you left Lannisport Queen Rhaella."
"They have married in the eyes of both faiths soon after. That would make them married nearly three moons at this stage, low and behold their union has borne fruit, Cersei Lannister is indeed pregnant with a flayed cub."
"Thank you for your report, Lord Varys, but why are you only finding this out now and not nearly three moons ago?" Ned asked, annoyed with the eunuch as was the norm.
"Lord Stark, my area of expertise, is based on information. Casterly Rock is very tight-lipped. Most of my birds located there have lost their heads or their tongues as of recently."
Ned nodded in response.
"I would suppose that means Tywin has outsmarted you?" He said.
Varys was taken aback by his bluntness
"To an extent, yes, but if he truly won this game, I wouldn't have any information to tell you now, now would I?" He responded sharply, but he was right.
"Very well, my Lords, I will send word to my brother. Roose Bolton loses his lands, and Tywin Lannister loses his investment." He was ready to end the meeting there when Tyrion spoke up.
"WAIT, Lord Stark, you are falling right into my father's trap, don't you see that?"
There was a cold silence in the room.
"Of course, you would say that Lord Tyrion, now you will know what it is like to lose a niece or nephew," Oberyn replied with a pure Lannister filled hatred in his eyes.
"Enough of that, Oberyn, we are not killing the child in Cersei's womb under any circumstances. I will not allow it. Let Lord Tyrion speak." Rhaella was close to breathing actual fire, or so it seemed in Ned's eyes.
She nodded at Tyrion to continue.
While Oberyn scowled harshly.
"Thank you, Dowager Queen Rhaella, now as I was saying. Lord Stark, if you kill Roose Bolton or even send him to the Wall. The bannermen of Roose Bolton become my sister's bannermen and, therefore, my father's. You lose them faster than if you live. If you keep Roose Bolton alive, at least you can keep an eye on him."
"Why should I not just strip him of his lands entirely, Lord Tyrion? That will solve the issue. Do you not think so?" Ned said sharply.
"Perhaps it would, Lord Regent, but it is still an extreme method for dealing with a noble house that sided with you during the rebellion."
"So you would have us do nothing, Lord Tyrion? is that it?" Ser Gerold Hightower spoke for the first time.
"No, Lord Commander, far from it. I suggest a punishment fit for the crime and new laws to make sure such things never happen again.
He then turned to Lord Eddard and continued to speak.
"Lord Stark, you and the rest of your councilors have done a great job over the past year or so bringing the Realm together. If you get into a petty fight with my father, it would only cause more damage. We need everyone on the same side to take down the Greyjoys."
Ned sighed. This was going to be a long night.
"Very well, Lord Tyrion, petition us your plan."
"Fine Lord Bolton for marrying without consent, it'll really be my father paying for it. More funding for the projects for The North and the rest of the Realm would be nice, wouldn't they?"
Tyrion received nods from nearly everyone in the room.
"Lord Tyrion, you should be made aware that the crown has all the funding it needs for what we have planned for the next couple of years." Lord Tyrell, as Master of Coin, responded, feeling slighted perhaps.
"I have no doubt in your ability to count coppers, Lord Tyrell, but what I am referring to is the complete change in the transportation system throughout the whole of Westeros. Fines upon my new goodbrother and my father can create a new waterway in The North and then later the South's Kingdoms if all goes to plan."
What Lord Tyrion was saying had a lot of merits. Why act now when he could drain the leech Lord and his new father by marriage. If he straight up killed Lord Bolton, Lord Tywin could try to destabilize the throne.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Lord Tywin was not an issue going away anytime soon. He was behind a plot that was not considered treason but was also not looked upon favorably. He wanted Ned to crack, but Ned had to be smarter. War was one thing, but it was time to up his political stance even further. Tywin and Roose could be most useful to them all.
A new waterway in The North would be useful for when they started mining materials once the snows began to die down. All the Lord's lands that the river cut through could earn some coin for it, perhaps in a way that the Freys did with their bridge crossing. All except Roose, at least for a time.
If he was going to really let him live, he had to make it clear that it was much more profitable to be on the side of The Stark's and Targaryen's.
"Thank you for your input, Lord Tyrion. Your idea has many merits. Biding our time against your father does cause trouble, but there are still plenty of opportunities by playing the game as well."
"We shall vote on it, shall we?"
Winterfell
285 AC 11th moon
Benjen Stark
"Lord Stark." Two words he would never get used to, but he turned around when called.
"Good morning, Maester Luwin. What seems to be the problem?"
"Word from your brother, Lord Benjen, I have no doubt it is instructions on how to deal with the Bolton issue." The Maester replied.
Maester Luwin hadn't been in service of House Stark for long, but he saved Dacey during her complicated birth, and Benjen would always be grateful for that. He also had some wise council to offer to.
"Very well, Maester, let's have a look." He said while motioning for the letter to be handed to him.
He broke the House Stark seal that was on it. It seems Ned used House Stark sigils for his sealings for The North and the Targaryen sigil for The South. It was fitting in its own way.
Next, he read the letter. It was long and began with an acknowledgment of Cregan's birth, reports on how Ned's own children and Jae were doing. An announcement of a planned royal visit which wasn't due to happen until the children were older but would accumulate in Winterfell and, of course, instructions on how to deal with Roose.
He nodded to himself after reading the letter a couple of times.
"Maester Luwin, please get my wife and write to Lord Umber, Karstark, Glover, and Cerywn. We will stop in some of the other keeps along the way.
"It's time to show Roose Bolton who really holds The North."
"What is the plan, my Lord?" The Maester asked.
"I'm going to strike the fear of all the Gods into Roose Bolton, and Tywin Lannister won't be able to stop me."
The Lord's Chamber's
Later
"So, this is really what your brother commanded you to do?" His wife, Dacey Mormont, asked him in bewilderment.
"You read it yourself, Dacey. It's all there. That's Ned's handwriting." He responded, defending his brother's choice, surely Ned didn't make the decision by himself. He had numerous councilors from both sides of the war.
"But will it work? Would it not be easier to just send him to the Wall and be done with it?" She asked.
"If he does that, then new Lady Bolton inherits the lands. She carries his child according to Varys."
"Fine, but can he not just annul the marriage?"
"He could petition to the High Septon to have it annulled. Yes, he has plenty of Southerners who would be able to help him there, but there's no such thing in the Faith of the Old Gods. We both know that."
He sighed. "Therefore, to avoid causing tension in a broken realm, this is what has to be done."
"Fine then, but I'm coming with you." She responded, more serious this time.
"Dacey, you just had a child. What if something went wrong? What if he does attack us back? I couldn't 'bear' the thought of losing you."
She went from a frown to a smile once she realized his joke to frowning again.
"Honestly, Benjen, if you wanted a Lady wife who sits by the fire while knitting, then you should have been the one to have married Cersei, not Roose."
He laughed long and hard at that notion.
"Our son is fine. I am fine too. Maester Luwin said that my wounds have healed by now. Cregan is a strong babe. He will grow up to be the strongest supporter of his cousins just you watch."
He smiled again, oh, how he loved her. How was there ever a time where he wanted to swear a life off women? She was the perfect match. Wolf and Bear united, as The North always has been. Ned can enjoy his Tully wife. It was the she-bear for him.
"Very well, I relent, dear wife. How about before you get dressed in armor, I undress you down to nothing right now. If you are up for it, of course."
She looked at him with mock outrage and smiled.
"If the acting Lord of Winterfell wants his wife, then he will have to come to prove himself first, doesn't he?"
They both widely grinned at each other and embraced. They were in the Lord's chambers. They once belonged to Ben's parents and all his other ancestors, but they were gone. They belonged to him now.
Benjen Stark and his Mormont wife.
The Dreadfort
285 AC 12th Moon
Cersei Bolton
"Don't you worry, little cub, one day they will all bow down before your feet." She said while rubbing her slightly swollen belly. It had only been four moons since she discovered that she was with child, but ever since her discovery of such a thing, herself and her husband had grown rather fond of each other.
Lady Bolton was not the name she ever thought she'd have, but it is the name she had now, and there was nothing that was going to change that. She despised the thought of even looked upon his face during their wedding night. They were married in front of the Old Gods and the New. Still, after being reminded of her duty, she relented and consummated the marriage.
Roose was willing to let her wait until she had gotten used to her new life, but she did not let him wait, and she did not disappoint either. Perhaps the last rejection from Jaime when she went running to him was the wake-up call she needed.
Now she had a child to look forward to. A child with the blood of The North and The West. A child she decided would be named Joffrey.
Her husband burst into their chambers. "My Lady, it appears the Stark's have called their banners and have gathered outside the keep. I want you to get out of here and back to your father. GO NOW."
She nodded and started to run. Perhaps she could escape through the tunnels. She had to do anything in her power to protect Joffrey.
That's when she heard the voice of Benjen Stark.
"Lord Bolton, come outside with your Lady wife, and I swear on the life of my newborn son that she will not be harmed. We have scouts surrounding the lands of The Dreadford. There's no way to escape."
Her husband looked at her and nodded as they looked out to see banners of all the major houses completely surrounding them. Before she knew it, a giant man she guessed was Lord Umber was battering down the doors to the inner courtyard.
They had no choice but to present themselves.
Herself and Roose were shoved by men with leather armor, so she could not see the sigils of the houses they were pledged to. They brought them both before Benjen Stark.
She had never met the man, although he was more of a boy. He could be no older than her. Right beside him was a lady wrapped in chainmail while holding a mace. It could only be his wife, the Mormont bitch.
"Roose Bolton, you married the daughter of the Warden of the West, without getting permission from your Liege Lord. Do you deny it?"
He said while looking at Cersei's belly
"Clearly, Lord Stark, I do not, how could I? Marriage without permission is not a crime, is it?"
"In actual fact, Roose it is, marriage without the blessing of the Liege Lord or the King is a crime. A crime for which you will be punished."
"Your brother is no better than The Mad King if he kills my husband. You remember him, right? Killed your father and brother, didn't he?" Cersei hissed at the Stark Lord.
"Oh, I do indeed, Lady Bolton. It is funny how you mention him because my brother is about to prove he is very far from being even considered in comparison to him."
"In fact, let me prove it. Lord Bolton, if my brother was mad like your wife suggests he would overturn your marriage and get it annulled, then he would either kill you right in front of your wife. Which would make that child of yours not only a bastard but a fatherless bastard at that."
"My brother is a good man. He has more honor than you, Roose, and definitely more honor than Tywin Lannister. After a long time of considering this is his decision."
He motioned to his Maester beside him, who read out a letter with the Stark seal upon it.
"By order of Lord Regent Eddard Stark on behalf of Jaehaerys Targaryen the Third of his name. I hereby fine Roose Bolton 200,000 dragons to be paid over the next two years. Failure to do so will lead to him having all his lands stripped from him. Also, let it be known that any trade agreement made with Tywin Lannister is null and void."
That's all she thought? Did they not realize that 200,000 golden dragons were considered nothing in her father's eyes.
"Also, plans for creating a waterway that will cut across Bolton lands are to go ahead without rejection with no fees being paid to Lord Bolton. Again if he disagrees, he will be stripped of land and title."
Signed Lord Regent Eddard Stark
Dowager Queen Rhaella Targaryen
Lord Hand Jon Arryn
Benjen Stark spoke again.
Do you accept these terms, Lord Bolton?
Her husband stared back at him, not taking his eyes off him for a mere moment, and just nodded in response.
"I am glad to hear that." He said. Then he leaned into Roose's face and uttered the words.
"I know you were planning something. If this is what happens when you don't get our blessing to marry, what do you honestly think will happen if you commit treason or any other major crime? Keep that in mind Roose Bolton, or the next time I step on your lands, it'll be to take your head."
He turned back around and hopped back onto his horse, and started to ride away. The rest of his men following suit.
Dacey Mormont then turned directly to them and spoke for the first time.
"Be careful, Lord and Lady Bolton, we were merciful now, but you will get no such mercy next time. Cross us again, and Winter will come for House Bolton, and it will come with Fire and Blood."
King's Landing
286 AC 1st moon
Rhaella
"Grandmother? Wat uncle Benjen do to 'woos bolon?"
"Where did you hear such a thing, Jae? have you been listening in on meetings again? It must have been Ser Arthur letting you run off. I'll be having words with him."
They had just received a raven from Benjen Stark confirming that Roose Bolton had been brought to heel. Soon after, a raven to Tywin Lannister had been sent out. The whole situation made her attempt to make peace with the man only a few moons prior wholly pointless, but it was hardly their fault.
She had a further reflection on the time that had passed since arriving back from Dragonstone. The two pyromancers were executed by hanging while she was away. In contrast, the rest of the pyromancers cleaned up the wildfire. They would then receive payment for their work, but their guildhall would be shut down as soon as they were done. Instead, they were offered jobs within the city, to not leave them without a means of making coin to survive.
"No no, Arthur friend,he my uncle."
She smiled at the thought of Jae being so young but knowing so much already. He already knew to protect those who care for him, no one could find a friend more loyal than Ser Arthur.
"Okay, my child, but only if you promise to stop listening in on other people while they are talking about adult matters." She said, pointing her finger at him in a scolding tone.
He uttered the words "I prowise." His speech was far from perfect, but there was plenty of time to learn. He was still a babe just after seeing his second name day.
"A king's word is the law, do not forget that." She said, while kindly smiling.
"Now it is time for your story," she said as she lifted them both into their cots.
She first lifted Dany into her cot on the left and then Jae's on the right.
Temporary sleeping conditions would need to change as they matured, but it was appropriate for now.
"I think I'll tell you the story of the Dragon Prince and the Winter Rose tonight…"
She began to tell them their story of the night while both children snuggled their dragon eggs. They had both bonded with two of the eggs found in the caves around Dragonstone moons prior. Jae took fancy to the green-colored one, while Dany preferred the black one.
None of the eggs had hatched yet, but every Targaryen within King's Landing had formed a bond with one of the eggs they found, and they still had four remaining. Even Maester Aemon admitted with glee that he could feel movement from inside one of the eggs.
She could feel her dragon egg getting stronger and stronger. It was an indescribable feeling, but she thought it all the same.
Magic would soon be upon them all once again.
A/n- Breakdown.
Roose and Cersei married in the 7th moon of 285 AC, Rhaella gets back to KL in the 8th moon. Not saying it took a whole month, though, but maybe it did.
Like that storytime with grandmother part? I certainly did sorry, not sorry, haha.
So looks like we got our dragon eggs, but how did they get there? I consider myself lucky to be the one to bring the dragon egg in the cradle tradition back. In most fics, they have to wait until the next generation.
At first, I was going to age Viserys down, but I figured why would his path have to be a direct copy of Dany, Robb, and Jae? It's better to keep him older so we can see what happens when you get trained by Ser Barristan. I aim to have him as good as the Dragonknight, but I don't think I'll name him to the Kingsguard. They need political pawns in that house. Also, I am aware page boy would be more accurate than a squire, but let's just say they are combined.
I did age people up though I have and will continue to do so. As noted last episode, I completely changed Jeyne Westerling. Now I made one of Wyman Manderly's granddaughter's a daughter instead. It was a big decision on who I was going to place Stannis with. The most obvious option was Cersei but screw that lol. A great house of the North marrying a Lord Paramount is another sign of The North realizing they can't do things alone anymore, but the Manderly's always knew that. Another option were The Reach houses. I think it would have been funny if he ended up with a Florent again. The Hightowers are too close to the Tyrells, same with the Redwynes, and he was becoming quite friendly with Lord Tarly who's wife is a Florent.
Speaking about the Tarly's, look who's going to come to court and be trained to be a Kingsguard! LMFAO
So the wildfire is all gone now, the other two masterminds behind it are dead, and the guildhall is shut down. No way Ned would keep it open.
Now for the big part, the part I'm sure to get the most comments about. Cersei and Roose. I had a pretty harsh comment saying it made no sense blah and that Ned could just overturn it. Maybe he can, but I found no evidence to suggest a King can just unmarry people, so I mentioned it but did not go down that route. The marriage was consummated, and even if it was annulled in the faith of the seven, the old gods have no system like that.
I couldn't leave them unpunished as I had initially planned. I would have had Ned wave it off. Now that I look at it, that would have been very dumb. So yeah, this is the compromise. I suppose most comments do have a nugget of truth in them. Also, after much consideration, Domeric Bolton is gone. Tywin wouldn't sell his daughter off like that if his grandchildren weren't going to be heirs. I had only mentioned Ramsey in the last one anyway. I'm really looking forward to writing about the terrible two, lol.
The fact of the matter is that Tywin backed Ned into a dangerous corner where he had few options. He could have stripped Roose of his lands, killed him, sent him to the Wall, etc., but then Tywin can just play the victim then. He would never harm Cersei, especially when she's pregnant with that lovely little boy Joff! He may be heading towards being more ruthless, but he isn't mad.
At the end of the day. Marrying without your Liege Lord's Permission isn't something I consider punishment by death worthy. Instead, Tywin gets charged again, and the money can go towards improving the North, and a deadly message is sent to Roose. He now knows he is alone up here. Having Tywin as a relation is excellent, but it does not matter when everyone else who surrounds you would die for Ned Stark if asked. Having Tyrion delivering the idea raises the question…is this big brain Tyrion or no book material Tyrion? Lol. I will leave that open for everyone to decide for themselves.
Last subject-babies. Sansa and Arya being twins were hinted at in chapter 5. Let me explain why. 1) I want to speed up the process to get the rest of the crowd here. 2) It will show how different they are even more so. We have seen this a few times with Targ twins. Where they are the exact opposite of each other. I feel making them twins adds to that more. Arya will be the same, and Sansa will just be continuously pushed on Jae by Cat (oh, the irony lol). But there will come a time where one twin says North and the other says South. I also decided to name Ben's child Cregan. I had a little bit of fluff between Dacey and Ben, but it wasn't much. They are both 18, if not 19, in my universe at this stage. I draw the line at 16/17 when it comes to marriages here. Even that sickens me, but it is the reality of Westeros. I just refuse to give in completely. I don't see why anyone would complain, tbh.
So yeah, that's chapter 8 done with. The plan for chapter nine is a sequence of POVs over a few years. We still need to see Jaime's reaction by the KG, and a few more children need to be born. Then it is on the Greyjoy rebellion. It is there that we will see Ned prove how ruthless he is, and I really cannot wait.