Author's Notes
Hello. I am back with another chapter. And news, I have gotten a commission for a news story. Yey. So that will be coming soon enough, what is it? You'll have to find out when it's published.
Also, this story has reach 1k reviews. Thanks, keep them coming.
The morning sun's rays were beaming into the Hall of Hundred Hearths, now reconverted back to its usual feasting hall that it was. The Acolytes and Keep staff were all enjoying their breakfast, the exactment of the second day of the Tourney keeping things happy and the air light. That was in spite of the fact the man of the day, as it was his wedding day, looked horrible as he sat at his normal high seat.
"Is it just me or does Darth Nagash look like dogshit?"
"Probably just prewedding chills, it's no secret that he hates his bride."
"I think I saw her yesterday at the Tourney, she looks good so I don't see why he has such a problem with it."
"That was the older Tully girl, she's the pretty one. Darth Nagash is married to the other one." Nira wasn't paying attention to the gossip of her table. She was too focused on picking at her breakfast. Everything was terribly boring. She could only hope that when the chance to take the Crucibles in the coming year things would get exciting again. At the very least she could be with Victarion again. He was so cool how he utterly crushed anyone that so as much annoyed him. It was only when someone mentioned the Grayjoy Neophyte that Nira paid attention to what was going around her.
"It did suck that we didn't get to see Vic's brother fight. Dumb rules, it's a melee… people supposed to get hurt in it." Nira knew that some of her friends had snuck out of their curfew to go see the melee. She hadn't joined them as she hadn't thought it would have been fun given the no blood rules. Honestly she was more upset by the early curfew that they had to abide by during the tourney.
"Could you imagine if Euron fought and killed the prince by accident?"
"No way. Vic is one thing but even his big brother isn't as good as him."
"It was pretty cool seeing the prince taking down the Lannister prick."
"Best part was when that huge guy took an arm off." And like that Nira's interest dropped off and she stood up to leave. None of the others stopped her as they all knew not to unless they wanted a broken arm. The young woman that led one of a biggest Acolyte blocs left the Hall of a Hundred Hearths and began wandering the grounds of the keep. People were moving about getting ready for the day and the wedding at the end of it. She didn't care about any of it.
The only thing she had come to care about in her growing years were too things, fighting and getting stronger. She felt like there was something she needed in her life and that by getting stronger she would get it. Ever since she stopped being afraid of life and the power she had things had gotten better and worse for her. Better in that now she wasn't alone anymore but worse in that she really didn't find the company she kept all that good. It didn't matter. None of it did. She would get stronger just for the sake of getting stronger.
"Hey, you can't-" One of the guards that were barring the way into the Godswood was silenced by his partner who recognized her. Smart of him to drag aside his friend otherwise he'd have died. She had been reprimanded several times already for injuring or killing but that didn't stop her, she wasn't weak any more and so that meant she could do as she pleased.
Walking through the walled forest she ignored the servants scurrying away from her. They had been setting the place up for the upcoming wedding as there was no way that the Faith would officiate the wedding and so it would be a Northern style wedding in front of the Weirwood tree. Nonsense to Nira, she could faintly recall a time when she one day wished to find a husband and wed. Those were the silly dreams of a girl that needed to be protected. She didn't, she never would need to feel that way again.
"I want to feel it. I keep getting told I'm so strong but I don't fell it." She growled as she eventually came to the center of the Godswood. A deserted and half built wedding scene was in her way and with a flick of her wrist she ruined it all and destroyed it. It was in the way, no more reason was needed. Then as she walked up the stone steps she heard a raven caw. Looking up to a lone odd raven on one of the branches, she felt a sense of foreboding in the Force. But was too irritated to care, it was a bird and so with nothing but a hard glare exploded the dumb thing in a shower of gore. Again… it was in her way.
Nira walked to the base of the great tree and extended a hand to its bark. The soothing feeling of its power washed over her, it had been so long since she felt it. She had such vivid memories of it being a wonderful feeling… now it just disgusted her. And the moment she had that thought the feeling vanished and was replaced by emptiness… no… silent contempt. It seemed even this old friend that she had in the Light now was turning its back on her. Maybe she should have let Darth Nagash force her to burn it all those years ago. Nira scoffed thinking no more of it as she moved to pull her hand away… and not do so.
She struggled, trying to yank her hand off the bark that refused to let her go. Using the Force she tried pushing herself off of the tree only to be met with silence from the energy of the universe. She began to panic, sounds of desperate fear escaping her and soon her eyes widened as she saw her fingers get consumed by the bark. Her hand was melting into the rough exterior of the Weirwood. Nira looked to her arm, grit her teeth and felt out her own blood. Intending to use her gift to sever her own limb to free herself before being totally consumed by the tree.
"Now-now… don't make me laugh./Please don't hurt yourself, I couldn't bear it." A double sentence stacked on each other rung through her ears as she could feel a warm and comforting embrace from behind as well as strangling coils around her limbs and throat. "Come to me little brat, you have to do./This way young one, I have long wanted to meet you."
"No… no! I am stronger than this!" There was laughing, no two sides… just abject mocking from wherever the voice was coming from as her whole arm was now sunk into the tree.
"You are nothing but a speck of dust to me!/Oh dear child, do not say such silly things." The voice returned to its duel tones, one haughty and filled with bile toward her and the other comforting and caring but in a patronizing way. Nira's body was sinking into the bark as she struggled to do anything to escape but as her head reached the surface of the Weirwood she stopped, tears running down her face as complete darkness overtook her and she was subsumed into the tree.
The birds chipped as if all was content in the godswood and eventually the servants of Harrenhal checked back in. They complained and grumbled curses at the sight of all their work undone but happy that the scary insane teenager was gone. They began their hard work to fix everything and get things ready for the coming wedding, none the wiser as to what had happened.
"Good people of Harrenhal! Do not be seduced by these sinful heathens!" People ignored the rantings of the small group of faithful men led by a preaching Septon. They went on their way to the Meeting House of the Natural Order, among their number were many who were visiting the city for the first time. There were no Septs in Harrenhal due to the Faith's hatred of the Sith, the on that had been in the keep prior had been abandoned and torn down.
Over the years due to the fact the Septons had fled and shunned the city belief in the Faith of the Seven dropped to near nonexistent. Slowly but surely people turned to the Natural Order as their main source of faith, even those of Essos came to see it more in a favorable light to their homelands religions. Despite the fact no one in the Natural Order ever professed to speak for any god, people in Harrenhal believed they did.
The strain of belief that had formed was still very Westerosi, at the center was the Faith of the Seven but not as the official Faith preached. The Seven were instead seen as aspects of the Force given shape and agency rather than pieces of a single god. The Stranger was more venerated than in other places of Westeros. And overall it was far more free thinking than any dogma that had come before it.
That is what Moqorro had been able to gather in his short time in the city. He had arrived a month before all of this festivity in order to better understand the situation. Melisandre had utterly vanished from the Temple to the Lord of Light. Despite the fact she and others had disagreements on matters of dogma and scripture, no one doubted her zeal. Which is why her silence was all the puzzling. Then hearing rumors from Thoros, who had been sent to try and convert the fire loving Mad King of the Sunset Kingdoms, that Melisandre had in fact been in Westeros counseling a new order of wizards calling themselves Sith.
"Thoros certainly left out major details… the drunkard." Moqorro grumbled from his hidden spot among the masses moving about. He had gone without his usual red robes and even his dragon staff and instead was disguised as a common man. He knew that he would not fool the Red Priestess but that was not the point, only to allow him easy passage to her.
A massive crowd gathering around the church-like-not-church that housed the Natural Order. A small stand had been made so that one of the speakers for the Order could tell everyone about their philosophy while the locals made their way into the building proper. Moqorro listened in and out of the preaching of both the speaker and the Septon. One for genuine interest and the other for entertainment. The Faith of the Seven felt so hollow to him, when he peered into the flames questioning the Seven idols of the western lands all he got was flickering fire. No visions. No nothing. The Natural Order on the other hand… that caused the fire to turn and weave in unknown ways.
"Repent! For if you do not, the seven hells is all that awaits you!" The Septon and his followers were approached by a squad of Black Cloaks. Moqorro almost wanted to stay and watch events unfold but he found his shot at getting in. A group of former slaves from the Summer Islands that he better blend in with were walking into he building. He followed them into the Meeting House but no sooner did he step inside did he feel a hand touch his shoulder.
"I see your perception has not dwindled, that bodes well." He sighed as he turned his head to see Melisandre standing to the side of the arched doorway. She said nothing and held a unreadable expression on her face. Turning away, Moqorro followed as they kept to the wall of the Meeting House and away from listening ears.
"Why have you come Moqorro? There is no one here who would listen to your words." She spoke flatly and without looking back to him, most unusual. This was a woman of the senses, a woman that delighted in controlling a conversation with emotion but here there was none.
"I am not the only one. I am sure you aware that there are shadows from Asshai that lurk in your city's walls. I believe there is even a magistrate from Yi Ti visiting, drawn in by rumors and tales told of the Sith." It was true, all over Essos there were whispers of the Sith. While not on the lips of all like in Westeros, across the Narrow Sea thing were happening. A selective number of people were eyeing the west as possible return to older days. Some feared others rejoiced.
"I asked why are you here." She said directly as her steps stopped. Moqorro waited for her to look him in the eye but she refused to do so.
"You have renounced R'hllor. I did not want to believe it but if the guilt is so great you can not look at me then that can only be it." It shook him, that someone of such faith to the Lord of Light could be turned away. He did not feel evil from her, she obviously wasn't a servant of the Others, so why? Why would the Red Priestess that had been with the Temple for longer than most turn her back to their god?
"I do not look back because I do not wish to indulge in your twisting of my words. But I have learned beyond R'hllor, beyond the gods of this land and all others. I have been enlightened to the truth of all things." Mmm, it would seem he would be returning to Volantis with worse news than he thought. Or maybe not at all, as he heard the heavy foot steps of two behind him. Looking back he saw two massive men wearing turbans and whose faces were completely tattooed yellow and black… the irony of this fact was not lost on him. "Brothers, please escort Moqorro to the Black Cloaks' cells and tell them that he is not to be released until I have said so."
"At once Lady Melisandre." Their voices were low and… somehow inhuman. Not in a vile or unnatural way to Moqorro but just not voice he could place as something familiar. He was forcefully shoved back and the Red Priest allowed them to push him out of the building without resistance. Without his dragon staff and with the turning feeling in his gut about these two he chose the path of least resistance. But he had learned a great deal in his time in Harrenhal, and what he had learned would likely dictate the going policy the Temple of the Lord of Light had toward the Sith going forward.
"You seem a little off today, is something wrong?" Lyanna bristled at the question posed by her betrothed. Last night she had not been able to sleep right, both missing him by her side and both her encounters with the prince at shaken her. She truly hoped that she hadn't ruined things between her family and the crown. He pretended like she hadn't disrespected him, even if he was disguised, and even still the way he acted was concerning.
"I'm fine… let's just go and see the duels." Lyanna brushed off her worry as she stuck close to Robert. She didn't want another awkward or worrying moment with the prince for the rest of the time here. There was no possible way to know what he was thinking but going off what she had seen it was nothing good. He was married and she was engaged, the kind of thing that was worrying her the most was a disaster waiting to happen.
The two of them moved through the crowd of people to a more open arena then the one on the previous day. This one on the other side of the fairground and more in the style of the traditional stands and open field that a tourney usually had. Today along with more time to explore the fair would host a tournament of one on one duels. The only rule being that no one from the Melee was allowed to join in on the Duels. Robert and Lyanna both took their own seats, a bit away from everyone else so that they may have some privacy.
"Lyanna, I know when your upset over something… it's not that hard to tell." Robert leaned over and asked her quietly with a chuckle. That was her curse for being so free with her feelings, that it was easy to see them to those close to her. "What is it?"
"The prince came by last night." Lyanna sighed as she decided to not avoid the subject. Below them were several ongoing duels between lower nobles and commoners alike. About a dozen in rings of small stones. The one drawing the most attention was Euron Grayjoy as since he had not been in the Melee technically, he was allowed to join the Duels… under the same ruling of no killing or maiming.
"What for? Did he rub it in Ned's face?" Robert growled and Lyanna felt a relief and joy that he trusted her enough to not even think that it could be for something sordid.
"It was for me actually." That got a look of shock and then one of held back anger. "He knows about Mya, and felt the need to tell me about it. I don't think he approves of you." Lyanna worded this very carefully as to not give Robert the wrong idea. Better to not have him thinking things that weren't even happening. And thankfully it seemed that Robert took it well enough as he just made a face mixed with relief and rude uncaring toward the opinion of the prince.
"I like give two shits about what some pretty boy prince thinks." He grunted and Lyanna smiled as she held his arm approvingly. But as the moment passed and they returned their attention to the duels, the nagging feeling of dread stayed in the back of her mind.
"Fuck it's been a long time… wow… everything is brighter." I gasped as Quinn injected me with a stimulant to wake me up. We had spent all night going over the ways that we could adapt our plans to have Brandon survive. An idea had come of it but we needed Talzin's input to confirm if it could work.
"Remember sir, this will wear off in half an hour so try not to drag this out. Thankfully we have a excuse to push back the wedding a few hours as some destroyed the ceremony set." I was barely hearing Quinn as I was staring at my hand, the high of the drug was quickly wearing off leaving only the perkiness of its effect behind. That was good, as the big show was about to start.
We were outside the city walls were my greatest technological surprise was waiting to be unveiled. All the important people had traveled from the fairground to this outer stage in order to hear and see what could be so fantastic that it needed to be outside the normal festival. But it was a big one, something that wouldn't see use until after the Rebellion but one I planned on making sure had as big of a impact as possible. A stage had been built in front of it, covered in a massive white sheet. After a speech I would unveil it and bask in the glory of these primitives awe.
"Well then better get this show on the road… or tracks as it were." I chuckled before I ascended the stairs to the stage. I felt like a great inventor back in the American Industrial Revolution, ready to set people's minds aflame with the future. Because I was. "Good afternoon everyone, I pleased to see so many excited faces here to see the grand jewel of this tourney."
There was a appreciative applause that came from the crowd. A mix of nobility, wealthy merchants, and some of the higher ranking members of the city. All of them were very curious about what great thing that was covered behind me. Though I could sense a few small slivers of indignation towards my words. Likely the nobles from the Riverlands that were upset at my continued overshadowing of the wedding to Lysa Tully. Too bad, I promise even if I wasn't doing this the wedding would be overshadowed by what comes after.
"But first, while I have you all here my captive audience. An announcement form both myself and the King. After discussing with his grace, he has agreed to a small request of mine." Mummers spread through the crowd and no uncertain amount of fear was laced within them. But at the very forefront of the crowd of Ayres looking mighty pleased with himself so I cared little about that. "I'm sure that all of you can agree that this great city is beyond anything that Harren the Black would have or could have made. Even the keep has been reshaped into something else entirely both in form and purpose. That is why I requested that it and the city's names be changed."
Gasps followed this announcement. This was unheard of in the history of Westeros, sure new holds and castles were created and named but never before renamed. The were proud histories and glory associated with almost all of the keeps and certainly the cities of Westeros. But Harrenhal was different. Not only was the city that now surrounded the keep new, but the keep itself held little glory and good will by most of the realm. No family had held it for a extended period of time and thus was not a ancestral home by any living house. It was a very unique situation as while the very idea of renaming a holding was alarming… the target of this particular renaming would find no detractors.
"With his grace's blessing, I name this city in tongue of my homeland as the honor given right of founding it. And as for the keep, I have been granted the same privilege by the people of this land by my part in banishing the ghost of Harren the Black. So from this day forward, Harrenhal is no more but now the keep Barad-dûr, center of the city of Dol Guldur." I laced my words with a little Force Persuasion to help get people over the foreign nature of the names. Later I'm sure many would scoff and decry such a thing but if it was met with applause at its announcement, those same people would do so quietly instead of publicly. As for me… I can't fucking enjoy this joke I had set up for myself for years because I'm too worried about losing Lyarra. Come on Naraiz… let drugs do their job. "And now for the main event! I present to you, the future of travel in the seven Kingdoms!"
With that I used the Force to pull off the sheet of a steam powered train. Nearly the same as the old locomotives seen in old western movies or Back to the Future Three, but with a little Imperial flare here and there. This had been the brainchild of Quinn and Qyburn and a labor of love from those that the pair plucked out and taught the secrets of engineering. A core of men and women that were instrumental in many of the advancements that were being used today in the city.
The crowd awed in sheer marvel at the sight before them. Something so large and alien to them caused many to recoil in fear and majesty. But thankfully I sensed mostly exactment and wounder at the giant metal goliath that stood behind me. A passenger car attached behind and a line of track had been made to circle the entire city. Once I was finished up here, the royal family, minus a scheming prince, would be the first to ride it.
"This behind me is a locomotive, a beast of metal and steam. Capable of moving under its own power and transporting goods and people across vast distances. And before anyone gets any ideas, no sorcery here… it can be operated by anyone with training and knowledge to do so." With that the train's whistle blew, giving them all a good scare before the engine started to heat up. They all watched in anticipation as smoke started coming from the chimney. Then once the fires had time to do their thing and get the engine going, the sound of the wheels and moving parts came. Then slowly but surely the locomotive started inching its way on the tracks. "Another stage is further down the line, ready to take its first brave passengers on ride around the city walls. Any further questions will be answered by the men at that stage whom have all worked on this project and will be happy to answer your inquiries."
With so many shocked and excited faces, the crowd mindlessly followed the slow moving train down towards the aforementioned stage. I breathed I sigh of relief as they all were too interested in the future to stick around and pester me. The drugs in my body were already starting to simmer down and I could feel the coming crash. I still had a wedding to prepare for… but a nap sounded so much better.
Oberyn Martell was a happy man. Even as he silently sneaked his way through the newly named city of Dol Guldur to the secret meeting place that the prince had found. He, representing his family, would listen and take part in the conspiracy to dethrone the Mad King. Despite the fact that Oberyn hated the arrogant little shit-stain Rhaegar. He disliked him even before Naraiz had told him the probable future, and the Dornish prince's hated was cemented when he heard his sister's cries about the unhappy marriage between them.
"This way my lord." One of Rhaegar's loyalist household guards said as he led Oberyn to the meeting place. All this sneaking around was so fun, playing spy for both his brother and Naraiz. His first loyalty was of course to his family and those he loved, but second to that was to the Sith.
Afterall, they were the clear winning side when you had all the information on them. But more importantly, Oberyn simply just believed in their vision of the future more than whatever delusions the puffed up prince had. A land of free thinking, a well oiled industry for the people, a welcoming community that prided itself on duty and solidarity? All these things were far better than anything the Targaryens had ever offered. Then there was the personal things that kept Oberyn to the Sith, the sense of adventure, a lasting friendship, and one of the women he had come to love beyond any other.
"Were you followed?" A nervous guard in front of a currently unused warehouse asked as Oberyn and his guide approached. They of course had been followed by Naraiz secret police but Oberyn wasn't gonna say that. He was ushered inside once the guards spoke, and the number of people waiting on him was disturbing.
Inside were Mace Tyrell and his most capable bannerman Lord Randel Tarly, the former looking both nervous and overly proud at the same time. Meanwhile Lord Tarly was setting Oberyn on edge with just how… confident he was looking. Also in the room was Lord Jon Connington, this was unsurprising as he was widely known as a close ally of the prince. That was it as to the members of this little cabal, shocking Oberyn as he expected more in the ways of members to support the prince.
And it wasn't long before the man of the hour made his arrival, a sour look on his face and Oberyn knew exactly why. People were loving the Sith, they were praising Naraiz for his bringing of the future to Westeros. The presentation of the of locomotive was just the pinnacle of it all. Oberyn had a feeling that the motivation for Rhaegar was becoming less and less to depose his father and more to oust the Sith. A nigh impossible thing to do given their popularity and now they hold a bastion of a city and keep that rivels that of any of the greatest in Westeros.
"I welcome you lords of Westeros, thank you for coming to this meeting." Rhaegar address them all as he schooled his discontent and put on the face of a regal prince and not the petulant child he had been a moment ago. "While my father plays the madness of the Sith and their unnatural manipulation of nature, we come here to discus our plans to remove him from power and bring order back to Westeros."
"Uh, your grace… are the Lannisters not going to be in attendance?" Lord Tyrell asked trying to hide the anxiousness of his mood. Oberyn knew that the power in this room was not enough, that they needed at the very least one more Great House pledged in full to their cause. And the idea of Tywin Lannister joining this little group was a easy one to have, which was why Mace could have it.
"Lord Lannister is not here in attendance however his support is all but assured once I approach him for it. He has no love for my father and is a capable and intelligent man, able to see the righteousness of our cause." The Dragon Prince smirked as the others relaxed a bit at this confirmation. Oberyn did have to hand it to Rhaegar, he was a charismatic speaker and one that capture a room with little effort. "But he is not the only Warden I seek to sway to our cause."
"Oh, and which might that be? Do please tell me that the Reaver of Pyke is joining us." Oberyn joked but got unamused glares from all parties. It was clear that his presence was only tolerated and not enjoyed. He was just here to represent his brother and Dorne and nothing more.
"No, I believe I shall soon have the North join us in our bid to remove my father before he destroys everything we hold dear." Oberyn was able to repress both the sigh and strike of anger that wanted to escape him. Because he knew what the prince was thinking, Naraiz had informed him of the Dragon Prince's scheme months prior. He wanted to impale the bastard for even thinking of just replacing his sister for a woman that was happily engaged all for some silly prophecy.
"My apologizes your grace, but all Lord Stark is concerned about is the destruction of the wildlings that took his wife from him." Lord Tarly pointed out and it was true. Few even in the North had been able to get their Warden to think beyond his crusade against those beyond the Wall. The progress that the North had been making before that event had come to a slow grind after and it was alarming to many.
"Yes, but I have plans that he won't be able to ignore." Oberyn had to do every trick in the book to avoid letting how he really felt about that line show. It sounded so smart and not at all cruel like it was in reality. He needed to move the conversation along
"When would be the best time to strike? Who knows the damage the Mad King could do if we are not swift enough." This time he wasn't greeted with glares but looks to the prince for a answer.
"Lord Connington, you will continue to progress with the work we had discussed before." Oberyn had little doubt that that was undermining the Stormlands for the coming civil war that the Prince knew had to be coming. "As for the Reach, quietly begin arming your levies and men-at-arms, I will be speaking with Lord Lannister soon and as for Lord Stark that will be a bit longer. But within the year we will need to make a show of great force in order to dethrone my father."
"Yes, your grace." The three men bowed as Rhaegar looked to Oberyn, a focused glint in his eye.
"As for Dorne, entrench yourself. We will need Dorne to act as a safety measure, a place to fall back and stockpile should the worst come to pass." That barely made any sense, and was pointless. But it also meant that Dorne would be the least capable to mobilize outside of their borders, almost as if the prince counted on them not supporting him. Oberyn bowed, making sure to send a raven back to his brother to advise to do exactly that.
"Oh… I'm so jealous. I can only hope to look as beautiful as you on my wedding day." Catelyn gushed as she helped the handmaidens assemble the white dress onto Lysa. She was snow white with stress and worry, doubts and fears still swarmed her mind like flies.
"You will be, I know it." Lysa mumbled as the final pieces of her wedding dress were finished. She once agin stood in front of the mirror, able to see herself in a the pretty white dress that her father had specially ordered for this day. She had heard it was made in Lannisport with fabric from Essos. All that made her feel it was wasted on her.
"Thank you. But today is about you. Soon, you will walk into the Godswood were everyone will see you married to one of the most powerful men in all of the realm." Almost over night people were saying that Darth Nagash now number among people like the King or Tywin Lannister. Lysa had even heard once between a few that he should take her father's title of Lord Paramount of the Trident. It turned her stomach because she knew it all to be true. The Riverlands were now a place respected by many thanks to Darth Nagash's efforts, far more than any contribution her house ever made.
"My ladies, it is time." An attendant spoke up after minutes of last-minute fussing. Lysa steeled herself as they walked down the halls of Harren… Barad-dûr. She thought on all that had happened in her life that led to this moment.
The day when she had been happily playing with her sister and the boy that she had a child's crush on then learned that she would be married off by the orders of the king. Later seeing the dashingly handsome foreign man that had destroyed an ancient curse. Hearing him say he would not love her and break the vows of marriage but would do all in his power to make her live a happy life. The years upon years of hearing of the development of the Sith and the glories of her future husband. Then now, coming to her new home and not even being given much of a welcome. Overshadowed by festival and the future. The talks with her father and her uncle. It all played out in her mind as they walked to the Godswood.
Then, they came to arch that led into the sacred woods of the keep. Snow had been cleared for the large number of people in attendance but it was there was still a light dusting of it across the ground and trees. People had been saying spring had come but it had not come soon enough for her wedding.
The small group of her, Catelyn, her family's handmaids, and the attendant soon arrived at the wedding ceremony. A small choir was singing softly, a low hymn that could be taken as gentle but she found somber. The area around the small mound the Weirwood rested on was cleared and settled by large rugs and neat chairs for the forty or so people in attendance. The royal family was at the front, followed by the representatives of the Great Houses that were here, then the heads and other members of Riverland noble house and lastly the untitled key people of the keep and city. It was all decorated in Tully colors along with purple and black, the colors of the Sith. It was all beautiful and sad all at the same time.
Her fake smile turned somewhat real as she came to her father standing at the entrance to the lines of chairs. He held her hand as she and him walked down the aisle, her sister taking her seat and the handmaids leaving entirely. She gripped her father's hand tight as she looked up and saw the figures of her soon to be husband, and beautiful red haired woman in front of the Heart-tree. As no Septon would officiate the ceremony, this woman would be doing so as Lysa had been told before hand. But it was her betrothed that her most nervous.
He was dressed in fine robes, a mix of the suits that she had seen touted by the tailors of the tourney and the traditional robes he had always been seen in. Undeniably he looked the part, dressed properly for a wedding. But his face, was cut from stone and without a hint of emotion. A very feint frown on his lips and a focused by uncaring look in his eyes. It was the look of a man that was unhappy to do be what he currently was doing but couldn't allow others to see how he really felt. A compromise of emotional appearance.
"Who comes before the gods this day?" Lysa could hear a sharpness to the woman's voice as she asked the question. But it wasn't pointed toward her, but it still stung.
"Lysa of the House Tully." Her father spoke, stern and while many would like think proud that wasn't the right word. Sure he was proud of her that much he had already said, but he couldn't be proud of this moment. "A woman grown, true born and noble. She comes to be blessed by the gods, who comes to claim her?"
"Naraiz Rhyhall." He step forward, still not showing any kindness nor malice in his appearance. "Grandmaster of The Sith." Lysa had heard that when he presented himself to the court of King's Landing that he gave out many titles, yet here he only gave out one. "Who gives her."
"Her father, Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun and lord Paramount of the Trident." Those words were spoken with jealous conviction. Seems her father had heard the whispers she had heard as well.
"Lady Lysa, do you take this man?" The red woman asked as if she had a choice. She could refuse as was her right by the gods as no man could force another to marry by law. But… that was only as true as the king let it be. But would dying by fire be so bad? Would ending it all be better than a empty life? Or maybe that small bit of hope for the love that a mother feels for her child would be enough. Yes… it would have to be.
"I take this man."
"Come now Ned, you can't sulk when there is a party to be had!" Robert cheered as in the Hall of a Hundred Hearths the after wedding dinner and dance was in full swing. At the end of the hall was the high table where the royal family, the Tullys, and Naraiz Rhyhall sat and presided over the night's festivities. In front of them was a dance floor, smaller than the one of the first night as half of the hall was set by tables for eating. The food was delicious and the drinks were plentiful but Eddard simply wasn't keen for the dancing.
"I just don't feel ready to move that much again." He was using the excuse he was feeling sore from the Melee not to dance in in reality he didn't have the courage to find a partner.
"I know your lying brother, you can't fool me." Benjen smirked with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Both him and Robert were on either side of him and both trying to get him to do something he didn't want, have fun. "What fair lady wouldn't want to dance with the runner up of the Melee. That's still a great honor, no one would look down on you for losing to the prince."
"Listen, you two go have fun. I'm fine right now." Eddard said in that tone of voice that Robert understood was final. That they were getting to the point where Eddard was not willing to be pushed further. Benjen who did not have as much experience with his older brother opened his mouth to try and again but was yanked off his seat by Robert. The Lord of Storm's End dragged of the Sith Stark as to not upset Ned even more. The Quiet Wolf was thankful for this but left the table and the hall shortly after.
He aimlessly roamed the halls of the newly named Barad-dûr, never venturing to far as he had been told that there were parts of the keep not meant for outsiders. The three towers were totally off limits, the Hall of a Hundred Hearths and the rest of the Keep were apart of smaller structure connected to the towers by a courtyard and inner walls. This was where the Acolytes lived and trained, but most of them were sequestered away from the festivities of the wedding party. Nevertheless the keep was still a massive place and so Eddard had plenty of room to wander aimlessly.
The young Stark sometimes turned back around when he heard voices or saw couples sneaking off to do what they do. But overall he was lost in thought. Was he proud that he was the runner up in the Melee, yes. But he was more scared about the future. All the talk about the future of the realm and now seeing a wedding had given him a bit of a shake. He was a second son of a Great House, unlike with other second sons who could possible fade into the background he had no such luxury. And now that he had achieved something, more would be expected. What was he now, best friend to a Lord Paramount, runner up to a great tourney, heir to nothing, and certainly would become no knight as his faith to the Old Gods was too strong for a Septon to knight him. What could he become now?
"Just what were you doing with my brother?" Eddard knew he should have turned back at hearing that. He wasn't a spy master or worked for one, he had no business listening in on what was happening.
"Please ser, you're hurting me." But hearing that, he could not step aside. He was no knight but he had his honor, both his Stark blood and Jon Arryn had made sure he knew the importance of honor. So he stepped out from the corner to see something unthinkable, a Kingsguard accosting a woman. The two looked to see Eddard step into the light and the man in gold armor stepped away from the wall he had pinned the violet eyed woman. With a scoff he turned back around and walked away.
Eddard had sweat and felt himself age by years in that short moment. His mind had gone so fast, thinking of the possibility of fighting a Kingsguard. And the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard at that, Ser Gerold Hightower. But the sound of the woman sliding to the ground and begin sobbing snapped him out of his stupor. Immediately and without thinking he rushed to the woman's side.
"My lady, are you hurt?" Kneeling down to her side he reach out to touch her shoulder but she recoiled at his hand. The look of sheer fear and panic on her face as she looked up, tears in her eyes worried him. Just what had happened and what could have Ser Gerold have done to do this. Thankfully the fear passed and her face softened before she began to wipe the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry, that was rude. I have… issues with men suddenly touching me." She explained through the small sniffs as she tried to collect herself. "Thank you for intervening. It seems Ser Gerold was upset by my dancing with his brother in arms."
"Do you need help up?" She smiled and took his hand, he noted that she held it a bit tighter than she should have. "And would you like me to escort you back your carriage?"
"Yes, thank you." There was a silent plea that had been answered as she took his arm tightly. "Ashara Dynae, and who might be my valiant knight." Eddard could tell that she was trying to put on a brave face, or trying to distract herself whatever lingering emotions that had come from the incident.
"Eddard Stark." She chuckled at him giving his name. "What so funny?"
"Your brother had been pestering me to dance with you earlier, but then ran off when his betrothed started approaching us." She giggled as he groaned as that was exactly something Brandon would do. "I would not have minded, but Ser Barristan asked me and once that was done you were nowhere to be found."
"I'm… not one for dancing really or parties in general." It wasn't that he didn't like having fun, its just that he preferred something smaller. A gathering of true friends and less fake smiles and masks.
"I am as well, but I am a handmaid to lady Elia so I have to go where she goes." The two continued to speak, each growing increasingly relaxed with each other. And time passed before Eddard realized that he had been walking them in circles, and Ashara pretended to not have noticed this from the beginning. But eventually they reached the gatehouse of the keep where a line of carriages was waiting. "So Eddard, are by chance betrothed to anyone?"
"I uh… no… no I am not." Eddard blushed a bit, only just now remembering that he was speaking with someone whose culture vastly differed from his own concerning courtship. But Ashara simply hummed a bit at his response as the carriage door was opened for her. He thought was the end of it but before she stepped into the carriage she gave him a quick kiss to the cheek. And just like she was gone, before he even had time to understand what had just happened.
The door closed behind them. Lysa watched as her now husband walked into his quarters without addressing her in the slightest. They weren't in a bedroom that was clear, instead they were in a cozy living space complete with a fireplace and several couches to sit on. Decorated with a mix of furs, metal arches and workings, troves of books, and lastly doted with artifacts and trophies.
"Saarai, please get Lysa something to drink." Lysa heard Darth Nagash speak as if there was another person in the room. Then… there was. An unearthly beautiful woman with exotic features simply appeared in the middle of the room in a feint gray mist. The woman bowed to them both before walking to a small corner of the room where a table with a tea set and strange object resided. "You have been so afraid all throughout this entire thing. I fully admit to my part in that but I still think most of the blame should go to Ayres for forcing this whole thing down our throats."
"I uh… don't understand." Lysa couldn't take her eyes off the woman that had just appeared out of thin air. She knew that she had married a sorcerer but this was beyond anything that anyone thought he was capable of.
"Saarai here is an extension of myself, a physical manifestation of my connection to the Light Side of the Force. I don't expect you to understand, just know that her only pursuit in life is to help me." That didn't really help calm her nerves. She had been expecting to do as those just married do. Not… experience a vastly more beautiful woman appear before them and be told that she was only her to serve her husband. "She will be hear to answer any questions you might have."
With that Lysa watched as with a hand pressed to a brick, a secret door opened up for Darth Nagash. Was he really going to abandon her on her wedding night. To likely spend it in the arms of some other woman? Lysa couldn't take anymore, she fell to her knees and began sobbing. This was all too much, the only thing in life she ever wanted was to find love and marry and be happy. None of that was going to happen. She continued to sob even as she felt a gentle and calming presence help her up and over to one of the soft leather couches in the room. Some deep part of her hoped it was her new husband but instead it was the magical woman. The man she had been wedded to had not moved from his spot.
"Why? Why are you leaving me?" She asked, pulling the words out of her throat between the sobs. For the first time this day his mask cracked, a look of guilt and resigned sadness came over his features.
"You shouldn't have been married to me. As much as others may think I can not control everything. You were simply one of those that slipped through the cracks. Something that I had not planned for and couldn't rectify. And now we have to make the best out of a bad situation." Regret and pity, those tones carried over in his cascading voice. But then the steel returned to his eyes as he looked back at her. "To answer your question, I refuse to sleep with someone I consider still a child. Once you turn eighteen, we can return to this topic."
And like that he walked out, closing the secret stone door behind him. Lysa huddled into herself, still in her wedding dress as Darth Nagash had forbade the traditional bedding ceremony. She was sure that there were going to be rumors that the marriage had never been consummated but doubted that anything would come it. When she had seen the king last he looked absolutely giddy so she doubted that the main cause of this union would ask questions of its validity.
"Tea?" Lysa looked up and saw the strange black eyes of the magically conjured woman, she was holding a tray of tea and small cookies. Lysa remained silent as the strange woman set down the tray and joined her on the couch. Minutes passed by, a ticking of a clock marking ever second as silence existed between them. Soon enough she couldn't take anymore and she had to speak.
"He's with someone right now… isn't he?" She said as she continued to hold her knees close to her chest as she stared into the fire.
"I believe he is, but not in the context you suggest. Naraiz-sama is currently being given the cold treatment but two of the three women in the city he beds. And the third has duties that keep her from him tonight." The woman's voice was a as calm and soothing as the sight of a perfectly still lake. Even and without a hint of judgement toward her, never before had Lysa found someone so without any outwardly emotion that still felt reassuring to be next to. It helped lessen the blow of her words. "He has been very upset and shaken by recent events, the stress of them and the tourney left him unable to give you a false happiness of this day."
"Even if it was a lie… I still think I would I preferred that." Lysa relaxed a bit but still remained guarded.
"Try not to despair. You are young and while that works against you now, it gives you time to improve." The woman sipped her tea as Lysa looked over to inquisitively. Setting down her own cup, she picked up and held out another for Lysa to take. Clearly intending on now elaborating until she took it. Lysa didn't want to open up to this strange being but right now it was the only way to get answer so she did as it wanted. "My master's main issue with you is your age. That and the fact he does not know you personally are deflecting any judgement he might have on you."
"That just sounds like he is ignoring me." Lysa said before taking a sip of her tea. She then marveled at just how good it was, and now she wounder just where did it come from.
"He is. My master does not want to think about due to the revulsion he has towards thinking about minors in a romantic way. But that gives you a advantage, use the time you have to make your case." Lysa froze at the use of that phrase. It was what her uncle had told her. "You are fifteen, once you turn eighteen my master will come to you. There are two outcomes to that."
"Which are?" She asked now feeling a little hopeful. Some part of her wanted to smother that hope out of fear of it turning to ash. But she needed this. Needed some measure of hope to keep going.
"Either you impress him or fail to do so." Saarai said serenely as she sipped her tea. Now the calm tranquility of this woman was coming off a little cold to Lysa's situation. Like she couldn't care one way or the other how all this turned out. "While he as improved as of late, his greatest weakness is women. Once in his life he would seduce any woman he could to further his political schemes. That thankfully is no longer the case. Is he a unashamed pervert, yes but a harmless one. He is much more selective in those he spends his nights with."
"But… he's still laying with women outside of marriage." The exotic looking woman gave her a side glance that had Lysa shrinking back.
"This is not the night to debate about morality and ethics, if you wish to do so I would be happy to but let's keep it simple for now. Just as anyone is capable of feeling love for many members of a family, my master is able to feel romantic love for many women. Some people just have more love to give than others. You can feel the same as he or you can only have room for one in your heart, but don't judge someone when what they do does not harm another."
"What you are saying, I would have to share my husband." It taste wrong in her mouth to say those words. It was sinful but the way she spoke and the words she said were very convincing.
"I would refrain from thinking of him as your husband. There are those in his life with a greater claim to that then you." Blunt and almost callous this time that struck at Lysa harshly. But then the woman took a breath and smiled, if not warmly than pleasantly. "The long and short of it is that you have a chance and a choice. When you turn eighteen, my master will approach you and depending on the person are and what you want will decide your future."
"Who I am?" Lysa asked feeling that they were coming to crux of the discussion.
"Yes. You won't be able to form an emotional connection with Naraiz-sama, at least not at first. But, if you want to be able to then you must use these years to prove that you are someone that he can come to care about. Someone that can fit within his family. Someone that he can be attracted to. And someone that he can respect. You are young and still growing, you have not yet become the person you will be yet. But this all if you want it."
"Why wouldn't I want it? This is my life we are talking about." Lysa sat up now, a bit of fire coming into her voice.
"As I said, you have a choice as well as chance. If you do not wish to find love in my master or wish to find it elsewhere you do so. You can ask him to give you a child or many, and that's the extent to a relationship you have with him. The choice is in the commitment, to him or yourself." The room went silent as Lysa thought over everything she had been told. Three years she had to decide what she wanted. No. Tonight. She had tonight to decide if she was going to work on herself to become someone that no man would deny or if she would resign herself to setting for the simple love of motherhood. Neither option felt particularly unappealing. "This has been a lot for you. Sleep would do you good."
"But I…" She suddenly started to feel sleepy. Her body felt numb as she slumped to her side. The lids of her eyes struggled to stay open as she could feel someone lifting her off the couch. And finally darkness.
"You're back a little soon." I said as Saarai walked into my secret forge. I was watching reruns of George Lopez, fresh off Virgil's data mining of my memories. I knew better than to approach either of Joanna or Lyarra tonight as they would heavily object to sleeping with me on my wedding night. So… here I was… watching sitcoms.
"Your blushing bride is asleep, safely dreaming off the stressful day." That didn't feel right.
"You drugged her didn't you!" I shouted back at my Tsân who remained impassive to my accusation which confirmed it. "Force damn, out of the two of you, you were still the better option but fuck. Please tell me you at least comforted her a bit before drugging her."
"I spoke with her. I helped her better understand the situation and gave her a goal." Ugh, I know morally I was so in the wrong regarding Lysa but I stood by the core of my actions. I could have done better with my execution I admit. "Hopefully by the time she turns of proper age she will be a woman worthy of you."
"On principle I should say that no one should radically change who they are for their partner but… I have little moral standing on that." Any partnership both parties should be willing to change a little, habits, views, and even a little of their personality. But it had to be mutual and constructive. A healthy relationship as people growing and evolving into better people thanks to each other. Then there's what I did… but the very fact I'm in doghouse make that wound sting a little less.
"She's young, and any changes she makes will be her own. For better or worse."
"Yeah well… the option to ask Robert to annul the marriage is still on the table."
Author's Notes
Yeah... not a happy start to this marriage. I have a plan for Lysa though, so it won't just be something I sweep under the rug once i get the chance to.
Next chapter will be the last day of the Tourney, and probably a bit of aftermath. Then likely a chapter half on Terra and half out in space setting up the comign Mando arc. Yes, the Mando boys will be coming in hot with Naraiz getting involved in the Mando Civil War. fun stuff.
Reviews
Black Magic99 - Naraiz will come up with a plan
Inritus - partly he's doing to have fun, but mostly because he can use the knowledge of the likely future events to better shape a result that favors him. Naraiz plans to usurp Westeros under the guise of saving it by using both internal conflict and external invasion as his reason to claim it all. It's all about having the edge of predicting his foes moves based on what they will likely do. But, things will be diverting from canon a bit later on. It will resemble canon a bit. As for the wider Galaxy, it's because this is a AU galaxy. This Republic is vastly different than canon so it has to be treated differently.
dolansosar - yeah... she was there when he made her. young teens experimenting and all that.