Prologue
Ours is the fury. The words echoed through Elinor's mind thinking back as Robert Baratheon plunged the Seven Kingdoms to war for the past year. But the war has been won. The war that came to be known as Robert's Rebellion has ended. The Targaryen of the old are no more. This is the start of a new era, a new dawn, and a new king now sits on the iron throne.
It is for this new king that they are travelling on the Kings Road to the capital. Sitting across Elinor, is her aunt by marriage, Olenna Tyrell. Her son Mace Tyrell, the Lord of High Garden and Lord Paramount of the Reach, is her cousin. And as a reward for turning side, Jon Arryn and her cousin brokered a betrothal between her and the new king.
Mace Tyrell at the very last second, broke the siege in Storm's End and parlay with Stannis Baratheon. Mace refused the call of the late Mad King Aerys and this allowed the Lannister forces to break siege to the capital unchallenged.
Every one expected for Tywin's only daughter, Cersei, to be the new queen but the murder of Elia Martell and her children din't sit well with the new king. Or rather with the king's best friend Ned Stark and his new hand, Jon Arryn. So as the daughter of the last Lord of the Reach, she will be wed to the new king. She has become a pawn in her family's ambitions not knowing that her heart is breaking into a million pieces as the only man she has ever loved is now dead.
Ser Arthur Dayne, the first time that she met him, she unconditionally and unequivocally fell in love with him. But their love was doomed from the very start. He was a member of the kingsguard and a member of the kingsguard is forbidden to marry, father children, and to hold land. Despite the fact that they've confessed their true feelings for each other, Arthur was too honorable and too duty bound to ever act on his feelings. She experienced heartbreak for the very first time.
But she was content just knowing that he holds a piece of her love in his heart. So when the news of his death reached them, she felt like she was dying and a piece of her did die with him. She wants to blame the king, the prince, and the usurper for robbing her of her love but that is the price everyone has to pay in war. Everyone paid for Rhaegar's foolishness. Everyone has lost someone they loved.
"You do our family good Eli. Your father and mother will be most proud to see what you have become." Her thoughts were interrupted by Lady Olenna's words and the mention of her parents brings a smudge of pain to her heart. She has never felt more alone as she did that moment.
But she masked it and gave her aunt a gracious smile. She grew up under the sharp tongue and quick wit of Lady Olenna. Plotting, intrigue, and politics are child's play for the Queen of Thorns. Mace might be the Lord of the Reach but it was truly Lady Olenna who moves the pieces behind. And there is no doubt in her mind that this was Lady Olenna's machinations.
"Thank you, Aunt. I promise to bring pride and honor to our family." She response holding the gaze of her aunt.
"That you will do. We failed to secure a marriage between you and Rhaegar and that little boy Viserys is much useless to us. At least we have this king to marry you." Ah there it is, the tart tongued Queen of Thorns. She can't help but let out a laugh, though humorless in her opinion.
"You always do say the most comforting words, Aunt." Lady Olenna clicks her tongue and waves her hand in dismissal.
"Whatever. Just remember, Robert might be king but you will be queen. You are a woman, better yet, you are a rose of High Garden and you will be the most powerful woman in the kingdoms. Men are all fools before any woman. Best you not forget that." Lady Olenna's words of advice. But she didn't want this power. Not at all, not ever. But she guessed it was inevitable, she was bound to be married to some lord. But Robert is not just any lord, he is a king.
The rest of the journey spent with Elinor thinking about the kind of person Robert is and what kind of wife and queen she will be. As they near King's Landing, the stench of the city cannot be ignored. They've passed through the streets of the capital and all she sees are people milling around without order nor reason. Soon upon, they enter the Red Keep and a party of people greeted them at the steps of Maegor's Holdfast. They were greeted by the Lord Hand Jon Arryn and Ned Stark, the Lord of Winterfell.
"My lady, it is good fortune that you've travelled safely to the capital." Jon Arryn said as he took her hand and placed a kiss.
"We thank the gods my Lord Hand." She curtsied and turned her attention to Ned Stark. She stared at him for a good measure.
This was the man who bested and killed Arthur. Yet she cannot bring herself to feel the hatred that she was so sure would come. It was because of his eyes, full of sorrow and pain. This man has lost almost all his family with only the youngest sibling and him left. They've both exchanged greetings before Ned offered to escort them to their quarters.
The walk there was quiet and it was deafening. She instead tried to take in the surroundings. Aside from the missing Targaryen banners, sigils, and symbols, the keep has remained the same. As if unbothered by the drastic change that was happening.
"Here it is. This is the Queen's quarters, my lady." Ned said getting her out of her reverie.
A quiet oh was the only words that she uttered when she realized that they already made the decision to house her in her future quarters. Clearing her throat, she squared her shoulders and thanked Lord Stark before entering the massive chamber. Lord Stark bid her leave but she stopped him.
"My lord. Do you perchance think it is possible to talk to the king before the feast later this evening?" Lord Stark was startled by the request but nodded his head nonetheless.
"I don't see why that can't be arranged. After all, King Robert will be your future husband. I'll make the arrangements and will come get you, my lady." She thanked him with a smile.
Her quarters was massive and already servants are arranging all her clothes and items she brought from Highgarden. In her quarters are her main bedroom, a spa bathroom, a lounge for entertaining, a formal dining area, and a balcony with a second informal dining area.
A bath was already drawn for her and she was bathed, dressed, and fixed. By mid-afternoon, Lord Stark returned and escorted her to the king's quarters.
"I didn't mean to be impertinent my lord, but I wish to offer you my condolences. No one should ever experience the loss of any family member. I can only imagine your pain." She gave his arm that was escorting her a small squeeze conveying her sincerity.
"Thank you my lady. Have you lost someone from the war?" Her comforting hand stiffened briefly at the question.
"Everyone lost someone from the war, my lord." She answered vaguely as she tried to mask her emotions.
"It was your name the last words he uttered." Elinor gasped, couldn't stopped sucking her breath. She was rendered shocked at his words and tears started to sting her eyes.
"I don't presume to be impertinent as well my lady. But I want you to know, he called out for you and he promised me to let you know that he has loved you until his last breath." Lord Stark turned to face her as tears trickled unbound from her eyes. The world was unfair and the gods have been cruel.
"Forgive me, my lady. Forgive this fool for taking away the man that you loved." Elinor closed her eyes as sobs left her mouth feeling the consoling warmth of Lord Stark on her shoulders. She wiped her tears away and took one last deep breath before facing Lord Stark once more.
"There is nothing to forgive, my lord. He died honorably fulfilling his sworn duty as kingsguard." She said and whether Lord Stark believed her, it is of no matter.
Once more, they've walked the rest in silence. Shortly thereafter, they arrived at the king's quarters where two guards stood vigil at the door. She guessed that they haven't finalized the list of the new members of the kingsguard. Her heart ached once more remembering the noble sers that served King Aerys' kingsguard.
"The Lady Elinor of House Tyrell is here to see the king." She keeps her gaze straight as Lord Stark ceremoniously announced her arrival. The door opened to reveal Ser Jaime Lannister, the young squire that Arthur knighted what seems like an age ago. They've greeted each other and before long, she is now alone in the room with her king and future husband.
They were in the King's study and she took the time to take in Robert Baratheon, the King of the Seven Kingdoms. He was undeniably handsome with strong physique made more noticeable with his dark head and striking blue eyes. And yet all she saw was a broken man drowning his sorrows with alcohol. With a breath, she walked in front of the big oak table and while she might've kneeled, she opted to take a seat in the chair across from him.
"Your grace…" she muttered, hoping to get his attention, but she was met with silence except from the sloshing of the wine. Robert continued to drink and ignoring her.
She stood up and grabbed another goblet before approaching Robert once more. But instead of engaging him, she grabbed the pitcher of wine and poured herself some. This definitely caught Robert's attention as Elinor returned to her seat while sipping from the goblet.
"Ah… Arbor wine. Thank the gods that my dowry is put into good use. Better to dull your sorrows with Arbor gold than Dornish red." She remarked after downing her goblet. She was met by Robert's raucous laugh and this brought a small smile of relief to her.
"Seven hells, my lady. Here, have some more wine." Robert said after coming down from his laugh and poured more wine to her goblet.
"Your grace, despite the risk of sounding impudent, I must ask, how fare you?" Robert leaned back and stared at her in apt curiosity. She in turn hold her green gaze to his piercing blue eyes
"Whatever do you mean, my lady? One might ought to feel ecstatic in becoming the King of the Seven Kingdoms." Robert's gruff voice sounded more serious.
"One might ought to be if only they are sharing it with the one they love. But here we are… you might've won the war but the heartache of loss pales the sweet taste of victory. The gods are cruel, ain't it your gace?" Elinor preached as she nursed the goblet close to her chest.
"What do you know of loss, my lady?" Robert asks before returning back to his wine.
"I do know that no matter what I do, no matter how loyal and devoted I will be to you, I will never compete to the love you have for Lyanna. Nor do I ever want that. I do not wish to replace her nor you to forget her." Robert lets out a pained cry at the mention of his lost love.
"Who did you lose?" Robert asks and one sorrowful eyes gazed at another sorrowful eyes.
"It's of no matter, your grace. Uttering his name will not bring him back alive nor bring him back to me. So forgive me if you will not have my heart." She said with a tilting gaze.
"And here we are, two brokenhearted souls about to be married by the end of this week. The world has gone mad." She lets out a humorless laugh as she raised her goblet in cheers.
"Aye, that it did." She said in response. "So now we have a decision to make, we either tear each other apart and have the pain and sorrow swallow us whole, or we stand back up and help this kingdom recover. I cannot offer you love, your grace, but what I can offer you is loyalty and devotion."
"Loyalty and devotion. I would like that as well." Robert told her with a small smile on his face.
After that first conversation, Robert and Elinor have made sure to see each other at least once during the day. Elinor was busy overseeing the preparations for the marriage ceremony while Robert's time is spent discussing with the Small Council the recovery from the war and some renovations to the Red Keep and King's Landing.
And by the weeks end, Kings Landing found itself rapt with the pending union of the King Robert and Lady Elinor Tyrell. Crowds of people gathered around the Great Sept of Baelor in an attempt to witness the new king and queen.
Inside the Great Sept, Elinor stands with her cousin Mace as he walked her to Robert and the High Septon. All the court stood witness to their union. Her kin stood at one side while Robert's brothers stood on the other along with the Lord Hand Arryn and Lord Stark.
Dressed in her finest gown with gold and green to represent her house, she gave Robert a smile as she faced him.
"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection." The High Septon said and she turned around for Robert to cloak her in House Baratheon's colors. He took her hand and they faced the High Septon.
"Your grace, my lords and ladies, in the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words." A piece of cloth symbolizing their union was tied together binding their clasped towards each other they say the words.
Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger.
I am his and he is mine. I am hers and she is mine.
From this day until the end of my days.
The wedding had been the talk of the realm for weeks on end and minstrels sang songs about them. Far more than that, rumours circulated that the King and Queen are so handsomely matched that the Queen spends the night at the King's Quarters.
In the privacy of their chambers, Robert and Elinor spend the evening talking as Robert shared with her what ails the realm and has asked for her counsel numerous times. Outside of their chambers, Elinor was busy with running the keep as well as enacting plans to help their people. She visited orphanages and houses for single mothers. She also arrange for food to be delivered to the shelters once a week.
Today she was at the orphanage checking on the children and making sure that they have what they need to look after them.
"The King and I truly… uh we truly appreciate the… efforts…" Elinor tried to take a deep breathe as her vision starts to blurry. She can vaguely hear the people talking to her while she tried to wipe off the sweat that formed on her forehead with her clammy hands. The next thing she knew, she has lost consciousness and woke up at Grand Maester Pycelle's study.
"Careful, my queen. You have lost consciousness and the guards immediately brought you here. Drink a small sip of ginger tea to ease the dizziness." He explained as one of his assistants helped her sit upright and give her small sip of tea.
"What happened?" She asked as she placed her tea on the side table.
"Your grace may I ask, when was your last moon blood?" She looked at the grand maester with unbelieving eyes as she understood the implication. Thank the gods she was no longer holding her tea for she will for sure spill it.
"I… It was-" She was interrupted as the door to the study was thrown open by an out of breath Robert.
"I heard you fainted. Are you alright? Is she alright?" Robert rushed to her side but she can't help the overwhelming joy that she was feeling. She lets out a sob of relief as she threw her hands to embrace Robert.
"Robert, I'm with child." She can't comprehend the immense happiness that she was feeling and she felt like her heart might explode any moment.
"A child?" Robert asked in a small whisper.
"Yes your grace. The queen is with child." Grand Maester Pycelle answered.
"We are having a child." Robert exclaimed as boisterous laugh echoed throughout the chamber. She joined him in his excitement and giggled at his reaction.
"You have made me so happy, Elinor. Thank you." Her heart warmed at seeing the happiness at Robert's eyes as he gave her an emotional kiss.
The news of the queen's pregnancy was met with cheers of joy and well wishes to her health and the health of the babe. The pregnancy has only brought Elinor and Robert closer. And anyone who could remember, will tell the prosperous happy time under King Robert with Queen Elinor at his side.
Despite round and big from pregnancy, Elinor continued to visit the poor and enact plans that could help them. It was during her journey back to the Red Keep that Elinor seen upon a young lady cradling a young boy pleading for one of the gold cloaks to see the Lord Hand. Elinor's eyes widen in horror as one of the gold cloaks pushed her hard enough that she stumbled and fell along with the young boy.
Without thought, she yelled for the carriage to stop and she got out of it and rushed to the young lady.
"Are you hurt?" She asked as she tried to help both of them up and her own personal guards has rushed to her side.
"Are you so ignorant of your strength that you had to man handle a woman?" She whipped her head back and give the gold cloak a withering gaze.
"I beg your forgiveness, your grace." The guard just kneeled in apology.
"Your grace? Are you Queen Elinor?" The woman said in a terrified voice. And when Elinor turned her attention back to them, she felt like all the air has left her. The boy. She was in no doubt of that boy's coloring. He is a Baratheon through and through and she knows just whose child he is. She acted quickly and has asked for the woman and the boy to be brought in the Red Keep in her own quarters.
"Don't be afraid. I will not hurt you or your babe. You have my word." She tried to reassure them as she saw the fear the creeped at the woman's eyes. But in truth, she didn't know who she was really reassuring.
When they arrived at her quarters, she asked one of the servants to bring food and drinks for them. All the while, she can't help but stare at the boy's features. She looked so much like Robert and somehow she wondered whether their babe will look like him.
"What's his name?" She asked as she took one of the boy's little hands and give it a comforting gaze.
"My sister named him Gendry, your grace." She snapped her gaze at the words of the woman.
"Your sister?" The woman nodded her head. "Yes your grace, Gendry is my nephew." The woman supplied as she gave a loving gaze to the boy.
"And what is your name?" She finally asked. "Why are you here?
"Alise, your grace." She answered before taking a deep breath. "I have loved my sister dearly and when she gave birth, unmarried, our parents shunned her but I didn't. I helped her raised the boy but now… forgive me your grace." She shook her head and gave her a reassuring pat as Alise started crying.
Alise cleared her throat before speaking again. "My sister's dead your grace. She passed away a moon ago and now I am desperate to make ends meet. Not alot of jobs are willing to take a young woman who is unmarried with a child. At least not in a decent employment. And so in a last effort, I came here to seek employment that allows my nephew and I to be together."
Einor's heart was breaking as she witnessed the boy trying to wipe the tears from his aunt's face. She was about to speak when she was interrupted by someone entering her chambers.
Standing in front is the Lord Hand Arryn, out of breath and paced. He greeted her, giving her a bow before directing his gaze at the woman and the boy.
"Please enjoy some food and drinks. I shall be with you later." She instructed one of the maids to assist Alise and Gendry before gesturing for the Lord Hand to follow her to her study. Not even properly inside, the Lord Hand already started berating her.
"You are playing a dangerous game, your grace." She ignored him and proceeded to sit before turning her full gaze to him.
"How can that be, my lord hand? I am not playing any game." She feigned ignorance as Lord Arryn approached her desk.
"My queen, inviting that woman and that boy inside the castle is enough cause for reason. Or have you forgotten the Blackfyre Rebellion?" Lord Arryn's words were full of indignation as he can't comprehend why Elinor was doing this. But she can't forget that glint in her eyes as she faced him full on.
"Do not lecture me of our history, my lord hand. And never take that tone with me." Lord Arryn never heard the queen speak in that voice ever and he just looked at her with pleading gaze.
"I know what is causing you fear, believe me, my lord. But that boy is Robert's flesh and blood. Bastard or not, he is kin. And the boy just lost his mother. Ned Stark is even raising his bastard along with his trueborn son." She didn't understand why she felt so strongly about this but she wants to help Alise and Gendry.
"Your grace, he is a bastard. He has no business being here." Lord Arryn's patience was running thin with the scandal and problems that will arise from this.
"And he is only three. His aunt would just like an employment to support the child. Can you honestly send them out knowing one of Robert's sons could possibly die or dead?" She won't budge as well.
"The king will still have the last say." Lord Arryn retorted.
"And I'm the queen." Elinor said with equal ferocity.
At sundown, Robert has finally arrived back at the castle, already aware of what she's done. She was waiting for him at their chambers, or rather the king's but they've never truly spent the nights apart. When Robert finally arrived, he just stared at her curiously, suspiciously, and a hint of shame.
"Could you please enlighten me of what's going through that goddamn head of yours?" Robert rarely raised his voice to her, almost never. But this, this is something else.
"He is your son." She explained to him plainly.
"No. Our child will be my son. Any child of ours will be the only son or daughter I will ever have." Robert felt like she is slapping him with shame right at his goddamn face.
"Robert please, no matter how much you ignore it and no matter how much you want things to be different, you can never change the fact that you sired that child. Blame it on a young lad's hedonism or pure lust, but you have sired a child. And now that child needs your help, he just lost his mother." She slowly approached him and took his hand planting a soft kiss at his knuckles.
"Eli, I don't want to hurt you. Not when everything's finally going great. I don't even remember the boy's mother. Lyanna was just taken from me and I was angry, angrier at the world and the gods. I did everything just to dull the pain." Robert said in a whimper as anguish painted his face.
"Oh Robert. I apologize that the gods have been so cruel. But we have to show mercy. I know you are a good man and your son needs you. I need you to do right by him." Her heart was breaking for him and all she could do was hold him.
"What would you have me do?" Robert said finally after they stayed holding each other for a moment.
"Give the aunt employment. She can work at the kitchen or one of our servants. She could be our nursemaid. She helped raised Gendry." Her words are full of hope as Robert was slowly relenting.
"And the boy?" He asked with a heavy sigh as he let her go and walked to get some wine.
"Gendry will grow up here and be a companion to our child and future children. He will be taught and trained and in time he can be a member of the kingsguard and will protect our future king." She never had a sibling growing up and while Robert didn't have the best relationship with his brothers, Stannis did still fight and defend his brother and family.
"How can you be so sure and trusting that he will be loyal to us and to our children?" He asked her as he nurses his wine.
"Because we will raise him. And we will raise him to be a just and good man. We will show him love and affection." She can just feel it in her bones that this was the right decision. She just knew it.
"You will be called a fool by everyone." He said as a last ditch of warning.
"Better a fool than heartless." She said with a smile knowing that she was able to secure help for both Alise and Gendry.
Both Alise and Gendry thrived at the Red Keep. Alise was beyond ecstatic when she learned what the queen has done for her and her nephew. She cried tears of happiness and from that moment on, she dedicated her life to serving her queen. In public, she is just another maid at the Red Keep but in private the queen and her stroke an unlikely friendship.
The trio are in Elinor's private quarters with Gendry playing around with wooden blocks. Elinor and Alise were observing the young boy with Elinor having a huge smile on her face.
"He is such a happy child." Elinor remarks as Gendry plays with a wooden stag. This brings more smile to her face as Gendry shows her his toy.
"Yes, that is a stag my little fawn. That's your house sigil." Gendry laugh hearing her voice his giggles echo throughout the room.
"I hope my child will be as happy and healthy as him." Elinor said looking at Alise with a smile giving a loving rub to her belly.
"That's not a doubt, your grace. And you and the king will have more happy and healthy babes." Alise said looking up from her embroidery.
"Thank you. I just worry that I might not be a good moth-" Elinor stops as she felt a small pop and fluid starts to trickle down her legs. She clutches her round belly and look up at Alise's worried face.
"It's time." She said as pain rush through her. The pain spasms through her back knocking her breath out. She barely hears Alise shouting orders to people around. She orders one of the guards to call for Grand Maester Pycelle while Alise helped her to her birthing chambers.
"Everything will be fine, your grace. You will be fine." Alise gave her words of encouragement while she tries to control her breathing and the pain was excruciating.
"I need Robert. Alise, I need someone to get Robert." She sobbed as another pain shot through her.
"It's okay. The King will be here." Alise continued to reassure her and finally they arrived at the birthing chambers.
Elinor was in labor for all of the afternoon until the late evening and throughout it, Alise was there to give her support.
When Robert learned that his wife was in labor, he was beside himself and the sounds of Elinor's screams haunted him that day. He didn't have his supper that night. How could he when his wife was fighting to deliver their child to the world. After what seems to be an eternity, Elinor's screams quieted down and a piercing scream of a babe broke the air. He was immediately at Elinor's side when he finally was allowed at the birthing chamber.
Elinor was breathtaking. Despite the beaded sweat and her tired face, Robert can't ever remember a moment when she looked more beautiful.
"Hello there." He said in a breathless awe as Elinor cradled their babe.
"You have a princess, your grace." Grand Maester Pycelle informed the king with an edge to his voice. A princess is useless unless the queen has already produced an heir and a spare. But Robert didn't care.
"We have a beautiful baby girl. Thank you my dear Elinor. Thank you." Robert's joy was unbound as he leaned to Elinor's forehead and the pair admired the new princess.
"What shall we name her?" Robert asked still rapt at the little creature that he and Elinor made.
"I think we should name her after your mother." Elinor said with a smile and Robert's tears now fell freely overjoyed by the honor.
"Princess Cassana of House Baratheon." Robert proclaimed for anyone to hear. He gave Elinor a kiss once more to mark the joyous occasion.
The bells of King's Landing tolled that marked the joyous birth of Princess Cassana.
However, the bells tolled once again a few days later. But this time, the reason was not a joyous one. The bells tolled to mark the news of Queen Elinor's passing. The Queen succumb to fever brought on by the stress of giving birth.
"Robert…" Elinor called for him in agonized voice. She suddenly became ill two days after giving birth. She only had a small fever but it progressed rapidly through the night.
"I'm here Eli. Shhh my darling, save your strength. It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay." Robert's happiness was shattered in the blink of an eye as his wife's life is hanging on a balance.
"Our daughter… promise me you will love her… you will have to love her enough for the both of us…"
"No don't say that. You will be fine." Robert was in denial as he started sobbing holding Elinor's hand.
"You have to be strong, Robert. Our daughter will need you." Elinor said gasping in difficulty. Her words were just met with Robert's refusal. He can't let her go. The gods can't have her too.
"Alise?" Elinor called for her friend. Alise had been crying ever since her mistress has fallen ill. She has prayed to the gods old and new just to keep her queen healthy.
"You grace." Alise approached the bed as she took Elinor's other hand.
"You have been a godsend these past moons. Thank you for your friendship. But now, I want you to promise that you will take care of my girl. Take care of my little princess." Elinor closed her eyes as fresh tears bounded as she thought of her daughter growing up motherless.
"Your grace, I promise you. I will dedicate my life to the princess. But you have to get better, I beg you your grace." Alise pleaded. She pleaded with her everything.
"I want to see, Cassana. Bring me Cassana." Elinor sensed the Stranger is near and she just wanted to see her daughter one last time. Despite the Grand Maester's refusal, Robert brought Cassana to her. With great difficulty, they placed Cassana in her arms.
"My sweet sweet daughter. I love you so much and I will love you forever. I am truly sorry for leaving you behind. But… you are strong… you will gr-gro-grow up a magnificent and kind person. Know that you are th-the greatest gif-gift that your father has ever given me." And with that, Elinor took her last breath with her daughter in her arms and her husband at her side.
The entire Seven Kingdoms mourned the loss of their queen. But none was as devastated as Robert. The gods have seen fit to play a cruel joke on him once more. They have taken his dear wife and friend along with the promise of hope and a future of happiness.
The king became a recluse and the Princess Cassana didn't leave his sight. It was only Alise who was able to convince the king to allow a wet nurse to breastfeed the princess. And yet, Princess Cassana remained at his own quarters.
Lord Arryn has experienced constant headaches for a few weeks since the death of Queen Elinor. The King has withdrawn himself along with the princess and the affairs of the kingdom still hounded them. He was doing everything he can to hold everything together but things can no longer remain the same. And at that moment, his headache was pounding more than ever as he faced head on, the king's temper.
"You want me to marry again? My wife, your queen, was barely cold in her grave and you are playing matchmaker?" Robert exploded, angry at his Hand's scheming.
"Your grace, we all loved Queen Elinor. We all mourn her death but you are a widow king. An heirless king. If only the Queen gave birth to a prince, I will not pressure you to do this. But as it is, your hold at the throne is not yet secured until you produce an heir."
Lord Arryn tried his best to reason with the king. This is part of the heavy role of Hand of the King and he will push and push no matter have hard and painful it was for Robert.
In the end, Lord Arryn succeeded and by the end of the month, King Robert once again stood at the Great Sept of Baelor to wed Cersei Lannister.