280AC
RED KEEP
Rhaella:
Rhaella was tired of being a shadow of her husband's madness. She was also tired of his madness, watching hundreds of people burn hearing there screams broke her...but not as much as what he did after the burnings.
She was also worried about her son. Her Rhaegar may pretend that he was happy with Elia but she knew that he was just as broken as her. Elia was a sweet girl and a great princess who gave him two sweet children but she couldn't love him she couldn't fault her for that. Even though she suspected that there was love for each other in them buried behind all the pain and suffering.
'Another victim of the mad king's madness' she thought bitterly. She never had a great love for her brother husband but they did have a friendship and empathy for each other. But it all changed, after Duskendale he returned a man changed. She still grieved for the brother she lost at duskendale. But the man returned was neither her brother nor her husband.
She wondered sometimes that if Ser Barristen regretted saving her husband on that fateful day. She did see him brooding at times he was not on duty more so after someone was burned alive. She couldn't find it in her to pity the old knight she knew it was selfish of her but somewhere in her heart, she knew that if he died there her son and good daughter wouldn't have to suffer from his cruelty.
There was a knock on the door before she could move aerys walked in with the same glint of madness he had in his eyes when he burned someone.
He walked towards her with and looked at her with a frenzied look.
His madness was increasing day by day and she could nought but watch. She never felt so helpless she felt tears on her cheeks as he forced her yet again.
The only thing that managed to get her through these nights was the thought of her children.
She had to shield viserys from aerys's madness and Rhaegar needed her more then ever after his marriage.
Rhaegar:
His horse trotted forward his sworn shadow Arthur right behind him as he reached the gates of the Red keep inside her mother stood with her king's guard.
"Muña," he said and hugged her "Rhaegar" she acknowledged behind them the carriage came to a stop and the door opened Elia walked out gracefully.
"Mother," she acknowledged before his mother had a chance to reply a blur crashed into her legs "grandmuther" rhaenys shrieked.
His mother laughed and replied "Calm down rhae I missed you," her mother replied picking up her enthusiastic granddaughter "miffed you," rhaenys mumbled "bruther," rhaenys said pointing at the babe held by her Elia.
She passed rhaenys to Rhaegar as Elia passes her grandson to her.
As Rhaella held the baby she almost cried seeing his tiny wisps of silver hair he was just like her Rhaegar at that age.
She cooed softly at her grandson who in unfamiliar embrace started crying. She tried calming him down but he only cried louder. "He is not good with strangers" Elia chuckled.
Rhaella beamed seemingly satisfied as she handed the baby back to Elia. He could see her mother was biting back tears of happiness. She looked around as she put her mask of the Queen on.
She turned to her son "aōha Kepa iksis plotting against Tȳvon" (your father is plotting against tywin) they started talking in valyrian for they were wary of the spider's birds.
"Again? what does he plan to do now" he inquired. "He plans to name Jamie Lannister to the king's guard," she said and he was shocked "But Jamie Lannister is the heir to the Rock," he said.
"That is what he thinks is the funny part if he takes his golden heir then Tywin will have nought but a dwarf left".
"We need to stop him, mother," he said. "I'm afraid it's too late Lord Tywin resigned as the hand and left the capital in a rage" she replied.
"Your father only laughed and appointed LordOwen Merryweather as the new hand," She said."Merryweather is nought but a lickspittle" he said shaking his head.
"Ser Jamie Lannister would be named to the king's guard at the tourney of Harrenhall," she said.
He nodded grimly.
"Come" she said "Ser Barristen will escort you two to your chambers".
Elia:
She did know how to feel coming back to this city. She had so many horrible memories of this city of Aerys's cruelty.
After she put her son in the nursery. She walked back to her chambers she was not surprised to see Ashara and Ellaria her two ladies in waiting.
"When do we depart for the tourney," Ellaria asked
"You don't know" Ashara frowned.
"In a moon's turn," she said. A moon for me to survive she thought.
"Maybe you will find someone there" she suggested to Ashara.
Ashara scoffed "I hardly think I can find someone who cares" she answered.
Ellaria grinned "Mayhaps you can find someone who doesn't care". Ashara laughed "the last time I did it didn't go well for the guy who bedded the sword of the morning's sister. Since then everyone is scared of him".
"Perhaps your brother needs to find someone too," Ellaria shrugged." I doubt it he is one of the only kings guard who didn't break his vow of celibacy" Ashara said.
Ellaria then shifted her attention to her " Mayhaps you and Rhaegar can find someone" she said. It took her a minute to realize what was being said even though she was dornish she never imagined having to share her husband with someone.
"I don't think he would agree to that" she retorted. "No? What a shame it would look good to have a valyrian prince, dornish princess and a whore together" she remarked.
She blushed bright red visible even on her dornish skin. They both started laughing at her expense and it took her no more than a minute to kick them both out even then she could hear the sound of laughter down the corridor.
As she laid in her bed she couldn't help but let her mind stray to Ellaria's suggestion. She buried the thoughts as quickly they came and drifted off to a dreamy night.
As she walked into the nursery the next morning she could hear the sound of cooing and rhaenys's infectious laughter from inside as she peeked in she saw Rhaegar cooing at Aegon and making faces to make them both laugh. She stifled a laugh herself as she walked in.
When rhaenys rhaenys her she practically threw herself in her arms "Muna!" She cried out Elia laughed picking her up and watched Rhaegar who was still making faces at Aegon who was smiling and pulling at his father's silver hair.
"Elia" Rhaegar acknowledged "Are you ready to travel for the tourney," he asked. "I'm tired of travelling," she replied.
He chuckled "A few moons later we may even have to travel to the Stormlands to attend cousin Robert's wedding there are rumours about his betrothal to Lady Lyanna Stark," he said
"I pity the poor lady" she replied.
"Enough about Robert how are you feeling? You wanted to see the maester ever since Aegon's birth?" He asked
She sighed "yeah I have to see that old sod today" she answered. "Don't worry I'll accompany you," he said.
As they waited for the maester the old sod stumbled out "yo-yo-graces" he stuttered "Princess Elia is p-perfectly alright" he continued "But she cannot bear any more children" he said.
Her world shattered as she turned to face Rhaegar who wore a similar expression of shock of his face. I can't have any more children she thought. But Rhaegar wanted three children he always said that the dragon must have three heads.
Biting back tears she slowly walked out once outside she practically ran back to her chambers behind her she could hear Rhaegar calling after her. As she entered her chambers she buried her face in the pillows and started crying.
She didn't know how long she was in there until someone knocked on her door softly before she could respond Rhaegar walked in closing the door behind him.
"Elia?" he asked softly.
She didn't respond. Her face turned against him. He waited for an answer but when didn't move he hugged her from behind.
"We have two sweet children Elia" he pointed out "A sweet girl and a perfect Targaryen prince," he said soothingly. "What about the prophecies you told me? The dragon must h-have three heads" she cried.
He was silent for a moment and as each second passed in silence she felt the dread building In her chest.
"Fuck the prophecies," he said calmly as she turned around and hugged him. "I'm sorry" she mumbled into his shoulder." It's not your fault Elia it's no one's fault" he said. He held her tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder.
Going to bed that night. She couldn't remember the last time she hugged him like that she and Rhaegar never had love in their marriage but they had a friendship. Then her thoughts turned into doubts 'Would he look for someone else someone who can give him his third child? Someone who can love him?' 'NO! He doesn't want a third child' she said trying to reassure herself.
280AC
WINTERFELL
Lyanna:
She panted as she the parried the blow benjen sent her and dodged his blow under her his arm and swept hit feet as he fell on his arse. She put her wooden sword on his neck with her annoying smirk.
"Yield," she said as he just stared at her she smacked her wooden sword against his head "Oi" he protested "I yielded" he lied "No you didn't" she laughed.
But he just ignored her as he was looking behind her. She turned around to see her mother was watching them with a raised brow beside her was Brandon who was smirking at her. Seeing them he started "Lyanna father wants to see you," he said still smirking she looked at her mother who just nodded.
He followed her mother while glaring at bran who was still smirking at her 'He knows something I don't' she decided.
When they turned around a corned she turned to her mother "Is it, Ned? Did he send a raven?" she asked excitedly."He did" her mother answered with no emotion she frowned 'Her mother looked almost a-angry no she didn't just look angry she looked ready to murder someone' which was weird her mother was not an angry woman. 'What have you done Ned?' She asked herself worried about her brother.
She walked towards her father's solar as she thought about Ned she hoped that he would write more of himself than his friend Robert. Brandon often jested that those two should get married seeing as Ned can't stop talking about him she chuckled at the thought of Ned and Robert marrying.
She smiled at the and walked in her father's solar.
Her father and mother were sitting behind the desk looking like the proper lord and lady of Winterfell. The maester Walys was standing beside them.
Her mother 'THE SHE WOLF OF WINTERFELL' was a beautiful woman she had a wild beauty to her the same beauty she was said to have inherited and she also had the same wilderness to her. She was also a really good fighter Lyanna found that out the hard way when her mother started teaching her swordplay.
She peered at them warily. They all had different looks the maester looked delighted as if his life's hard work had paid off while her father looked troubled. Her mother though, she had a firm mask of indifference on her face the way she gazed at her as if she knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Father," she said he looked up at her "Lyanna," he said as gestured for her to take a seat.
Her father started "Lyanna we received a raven from the Eyrie..." Lyanna cut in "How is Ned? Is he alright" she asked hurriedly eager to get information about her older brother. "He is alright he sent a raven on behalf of his friend Robert Baratheon asking for a betrothal between the two of you" he finished and Lyanna frowned. Her mind was racing everyone had heard about Robert Baratheon he was said to be a really good fighter but that is where his goodness ended he was also known as the 'whoremonger lord'. Why did Ned want her to marry a man like that? Was he blinded by the love for his friend?
She glanced up at her mother who seemed to have reached a similar conclusion but there was no anger this time only disappointment in her eyes. 'Poor Ned' she thought to herself.
Seeing their dissatisfied expressions her father continued "Nothing is confirmed yet we will meet Robert Baratheon on the tourney of harrenhall to finalize the betrothal" he said. Hearing that the maester made a displeased face which was not missed by the mother or daughter.
She knew this was coming that one day she would have to marry some lord and leave Winterfell yet she couldn't help but be disappointed.
"As you say, father," she said there was no point in arguing right now 'she would have to meet Robert Baratheon herself and find out if he really is the whoremonger they all say he is because she would rather flee than marry a whoremonger'.
But right now she had a different worry on her mind why does Ned want me to marry a man like him she thought. Maybe he wrote something about it in her letter.
"Father can you hand me the message, Ned writes for me?" She asked. Hearing that the maester started fidgeting with his robe 'Ok something is definitely up with walys' she thought.
Her father shook his "I'm sorry Lya but Ned didn't send you a letter this time" he said."But he always sends a letter for me he has since he left for the Eyrie" she said. She looked up at the maester who squirming under her mother's glare.
Father shook his head again "I'm sorry Lya but he didn't"
"You should start packing for the tourney," he added.
She got up and glanced at her mother who was still throwing Walys a suspicious glare.
And the maester oddly looked happy and re-relived? Why was he relieved?' He's up to something' she decided.
She went to the training yard to beat benjen some more and get her frustration out.
It was the hour of the wolf. There was not a soul in sight...well no one except two sneaking Starks.
They silently watched as the maester left the library tower and headed towards the maester's turret.
He stood at the door of his chamber's for a few seconds as he turned and started walking towards the rookery.
He left the door slightly open enough for them to peek through.
The maester looked at the bag of corn for the ravens. He looked around when he could see no one he moved the heavy bag. He tapped at the slab of stone and pulled it up with great strength to reveal a small space.
There was a bag filled with scrolls.
He read the uppermost scroll. When he was finished he grabbed a parchment and quill and began writing when he was done he attached it to a raven and send her on its way.
She knew his time here was done so she took benjen and walked out of the maester's turret and hid in the shadows.
He came out a few minutes later and walked into his chambers.
They walked back to the rookery and with great strength, they managed to pull the heavy stone slab out and the grabbed the bag.
They hurriedly walked back to the great keep and to their chambers benjen to his credit remained silent.
"What was that about Lya," he asked finally breaking the silence. "Walys he is planning something he's acting weird ever since Ned's letter came" she replied.
He shook his head "I still can't believe Ned wants you to marry Robert" he said.
She smiled 'she loved all her brothers but benjen...benjen was her favourite when Bran and Ned were sent for fostering benjen was the one she grew up with, played with and trained with. He was a partner in all her crimes she mused.
She turned to him "Thank you benjen" she said. "Now go to sleep or you will make excuses when I beat you tomorrow" she laughed.
"I never make excuses Lya" he chuckled and walked out.
As she put the bag aside and pulled a scroll out and started reading.
She couldn't believe everything she ever knew was planned 'Ned's fostering, Robert's fostering, her betrothal to Robert', Brandon's betrothal.
They were plotting the maesters they were in a 300-year-old conspiracy against the targaryens.
She didn't know what to do with these scrolls.
In the end, she decided to give them to the person she trusted the most and was the smartest person she knew.
She found herself holding a heavy bag in the middle of the night knocking at her mother's chamber doors.
Lyarra Stark:
She couldn't sleep she tossed and turned she just couldn't...and her husband wasn't helping Rickard was sleeping like a baby.
Eventually, she had enough. She stood up and walked through the door separating her chambers from his they always slept together but she had her own chambers something she grateful for.
She sat down thinking about everything that happened that day.
'Ned' she thought and sighed. She remembered about how he left at the age of eight. Even though he returned several times they were just short visits.
To say that she was disappointed would be an understatement she tried to teach Ned about the pack of how the lone wolf dies but the pack survives of how he should never forget about the pack.
It seems that it all fell on deaf ears. How he all but betrothed Lyanna and Robert. She heard a lot about the young man and in no way would he be a suitable match for her daughter she knew Lyanna well she would rather flee to Essos than marry the Baratheon lord. She could tell because she was just like her until she met Rickard.
She was also suspicious of Walys's intention she has been for a while now she couldn't trust him. She didn't trust him enough to let him help with the birth of benjen. He was going to great lengths to join the North with rest of the six kingdoms except the Targaryens and their allies.
A knock sounded at her door 'who would knock in the middle of the night?' She thought.
She opened the door to find a sleepy Lyanna with a bag full of scrolls.
As she finished reading the scrolls she could barely believe it. They were trying to form a great alliance against the Targaryens.
Robert would take the throne and Lyanna would be his Queen even though she liked the idea of her daughter being the Queen she knew that Lyanna would never be his queen.
The maesters hated magic and the Targaryen blood was filled with it.
She thought about the origins of her own house. House Stark was often affiliated with magic they had the blood of the First Men and the children. Was her house in danger too?.
They Starks had the power to control animals mostly direwolfs but 'the direwolfs are dead' she thought 'So are the dragons' a part of her mind whispered back.
If they were targeting the houses with magic then there second-biggest target would be the Starks.
'No!' She said with conviction couldn't let this pass. The wolf will not dance at the orders of a grey rat.
While the mad king did earn his name the crown prince was said to be a just and capable ruler. I have to keep a close eye on Walys she thought grimly.
'I have to stop this betrothal'.
She remembered Brandon talking about the bastard daughter Robert had at the Eyrie.
'The she wolf will protect the pack' she said with confidence and got to work.
280AC
EYRIE
Ned:
He was troubled he thought that Robert would stop whoring when he was betrothed to Lyanna but he was wrong... very wrong. He turned to Robert who was badly drunk and was burying his head in the bosom of two tavern wenches. He shook his head disgusted.
He loved Lya he really did but he also liked the idea of having Robert as a brother and because of that, he was blinded to the fact that Robert was a whoremonger who would never be faithful to Lyanna.
Lyanna would rather flee than marry Robert he thought.
'By the old Gods what have I started' he thought sadly.
'Mother would be so disappointed I threatened the safety of the pack' he added dismayed.
Part of him was relieved that the betrothal was not confirmed. A part of him also knew that Robert would never back down.
'Oh Lya what have I done' he thought for the umpteenth time.