The White Lion:
The Red Keep was filled with scurrying servants, man-at-arms, knights, and lords from the rebel forces. Lady Lyanna's letter caused truly a storm of confusion and everyone from the lowest servant to the highest lord did not know what to make of it. He overheard some minor lordlings from the Vale and Riverlands decry the taking of a second wife as a crime against the Seven above. He saw Lords Royce and Blackwood agree to support their distant kinsman, as king. He knew about Aegon the Unlikely's Blackwood wife, but he was unsure about Lord Royce's relation to the King. He saw a lord with a Merman sigil proclaim his support for the newborn King while another with a horse head sigil said that Lady Lyanna's action caused the deaths of their liege lord and his heir. Some gruff looking gray bearded Northman who looked more like a bear in an old wool gambeson and mail rather than a noble loudly shout that the King was Lyanna's grandson and he would fight any man who would insult her. Apparently as Jaime would later learn, Lord Rickard had married his niece and thus the old greybeard was distant kin to the current generation of Starks.
Jaime had even overheard a man named Lyn Corbray say that he will try to wed Lady Lyanna. The fool thinks killing his mortally wounded sworn brother makes him the equal to Prince Rhaegar. A fool Corbray may be, but he did have a great sword. Jaime knew he was the better swordsmen, but oh did he envy Corbray's Lady Forlorn. A blade of Valyrian steel that had once sung its beautiful song of death against Blackfyre and the Great Bastard Daemon Blackfyre on the Redgrass Field.
It was strange how in the absence of a king and the chaos from a single raven, that he clad in his gilded armor and white cloak seemed to pass like a ghost with not a soul paying much attention to him. Even when he had little Rhaenys with him. Oh how he thanked the gods, that the rebel army had been able to "encourage" his lord father to withdraw back to the West. He did not truly trust the rebels, but he trusted them a lot more than his lord father. He appreciated that they had given him some aid in watching the Princesses as well. Jaime felt half a boy with Ser Brynden aiding him in his duties of guarding the princesses. Perhaps the infamously unwilling to wed Blackfish desires to become a whitefish instead.
As he returned to the apartment where princess Elia was being treated, he politely greeted Ser Brynden and entered the room. He saw Pycelle and his attendants finish packing their things. It seems another secession of treatment was being concluded. Though Princess Elia seemed to remain in her coma. He barely acknowledged Pycelle, much less his attendants. He focused on the little Princess praying to a small altar of the Seven. His heart broke at that sight. Rhaenys made it her custom to spend most of her day and especially during her mother's treatment praying, either in the castle's sept or at the small altar she had built in her mother's chamber. Rhaenys finished her prayers and turned to him running. She hugged him.
He asked, "How is my little princess doing today"?
Rhaenys' face became stoic and impassive, almost looking like it was carved from stone as she said, "I'm doing fine Ser Jaime".
Jaime knew that was a lie, her mother's injuries weighed heavy on her as did the loss of her baby brother. He had been surprised how well she wore that stoic face though. While she did not have the fair skin, violet eyes, and silver-blonde hair of the Dragon Lords, she was very much the Dragon's daughter.
He said, "My princess, you know it is wrong to lie. Now tell me truly, how are you today"?
Rhaenys said, "I'm worried for mother and I miss Egg, but I overheard some of the strange men say that father had another wife and another son who is going to be king".
Jaime did not know how to tell her about her father's Lady love and the child born of that union, but he had to try.
He said, "Princess, you know how Aegon the Conqueror had two wives"?
Rhaenys said, "Visenya and Rhaenys like me".
He said, "Correct, my princess. Your father married a woman like how Aegon the Conqueror did, and she grew heavy with his child while your father was away. With your father and brother's passing, the new babe will be king by law. Though some false men might want to take that away from him, but we won't let that happen will we"?
Rhaenys now with a look that reminded Jaime so much of her father said, "No they won't hurt my baby brother".
Jaime said, "That is the spirit, my princess. Now why don't we get you something to eat. Mayhaps the cooks hid some of the candied almonds from Daemon. You can't trust a Velayron to keep away from sweet and spiced things".
Rhaenys wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself be carried to the kitchens.
Later that night as he guarded the princesses' chambers Ser Brynden appeared unexpectedly and said, "Ser Jaime, my brother and the other high lords wish to speak to you in the throne room. I will take your position until you return".
Jaime gave his acknowledgement and left for the throne room, wondering what they could be wishing to speak to him about. Stark had given his word that no one would hear about his killing of Aerys until a new king was crowned. Not the best situation, but it was preferable to being tried immediately.
Once he entered the throne room he saw many of the most powerful lords of the Northern half of the continent. There stood Lords Arryn and Tully, and their most powerful respective bannermen. The Northmen were there as with the lords he had seen speaking about whether to support Rhaegar's last living son or not. Along with lords he had only seen in passing. Such as the Lord with a Flayed Man, a giant of a man with another giant in chains as his sigil, a gauntleted fist on a red field, a white sunburst, and a few others.
Lord Arryn asked, "Ser Jaime did you know about Rhaegar's plans"?
Jaime said, "No. Rhaegar did not mention his second marriage when he left for the Trident, though that could be explained for fear of the eunuch reporting his words to Aerys".
Lord Tully asked, "Do you believe Princess Elia truly gave her consent to Prince Rhaegar taking a second wife"?
Getting annoyed, Jaime said, "I cannot say my lord. Most of my duties involved guarding Aerys and Queen Rhaella, less often I would guard Princess Rhaenys. Thus, I am unaware of any blessings, especially given the need for secrecy".
Tully to Arryn and said, "So we have no proof beyond the Ladies Lyanna & Ashara, a squire, and the two Kingsguard that were with Prince Rhaegar and Lady Lyanna. So, what shall we do"?
Arryn said, "We must choose whether or not to support Lady Lyanna's son, a child who shares Aerys' blood or Stannis, a man grown and implacable".
Anger filled him at the implication that a son of Rhaegar could be like Aerys. Jaime said, "My lord of Arryn may try to remember that I am still a Knight of the Kingsguard and sworn to House Targaryen including the newborn King. Say one more insult to my King and you will have to defend those words with steel".
The old lord of the Eyrie was abashed, saying, "I merely meant that the realm needs a man grown, not a newborn. No one in the realm desires another long regency like with Aegon the Dragonbane".
Jaime simply replied, "In the chaos following that letter, I have heard many lords from the North, Riverlands, and even you Valemen throw their support behind the young king. If you truly believe that no one wants that then let her grace's proposed Great Council show the truth behind those words. I am a Knight of the Kingsguard and I swore a vow to Prince Rhaegar to protect his family. I failed Prince Aegon and Princess Elia, but I will not fail Prince Rhaegar's last living son".
Jaime's words left a palpable silence in the room.
The Merman Lord spoke up, breaking the silence, "My lords, we will gain nothing from asking a Knight that never knew of Prince Rhaegar's plans. Lady Lyanna, her child, the Kingsguard, and Lord Eddard & his companions will travel to Harrenhal for the Great Council. There we may hear the truth from her own mouth and can make our decisions there".
Arryn said, "That is an excellent point, lord Manderly. We shall adjourn this meeting and continue restoring order to the city as best we can when their ship arrives in the harbor", and he turned to Jaime saying, "Ser Jaime, you are free to go".
Jaime nodded and went back to his little princess.
The She-Wolf:
The waves heaved the ship upwards with the waves, and the sails were filled with the wind. The sea mist kissed her face as she held Jon in her arms. It reminded her of when her Lord Father had taken them, save her lady mother who had to remain in Winterfell as there must always be a Stark in Winterfell, to White Harbor and Lord Manderly had been invited them to sail in the harbor on his personal galley, prior to the day Ned had to leave for the Eyrie.
A reptilian cry broke her memories followed by a boyish shout in a foreign tongue and then the laughter of Northmen as the dragon flew past her and steadied itself on the tip of the prow. The dragon let out a small gust of flame before eating some kind of large sausage.
She turned towards where the shouting came from. There she saw Daemon running towards her and the dragon beyond her yelling something in the same tongue as before. Which caused Arthur who had been leaning against the railing to laugh.
She asked, "What is so funny, Ser Arthur"?
Arthur replied, "The dragon stole his lunch and Daemon is cursing the beast in High Valyrian".
Arthur shouted to the squire, "Don't you know better than to curse a dragon? They were not known to be patient and forgiving creatures even for the Blood of Old Valyria".
Daemon stopped as he climbed the steps leading to the deck where they stood.
Daemon replied, "The beast took my last black pepper crusted cured Valyrian sausage, and they're my favorite".
Arthur replied, "I still cannot believe that you raided the Red Keep's kitchen and took all of those sausages".
Daemon shrugged and said, "Well they are my favorite but unfortunately for me they had been King Aerys favorite as well and thus he kept all of them for himself. Thus, at the Red Keep before we left, I liberated them along with some candied almonds".
Lyanna had to laugh at that. It reminded her of when Benjen and her used to raid the kitchens of Winterfell for sweets.
The rest of the voyage was uneventful say for the sailors and the captain claiming they have never had such a consistent and good wind on their voyage up the Narrow Sea. Alongside the fact that there was a living dragon flying beside their ship, the men became convinced that their voyage was blessed the Seven.
Lyanna did not know much about the faith of the Andals and Southerners but given what she did know and what Rhaegar had told her, she was inclined to agree.
She saw the smoke of the Dragonmont off in the distance as they sailed around the entrance of the Gullet. Rhaegar had always told her it had its own beauty though he preferred Summerhall. Jon's dragon perched itself atop the prow with its head held high and letting out a chirp of excitement. The dragon must have been excited about returning to the island that had been the hatchery for House Targeryan and their dragons prior to the Dance of Dragons.
With the rolling in of the high tide they came in, and the approach to the dock was uneventful. By the time they were ready to go ashore she saw that Rhaella had ordered her to be met with a royal escort. Lyanna spied men-at-arms wearing surcoats of Houses Targaryen, Velayron, Celtigar, Bar Emmon, and Massey. She thought to herself, the lords traditionally sworn to Dragonstone. This could be very good or very bad. She looked behind them and saw a crowd gathered as close as they could without provoking the escort.
She carrying Jon was led by Ser Gerrold and Ser Arthur and tailed by Daemon, Ashara and Wylla carrying Alyssa, Ned with his Northmen, and Ser Oswell taking the rear.
A man with silver hair and violet eyes that seemed almost blue wearing the same surcoat as Daemon stood before the gangway as to wait for them.
The man spoke after they stepped onto the dock and said, "Your Grace, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance and I happy to see my younger brother is safe in you care. I Ser Monford Velayron, heir to Lordship of the Tides and castle Driftmark. Her Grace, Queen Rhaella asked me to escort you and your party to the castle. We have a wheelhouse on the road awaiting you and your ladies."
She said, "The pleasure is mine, my lord. You have a most gallant and Leal brother. Though may I trouble you for a horse instead, I prefer to ride that sit in a wheelhouse, and I wish the people of Dragonstone to gaze upon their new king".
She saw Monford look surprised and said, "Of course my lady, I grant you the white mare from my lord father's stable".
As she said thank you, a screech and the flap of leathery wings were heard overhead. Jon's dragon decided to show itself.
The dragon flew overhead and swooped low barely above the men sent to greet her.
From the lowest peasant to the most puissant and noble knight stood with their mouths opened in shock. She heard only Ser Monford say anything, as he muttered something in what she assumed was High Valyrian.
The dragon landed on a wooden sign post on the dock, posed in case its master was threatened. After the initial shock wore off the smallfolk began cheering loudly. Some shouting things in a language which sounded like High Valyrian but rougher, which reminded her of the way the Mountain clansmen spoke the common tongue rougher and filled with sounds that Maester Walys claimed were borrowed from the Old Tongue. Others yelled, "Dragon King" or just "King".
She remembered from her history lessons that the House Targaryen were settled originally by the servants of House Targaryen and some were said to be dragonseeds who had the blood of the Dragon in them from the ancient right of First Night.
She turned back to her escort and saw them with knees bent. Ser Monford spoke for them, "Your grace, I Ser Monford Velayron hereby swear my fealty to your son King Jaehaerys, the Third of his name, King of the Andals, Rhoynar, and the First Men; and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. I know my lord father will pledge his fealty to your son as well as the other lords of the Narrow Sea. I think her grace, Queen Rhaella, will be most pleased to see her grandson be the first to hatch a dragon in nearly two centuries. Now if it pleases, your grace let us make our way towards the castle".
She said, "In the name of my son, I thank you for the pledge of fealty, ser Monford. As soon as we are ready, let us depart".
It didn't take to long to prepare for departure and they soon left, though she felt a bit guilty having had forced Daemon to ride with his elder brother, two ahorse. They set off with Jon in her arms and her riding at the front of the column followed closely by Ser Arthur and Oswell. To her flank rode Ser Gerold and Ser Monford.
As they made their way through the port town and to the Castle, the people flocked to the road hoping to see their new king and his dragon. They cheered loudly, especially when Jon's dragon swooped down overhead.
Other than that, the ride to the castle was uneventful and the gates were opened and could the same face of wonder on the castle guards. She could not blame them for no living man had seen a dragon. At the door to the main keep she saw Queen Rhaella heavy with child and holding Prince Viserys' hand and behind them stood an old, grizzled knight with a plowman on his surcoat indicating he was of House Darry and a white-haired man wearing a Septon's garb. To her left and right stood a number of lords wearing fine clothes embroidered with different sigils
Rhaegar had told her about how strong his mother was in spirit and how well she could conceal her emotions when protocol required her to do so. But seeing a living dragon seemed to be too much as her veneer which had been like a marble statue expressing calm had broken for a few moments at the sight of such a creature. The young prince on the other had made no effort to conceal his surprise and excitement. Tugging at his mother and trying to call her attention.
She dismounted with Jon her arms and the rest followed.
Once they had all dismounted from their horses or the wheelhouse, Rhaella spoke, "I welcome you to Dragonstone, good daughter. May I present my younger son Prince Viserys. Along with the leal lords of the Narrow Sea and Cracklaw Point," Rhaella turned to her right and said, "Lord Lucerys Velayron, the Master of Ships. Lord Adrian Celtigar, Lord of Claw Isle…"
Rhaella continuing naming the lords that were with, though Lyanna only half paid attention since she had gone over which lords were sworn directly to Dragonstone with Ser Gerold. She was more curious about who the two standing behind Rhaella were, as Ser Gerold had focused on the lords sworn to Dragonstone and around the Gullet.
Rhaella continued, "Ser Willem Darry the former Master-at-arms of the Red Keep and Septon Hoseas of Dragonstone a trusted counselor. Viserys and I, in particular are so pleased to meet the woman who captured Rhaegar's heart. I took the liberty of ordering some trays of salted bread and wine for your companions, and lemon water for you and your ladies. The maesters say that pregnant women, wet nurses, and new mothers should consume no fermented drink". Quickly signally to a trio of servants carrying a tray of cups of wine, small breads with flakes of salt on top, and a tray containing three cups of water with slices of lemon, respectively".
Lya said, "Thank you for your hospitality, your grace. I am so pleased to meet you".
Her party ate the bread and wine, while she and her ladies drank the lemon water instead of the wine.
Rhaella said, "Your welcome and the feeling is mutual. Now we must discuss things before we make our preparations for the Great Council and some things in private. I will have my steward find quarters for your party while we talk". Rhaella turned to Ned and said, "You are welcome to join us Lord Eddard, it would not be fitting to keep you in the dark while we discuss your nephew's future".
Rhaella turned around and bid them to follow her to a room so they could speak in private. The Kingsguard formed a triangle around her, the dragon perched itself on Lyanna's shoulder despite being almost to large do so, and Ned and they all followed Rhaella.
After some time they arrived at the room Rhaella selected, an apartment solar with a large table and a painting of Rhaenys Targaryen behind it.
Rhaella invited Ned and her to sit. The Kingsguard save for Ser Gerold took their position by the door and Ser Gerold stood between them, ready to offer counsel. Her son's dragon nestled itself in the hearth of the room atop what appeared to be the still warm embers of a fire.
Before Rhaella went to sit, she stepped closer to and asked Lya, "May I hold him, dear".
Lyanna consented and handed over Jon to his grandmother. Rhaella took him in her arms, rocking and cooing at Jon. After taking him, she sat across the table. While Lyanna and Ned sat directly across from her.
Rhaella says, "He is a beautiful child, he even has Rhaegar's dark eyes".
Lya said, "Thank you, Ser Gerold says he is just like Rhaegar when he was a babe".
Rhaella said, "I can see that. I look forward to raising him as I did Rhaegar, though I admit that it may be hard with having to balance the regency".
Lyanna frowned at that and said, "I will raise my son and be his regent".
Rhaella looked her at with a look Lyanna could only think resembled her own mother when shew or Benjen were being stubborn. It made her feel half a girl in truth despite being a woman grown and a mother herself.
Rhaella said, "I am not trying to take him away from you my dear, but he is the blood of the Dragon and must be raised as such. In addition, I frankly have more experience at court than you do. It is not meant as an insult, but there are vipers and spiders in court, and I am not talking about Martells and the Dornishmen. I love my first good daughter well and adore my granddaughter, but court is a treacherous".
Lyanna struggled to maintain her stoic Stark face over such a jape. She enjoyed the company of the Dornishmen she had met and she had even felt guilty for the insult Elia must have felt when Rhaegar crowned her once the initial joy faded, but it was hard to forget old Nan's stories about the Dornish being treacherous vipers who killed Ser Rickon Stark in Dorne by a poison blade during the Young Dragon's conquest and how it caused chaos in old Lord Cregan's household as his heir died without a trueborn son and had a legitimized bastard son who had fallen in love with and would die for the young Dragon's eldest sister not long after his father.
Rhaella continued, "I fear you will not be able to play the so-called games the court plays for position and power. While the royal court is likely more chaotic and pettier, I don't imagine the same can't be true in Winterfell if not before the Conquest then during my grandfather's time in Winterfell as Ser Duncan's squire. I believe he called it the reign of the She-wolves".
She had remembered those lessons where cutthroat politics and intrigue defiled Winterfell's halls. Where one Lady or another, Stark by birth or marriage, argued fiercely for the rights of their sons. Panicked marriages between cousins or nieces and uncles being made to keep any hungry lords from getting a claim from the eldest line. She always thought it strange that by their own laws set by Brandon the Builder and the other Kings of Winter, that no daughter can claim to rule Winterfell in her own name, but a son of a daughter could when they take the name Stark.
Ned cut in before Lyanna could respond, "During times of crisis yes, but it was always on which line had the better claim and was settled by marriages, we Starks know that when the cold winds of winter come, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives".
Rhaella smiled, "That is sweet sentiment and I truly commend your ancestors for the importance on family and their duty to the law, but the court is a different place. There are constant plots and schemes for power and favor. Everything has a hidden meaning, and nothing is done without a reward".
She turned to Lyanna and said, "What have you done to secure Jaehaerys being chosen at the Great Counsel"?
Lyanna said, "I asked Lord Tyrell for his daughter's hand for Jaehaerys. Along with offering seats on the council for himself and Lord Redwyne. All Southron lords want small council seats and their blood on the throne after all".
Rhaella said, "That is a good start, but it misses other incentives you could have offered. For instance you should have further sweetened the pot by offering that their sons could train under and squire for the Kingsguard. Even something as seemingly simple as a squire is a political tool. I know for a fact that the only reason why old Lord Lucerys let Daemon squire for Rhaegar was to have a spy in Rhaegar's circle".
She was shocked, Daemon had seem such an honest lad. She had seen the hero worship in his eyes that Daemon had for her Silver Prince.
Rhaella continued, "Do not fear, Daemon is truly loyal to Rhaegar and all the information that he ever gave his lord father was false and Aerys or too old to be of use. But that is the sort of thing you must be aware of. In a Great Council every lord and landed Knight has the right to vote, and those votes are independent of their liege lords. Which lords can you be assured to cast their vote behind our sweet Jaehaerys".
Lyanna said, "I trust that my brother and lord father's bannermen will support my son. Along with the Riverlords as Ned married lord Tully's eldest daughter and many of the Riverlords had sided with the crown during the rebellion. Thus, I believe we can trust in their votes. House Stark is also tied to several Vale Houses such as Royce, Templeton, Waynwood, and Corbray. In addition, Lord Arryn loved Ned like a son and may follow in his lead".
Ned said, "Jon Arryn was the fist to suggest Stannis become King and the first to support's Robert's claim to the Iron Throne when Robert announced his kingship. Royce, Templeton, Waynwood, and Corbray may side with us, but many of the Vale lords are firm believers in the Seven, and may decry your marriage as not valid".
Lyanna frowned at that, but before she could say anything, Rhaella cut in, "I figured as much Lord Stark. I do not know if you had noticed there was a lord missing from the castle yard. Lord Sunglass, is a deeply pious man and declared the marriage not valid. He also announced his support for Viserys. Even though Viserys is willing to bend the knee," Rhaella chuckled and continued, "especially after seeing Jaehaerys' dragon, but lords may still cast their lot for him".
Lyanna said, "Ashara told me that there would be lords would support Viserys over my son, but I had thought it would only be the Dornish lords barring House Dayne".
Rhaella said, "You might be able to win House Yronwood to your cause, they are the traditional rivals of House Martell. Prince Oberyn also caused the death of the previous lord Yronwood. Offering them some positions at court and other honors may win them over".
Lyanna said, "That is not something I considered. I will admit that my studies did not focus too much on Dorne excluding Aegon's and later Daeron's wars of conquest and the death of Ser Rickon Stark, Lord Cregan's heir during the assault on Sunspear and his son's battles alongside the Young Dragon. Though Maester Walys claimed he never existed. I will have to take it into account. Your grace, I hope that you know that I never sought to force you out of my son's life or refuse to listen to your counsel. I only want was best for my son. I want my son to know that even though he bears his father's arms, and his name comes from Old Valyria, that he is of the North and a Stark of Winterfell as well. Before we knew about the rebellion, Rhaegar and I discussed many thing including whether our child would be a boy or girl and the things they might have done in the future. I wanted our son to be a just man a man who could have been Aegon's Hand of the King when they reach manhood. I never wanted or dreamed that anything could have happened to Elia and Aegon, for my father and brother to be murdered by Aerys, for Rhaegar to die, or for my son to be King".
Lyanna could feel her eyes growing moist at the pain the war had inflicted on her and those who she loved. She tried to fight back the tears; she was a She-Wolf of Winterfell and wolves don't cry. At least that was what Brandon and Benjen had told her when she was still just a girl.
Rhaella placed a hand of Lyanna's and said, "I understand my dear. Death seems to be a constant companion to women like us. I lost nearly all of my family at Summerhall and even my parents who survived died not live too many years after the tragedy. You must take strength from what you do have, a son".
Lyanna smiled at Rhaella's comforting words and said, "Thank you", there as a pregnant pause before Lyanna spoke again, "I want your counsel and I want my son to know at least one grandparent, but I must insist that I am allowed to raise my son not only with the customs of his father's House, but also as a Stark of Winterfell. Rhaegar told me before he left, that he believed our child might truly be the prince that was promised as the child would actually be of Ice and Fire, and that he wanted our child to be raised under both traditions. I do not wish for him to fall for fall for southron temptations in wine, hunts, or women; I want him to be an honorable and good man who knows meaning behind the words "Winter is Coming". A man who as Rhaegar put it, "beat back the darkness and guard the realms of Man". I didn't take too seriously talks about prophecy and magic at first. It was certainly refreshing to be told that I was more than chattel and to find a man who did not share my blood no less that loved that I took up a lance donned mismatched plate to defend a friend's honor", she paused again and said, "A song of Ice and Fire is what Rhaegar had said so many times. A song is good way to describe how I want my son to feel about where he comes from, too much of one tune or note will throw a song out of harmony, only together and working in concert can they become a song. Only by knowing both sides, will my son be able to be a great King".
Rhaella pondered what she said before giving her reply, "I understand what you are saying, my dear, but I still must insist on being the regent. You can do all that you wish in teaching him about the North and its customs, but I fear you will be devoured by the schemes of the court. Northern honesty does not mix with southern schemes. As Lord Cregan must have known when he became Hand of the King for less than a sennight".
This time her brother spoke up with a voice that brought a sad memory to her mind, as he spoke in a tone that sounded just like their lord father, "Your Grace, while I do not doubt your skill in managing the court and I am more inclined to agree with my ancestor Lord Cregan, about the nature of the royal court. I must firmly stand with my sister on this. While she is bit of a dreamer and headstrong and impulsive to the point of folly, she has demonstrated an incredible strength of will, determination, and with the aid of Ser Gerold and Lady Ashara some political acumen as she had sent the letter to you and Lord Tyrell well before the rest of the realm. Thus, allowing her the time to entice potential allies and respect court protocol, by informing you first. My sister and nephew face an uphill battle if I am being frank. War and Battle makes men's blood run hot and my fellow Northmen still have a desire for vengeance against Aerys even if we were denied the killing blade being wielded by a Northman. Many of my Lord bannermen are not inclined to let another Targaryen rule the realm, at least not without being a Stark by blood as well. House Rsywell for instance has been the most vocal at calling for vengeance since my elder brother spent much of his youth there along with the Dustins of Barrowton".
Lyanna struggled to maintain her composure at that. It was more like Lord Rsywell was incensed that he could not marry his harlot of a daughter to Brandon or Ned. When she heard that William had married her, she didn't have the heart to tell him that she wasn't a maid.
Ned continued, "Allowing Lyanna to be the regent would go a long way to calming down my bannermen and winning back their loyalty. This argument is counterproductive to both the needs of the realm and more importantly my nephew and sister's safety. If we are divided it is more likely someone like Tywin Lannister can manipulate events to his advantage which is dangerous to all of us. You said yourself in the letter to my sister, that while the dragon of House Targaryen has three heads, in these trying times we must have one head to rally behind in order to survive".
Rhaella sighed and said, "Lord Stark, you raise an excellent and reminded me why counsel is always needed, and with my own words no less. You would make an excellent Hand of the King, my Lord".
Ned said, "Thank you, your grace. But after the Great Council, it seems like I will repeat what my ancestor did during the Hour of the Wolf and remain Hand of the King for as long as it requires to ensure my nephew's safety and bring justice to the murder of Prince Aegon and the ruin of Princess Elia. I intend to return to Winterfell with my bride and son and see my Lord Father and brother in the crypt".
Ned turned to her and said, "Don't worry Lyanna, I plan to ask Benjen to join you in King's Landing once I have returned to Winterfell. We cannot let you be the lone wolf in addition to the She-Wolf after all".
She smiled and said, "Thank you Ned".
The rest of the meeting went less eventful, and they returned to the rest of the lords and received oaths of fealty, supped, and eventually retired for the night. Lyanna knew tomorrow would be more busy as preparations and papers will have to be made for their sailing to King's Landing and eventually their journey to Harrenhal. The journey would be too much on Rhaella and her babe, so she would have to affix her seal to a written proclamation of fealty to Jaehaerys. When sleep finally came Lyanna dreamed of a boy with eyes like Valyrian steel, the coloring of the Kings of Winter but the beauty of the Dragonlords and flanked by a great white direwolf with crimson eyes, and a great beast of a dragon with bone white scales and whorls of crimson and silver.
Author's Note:
I really hate having to put these author's notes up, since I prefer to handle unwarranted criticism (I certainly think the addition of a Stannis POV helped the story be more balanced, and I plan to continue his POVs) or confusion to be handled in private.
If people want sources for the fact that women couldn't be forced to wed against their will in the medieval period, I cite it like I'm writing a history paper.
Other than that, I simply prefer star crossed lovers over a woman being beaten and raped like Robert Baratheon canonically would have done to Lyanna given how he treated Cersei, and Cersei was far more tolerant of his antics than Lyanna would have been.
Saying a single person tolerated or gave their consent is not stereotyping. I am planning an Elia POV to dive into why she gave her consent and make her more than a victim which is unfortunately all we have in canon.
For the "murdered father" part that was to tie back into a passage in A Feast of Crows where Oberyn's daughters blame the Lannisters for his death and call it murder despite it not being. So it comes from emotional pain rather than fact.
I admit I prefer things a little sweeter than Martin, but when I said emulating his style I specifically meant biased POVs.