Aerys isn't a fool.

He knows his subjects mock him behind closed doors, knows that they sing Rhaegar's praise even when they know they're being observed, his wife no longer supports him- but did she ever?- but she smiles prettily when required and frequents his bed when she must, his Lord Hand undermines his decisions, and even his cousin is growing hesitant to betroth his daughter to Rhaegar.

Surrounded on all sides by vipers and rats and lions Aerys finds himself unsure of who to trust.

There is rumor of an eunuch spy in Pentos, one of the very best with a vast network of underlings loyal to him and his coin. Aerys steeples his fingers in front of his chin and absently notes that his fingernails are growing long... But who can he trust to tend to his needs when all of those who had done so before are so foolishly loyal to Rhaegar and Tywin?

Spies, he thinks, I need a Master of Whispers.

And who better to bestow such a title upon then the Pentoshi eunuch? Pycelle has always been loyal to him, to the Targaryens, he will summon the eunuch to King's Landing and Aerys will gain his loyalty as well. No longer will the common folk laugh at him, no longer will his Hand grapple for power, no more will Rhaegar be able to try and steal the throne, no more, no more, no more.

Aerys smiles.

With the eunuch within the Red Keep no one will be foolish enough to speak out against him, the ones who do will be executed, as is the fate of those who speak treason against the crown. And when Aerys is more secure? When he is certain that not even his son, his heir, will attempt to overthrow him? Then Aerys will pull the Baratheon girl into the fold, secure her betrothal to Rhaegar and bind her loyalty to the Targaryen line. And maybe then they will get their Prince that was promised. Maybe then Aerys will be able to see dragons born once more into the world and the might of the Targaryen Dynasty reestablished for any of those who would try and deny its might.

His grandfather had been so against marrying brothers to sisters, afraid that the incest would dilute the blood, but who better to marry in then Ostara Baratheon? A Targaryen by blood but distant enough that it would have soothed his grandfather's worry. She is perfect; beautiful, of good breeding, and if rumors are to be believed well liked by the people. She is also born of Targaryen blood and seed. It is something that not even Tywin Lannister can boast about his daughter.

"Dragons do not soil themselves with servants." Aerys mutters to himself before reaching for the wine he'd poured himself earlier.

Oh, how Tywin would rage at being called nothing but a servant.

Aerys remembers the boy from his childhood and the young man he grew to be, the one always mocked and ridiculed for his father's arrogance and inability to rule. The toothless lion, that's what the people had called Tytos after his wife died and he became so poor a man that even the lowest of his servants openly mocked him. Aerys will not become Tytos, he will not allow anyone to compare them. He will not, he will not, he will not.

Because he is a Targaryen. He is fire and blood, wrath and ruin, he is the fire and brimstone that cleanses the world and brings it back anew. He is the blood of the dragon and no one, not even his sons or his wife, will mock him.

"Selmy!" Aerys roars, twisting away from the large window he's been staring out of so that he can stalk toward the door even as it slides open.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"Get me Pycelle. Now!"

The knight bows low, showing the respect that Aerys so clearly deserves, and disappears from the room. Aerys paces as he waits, back and forth across the room for what feels like hours. Back and forth, back and forth, how is he going to get the eunuch? back and forth, back and forth, how is he going to gain the loyalty of the girl? Back and forth, back and forth, he is fire and blood and he will not cow to lesser beings.

A gentle tapping at the door brings Aerys up short but he remains with his back to the door as Selmy announces Pycelle before closing the door behind the Maester. Once Aerys is certain that Selmy has gone he turns to stare at Pycelle.

"Are you unwell, your Majesty? Does your back still ail you?"

Pycelle is a tired eyed man and unassuming in his appearance but his skills in politics and his ability to bend his vows to his needs has made him a most useful ally. Aerys trusts very few people within these walls but Pycelle has never lead him astray, nor has he given Aerys reason to distrust him. Of all the people in this damned city Pycelle is the only one Aerys can trust with this task.

"Come Pycelle, closer to the window, I do not wish for us to be overheard." Aerys commands before moving toward the window.

"Is there something I can assist you with, your Majesty?" Pycelle asks when they reach the window, tone low and quiet.

"Yes, yes, I have a very special task for you, one I cannot trust to another." Aerys casts a suspicious glance at the door before leaning closer to Pycelle. "There is an eunuch in Pentos, a man named Varys, I want you to bring him here to me."

"It will take time, your Majesty, but I will see it done."

"Do so and you will be rewarded."

It is no secret that Pycelle likes to indulge in pleasure of the flesh. Aerys himself used to dabble with whores and pretty women as well before the Gods grew angry with his actions and took his children, his daughters and sons, from him... Though, Aerys can't say how many of his children were lost due to the intervention of the Seven or his own wife's treachery.

"It will be done, your Majesty."

Aerys waves him off, not even bothering to watch as Pycelle gathers his robes and shuffles from the room.

Soon he will have his Master of Whispers, soon he will have the Baratheons bound so tightly to him that they wouldn't dare to think of opposing him, soon there will be dragons and a world bathed in fire.

~X~

Weeks pass before Varys arrives at court; a bald, round man with soft white hands and a scent of rosewater, lavender, and lilacs. He is more feminine then most men Aerys has met but how can he be blamed for that when he has no manhood? Aerys watches the eunuch as he makes his way across the room toward him, Pycelle trailing behind him with his hands tucked into his sleeves. No doubt to keep a discrete hold on the blade he keeps there.

When the eunuch stops he bows low but his eyes remain locked with the king.

They are sharp eyes, intelligent, and Aerys realizes that despite his feminine nature, his velvet robes, and his sickly sweet scent Varys is a man not to be trifled with. A dangerous man he is, but one put to better use under Aerys' thumb than in a cell.

"Your Majesty, I was humbled to have received your summons." Varys says, voice honey rich and full of flattery.

"You know why you're here."

"Why of course. I imagine it must be so tedious for a man as great as yourself to dance with the traitors and the lesser beings."

Aerys smirks. "Is that all you can do, spy? Flatter?"

"Among other things I assure you."

Leaning forward Aerys observes the man.

He is not plain, it will be easy for people to recognize him once they see him in a crowd and when they learn that he is on Aerys small council as the Master of Whispers the spy will only become more well known. Perhaps this is a good thing, at least the Lords and Ladies will be less likely to whisper about him when they realize that he is always watching them.

With a smile Aerys motions for Pycelle to fetch the small bag of coin he'd had set aside for the spy's arrival. The sooner he can get started the better in Aerys' opinion and in order for Varys to do anything he'll need to establish a network. While Aerys has no intention of paying him privately for his work Pycelle had suggested that perhaps they should until he is introduced to the court.

"I am placing my trust in you, spy," Aerys says to the spy. "I hope for your sake that the rumors of you talents are true."

The spy bows, skin gleaming in the sunlight.

"Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will not be put to waste."

Scoffing Aerys waves him off and Pycelle guides the spymaster from the room with an offer to show him to his quarters. They are nearly to the door when Aerys calls out to the spy.

"I should hope for your sake that you can tell the difference between friend and foe."

Pale eyes narrow slightly but the eunuch says nothing as he bows his head once more before disappearing from the room with Pycelle, leaving Aerys to sit and stew. Hopefully the eunuch works quickly to find traitors in the Red Keep, for Aerys is tired of looking over his shoulder whenever he leaves his chambers and furious at having to allow Tywin of all people to manage his throne.

How long will it be before Tywin attempts to take it? How long will it be before Rhaegar attempts to do the same? The people fear and respect Tywin but they love Rhaegar... And the people of Flea Bottom love the Baratheon girl... What will happen if Rhaegar convinces their cousin to side with him in a coup? The people will likely follow Rhaegar out of love for him but if he were to have Tywin and another they love back his claim?

Aerys' fingers curl around the armrest of his chair, knuckles going white with the force of his grip.

Would Tywin support Rhaegar's claim? It's likely. Rhaegar is not a stupid boy and he is well liked by the nobility. If Tywin saw an opportunity to gain power through his support of Rhaegar then he would without a doubt be the prince's most avid supporter. Especially as there's no way for him to gain any sort of access to the throne through marriage, not with Ostara here.

Dread fills Aerys chest at the thought of the purple eyed girl.

Girl.

A woman flowered, this is true, but a girl still a few years off of her majority. With it being no secret that Aerys wishes to betroth the last available Targaryen woman to Rhaegar the danger she is facing is very, very real. But is Tywin a danger to her? Aerys, Twin, and Steffon grew up together, fought together, and their friendship had always been a palpable thing in their youth. They are men now and Tywin has proven that loyalty is nothing to him.

And with his wife birthing him a daughter it isn't impossible that Tywin would attempt to kill Ostara in order to place Cersei in sight of the prince... Even with a betrothal being established between the lion's daughter and Steffon's heir anything is possible and Tywin has proven himself a conniving, vicious bastard.

There is still some comfort to be had at least.

Ostara has friends, protectors, an entourage of people loyal to her that would work to keep her from harm. While Aerys wishes there wasn't a Dornish bastard within his halls at least he is skilled with a blade and dedicated to Ostara, even the Red Woman that stalks the palace is terrifying in her own right. Aerys sucks in a deep breath, holds it for a moment, and lets it go. If nothing else Ostara will be safe from Tywin when they are near.

Should anything happen to her, however, Aerys will strike with the ferocity legendary of a dragon.

~X~

Varys learns much his first week in King's Landing, some from his own personal observations and some from the little birds he's managed to acquire with the coin he'd been provided with upon his arrival. When choosing his little birds Varys looks for those who are unassuming enough to be ignored but attractive enough for the nobility to find comfort in, some of his birds used to be mice and they followed him across the Narrow Sea to help him train his newfound spies.

They are his most trusted, the ones he can be sure will do their jobs without getting caught, and so he sends them to Flea Bottom to gather children and pretty young women into his web. What he learns from the common folk is shocking.

Rhaegar Targaryen is much loved, adored by the people of Flea Bottom and supported by them in measures that honestly shocks Varys as he's met the prince's father and found him quite lacking in anything that can be praised. Even the nobility love him, sing him praise whenever they get the chance to do so and even when it's not needed they comment on Rhaegar's skills, his intelligence, and his golden heart. But it is not so strange to have common folk love their princes. What is strange, however, is the absolute adoration the common folk have for one Ostara Baratheon.

Rumors, Varys has come to learn, hold grains of truth in them and from what he's heard of Lady Ostara from his little birds makes him wonder just how much truth there's to be had in these rumors.

Unfortunately, Varys simply doesn't have the time or resources to devote to truly watching any of the court members at the moment. Rhaegar and Ostara and the rest of the realm will have to wait for Varys attention until he can get his webs woven and his birds trained well enough to set them free upon the city and the kingdoms under Targaryen rule.

The only true concern Varys has is the Red Woman that prowls the Keep and whispers of Azor Ahai and R'hllor to any of the staff members that will listen. He recognizes her vaguely and he's come to learn her name is Melisandre and that she is devoted to Lady Ostara. It is this fact that makes Varys decide to keep a very close eye on the Baratheon girl, for servants of R'hllor are not so easily swayed to such levels of devotion to any other then their God of Flame and Shadow. And it is something more then simple devotion that the Red Priest has for Ostara Baratheon.

Sighing, Varys runs a hand over her head as he stares out over the capital.

There's no use fretting over it yet. Varys' only goal is to protect the realm, bring the people peace and comfort in equal measures, and until he has established his network there's nothing he can truly do aside from read letters sent between lords, listen to the whispers of the common folk, and explore the Red Keep in search of passages and hidden places he might be able to make use of later. Once everything is settled and he's able to trust his little birds to do as they're told he will send them out and assign certain birds to certain Lords and Ladies.

Varys wonders at the patience of the king, whether he will demand the names of traitors or allow Varys the time he needs without fuss. He doubts it. Aerys does not seem the type of man to be value patience over action, maybe one, but not now. Briefly, Varys wonders if the state of Aerys' mind will deteriorate further or if his paranoia is justifiable. Will bringing his traitors and conspiracies help him? Will it make him worse? Varys is no seer and he cannot say with any certainty that things will change for the better for Aerys. With any luck Varys interference will help the realm for the better and not leave it burning under the rule of a mad dragon.

~X~

"How funny it is, seeing a little spider playing the game of thrones." A honeyed voice says and Varys dismisses his newest bird before turning to face the red woman.

She is, without any shadow of a doubt, stunningly beautiful. Varys has never seen a woman so terrifying and so beautiful as Melisandre of Asshai with her long copper hair and burning russet eyes. She is the embodiment of unobtainable fantasy. It's why she's so very, very dangerous; she's nothing but a tiger disguised as a viper wearing a priestess's robes.

"Lady Melisandre," Varys greets with carefully concealed distrust, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Varys is a man distrustful of magic, especially the kind that requires blood and sacrifice, and it is not a secret that many of R'hllor's followers are blessed to some degree with it.

Across from him Melisandre smile's a gentle smile and glances around.

"I caught one of your little birds in my Lady's chambers earlier today, Lord Spider."

"And why would I send a little bird into your Lady's chambers? She is but a girl."

And he'll have to train his birds better.

"A girl you wish to keep an eye on." Melisandre flips the thick curtain of her hair over her shoulder, revealing a slender neck and the golden choker resting upon it. "I do not blame you, Lady Ostara is the most wonderful of Ladies, but might I give you a little bit of advice?"

"I always welcome advice."

Russet eyes flash with something dangerous, something that makes a past terror Varys hasn't felt since that dreadful day flare in his stomach. It is a look that a hungry cat gives a trapped mouse just before the kill; playful and sadistic with a bit of pride. Varys resists the urge to shift away from the woman in favor of staring her dead in the eye to prove that he is not afraid and that she cannot cow him into being so.

It seems to amuse her, his defiance.

"While I shall continue to entertain you and your little birds I must insist that you leave my Lady alone. I will not have you exploiting her kindness and her gentle heart, not if you mean to cause her pain."

"I mean to cause no one pain."

"But you will cause pain, I have seen it in the flame and I tell you now that if you touch her the wrath of R'hllor will be upon you."

"What good would it do the realm to bring pain and suffering to a lone girl, my Lady?" Varys asks, fingers twitching under the cover of his sleeve.

Again. That falsely sanguine smile that makes Varys' skin crawl.

"None, my Lord, absolutely none."

"Then your Lady has no need to fear me."

"Of course not," Melisandre glances out the window to their left. "You are, after all, a servant of the realm."

"Yes, as are you."

"Perhaps. In our own ways."

Varys watches the woman for a long moment before offering a kind smile of his own, equally as false as hers. There is no use in trying to hide his distrust and his dislike for the Red Woman.

"Tell me what it is you wish to achieve, Lady Melisandre? Maybe I could be of assistance."

Tell me why it is you of all people are so determined to protect the purple eyed girl.

"I wish for a world full of peace, cleansed of the darkness and bathed in light."

"You work for the good of the realm as do I."

"Do you serve the realm, my Lord?"

"Gentle Lady how ever could you doubt that? I serve none but the realm."

"And King Aerys... Though, perhaps not, one day it will not be Aerys lining your pockets with gold. Remember that."

With nothing else to say the Red Woman curtsies, rises, pivots on her heel, and begins making her way down the long corridor back in the direction she came from. Varys watches her go, more determined to keep an eye on her and her Lady now then he had been before. Even so, Varys knows better then to send his little birds after Ostara Baratheon so soon after this particular confrontation with the Red Woman.

A girl of nearly sixteen is of no true importance when compared to the Lords vying for power and the Iron Throne.

One day Varys will unravel her secrets, determine why Melisandre of Asshai is so determined to protect the girl, and should her secrets benefit the realm then perhaps Varys will make himself an ally. It's too soon to tell and he knows better then to make plans with so little information but he makes a point later that evening to inform all of his little birds that should any whisper of Ostara Baratheon reach them then they are to come straight to him, just to be safe.

~X~

Melisandre smiles as she sends Cerys off into the swarm of birds, a seemingly unsuspecting you girl easily convinced to give information about Lady Ostara to those who promise friendship and comfort. It is part of the plan and the information Cerys lets slip will eventually lead Varys into an alliance with R'hllor's champion should everything go just so.

Cerys is, after all, a wonderful actress.

No one ever suspects her of lying, of feeding specific information and withholding anything that could be considered damning. She is perfect because the birds know not to come near Melisandre, or Daevyn, but Cerys is welcoming and kind and tends to take the younger children under her wing so that they can learn the ways of the Red Keep without the threat of a whipping or a scolding should they fail to do anything correctly.

With Lord Varys being so fearful of magic Melisandre must be careful. No information that comes from her would be trusted, but she accomplished her goal but bringing Varys' attention to Ostara and securing it there. Now it's Cerys' turn. She will be the one to feed Varys the information Melisandre wants him to have, the one to pull the loyalty of his birds to Lady Ostara, the one to make Varys love Ostara so fiercely that when he realizes she is not only Azor Ahai but a being of magic- and he will one day- there will be nothing to truly distrust.

Oh, he may mope about and act like a fool for a few days but Melisandre knows that men like Varys do not tend to linger with their personal dislikes when the ideology they cling to is threatened. And the Other will one day threaten the realm he so dearly loves.

Melisandre smiles as she guides Ostara's head to the side so that she can apply a bit of khol around the girl's eyes. She refuses to allow her Lady to look like the simple Noble women that saunter around the Red Keep with their ceruse covered faces and their copious amounts of rouge. Melisandre only applies a bit of coal to the eyes and olive oil to the lashes to bring attention to Ostara's eyes, to make them seen sharper and fiercer and more terrifying, not because she needs it but because Ostara is powerful but Melisandre wants the people of King's Landing to assume it, to not question it, to accept it as fact simply because there is something about Ostara that makes the prey in them shy away.

If she has to add a bit of makeup to specially chosen clothes then so be it.

"You spoke to Lord Varys." Ostara says even as Melisandre uses a fine brush to apply oil to her lashes.

"Yes, he will be a great ally to us one day."

"I don't like putting Cerys in harms way."

"She's perfectly safe, Varys would not cause her harm lest she were purposefully harming people."

"I find that difficult to believe."

The woman shrugs and says, "Varys is a man of specific beliefs. He is a man of the people and so long as Cerys is innocent she is safe from him."

"You're certain?"

"The night is dark and full of terror but Varys is not one of them."

"But he is dangerous."

A genuine bubble of laughter rises from Melisandre's throat.

"You are dangerous Ostara," Meliandre says as she places the brush down. "Varys is merely a little spider in a very big web."

This gets a smile out of her Lady, a small one but a smile none-the-less. Melisandre takes it for what it is and turns to run a critical eye over Ostara's features; making sure that she looks every bit as intimidating and ethereal as a warrior queen ought to be before nodding and sending her off for another day attending court. When she goes Melisandre waits a moment before wondering over to the wardrobe and opening it the faintest bit.

A silvery figure slinks out of the shadows.

Ostara's dragon is growing fast, faster then Melisandre might have suspected, but it will not be Vanya that the dark haired girl will take North beyond the Wall. She is, however, the dragon that will gain Ostara the support of the nobility within the Red Keep.

"Hello little dragon, what do you say you and I go and give the nobles something to gossip about?"

The dragon tilts its head at her like a bird might and narrows burning red eyes before moving closer toward the hand Melisandre has extended. Staying still and silent Melisandre waits for the dragon to climb up her arm and disappear into the billowing sleeve of her robe before rising and making her way toward the door.

She loves her Lady Ostara, her Champion, her Azor Ahai, but she is fearful of something that is out of her control. It is not in a dragon's nature to fear fire, and so it should not be in hers to fear her magic. Why she does is a mystery to Melisandre and while Ostara may try to hide behind logic being afraid of the reactions of others cannot be the reason Ostara refuses to utilize a gift she was born with... And if she wishes to go North utilizing her magic is a must.

Ostara's door closes with a heavy thumb and Melisandre turns to make her way down the corridor.

Exposing her Lady will not be productive but forcing her hand? Forcing her to admit her magic because the masses already suspect? Melisandre thinks that may work. Especially, if word reaches a certain Silver Prince that Lady Ostara has dragons and magic and a prophecy to fulfill.