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Artos Dawnbright II
Pentos, Free Cities, Year 298 AC
Aegon and Rolly decided to stroll in Pentos' streets and enjoy their stay at this mighty city but Artos and Griff had other things to do, they needed a talk with Illyrio in order to get some much-needed explanations on what was happening.
As they arrived at the main gate, they were identified by the Unsullied guarding it and were escorted inside to meet the Pentoshi. It seemed the man was in his huge study room, a room full of books from the most varied locations and with a chair with comfortable cushions in which the fat man was reading some book written in Valyrian if Artos' eyes saw right.
As the man glanced them, he stood up and with a smile as he greeted them. "My friends how was the voyage from Myr?" Neither he nor Griff replied to his question but that didn't seem to bother him at all. "I see that you are both…rather shy today…"
"Why was Daenerys Targaryen sent to be wed to Dothraki Khal?" Artos questioned. "Do you realize how dangerous that is?"
"Khal Drogo has the largest khalassar, forty thousand strong," Illyrio said. "He is a strong and fierce warrior and Daenerys is in no danger."
"That still doesn't calm my mind, the girl is what thirteen and already wed?" Artos countered.
"We will need Khal Drogo's khalassar for what is to come." The man insisted.
"And what is exactly is coming?" Griff asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" The fat man replied almost as if he had taken offense with Griff's question. "To place Aegon on the throne of course. After all, isn't he Prince Rhaegar's heir?" No, he is the bastard son of Rhaegar born of the foolishness when his parents found themselves drunk.
"That wasn't what we agreed." Artos said. "We were supposed to keep him safe from Robert Baratheon's clutches not make him go to war with them."
"We have done that Ser and we shall continue to do so." The fat man assured. "Once he gets the throne there will not be a need for him to be running for his life anymore."
"But Aegon has no claim now that House Targaryen was dethroned." Said Artos.
"No more than Robert Baratheon did before he took the throne." The fat man dismissed. "He won the throne by conquest. The Maesters of Westeros being a pesky bunch had to find a way to legitimize his conquest and so they found his Targaryen grandmother who if I'm not mistaken had no claim for the throne in the first place as she was a female." he continued. "Anyone could have gotten the throne if they so desired and once the precedent is set, then the consequences will follow."
"Robert Baratheon's reign is stable." Artos countered. "He has the Stormlands, Riverlands, North, Vale, and Westerlands behind his back and neither the Reach nor Dorne will contest that."
"Those who wait for the right opportunity will be rewarded Ser," he said with a sly smile. "Just because things are well doesn't mean they will always be that way. Varys tells me the heir to the throne is a Mad King in the making."
Griff laughed then. "So the great Robert Baratheon has spilled a Mad King from his seed…how ironic." If this was true…then it would be bad for the realm…Another Mad King would lead to another Rebellion sooner or later…but still…
"Is it?" The fat man questioned with a rather serious look which was not normal. "At any rate, the boy could use a couple of years more of training to be fully ready for his task and this shall give us enough time to have Khal Drogo and the Golden Company on our side."
Artos did not like this one bit, he, Ned Stark and his companions promised Lyanna that they would take care of her son, keep him safe and grant him a childhood for he had no blame in anything and now Varys and Illyrio wanted to use the boy for some personal scheme of theirs…
"Aegon is Rhaegar's heir and so he has a claim in accordance with the Targaryen customs." No, he doesn't he is a bastard. Artos wanted to say to Griff but did not spill a single word. "And if the Usurper's son is a Mad King in the making than all the better, Aegon will be ages away from any son that oaf could produce."
"We share the same opinion, good Ser." Illyrio grinned. "But do let me have a talk with Ser Artos here."
Griff looked towards him and then nodded before exiting the room, leaving the two of them there to have a talk.
"The boy has no claim." Artos said when they were alone. "He is a bastard."
"Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't some of Westeros' houses support the Blackfyres? A line of bastards?"
"A line of legitimized bastards." Artos countered. "Born and raised at court."
"My friend there will be some interesting developments coming soon. That much I can assure you and you will be surprised with them." Illyrio said. "But as we were speaking, no one needs to know about Aegon's bastard status, they will think he is Princess Elia's child and not Lyanna's."
"But it's an offense against Elia's memory." he countered.
"I grieve the woman too, Ser Arthur, no one deserves such a brutal and horrible death," Illyrio said. "Varys stills has nightmares about what he saw but she should be proud that her legacy can be extended to save Westeros."
"Varys could have done something and saved her!"
"He still considers it his biggest mistake in life." The fat man said. "But I doubt it made you feel any better."
"It does not, it only makes me angrier." Artos assured him.
"As I said, Ser Arthur, you do not need to worry. The boy will be safe just as the Queen Rhaella's children and with them the realm who will not suffer from another Mad King." Illyrio proclaimed. "You know he will make a great King, he has Rhaegar's greatest capabilities and none of his flaws, he is the perfect Prince."
"And what will happen to Daenerys Targaryen in your plans?" Said Artos.
"She will play her part, just as her brother," he informed. "As I said, they will be safe."
"I will keep the vows I swore to Lyanna Stark and Eddard Stark, but I have serious doubts this plan of yours and Varys will succeed."
"Your presence is always welcome good Ser," Illyrio said with a big grin. "You have been a great influence on Aegon and worry not because we will prove you wrong."
I would like to see that. "I must return to our ship, the boy and the crew should be waiting for us."
"Of course, it was a pleasure seeing you again." Artos nodded and exited Illyrio's study and found Griff waiting outside, arms crossed with his back against a wall. They began to walk out of the manse right after.
"Why were you so pessimistic?" Griff inquired. "Aegon is Rhaegar's heir, you should be happy he has a chance of claiming his father's throne."
"I have my reasons."
"Are you afraid for your sister?" Griff suggested in a question. "Lord Stark revolted justly against King Aerys, I will not deny it. His brother and father were unjustly killed and Aegon can show clemency if he bends the knee to him."
"That's not the matter Jon!" Artos barked, losing his composure.
"Then what is the matter?"
"Just forget about it." Artos dismissed. "Let's just go and meet Aegon."
"You should open yourself more Arthur," Griff said. "It didn't do good to Rhaegar to keep his thoughts for himself even if shared more with you than me. It got him killed sooner than what it should be."
"I know." Artos agreed. But what will you think when you know the truth about this boy and of your Prince? Gods what should I do?
Cersei Lannister II
Somewhere by the Kingsroad, Crownlands, Year 298 AC
"Please, mother let me go see them." Her daughter was asking to go meet those barbarians once more now that they took a stop already in the Crownlands. She was growing defiantly as the days went by, they were turning her daughter into a rebellious girl.
"No, you are staying here with me, Tommen and Joffrey." Cersei dismissed her daughter's plea. "And you will not see the Starks anymore."
"Why?" Myrcella questioned aghast.
"Because they have hurt your brother and can very well hurt you too." Cersei said.
"But they have not harmed me in any way, they have treated me with kindness!" Myrcella insisted. "I like their company and their direwolves aren't with them anymore."
The damned Dornish whore was smart and got the direwolves and the damned peasant boy away from her justice and she was angry for this audacity. "You will not go and that is the end of it!" Cersei hissed.
"But mother!" Her daughter protested more.
"Play with Tommen, he is your brother and speak no more of it." Cersei was not liking the current situation of things. The Starks were ensnaring everything…Myrcella was clearly taken by them, Tommen was walking in the same direction and Robert, of course, listens to what them Starks have to say more than he does her or their children which was a ridiculous notion to her.
Her poor Joffrey, her last hope besides Jaime, bled and bitten by those monstrosities of animals and what he got was scolding from his craven father…This weakened their power and by a lot for it made the world see that they are weak as no Stark was punished, nor the direwolves nor the butcher's boy nor anything and this was making her mad.
Perhaps it would be better for her to simply get disposed of Robert, making him die of something and cut the disease before it could spread…The only problem was that it was too soon, especially when she lost a fight with the Starks…Robert still looks as healthy as a giant fat man can be and so anyone would suspect poison and that could lead to her…no she needed another way…another option…
Thinking about poison made her remember Jon Arryn…the fool was up to something but someone took him out before he could reveal whatever he was searching for…but the question wasn't really what that old fart had been looking for but rather who killed him…Jaime wouldn't do it, of course, he is an honorable fool like Robert in this matter…father had no reason to either…the little monster wouldn't do it…so who could it have been? If such person was still at bay then they are a threat to her and her children but she also fears what Stannis might have known as much as Jon Arryn…For some reason, she felt that Eddard Stark would suggest that Baratheon fool as the next Hand…things weren't looking too well and she needed to fix that and the sooner the better.
She decided to think who was on her side and who she could count on. Jaime was the only person whom she fully trusted, then there was her family and most importantly her father. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn were her pawns, Ser Preston was a Westerman so more prone to be influenced by her especially with some incentives…the rest of the Kingsguard will do as the King says…she had some spies to count with, Pycelle was her father's creature and likely hers as well, Littlefinger is likely an asset as well but she was outnumbered in the Small Council which wasn't good…
Therefore she concluded that half of the Kingsguard was on her side and she could not count on the Small Council…
Joffrey was seated alone in the grass, Clegane in a considerable distance from him and she approached her son. "Joff." she called.
"I want them punished mother!" Her son said bitterly. "I want them all punished for this insult!"
"And they will be my love," she said as she brought her son for a hug. "No one dares to defy our family and the Starks will know of it soon enough." I will make sure the prophecy doesn't occur as well. I will remain the Queen and my children will get the throne when that fat oaf dies and no one will stop that, not even the Starks.
Cassana Baratheon IV
King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 298 AC
It was dawning soon and the captain of the ship said they were going to moor in ten minutes or so. Cass could not sleep at all with the excitement of being mostly alone in the capital…it was a bold decision on her part but she would not falter so close to her goal, finding her much needed answers.
Jaehon, on the other hand, was sleeping like a baby in his cabin as he always slept till midday or later if left to himself, so she decided to go wake him up so he could get ready to land.
She came to his door and knocked on it. "Jaehon!" she called. "We are mooring soon!" Since she heard no reply nor noise she got worried and sought if the door was open which it was and so she opened it and entered, quickly seeing if he was alright.
It was dark inside with not much light but the candle she had at hand, there stood Jaehon laid in bed, sleeping as if she wasn't calling him…but he seemed odd.
"Laena…" she heard him whisper. "Laena…I'm going to save you…they will not kill you…" Who was Laena? "They will not rape you…I won't let them…no…don't…NO!" Jaehon then woke up abruptly, panting and sweating and with his shout and sudden move, she jumped frighten as she wasn't expecting this. "Cass?" he squealed as he panted and sweated. "What are you doing here?"
She tried to compose herself from the fright but as she did, she noticed he was not wearing a shirt nor anything to cover himself, and his muscles were all sweaty…Luckily the sheets were covering his privates but it was enough to make her blush with the sight…And she was surprised since she never blushed like this before…perhaps it had to do with her being a woman now, after all, she had her first flowering a year ago but still…
"I…I called you but you did not answer so I got worried something bad might have happened to you…" she explained while regaining her composure and trying to avert her gaze from him.
"I'm fine," he said. "It seems it was just a dream…"
"Who is Laena?" she inquired confused as to who was this Laena he thought about in his dreams.
"Are we mooring?" he asked, trying to change the subject of the talk, clearly not wanting to talk about this Laena.
"I asked you a question." she insisted.
"And I believe I already gave you my answer."
"Fine!" she sighed as it seems she was back at square one… "If you wish to play this game once more, we will play it. And yes, we are indeed mooring in about ten minutes or so."
"Then I better get dressed." he concluded as he rubbed his eyes.
"Yes."
"Aren't you supposed to leave the room? Wait…are you blushing?" By the Seven…what is happening to me?
"Gods no, I'm not…I'm not…" she said as she quickly left the room, panting and likely blushing even more…What is happening to me…this is not me…this is not Cassana Baratheon…
It took some time but finally, she was calm. She was waiting outside of his cabin for a few minutes, still ashamed of her behavior when Jaehon finally emerged, fully dressed and yawning. "Hello again." he said.
"Nothing happened there in your cabin okay?" she quickly said.
"I saw nothing, heard nothing, and said nothing." he assured.
"Good, let us go…"
It took a minute or so more before they could finally step on the capital's soil and so they rented two horses at a nearby inn and rode to the Red Keep in them. No matter how many times she visited King's Landing, the huge crowds of people always fascinated her…
The road to the Red Keep was rather short, they arrived as dawn did. The Gold Cloaks made them stop their pace, just as in the last time she visited with her mother. "Who goes there?" One of them asked.
"Lady Cassana Baratheon, daughter of Lord Stannis Baratheon, the King's brother and Lady Catelyn Tully." she proclaimed. "With me comes Jaehon Velaryon, nephew of Lord Monford Velaryon of Driftmark."
"The King is not here, Milady." The man said. "We are instructed to lead highborn people to the Small Council's chambers where they can be received by one of its members."
"I see no problem with it," she admitted. "Do make your job, thank you in advance."
Both she and Jaehon unhorsed and gave their horses to the stableboys and were led to the Small Council's chambers by six Gold Cloaks. There they were received by Lord Varys, the eunuch and Master of Whisperers.
"Ah, My Lady Cassana and My Lord Jaehon what a pleasant surprise to find you both at the capital." The man said with a pleasant smile. Father spoke often of him, as the man that knew all the secrets in King's Landing and beyond…perhaps he would know what happen with her father but…perhaps he was not trustworthy…she couldn't take any risks.
"The pleasure is our Lord Varys, thank you for receiving us with such short notice." she thanked with her own pleasant smile.
"Unfortunately your uncles have not yet arrived." The older man said. "They shouldn't take too long however My Lady, I have heard they are a couple of days away from here and I'm quite sure they will be rejoicing with your presence."
"I will be too," she confessed. "It has been a while since I last saw them."
"I will have the servants prepare two rooms for each of you." Lord Varys said. "I hope that your staying at the Red Keep is as pleasant as it can be."
"We hope so too." she said.
A while later, both she and Jaehon were being led by some female servants to their rooms. "So…what do you think Jaehon?"
"I think nothing yet," he said. "I have been here for an hour or so, it's too early to formulate an opinion, but soon enough I will tell you what I think, that is if you still wish to hear it."
"Sounds good to me…" she smiled, somehow the image of him bare-chested was still haunting her. "We will find out what happened here with my father." she proclaimed as she tried to make the image leave her. "I want to see it with my own eyes."
"I'm sure you know that it will not be the most pleasant of things."
"All the same, I must learn the good and the unpleasant Jaehon," she said. "As of now I'm my father's heir and it's likely for me to be Lady of Dragonstone when he dies and when that happens, I intend to be ready. I believe I will be able to learn a lot of things here where the vipers lurk just as my father likely did."
"That is a good way to see this whole thing…" Jaehon agreed. "Maybe your father will not punish you too much if you prove to him that you have improved yourself…"
"I know he will," she assured him. "And I will prove myself as well."
Arianne Martell I
Sunspear, Dorne, Year 298 AC
Arianne was eating a meal by herself, it was close to midday but she hadn't taken her breakfast mostly because in the day before she and her cousins had been drinking far too much. Nym was likely still sleeping with Fowler twins as no doubt they shared their bed in the previous night and Tyene was not a morning person either…but since it was so hot already they would eventually show their faces.
She sighed as she ate a loaf of bread with blood-orange jam on top, remembering that day almost a decade ago when she found that letter her father intended to send Quentyn…about how her brother would one day seat in their father's chair…ignoring her rights completely…
Arianne always gave her best in her lessons, she made sure she memorized everything, every house of Dorne and their feuds and some other outside of her homeland too. She made her best to learn to account numbers, she made her best to know the laws and yet father still wanted Quentyn as his heir…not heir…
"Why the sad face, my beautiful niece?" Her uncle Oberyn asked with a big grin as he took a seat in front of her.
"I'm still tired, nuncle." she replied as she found better to leave the real reason why she was sad hidden.
"You and my girls exaggerated a bit yesterday have you not?" he asked amused. "Cousin Manfrey said you all looked a bit too much joyful…"
"Perhaps…" she agreed smirking. "But you seem quite happy yourself nuncle…is Ellaria pregnant once more?" In reality, she loved all her cousins and the younger ones were especially adorable so another little snake wouldn't hurt too much…
"I wish she was but I'm afraid it was not the case," he said. "I have gotten some interesting news coming from the capital."
"News from the capital?" she asked surprised.
"Indeed, it seems Robert Baratheon choose his friend Eddard Stark to be Hand of the King." he explained.
"Another Usurper's dog…as expected." she scoffed bitterly, remembering her aunt Elia's cruel death and of her other cousins too.
"But this one has a thing that can be interesting for us, my beautiful niece," Uncle said. "Eddard Stark's wife is Ashara Dayne."
Ashara Dayne? "Wasn't Lady Ashara, aunt Elia's best friend?" Arianne inquired as she remembered what her uncle told her so many times in the stories about aunt Elia.
"She was and still is I'm sure." Her uncle stated. "One does not simply forget a best friend, especially one like Elia and I know Ashara too well to know too."
"But she is married to one of the lapdogs…"
"She is but I do believe she has a leash over her husband," he said. "And as far as the letters she sent me, neither she nor her husband were happy with Elia's murder."
"So you think you can get to the Mountain through them?" she asked curiously.
"I will see what I can do." Her uncle said with a smirk. "I do wish to see my friend in person once more, I have missed her beauty and want to see if she grew into ice." he broke into laughter as he said this. "And I miss the smell of shit from that ugly city."
So her uncle was visiting the capital…she felt sad for she had to remain and organize parties and other useless nonsense… "I wish you luck, nuncle."
His face got more serious as he sounded amazed by her statement. "You don't wish to come?"
"Father wouldn't want me to…"
"Ah worry not about him." Her uncle dismissed. "You have been unhappy for a while now and I think a little trip to the worst smelling city might cheer you up a bit." Said her uncle. "We should bring my oldest daughters as well if they wish to travel with us."
"Oh uncle, do you mean so?" she was still apprehensive for it sounded too good to be true…
"Is that even a question Arianne?" he asked faking an expression of hurt. "As long as you and my beautiful daughters listen to me and Ellaria, I'm sure everything will be fine."
"We will be good girls, nuncle," she said as she embraced her uncle tightly. "Thank you, you are the best."
"I know, but you don't have to spoil me so…" he said laughing and she followed his suit. "Now go on and tell your older cousins about this trip."
"Right away." she nodded as she went straight to Tyene's room. Oh, she is going to love this!
Okay so, first of all, I struggled too much with this chapter and I don't know why...but anyway it's here. Bear in mind that some explanations are my interpretation of things like why did Varys and Illyrio married Daenerys away and so forth.
Now to what everyone is waiting for...I decided to declare Val the winner as she got more votes in the first round and doesn't seem like it will change if I make a second round. I'm deeply sorry for all those Jon/Margaery fans and everyone who didn't vote in Val. Please if you have to criticize, be polite about it, don't curse.
Without further ado, thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.