Dragonstone Keep. Hours later.
It took some time for Rhaella, Galahad, his family and a number of his servants, attendants, Honor Guard and others to arrive, and still it took hours for the guests to disembark fully onto the island. Once in the keep, though there were no preparations made for the feast, Rhaella still managed to provide her grandson and his family a dinner worthy of a king and his family, as well as for his retinue. To say that she was surprised and amazed at the size of it would be an understatement, for Galahad and Morgana traveled with a retinue that was worthy of Lord Paramount or even a King. Just the Honor Guard numbered three hundred men and women, all armed and armored with quality that made even Barristan Selmy nod with respect and slight envy.
But all that was nothing to Rhaella, as she was finally reunited with her grandson Maegor, and though he went now by a new name of Galahad, it didn't bother Rhaella in the slightest, and when he told her of it, she took to it immediately. The former Queen did not leave her grandson's side ever since he arrived and kept him company all throughout the day and evening, speaking to him, listening to his tales and most importantly, getting to know his wife Morgana and children. Of all the things that Rhaella could've imagined, she did not conceive even a thought of her grandson being married and having not one or two, but four children. All four of them were lovely and Rhaella grew in love with every one of them, and when they learned of whom she was in relation to Galahad, instantly took to calling her "Gran-Gran," which Rhaella accepted with smile and joy.
Though her initial impression of Morgana was a bit biased, due to her slight resemblance of Cersei and Joanna Lannister, Rhaella almost instantly managed to find common ground with Morgana, learning quite quickly, that she was not merely a pretty maiden with flowery fantasies in her mind. Morgana showed herself as intelligent and courteous towards Rhaella, but not flattering or ingratiating like Rhaella was used to. Instead, Rhaella found in Morgana a woman of clearly deadly wit, one who could be respectful, yet also demanded respect in return and was not about to seek favors with others, with her first and foremost priority being her family, Galahad and their children. And it wasn't merely out of duty, ambition or greed, no- Morgana and Galahad truly loved one another, loved in the way that made Rhaella smile at the sight of the two, and their children were loved as well. Needless to say, that Rhaella took quite favorably towards Morgana, much more so than she ever did towards Margeary Tyrell or even Elia Martell.
After dining, they had spent hours in the castle, with Rhaella acting as a guide to her grandson and his family, before they stopped in the garden, where her great-grandchildren had a wonderful time playing around. Queen Mother was quite unused to such a sight, seeing children to carefree and happy just playing around, yet enjoyed it to the most, until after hours of playing around, they grew tired and sleepy, and so Morgana had escorted them to their assigned chambers. And as she was doing that, Rhaella, Galahad, Kingsguards, Benjen Stark, as well as Garran Crowe and another man from Tamriel, a hard-looking bald man of near same age as Garran, dressed in black and white armor and with a black longsword at his side, standing near her grandson akin to a Kingsguard. From what Rhaella was able to discern from her earlier discussions with Galahad and Morgana, this man appeared to be something of a champion of her grandson, though she couldn't be too sure of such things, so instead of pressing on it, she decided to ask for how long they would be here. Instead of Galahad, Ser Arthur Dayne answered.
"We appreciate your hospitality, Your Grace. However, we cannot linger here for long, for His Grace, the King, is expecting Prince Maegor to arrive." Ser Arthur answered, and Rhaella could clearly see that the way Galahad was addressed did not please him. "It would also be appropriate for you to arrive with us, for it would be His Grace's wish to see the Targaryen family reunited and…"
"Ser Arthur, I know that you hold my son's trust and ear, but do not presume to know what I should do or not. You are only his Lord Commander of Kingsguard, nothing more." Rhaella answered harshly, immediately making him quiet down. "And I do not much like your way of addressing my grandson. I assume he has made it clear that he is now Galahad Sundrake, correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace." Ser Arthur answered.
"Then you are to address him as such, or are you now the authority on the way of proper address of people?" Rhaella asked of him rhetorically, she sighed lightly and turned to Galahad. "Returning to the original question, I hope you are not planning on leaving too soon, Galahad, for I would like for you and your family to remain in my care for at least a little while." Rhaella softly told him, with Galahad smiling to him.
"It never was in my mind to leave you or Dragonstone just after arriving here, and after today, with the way children met you today, I would dare to bring myself to deprive them of your company." Galahad chuckled, with Rhaella returning the chuckle, while Morgana finally entered the chambers. "How are the children?" Morgana simply lightly shook her head with a smile.
"Tired and fast asleep, but they are in love with their new Gran-Gran, so I would be on the look for them, especially in the morning." Morgana told Rhaella. "They have an unmatched ability to find their way anywhere they want, regards whether their target is asleep or not." To that Rhaella only chuckled lightly.
"Sounds like I would have to be extra careful with them." Ser Barristan lightly chuckled.
"Fair warning, Ser Barristan: those four together have enough wits to outsmart even an anointed knight and make their way to where he is guarding." Galahad said to him, with Barristan nodding with a smile, before Sundrake turned to his wife. "We were just discussing the duration of our stay here. I am thinking that we could stay for about a fortnight or so, maybe a bit more." At the sound of it, Rhaella could only smile, before Ser Arthur interjected.
"Prince Maegor, that is out of the question. At most, we should stay here only for two days and resume our journey back to King's Landing. With a good wind, we should be able to reach it within three to four days." Ser Arthur answered, with Galahad rising and walking to him.
"For you it may be out of question, Ser Arthur, but I couldn't care less about what your king thinks of wants. The sole reason I even agreed to come to Westeros is because of my grandmother, not because of him, and certainly not because you decided to threaten me." Galahad stated to him coldly. "I shall spend however much time with my grandmother as I deem adequate. If you are so eager to return to the King's Landing, you are free to leave tomorrow. I am sure you will be able to find a vessel to ferry you there." Galahad told him, preparing to turn around, before he felt Arthur's hand on his shoulder.
"Prince Maegor, I do not think that you…" Arthur Dayne was about to speak up, before Galahad turned around to him, and met with his cold, overwhelming gaze which made The Sword of the Morning regret his decision.
"Take your hand off of me, Ser." Galahad's voice and tone were such that Dayne could not refuse, and so he did as commanded. "I have tolerated your incessant demands and lack of respect towards me for long enough, Ser Arthur, and I do not plan to do so any longer. Either you will leave Dragonstone on your own tomorrow, or you will be evicted from here, by force." Galahad's tone left no room for negotiation.
"As a Kingsguard, I can't simply leave you unguarded." Ser Arthur reminded him, with Galahad simply giving him a small smile. "His Grace ordered me to see to your safety personally."
"And I am certain you have seen my Honor Guard, Ser Arthur, and can attribute to the fact, that they are far more adequate and capable of fulfilling the role of my protectors than you are, given that they lack neither in quality or quantity." Galahad countered. "You, Ser Jaime and Benjen Stark may return to King's Landing and inform the King that your search was successful, and that I shall be arriving with my grandmother, whenever we deem it to be appropriate." The sheer aura of authority and power that Galahad produced was enough to make the three men not question his order, while Rhaella decided to speak up.
"Should my son raise the question about their safety, Ser Arthur, do remind him that I have Ser Barristan here with us. I am quite certain that my son would not dispute his qualification for such an assignment." Rhaella added. "Now, if that is cleared up, do please leave us. I would like some privacy to finally talk to my grandson and his wife in privacy." The Kingsguards and the sole Stark bowed their heads and left the room, while Galahad turned to his own men.
"Garran, Marius, you too may go." Galahad told them, with both bowing their heads.
"With your leave, Grand Master." Both said and left without another word, finally providing the privacy for the three.
"Your men certainly lack neither for discipline or respect, unlike some." Rhaella noted, as Galahad sat near Morgana. "I am curious, though, what does this "Grand Master" title mean. Forgive my curiosity, it just… It invokes some allusions to slavers of Volantis and Slaver's Bay. I mean no disrespect, Galahad, I just…"
"I know, Grandmother, and I assure you this title has nothing to do with slavery. In essence, those two men, Garran Crowe and Marius Amalrich, are members of the Brotherhood of Purifiers, of which I am the current leader, known as the Grand Master." Galahad began to explain. "The Brotherhood of Purifiers is one of 8 Brotherhoods and each one of them commanded by a Grand Master, all united into a single Order- the Order of the Dragon. Think of a knightly order, only instead all of its might being focused in one place, it is instead separated into several parts, each of them having a great deal of autonomy and is commanded by one of key leaders of the entire order, and you will get a relatively good picture of what it all is." Rhaella listened to it and nodded, understanding what it was all.
"I see, and above the Grand Masters there is someone who holds sway over all of Brotherhoods?" She asked of Galahad.
"Technically, there is the office of Supreme Grand Master, but that title hasn't been held for almost two centuries, ever since the man who founded the Brotherhoods and reformed the Order, Lord Belisarius, had disappeared, presumed dead." Galahad answered. "Since then, the Order is run by the council of Grand Masters, with the Brotherhoods themselves spread out all over Tamriel, yet ultimately united under a single banner. To become a Grand Master, one must have the approval of all other Grand Masters and the respect of the Brotherhood they would command. Initially, Garran was selected as the successor to Grand Master Alaric Tor, but he instead put forth me as a candidate, and I was selected."
"From what I can tell, he has a great deal of respect and admiration towards you, and he does not strike me as a man who would make such a suggestion lightly." Rhaella noted, with Galahad nodding to it. "And your other men and women look up to you in the way that I've not seen before. Even Rhaegar wasn't so inspiring or able to command such respect from others, adoration perhaps, but not genuine respect and belief in their leader." Rhaella smiled with pride towards her grandson, while Morgana decided to add.
"Galahad has earned that respect and admiration many times, even if he himself would at times say it came too soon for him." Morgana said softly. "It is true that circumstances of his rise were unique and dictated by needs of war, but even the most hardened of veterans and conservative of Grand Masters do not deny, that Galahad is a man worthy to bear the title of Grand Master of Purifiers."
"And I would like to hear all about it, but later." Rhaella said, before she composed herself, preparing to ask Galahad something that had always plagued her, with both Galahad and Morgana sensing the change in the mood. "Galahad, I understand that whatever has happened between you and Viserys, it wasn't something that you would do, unless you didn't have any other choice, but…" Rhaella did not know how to best approach it, and so Galahad interrupted her.
"You want to know what happened there. What really happened that day?" Galahad calmly asked of her, with Rhaella nodding, while Morgana took her husband's hand in her own, reassuring him.
"If you do not wish to talk about, I will understand and not press any further." Rhaella immediately said, as she regretted even asking about it.
"It is alright, Grandmother. If you wish, I will tell you, but… It is not something that you would want to hear." Galahad simply told her, with Rhaella looking in his eyes and speaking.
"I know." She simply said. "Tell me." And so he did.
14 years ago. Red Keep.
"There you are, you putrid wretch!" Viserys said with bile and anger to Maegor, as he entered the boy's chambers and without any other word, Viserys backhanded the boy, sending him to the floor. "Did you think you were safe from me, that I have forgotten how you've lied about me to my mother? Disgusting half-breed, I'll teach you respect!" And with this, Viserys grabbed the young boy by his throat and began to beat him.
Maegor whimpered as the beating commenced and could do little else, for Viserys was older and much larger than he was, and he held no reservations towards the boy, as he had showed before. This was far from the first time when Maegor was on the receiving end of one of such beatings. And now that grandmother was away, he knew that all he could do now is endure and wait for when the Prince grew tired and bored, as he usually did. However, today was different, for Viserys seemed even more determined than usual to hurt Maegor, for he did not stop with just slaps and punches, but proceeded to throw Maegor against the stone wall near fireplace. Hitting with his back and head, Maegor weakly slid down, unable to stand up and his right eye barely seeing, with swelling around it already forming, with Viserys glowering over him.
"You think that you have the right to judge me?! You, a half-breed?!" And with this Viserys grabbed Maegor with both his hands by the throat, chocking him. "I'll show you, I'll show you what it means to anger the dragon!" He said with fury, as Maegor struggled in his grip, before he hit Viserys' groin with his leg, forcing him to release with pained yelp, letting Maegor drop to the floor.
"You fucking… You fucking piece of shit! You dare strike, a dragon?!" Viserys screeched, before he kicked Maegor in the stomach, and then again. "You fucking piece of shit, you wretched half-breed, you think can hit the dragon?! You think you are one?! Well, I'll show you what you are!" And with his, Viserys grabbed Maegor by the hair, and then dragged him to the hearth, before trying to shove him into the fire, with Maegor only saved by managing grab on to the iron that surrounded the fire, burning his hands in the process, with Maegor screaming out of pain.
"You are no dragon, because no dragon fears fire! You are just a stupid fucking mutt, a half-breed who doesn't deserve to live! And when I'm through with you, I'll kill your fucking half-breed sister for badmouthing me, and then… Then I'll remind my Mother what it's like to wake the dragon, just like Father did!" Viserys gleefully said, and then… then something clicked in Maegor.
In that moment, something had changed in Maegor, a hidden, dormant part of him had awakened, and it screamed kill Viserys! No longer did the searing pain course through his hands and he did not feel heat of fire, instead feeling the flame of rage and fury towards Viserys, for daring to threaten his grandmother. Maegor didn't even know what it was, but it was powerful, stronger than anything he had ever known and it was so familiar, like it was always there in him, despite never knowing of this part of himself, and yet… Yet it was there, and he listened to it.
With untapped power within him unleashed, Maegor kicked Viserys' leg with such force, that it made the older boy cry in pain and release Maegor, who didn't waste time and tackled Viserys. The two crashed into the bed post, forcing them to fall, but this time it was Maegor who was standing above Viserys, and when older Prince looked into the eyes of Maegor, he shook with fear and relieved himself of the contents of his bladder. For in that moment, Viserys saw not the eyes of a beaten and tormented child, but eyes of a true Dragon, a Dragon after his blood.
Without giving him time or even chance to respond, Maegor's hands reached for the curved dagger with handle made of dragon bone, taking it out… and then plunging it into Viserys' stomach. Blood flowed out of the wound and the Prince cried out in pain, pleas of mercy followed afterwards, but Maegor did not hear them, all he heard was the voice of the man who tormented him, and the inner voice telling him not to stop until Viserys was silent. And Maegor did, stabbing Viserys in the gut, then chest, then lungs, then again in the gut, and then in the neck, and again, again, again… Until it was finally quiet for Maegor, and by the time it was quiet for him, he was covered in Viserys' blood head to toe, and the Prince himself looked like a slab of bad meat, rather than a Dragon.
Present.
"…I only stopped when Whent arrived and pried me off of Viserys. After that… You know the rest." Galahad finished telling Rhaella, as Morgana gently squeezed Galahad's hand in support. "There was no trial, just a show of one. Originally, Rhaegar wanted to have my head that very moment, but Queen Elia convinced him instead to send me to the Wall and after that… After there was the storm, and ended up in Tamriel, in the region known as High Rock, near one of its largest cities, Daggerfall."
"Viserys… D-did Viserys say what he said, about me?" Rhaella asked after being quiet for so long, with Galahad nodding to her, with Rhaella closing her eyes at the realization what it meant, letting it all sink in for a few minutes, until she opened her eyes. "I knew that he was like Aerys, always did, but this… This I could not even think of. I do not know why he became like this, perhaps it was Aerys, or it was my fault… Perhaps it was, all that had happened with you, Galahad." Rhaella said with sadness.
"There is no fault of yours in what had happened, Grandmother." Galahad softly told her, with her looking at him. "There is no point in dwelling about it."
"Isn't there? Had I been there 14 years ago, none of that would have happened. You wouldn't get hurt, Viserys wouldn't have done and you…" Rhaella tried to object, but Galahad softly interrupted her.
"Maybe, but he would hurt me later, and I would remain in the Red Keep, unloved and unwanted… And I would never have met Morgana, and had Agravain, Faye, Gawain and Arturia." Galahad turned with a soft smile towards his wife, who merely smiled back, holding his hand, before he turned back to Rhaella. "All that pain he brought me, all that had happened to me afterwards, in the end, I am who I am because of it all and it brought me where I am now. And despite how horrible it all was, if I had a choice to change things that day, or let them play out the same, I would always choose the latter, because I can't imagine a different life from the one I have now. It was a trying and hard life at times, but it brought me what I could never even dream of in the Red Keep: happiness and family." Rhaella listened to her grandson, and couldn't help but smile at his conviction, and find resolution with the past.
"I understand, and I am wholly happy for you, Galahad, that you have found your happiness." Rhaella told him, deciding to let go of the topic for the time, as she turned to Morgana. "Tell me, Morgana, how did you and Galahad meet?" Morgana smiled at the memory.
"Like Galahad said, he appeared in vicinity Daggerfall in High Rock, on the lands of my family, washed ashore. My father and older brothers were taking a ride through near the shores and there they found him, and brought him to our mansion. He was very weak and had a fever running, but my mother healed him, and a few days later he woke up, right when I was tending to him, and when I was fixing his blanket, we locked eyes on one another." Morgana told Rhaella, as she smiled a little. "You could say it was a love from the first sight, for he asked if I was an angel. I told him I was not, despite him saying I was beautiful as one." Morgana chuckled at the memory, with Rhaella smiling, while Galahad did not even blush.
"And I still stand by what I said back then." Galahad commented.
"You were unconscious for five days, had a high fever and survived a storm, and the first thing you said when you saw another person was if she was an angel." Morgana reminded him with a bit of dry tone.
"It seemed like a reasonable thing to inquire at the moment." Galahad replied with complete calmness.
"Most would first ask where they are, and only you asked if I was an angel." Morgana noted with a wry smile.
"Perhaps I wished to make a positive impression upon you." Galahad commented with a chuckle, with Morgana shaking her head. "And it worked out quite well in the end, didn't it?"
"For you. You did not have to endure the endless teasing from my sisters, did you?" Morgana reminded Galahad. "Oh, I remember how Elena and Victoria were viewing for you to call them angels, but when it came to me, they would always tease and joke."
"Yes, because you are the only one I would and will call angel." Galahad told her with a smile, with Morgana relenting and smiling at him, before leaning closer to him and resting her head on his shoulder, while Galahad hugged her.
"It sounds like you have quite a family, Morgana." Rhaella noted with a smile, enjoying the sight before her.
"That I do, Your Grace." Morgana said.
"Please, call me Rhaella." Rhaella asked of Morgana, and she agreed to it. "Could you tell me what had happened after Galahad woke up?"
"Well, after he woke up and called me an angel, he stayed in our family for about a year. Father and Mother accepted him as one of their one without any reservations, treating him as one of their sons." Morgana continued. "It was not easy for Galahad to get used and accept what had happened to him, and it took us a long time to learn about his past and what had happened to him. We all could see that there was a great burned upon his soul, but he did not share it, until he felt he could trust us, and so he told Father and Mother about his past."
"And what did they do?" Rhaella asked, turning to Galahad.
"I revealed to Uther and Viviane who I was and what I had done and I expected them to spurn and scorn me, but instead, Viviane simply cried openly and brought me into an embrace, while Uther assured me that this changed not a thing, and that I was their son in their eyes." Galahad told Rhaella with a small smile. "It was a great relief for me, but I still felt… broken, as if something in me was missing and Uther noticed it, and offered to take me to the church of the Nine Divines. I accepted and went with him there, and there… There I felt it, the missing part of me. There, I felt accepted by the Divines, and then… Then I asked if I could be baptized in their faith, and so I was. I set aside Maegor Targaryen, and became Galahad Pendragon." Galahad told Rhaella, who nodded to him.
"So you believe in their Gods, these Nine Divines?" Rhaella asked, with Galahad nodding to her.
"I do. I know I may be a heretic to the Faith of the Seven, or a traitor to the Old Gods, but the former have always proclaimed me as an abomination and spawn of sin, while the others were always silent to my pleas, but the Nine…" Galahad stopped for a second, before continuing. "… When I prey to the Nine, I hear and sense them. I feel Talos' might empowering me when I invoke him. Kyne's peace envelope me when I walk her forests. I do not ask for deliverance or solution of all my problems, nor do I preach what is right or wrong, or demand others to confess and repent the sins before them. I follow them, but they do not determine my destiny, and I stand with them because they stand with me." Rhaella nodded to him.
"In my lifetime, I have learned that Gods are silent to the pleas of those that prey to them, but if they bring you comfort and completion, I shall only thank them for it, Galahad." Rhaella told him with a small smile. "I only ask you that you be careful with them, Galahad. The King's Landing these days is not a place that openly accepts those who do not share their religious beliefs, and both Faith of the Seven and Followers of the Red God will undoubtedly seek to use it against you, as will the lords and your siblings."
"Let them call me heretic, I know where I stand and I will not abandon my path." Galahad simply told her, before he noticed something. "You mentioned Followers of the Red God. Did the belief in that God take root in Seven Kingdoms?"
"It did, thanks to all the priests and sorcerers that Rhaegar has welcomed at his court. Though the number of their followers is still significantly lower than that of the Faith, they have influence in the city and are just as zealous as the Faith. And both hate one another and are one incident away from tearing the city apart." Rhaella stated. "It's also not helped by the fact that the Faith firmly supports Aegon, seeing him as their Defender of Faith, while the Red Priests are propagating their beliefs about their Promised Prince, and have denounced Aegon to be one. I suspect that Faith's support of Aegon is paid from Tyrell's coffers, while Red Priests have found new patrons in House Martell, to offset the Faith's power, so to speak."
"What do Martells gain from this? Aegon is the son of their Princess and heir to the Throne." Galahad was confused by this. "I somehow doubt the Martells would willingly sabotage the best possible candidate to help retain their influence over the Realm."
"And yet they do not see him as their best option anymore, because Aegon now is far closer to Tyrells than to Martells, and this does not sit well with either Doran or Oberyn." Rhaella told Galahad.
"And since he has turned their back on them, they now support someone who would be far more appreciative of them, and easy to control." Morgana concluded, as she resumed her position, with Rhaella nodding to her. "I imagine that the court of the King's Landing is not as safe a place as Ser Arthur would have us believe."
"It is a nest of the most poisonous vipers, where the only thing you can trust in, is that there is always someone who would wish you harm. Trust none of the Martells or Tyrells, the Small Council too, for all of them have their own ambitions. Rhaegar may proclaim to protect you and everything, but he is blind to the plots and schemes around him. Your appearance in the capital will throw everyone's plans to the winds, Galahad, and neither Doran Martell nor Olenna Tyrell will abide having you and your family there, seemingly thwarting their plans for the throne."
"Will they try to hurt my family?" Galahad's gaze hardened when he asked Rhaella about it.
"Olenna may stay her hand for the time, but will act if she feels the need. As for Doran, he would do the same, but it is Oberyn and his daughters you should fear the most." Rhaella said to Galahad. "They stand for Rhaenys, and unlike Doran's mother, lack her patience and mastery of the subtle manipulations. Oberyn is a man driven by his passions and emotions, and though he is not unintelligent, his blood runs hot and he is used to having his way in both schemes and bed, caring not for the consequences. His daughters too are dangerous, each unique in their own ways, but all are vicious vipers, who have no qualms whom to hurt, in order to advance their agenda. They live by their House's words: "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," and see themselves as above others and rules of morality, like the sun of their sigil." Rhaella warned Galahad.
"Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken…" Galahad repeated, before smirked a little. "But not Unburnt and I am known as the Dragon of the Sun." Galahad simply stated with confidence to his grandmother, who understood what he meant, sensing that the Martells and all the others were in for a nasty surprise when they meet Galahad.
"Whom else should we be wary of? What about the King, the Queen, the Small Council and other members of the Royal Family?" Morgana asked of Rhaella, with older woman already seeing plans and contingencies being hatched in the mind of Galahad's wife. "Galahad's arrival, especially with me and our children in tow, will be infuriating to them all, and will provoke someone to do something against us. Aside from Tyrells and Martells, I need to know who will aim to hurt my family."
"You do not dismiss even the slightest threat, do you?" Rhaella asked of Morgana.
"I grew up in Daggerfall, Rhaella. Intrigues, schemes and plots at the Royal court are nothing new for me, and my mother ensured that we both know how to fight on that battlefield." Morgana simply stated to Queen Mother. "And like in any war, information is worth as much as gold and soldiers, and in this "game of thrones,' it is even more vital. I would know those who would dare to strike against my family before they know of us." Rhaella couldn't help but smile at what she heard.
"Wise words and I shall tell you, but not today." Rhaella assured her. "Enough about politics and plotting. I want to hear more about you, Galahad, and what you have been up to, aside from finding angels for wives and growing into a bear of a man." At that one both Galahad and Morgana had a hearty laugh, as they began to tell their tale to Rhaella, and only stopping when it was close to midnight, and not even reaching half way point.
Three weeks later. King's Landing's harbor
As it turned out, two weeks were not enough for Galahad and Rhaella, and so it was decided to extend their stay for a few more days, until they finally set off for King's Landing, and reached it, surprisingly, in two days. As Galahad stood at the deck of his leading galleon and watched as the capitol grew closer and closer, he looked upon the Red Keep, with memories of the past flooding his mind for a second, before he swept them aside. He had long since confronted his demons and conquered his demons, and the imposing sight of the Red Keep evoked not terror, nor fear, but merely an ember of anger, one that was well under control. He held no illusions about what was to come when he arrived there, and expected the worst and for it to begin as soon as he and his family set foot on the shore, and from what his grandmother told him and his wife, he was more than correct in his expectations.
Even before he had set off from Skyrim to Westeros, Galahad has taken serious precautions, such as taking with him so many Purifiers with him, enough for a retinue of a not so minor lord, yet in quality and abilities each one was worth ten Knights of Westeros. All of them were battle-hardened veterans, with two-thirds of them even being capable battle mages, something that would become a nasty surprise for any would be assailant. Along with Purifiers, Galahad and Morgana brought with them two dozen mages, hidden amongst the attendants and servants and who were given specific instructions on what to do and how to behave. And to top it all off, Galahad also ensured that there were 5 Dovah in his retinue, all in form of men, but capable of turning into their true form at a moment's notice, and in their loyalty and power Galahad had absolutely no doubt, and they have taken every precaution to ensure that none would detect them.
Overall, Galahad was coming not just prepared for trouble, but ready to end them at a moment's notice, and yet, despite all the preparations being done, he wasn't allowing himself to grow lax in his awareness and caution. Only after this city and continent were left behind him and his family would he do so, but until then he would be vigilant and careful, and he will make sure that his family are safe, especially his children, who finally came up to the upper deck and looked at the capital.
"Wow, it's almost as big as Daggerfall!" Gawain said in amazement, before looking at the Red Keep. "Did you used to live that castle, father?"
"Yes, I did, and we will be living in there while we are here." Galahad told them, before he noticed Faye and Arturia covering their noses. "What's wrong, dears? Did you catch a cold?"
"No it's just…" Faye was about to answer, when Agravain spoke up.
"It stinks like an unwashed stable." Agravain commented, with both girls nodding to it. "Ugh, how can a city this big stink so much?"
"It is exactly why it smells like that. That city houses more than half a million men, women and children, most of who live in worse conditions than that of the poorest villagers in Skyrim." Galahad told them all. "They are forced to live in the slums of the city, where disease and death are common thing, and cannot even wash themselves. To add to all of that, the city's sewage system was never apparently designed to accommodate that many people living in there, and so, you have this smell, a symptom of the city's problems."
"Then why does the King not do something about it?" Arturia asked of her father. "He is their ruler and should care for them. How can he just ignore all of this?" Arturia couldn't understand why this was allowed to come to pass, with Galahad letting out a sigh.
"You are right, Arturia, he should take care of them, because it is his duty as the King, but not all men and women who are kings and queens understand what it means. They only see power and privileges when it comes to being rulers, not the responsibility and duties." Galahad told his children, as he looked at the city. "Far too often they care only about themselves, or the nobles who make up their courts, yet forget about the simple folk, the common masses that truly make up the kingdoms. It is to them their first duty lies, not to the few who wield power and to themselves."
"So, to be a good ruler, you must always put the people before yourself and your desires?" Agravain asked of Galahad, with Galahad turning his head to him.
"Mostly, yes, but it far more complex than just that, Agravain. A successful ruler needs not only the love of the common masses and nobility, but also the respect of nobles and of people as well, and more often than naught, respect and love can't be earned at the same time. You can't be loved and respected by all at the same time, some will love but not respect you, and the other way around, so a ruler should know how to achieve respect and love when he needs them." Galahad told him, noticing that his children pondering the words of what he said, before he knelt before them. "I know that it sounds hard to understand, but this is the nature of ruling, and it is not a glorious or honorable business, but a hard and difficult one, if you wish to be a true ruler and not simply someone filling the shoes of one. Now, come closer, for I need to ask something of you." His four children gathered near their father.
"What is it, Father?" Agravain asked of him.
"I am sure your mother already told you about King's Landing and what to expect from the people there, and what not to do, correct?" Galahad received nods from his children. "Now, I need you, to promise me something: do not go wandering off anywhere in the Red Keep without a member of my Honor Guard or me, Morgana, Gran-Gran or someone I tell you can be trusted. The Red Keep and King's Landing are not like Daggerfall, Solitude, Imperial City or Whiterun, and great many people in here will wish you harm. Some may threaten you, others tried to deceive you and try to be your friends, but you should not trust them. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Father." Gawain said, with others nodding along. "There are a lot of people who do not like us, right?"
"Yes, yes there are, and they'll try to hurt us, one way or another. I do not fear for myself, but you and mother… I fear the most for you, so please, promise me that you will be careful and take this as seriously as we ask of you." Galahad asked of them.
"We promise to be careful, Father." All four answered immediately, with Galahad smiling and kissing their foreheads.
"Thank you. Now, run along and get ready for disembarking." Galahad told them, as he rose up to his feet, being met by his grandmother, who was smiling softly.
"A parent's worry never ends, doesn't it?" Rhaella asked rhetorically, with Galahad nodding to it. "I overheard what you said about ruling and what it means to be a ruler. It reminded me a little of what Rhaegar used to say, when he was younger." Galahad did not react to it.
"Perhaps we had similar views on the matter." Galahad simply suggested, as he looked forward.
"He too spoke of it being a duty, but I doubt he ever fully understood what it means to rule, the core of it, for his views were always… influenced by the mystical things, and I think he perceived being a King as something connected to those prophecies and spells he was obsessed with." Rhaella said. "But when I heard you speak of it, you spoke as someone who understood what it meant to rule, which knows the nature of it and doesn't mistake illusions for reality. You sounded like a far better King than Rhaegar and Aerys, perhaps even my father and grandfather."
"If you are going to suggest that I lay claim upon the Iron Throne and take it, then you may forget it about. The last thing that I want is to be the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, and if you say that this alone makes me a better candidate than all the others, then we'll have quite a disagreement about it." Galahad warned his grandmother, with her simply letting out a soft chuckle.
"I have outlived three Kings and saw how the power and desire for that Iron Throne corrupted and destroyed them. My grandfather died as a man obsessed with revival of dragons, my father died obsessed with prophecies, while Aerys died obsessed with paranoia, insanity and fire, and now Rhaegar is obsessed with sorcery and mysticism." Rhaella said with sadness. "The last thing I want is for that same Throne to destroy you."
"And yet, you did not say that you disagree with the idea of me sitting on that throne." Galahad noted, with Rhaella shrugging it off.
"I would lie if I said that the thought hadn't crossed my mind, and I find myself in favor it, yes. However, I will stand by you no matter what decision you decide to make and what actions you take. If you decide to take it with your power and Dragons, so be it, or leave it be… Perhaps it would be for the best." Rhaella simply said with the sight. "The realm has enough of Dances of Dragons. Though speaking of those Dragons, I may well take an extended tour to your Skyrim, if only to see them with my own eyes."
"You are welcome whenever you wish to come." Galahad told her. "Though you would be wise to bear in mind, that the Dovah, as they are called, are as intelligent, if not more so, than men. Quite a few of them are quite chatty conversationalists, once you get to know them, despite their appearances."
"And none of them mind you leading them, after so many you have slain?" Rhaella asked of Galahad, with Galahad shaking his head.
"The Dovah are creatures of power and authority, and exude it with their very being, and follow the one who has the greatest power and authority of them all. It is their way: the strongest leads them all and paves the path for the rest." Galahad told Rhaella. "Alduin was the strongest and they followed him, and once he fell, I became their leader, by the right of power and authority. The fact that I slew so many of them is a testament, in their eyes, of my power and further proves that I am worthy to lead them. It may seem strange in your eyes, but that is their way of things."
"I suppose that this is how it is supposed to be with them." Rhaella simply told him, before deciding to depart, leaving Galahad alone for a few moments, until he was approached by a group of five.
"Thursedov, you have summoned us." Marius Amalrich spoke, drawing the attention of Galahad to him and two men and two women, all exuding hidden aura of Dovah. "What is thy bidding, Thuri?"
"I will be brief and say it how it is: we are entering the land where we have neither friends nor allies, and many will seek to harm my family and most of all, my children. For myself, I do not fear, but they are vulnerable and will be targeted, and I will not allow them be hurt." Galahad told them. "Your foremost priority is protecting them, at all costs. Amalrich and Grimaldus, you will stay close to my sons with my Honor Guards, while Grayfia and Fianna will protect my daughters. You guard not just children, but the most precious people to me, bear it in mind."
"We shall protect them no matter what, Thuri." Grayfia, a silver-haired beauty of woman, dressed in an elegant attendant's silver and black dress, bowed her head in respect and acknowledgement of the order.
"We will lay down our lives before anyone dares touch them, Thuri." Fianna, a fiery redhead Dovah with blue eyes, dressed in a red and golden version of Grayfia's dress, added.
"By Akatosh and Mara, you have my word that none shall dare to touch them. " Grimaldus, a tall and stocky man with deep brown hair and dressed in all black armor, armed with a mace, assured Galahad.
"You have my word, my liege." Amalrich told Galahad simply and without any need for flowery words, with Galahad acknowledging his words with a nod, before turning to the last member of their group.
"As for you, I was told by Uther Pendragon and Paarthurnax, that out of all of children of Akatosh, you are the foremost master of secrecy, spies and schemes on this side of the world." Galahad stated, with the man, dressed in a cape and cowl, which obscured his features, replying.
"He spoke truthfully, Thursedov." The man said. "I have forsaken my Dovah name, but you may call me Cypher." Galahad nodded to him.
"Then you know what I require of you, Cypher?" Galahad asked of him.
"I do, and you shall have it all, Thursedov." Cypher simply told him.
"I am counting on you most of all, Cypher." Galahad stated to him, with the man bowing his head, before vanishing without a trace before their very eyes.
An hour later, their ships would finally make port in the harbor of King's Landing, where Galahad, his family and retinue would be greeted by a full company of Gold Cloaks and Ser Jaime Lannister, who had earlier returned with Dayne to King's Landing. They were the escort assigned to them by King, and though the path ahead was secured, Galahad still ordered his Honor Guard into formation and led the way through the streets of the city, much to the dismay of the Kingsguard and the assigned commander of Gold Cloaks. On their complaints and assurances of safety, Galahad simply told them that they are free to voice them to whoever cared to listen, but he was not one of those men and simply moved in the protective column.
As they moved through the city's streets, onlookers from the masses observed them, and Galahad had the chance to see the people of this city, and as he had suspected and told his children, they were in as poor condition as he predicted. Thousands upon thousands of poor, unwashed and hungry masses, looking at them with pleas, contempt, hatred, or a mixture of all at the same time, and Galahad couldn't blame them. These people needed food, water, house and work to support themselves and their families, yet none of that they could get here, nor could they leave, for they had neither anywhere to go or coin to move away. And so they stayed here, leading their miserable existence and then passing on their fate to their children, beginning the cycle anew.
With the conditions as bad as they were in this city, Galahad couldn't help but wonder how the city hadn't been destroyed by a disease or a plague. King's Landing was a treasure spot for Peryite, Daedric Prince of Pestilence and Plague, and this Prince was not one to pass up on the opportunity to inflict as much suffering through ailments and disease as he could. Something had to be done for these people and the city, and just reconstructing the sewage system would solve little, and would it be impossible, while the Flea Bottom stood where it was with its population. Departing the population outside of the city was one option that sprang into mind, but without a good enough cause they would never leave, and one such cause was a good paying work.
With the capitol having such a great population as it had, yet no agricultural support, all the food had to be imported from Reach or the Riverlands, which lead to Targaryen kings paying hefty sums to them, or lowering the taxes. Creation of new farms and field outside of the King's Landing, sponsored by the Royal House and Treasury would alleviate the over-population problem and at least lessen the food dependence, while also giving people chance to earn money and provide for themselves. Of course, the Tyrells and Tully would not be happy with this arrangement, especially when their coffers grow lighter, but that can be rectified by granting them lowering of taxation for a certain period, in order to allow them to find different ways of gaining profit. Alternatively, it could be possible to negotiate with them an immigration part of the King's Landing populace to tend the fields…
Shaking his head to clear his mind of all of these thoughts, Galahad reminded himself that this was not something that he could do, nor should he, for it was not his duty. It was Rhaegar's duty to take care of them, and not his, yet still it did not sit well with Galahad, to see the city and its people neglected by their King. Their state left quite an impression upon him, and he could only imagine what others, including nobles, thought of Targaryens, who lived separately from it all in their imposing and seemingly impregnable Red Keep.
While Galahad's mind was filled with such thoughts, the retinue reached a large square and then halted its movement, and before Galahad could ask why they have stopped, he got his answer, when he looked around himself. They were in the middle of the square, and all around them were not simple men or women like before, but men, all dressed in black and grey robes and armed with maces, axes, makeshift hammers and everything that the poor men could get their hands on. And on each of their heads was a mark of the Seven, displayed in a form of a ritualistic wound, and there were thousands of them all around them. Without even a command from Galahad, his Honor Guard formed a protective square and readied their weapons, prepared to cut them all down, with the fanatics waiting for but a word to strike at them.
"Nothing to fear, you say, Ser Jaime?" Galahad sarcastically asked, with the Kingsguard silently cursing about this whole situation. "I take it you know these men and what their intentions are?"
"They are called Sparrows, fanatics that think themselves a second coming of Faith Militant. They are led by their High Sparrow, or High Septon, whichever he likes to call himself now. A religious zealot of a fellow, considering himself above the law of King and only following the laws of Gods." Jaime Lannister stated. "His Grace was assured that there would be no problem from him and his men, but it seems…"
"It seems that the King was misinformed." Galahad simply stated, before he moved forward and past his Honor Guard, fearless in front of the mob of fanatics, addressing them. "I will speak with your leader. If he has something to say, then let him say it to me in person, instead of hiding behind a mob of loyal slaves!" Galahad loudly proclaimed, shocking the Sparrows with his fearlessness and daring.
"Your Grace, what the hell are you doing?!" Jaime Lannister was in shock at what Galahad just did.
"Dealing with the problem at hand. You may take notes while you here." Galahad simply told him as the ranks of opened and from them stepped a man dressed in just as simple garments as his followers. "High Septon, I presume? Or, however you prefer to be called?"
"Whichever suits you, Prince Maegor the Kinslayer." The man stated with certainty, answering one of Galahad's questions. "You have committed a grave crime, Prince Maegor, and now, the Gods demand justice."
"Were I a lesser man, I would ask how did you come to this conclusion, but thankfully, I am not a lesser man. Instead, I will ask you what is it that you demand of me, or should I say, the Seven demand of me?" Galahad asked of him, completely calm and unmoved by the Sparrow and his mob of fanatics.
"Confess and repent your sins before the Gods and the people of King's Landing. Denounce your false gods and false wife and your bastards, strip of your worldly possessions and walk the Walk of Atonement, and then face the trial and judgment of the Faith, who shall decide your fate." High Sparrow demanded, with Galahad taking in a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, before giving the man his answer.
"Over my dead body." Galahad answered with confidence, with the religious mob prepared to attack him and his retinue. "But before that happens, I will kill you, and then I and my Honor Guard shall slaughter every single of your Sparrows who will dare to impede my path."
"You think that death scares us? Death in service of the Seven is a blessing, and all here are prepared to give their lives to see the justice done." High Sparrow told him. "You are mere hundreds, while we are six thousand here and tens of thousands more around the city. You shall never reach the Red Keep alive."
"You have a great deal of gall to threaten my grandson, you wretched fanatic." Rhaella spoke out with seething hatred, with Galahad turning to her.
"Calm yourself, grandmother, please. This will be over soon enough." And after that he turned back to High Sparrow. "And are you truly prepared to do what you intend, even if you will become a far worse sinner than I am?" Galahad suddenly asked of him.
"I do not understand what you speak of." Sparrow told him.
"You said that all of these men are prepared to die, just to see me brought to your justice. Meaning, that you are ready to send hundreds of pious and pure souls to their deaths, only to bring just one sinner to this justice of yours." Galahad remarked calmly. "Akin to lambs to the slaughter, they shall die, and their blood will be on you and you alone. Do you think your Gods will take kindly to a man who in pursuit of just one sinner sacrificed thousands? I think we both know that the justice of the Gods has nothing to do in here."
"And what, do you think, that I am trying to accomplish here?" Sparrow asked of him.
"You are doing someone's dirty work, under the pretense of your Gods, probably someone who has a great deal of power and influence in here, if they had managed to set this all up perfectly." Galahad looked around. "My guess is that your benefactors wished for you and your followers to either shame me, or kill me and my family, and possibly also get rid of you in the process."
"And for what purpose would they do that?" Sparrow's hard eyes locked with Galahad's.
"To put someone far less fanatical and far more amenable to their desires in your place." Galahad answered for him. "So then, shall you withdraw your men?"
"Your words change nothing about your sin, and if you refuse to confess and repent, you shall be taken into custody until you do so." High Sparrow said without hesitation, with Galahad simply shook his head at this entire situation. "The Gods' will is clear, you must face their judgment."
"Very well, I shall face it, but not the judgment of their supposed intermediaries or their false prelates. If I am to be trialed, then let the Gods themselves decide my fate, in the Trial of Seven." Galahad announced loudly for all to hear, surprising even Sparrow. "In one week's time from now, you shall bring me the Seven's greatest champions, and I shall face them. Then we shall see, what decision the gods have reached in regards to me and my fate." Galahad stated to High Sparrow.
"Why would you ask for a week, when faithful men are prepared to fight you and your champions now?" High Sparrow was confused at that, with Galahad simply smirking.
"Answer me this, High Sparrow: do you honestly think, that you would win, if we were to hold the Trial here and now?" One look at Galahad's retinue answered that question. "Call it vanity or pride, but it would be beneath me to fight men you would put forth, especially when they are so ill-prepared for the Trial, and the Seven would only be insulted by this. Use this week and find the very best Knights and warriors to stand against me, so that there would be no question or hint of cheating and desecration in this holy Trial. Of course, if you are in a hurry, I can always fight anyone of your followers here and now with my champions." Galahad told Sparrow, knowing that he has already won.
"Your fate shall be decided, in one week's time, in the Trial of Seven, before the face of the Gods." High Sparrow relented, believing he had won. "Use your time to repent your sins, Prince Maegor, and ask for the mercy of the Mother." High Sparrow told him, before leaving, with the rest of the fanatics dispersing, with Galahad returning back to his retinue.
"That went even better than I expected." Galahad simply concluded, before facing Jaime Lannister's shocked and incredulous gaze. "Do you have something to say, Ser Jaime?" Galahad asked of him in a carefree manner.
"Something to ask?! Your Grace, with all due respect, but have you lost your bloody mind?! Have you any idea just how unpredictable and dangerous those fanatics are, and invoking the bloody Trial of Seven of all things…" Jaime practically seethed with anger, while Galahad listened to his rant. "Tell me, do you have any idea just how many enemies you have in this capital? I will answer that for you: more than a rabid dog has flees, and now you've just offered them the perfect opportunity to see you dead!"
"Yes, and that was exactly what I was aiming at. I thought that was obvious." Galahad calmly stated, confusing Jaime even further.
"Galahad, are you sure that you want to do this? Though that Sparrow has little sway over nobles, those who wish you death will use this to their advantage to the fullest." Rhaella told Galahad, before meeting with his smirk, and realizing what he planned. "Wait… I see. You've decided to take a note from Maegor the I, didn't you?"
"What better way to deal with a fanatic than through his own rules? The Seven wish to judge me, let them do so, but without any of the intermediaries and through their holiest of Trials. That will settle the matter of my sins, prevent greater bloodshed, and send the right message to those who think I am easy prey." Galahad said confidently.
"And what message would that be, Your Grace?" Jaime Lannister asked.
"That they should fear me." Galahad told him, before the group finally resumed their march to the Red Keep.
Fortunately there were no further accidents along the way, and they reached the Red Keep in one piece and with relative hastiness. Once Galahad and his retinue were at gates of the Throne room, Morgana, their children and Rhaella came close to Galahad, and he motioned for his men to open the gates. At his command, fifty of his finest Purifiers walked into the Throne Room, clearing the path for their Grand Master and his men, before forming a perfect corridor for them to walk through, displaying in full their splendid arms, armor and discipline, much to the shock of the Court. But that shock was forgotten by the public, when they bore their eyes upon the man who commanded them, walking through the gates, and Ser Barristan Selmy announcing him to the public.
"Announcing, Lord Galahad Sundrake, once Prince Maegor Targaryen, Grand Master of the Order of the Dragon and Brotherhood of Purifiers, The Dragonborn, The Dragon of the North, Ysmir, The Dragon of the Sun, The Stormbreaker, Primus Legatus of the Empire, Champion of Talos, Akatosh and Shor, Harbinger of the Companions, The Vanquisher of The World Eater!" Ser Barristan announced Galahad and his many titles, though to most it may be only empty noise, for now.
And though most thought nothing of this many titles, when they looked upon Galahad, they could not bring themselves to call him a mummer or something else in a demeaning way. He strode through the hall with the poise and aura of power and authority, not flamboyant or gracious, but composed, balanced and determined. He moved without hurry and sluggishness, allowing the people to see him and his family, and to get a good look at them and him, showing to them that he did not mind them. When looked upon him, all could see a man of power, prestige, pedigree and will, someone who embodied in them what it meant to have authority, a ruler forged and tested by time, efforts and fate.
Though Galahad did not show it, he could clearly see the gazes of the entire hall directed upon him, with the most intense once belonging to his family, Martells and Tyrells. Oberyn and his brood did not hide their distaste and open hatred of Galahad and were trying their hardest to kill him with their looks, but when for a mere second Galahad turned his gaze upon the Snakes and their Viper, they flinched and averted eyes with small shudders. Where the Snakes had looks of anger and hatred, their cousin and future Princess of Dorne, Arianne could not avert her eyes from Galahad, filled with desire and lust that his mere sight provoked in her. He made all men she had before look like pitiful boys, and he made Arianne want to submit to him, something that the proud Dornish Princess would never allow anyone to even think of, but Galahad… It was clear to Arianne that this man would be more than just a plaything for her.
The Tyrells by comparison were far better at hiding their emotions, at least some of its members at least, and while members of the lesser branches, especially maidens, looked at him with awe, along with their head, Mace Tyrell, though from what he heard, the man was easily impressed with things. His sons all had different reactions, but his youngest bore the most hostile of them, looking at Galahad with barely hidden contempt and anger, feeling as if Galahad's mere presence was an affront to him and his family. One curt look in his direction, and the boy broke faster than Martells did, while his grandmother did not, and from one look Sundrake understood, who was behind what had happened today. The Queen of Thorns has decided to test him, or be rid of him and Sparrow, and now she saw her plan derailed, and so she learned that Galahad was not someone so easily taken out.
Deciding that he has had enough of gazing upon them, Galahad returned his sight upon the Targaryens and observed them all individually. To her credit, Rhaenys was far better at hiding her emotions than her more hot-blooded cousins, but it was clear that there was intrigue and questions in her mind, but also a sense of threat, and that alone was enough to make Galahad wary of her. Aegon barely hid indignation and anger at the fact that Galahad was here, but also at the fact that his mere presence made him look like a boy. Though he was of a fairly good complexion and pretty, before Galahad he looked like a boy playing a man, while Galahad was a true man. His wife Margeary was akin to her grandmother, hiding her true emotions, but there was a clear fire of interest and something deeper ignited in her, while her two children, a son and a daughter with Targaryen looks, simply hid behind their parents.
Visenya was much his grandmother had described her, dressed more like a she-dragon, with a fierce and imposing look that made her seem intimidating, but in Galahad's eyes, she looked more ridiculous and pretentious than respectable and powerful. And as for Daenerys… The mere look into her eyes reminded Galahad much of Viserys, with same flames of madness and viciousness dancing in her mind, but unlike with Viserys, Galahad did not fear her, and instead gave her a taste of his gaze, and it showed in a second, who was a dragon here and who was a craven shadow of the snake. Queen Elia was like her daughter in the way she looked at Galahad, though surprisingly, there was a bit of desire awoken in her mind at the sight of Galahad. He knew he was attractive, but this was honestly surprising even for him, though he doubted she would act upon her baser instinct.
And then finally, Galahad met with the eyes of his father, Rhaegar Targaryen, the man who had made his childhood into a miserable hell, who allowed Viserys to torment and hurt him. The mere mention of him sparked anger and hatred in him, yet he kept them under control, and instead of fury, Rhaegar saw in the eyes of his long estranged son power and control. The Targaryen King still retained his beauty and graceful looks, but even he looked insignificant before Galahad, despite sitting upon the Iron Throne. Sundrake could easily tell that Rhaegar looked at him with the most positive of feelings of all in this hall, clearly happy to finally see him, yet dismayed by the hard gaze Galahad was giving him. If the man desired love from him, he will be sorely disappointed, because towards Rhaegar Targaryen, Galahad held no love, much like towards his mother.
"You have sent for me, King Rhaegar." Galahad finally spoke with composed, strong voice, addressing his father, and making sure he was heard all around. "I have arrived."
What is this, a new chapter so soon? It is, and I hope you will find it to you liking, and as you can see, Galahad is not even two minutes back in King's Landing, and someone is already trying to get him killed. Well, too bad he is one scary Dragonborn Demigod you do not want to cross, and he doesn't run away from a chance to kill his enemies, or intimidate them, as well as flex on them. So, make your bets, who Galahad is going to kill in the Trial of Seven, who are going to fight him, who lives and who dies (spoiler warning: nobody who isn't a Sundrake).
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will give me a comment, a review, suggestion for future events or something more, for your contributions help make this story better.
Next time: Tenuous reunion and reactions of the Realm; Son and father speak…
'Till next time!