Author's Note: Hi everyone! Thank you for continuing to follow along this story! I've been writing for the past several days exclusively on The Dragon & The Rose, my other story about an OC & Daemon in House of the Dragon. But I'm back now to keep writing for this story until next Sunday! So as promised, here's another chapter, happy reading!
THE THRONE OF ICE - CHAPTER SIX: "THE MOTHER'S MERCY"
A Fornight Later
Much had happened at court since Eddard Stark had supposedly attacked Jaime Lannister in the streets of King's Landing, some of which was a surprise to Elyanna, some of which wasn't at all.
Following her conversation with him, Jaime had left King's Landing, but where she didn't know. There were murmers that he had left to go get his brother himself, others that he left to seek council with his father about the matter. What the truth was Elyanna didn't know, and she didn't care to... or at least she pretended not to. The truth of it was that she did care, his words plagued her day to day as she tried to wrap her mind around everything. She constantly battled with herself about his innocence regarding her brother, and then she also battled with the idea of Lord Baelish, and everything he had to say. Both parties seemed like they were telling her the truth, or at least some it. Perhaps that was what made it all so confusing for her, perhaps the best lies were formed around truths. Either way she had come to no conclusion about any of it, every plausible answer for what was happening being ruled out and replaced by another which would soon too be cast aside.
When she wasn't thinking about it all alone, she was trying to talk to her father about it, but he wouldn't. He refused to involve her in it any further than she already was. He was reinstated as Hand of the King to Robert once he had made a bit of recovery, and used it as an excuse anytime he saw her coming his way. He had been acting even more paranoid and tired than ever. Elyanna had never seen him so serious, and she had always known him to be a serious man.
Even Sansa and Arya who were initially immediately against leaving King's Landing were now a bit wary about it all, feeling the tension between their family and the Lannisters rise every day. Elyanna did her best to avoid Cersei at all costs, as well as any other blathering mouths trying to fill her head with more ideas about it all. She even avoided the cliffs where she watched ships sail so that she could be left alone. There were already too many competing theories in her head that she couldn't make sense of. So she spent her time locked in her room with the door bolted, mostly writing letters back and forth to Robb about it all in their secret cypher. But even with that protection she had to dance around her words in the case that someone cracked it.
Even from a world away he seemed to be feeling the same as she did, as if a war was brewing. She walked silently to where the ravens were kept, keeping her eyes forward as she passed other lords and ladies of the court who stared at her and whispered. Once there she attached the small scroll herself to the raven's leg, tying it in a specific way to show Robb that it was her who had sent it, and that the bird hadn't been intercepted. Once she was done she lifted it into the sky, watching as its black wings took off. When she turned around, she saw her father standing weakly, leaning on his cane behind her.
"Sending secret messages to your brother?" he asked, smiling a little.
"Maybe," she said softly, feeling awkward all of a sudden. She hated this, tiptoeing around her own father. It shouldn't be this way, but she felt like he had made it so.
"I'm glad to see that hasn't changed," he said, his smile fading as he went to sit on the bench. "Will you join me?"
She nodded, sitting beside him silently. She didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry Elly... for being so distant, for avoiding you," he started, clearing his throat a little as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He didn't look well to Elyanna, not at all. "In truth, things have been harder here in King's Landing than I predicted them to be."
"So why won't you let me help?" she asked quietly, pressing her lips together. "Why won't you talk to me about it?"
"You're my daughter, you're not meant to be burdened with my problems."
"They're not just your problems, though, father," Elyanna responded, putting her hand on his. "They're our family's problems. I'm part of this family and I want to fight for it. I believe you and mother when you say it was the Lannisters that are behind this. I want to help-"
"I will not risk your safety so that you can act out of vengeance for your brother," he said strongly, his voice louder now.
"It's not about vengeance!" she cried, standing up and turning around to face him. "It's about justice for what they did, for attacking our family. Why won't you let me help?"
"You want to help?" Eddard asked slowly, gripping his cane to stand. "Then you'll marry Ser Loras Tyrell, strengthen our houses."
"How can you be talking about marriage when this is all happening?" she asked, exhaling frustratedly.
"Because when the time comes to fight, and it will come," he said quietly, taking a step towards her. "We need to be strong. We can't face the Lannisters alone, Elyanna. We don't have the forces."
"But Highgarden does," Elyanna whispered, nodding with tears in her eyes.
"Yes," he nodded, not looking particularly proud as he admitted this. "If our houses stand together we will win. But only together, and it has to be you to unite us."
"Why me? Why not Robb to Loras' sister?" Elyanna asked.
"Rumor has it that she is to be wed to Renly Baratheon, the King's younger brother," Eddard said quietly. "It's not confirmed yet, but the Tyrell's want their claws on the crown, this is no secret."
"I see," Elyanna smiled sadly, feeling her tears fall. "So it will be Houses Stark, Tyrell, and Baratheon, all united against the Lannisters. Do you think the King will back it? Do you think he'll turn on Cersei, or more importantly, her father? It's his money that fuels the realm-"
"I know that Robert will follow me," Eddard nodded, his jaw clenched. "You have to trust me on that. When he finds out what I know he won't hesitate."
"And what it is it that you know?" Elyanna asked, her eyebrows narrowed at him with suspicion. It wasn't like her father to be so calculating, scheming like this.
"You can't worry about that for now, only think about what depends on you. So will you do it? Will you accept Ser Loras' hand?"
"He already knows of this plan you've concocted?" Elyanna asked, her eyes widening with disbelief.
"Yes, he does. He received a raven from his father in Highgarden only this morning with permission...Ser Loras is a kind man, maybe not the smartest, but he's not cruel. And he'll be the Lord of Highgarden one day, you would be the Lady of it," he said softly, trying to make her understand that there could be much worse fates. "It's the most powerful house in the Reach, one of the most powerful in all of the Seven Kingdoms. You would be happy there, Elly."
"Fine, I accept, you don't have to keep trying to convince me," she inhaled sharply, looking at him with red eyes. Despite her not wanting to do this, she knew this day would soon come anyway. She knew that she would do what it took to protect her family, whatever it was, and he knew that too.
He exhaled with a bit of relief and nodded, then moved forward to give her a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank you."
"So if you're taking down the Lannisters, Sansa will have to marry the Prince still, will she not? He's not just a Lannister, he's a Baratheon." she said slowly, clearing the tears from her throat.
"He's not a Baratheon, Elyanna," her father said slowly, his eyes nervous.
Her eyes widened at him, every inch of her sure that she had heard him wrong. "What did you say?"
"The King has no heirs of his own. Cersei's children are bastards with a false claim to the throne, fathered by her own twin brother," he said carefully, analyzing her as he divulged this information. "It's how I can be sure Robert will follow me, his wrath will be too great not to."
Elyanna stood in complete shock, unable to process or fully realize the severity of what her father just claimed. "How is it you know this?"
"It doesn't matter, all that does is that you don't tell another soul. The only ones who know are The Tyrells, Robert's brother Renly, and us. I haven't even told Robert yet-"
"Then what are you waiting for?" Elyanna asked, her eyes wide and worreid.
"He's on a hunt, he'll be back by morning. I've told Cersei to take the children and leave by then, I don't want the blood of children on my hands the way it was the Targaryen babes," he said, sweat forming on his brow again. "Now go, get to bed before dark. I don't trust the night here."
"Father-" Elyanna started, but before she could say anything else he was leaving, walking quickly with the help of his cane from the ravenry. Elyanna stood speechless for a moment until he was out of sight, unable to believe that only minutes before now she was just sending a raven to her twin, writing to him about the same problems they knew that they already had. She wished she could go back in time and not send the letter, for she would have to send a whole new one now to follow it with everything she just learned.
The Next Morning
Elyanna was sitting and watching the ships when Loras found her, finding solace in their comings and goings. While she had been avoiding this place so as to avoid others, she couldn't help but go there when she woke up. She wanted to imagine herself boarding on of the ships ands sailing home, away from the mess that had been created here. Ser Loras seemed equally displeased by the notion of them marrying, but they both knew what they had to do.
"I heard that I might find you here," he said when he approached her. "May I sit?"
"Of course," she smiled weakly, turning her gaze back to the sun rising over the harbor. "Have you ever been sailing?"
"No, I can't say I have," he said awkwardly, looking at her with a strange face.
"Neither have I," she responded mindlessly, the wind blowing her hair away from her face. "But I imagine I'd like it, being on the sea. Cold winds, salty air..."
"Yes, I suppose that would be nice," Loras agreed, not knowing how else to respond. "Perhaps we can get a ship once we marry, even just a small one. We can take it to the Sunset Sea on our honeymoon... sail it to Dorne where the weather is even warmer and even more beautiful than Highgarden."
"I'd like that," Elyanna said softly, "As long as we can also visit home. It's already been so long since I've seen my family... my brother."
"Of course," he nodded, clearing his throat a bit, "But surely would come to the wedding in Highgarden. It will be a grand occasion, flowers adorning every open space, thousands of candles lit around."
"They won't be able to travel to Highgarden, not if there's a war they're fighting in King's Landing," Elyanna muttered, feeling tears spring to her eyes.
"I suppose you're right," he said awkwardly, "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, you don't need to be sorry," she said more clearly now, turning to him with sadness. "I just didn't picture my life this way, that's all."
"We will win, you know," he said quietly, even though no one was around to listen. "Our houses united together with the Baratheons will be a force Westeros hasn't seen since the Targaryens conquered. No one, not even the Lannisters, will survive if they stand in our way."
"Why are you and your family so eager to see them gone?" Elyanna asked curiously, "The Lannisters tried to kill my brother, that's our reason. And they cheated the King of his heirs, that's the Baratheon's reason. What's yours?"
"My family has been griping for power since Aegon Targaryen named them the keepers of Highgarden," Loras said spitefully. "It doesn't matter how much we grow, how far we climb. It won't ever be enough until our family sits in the Red Keep, one way or another."
"Your sister," Elyanna said with a short laugh, "She's marrying Renly. And since the King has no heirs, their first son might become the King once Robert dies, if Stannis doesn't ever have a boy that is."
"Precisely," Loras said smugly, sounding as if his own family's ambition was distasteful. "So you see, without our marriage there is no chance of that. If our houses don't unite to stand with the Baratheons, my sister will never be Queen or mother to a King. And that's just something my dear grandmother couldn't live without."
"She sounds like a fiersome woman," Elyanna smiled lightly.
"Yes she is," Loras laughed a little, "You'd like her I think. I know she'd like you."
"So when will it happen?" Elyanna asked, her smile fading. "My father didn't say, but I assume soon."
"Yes, very soon. As soon as a fortnight once your father tells the King the truth about his children."
"Then I suppose we should do this again," Elyanna stood, looking at the ships one last time before turning to Loras. "If we are to be husband and wife we should get to know one another better, preferably by talking about something other than the impending doom of our families if we don't wed."
Loras laughed lightly, and nodded, "You're probably right-"
But the sound of a man running towards them interrupted his thoughts, turning both of their attention. It was Loras' squire, carrying the Tyrell sigil of the rose on his leather breastplate.
"My Lord-" the man wheezed, stopping to bow, "My Lady- I'm sorry to interrupt-"
"Out with it, Lawsen," Loras said with worry.
"It's the King, he's returned from his hunt," the man panted, "he's been injured- gravely injured. You should come right away, Ser."
Loras and Elyanna looked to each other once and exchanged a quick glance, this was not in their plans for things to happen. By the time they had gotten back to court everyone was in hushed whispers, looks of worry for his survival on their faces. But Elyanna's worry was not for the King, it was for her father. Of course she didn't want Robert to die because he was her father's oldest friend, but she wanted even less for him die because he would be a crucial part in her father's plan. Without the backing of a King, even if the Tyrells stood by her family's side, it wouldn't be enough to take down a house as powerful as the Lannisters. It wouldn't even come close. It would appear like a coup, not justice.
"Ser Loras-" she started, but he immediately spoke over.
"Go back to your room and bar the door. I'm going to find Renly," he whispered, turning back to her. "Now that the King is dying, everything is changed. I don't know what's going to happen."
Elyanna nodded, picking up the skirt of her dress and running away, but she wasn't going to her chambers. She needed to find her father. When she reached his room he was already gone, he must have heard the news as well. She then rushed to the small council chambers, but there were already several guards outside it blocking her way.
"There is to be no entry right now, My Lady," the guard said, standing firmly before her.
"I just need to know if my father is in there," she said quickly, looking over his shoulder at the door with frenzy in her eyes. But just as he was about to push her back, Renly Baratheon exited the large oak doors and stormed away. Loras followed her, shaking his head at her once. This small action told her everything she needed to know, the plan was failing. Through the open doors of the small council chamber she saw her father standing with Petyr Baelish. When Eddard saw her he immediately walked forward away from the Master of Coin and said, "Go to your room, now."
"Father-"
"Now," he said more firmly, leaving her behind without another word. She looked to Lord Baelish, who looked to pleased for the current circumstances. Whoever he was, whatever his motives, she didn't trust him in the slightest. As the two of them stared at each other Elyanna could hear the bells start to chime outside the open windows. The King was dead.
"Do as your father bids you, Lady Stark," Lord Baelish said with a small smile. "These are uncertain and dangerous times we're in."
A Week Later
Elyanna hadn't eaten or slept in the past week, not since her father was taken prisoner in the cells below the Red Keep. They had denied her any sort of entry to visit him, claiming that he was a traitor. They said if she wanted to see him, she must be a traitor too.
Arya had been missing since the morning of the King's death, which frightened Elyanna to no end. The last she was seen she was with Syrio her dancing master, but he was found dead with her nowhere in sight.
Sansa had been with the Septa while what little of their family's men were slaughtered, before she had run for help. The Septa tried to protect her, to save her, but ended up with her head on a spike before the end of the day. And The Hound found Sansa before she could escape, so her sacrifice was pointless. Elyanna herself had been on her way to try and find one of her father's men, looking for safety once she heard the fighting in the throne room. But she too was cornered by Cersei's men and brought back.
So while Arya was in the wind, Sansa and herself remained captive in King's Landing, and their father remained rotting in the dungeons as they all awaited the verdict for his treason. While all she wanted to do was lie in bed, she had to take care of Sansa, the last member of her family in her reach. Their plans of justice for her brother, justice for the realm against the Lannisters, it had all crumbled before her eyes like sand running through her fingers. She had gone from a proposal to marry the heir to Highgarden that would unite an entire army to being trapped like a bird in a cage. She couldn't help but feel guilt about it all, like she could have done something more. But the truth was, she couldn't have. Not when Cersei was playing the game much better than she was.
Elyanna sat before Cersei now, as well as the other members of the small council. She looked up with puffy and red eyes to Lord Varys, the Grand Maester, then Lord Baelish, giving each of them a menacing yet heartbroken look before turning back to the Queen. Her and Sansa had been called to her chambers, but for why she didn't know.
"Your father has proved to be an awful traitor, my dears," Varys started, looking directly at Elyanna. She met his eyes, seeing funny about them. Though his words were harsh, the look he gave her somehow said he was on her side.
"King Robert's body was still warm when Lord Eddard began plotting to steal Joffrey's rightful throne," the maester said shakily, a very obvious contempt for the two girls in his voice.
"He wouldn't do that," Sansa said, begging with them all innocently. But Elyanna knew that her sweet pleas would not dissuade them. Nothing would except sheer force. "He knows how much I love Joffrey, he wouldn't."
"Do you think he is innocent of treason as well, Elyanna?" the Queen asked, looking to her with narrower eyes.
"All I know is that my father was the King's oldest friend, his best friend," Elyanna said softly, choosing her words very carefully. "He would never betray him."
The Queen's face showed a hint of a smile, only for a moment, impressed by the girl's response. "But alas he did. I was there in the throne room when he staged the coup."
"There must be a mistake-" Sansa said quickly, her voice filled with worry.
"Sansa sweetling, you are innocent of any wrong, we know that. But you are the daughter of a traitor whether you like it or not, you both are," she sighed. "How can I allow you to marry my son?"
"A child born of a traitor's seed is no fit consort for our King. She's a sweet thing now, Your Grace, but in 10 years who knows what treachery she might hatch," the maester said, shaking his head at the girls.
"Don't speak about my sister that way," Elyanna said sharply, her eyes closing in on him. "Whatever my father did, she has nothing to do with it."
"She is innocent, Your Grace," Baelish finally spoke, giving Elyanna a small smile. "She should be given a chance to prove her loyalty. They both should."
The Queen sat silently for a moment, examining both girls before turning to the eldest. "I admire the ferocity of your love and loyalty to your sister, Elyanna. If you wish to prove that your loyalty can also be applied to the crown unlike your father, I will reconsider her marriage to my son."
"Anna please," Sansa begged, turning to her sister. "You must- show them that we're not traitors- show them we won't hatch anything so I can marry-"
"What is it that you would have me do to prove this loyalty, Your Grace?" Elyanna asked, talking over Sansa. She couldn't handle listening to her sister talk about Joffrey one more time, not when their father was rotting in the darkness below their feet.
"I'd ask that you write to your mother Lady Catelyn and your twin, what's his name?"
"Robb," Elyanna said bitterly, knowing where this was going.
"Right," Cersei nodded, pushing an empty piece of parchment and a quill towards her. "Word of your father's arrest will reach him soon, no doubt. Best it comes from you that he needs to come to King's Landing and swear fealty to Joffrey. He needs to vow before The Seven he knew nothing of your father's plot, and that he will never rise in rebellion against us as your father did."
"If I do," Elyanna started, fighting herself from crying. "Will my father be shown the Mother's mercy?"
"That depends on your brother, and you," Cersei exhaled a little, looking to the parchment and then back to Elyanna. "I suggest you urge him to the best of your abilities to keep the King's peace."
Elyanna sat silently and then took the quill into hand, immediately dipping it into the ink. She knew her brother well enough to know that how he would react to these words. He would be openly angry, betrayed that his own sister would write on behalf of Cersei against their father. But she also knew that with time he would realize that the other half of his soul would never side with Cersei rather than her own family. Robb would soon enough see that these were the Queen's words and not her own. So for her father's sake, for the sake of their mercy on him, she wrote a letter that she knew would pass the Queen's test. But hidden inside she wrote a letter that would also pass her brother's.
Robb,
It brings me great sadness to inform you that our father has committed treason against the crown, conspiring against the King and Queen to change the line of succession. He is being kept prisoner as we all await trial. You are to come immediately to King's Landing with all of your men and swear fealty under our rightful King Joffrey. Your haste defines the mercy in which is bestowed upon our treasonous father, so I beseech you to gather your men and come. Sansa and I await your arrival. Keep the King's peace and prove that the Starks are loyal to their King.
Your sister,
Elyanna Stark
Once she finished, she signed her name and set the quill back into the pot of ink, pushing the paper towards the queen for her approval. The men behind her read it along with her, scanning the lines. Once they nodded in approval, Elyanna felt a small weight lift off her chest, they hadn't caught her clues to her brother. She knew that the second time he read it, he would see them. He would see that she was telling him to bring all of his men to King's Landing, to come back for her and Sansa. And he would see that she signed her full name at the bottom. She never did this, only ever ending each letter she sent to him with the simple word 'Elly'.
"Thank you, dear ones," the Queen said with a small smile, obviously thinking she had triumphed. "You have proven your loyalty for now. I'll have to now speak with our King about the matter of your father."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Sansa said with a smile, beaming in her seat. "You'll soon see, it's all been a misunderstanding. My father and my brother are loyal to King Joffrey, like me."
"I'm sure you're right, little dove," the Queen responded, looking to Elyanna for her thanks as well.
"I pray my brother comes quickly to King's Landing, Your Grace, to solve this matter once and for all," Elyanna nodded once, standing from her seat.
The queen smiled at her, clasping her hands together, "So do I, Lady Stark. So do I."
Author's Note: Woof. This chapter was definitely making some ground for what's going to happen next. I am working on the next chapter now and will likely release it tomorrow morning. I hope you enjoyed and look forward to hearing what you guys think about it so far!