"I have chosen a wife. I will take Laena of House Velaryon to wife, but not before she turns six and ten, not a day before."
At least that had been the King's plan. Viserys Targaryen was a good listener. He would take the counsel of his Council to mind and mull over it. Three of the Council members had advised him to choose Laena Velaryon, to bridge the distance that had formed because of the Great Council of 101. But it all came undone a week after the King had made his decision.
In the early mornings, a raven had arrived from Driftmark, the Lady Laena had passed away. There was no explanation for the circumstances of her passing, simply that she had gone to bed the previous night after having a healthy dinner and never woke the next day. The Maesters at Driftmark marked it up to the Gods being cruel and taking a young girl before her time. But there were doubts, and suspicions in the minds of many.
"The War at the Stepstones has reached its end. The Crabfeeder is dead and the armies are all returning. Lord Corlys and Ser Daemon will arrive in the capital soon enough. Well after we have reached of course."
"You bring good news, Larys. What of the other task I assigned you?"
"Nothing of that yet, Lord Brynden. Are you sure there's a plot to even look for here? It has been three years since then, if there were we would have found it by now."
"You tell me Larys. A girl of just twelve who was betrothed to The King happens to die a week later. Does that sound coincidental?"
"It does sound slightly coincidental" the clubfoot muttered, "but it also smells of plots and treachery. I will look into more, my Lord."
"None of that today, Larys. It is a feast in honour of our Prince. We shall enjoy it as much as the rest are."
"It is his second name day. Do you suppose he would name Aegon heir to The Throne today?"
"I do not know, in all honesty," the Master of Whispers sighed. The King has been more adamant about keeping Rhaenyra heir than anything else. "Some of us hope he does. Some more than the others" his eyes were on Otto Hightower and his brother Hobert Hightower. The two brothers seemed to be in deep conversation, the older one more aggressive towards the younger one. "That would be all, Larys. You have a brother of your own to look out for I'm told."
"My Lord" Larys Strong bowed and made his exit. Larys was the younger son of Lyonel Strong, the Master of Laws. His eldest, Ser Harwin was part of the City Watch, currently functioning and doing well under Ser Criston. Brynden was well aware of the kind of man that Larys was and would go on to be. He was a likely threat, one he kept close to him and a closer eye on. One wrong move on his part and the younger Strong boy was done for.
The Master of Whispers approached the King when he began filling his plate with food, accompanied by Lord Lyonel Strong and a few more. He was in a good mood, something that was good to see.
"Your Grace" Brynden greeted him as he joined his side. The King looked at him and his smile seemed to grow some more.
"Ah! Brynden. Just the man I was looking for" the King exclaimed and the Master of Whispers looked at him with furrowed brows.
"You have been?" the man asked.
"Yes. I need you to use your remarkable ability to find information and look for Rhaenyra. She has not been in the feast at all and nobody seems to know where exactly she could be" the King explained and his Master of Whispers chuckled.
"I might have an idea of where she could be" the man smiled. "I'll bring her here immediately."
"I'll come with you, Lord Brynden," the Queen Alicent said softly" the Master of Whispers smiled and waited for the Queen to join his side before the two left the King's side, out of the hall and into the hallways.
"You look radiant, my Queen" Brynden complemented once they were away from the business of the hall.
"Lord Brynden, it's just Alicent when it is just us. You're most likely the only friend I have remaining after I became Queen" the woman sighed.
It warmed the man to hear her call him her friend. They had first met in the Godswood all those years ago. And with his employment in the Red Keep, the two had gotten to know one another, befriend each other and share each other's stories. Of course, Brynden had not divulged to her his actual secrets, just the stories that he had told the King and anyone that would ask. But Alicent had been honest with him.
"Then you should call me Brynden then, Alicent. I am just the Master of Whispers, no lands to my name to be named a Lord or a Knighthood that would name me a Ser" he smiled. "How have you been? Has the pregnancy treated you well this time?"
"This one has been gentle with me so far" Alicent chuckled, rubbing her belly affectionately. The one with Aegon was rough on her, with morning sickness, sore back and what else not, though the birth was easy, lucky for her. As if on cue the Queen stopped, hand lashing out and gripping Brynden's arm as a flash of pain passed over her visage.
"Alicent?" the man asked, turning to her with worry.
"I'm fine" the Queen assured him, breathing steadily, "baby just wanted to remind me that I should not be rushing as I have" she chuckled. She relaxed and looked at Brynden with a smile, still holding onto his arm. The man smiled back before beginning to walk once more, this time holding onto her arm and going slower, to not go too fast.
As Brynden had guessed, he found the Princess in the Godswood, under the Weirwood tree. But she was not alone. There was a singer present, singing for the young lady, and Ser Criston Cole of the City Watch. Even around all of it, Ser Criston and Princess Rhaenyra had ended up being friends and close ones at that. Brynden needed to make sure she didn't turn him against her by one innocent moment of pleasure.
"Your Grace," the singer bolted to his feet once Alicent and Brynden had reached them, stopping his song. Ser Criston bowed to the Queen as well.
"Did I say to stop?" the Princess asked. The Queen smiled at the singer and then turned her attention to the Princess. The singer reluctantly did the same. "From the beginning."
The singer reluctantly sat down again and restarted the song he was singing. The Queen called for the Princess and she answered respectfully. Things between Rhaenyra and Alicent had not been the same since the wedding. Rhaenyra blamed her friend for not telling her earlier, that she and her father had something between them. Alicent tried to reason with her that it was not her fault, as did Brynden when the Princess wanted to talk about it with him. He was her friend as well, an advisor of sorts even. Neither of them had much luck getting through to her. But one of them was having a better outcome than the other.
"Your presence is wanted in the outer courtyard" the Queen smiled. By now the party was ready to leave. "The royal hunt readies to depart."
"I've decided to remain here and read instead" the Princess replied.
The Queen's smile fell but she recovered quickly. She turned to the singer. "You may go, Samwell. And Ser Criston as well."
"You must stay at the command of the Princess," Rhaenyra said as the singer stopped and stood.
"The Queen commands you to leave the Godswood at once" Alicent insisted. The Singer looked at the Queen, then to Rhaenyra. He bowed and took his leave. He bowed to the Queen as well on his way out. Ser Criston did not take as much time. He bid the Princess farewell almost immediately, and then to the Queen. Alicent let go of her hold on Brynden's arm and took a step forward. "The King wishes for you to join us."
"The King has much to celebrate" the princess whispered, "he does not need me."
"He wants for us all to be together" the Queen insisted, taking another step forward, "Perhaps the hunt could be… fun."
"Is it the King's command?" the Princess asked.
"More of a request Princess" Brynden cut in before the Queen. Alicent looks back and the man gently gave a nod. "The King wishes for his daughter t be at his son's side. For brother and sister to stand side by side for the realm to see. He wants his family to be there together. But also send a message that his family stands united" he explained. The Princess looked at the Master of Whispers and the two shared a knowing look, a call back to a conversation they had on the night the King and Queen were married.
"As it stands now Princess, the realm will be waiting for the King to produce an heir."
"I am the heir. They knelt to me and swore their loyalties."
"As had their forefathers, to Aenys the Abomination. You learned how that ended up I'm assuming? The House of The Dragon must look and be united. It is what is needed for the realm, for the peace, for the family, for you and your father."
It had gone as that and the Princess seemed to calm. She was still cold toward Alicent, but that was a different progress altogether.
"At once, your Grace" the Princess shut the book and put it aside. She stood up and walked by them without another word.
"You are good with her" Alicent mumbled softly. "I on the other hand have no idea how to approach her at all."
"That is because I am somewhat of a friend, while you're the stepmother" Brynden stated simply. "But maybe you should approach her as a friend instead. You two had been close friends for a while. Maybe that is how you can reach her once more."
"Hopefully" the Queen muttered. She walked back to the Master of Whispers' side and wrapped her arm around his. "Take me to the outer courtyard Brynden. My Kingly Husband and Prince Son are waiting for me" she said calmly. Brynden could also trace a bit of sadness in her tone but did not comment on it.
The Great Hunt was the King's way of celebrating his firstborn son's second name day. Aegon Targaryen, named after the Conqueror himself was a healthy young boy who inherited the features of House Targaryen. At times the child could be petulant and demanding, even curious about trying new things. And they were all gathered today to celebrate him.
The King was off the carriage first, followed by the Queen and then the Prince, who was carried by his wet nurse. "Hail, hail Aegon, the Conqueror-Babe, Second of His Name!" shouted Lord Hightower, brother to the hand of The King. "Here's to His Grace on his second name day!" he added, the words close to treasonous as the babe was not the heir, his older sister was. But none seem to care, since all expected the son to be named heir soon.
The King and Queen with their son walked off to the tent that was made up for them, to host the royal family and all the guests that came for them. The Princess had walked out at the end when all had gone, despondent. But she was surprised to see someone waiting for her.
"I had expected for you to go with them, Lord Brynden" the Princess spoke, taking the Master of Whispers' offered hand and walking down the steps of the carriage.
"And leave you to join us alone? I could never" the man smiled, making the Princess offer a half-hearted one in return.
"The rest don't seem to share your concerns" she looked around. The welcoming party had all gone in, leaving only stable boys and men at arms behind.
"The rest are too focused on kissing your father's arse to thin straight" he jested and the Princess chuckled. They joined the rest together, entering the tent and hearing the music that had begun playing. The Princess declined the wine, the Master of Whispers did not.
The King was at the high seat, with servants attending to him, relieving him of his travels boots and cloak. The Princess and the King's eyes met but she did not stop for him, instead looking around. The Master of Whispers on the other hand went to the King and greeted him respectfully.
"You seem displeased, your grace. Is everything not to your liking?" Brynden's question drew Lord Jason's attention away from the Princess and to the King.
"Your Grace" the Lord of Casterly Rock turned fully to him, "is there anything more that I can do? Of course there is, allow me to see if all things are going as they should" the lion lord rushed away.
"That was quite a cruel way to rid of him, Lord Brynden," Lord Lyonel said with a chuckle.
"He was eyeing the Princess quite rudely" Brynden smiled.
"Have anything to report, Brynden? Any news that I must be made aware of?" the King asked, taking his designated seat.
"None you Grace" the Master of Whispers smiled. "Enjoy the feast and the hunt. Any news that comes will be brought to you should it need your attention" the Master of Whispers smiled. The King relaxed at that and gave a genuine smile. Talks moved to smaller ones, commenting on the Prince and his health, about the hunt and what they could expect from it. The King was standing when the Princess was making her way to them. Brynden drained his cup quickly and intercepted her path.
"I need to speak to my father," the Princess said in a low snappish tone.
"And you will. But first, you need to calm down. All eyes are on you, Princess."
"I don't care about that!" she snapped a little louder but still drowned out by the music of the band.
"You should" Brynden leaned in close to her ear, "when all eyes are on you, they will judge you. They have been and you know it better than anyone else. Calm down, it is a matter of personal honour as well as that of your house."
The man leaned back and saw the redness on the Princess' face. She glared at him longer than she had glared at him ever before Eventually, she took a breath, roughly inhaled and then smoothly exhaled. She did it a few times until she had calmed, the redness of her face fading away. Brynden smiled at that and stepped aside.
"Rhaenyra" the King welcomed her with a smile.
"Is that all I am to you?" the Princess questioned calmly, but the anger burned in her eyes, "a prize to proffer about to the great houses?"
The King's smile faded and he sighed. Steeling himself he took a step towards his daughter. "You're of age, Rhaenyra," he said gruffly but softly. "And Jason Lannister is an excellent match."
"He's arrogant and self-serious" the Princess argued.
"I thought you might have that in common" the King said and Brynden winced at the remark. Maybe it was the King who he should have spoken to first. "Since you came of age, I've been slowly drowning in a lake of parchment flung from every corner of the realm. Marriage proposals all" his voice rose slightly. "And I have tried often to discuss it with you" eyes were slowly shifting to the King and his heir, "but you've refused me at every turn."
"Your Grace" Brynden cut off the ensuing argument before it could get too heated. The King looked up and noticed the eyes on them and his frustrations faded slowly from his face. "I believe it is best to continue this conversation at a later time."
"Your Grace" the Hand spoke up now, "the royal huntsman sent word of a sighting, of a white Hart. The stag is "The King of the Kingswood", your Grace. A regal portent for Prince Aegon's name day."
"Princess" Brynden whispered to the younger girl, extending his hand to her while Ser Otto conversed with the King. The Princess did not take his hand but walked away from them still. The Master of Whispers followed. The Princess kept on marching, pulling out gloves from her belt and putting them on. She meant to go for a ride, away from here. Brynden stopped her before she could take a horse.
"I need to leave here. I need to get away" the young woman said, her voice trembling slightly. Brynden gave her a hard look before finally nodding. The Princess rode out on a white horse, accompanied by Ser Rymun of the Kingsguard and Brynden the Master of Whispers. They rode for quite a bit until stopping by a grand river. The Kingsguard stood at a distance, while the Princess and the Master of Whispers stood at the river bank.
"Deep breaths, Princess," Brynden advised.
"My father… trying to sell me off to Jason Lannister," she said in a shaky voice. Now out of sight, she wasn't shy about being emotional. Nor would Brynden ask her to bottle it up. "Was I named heir to the Iron Throne so that I might only further raise the standing of a Lord of Casterly Rock?"
"Jason Lannister forgets himself," Brynden said after a moment, letting the Princess steady her breathing. "He has sent a letter to your father for your hand for sure, but your father never accepted or denied it. This was his way of wooing you."
"Well, the way he said things made it sound as if he agreed to it" Rhaenyra grumbled.
"Your father is a very stressed man. He is trying to do good by the realm while also doing you justice. He is trying, believe me in that Princess" the man assured her. "I could have him killed Princess, for his transgression. I'm sure his brother would make a much better Lord of Casterly Rock than he is."
The Princess deadpanned at him before she chuckled. Soon Brynden joined her as well. "It's a lovely day today" she commented, looking up at the sky.
"It is" Brynden agreed. "Would you like to take in the sceneries?"
The Princess gave a small nod. The two rode through the Kingswood, the Kingsguard tailing them. "It must be nice, being able to live your life as you see fit" the Princess commented.
"I'm not exactly living it as I see fit Princess. The realm comes first, House Targaryen before me" Brynden smiled.
"Would you like to live it at your whims?" she asked.
A flash went through his head, of a young girl doing what she felt like, a woman grown doing the same. Of dragons dying and people burning. "No" the Master of Whispers shook his head. "Living life as you wish without thought of the consequences of your decision can hardly bring forth anything but chaos."
"I did not mean without thinking of the consequences" the Princess muttered. "I may be the Princess of Dragonstone, but I am toothless."
"You have more power than you think, Princess. It's not always that a Princess is allowed to choose a man of the Kingsguard or a posting in the City Watch. You have teeth Princess, just haven't had the chance to bare them yet."
Day turned to night as the sunset. A fire was burning with the three sitting around it, making idle conversations, sharing stories of worth. Silence descended not long after.
"Princess. I must say that it is quite late. We should return to camp" Ser Rymun said.
"I much prefer it here" the Princess replied. "And you, Lord Brynden?"
"Truth be told I could do with some feasting" the Master of Whispers chuckled.
"His Grace is surely worried about your safety" Ser RYmun insisted.
"His Grace can worry himself to death if he so likes" the Princess snarked. A moment of silence, "tell me Ser Rymun, will the realm ever accept me as their Queen? What do you think?"
The Kingsguard grew uncomfortable at the question, fidgeting with his armour and sword. "They'll have no choice but to, Princess. But they would not be… happy" he finally answered.
The Princess slowly looked away from the man and into the fire, defeat in her body language. Brynden sighed to himself. That was the truth, told from Ser Rymun's mouth. The words of Rhaenys Targaryen rung in his ears, "The realm would rather go to war than see a woman ascend the throne."
The sound of rustling and the horses nervously shifting drew all their attention. Ser Rymun drew his blade but Brynden gave him a look. He knew what was to come. He closed his eyes and reached out to the newcomer. He found it and seized its mind for himself, before pulling away. When he opened his eyes a boar came strolling out of the shrubbery, calm as a cat.
"Looks like we have a friend" Brynden laughed while Ser Rymun stared in bafflement as the animal came up to a frightened Rhaenyra and nuzzled her hand.
They spent the night in the forest and early the next day got on their horse to return to camp. They stared at the camp from a cliff, far from it still. The sound of hooves took their attention away from it. It was a stag, but not just any normal stag.
"Sheath your blade, Ser. Do you have no respect for honourable animals such as that?" the Master of Whispers snapped when Ser Rymun drew his sword.
The Stag looked at them and they looked at it. "Protect her" Brynden heard a voice. He looked around but nobody had spoken. It was when he looked back at the Stag that he realized that the thing was reaching out to him. He turned away from them and galloped away.
A strange sight welcomed all that was in the camp, outside their tents. The Princess rode in on her horse, followed by Ser Rymun of the Kingsguard and Lord Brynden the Master of Whispers. And behind them was a boar, head held high as it followed them in. The King looked incredulous while the Queen held back a laugh. The Prince on the other hand laughed at seeing his sister.
"You have made a new… friend," the King said when his daughter had got off her horse and walked to him, unsure what word to use to describe the boar.
"We share a trait apparently. We are both pigheaded" the Princess joked and the King smiled at his daughter.
Night had come sooner than expected, with how they had all been enjoying the events as the final feast was being held. The Princess was in a better mood, talking to her father and playing with her brother. It was what they had talked about while they rode back home, to give the King a chance and to talk. Father and daughter hardly ever talk it through before it blew up. The festivities were to remember and soon it was time to sleep. Brynden was preparing for bed, playing with the Raven that insisted on following him everywhere when he found guests waiting for him outside his tent. It was the King and he wasted no time in inviting them in.
"I am sorry to disturb you at this time Brynden-"
"Nothing to apologise about, your Grace. You are my King and are entitled to see me whenever you wish it" Brynden smiled. "What is it that I can help you with?"
"You have been with Rhaenyra all day yesterday and have bonded with her since the days you've been part of my council. What does she think about marriage? In general? She spoke to me, yes but I could tell she was not as free as she could be."
"About marriage you say?" the man thought for a bit. "The Princess might not be against the concept of marriage exactly. She is… afraid I suppose."
"Afraid? About what?" Viserys questioned.
"About ending up like her mother" the response made the King shrink somewhat. "She does not blame you, do not worry. She is fully aware that it is her duty to marry and provide heirs for her husband. But she is afraid of turning out to be like her mother, unable to give her husband an heir until eventually, she dies. She feels she has no choice in the matter."
"Of course, she has a choice," the King said immediately.
"She doesn't know that now does she?" Brynden smiled. "And she is aware that the people expect her brother to replace her as heir, and that there might be a conflict if he doesn't"
The King deflated in his chair, rubbing his face with his hand. "What should I do?" he asked tiredly.
"The best course of action I see is naming Aegon as heir" Brynden confessed. "it would silence the Lords that are sure to whine. But also change a precedent."
"What kind of precedent?" the King questioned.
"Dragonstone has always been the seat of the heir to the Throne. But it need not be. Dragonstone is the seat for the firstborn. Give Rhaenyra Dragonstone and name Aegon as heir. As off-putting as it sounds, Aegon is too young and the age difference would make it awkward should you wed them. By the time he is in his majority, Rhaenyra might not find it easy to bear children. Or she can but we can't be sure of that. So this is my solution to you, Dragonstone goes to Rhaenyra while Aegon gets the Throne after you."
The King left his tent in deep thought. Brynden had no doubt the King would be thinking of this till they reach King Landing again. It was not his headache to see what he decides, it would be his headache after the decision was made.
Before he could sleep, he had another visitor, this one not royalty. "Word came from Driftmark, my lord" Larys spoke, a letter in his hand. Brynden stared at his hand with a hard look, already guessing a possible revelation.