Chapter Six: Otto I
The Outer Yard of the Red Keep was full to brim with makeshift tents erected, and those tents were also full to the brim with men-at-arms, squires, and often whores snuck in from the Street of Silk. Lords along with all their bannermen and all their men from all over the realm had come to King's Landing for King Viserys' wedding, not to mention the freeriders and knights looking for fame and glory, as well as envoys from the Free Cities (noticeable not Tyrosh, Myr, or Lys), so the Red Keep was starting to feel quite full. In just the past week, two Blackwoods had been killed, and one Bracken too, and Lord Selmy's squire had gotten into a fight with the male paramour of a Dornish envoy, and this was just all that happened inside of the Red Keep. Two separate brawls had happened in the Fishmonger's Square, two men-at-arms from House Frey had broken into the Dragonpit and were turned into supper by Dreamfyre, and a peasant who called himself The Shepherd had declared the upcoming royal wedding a "decadent farce that is a vile affront to the Gods". Ser Harwin Strong's Goldcloaks went into Fleabottom to find this so-called Shepherd but none of the smallfolk were willing to give up the whereabouts of the man.
All in all, things were going better than expected.
"The Red Keep is even fuller than it was for the tourney last year," said King Viserys, smiling.
"It certainly is," replied Otto.
Down in the yard below, Elmo Tully, the grandson of the current Lord of Riverrun was sparring with a hedge knight, while a crowd looked on.
"The good old days, eh, Otto? Being young boys training in the yard. If only we could go back to then."
"That is very true, Your Grace." Laughed Otto, as he thought back to sparring with his older brother Hobert in the training yards at Oldtown.
Suddenly, a man atop the battlements called out. "Riders arriving at the gate!" All the sparring ceased, and the crowd made way for the incoming guests. The portcullis was raised and half a hundred men and women on brown and white palfreys rode into the castle. The first two riders to enter were each holding gigantic banners depicting a golden lion or a field of crimson.
"The Lord of Casterly Rock, and the Warden of the West, Lord Jason Lannister!" announced the guard atop the walls.
In came Lord Jason Lannister atop a copper destrier adorned in bright golden armor, which shimmered and glowed in the sunlight. He was wearing a suit of golden plate armor, with a surcoat of Lannister red on top, which was embroidered with a cloth-of-gold lion. His bright golden hair that shone brighter than his armor flapped as he descended off his horse and knelt when he spotted the King up on the battlements.
"Your Grace." He said, with his emerald-green eyes looking directly at the King.
"Lord Jason," Viserys replied, jovially. "It is great for you to come. Please, do not linger here for too long. I know you must be tired from riding all this way. Your rooms have been prepared already; I believe."
"The ride was long, it is true, Your Grace, but we had plenty of quality food and wine as well as… entertainment on the journey to keep us occupied. I do hope this wedding will prove to be just the same."
"Oh, I do not doubt that, Lord Jason."
As Lord Jason and the rest of his household, serving men, guards, and the retinue of camp followers that had joined the Lannister (that were allowed into the Red Keep) made their way into the rest of the castle, Viserys leaned towards Otto and whispered, "Gods, that man could not wait five seconds before bragging about his house's bloody wealth. That man's pride has pride!"
"That is what they say, Your Grace."
"I'm shocked he didn't ask for the whereabouts of my daughter, that I tell you. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the man tries to marry her right there at the wedding, you know Lannisters and their ambition," scoffed Viserys.
"There shall be many men vying for the hand of the Princess at the wedding, I'd wager."
Which noble Lord would pass off an opportunity to take the heir to the Iron Throne for their lady wife?
"That, you are correct about, Otto." Sighed Viserys. "I still wish we had done a smaller ceremony. Nine days of tourneys and feasting?! Mayhaps that Shepherd was correct, after all."
The original plan was to have seven days of celebration, in honor of the Gods, but Corlys Velaryon had insisted on increasing it to nine, either as a reference to his famous nine voyages, or to flex the might of his house, or a mixture of both.
"Lord Corlys would never pass off an opportunity to showcase his wealth, Your Grace. I am surprised the feasts are to not be even more grand."
Corlys Velaryon, one of the few men whose ambition and pride matched that of Jason Lannister.
"How much grander can this get, Otto? Lord Beesbury estimated that the whole wedding would cost north of ten million dragons. No wedding in history ever cost this much, not even that of Rogar Baratheon and Alyssa Velaryon!"
"And yet, the treasury can comfortably afford it, even if Lord Corlys didn't offer to front half of the costs."
Corlys Velaryon also volunteered for House Velaryon to take up the planning of the wedding, to "spare the King of any unwanted stress", but he most likely did so to show to all the Lords and Ladies of the realm how powerful and mighty House Velaryon is.
"It is what it is Otto, the wedding shall go ahead, no matter how big or small the Sea Snake decides it to be. We all must do our duties, it seems." Viserys sighed, looking down.
"We all must."
The King still wishes he married Alicent instead. And I still wish the same.
Later that day, Otto was to have supper with his children Gwayne, and Alicent. Otto's youngest, Thoren was to arrive with Otto's elder brother Lord Hobert from Oldtown on the morrow, but Otto still wanted to spend a night with his family, as he had seen them so little of them as of late.
For the evening, Otto chose to not dress too extravagantly: he wore a black leather doublet and a silk sash of dark green. He also wore a silver neck chain which displayed the Hightower of Oldtown upon it.
Gwayne arrived first, him dressed more lavishly than his father. He chose to wear a dark green jerkin over a dark green doublet and stitched into the fabric of the jerkin were small cloth-of-gold Hightower sigils all across the chest, and three golden neck chains each studded with emeralds and black diamonds. No doubt, he requested this piece of clothing in order to impress his betrothed, a daughter of Lord Mullendore, one of House Hightower's vassals.
"Sire."
"Gwayne, my son. Please do sit, Alicent shall be here soon enough too."
Alicent arrived a few minutes later, wearing one of her own dresses, a dark green loose-fitting gown, and a large silver necklace proudly showing the Seven-Pointed-Star. She also wore silver and emerald earrings which had the showcased her faith. When she arrived, Otto's smile widened.
"Father, brother. I pray you are both well," she said, smiling.
"I am, Alicent. I hope you are, too. Please, sit as well, food shall arrive in a moment."
The first course was a platter of fruits: bright red cherries, green apples fresh from the Kingswood, blood oranges from Dorne, juicy pomegranate seeds, and dried figs all the way from Meereen.
"It has been some time we have all had supper together, in truth. We have been so… busy. It is good for us to catch up once again." Gwayne said, as he took a slice of the blood orange.
"Well, you certainly have been quite busy Gwayne, with your… betrothed" laughed Alicent. "How fares Lady Ceryse?"
"She is well, I have great hope that our marriage shall be a happy one. We went riding in the Kingswood the other day, in fact. We came across a white hart there, too, which was a sight to see. They're supposed to be an omen of sorts, no?"
"A very good omen, indeed, Gwayne."
"I'm not one for spirits and portents myself, son, but so long as you are happy with the Lady Ceryse and you do your duties, your marriage is to be a happy one" added Otto. "Speaking of, have you and Lord Mullendore agreed on a date for the marriage?"
"Some time before the end of the year, I reckon." Replied Gwayne. "And what of you, sister? I scarcely see you around, these days. What must you get up to in your free time?"
Alicent gave a nervous smile. "Well, I spend a lot of time in the sept praying, or in the Godswood, just talking with the Princess. I have started to become more… accustomed to the Red Keep nowadays."
"That is some of the most uplifting news I've heard in a long time, daughter." Otto said, kindly. "I know that you have… struggled to adjust here. It is good that you are finally more comfortable."
Alicent had always missed Oldtown, especially after the Lady Alerie passed. Otto missed his late wife at times too, as well as the comforts of Oldtown. However, in the recent months, following the announcement of the King's betrothal to Laena Velaryon, it was as though a weight was lifted off of her shoulders. Otto knew his daughter did not enjoy her nightly talks with the King, but he also knew that it was the best way for him to advance to his bloodline and bring prestige to his family.
As much as Alicent mislikes her duties and responsibilities, she must do it all the same. At times I mislike being Hand, but I still do my duties all the same.
The news that the King had not chosen Alicent had stung Otto when he first heard it. He blamed Alicent, for not trying hard enough, but he also blamed himself for not making Alicent try hard enough, and he also blamed the King for not falling for his daughter. But still, while Otto felt disappointment towards his daughter and to himself, he also felt somewhat relieved, for Alicent's sake. The thought of his young daughter, only so recently a woman grown, marrying the King did bring him a sense of unease. Though he had no doubt Alicent could and would be able to fulfil her duties as Queen, the responsibility thrust upon her would be gargantuan, even more than that of Otto, or even that of his brother Lord Hobert.
Would Alicent be happy in such a marriage, that was something I failed to even consider when I sent her to comfort the King. But does our happiness truly matter if it for the sake of our family and for the sake of the realm?
The main course included a stew of pease and spicy mutton, venison pie served with a thick gravy, grilled cod, and a healthy serving of various vegetables. Otto even treated his children to a bottle of Arbor Gold from his own private collection.
"So, father, Uncle Hobert and Thoren and all the rest are to arrive tomorrow, are they not?" asked Gwayne.
"If the winds are favourable, they very may will."
"Gods, it has been much too long since we saw Thoren. Our baby brother did not come to King's Landing the last time, it shall be nice to see him again." Smiled Alicent.
"He is no longer our baby brother any more Alicent," chuckled Gwayne. "As per Uncle Hobert, he's grown even taller than father."
"Aye, and he's grown to become an adept fighter too. Your uncle speaks of his martial prowess in the training grounds." Added Otto. "He shall grow to become a fine knight, time."
"We all do grow up so fast," said Alicent. "He shall become betrothed as well, and in time marry a beautiful lady of his own."
If he ever shows an interest in women, that is.
The final course was a collection of sweets, lemon cakes, strawberry tarts, and pies of apple, berries, and other fruits, served with warm sweet cream and hot flasks of cinnamon spiced wine.
After the meal, Otto brought out musicians to play for Alicent and Gwayne. The singers sang Six Maids in a Pool and Off to Gulltown and Gwayne drunkenly joined in. Otto had also arranged for the court fool, Mushroom, to entertain them. The dwarf made bawdy japes about anyone and everyone, and one jape he made about the King made Alicent spit out wine out of her nose in laughter.
Otto and his children talked for hours about shared memories back at Oldtown, and funny stories at court. The time with his children reminded Otto of a simpler time, back when he was a boy, along with his brother Hobert in Oldtown, where they raced up and down the Hightower and explored the twisty, cobbled streets underneath it's shadow. Sometimes Otto wished him and Alicent and Gwayne and Thoren could live a simpler life, without the burden of duties of responsibilities, but that was just an unrealistic dream.
As much as we'd all love to live a simpler life, we simply cannot in this world.
Gwayne left first, saying he was to break his fast on the morrow with Lord Mullendore, so he said his goodbyes and then stumbled back to his rooms all while his attempt of singing The Bear and the Maiden Fair echoed down the hallways.
"Father, the hour is late. I must sleep as well." Alicent said, as she got up to leave the room.
"Alicent." Said Otto. "One thing, I must tell you, before you leave."
"Yes, father. What is it?" she replied, nervously, clasping her fingers together.
"I… I wanted to say…"
"Father?"
"I… I'm proud of you, daughter. I truly am."
Alicent smiled, and though it was a small smile, it was a more honest smile than Alicent had every smiled in years.
And I'm sorry for sending you to the chambers of a man twice your age.
"Thank you, father." She said, leaving the room.
The next morning, Otto's brother, the Lord of Oldtown arrived as Otto was breaking his fast on oatcakes and bacon.
"My Lord Hand? The Lord Hobert Hightower." The guard said.
In came Hobert, wearing a black jerkin with green sleeves and a green cloak. On his chest was an embroidered shield depicting the arms of House Hightower, a white tower on a field of grey, with the tower emitting a flame.
"Brother, it is good to see you again, after these many months." Hobert said, cheerfully.
"It has been long, Hobert. How fares young Thoren?" replied Otto.
"He is doing very well, in fact. He is an excellent soldier in the making. The lad chose to spar in the yard with everyone before even coming up to change," laughed Hobert.
"Well, that was always in Thoren's nature."
As Hobert closed the door, his demeanour changed from jovial to serious.
"When we received the raven of a royal wedding, I expected the bride to be someone else." Hobert said. "Your tellings said you were confident about the King choosing Alicent."
"Yes… the King surprised me with the decision as well. I would not blame Alicent for it, however, she is but a young girl. It is not her fault the King chose the more… politically astute option."
"I am not blaming Alicent. I am blaming you. You should have encouraged Alicent further."
"Yes, I should have… I am… sorry for that, brother. Though, a marriage into a powerful house is still not off the cards. Jason Lannister, Borros Baratheon, Elmo Tully, all young, unmarried men, who shall all be attending the wedding. With some… luck, Alicent may very well be betrothed to an heir of a Lord Paramount. None of them Targaryen, but… still, strong matches."
"There still is one option, Otto."
"Brother?"
"Marriage to the Princess, to your youngest. Thoren is unwed, and a handsome young knight, adept at riding and fighting. He can remain here at King's Landing after the wedding to court the Princess. She is already acquainted with you and Gwayne, and she and Alicent are said to be inseparable. Yes, other young lordlings may be better marriages politically, but with some good fortune, Thoren may still be able to charm the Princess and the King. In such a scenario, you push for Rhaenyra to remain as heir over the Velaryon girl's children, seeing as the King has already broken precedence once, and should you be successful, your blood shall eventually be on the throne, and you shall redeem yourself."
"But… Hobert, I have no doubts that Rhaenyra shall be enchanted by my son, but you know his nature, would he want to… do this?"
He would mislike this just like Alicent misliked visiting the King every night.
"Whether or not he wants to do this is not of his matter, Thoren must do his duties all the same. I am very sure he remembers that, but I'm not sure you do, Otto" Hobert said, bluntly. "Must you be reminded again?"
Doing our duties is what steadies this uneasy realm. And a steady realm will light the way ahead of us. If we do our duties, We Light the Way.
"Yes… I remember, brother."
"Good. Thoren shall do his duties. As will you, Otto. You will secure this marriage."
