Inside a bar near a certain brothel in Stormlands, a dark-haired man drank himself drunk as he complained about his betrothed running away to marry another. The men around him were drunk as well and agreed with whatever complaints he had and those that didn't were simply kicked out. Literally. An hour later of complaining the man left to fuck a hore and weeks later war was declared on the Targaryens.
Of course, the war was very one-sided and it wasn't even a war. No armies had been gathered. It was just one man alone on a horse with his warhammer challenging the new king. Despite the king not having to answer the man's challenge, he decided to do so because the challenger was his cousin.
Both men were equally good at fighting. However, only one of them hadn't been drunk and blinded by rage. Rhaegar's sword pierced through Robert's armor and through his heart. Robert hadn't died immediately and managed to land a weak blow towards Rhaegar's head.
The second son of House Baratheron, Stannis Baratheon, took over as the Lord Paramount of Stormlands and put his brother's remains in their family crypt personally.
It was quite funny. Despite the man being the only one who took the initiative to commit treason his previous betrothed was somehow blamed for all of it. In the end, even in his death Robert Baratheon still was a plague to Lyanna Stark.
Lyanna Stark was painted as a villainess and people often loved to pin the blame of Robert Baratheon's death on her.
Poor Robert Baratheon. He only loved a woman that didn't love him back.
Which woman in this world wouldn't have wanted to marry Robert Baratheon. He was handsome and had muscles for days. Lyanna Stark must think herself to be above everyone to not choose him. What a spoiled whore!
It was also a reason as to why many were against Lyanna Stark marrying King Rhaegar Targaryen. She was seen as a harlot in the eyes of commoners and many of nobility. However, the new king was set on marrying her despite the complaints and opposition. Many were not only against it simply because of the incident with Robert Baratheon but also because many thought that Lyanna Stark didn't deserve to be a queen and that there were many better options than her.
The wedding was held during one hot summer day. It was clear that the northern men were not used to the warmer climate as they were all melting during long and tiresome wedding ceremony.
Edmure had to hold back her giggle as he saw Brandon Stark's soul completely "leave his body". His eyes were rolled back and although he stood completely still in his place it was very clear that he was "dead". His brother, Ned Stark, wasn't faring much better but at least he seemed to be resolved to not "die" of heat this day.
He was standing next to his sister's betrothed who she intended to marry during winter, several months from this day.
When Lysa first arrived in the Eyrie her betrothed had greeted her respectfully with the usual ritual and eventually a feast. She met many of her future subordinates and danced with many Valemen. Despite that many considered her a witch they decided to tolerate her and give her a chance.
The few months that she stayed in the Vale went pretty well in Lysa's opinion. There was no bullying, no name calling. There was gossip but Lysa had her way of dealing with it anyway.
It hadn't surprised her when she heard about Rhaegar's and Lyanna's wedding. After all it was too obvious from the beginning that Rhaegar had aimed for Lyanna. Although, the fact that he had also gone for Lysa had made her confused in the beginning but it cleared up when she learned about Rhaegar and Lyanna's adultery. Edmure had even explained on the way back to Riverrun from Harrenhal that Rhaegar hadn't even hidden his love for Lyanna, because on the last day of the tourney he crowned her Queen of Love and Beauty, while Lysa was in the dungeons, and that had indeed caused quite the commotion. Although, people basically forgot about it since Lysa's trial was coming up and then the miraculous thing happened and eventually people forgot about Rhaegar crowning Lyanna.
Lysa wasn't allowed to enter the royal sept during Lyanna's and Rhaegar's wedding ceremony since the Sept really did hate her because of the incident in Riverrun but also because they had labeled her as a witch from the incident in Harrenhal. If Lysa really cared to play the Game of Thrones she wouldn't have made the Sept her enemy and instead have acted like their devoted follower, and then used them when the time came. However, Lysa loved Jesus Christ because Cinderella loved Jesus Christ. He had been with them through everything and had forgiven Cinderella despite her evil doings. Isn't her new life proof of his kindness? When she deserved the worst in hell? Why in the world would she betray Him? Her God who had shown mercy on her several times is the only one she would worship and sing praises about.
She walked around in the godswood of the Red Keep. She had heard that it was an acre of elm, alder and black cottonwood trees, but Lysa was no tree expert. All the trees looked the same to her except for the cottonwood trees and the heart tree. From the walls of the godswood she could see Blackwater Rush. A beautiful river. Lysa didn't have the courage to go near the heart tree but she was curious as Riverrun never had a godswood and The Eyrie had one but not a heart tree. The heart tree scared her. It was overgrown with smokeberry vines. It was as if she was looking at a scarecrow. She didn't go closer to the tree and was satisfied just looking at it. It looked menacing and evil while it felt like it was beckoning her to get closer. Lysa, however, didn't and she was glad that there was no heart tree in The Eyrie's godswood otherwise she would have burned it down for her safety's sake.
"Lady Lysa," Tyrion Lannister approached her without a guard.
"Lord Tyrion," she smiled at her friend. "Is the wedding ceremony already over?"
"No, but it got boring and I decided to sneak out." Tyrion walked beside her. "Where you at the godswood?"
"Yes, it was lovely. The heart tree scared me though. It looked like it was ready to kill me the moment I got too close."
"Oh, but I doubt it would be able to. If not even Wildfire can destroy you I doubt a heart tree would be able to kill you," he teased and she smiled a little. "Ah, I forgot to ask you earlier. I am going to be the Storyteller during a game of Fairytales and Legends. The game has become so popular lately that everyone wants to join it. Would you like to join the game?"
"Of course, Tyrion. It would be an honour," she smiled before her smile dropped at the scene of blood.
There was a puppy lying dead in the hallway they were walking in. She could tell the puppy had been tortured by the wounds and cuts on its body.
"Oh, dear, he is at it again." Lysa knew who Tyrion meant.
It wasn't difficult to gain intelligence from the servants as they were gossipers through and through. That was how Lysa had learned the horrifying things that had gone on within The Red Keep while Aerys was alive. She had heard about how he tortured and raped Queen Rhaella, and how Viserys usually tortured animals. It would often happen after Queen Rhaella had been tortured. Now that Aerys was gone everyone thought Viserys would stop with his cruel activities but bad habits die hard.
A servant boy came over, once Lysa had told the headmaid about the dead puppy, and cleaned up the crime scene. Everyone chose to shut up about it and not bring this topic up during this day at least.
The food was delicious and filled everyone's bellies during the wedding feast. Lysa sat next to her betrothed Jon and they had a good conversation about heating up The Eyrie with pipes. Lysa didn't want them to freeze during winter and she knew how cold The Eyries could get during the night. She couldn't have children in this sort of environment where they would freeze to death, hence why she suggested to her betrothed about heaters. Jon Arryn was already quite taken by her charms and wit and so he allowed it, especially after she mentioned the possibility of their future children freezing to death during winter.
Lysa watched Lyanna being forced to dance with Oberyn Martell. She looked utterly miserable and angry, especially by what Oberyn was whispering in her ears. Her anger at the Martell prince wasn't hidden very well and she would probably have to learn soon about hiding her feelings under a mask of smiles because otherwise she would have a difficult time in King's Landing. Lysa was glad that she wasn't the one marrying King Rhaegar at least. Marrying into the royal family would just make her a target of basically everyone and anyone.
"Wait, isn't this song?" Edmure said on the opposite seat of her.
Lysa looked around as she saw Rhaegar taking his wives for a dance while gathering people to join the dance. They managed to get their families as well as close friends.
"Lady Lysa, Lord Arryn, care to join?" Rhaegar smiled while inviting them.
"It would be an honour, your highness," Jon Arryn said and they joined the trail of people.
Soon the music got faster and Rhaegar led everyone into a circle just like Lysa once did. Everyone was laughing and having fun. Rhaegar led the trail of people to go between Lysa and Jon and he didn't do it only once. During the dance Lysa didn't think much about it.
At some point during the feast someone shouted, "Bedding ceremony!"
Lysa watched in horror as Lyanna was carried away by men and undressed on the way. She shouted for her brothers but they couldn't reach her in time. Meanwhile, Rhaegar was carried away by women and undressed on the way, even her own sister was among those women. Lysa sat still with her betrothed while everyone went to make sure the newly wedded couple went through a nightmare.
Jon squeezed her hand in assurance.
"Don't worry, my love. When we are wedded I will make sure the bedding ceremony never happens." This was why she loved Jon.
She might not love him romantically but that kind of love was not required for marriage. She would be devoted to him until death parted them.
That night the feast continued although many had gone to watch the bedding between the king and his new wife. Lysa took the opportunity to go to bed and she was going to sleep in her own bed but something told her that she needed to go to her betrothed. Her bedroom didn't feel safe. It had been strange from the very beginning as her room was very far away from the rest of her family and closer to the rooms of the royal family.
Jon had been surprised to find his betrothed sleeping in his bed but it was a welcome sight. He carefully took off his clothes and put on a night gown before laying next to his future wife.
"Jon?" She asked with a sleepy voice and he hushed her.
She put an arm around him and pulled him close to her. He could smell the scent of honey coming from her and he breathed it in.
"Good night, Lysa." He wished her as he put his arm around her being protectively. The last thing he saw as he fell asleep were her dimples as she smiled during her sleep.
The next day she found out from Lissa that it had been a good choice to sleep with her betrothed that night. Who would have thought that the king would make a visit to her room, while his new wife slept out of exhaustion?
Lysa found the news very alarming but calmed herself down and hoped that no one else knew about it. She shook her head to forget the information and went to the room Tyrion had directed her to. She saw some familiar faces and new ones.
"Mae govannen," Selyse greeted her with a hug.
"Mae govannen, Selianna." She hugged the girl back. "Mae govannen melloni," she greeted the rest as they watched in confusion except for Stannis and Edmure. "Was I late?"
"No you're in time for the game and everyone is here so we can start," Tyrion smiled.
The story was about a dragon whose child had been kidnapped by humans. The dragon had been locked up in magic chains, and since Lionel the Great was not there, it was up to the players to rescue the dragon's cub from the evil king Sal of Gotheria who was in cahoot with an evil sorceress who worshipped Lor (the game's version of R'hllor).
Lysa played a character named Cinderella who was a fairy princess whose power was to grant three wishes.
Renly had been pissed that he needed to make a new character but he did and so Rains Storm was born. Another dragon rider who was also related to Ren of Storm. Renly really couldn't let go of his previous character.
The game lasted until it was time for dinner and everyone walked out satisfied that they had reunited a mother with her child like true heroes.
After the game Tyrion wanted some feedback from Lysa about how he did as a Storyteller. The art of being a good Storyteller was difficult but Lysa simply gave Tyrion positive feedback as she hadn't found anything boring or that broke the fantasy.
During the feast she sat with Selyse Florent and also had a nice conversation with her cousins. Delena Florent had been massaging her bulging stomach and Lysa knew that the child inside was Robert Baratheon's but the Florents tried to keep it a secret.
"Oh, right, I forgot." Lysa remembered in the midst of a conversation about her wedding with Jon Arryn. "Selyse, mellon nin. Would you like to be my bridesmaid?"
"I do! What is a bridesmaid?" Selyse asked in confusion.
"Someone that accompanies the bride before and after her wedding ceremony. Your duties as a bridesmaid is to help me during the feast and help decorate and assist with hostess duties. And I would be so glad if you could."
"I still am not sure what it is about but I am willing to be your bridesmaid." Like a true friend Selyse supported her.
"Oh, good. The only other bridesmaid is my sister, Cat. So, I was wondering if perhaps your female cousins would like to be my other bridesmaids?" Lysa looked at Delena, Melessa and Rhea.
"It would be an honour." Selyse saw the nods from her cousins.
"Great!" Lysa lit up. "I will send my dressmaker tomorrow to take your measurements and also have your bridesmaid dresses ready. Of course, no need to think about payment. I'll be the one paying for everything related to my wedding."
After Lysa had the nice conversation she went back to sit with her betrothed who stroked her hair lovingly while she told him about the bridesmaids. Given the age gap everyone thought that Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully wouldn't get along but when people saw them acting so sweetly to each other they felt miserable.
And if one had taken one closer look at the king they would see his face darken whenever he looked at Lysa Tully. One such observant man was Tywin Lannister, the hand of the new king. He knew from his informant that Rhaegar Targaryen held affections for Lysa Tully and he was aware that the king had even tried to visit her several times after having bedded his new wife during the night. Tywin didn't know whether to feel sorry for the girl or not, as she reminded him about Joanna, but he was sure of one thing: His daughter, Cersei Lannister would become a queen. And luckily the time for Cersei to get her chance with the king came during the last night of the wedding feast after his failed attempt of getting Lysa Tully before she left for the Vale with her betrothed.
Rhaegar sat in his study room after having had sex with Lyanna again. Arthur Dayne and Tywin Lannister had both been in the study room with the intoxicated king who didn't want to stop drinking.
"Bring me another cup!" He drunkenly and angrily said to a servant while staring into the fireplace.
Rhaegar Targaryen was truly no different from Robert Baratheon when he was drunk, except that he didn't boast.
"My King, perhaps you would need someone to relieve yourself with." Tywin noticed the king's bulging lower part pointing up.
"Relieve myself? Yes, yes, bring me Lysa Tully!"
Arthur Dayne was quiet and looked away.
"I'm afraid we cannot do so, your highness. Lysa Tully is betrothed to Jon Arryn." Tywin tried to speak sense into the king.
"Have him killed." Everyone froze to Rhaegar's request. "Have him killed and bring my wife back to me! Bring my whore, my carnal slave to me and kill that old geezer while I make him watch as I make love to her!"
Arthur and Tywin shared a glance. There was no way they could do that. It would be dishonorable for Arthur and might even cause a war. And Tywin didn't want Lysa Tully to become available for the king in the first place. What would become of Cersei? A concubine? A mistress? No. Cersei needed to become a queen even if she had to first share the position with two others.
"My king, perhaps my daughter could relieve you of some of the sexual pain you're feeling?" Tywin suggested and Arthur frowned as the hand was taking advantage of his drunk friend and king.
"Yes, bring her. Bring her to me!" Rhaegar drunkenly ordered while thinking happily about a certain red-haired girl. Tywin had a servant bring Cersei into the study room and ordered her to please Rhaegar so much that he forgot about Lysa. Tywin also told his daughter not to mind if he calls out another woman's name.
The kingsguard intended to stop The Hand from taking advantage of his king and friend but it was the king's orders to have Cersei pleasure him.
The next day the sobered Rhaegar decided to take responsibility for his actions and Cersei Lannister was to become his third wife.
This had broken Lyanna's heart so much. In her eyes, it hadn't even been a week before Rhaegar looked for other women. She had thought that she was Rhaegar's true love and believed his sweet and flowery words. Yet the reality was cruel. She had tried to convince Rhaegar and even had a tantrum which made Rhaegar distance himself from her even more and bed Cersei even more.
Brandon Stark had felt that his sister had been insulted and tried to make his good brother reconsider his betrothal with Cersei Lannister. Rhaegar, however, dismissed him and even had to at some point show him that he was king. Embarrassed and humiliated Brandon Stark apologized to his sister that there was nothing he could do for her. He then left for Winterfell together with Catelyn Tully, before he did something that humiliated House Stark completely.
Meanwhile, Cersei Lannister made sure to let everyone know that she was to become Rhaegar's third queen and she took immediate control over The Red Keep. Even Elia Martell hadn't stood a chance and Lyanna less than her. Lyanna, however, was as fierce as Cersei but lacked the cruelty and brains that Cersei had. Hence why she lost her fights and ended up making a fool out of herself. Rhaegar also could care less about the things going on in his harem. All he wanted was healthy heirs and spares who could help him fulfill the prophecies that he was so obsessed with when he wasn't obsessed with Lysa Tully, soon to be Lysa Arryn.