Chapter 1 - Betrothal
"Tywin, you are merely a servant of the Crown, and no servant's daughter is to marry a Prince of royal blood," Aerys stated mockingly. Aerys could not believe Tywin had the audacity to offer a marriage proposal between Cersei and Rhaegar. Tywin had served him loyally for more than ten years, but he had sought to take Aerys' Crown.
Tywin's face hardened, it had turned red with anger but alas he could do nothing. Aerys was King, and not Tywin after all. Aerys could do what he liked, he could insult, humiliate, and degrade this man and there would be no consequences. It was he, who was King, who was to punish him, he certainly would not punish himself.
Aerys and Tywin had been friends in their youth, that was when Aerys had trusted him thus naming Tywin his hand. As they grew older, Aerys had begun to mistrust Tywin, Tywin believed himself to be King and even had his own bannermen believing that. Tywin's own captain had thought Tywin was the true King and one of Tywin's knights was even overheard saying, that it was Tywin who "truly ruled the Seven Kingdoms," rather than Aerys. Aerys had ordered Illyn's tongue to be torn out with hot pincers for his stupid comment.
Looking around this tourney, where it was held at Lannisport. There were traitors everywhere, Aerys could see them for what they truly were even if no one else understood his fears. He could not stay there another moment so the next day, Aerys had gone back to King's Landing.
Tywin proved that he hadn't forgotten the slight by having Aerys captured at Duskendale the next year. Aerys knew it was Tywin and Rhaegar, his own son and heir, conspiring against him behind his back. He realized that Rhaegar was working with Tywin, so he could ascend to the Throne and marry Tywin's daughter. Aerys was determined to find a bride for Rhaegar of his own choosing, he wouldn't let Rhaegar have the upper hand against him.
In his rage, he summoned his cousin, Steffon Baratheon, hoping he would find a suitable match for Rhaegar. Steffon went to Volantis on Aerys' bequest, to find a girl with "proud Valyrian blood." He wouldn't need this girl, if his sister-wife had given him a daughter to marry Rhaegar. Then they wouldn't need to affiliate themselves with these low-borns. Rhaella couldn't even manage to give him sons, only Rhaegar, the traitor who desired to murder his father and Viserys who was still too young. Before Viserys was born, Aerys feared it would be the end of his line but upon a walk of Baelor, Viserys was born. Aerys could now threaten Rhaegar to stay in line by threatening to remove him as his heir and naming Viserys.
But alas, that would not happen because upon Steffon's return, his ship sunk. Aerys blamed Tywin for murdering his cousin, that man proved to be relentless. Everytime Aerys took a step forward, Tywin proved himself to be ahead of him. Tywin had been enraged that Aerys had given Steffon a position in the small council and feared his position would be taken as Hand of the King upon Steffon's return leaving Aerys to conclude that Tywin had sank Steffon's ship.
To make matters worse, Tywin bought Cersei to Court after Steffon's death. Since Steffon couldn't bring a girl for Rhaegar to marry, Tywin thought he would flaunt his daughter around so Aerys might change his mind and betroth her to Rhaegar afterall. As if Aerys would ever change his mind, he was King and was proud and a King was never wrong. Tywin probably thought Aerys as stupid to fall to his plans but Aerys would have plans of his own.
Aerys became enraged with Tywin, he desired to put him in his place and remind him who truly ruled who. He decided to take his heir from him by naming him as a Kingsguard but could not do so for some time at least until one of the Kingsguards died to keep the lion in line. In the meantime, he would have to put Tywin in line some other way.
Aerys would not let anyone have the upper hand over him so he had heard word of the talents of a certain eunuch named Varys. Only a foreigner could be trusted to alert him of potential threats because he didn't have to compete for loyalties in Westeros. He had the eunuch bought to court, and Aerys appointed him as his master of whisperers on the small council. People started calling him the Spider, because he had a vast web of informers. Varys was the only man Aerys trusted and was often seen standing at his side whispering in his ear. Now he would know the traitors one by one and would burn them all.
Varys had bought him some very interesting whispers from the North, whispers that told of Lord Rickard's southern ambitions. Through his frustration, Aerys headed to Rhaella's room, his sister-wife. Upon seeing his state of anger, "Has something happened?" She asked innocently, Rhaella was always oblivious to everything that happened around them.
"Traitors everywhere," Aerys shouted. Rhaella blinked, she always remained silent on his bursts of anger, not wanting to rile her brother more. "Stark wants to betroth his children to the Tullys and Baratheons. One of his son's is already fostered in the Eyrie."
"Just because Lord Stark wants to betroth his children to other great Houses doesn't make him a traitor," Rhaella said softly trying to calm him down.
"Those Houses are aligning themselves together to wage war against me," Aerys raged, quickly becoming frustrated with her. "Don't be stupid." She never saw traitors like Aerys did, she only saw the good of people except for Tywin. Rhaella never trusted the man, even in their youth. She didn't like how Tywin had too much influence over Aerys. Aerys had considered Tywin a friend and gave him leeway to act accordingly. Aerys kind of wished he would have listened to her back then.
"Marriage alliances doesn't make them enemies," Rhaella continued to insist. Aerys was about to insult her some more but she got up and went to fumble through some papers on her desk, "I have a way for you to stop this marriage alliance."
"How?"
"I found some letters that our grandmother and her sister exchanged." Rhaella was referring to Betha Blackwood, Aegon the V's wife.
"What does this have anything to do with the Starks or our enemies?" Aerys continued to yell at her.
Rhaella looked up at him, "They are not enemies, they are our people."
"Anyone who isn't us, is an enemy," Aerys shouted.
Rhaella just went back to fumbling through her papers until she found what she was looking for. "Here it is," she walked towards him to show him the letter. "Read it," she insisted when Aerys made no move for it.
"Just tell me what it says," Aerys was ever growing impatient.
"Do you remember how grandmother had arranged marriage alliances for all of her children?"
"How could I forget? Our parents both left their betrotheds because they were in love with each other." Aerys gritted his teeth, "If only we were all that lucky." Rhaella turned red, it was no secret that Aerys had wanted to marry Johanna Lannister, one of Rhaella's ladies. Johanna ended up marrying Tywin, which was another reason why Aerys hated the man.
"Well, do you know why she never arranged one with the Starks of the North?" Rhaella chose to ignore that jab at her.
"Spit it out already," Aerys didn't even know why he came to see her. She was useless in everything she did, she couldn't even give him more children. Over the years, she had miscarriage after miscarriage. At first, he comforted her, but he slowly grew tired of her and accused her of being unfaithful. If they were true dragons, they would have lived, he told himself.
"It's because they already had a marriage alliance through her sister. Melantha Blackwood was married to Willam Stark," Rhaella said quickly before her brother could yell at her again. "They are Lord Rickard Stark's grandparents."
"So, the man is related to us," Aerys yelled. "I'm related to traitors," he seethed.
Rhaella took a deep breath, "Our grandmother was rather sorry that they couldn't have a match between their children. They were hoping for a match between their grandchildren."
"Rhaella, what is your point," Aerys snapped.
Rhaella eyed her brother, "I was hoping that a match could be made between Rhaegar and Lord Stark's daughter in honor of our grandmother."
Aerys, in his rage, pulled her hair in anger causing Rhaella to cry out. "Have you gone mad? The man is a traitor and now you want me to betroth Rhaegar to his daughter."
"Starks have been loyal to Targaryens since Aegon's Conquest," Rhaella defended. "Why would they betray us now?"
Aerys stepped back, "Even if he isn't a traitor, I want Rhaegar to marry a girl with Targaryen blood, not Blackwood blood," he seethed.
"There is no girl with Targaryen blood," Rhaella softly said, her courage dying.
"There is one," Aerys eyed her. "The Martell girl," he said.
"That girl is sickly, and may I remind you of your hatred towards Dornish people." As much as Aerys hated to admit, Rhaella spoke truthfully. He hated the Dornish, he could never stand to go to Dorne. Aerys had often sent one of his advisors there if he had any business with them. Rhaella touched his hand fondly, "Aerys please, we are the only family we have left, we should trust each other." Aerys and Rhaella were never loving, they were close as siblings but once they were wed, Aerys only visited her chambers to do his marriage duties of producing an heir. Other than that, he had other mistresses to occupy his time with. "I am no traitor. I would never betray you."
"But your son is," Aerys muttered.
Rhaella's face turned white, he knew she hated when he called their son a traitor. "Rhaegar would never betray you, he is loyal to his father." Aerys would never believe her, no matter how much she recited this speech. "If you betroth Rhaegar to Lord Stark's daughter, then you will shatter any plans he has."
Aerys pulled back from her, "I will need time to think of this." And think he did, Aerys asked his advisers about Lord Stark. They assured him that Lord Stark would be loyal and an honorable man. To ensure his loyalty, Aerys had plans for Stark, only then would he know where his true loyalties were.
Aerys had Lord Stark summoned to Court where he now stood in front of him. He also requested Tywin to be present because Aerys also had business with him. All seven of his Kingsguards were there because Aerys could never trust Tywin to be alone with him. He feared Tywin might try to kill him if they were.
"Lord Stark, I have decided to make you my new Hand," Aerys spoke loudly for all the Court to hear. Aerys was no fool in naming Rickard Stark as his hand. By naming him as hand, Aerys would observe this man closely to see if he was as loyal as people said. Loyalty was hard to come by and his advisors assured him that the Starks were honorable. Their honor was famous throughout the seven Kingdoms. Aerys could tell that Tywin was enraged, at being humiliated thus, in other people's presence, much less.
Lord Stark had given Tywin a side glance, weary of taking his position. "Your Grace, you honor me with this position but seeing as this position is already taken. I fear I cannot accept."
Aerys cleared his throat, "Lord Tywin, I have been meaning to tell you that you are dismissed as my hand. If you will please take off the badge and hand it to Lord Stark."
Tywin frowned at this degradation, Aerys was disgracing him in front of the entire Court. Aerys was publicly dismissing Tywin as Hand and desired to bestow Lord Stark with that position.
"Lord Stark, the position of Hand is now open unless you have any more excuses. I hear you have an inkling for southern ambitions. What could be more prestigious than the King's Hand," Aerys continued to taunt both men.
Tywin begrudgingly took off his badge and walked over to Rickard slowly to hand him the badge. Rickard took it, still unsure of what to make of this situation. One man was being forced to forfeit his position while another was being forced to accept the position. "Your Grace, you honor me," Lord Stark bowed to him.
Tywin was getting ready to leave but Aerys was not done with him just yet, "Lord Tywin, one more thing. I want your son to be a Kingsguard and dawn the white cloak when the time comes." Aerys would put Tywin in his place and ensure that Tywin would never try anything by having Tywin's heir.
Tywin blinked, clenching his teeth, unless he says something that would get him executed. "I'm sure my son would be honored, your Grace," Tywin forcefully spit out.
"I have one more announcement," Aerys called out before anyone had a chance to leave. "I have decided to betroth my son, Rhaegar, the Prince of Dragonstone to Lyanna Stark."
Both Lords stood there shocked, unable to say anything. Tywin clenched his teeth, "your grace, Isn't Lord Stark your servant, thus making his daughter a servant's daughter?" Tywin had the nerve to ask because he had enough of Aerys and his humiliation.
"Lord Tywin, a King decides who is his servant and I believe our Warden of the North has yet to prove his worth or unworthiness." This irritated Tywin further, because the King decided he was unworthy and deemed him as a servant.
"Your Grace, my daughter is still young," Lord Rickard stated. "She is only two and ten."
"But you were planning on having her betrothed to Lord Baratheon, were you not?"
To this, it was Rickard's turn to get embarrassed, "Yes, but Lord Baratheon agreed to wait some years before marrying my daughter."
"Then I will give you what Lord Baratheon promised you," Aerys seethed, annoyed at these disagreements.
Lord Stark looked defeated, so he had no choice but to bow, "you honor me with this betrothal, your grace. House Stark shall be happy to unite itself with House Targaryen."
"Very well, wear that badge and I expect you to start tomorrow. Please clear out your things Lord Tywin because my new Hand needs his accommodations. You are both dismissed." Rickard tried speaking with Tywin on his way out, but Tywin brushed him off, too angry to speak to anyone, much less the man who took what he desired the most. Then Aerys turned to his advisors, "please inform my son that I would like to see him."
Aerys was satisfied at his accomplishments because he had now two Lords to keep in line, spoiling any plans of betrayal towards him.
—
Rhaegar was speaking with Jon Connington in his solar when a servant informed him that the King would like to see him. Jon Connington was one of his closest advisors and Rhaegar knew he could confide in him, but that position was often left with Arthur and Oswell who were two Kingsguards assigned to him. Rhaegar sighed at the mention of his father, he had been paranoid as of late, blaming his own son of conspiring against him.
"Something has to be done," Rhaegar whispered unless Varys' spiders hear him.
"We'll work on a plan soon enough," Jon responded. "Or perhaps we should do nothing and wait until he dies on his own accord," Jon whispered.
"That could take ages, and what would become of the Realm then," Rhaegar sounded defeated. "I should go see what the King wants."
He left Jon Connington and went to the Throne Room where his father was waiting. He walked up to stand in front of his father where he was sitting on the Iron Throne, that was made from all the swords of the defeated enemies of House Targaryen. His father often had bruises and scratches from the swords.
"Your Grace," Rhaegar bowed to his father. His father seemed to be in a happy mood, it was rare to see his father smile.
"I have decided to betroth you to Lyanna Stark," his father stated.
Do I have a choice in the matter? Rhaegar knew his father was looking for some possible matches for him, he just didn't know his father had turned to the North. His father had turned down Tywin's offer and then the Martells when they had offered, saying they smelled too Dornish. Rhaegar was offended himself, particularly since Arthur was from Dorne, and Arthur happened to be one of his closest friends.
"How old is the girl?" Rhaegar found himself asking.
Aerys turned to his advisers, it was the eunuch that answered, "I believe Lord Rickard said she was two and ten, your grace."
"Two and ten? You expect me to marry a young girl," Rhaegar said irritated.
"Enough," his father raged, clearly souring his mood. "You will do as I say. I am King, and you are my subject, no matter what your title is for now. Am I understood?"
It was best to calm this situation down before things escalated which they usually did these days, "yes, your grace," he answered politely. "I will do as you see fit."
"I certainly don't need any more conspiracies against me. Lord Stark sought after southern ambitions. He's after me, Rhaegar. He was building alliances to get rid of me," his father's paranoia was kicking again. So this was why he aligned himself with House Stark, because he suspects them of working against him.
"Besides you won't be marrying her for some years to come," his father said after calming down a bit.
At least Rhaegar didn't have to worry about marriage for some time. Rhaegar bowed, "I will do my duty to my House when the time comes."
"You are dismissed then. The gods know I've had enough traitors to deal with today, without you standing in front of me. Go on then," his father waved him off.
Rhaegar didn't need to be told twice, as he was glad to leave. Arthur and Oswell came after him, "Are you happy about your betrothal?" Arthur teased him as they headed to Maegor's Holdfast. Maegor's Holdfast held the rooms of the royal family, it was a castle within a castle.
Rhaegar shrugged, "I don't really know much about her."
"You weren't there when the King held Court earlier," Arthur chastised.
"Why, did something interesting happen?"
"You mean, what didn't happen?" Oswell corrected.
Rhaegar stopped in his tracks, "What happened earlier?"
"Only the old hand was dismissed, and a new hand replaced him, someone who will soon be related to you." Arthur told him.
Rhaegar raised his eyebrows, "yes, it's your betrothed's father," Oswell answered him this time.
Rhaegar couldn't believe this, his father had already insulted Tywin once. Must he keep insulting the man. He could only imagine Tywin's reaction and none of them were good. "What did Lord Stark say of the matter?" Rhaegar realized he hardly knew the man. "Is he as ambitious as my father states?"
"Lord Stark wanted to refuse both offers but every excuse he gave was refuted by the King," Arthur explained.
"What are his ambitions then?"
"Only that he wanted to betroth his daughter to the Storm Lord and his son is already betrothed to Catelyn Tully," Oswell answered.
"Where is he? I must speak to him," Rhaegar asked.
"He's been given a room in the Maidenvault until the former Hand removes himself," Oswell said.
Rhaegar had almost reached Maegor's Holdfast but turned around to head for the Maidenvault, still not believing his father could insult both men in one day. Then again, Rhaegar could believe anything his father did these days.
Upon arriving, Arthur informed the Warden of the North that the Prince wished to see him. Rhaegar entered to find a standing Rickard Stark. "Your Highness," Rickard bowed to him.
"Lord Stark, I wanted to apologize if my father forced your hand in this," Rhaegar spoke. Rhaegar thought his words couldn't have been more appropriate given the current circumstances.
Rickard blinked, clearing his throat before speaking, "there is no need. I shall be happy to serve the Realm." Silence ensued then, neither knowing what to say. Rickard offered Rhaegar a seat in which Rhaegar happily took. "May I request a favor from you," Rickard asked.
"Of course," Rhaegar bowed his head.
"My daughter, she has never left the North," Rickard began. Rhaegar narrowed his eyes, not expecting Rickard to mention his daughter. "I was hoping to get your reassurance that you would take care of her."
Rhaegar smiled gently, "Worry not, Lord Stark. I will look after her."
Rickard smiled in return, "Good, I am very happy to hear you say that even if words are wind in the south." Rickard mumbled the last part but Rhaegar heard it.
"Lord Stark, I hear you wanted to betroth your daughter to Robert Baratheon," Rhaegar said. Rickard nodded in acknowledgement. "Storm's End is further south than King's Landing." Rickard turned red with embarrassment as he caught Rhaegar's insinuation. "If you cannot believe my words, then how can you believe Robert's."
"Forgive me," Rickard stated. "I have never met you and yet I have judged you. You are right, how can I believe Robert's words either. The only consolation with Robert was that my son assured me that he was a good man."
"I'm afraid the only consolation I can give you are my words," Rhaegar said getting up. "They may not mean much to you, but they are the only thing I can offer you right now."
"And I certainly appreciate hearing them." Rickard got up as well. "Thank you for saying them," Rickard held out a hand to him.
Rhaegar shook it firmly. "It seems we will be seeing much of you around here, my Lord."
"And my two youngest children, my daughter and my son. I have sent for them to come."
"And your children," Rhaegar said before stepping out of the room.