Elia Martell Targaryen - 294 AC
She was in the gardens of The Red Keep waiting for her brother, it has been some time since she last saw him.
She also wanted to know if there was any information regarding the kingdoms she and Rhaegar feared would rise in rebellion again.
Because of that fear, Rhaegar and Elia accepted a betrothal between Aegon Targaryen and Margery Tyrell, Rhaegar didn't want this, he wanted Aegon and Rhaenys to have a choice on who to marry but Elia knew they didn't have the power right now. They needed a more stable Kingdom, Aegon marriage with Margery brings The Reach on their side if The Rebellion did occur.
Rhaegar was a good king but even the best of kings have enemies and no king can please everyone.
Elia felt the sun kiss her skin as the birds were singing around the garden, she always came here to calm herself or to just be alone in her thoughts. She needed to be alone to think about everything that happened, about the future of Aegon and Rhaenys.
Alone here she could think about her family, about Doran, Oberyn.
Here she would often think about Lyanna, sometimes Rhaegar would say that it was his fault that she died, she deserved a better life instead she died alone in a Tower and not among people that loved her.
Elia wished she would have been with her in her final moments, and maybe she could have changed something. But Aerys destroyed everything and Robert Baratheon.
Lyanna had told them many times she had send letters to Hoster Tully and to Robert Baratheon that she loved Rhaegar and run away with him.
No one needed to tell Elia but she knew Rhaegar believed that Hoster Tully knew the truth but hide it and let the rebellion happen because he wanted his blood on The Iron Throne.
Elia believed that too that's the whole reason why she agreed to Execute Hoster Tully or send him to the wall but he refused.
Sometimes she would think of Visenya, what kind of girl she would have been, would she have dark hair like her or silver hair of Targaryens, purple eyes or dark grey like Lya.
A year ago Tywin Lannister had asked for a betrothal between Daenerys and his grandson Joffrey Tully. Rhaegar didn't say yes but neither no. Now Cersei Lannister had born Joffrey Tully, Myrcella Tully, and Tommen Tully. Rhaegar was afraid that Edmund Tully will marry Joffrey Tully to Sansa Stark. That would be a dangerous thing to happen.
Rhaegar then had suggested a betrothal for Daenerys to marry her to Robb Stark which would tie them to the crown and risk no rebellion from them. Rhaella said that was a good plan but Daenerys was only 11 name days, she was still very young to think about marriages.
But her daughter Rhaenys wasn't that young anymore, she was 14 name days and if it wasn't for her good mother supervision, she was sure Arianna would have tricked Rhaenys into bed with a man.
Rhaegar had a feast on The Red Keep last year for Rhaeny's birthday to see if Rhaenys would like anyone who would come there but sadly she didn't like anyone, she even almost fight with one knight.
Rhaegar had hoped Lord Stark would come to this feast but like always he never came to anything. Her brother had pointed out to both her and Rhaegar about what The North was doing and that they refused everything.
So far there have been 3 tourneys and The North never came to any of them. They had completely shut themselves from the rest of the kingdoms.
The Riverlands acted like everything was alright but Elia knew that was only a play, they will probably be the first to start a war if the chance was there.
She looked at the flowers in the gardens and one of them was blue like ice, it reminded her of Lya. It had been so long but she still remembered like it was yesterday.
' The first day Rhaegar meet her, he had told her about Lyanna Stark.
At first, Elia was very angry at Rhaegar but at the same time she understood, she couldn't have more children and her health was very fragile.
She asked Rhaegar after two weeks if she could meet this Lyanna or as he has started calling her SheWolf.
She meets with her in the garden, she looked a bit tense to see her "Your grace" she said respectfully.
Now looking at her Elia could see what Rhaegar was seeing in her, she was very beautiful and from her hands and arms, Elia knew she was wild like Rhaegar claimed, a fighter.
"You're Lyanna Stark," she said liking the smile on her face.
"Yes your grace, " she responded almost afraid of her, Elia understood that "You can call me Elia," she said kindly hoping that would make her feel more relaxed.
Lyanna nodded and smiled back at her "What is that you wanted to talk about?" she asked with a smooth voice.
"Walk with me," Elia said and Lyanna follows her. Her uncle was following behind them, she turns her head to him and he takes a few steps further to give them more space.
"Rhaegar talked about you," Elia said looking and noticed she blushed at the mention of Rhaegar.
"Your gr... Elia," she said a bit afraid.
"What do you think about Rhaegar?" Elia asked and saw Lyanna looking away, "Ahh, he's a good man, I saw him how he treated the children and give them money, he's also very good at singing, and he likes how I am" Lyanna answered blushing even more.
Elia chuckle at that "I understand it very well, in Dorne we have woman like you, who are warriors" Elia said kindly.
"What can you tell me about your family?" Elia asked and saw the surprise face of Lyanna but she nodded.
Elia listened to everything Lyanna told her about her family, about her favorite brother Benjen Stark. Then after she talked Elia told her about her own family.
"Maybe we can meet tomorrow again We can drink tea" Elia suggested.
"Or maybe we can go to ride" Lyanna suggested and Elia laughed, Lyanna looks at her confused.
"I'm sorry Lyanna, yes we can Ride, I like to ride too" Elia answered.
She felt tears rolling down her cheek and falling in the blue flower, she was quick to remove them. She puts the flower closer and smells, Oh Lya if only you were here with us Elia thought and hears footsteps.
She looks in front of her, it was her brother Oberyn "How is my favorite sister?" He asked kindly with a big smile.
She chuckle "Your only sister" Elia happily to see him again.
Oberyn walks closer to her and kiss her head and sits close to her and notices the blue flower in her hand "Still thinking about her?" He asked sympathetically.
Elia sigh sadly and turns her head to him "Is very hard sometimes to not think about her" she answered moving the flower around in her hands and looking at it, how beautiful it was.
"I understand, I love Ellaria and I know how I would have feel if I lost her" Oberyn responded quietly.
"But you still have your children and your husband and they love you" Oberyn said holding her left hand.
She nodded and rests her head on his shoulder, after a few moments of silence. "How is Aegon, Rhaenys and Rhaegar?" He asked looking at the garden.
"Aegon wasn't really happy to be betrothal to Margery but he understands his duties and doesn't want to fail, he . . . He is only 12 name days and yet he acts more like a grown man than a kid, he's very good with a sword and tries to read a lot" she answered honestly and being proud for her little dragon.
Oberyn chuckles at that, "Reminds me of someone" he said looking at her with the corner of his eye.
She hit his shoulder "Shut Up" she said with a small chuckle.
"He will be a good king" Oberyn responded quietly.
"Maybe I should take him to see him Dorne again, I'm sure he would like to relax for a few months" Oberyn suggested and Elia looks at him with a raised eyebrow "I didn't mean like that Elia, he . . . he's still young for that but I suggest for him to stay a year or two in Dorne after two years" Oberyn suggested.
Elia thought about it and maybe that wasn't a bad idea, Aegon really needed some free time and Dorne might be the best place, well the only other place she knew, DragonStone was a beautiful place but Aegon liked Dorne more.
"Yes, you're right but I would be coming to just to make sure, he stays away from brothels" She said to him looking at him with a warning look.
Oberyn makes a face "I don't think he would go to a brothel even if I suggested it" Oberyn responded proudly.
"What about Rhaenys? Have you thought about any betrothal for her?" Oberyn asked with an unhappy face.
Elia knew Rhaenys was Oberyn's favorite and he didn't like at all that she might marry someone she doesn't love.
"Rhaella suggested to think about Renly Baratheon or Robb Stark" she said waiting for his reaction.
Oberyn sigh unhappy "If Rhaenys was a man then Renly would have been a good choice" Oberyn said surprising her.
She had heard from Varys about Renly's choice for partner in brothels.
"Well that means he's out of the table" Elia said and gets up and starts walking around the garden with Oberyn.
"Any new information?" She asked quietly looking at Oberyn and leaning closer.
Oberyn makes a serious face "I think Westlands and Riverlands are just waiting for the chance to grab the torches and burn us, Stormlands seems to be alright, thankfully Stannis Baratheon seems to have no ill thoughts for The Crown well except for Renly, he seems to want to avenge Robert Baratheon" Oberyn answered quietly for no one else to hear.
Elia knew Red Keep was full with spies and spies from other kingdoms.
She nodded "What about the reach?" She asked and saw Oberyn chuckle mockingly.
"The Tyrells are like dogs, they're loyal as long as you throw them a bone" he answered with a smile.
"Very well but they will need a very big bone. What about The Vale?" She asked noticing some little girls playing around the garden, she wasn't sure if they were spies or just girls playing around.
Stop being paranoid She told herself.
"I'm not sure, I wasn't able to get much information there, and I found none at The North" Oberyn answered quietly and with a hint of anger when he mentioned The North.
"Just because The North doesn't talk that much with the Crown, that doesn't mean they are trying to start a rebellion and remember The North was always like this, they always ignored the other kingdoms" she said and steps away from him.
"I know Elia but this whole silence, I don't like it, I just hope Riverlands won't propose a marriage to The North. I don't know how Jon Arryn feels about Ned Stark but is not out of the table that he might start a war if Lord Stark wants to start one" he said and she stopped walking and turns to him.
"I'm just saying we need be careful" Oberyn added.
"I know" she responded and starts walking again.
"How is Rhaegar?" He asked after a minute of silence.
"He's fine, he has my good mother by his side and me, he's trying to heal every wound in The Seven Kingdoms" she answered sadly.
She still remembered after three years Lyanna and her child died, Elia told Rhaegar that they could try again to have another child.
But Rhaegar had refused immediately, saying he would not risk her every again like he did before.
"I almost destroyed everything once I will never do that again" he said with tears in his eyes and kissed her.
Elia felt bad for him, she wished Lyanna was here but that just wouldn't happen.
"I think we can go inside now" Oberyn said and she nodded in agreement.
Aegon Targaryen
He keeps swinging his sword but Arthur keeps blocking every swing, he was trying for hours now, to try and hit Arthur at least once.
He had told Arthur to really fight against him, Aegon wanted to see if he could do anything against Sword of The Morning but he wasn't even able to hit him once.
Arthur blocks his next swing and with the other sword he hits his swords and his sword falls from his hand in the ground "I think is enough for today your grace" Arthur said respectfully and he nodded in agreement.
Aegon was breathing heavily, he was very tired and needed to rest, his face full of sweat, he grabs a skin bottle and drinks water from it.
He throws water in his hands and puts the water around his face and neck. He then hears clapping from behind him, he looks behind and sees his father smiling at him.
"I should say I'm impressed egg, you're better than me when I was in your age and give it a few years and will be Arthur with his ass in the dirt" he said jokingly and Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Sure your grace, but last time your ass was in the ground" Arthur responded jokingly and Rhaegar laugh.
Aegon walks over to the other sword, he had asked Arthur many times if he could learn to use two swords. But Arthur said to learn to use one sword first.
"Ser Arthur when Can I start to learn to use two swords?" Aegon asked respectfully looking at Arthur.
"If you want your grace we can start tomorrow?" Ser Arthur asked respectfully, looking at his father who was looking at him proudly.
Aegon nodded happy "Yes I would like that" Aegon responded and walks to his father.
"Kepa, can you sparr with me" Aegon asked and his father looked surprised and smiled "Of course my little dragon" his father said kindly and kiss his head.
And starts walking towards the sparring swords "But remember, I have no mercy" his father said jokingly and Aegon laugh.
He saw his father grabs two sparring sword and hands it to him.
"Try your best" he said with a serious tone and Aegon nodded.
Arthur takes a few steps back, to give them space, his father was five feet away from him.
Aegon swings first and his father blocks it but doesn't attack back, Aegon swings again and tries to be faster, Father blocks his attacks and with one move he pushes away his sword and swings at him but Aegon moves to his right and takes three steps back trying to catch his breath.
His father starts walking around him with his sword raised, Aegon raises his sword too, his father suddenly attacks with great speed but Aegon blocks it and tries to push him away, his father pushes away his sword and Aegon swings again hitting him in the wrist of his hand. Aegon for a moment thought he hurt him but his father was just smiling at him "Again" he said with a commanding tone and Aegon attacks again.
Rhaella Targaryen
She was seeing as her daughter was playing with Rhaenys, her son Viserys has gone to DragonStone saying that he needed to start acting like a lord. He was 15 name days now and she agreed that it was time for him to act like a lord. But in same time she felt bad for her son not living in the same place as them. DragonStone wasn't far away but still she had her duties here to help Rhaegar rule seven kingdoms.
She thanked the gods that Viserys didn't end up to be like his father, yeh he was a bit arrogant but that was nothing compare to Aerys. Sometimes she was still afraid that this all was a very good dream and she would wake up to find Aerys still alive and rape her whenever he got excited from burning someone alive with wildfire. Sometimes she still could remember the smell of burned flesh, the screams of the prisoners begging for a quick death.
Thankfully none of her children seems to like to burn people alive.
I hope to live long enough to see the kingdom united and have no fear that a rebellion might start everyday she thought determined.
She looks as her daughter was trying to move a dagger through her fingers, Rhaenys told her she needed to know how to fight too. It took a week of trying but she finally decided to train with Rhaenys.
She was happy for this family but suddenly the door burst open and Ser Barristan comes inside "You Grace, the King" .
Rhaegar Targaryen - 10 minutes ago
He was walking towards the door where they had council meeting, Arthur was right behind him, he didn't know why he needed to meet with Mace Tyrell and Olenna Tyrell but was probably for Margery Tyrell.
He reached the room and only Olenna Tyrell was there waiting, Elia was there too along with Varys and Oberyn, Ser Barristan was there too.
Rhaegar sits on his chair and looks at the others, "Any news Varys?" He asked wanting to know if there was anything new.
"Golden Company, they're making moves again, they're moving towards Volantis. I think they might be supporting someone, A Blackfyre" Varys said calmly.
Rhaegar sigh "Make sure for that Lord Varys" he said.
A Blackfyre was the last thing they needed.
"Anything else?" Rhaegar asked and to his surprise Varys looks at everyone's faces and then back at him.
"Dragons" he said and noticed the look of disbelief in everyone's face.
"What are you talking about?" He asked not believing it.
"Dragons, my little birds and some people around StormLands claim to have seen dragons" Varys said calmly but Rhaegar just shook his head.
"That's impossible" Rhaegar said and everyone nodded in agreement but He could see Elia wasn't sure about that.
"Anything else?" He asked but Varys shook his head.
Rhaegar then turns to Lady Olenna but before he could say anything the door opens.
The master comes inside "Your grace I'm sorry for interrupting but a letter from The North" the master said walking slowly with a letter in his hands.
Rhaegar was surprised to hear about the North after so long, he grabs the letter and notices is not from House Stark.but the sigil was A black lizard-lion on a grey-green field.
He opens the letter and starts reading.
"To Rhaegar Targaryen King of The Seven Kingdoms.
This is Howland Reed, lord of Greywater by the Sea. I don't know how to even write this but ... but my guilt of what I have done has been eating inside of me for years. We ... we lied... the cild survived. Me and Lord Stark and four banners of House Stark went to The Tower of Joy to retrieve Lyanna Stark and her unborn child 11 tears ago. When we arrived, we didn't show them your letter to Ser Gerold Hightower to stand down but we fought because our plan was to bring Lyanna back to Winterfell to her home.
After killing Ser Gerold Hightower, Eddard Stark went inside after we heard Lyanna scream, Ned went inside and after a short time Ned came out... with . . . with ... your boy, with Jaehearys Targaryen.
It was never a girl, it was a boy and Ned raised him as his bastard son Jon Snow.
He's still in Winterfell, last time I saw him was 8 months ago, he has long dark hair with curls with dark grey eyes and with a long face.
Yours Howland Reed"
Rhaegar read it quietly, his hand shaking after every word, his tears rolling down his cheek and couldn't stop, he knew Elia and everyone was calling him but all he could think of was.
My Boy, Lya's boy
His face lowers and touches the table.
His mind was racing and his anger spreading like Wildfire. He couldn't understand why Why Why.
My boy as a Bastard
"Rhaegar" he heard Elia calling him but he couldn't answer, no words were coming out.
As his bastard son
He's suffering
His mind went back and only now he remembered Lord Stark leaving in a hurry and no one ever saw the boys face.
"Your Grace" he heard the master's voice, he noticed he was still holding the letter in his hands, like it was his own heart, afraid to let it go.
"Lyanna" Rhaegar whispered and all he could think was Lord Stark. His anger was raising and he could feel he wanted to burn down the whole North.
All of them will pay, my son, I will save you I will save you I will Rhaegar swore.
Lyanna He will be finally here
He slowly raises his head and looks at Elia who was looking at him with a concerned look, he could hardly think anything but one thing he knew. He wanted to see him. He wanted to kiss his cheek and welcome him to his real family.
"Jaehearys".
Jon Snow - two weeks ago
He was preparing for his journey to the wall, he knew Uncle Benjen was coming but Bloodraven told him this couldn't wait.