So sorry about the delay. I had a rough few days. Thank lifeconfused for being such an excellent beta. They were more prompt than I was. :) Enjoy!
Rhaegar IX
They were eventually separated over the course of the feast.
More lords wanted to ascertain the to-be princess. More people wanted to speak to him. Women wanted to tell him how he broke their hearts.
Lewin Martell apologetically told him that the Martells had left in rage.
Rhaegar could not bring himself to care too much. It did not bode well for the Great Council but he would not give up Azalea at any cost.
Of course, there was a lot of talk about Azalea and her prowess in the lists. Of course, soldiers, people from court and even Jaime had opened up about the Smiling Knight.
People were rather taken aback because Azalea defied expectations.
Right now, gone was her mismatched armor and in place was a rather elaborate gown the exact shade of his eyes. He had not realized it until Whent pointed it out rather helpfully.
The only piece of jewelry was in her hair and it was a gold hair ornament bejeweled with large purple gemstones, also matching his eyes.
Rhaegar was very pleased when he discovered that and it showed on his face. Of course, then his miscreant friends had proceeded to tease him more about his early misery when he thought she did not return his affections.
But yes, Azalea defied expectations. She oscillated between a graceful, delicate, feminine beauty to a rather fierce warrior. In the heads of Westerosi, that was not that went hand in hand.
She had danced with a fair few people; Lord Arryn, Lord Lannister, Kevan Lannister, Mace Tyrell, Lord Whent, Some Hightower, Lord Blackwood, Howland Reed, even the Blackfish.
Most of them seemed rather pleased. Even Lord Lannister had a begrudging respect for her.
His father had decided to not choose a Kingsguard right away or had forgotten about it. He was too ecstatic to have Azalea married to him.
It felt like victory to Aerys. He had shown the realm who was superior.
Lord Swann came and thanked her personally, inviting her and Rhaegar to Stonehelm once they were wed.
It was strange. Suddenly, Rhaegar was not a singular entity anymore. He realized he did not mind it.
Hightowers had come. Tyrells followed soon after.
Olenna Tyrell, after a lot of polite verbal sparring, seemed highly taken with Azalea.
The Starks looked interested but the older ones maintained their distance. Even Robert looked a little curious; though he was too busy playing a drinking game with Richard Lanmouth.
His father's small Council seemed desperate at this point. They did not know what to make of Azalea because despite everything, Azalea always inserted a good word or two about his father.
It was mostly surrounding Valyrian blood or his hospitality when it came to her.
Most people responded diplomatically.
But the thing was there was no actual reason to doubt Azalea. She had even ordered Valor to listen to his father's rants.
Azalea excused herself to find something and Rhaegar did not worry until Arthur urgently beckoned him and he had Howland Reed tell him how Robert Baratheon and Azalea were in a brawl about him being too handsy and the Baratheon Heir seemed really angry.
They rushed over to the spot/scene, only to find a lot of blood, not a person in sight.
It took a while but they eventually were told to look in the Stark tent.
At that point, Rhaegar did not care about protocols. If the Starks sought to protect Robert after he hurt Azalea then…
They burst into the tent. Him, Whent and Dayne.
Azalea was standing apart and arguing with Brandon Stark, Eddard Stark, Lord Arryn and two little figures huddled in the center of the room.
Lyanna Stark was covered in Azalea's cloak and Benjen Stark had his arms around her.
"This isn't what it looks like, your grace. We are …"Arryn began but Rhaegar ignored it in favor of moving forward and wrapping his arms around Azalea and pulling her off the ground and embracing her tightly into his chest, an embrace she returned.
There was a collective noise of surprise. What did they expect him to do? Hit her?
"Robert Baratheon…"
"I am fine. He did not even get within a yard of me." Azalea murmured soothingly, letting him embrace with all tightness.
"There was a lot of blood." Rhaegar said very softly.
"Not mine." She said in the same soothing tone.
"Well, how would I know?"
"Perhaps, you should trust that I know my way with swords." She gently teased.
"I should." He nodded and kissed her forehead gently.
Arthur cleared his throat and they turned to face the others.
Rhaegar did not remove his hands from around her but did place her back on the ground.
"Heir Baratheon had too much to drink and got more than handsy with lady Lyanna who did not appreciate the advances regardless of their betrothal. He ignored her protests. I came across them and separated them rather violently and Robert snapped. I left him bleeding there but I suppose, he ran away." Azalea briefly summarized.
"Yes, my lady. There was no one there." Whent nodded.
"I brought Lyanna back here to her family and we were just discussing the best course of action." Azalea supplied, "Brandon Stark wants to take his head, Lord Arryn wants to go your father, Eddard Stark had a hard time believing me or his own sister but he seems to reconsider…"
Eddard Stark protested but the ugly looks he got from Brandon and Benjen silenced him.
"You cannot take his head. He is not yours to judge." She told Brandon, and then looked at Arryn, "And you cannot take the matter to the King because the King will burn him alive because he dared to attack me."
"Let him burn…" Brandon Stark began.
"That is not justice, Brandon." It was Eddard who said.
"Oh, you hold your tongue. We would not be in this pit if you had not brought that scoundrel's proposal to father anyway." Brandon roared.
"As much I as I admire your desire to make him pay, Brandon Stark, I must implore you to not drag Azalea into this. Going to the King does that. She can deal with my father's proclivity rather well, but I would not have her in danger all the same. Moreover, as unjust as it may seem, the punishment for attempted rape or rape itself is not death even for commoners, certainly not for the lord of a great house. It is certainly not an execution by burning alive. As misguided it seems, your brother is right. We need a fair trial," Rhaegar shook his head.
"It is the Wall or amputations." Benjen said.
"If he lets you come to that, he is not going to go down easy." Dayne shook his head.
Surprisingly, it was Lyanna Stark who scoffed. When she received questioning looks, Azalea supplied in a lackluster tone, "Actually, Robert will not be able to do much of anything or pick up the weapon for some time. I skewered both his palms with knives when he refused to listen to me or Lady Lyanna. He attacked me again and I slashed my sword enough in defense. He has broken ribs and a broken shoulder blade, apart from other cuts."
Arryn and Eddard looked shocked. Well, they would get used to it.
"Serves him right." Brandon mutters.
"Then the course is clear. Robert is your ward, Lord Arryn. You have to take him into custody now that he is indisposed, wait for him to get better and give him a trial. That gives us time to gauge or prepare for any issues that might come from Stormlands. I am afraid the King's justice might cause more issues after how Lord Steffon passed away. I believe Stannis will easily respond for a call of justice or to break the betrothal as part of the compensation for Robert's crime if the word of it comes from reliable, honorable men who know Robert, meaning you and Eddard Stark." Rhaegar spells out.
"I will write to Stannis," Eddard said immediately. Arryn also nodded.
"And I will write on behalf of my betrothed." Rhaegar told.
"And as long as Stannis follows the outcome of the fair trial, there is no need to involve the King." Azalea concluded.
"Will there be a fair trial?" Brandon's rage was not settled.
"There will be, Brandon of House Stark. I give my word." Arryn said, "Thank you your grace, Lady Azalea for your counsel."
"I thought you two did not like each other all that much?" Brandon asked Rhaegar and Azalea bluntly, pointedly looking at their half-embrace.
"The King changes his mind rather rapidly. We have remained conservative in hopes of not startling him…" Azalea tried to explain.
Her message was received by the others but Brandon scoffed.
"I heard what you did for Lord Blount, my lady. It was most brave and honorable." Lord Arryn said.
"And the jousts were rather good. I thought the king would die of glee. Will you participate again?" Brandon asked.
Oh by the seven, this man knew no diplomacy.
"No, I shall leave Rhaegar to unhorse you. Perhaps if you hit your head, you will learn some discretion, Brandon of house Stark." Azalea's smile was rather feral.
Whent, Benjen Stark and Lyanna Stark split into laughter.
Eddard looked torn in amusement and worry, Arryn was alarmed, and Brandon Stark was staring at his betrothed like he had never seen anything like her.
Dayne and he were smiling lightly.
Brandon blinked owlishly at her and then split into a booming laughter.
"We should leave. We are already tempting fate…" Dayne said.
Azalea and Rhaegar nodded.
"Thank you my lady, for protecting our sister when we could not. House Stark is in your debt." Brandon said formally.
"House Arryn thanks you for wisdom, lady Azalea." Lord Arryn also said formally.
"If there is anything, you can trust our banners." Brandon said solemnly.
Rhaegar and Azalea's eyes briefly met.
"Howland Reed has letters, for your father, Brandon Stark and for you, Lord Arryn. I will consider the debts fulfilled if your houses consider them seriously. I would also prefer if it reaches your father sooner, Lord Brandon and away from sources of citadel considering the newfound dragon." Azalea said, and then added as an afterthought, "And you must come for the wedding."
When they moved to leave, Benjen covered his sister in his own cloak and offered Azalea's cloak back.
Azalea took the cloak but with a glint in her eyes, pulled out one of her spare knives. She kept half a dozen on herself at all times. It was a good blade with a pummel of ivory and moonstone. She offered it to Lyanna, "So that next time you don't have to resort to using hairpins as weapons to protect your person. Use it well, Lady Lyanna."
Lyanna Stark had a cross of shock and delight on her face but she took the knife gingerly and croaked out, "Thank you."
Azalea merely nodded understandingly and turned around to join him and the others.
When they came out, the feast was already over.
They created a side story of how Lyanna and Azalea had gone to visit the Godswood to see Valor. Rhaegar had heard of the blood, presumably spilt during a drunken brawl and assumed the worst.
They left them to fill in the details.
Rhaegar escorted Azalea back to her room and left after kissing her knuckles. She promised to fill him in tomorrow.
The jousts went rather well. He unhorsed every Kingsguard and even Brandon Stark and was in his last battle against Ser Selmy.
His father was graciously absent on the last day.
Azalea was in the royal pavilion. She wore a light dress of a dark yellow. She looked exquisite.
When he had asked for her favor, she had given him her dagger. He wore it on his belt currently, and it had been there for the last few days.
With the last tilt, he won against Ser Selmy.
The crowd was in uproar but his eyes were on Azalea's proud look as she stood and clapped with impeccable grace, but a rather fond smile but lost it when Lord Velayron said something.
She was engaged heatedly in speaking to Lord Velayron when he got his hands on the crown for the The Queen of love and beauty. It was made of dragon's breath, flowers that would suit Azalea the best.
The crowd was yelling and clapping and Azalea was in a verbal spat with that man. Rhaegar just trotted his horse forwards and placed the crown on a half-turned Azalea, whose startled look was enough for the crowd to double their roaring.
She was surprised then glared at him and then got a sweet flush on her face but but she curtsied back to him.
"Thank you for teaching us honor and giving me your favor, my lady." He inclined his head and offered back her dagger.
She curtsied again, still a little startled.
It was expected of him to crown her. And yet, she was so surprised. He would have to make it clearer that she had his affections.
The melee was won by Brandon Stark. Robert would have been a strong contender but Lord Arryn had taken him, making up excuses of a drunken injury.
But overall, the tourney had achieved what they had intended.
The Starks and Lord Arryn had received messages. Azalea had gifted Olenna Tyrell a rather fetching handkerchief with the Redwyne sigil surrounded by roses for all the entertainment she had provided. It also had a letter wrapped in it.
The letter to Dorne was through Ashara Dayne and that was through Arthur. That was the safest bet. Ashara was acquainted with Elia.
Lord Swann had been given a letter too, at pretext of writing to his daughter but it had a letter for him and Stannis regarding the Great Council.
The Westerlands was done for well as well.
Tywin had acknowledged the debt and thanked Azalea through Kevan Lannister. He actually sounded rather grateful. And he did not seem too bothered by the fact that Azalea would be the The Queen. She had a good head and had shown favor towards the Lannisters.
The chance to directly speak to Tywin, however, had come through the wedding planning when they arrived in King's landing.
Through his father's sheer cruelty and sense of irony, Tywin Lannister was in charge of the whole affair.
It had been simple enough to pass on a scroll about Great Council in the midst scrolls of ideas that they had.
After staying one sennight in the capital and finalizing the tiniest details of the wedding, Azalea had asked her leave.
She had to speak to Iron Bank about her dowry and arrange her wardrobe for the wedding, so she wished to sail to Bravos. His father gave the permission reluctantly after Azalea offered to leave her longsword as a gesture of good faith.
The key was that Rhaegar had wanted Azalea and himself as far away as possible when the talk of the great Council reached capital. Azalea had wanted him and Valor out of his father's immediate reach.
So, Rhaegar was leaving for Summerhall. The Council traditionally occurred in Harrenhall, mostly because the Riverlands was central part of Kingdom.
His father's small Council was left clueless because Azalea and he had spent time talking about what they wanted in their wedding most of the time in Harrenhall. They had a rather false sense of security.
Before she left, Azalea gave him what she called a gold galleon. It had what she called a Protean charm and if Rhaegar changed the numbers or letters on registry, it would warm up and Azalea would get a message and Azalea could do the same. It was faster and more secure than ravens. She had something similar for Valor. Thankfully, the enchantment had not broken for this, just like her trunk
3 moons after the tourney, he would again be in Harrenhall.
All seven great houses had unanimously called a Great Council at the Crown Prince's request.
He was surprised that Dorne came through. Azalea was not, as their small discussion with the coin had yielded. The betrothal was his father's idea, and they still hoped to change his mind about it. She told him to not give his hand away on the matter.
The Council was already afoot for a couple of days. Rhaegar had suggested two options, regency or forced abdication.
There had been questions about his integrity in calling a great Council because a forced abdication meant that he would be the King.
"I don't care if you think of me as greedy. My father burned two children, would have burned Lord Blount and the court was so terrorized that nobody spoke against it…"
"Except Lady Azalea," Jon Arryn added quietly.
"Except Lady Azalea and my father would have burned her if he did not want our match so desperately." Rhaegar agreed instantly, "This is injustice. My father is ill of mind and body. I scarcely recognize him anymore. All the lords and ladies are aware of his deterioration. They saw it in the tourney. And it is not my word. You have the records, testimonies." Rhaegar had spoken.
So, for the past couple of days, the Council had been going through every single administrative record, testimonies of people from the court.
It looked a little like stalling from those who had not received a direct missive from Azalea but most people were in his favor.
His father had arrived with three Kingsguard, and he knew his mother and Viserys were hostage in the Red Keep with some goldcloaks.
Sending them to Dragonstone so close to the wedding would have roused big suspicions so Rhaegar had not tried, but he had prayed.
It was strange that he had left the keep at all. He was probably rather sure of his victory. It was a good thing that Azalea had taken care of all the wildfire before leaving the capital. She had snuck away for five nights and added something to all the cachets.
There were standing armies of the realm that were larger than the army Aerys had brought forth.
Loyal his small Council might be, but foolish they were not, so no engagement had happened.
His father had raged, cursed and insulted every member for even indulging in a Great Council.
"Burn! Burn you all." He ordered and yelled commands.
His tantrum had little effect. The Kingsguard could not interfere in a great Council.
But then Azalea and Valor descended and there was fear in the great Council
"You asked for me in your raven, your grace." She asked him carefully, looking rather calm once she got off Valor.
His father raged more, called him names, said he would enslave him and a hundred other things about Valyrian blood and then asked Azalea to burn everyone in the Council and said that he would raise lords from those who supported him.
"No," Azalea simply said.
His father's smile vanished. The Great Council made some rather surprised reactions.
He raged more, called her a whore and said that the only way she would become the The Queen was if she listened to him.
"With all due respect, your grace, I do not wish to be the The Queen if the realm burns. I did not stand by when you wanted Lord Blount burned, I will certainly not carry out the act of pyromancy myself for a legitimate body which has done nothing wrong." She said exceedingly calmly like Aerys was a child throwing a tantrum.
"Kill her," His father said to Kingsguard with him. Azalea was not protected by Great Council.
They were obligated to obey him but Valor rose around her even before they moved and with his tail, clubbed them rather fiercely on their heads. All of them went down in a heap. There would be no lasting damage but they would remain unconscious for a few hours.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, my lords and ladies. Please proceed." Azalea simply said. The Council was surprised that the dragon did not resort to dragonflame.
Aerys looked catatonic and so; Tyrell and Arryn soldiers would escort him away and set up a camp.
The Great Council would arrange a tent for her and Azalea would not interfere anymore.
If there were any doubts about Aerys' madness, then they were ceremoniously washed away.
The fact that Azalea would not be a threat to their decision had eased some tensions. They had mostly agreed that Regency was pointless as Rhaegar was of age and had shown great care for the realm. It would just have to be formally announced, but they wished to reconsider and revert certain decisions his father had taken.
It was in the wee hours of evening that they called Azalea and him back to the Council tent.
Azalea was in a dress of cream and emerald, her hair tucked in a bun.
"We have decided to have your father abdicate the throne to you, Prince Rhaegar, but we have an important thing to consider. You father made some rather large decisions regarding the realm and we wish to revert some permanently or evaluate properly before you ascend the throne." Jon Arryn was the spokesperson.
They both nodded.
"A major one of those decisions is Crown Prince's betrothal to you, Lady Azalea." Olenna Tyrell said.
Rhaegar froze but Azalea nodded graciously, "I expected as much."
That threw him and the Council off. He was about to protest but Olenna Tyrell continued, "It has been pointed out to the Council that we have no word on your origins or titles or your noble birth. The King did not take into account the practical aspects of the match, such as your dowry. There are members of the Council who are of opinion that there are better matches within Westeros."
"But she has a dragon," Came from the heirs who stood protecting the Council, to a lot of agreement.
The Council waited for the noise to die down.
"Such as who?" It was Rhaegar who asked.
"My daughter," Princess Wera of Dorne said unabashedly.
"There are a few more names, including Cersei of House Lannister, Jeyne of House Swann, Rosemary of House Florent," Lady Olenna interjected rather pointedly and went on to name several names, "Lords Lannister and Swann have disagreed to offering their daughters because they disagree vehemently on the matter of unsuitability of Lady Azalea. Princess Wera claims that talks of betrothal were afoot until Lady Azalea's arrival. Some other ladies have betrothal talks elsewhere but of course the welfare of the realm comes first."
"The Council is of the mind that Lady Azalea had displayed forethought, grace, courage and honor in her time in Westeros and will not dishonor her without due cause. So, we ask for evidence of your Valyrian roots and other formalities. "Arryn said.
"And if Prince Rhaegar still wishes to continue the betrothal with her at all…" Princess Wera said pompously. "Over my daughter" was left unsaid.
"I understand that establishing claims would take time because we have been told of the memory incident," Jon Arryn said pointedly, disapproval of Wera's ambition clear in his voice.
"Not at all, my lord. I understand the Council's need for a reassurance and anticipated it. I have been with the Iron bank of Braavos attempting to discern my family's recent history. My claims were validated and I have the necessary things. Can I perhaps borrow a page from the Council so that they can fetch it from my rooms?"
"And in response to the question of the Council, Yes, I very much wish to continue with the betrothal." Rhaegar said with a look of restrained fury.
The Princess of Dorne did not even bother to hide her anger.
Azalea presented sealed documents from the Iron Bank. A family tree, accounts, estates in Volantis under stewardship when the family went into hiding. The Iron Bank was the one to inform her of the death of her kin and their resting places. They had been searching for her for some time to pass on her vaults.
Suddenly, he understood why she had wanted to go to the Iron Bank of all places.
There was no question of her Valyrian blood. The Iron Bank was the Iron Bank. But Rhaegar could only wonder how she spun the tale and convinced them of such a thorough backstory.
But some members insisted on questioning her anyway, grilling her. Azalea replied with rather great decorum, at one point reciting the whole family tree.
"That is in order. If she was making false ancestral claims, she would have a bounty on her head," Lord Rickard Stark put a halt on it, "You can stop trying to find holes where none exist."
"Dowry," Princess Wera insisted.
Azalea passed on the document which would pass to Lords Hightower and Lannister.
"Six million dragons in gold, good grief," Lord Hightower would say.
Everyone stared at her in disbelief including him, "A little more than standard dowry in my family in honor of the royal bloodline."
"There is more, I believe," Olenna Tyrell snatched the paper and listed out a lot of things.
Glass, lumber, weaponry, clothing, gems, wine, fruits, nuts, and a long series of items.
"Where are you getting the nuts from? Dorne certainly…" Princess Wera began saying condescendingly.
"The deal is done, Princess Wera. I did not wish to take trade outside of Westeros until it was a must for items like glass and myrish cloth, so the Iron Bank approached each party and made the agreements. I had a deal with the Iron bank, who is dealing with individual houses. You will not surely back out of an agreement with the Iron bank." Azalea said with sardonic patience.
Princess Wera bristled. Yes, it was not a very good idea to break faith with the Iron Bank.
"You certainly gave us all a lot of business, my lady." Lord Hightower said faintly.
Azalea gave a humble yet tight smile.
"And you gave an equal amount of trade to all the regions," Lord Lannister narrowed his eyes.
"I did not wish to show favoritism, my lord." Azalea said honestly.
"You may think Lady Azalea that your gold would win the council over, but what of your honor? Who speaks for you? Who gives you away? Who takes the onus for your …who knows what or where or who…" Princess Wera would begin.
With some support from Florents, Oakheart, Blackmont, Velayron.
Rhaegar's hands went to his sword, a gesture not missed by the Council but it was Azalea's palm that encased his that prompted him to stop, another gesture not missed by the Council.
"This is simply uncalled for. The lady has displayed more…"
"I suppose Dorne has more honor in women, the sluts…"
"Perhaps if I could speak a word," Azalea's steely voice traveled over everybody. For the first time, her eyes had fire and anger in them.
"And how are you going to assure us…you do not even have your memory?" One person barked.
"There will be silence." Lannister would be the one to say rather icily.
"Leaving aside the fact that you have no basis to accuse me of anything, I will still indulge this trail of thought. I understand that people will not believe my word despite my conduct here because I lost my memories. How can I know I retained my honor if I do not remember? Firstly, the line of Gwenyth is a line of female dragonlords that are sworn from birth to be with one man and very selective about the men they choose to be with. Secondly, when I was found in Dragonstone, I was given a rather thorough examination by the Maester because of my bodily injuries. My honor was rather intact. If anybody is of the mind, that I would have betrayed my honor or the ritual because it demands piousness, then I also underwent regular examinations to see if my wounds were healing properly at Red Keep. I will allow the Council to obtain the records from the citadel and prospective Maesters but I demand that only ladies of the Council see it. Or you can fling a septa on me. And if I hear another word that remotely questions my honor, you will meet my blade."
"And mine," Brandon Stark said.
"And Mine" Arthur seconded.
"And mine," Hightower echoed.
"And mine," Whent chimed.
"And mine" Lord Blount affirmed.
And several others right until Rhaegar who added in his iron tones, "And mine."
"There will be no such examination. It is beneath the Council to frame such baseless accusations." Arryn said scathingly, "Lady Azalea's conduct has been stellar. There is no basis on which she would be questioned on that end. Need I remind everyone what the lady did for House Swann and House Blount, and House Reed. Every member of court has vouched for her character. All the members of the small Council, Tywin Lannister, Lady Swann, Lord Crakehall, Heir Lannister, all six kingsguard, House Reed, House Stark."
Tywin Lannister, Rickard Stark, Olenna Tyrell, the Blackfish… all murmured ayes and added support.
"And she has followed the Valyrian codes of courtships down to the letter, for those who are not aware of them. And simply put, I would like any Westerosi noble lady who is contending to be the Queen to go through the same scrutiny Lady Azalea is undergoing." Hightower would inform them succinctly.
That silenced Wera. Elia's fragile health would not withstand here.
Suddenly Valor towered over the pavilion and the Council grew afraid, Azalea spoke spoke to him in dragontongue and Valor hissed back.
"Someone is missing you, "Azalea said and Valor opened his wings, his she dragon flew straight at him.
"Gwendolyn," Rhaegar's delight outweighed his irritation.
"You said there were no alive dragons apart from yours in the dragonpit Lady Azalea,"Lord Lannister said finally.
"There were none then, I have eggs. I was not about to give King Aerys a better means of burning things. I love my dragons. They are my comrades, not tools for a tyrant." Azalea responded back.
"She can speak now," Azalea told Rhaegar, "She is saying that you smell like home,"
"You can speak to the dragons," Rickard Stark was astonished.
"The line of Gwenyth and Serpens can, so yes, I inherited the ability. That is why I have a dearer bond with them." Azalea agreed.
"Parlor tricks," Princess Wera said.
Rhaegar had just about had it with her.
Azalea hissed to Valor who flew off and returned with a Donrish flag and placed it beside Princess Wera and then playfully hissed a little
Princess Wera suddenly had a prominent pallor.
"He is playing, your highness. He does not burn people, I have taught him better." Azalea simply said, "Go back Valor."
Valor flew away.
The Council was astonished.
"How many eggs do you have my lady?" It was Lord Arryn who asked.
"Enough," She simply said, "If my part is done, may I be excused?" She then hissed to Gwendolyn who jumped on her arm immediately, but after pecking at Rhaegar's ear.
She was excused and she left.
"That dragon is bonded to you, Crown Prince Rhaegar?" Lord Lannister asked.
Rhaegar nodded, "She hatched in my arms."
"You say she?" Lord Hightower murmured, "Isn't it too young.."
Rhaegar shook his head, "Lady Azalea has several books from before the doom that settle the debate. Gwen is a she-dragon."
"Did you offer her the crown for dragons?" Hoster Tully asked.
"I would be dead if I had. Azalea's dragons are not bargaining chips, Lord Tully." Rhaegar said wryly, "And she certainly did not agree to the betrothal because I am the Crown Prince. We would have been wed long ago if that were the case and she would not have had to go through the unjust humiliation this Council put her through. My father wanted the betrothal rather immediately. She is lady of grace and courage and she took all of your commentary and questioning in stride but I am taken aback by the lack of decorum that was put forth here. Rest assured, regardless of your decision on crowning me, I warn you if you insult her or our courtship any further, there will be fire and blood." His voice was iron by the end.
There were acknowledging and appreciative nods all over.
Rhaegar had already noted the people who insulted Azalea. Dorne had been expected but Princess Wera had taken it too far.
They gave him the crown regardless.
His father was exiled to Dragonstone as a semi-prisoner. He could choose between that or the wall. The small Council of his father was disbanded. The coronation was in ten days and every Lord would be travelling directly to King's landing from Harrenhall. Most would be staying in order to attend the wedding.
They announced it that night.
"All hail King Rhaegar, first of his name, long may he reign!"
He only half-listened to the cheering and only half saw the people who were kneeling. His eyes were looking for Azalea because this meant nothing without her, would not have happened without her.
He spotted her in the crowd beside Arthur, looking tired but proud.
"Congratulations," She mouthed.
"I love you," He mouthed back.
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