"So, I've finished reading the book on the Starks that I found with Lemore in the Great Library, Your Grace." Sam said.
Aegon put down the book he was reading and looked at Sam. The other boy was sweating profusely, much like everyone else. Surprisingly, Aegon wasn't, the heat didn't bother him. "And?"
"I think I have a reason for why House Stark strayed from the path they had followed previously." Sam said. "Excluding what King Aerys did." Sam chuckled nervously at that, and Aegon took a breath. He knew what his grandfather had done had been horrific, that it had only happened because of his father's idiocy was even worse. He didn't want people to tip-toe around that.
"And?" Aegon asked.
"I think it has everything to do with the author of the book." Sam said.
Aegon quirked an eyebrow at Sam. "What do you mean?"
"Well, Walys Flowers was born in the Reach, he served time at Oldtown, but before he was sent to Winterfell, his first appointment was at the Gates of the Moon, as the Maester for Jon Arryn's uncle." Sam said.
"And?" Aegon asked, wondering what Sam was getting at.
"Well, Flowers notes in the book that when he was at the Gates of the Moon, he often met with Jon Arryn, and they discussed the Royces, and the Royce connection to the North. And it seems that Arryn was fascinated by it." Sam said.
Aegon could see the thread being weaved. He leaned forward. "Go on."
"Well, just before the War of the Ninepenny Kings, the old Maester at Winterfell died, and Walys Flowers got a letter from the Citadel telling him of his new appointment. He writes that before he left for Winterfell, he had a meeting with Jon Arryn, where Lord Arryn apparently gave him a list of things to mention to Lord Rickard." Sam said.
Aegon frowned. "A list?"
"A list." Sam said. "He didn't specify what was in this list, but he mentions the list. He then mentions how after the War of the Ninepenny Kings, he was able to exert more influence over Lord Rickard than he had been able to before the war. And from then on Lord Rickard always turned to him before making a decision. It was on his advice that Lord Eddard was sent to the Eyrie to foster. Initially, Lord Rickard was going to keep Lord Eddard at Winterfell, to keep his wife Lady Lyarra happy, but changed his mind after Flowers pointed out the 'benefits' of sending Lord Eddard to the Vale."
Now that is interesting.
"And what happened after that?" Aegon asked.
"Well, the events of the Rebellion happened. Flowers was ailing when Lord Eddard arrived at Winterfell, but he writes that he helped Lord Eddard decide to go through with the betrothal to Catelyn Tully, uh, Lady Stark." Sam said.
Aegon frowned. "You mean he was hesitating to do so before?" He had always thought that Stark had gone through with that betrothal for honour, and had discarded his previous engagement.
"According to Flowers he was." Sam said.
"I'm surprised that Stark allowed the book to be published." Aegon said. He did not think any sane man would want such a book where his wife could read it. Then again, Stark had raised his sister's son as his own and never spoken a word of the truth to his Lady Wife, so perhaps he was not like other men.
"As am I. But I think there's something even more interesting within the book." Sam said.
"And what is that?" Aegon asked.
"Flowers makes quite clear that he was the one who pushed for Lord Rickard to betroth his eldest son to Lady Catelyn. He claims it was for trade, but within the subtext there are hints that there are other reasons for it." Sam said.
"The list from Jon Arryn." Aegon said.
"Exactly, Your Grace." Sam said.
"And I presume he has something to say about the usurper's betrothal to Lyanna Stark?" Aegon asked.
"He does, Your Grace." Sam said. "He says he encouraged Lord Rickard to consider the benefits of the marriage and the good ties that would come. Four of the Great Houses allied through marriage and mutual friendship."
Aegon snorted. "Sounds like Flowers and Arryn had been plotting something for some time."
"I think they were." Sam said.
"To what end though?" Lucas Blackwood asked. "Did they want to replace King Aerys with Robert Baratheon even then?"
"I don't think so." Sam said. "I think they had another person in mind."
"Who?" Aegon asked.
"Lord Arryn's cousin, Prince Maegor Targaryen." Sam said.
"You mean Aerion Brightflame's son?" Aegon asked. Nobody knew anything about what had become of the baby, it was as if he'd simply disappeared.
"Yes, Your Grace." Sam said. "There were rumours I remember reading about, that after the Great Council of 233, the Vale were annoyed that Prince Maegor was passed over, and therefore, King Aegon had to give them a lot of concessions. Things he later reneged on, which further angered them."
"And they thought Prince Maegor would be the best person to make up for that." Aegon surmised. "So, what they got together four of the great houses, hoping to get enough strength to undermine my grandfather and seat this Maegor on the throne."
"I think so, Sire." Sam said.
"But nobody knows what became of Prince Maegor do they?" Harry Rivers asked. "There's no trace of him in the histories."
"That is true." Sam said.
Aegon snorted. "So, we've got a possible conspiracy, but no proof of it, and no conclusive evidence that the main beneficiary was aware of it, or where he was when this was all happening."
"Indeed not, Sire." Sam said his voice small.
Aegon got up and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Thank you for reading the book, Sam, I appreciate it." with that he walked passed his friend and stepped out onto the deck.
There he found Jon Connington and Ser Arthur both staring out into the vastness of the Rhoyne. He joined them and asked. "How much further?"
"Another day, Sire." Ser Arthur said.
Aegon nodded. That was good, another day, then they'd start the journey by horse.
