A/N: this chapter features an interaction which started the basis for this whole story...I'm really loving writing from Elia's perspective and there is a scene here with Varys where plans start to be laid. There is also a heap of Lyanna in here too because I also am intrigued by what she was thinking and doing in this period of time. There is also a bit of Aerys thrown in there to introduce a new threat to Westeros. Loved writing this...this took a bit longer because I edited the chapter completely and there was a problem with the app and I lost everything I edited :( so I had to rewrite all my edits which took forever! Anyway please Enjoy!
Chapter Four: The Mad King
Varys' heady scent permeated several corridors before his offices, hanging in the air like tendrils of a spiders web. Varys found a way to draw in people to use for his means, and to collect secrets to use like an animal hunting it's prey. These secrets would ensure his power and position remained intact securing his life as well. He had done unimaginable things to gain this power and these secrets, but for the good of the realm it had to be done.
Varys had been expecting Rhaegar for some time yet the young Prince had still not come. Since returning from the tourney he was sure Rhaegar would come but the young Prince evaded him. This intrigued Varys, he assumed all Westerosi nobility would behave the same, from a place of neediness and insecurity. But Rhaegar hadn't played into his hand the way he assumed he would, so he sat and waited like a spider in its web. The only other person Varys knew who behaved this way was the Warden of the West, Tywin Lannister.
It took some digging and extra uses of his little birds to find out why the prince was pre occupied of late, he went so far as to extend his reach to the further places of the kingdom seeking the information he needed. Once he knew Rhaegar's secret he made sure to use this information more brazenly to lure Rhaegar to him. Sometimes Varys found the game he was playing too easy but he knew this new game was a risky one. So much could go wrong considering there were whispers of rebellion rife in the kingdom. All it took was one angry crowd to catch Rhaegar while he was out of the castle bounds and all was lost for the Targaryens. Varys began keeping watch on the Prince and ordered his older spies to step in should his life be in danger. An outcome which thankfully hadn't come to be yet as the common people still adored the young prince.
When the knock sounded on the wooden door Varys was not surprised, he had been waiting to execute the next stage of his plan for survival and retaining power.
Rhaegar entered the room and automatically scanned for dangers, Varys simply bowed his head in acquiescence.
"My Prince, I'm honoured by your presence in my humble offices" spoke Varys silkily and smoothly.
Rhaegar continued to look around the room as if looking for hidden assassins. Varys followed looking on curiously.
"You're not surprised I'm here then Spider" he said disdainfully.
"I'm always pleased when a member of House Targaryen calls my Prince"
Rhaegar spun around, "You've begun helping me in direct opposition to my father, the King. You've committed treasonous acts and I want to know why you're doing this now"
"I live to serve the Targaryen family and I'm doing so in a way I see fit my Prince"
Rhaegar paused before continuing, "I've never trusted you, and unless you drop this act. I never will. Tell me, why did you help me?"
Varys smiled terribly and indicated the chairs.
"Prince Rhaegar, everyone knows what's happening to your father. Rebellion is being planned as we speak, the people of the realm are tired of their people being burnt alive in the throne room. I had to choose a side and I chose yours because you are the rightful heir"
"So you didn't choose to help me to further your own position in the castle?"
"Well of course I thought of how I can stay in an office I have worked hard to maintain and in a role which has been nothing but helpful to the ruling family. My spies have helped in ways you'll never know," sighed Varys, "especially now your fathers condition prevents any sense of coherency from him. He might have given you some interesting information on how my help has kept your family in power but now it'll never be"
Rhaegar searched Varys with a strong gaze for several minutes.
"Why are you helping me communicate with the North?"
Varys smiled again, "I'm simply helping you in ways to show you how useful I can be. Give me a task and I will ensure it is done to provide Your Highness with whatever you need to move to power"
"What if I don't want power? What if there's more than the Iron Throne?"
Varys was slightly taken back at Rhaegars words, "More than ruling the Seven Kingdoms? My Prince I'm not sure what you mean?"
Rhaegar leaned forward, "The time is coming Varys to really show where your loyalties lie. I know you're not being completely truthful with me, but I'm giving you a chance to show your loyalty. When the time comes to show it don't hesitate"
Rhaegars eyes were intense and hardened, he glared at Varys until the Spider inclined his head slightly.
"I pledge my allegiance to House Targaryen, from the time I came into service until the day I leave this life my Prince"
Rhaegar sat back and nodded once, then standing abruptly.
"You'll be tested in that loyalty Varys, don't disappoint us"
"In that case my Prince, there is something you should see"
Varys held out a scroll for Rhaegar who looked at it questioningly before taking it and reading it carefully. Without a word Rhaegar swept from the room with the scroll crunched in his hands, indeed rebellion was brewing.
Varys watched as the young Prince left the room, his mind swirling trying to comprehend the Princes words and trouble brewing in his heart. Something told him events were unfolding which he would be unable to control no matter who he held in his web.
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Elia read the note on the private balcony the calm ocean breeze tugging at the loose hairs around her face. Internally she sighed, war was coming. She read the words numerous times and handed the note back to her husband.
"These words won't surprise you Rhaegar"
"No they dont," he admitted, "but things are brewing sooner than we thought. War might break out and get in the way of what we need to do"
Elia sat back and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her brown skin which seemed to drink in the warmth thirstily.
"Then we need to speed things up" she said without opening her eyes.
"How? War will break out any day now. Forces are gathering in the West and if this note is true they've joined with major families in almost every region"
Elia shrugged, "What do you see Rhaegar? We have these new gifts surely something can guide us"
Rhaegar paced the balcony impatiently, "These new abilities are still new to me Elia I don't know how to control them yet. There's so much risk and uncertainty"
Elia stood and grasped her husband by the elbows and steadied him, "Listen to me"
She spoke with more authority than he had ever heard from her, momentarily he looked surprised and looked down at her hands gripping him tightly.
"Go to her, bring her south. I know a place you can keep her safe where no one from the kingdoms will look for her. It's in the homelands of my mother, you will be granted passage by carrying this. My mother's family crest"
Elia shoved a bundle of fabric into Rhaegar's hand that had been resting on the back of her chair, until now Rhaegar had never noticed what it was. He unravelled it and looked it over.
"I'm not leaving you and the children here. It's not safe in these walls without me. I'll have to take the most loyal guards with me, I would never forgive myself if something happened-"
Elia put her fingers on Rhaegar's mouth, "Sshh husband. We will be fine, I have planned our escape already. I plan to evacuate the children as soon as you leave, I will follow when the time is right"
Rhaegar looked unsure, "Where will you send them? DragonStone is too close and too obvious, Dorne is far and the sea is littered with pirates"
"There's one place you're forgetting Rhaegar, and if you've forgotten it then others will have too"
After a moment Rhaegar smiled, "People really do underestimate you Elia, even I'm guilty of doing that"
Elia smiled and wrapped her thin brown arms around his waist and smiled into his face, "Thanks to you I have gifts unravelling every day. It will do you well to remember not to underestimate me"
Rhaegar smiled, he loved how fierce she was for her size. He pulled her close and they kissed on the balcony, the breeze swirling around them.
After a time Rhaegar sighed, "Guess it's time to put this into action then," he tilted Elias face up to gaze into her eyes, "Swear to me you get out, I won't lose you"
Elias heart sank at his words, and her eyes stung with tears but she nodded and pushed them down. But Rhaegar caught the slightest change in her gaze, and grasped her face hard searching her face.
Elia couldn't hold it in and tears spilled from her eyes the weight of the emotions she felt inside rushing to the surface, "Elia?"
"You can't protect us both Rhaegar, you must choose. The prophecy isn't fulfilled and there is nothing for me in the flames. The time has come to start making hard decisions"
Despite himself tears welled in Rhaegar's eyes, "I swore I would protect you," he said with determination.
"You can't protect us both, you have to choose"
Rhaegar let out a ragged sob, "No we will make this work, you and the children pack and come with me right now"
"No, you can't take us with you. It will arouse suspicions and you know it. It has to be this way," she grabbed his face forcefully and looked into his eyes, "there is no future in the flames for me"
"How do you know? The flames change all the time, the decisions we make shift and change what lies ahead, you know this-" pleaded Rhaegar.
Elia wiped her face, her brown soulful eyes were puffy from crying. She knew he was right but her heart told her otherwise.
"They'll never stop looking and you know it. The children will never be safe, we have to think of them. I will gladly remain if they are safe"
"We can get you to Dorne..."
"Rhaegar stop!" she yelled, "when will you learn? They will never stop hunting!"
Rhaegar froze, he had never heard Elia raise her voice let alone look as enraged as she did now. Her change stilled him, like a slap to the face. Her body quivered with anger, and he saw sparks of flames dance from her hands.
"Just go Rhaegar, you have to"
"Elia," he pleaded one more time grasping her hand, "your family...think of them too"
"My family are strong, they will carry on without me. They will not let the future break them"
Rhaegar's heart sank, all his avenues of convincing her to reconsider were exhausted. He hung his head in defeat, and grasped her hand, "How long have you known this?"
"Longer than I care to admit, I swear to you they will be safe"
They had their hands grasped together and gazed into the room through the glass where their children played happily together.
That evening as the city settled and became quiet, a group of riders burst from the castle lead by a rider with a black and red dragon hood. As the horses galloped away from the city Rhaegar felt mixed emotions, grief, anger, fear but also excitement and anticipation. He prayed to the Old Valyrian gods to deliver his children safely, By the old dragons surround and protect my babies, he repeated over and over in his mind with every beat of the horses hooves as they sped toward the North.
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Nobody in the North resisted or thought it strange that Lyanna begun to wear a sword on her hip, except for Brandon of course. He made his disdain perfectly clear to anyone who would listen, until the time he made his thoughts known too loudly and Maege Mormont gave him an earful. Lyanna laughed hard inside in that moment, her relations with Brandon became more and more strained as they grew up. He gravitated towards her in order to make her life difficult and she remained steadfast in her decision to wield a sword. Their father had resigned himself that he would rather have a strong daughter wield a sword than a hopeless one who would be at the mercy of the world. And so to Brandon's disgust he had ruled in Lyannas favour.
Lyanna reflected on this series of events as she swung her sword around as she eyed off her sparring partner, her older brother Ned. This brother she had a close bond with, and they often fought together in the yard. Her blood sang with pleasure, she felt most alive with a blade in her hand. With a slight grin she advanced and so did Ned, their blades clashed and they danced in the moment together. People would stop to watch the Starks as they struck and fought with one another, every now and then Lyanna would laugh as she spun away from one of Neds attacks. She increasingly found she could predict where Ned would strike next, something that had begun when she returned from Harrenhal.
Harrenhal flashed into her mind and with it came Rhaegar, that kiss and the feeling of electricity down her body spurred her on. Swinging her sword she cut through Neds defenses and forced his weapon from her hand. A quick movement of her foot and Ned was on his back, hands up in surrender panting from exertion. He looked up at his sister who pointed the blade directly at his face. Lyanna smiled widely, panting also from exertion.
"You didn't have to force me to the ground," laughed Ned, "I know to surrender when I lose my weapon to you"
Lyanna flicked her hair back and sheathed her sword, offering her hand to her little brother and helping him to stand. Ned brushed the dirt off his clothes as he eyed off his sister.
"Somethings different with you lately" he said absentmindedly as he brushed dust off his clothes.
Lyannas heart froze but she tried hard to retain a calm exterior, "Oh yeah big brother how so?"
"I don't know. You seem- happier. Like something or someone is on your mind"
Lyanna rolled her eyes and turned away, "I can assure you my brother nothing of the sort is happening"
"So you're not thinking of Robert?"
Lyanna stopped and looked back, "Why would I be thinking of Robert?"
She spat the words at him which surprised Ned, before going to Harrenhal his sisters betrothal had been announced and she seemed pleased.
Ned grabbed her arm and spun her around, "I thought you were happy to be marrying Robert. He will let you fight still not many husbands would do that for their bride. They would be certain they'd use the sword against them" smiled Ned in attempt at using comedy. Lyannas face remained completely closed, she was clearly unimpressed at Ned trying to get information out of her with a bad joke.
Lyanna held his gaze and Ned searched her face, "Someone else? Come on Lyanna I know you. You're different"
Lyanna lifted her chin defiantly, "I don't know what you're talking about big brother" she said with a tenseness and tightness in her that Ned thought was strange. Ned knew Lyanna well, as well as he knew himself and he knew that when Lyanna was lying or trying to prove a pointed she lifted her chin. He hated that he knew that in this moment, and wondered why she would have a reason to lie.
Ned looked confused and his brow knitted together in concern, "Lyanna-" he started but the words caught in his throat. He didn't actually know what to say next, she'd made it clear she wasn't going to confide in him. And she denied anything was amiss, what more could Ned say or do?
Without another word Lyanna sauntered away into the castle leaving a confused Ned behind. He watched as she exited the yard feeling something was different and he knew it. What had he missed that had happened to change her? He struggled to understand what it was though, he watched as she rounded the corner and disappeared behind a servant boy carrying boxes of food. Ned made to go after her but changed his mind at the last moment and decided to go spend some time cleaning his sword under the Heart Tree instead. That place was cleansing to his mind and would help him think clearer.
As Lyanna exited the yard and into the cool corridors of the castle she exhaled in relief, she hated lying to her brother. They usually shared everything but she knew she couldn't share what had really happened. Robert was her brothers best friend, it would put Ned in a terrible position had she told him about her encounter with Rhaegar. Plus she didn't want to hear what her brothers thoughts would be on what Rhaegar did, he always did what was right and honourable. Lost in thought Lyanna stepped accidentally in front of a boy carrying boxes of food and the boy tripped. With a crash his wares tumbled all over the corridor which was empty of all except them.
"Oh my I'm so sorry lad! Let me help you!"
"My-my Lady I'm sorry I shouldn't have been in the way!" Stuttered the boy awkwardly, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment as he slowly got to his feet, picking up pieces of produce as he went.
"Don't be silly I wasn't watching where I was going"
Lyanna hastily picked up the fruits and vegetables which only had minor amounts of dirt on them from being spilled and put them in the box.
She ran to pick up a handful that had rolled down the hallway, "these ones almost got away" she smiled at the lad. He bowed his head and mumbled thanks, as she slipped the last pieces in the box her hand grazed his and he shoved something in her hand.
Her eyes opened widely and she grasped the paper tightly in her hand, the boy said nothing just picked up the boxes of food and kept hurrying towards the kitchen. She watched him hastily exit the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. If this was what she thought it was she needed to find somewhere private and fast.
That night Lyanna sat in front of the flames in her room, her heart pounded in her chest and she felt mixed emotions but most of all she felt anxious. The Prince of Westeros wanted her to leave with him, everything had begun moving so fast. Her mind thought of everything, her family, her betrothal and him. The man who had made her heart sing in a way she didn't even know was possible.
Unravelling his recent scroll she murmured to herself, 'How can I possibly leave? What about my family-"
But then her next thought was, what was the alternative? Stay in Winterfell until the day she was meant to marry Robert and spend the rest of her life in the Stormlands while her husband entertained every other woman around her. She was too proud for that, she paled at the thought of being prisoner in a marriage like that.
'I'd rather be the wild wolf' she said to herself.
But she was deeply conflicted, this move would seriously hurt her father who hadn't been the same since her mother's sudden death. Rubbing her forehead in frustration she looked up to the ceiling and said softly, "Old Gods what do I do?"
She had increasingly felt connected to the old gods recently and sometimes her dreams were extremely prophetic. She had taken to spending time under the Heart Tree of Winterfell cleaning her weapons in the pool in front of the tree. A practice she often shared with Ned, they would sometimes spend hours down there just talking under that tree on the side of the pool.
The moment the words left her mouth, her room dropped away and she was on a battlefield. Death was all around her, men from the North lay dead all around her, Stormlands, Riverlands, Reach, Westermen, Dornish and many more. She walked through the battlefield hearing the moans of the dead and dying begging her, pleading with her to save them.
"Lady Stark!" yelled a northmen injured in the field, his arm missing and the contents of his torso spilled over the ground, he reached out to her and she recoiled in fear. "Lady Stark!" He pleaded, "Save us! Save us all!! They're just over the ridge! Please!"
Lyanna looked up to the ridge, she was at the Trident. The wind blew all around her, cold icy cold in fact. When she saw the ridge she saw they were ringed and surrounded, squinting she looked closer stepping forward her brow knitted together straining to see. When she realised what she was looking at she stepped back in fear, tripping over a dead soldier hearing the crunching of his lifeless body as she stood on him. She turned to run, but everyone who moments before lay dead or dying now all looked back at her. Their eyes all icy blue, in an instant she was swarmed with screaming dead men and the world went black.
With a jolt she returned to her body and shivered uncontrollably still feeling the cold running down her body. This vision was eerily similar to the dreams she used to get, and she remembered the words Old Nan said to her what felt like a lifetime ago.
"The Dragons have their part to play young wolf" the pointed look she gave Lyanna that day had always puzzled her. But now it all made perfect sense, the Dragons. The Targaryens. All the doubts she felt before instantly dissipated and her path seemed clearer. Hastily she wrote a note and packed a bag, casting one last glance around her room she slipped into the dark castle. The gust of air from the door closing caused her note to be blown from the table where it floated to land on the ground, in front of the fire still burning in her room.
The castle was dark and quiet which enabled Lyanna to quietly slip to the stables without being accosted. Her heart hammered in her chest as she saddled up her horse who who knickered softly in curiosity. She quietly shushed the horse as she finished putting on the saddle. There was a rustle behind her and Lyanna startled, looked all around her eyes wide in fear she worried she had been caught.
A small figure stood a few feet behind her, stepping forward she saw in the moonlight it was Old Nan. Lyanna was sure she was caught and swallowed thickly.
"It's late for a ride Lady Stark" said the old woman with mischief in her voice, she spoke as if she knew what Lyanna was doing.
"Old Nan, I'm just going to-" she scrambled to find a legitimate excuse to be riding so late.
"Ride South" finished Old Nan.
Lyanna froze and felt anxiety rising in her chest, she stood firm.
"I'm going South" she confirmed, lifting her chin proudly
"You're still having visions then?"
Lyanna looked confused, "How could you know?"
Old Nan cackled softly, "There are secrets hidden in your blood child. Old magic, long forgotten that seems to be waking in you"
"Old magic?" said Lyanna as she felt a chill slide down her spine.
"Yes, that dragon has woken something in you. There's fire where before there was just ice, you'll unleash this into the world" As always the words she spoke had a cryptic edge to them, Lyanna didn't know what that meant.
Old Nan turned and took a few steps into the dark before turning back and looking to Lyanna, she looked confused for a moment before deciding to follow her. She clicked her tongue quietly and led her horse in the wake of the old woman.
Old Nan led her to the opposite side of the castle Lyanna was planning to leave from, silently the old woman opened the gate for Lyanna. The whole world, wide and free lay ahead for her. Internally Lyanna felt unsure, running into the night seemed like a stupid thing to do and part of her knew this was right. But at the same time the wild side of her longed for the freedom, somewhere in the night a wolf howled.
"The pack survives remember that young wolf, but the Dragons have their part to play too" spoke Old Nan from behind Lyanna in the shadows.
Lyanna turned to look at Old Nan who gazed at her steadily, her eyes shining brightly in the moonlight. She smiled gratefully and mounted her horse, "Thankyou Old Nan"
The old woman stepped closer and grasped her hand looking up at Lyanna, "Don't fail young wolf"
The words felt ominous to Lyanna, failure? What would failure look like? She didn't really know what even lay ahead for her. Suddenly fear gripped her heart.
Without another word Old Nan turned and disappeared into the shadows leaving Lyanna to escape into the night. Pushing through the fear that had gripped her she urged her horse into the dark world in front of her.
Galloping at full speed south she glimpsed back at Winterfell looming in the night and prayed to the old gods that she will lay eyes on her home again and her family will be safe. She remembers the words Old Nan spoke, the dragons have their part to play young wolf. Just remembering those words sends an ominous shiver down her spine and she pulls her cloak tighter around her shoulders urging the horse forward at a faster pace. She doesn't want to be discovered and to fail at whatever she was riding towards.
Riding hard and fast stopping only to sleep in places she knew were safe and sheltered from the road to prevent from being discovered. Through the day she kept away from the main roads and resumed her journey at night. Her journey wasn't without close calls, several times she narrowly missed being discovered by bandits and her heart hammered in her chest as she hid her horse and herself sure they would be discovered. Despite being armed and able to fight well she knew she couldn't beat a whole group of them. Part of the way she actually considered turning back, the whole situation seemed too crazy to be true. Her mind began to unravel, she knew the danger her family would be in if they rebelled. Maybe she should've sent a note to her father? It was too late now, and if they looked hard enough the scrolls from Rhaegar would be found in her room. That would be enough she reasoned to herself. In the dead of night she approached the meeting point and straining her eyes didn't think anyone was there. Picking his way forward her horse cautiously stepped through the tree roots almost stumbling once and snorting in annoyance. Lyanna reassured him with a pat, but he felt her unease and doubt beginning to creep in. What if this was a trap? She momentarily felt stupid for riding south like a little girl at the words she wasn't even sure were really his. Lyanna heard a low whistle and turned the horse in this direction, the moon lit the path in front of her and she breathed out in relief when she rounded a corner and Rhaegar was atop a white horse. He was shining in the moonlight, and had a guard of four men with him. Rhaegar spurred his horse forward to meet her and when they were side by side they spoke no words. He slipped his hand alongside her face and pulled her close to him. Their lips grazed and Lyanna felt tingles of energy roll down her spine. She shuddered slightly before melting into his kiss, and they kissed passionately as the moonlight fell all around them.
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Guards and servants scurried all over the castle frantically searching, it had been days now and the search was becoming desperate. How does the daughter of their Lord just disappear? Whispers began, stories that were essentially untrue that began to take a life of their own. Before long these rumours had become fact, and after a few well placed servants spread the salacious rumour, everyone was convinced Lyanna had been kidnapped by Rhaegar.
Rickard Stark had already lost his wife Lyarra, the grief he went through during her sickness he thought was unbearable. Now with Lyanna gone presumed kidnapped his heart was breaking anew. He sat at the Great Table in the Great Hall while everyone spoke around him. His advisors and banner men fought amongst themselves, his son Brandon and heir loudly making demands. But Rickard just sat and stared, he was angry but he was more devastated. This was losing his wife all over again, her face had started to fade from his memory which was unimaginable after so many happy years together. This he felt extreme guilt over, but no matter how many years went by he never forgot her body laid under the Heart Tree north of the wall. Her dying request that she pleaded for he almost didn't fulfill but Lyanna had been so vocal her mother have her wish Rickard complied. Leaving his wife under that tree had been an image that haunted him in his mind ever since. It had been difficult for him to just leave her there, the first Stark not laid to rest in the crypts for an untold amount of time. Rickard told no one of Lyarra's actual resting place, he was too lost in grief and confusion over her wishes to divulge that to anyone. The only other person who knew was Lyanna, when her mother lay dying she begged Lyanna to honour her wishes. Which Lyanna did with her usual defiance and passion, this was when Rickard came to find these qualities in his daughter endearing. He recognised in these moments she was nothing like other growing noble women, she was different and he decided he wanted to allow her to remain that way. Daughters of Lords were always used as pawns to gain allies and power through marriage but Rickard saw Lyanna as more than that. He didn't want to just give her away, he wanted to allow her to retain that passion he so loved when he was going through the darkest time of his life. Now, with his daughter lost there was only an emptiness where she used to be and everything he had done for her was for nothing.
Now the rage began to build within Rickard, he had lost too much to sit by and do nothing. This was uncharacteristic for Rickard, he never made decisions based on emotion, but the combined grief for his wife and daughter fuelled a fire in him that wouldn't stop burning. Suddenly he stood and slammed his fist on the table, the room instantly silenced at his sudden action.
"Brandon," he commanded, "we ride for the capitol. Get to the stables and prepare the horses with our men. We ride at once"
"But Father," started Brandon, "the rebellion is rising we should join their forces and-"
"You will listen to me for once! We ride for the capitol! Aerys is not taking anything else from House Stark" thundered Rickard, snatching up his wolf cloak, and strapping the ancestral Stark sword Ice to his back. Without so much as a glance at anyone else or discussion on their council Rickard exited the room leaving stunned banner men behind him.
Ned and Robert sat at the fire furthest from the Great Table watching the scene unfold in front of them. Robert looked furious and Neds face was passive, ashen and shocked. She had only been missing for a few days but he felt like a hole had been ripped in his heart. Ned loved Lyanna, she was his closest sibling they confided in one another with everything and he knew something wasn't right. Kidnapped? He didn't believe it for a second, he remembered storming into her room when he heard she was missing. Everything was still in place when he flung open the door, the only thing out of place was the piece of paper burning at the edge of the flames. It must have blown to the fire when he opened the door, he remembered rushing to stop it burning. But as he grasped it the words on the paper burned away, forever lost, he saw part of the note and knew she had left on her own without force. All that was left of the note now was the part she signed her name, Ned concealed it in his room and looked at it often trying hard to remember what the words had said.
Robert shoved Ned and brought him back to reality, Ned was shaken and looked at his friend. Truthfully Ned just wanted to be alone while this nightmare unfolded but Robert was his best friend it was good to have some support. Even if Robert was more focused on the personal insult to him that Rhaegar had kidnapped his betrothed from underneath him.
Ned had grown tired of hearing Robert's jealous ramblings about his Royal cousin, but now Robert had a reason to enact his plans for jealousy fuelled revenge real.
The young men watched Rickard and Brandon exit the hall leaving behind only hurried commands, one of which was to place Ned in control until they returned. Many concerned faces looked on around the hall, including Brandon's betrothed Catelyn Tully. She had come North to become acquainted with Winterfell and her betrothed. Brandon planted a quick kiss on her cheek as he exited, neither of the Stark men looking at Ned and Robert huddled by the fire.
Ned watched his father and brother hastily exit the hall. Disbelief and concern was across his face, there was a mix of thoughts and emotions going through his mind. Deep down he wanted to run after them and beg them not to go, he felt that ominous feeling in the pit of his stomach again. He had felt it many times over the years and it had always proven to be right, but who would listen to him? He was just a boy, nobody ever listened to him, well except for Lyanna she always listened to what he had to say. Melancholy gripped him again as he remembered she was gone, but he knew she was alive. He could feel her, he knew she was safe, he couldn't tell anyone that because they wouldn't believe him and he couldn't explain how he knew this.
Ned turned back to gaze into the fire, sparks jumped in the flames and it hissed at him. He reached his hand out and warmed them near the flames, a sudden cold chill sliding down his spine. Robert stared across the Great Hall, and shortly after began to fidget.
"Ned," growled Robert, "we should be riding with them! My betrothed has been taken this is a personal insult to me and my family too!"
"We stay here Rob" said Ned absentmindedly as he stared at the flames.
Robert huffed in frustration, "That fucking," he pauses to find his words as his cheeks flush deeper red in anger, "dragon spawn! I'll kill him! I'll-"
"You'll what exactly?!" exploded Ned whose face was white with anger, "What will YOU do? March into the Red Keep and demand Aerys give her back? He'll just laugh at you. We stay"
Robert looked taken aback, Ned had never yelled at him before and they had seldom fought during their long friendship.
Robert grabbed the nearest tankard and emptied it, he let out an exasperated huff and slumped his shoulders.
"I really did love her Ned" he said quietly after a time, so none but Ned could hear.
"Did you ever tell her? All she saw was the women on your lap, I know my sister she wouldn't have stood for that in her marriage" returned Ned still staring into the flames.
"You can't tell me the name of one man in Westeros who stopped entertaining other women before marrying his betrothed. What's a young man to do?"
Ned sighed because he knew Robert was right on that point, it was considered normal to bed as many woman as possible. Even after marriage majority kept mistresses, Ned just wanted Lyanna back despite everything it was all he wanted in his heart.
Ned sat for the longest time before saying quietly so only Robert could hear, "She would still be here if you'd at least showed her, she didn't know how you felt"
Again Robert emptied a random tankard rather than respond, they sat silently while the Hall was full of conversations around them. After a time Robert turns to Ned, "We need to do something! I need to feel useful!"
Ned turned to look at Robert, his eyes pleading before shaking his head, "No we stay. We follow what my father and Brandon do, if they don't get anywhere with Aerys they'll go to the rebel camp next. Only then do we join them. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell and right now, that's me"
Ned stood and grabbed a tankard of ale exiting the Great Hall deciding to head to the Heart Tree, Robert watched him go from the fire. He knew better than to follow his friend when he was melancholy like this, but something in Robert told him there was something not right with Ned tonight. The light from the flames danced up the side of his face as he watched Ned leave with concern across his face. He looked around the room and spotted a half pretty servant girl clearing empty tankards, scooping up a tankard he stalked over to the girl and gripped her around the hips.
Later that night, Robert slipped from his quarters and made his way to the rookery. The ravens saw him coming and made a loud ruckus as he approached, but Robert wasn't concerned. The guards had been commanded to stand sentry around the castle perimeter and at Neds door. The castle was completely empty except for him and some of the old servants who shuffled around doing their night duties.
The ravens danced and cawed as he tried to catch one, a raven swooped him and Robert startled throwing up his arm in defence. At that moment a large raven landed on his arm and regarded him with dark eyes, warily Robert attached the scroll to its leg and walked up to the battlements holding it away from him.
Having never done this he didn't really know how to send off a raven, he looked around awkwardly as he didn't know what to do next.
He cleared his throat and spoke to the bird rather awkwardly, "Go find Tywin Lannister" and with one motion with his arm flung the dark bird into the night. He gripped the cold stone of the battlements as he watched the dark bird disappear into the dark of the night.
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Birds soared over the battlements of Kings Landing squawking and cruising on the currents of wind that swirled around the castle. Elia watched them as they flew, longing to feel the freedom and weightlessness of being on the wind. The sun sunk into her skin, warm and comforting while the breeze softly brushed against her making her hair tickle her exposed back as it swayed side to side. White cloaks flanked her and stood at intervals behind her, tall men clad in heavy armour weapons at the ready surrounding her as she gazed south. Ordered to remain by her side at all times by the Prince, her husband. She closed her eyes and just felt the sensations of the sun and the wind without the distraction of what she saw with her eyes. Her heightened senses meant she heard his approach before she saw him, also a given considering that she was facing away from him and had her eyes closed. She knew it was him all the same, despite being able to move quietly he couldn't mask the sound of his satin slippers on the rough battlements.
Elia is aware of the storm brewing from the North, news had travelled fast to the capitol and soon tales of Lyannas kidnap had spread like wildfire. How the story came to be that Rhaegar had kidnapped Lyanna, Elia had no idea. But none of that mattered now, the kingdom was up in arms and events were in motion. Just the way they had wanted them to be.
Varys shuffled past the guards nodding to them as he goes and comes to stand next to Elia. She does not turn to greet him but remains facing south, staring towards Dorne and thinking about her home. A single tear slips from her eye as she feels intensely homesick stuck in this gilded cage in Westeros.
"You sought an audience with me my Lady" said Varys uncertainly after several long minutes of silence.
"I did" she replied shortly before slipping into silence again, remaining facing away from him.
"Well I'm here, and I'm unsure what it is you seek from me"
Elia slowly turned to face Varys, a man she despised intensely.
"If it wasn't for you Varys," she said venomously, "I would have been free to visit my family in Dorne so they could meet my children. Because of you we are trapped here in the grips of a tyrant!"
The colour drained from his face at her words, "I can assure you nothing was done with ill intent"
"What are your intentions? Mmm?" hissed Elia furiously, "Exactly what are your motivations for pledging allegiance to my husbands family?"
Varys stuttered awkwardly in response, struggling to find an answer. Elia scoffed, "You might have been able to fool my husband with your smooth words but that will not suffice someone from Dorne! Guards! Throw this man to his death" The fury across her face and the heat of her temper threw Varys off guard, he had no time to react as strong arms gripped under his arms and dragged him to the battelement edge. His silk slippers tearing easily as he was dragged against his will.
Elia stood back watching in satisfaction as Varys was picked up with ease and dangled precariously over the edge.
Varys struggled in vain against the strong men as his world dropped away underneath him and his stomach churned in sickness at the drop below him. The only thing between him and death were the hands gripping him under his arms.
"Please Elia wait!" he said weakly.
"Stop men. Hold Lord Varys there a moment"
Varys heart raced as he was sure he was going to die, in desperation he looked back up at the battlements to see Elia glowering down at him. She looked absolutely terrifying for her size.
"You will tell me everything. And if you lie to me, I will know"
Varys nodded his head once, "Yes. Please Lady Elia don't let them drop me" The terror in his voice was clear for all present to hear.
Elia stepped back from the battlements and smirked, she let them hold him a moment longer. One of the guards looked at her, straining, "my Lady I will drop him soon I can't hold on much longer"
"Very well men lift Lord Varys back into the castle"
The soldiers followed her order and lifted Varys back onto solid ground, he crumpled to the ground. Grateful to feel the ground and to be alive, he retched slightly on the ground from the adrenalin of almost dying then and there.
Elia motioned for her closest guards to step away, they complied and stepped back. She stood over Varys and looked down at him as he composed himself.
"You have a very short amount of time to convince me to let you live Lord Varys" she said sternly as he cowered.
"Yes my Lady, please give me a minute"
Slowly he stood and faced Elia, his face ashen and pale glancing nervously around he stepped away from the edge of the battlements and sat down.
"I never thought I'd speak of this again, I vowed I never would speak of it again. But here we are," he said shakily as he began to talk. Elia stood and watched him with a look on her face that was closed and not ready to forgive him.
"I was a slave once, sold to a man who wanted my services but when I arrived I was bound. He cut me," he explained awkwardly, "he threw my parts into a fire and chanted strange words I didn't understand. From nowhere the flames exploded through the room and a voice spoke. It spoke to me instead of the man whatever magic he conjured backfired on him, I was bleeding terribly and was losing strength but it spoke to me"
"What did it say Lord Varys?" said Elia as she struggled to believe him.
"It didn't say much," he admitted to Elia, "it simply said this-'the prophecy must be fulfilled, ice must devour fire and save the living'. I had no idea what that meant, I remember crying out in pain for help. Then the voice went away, but the flames, the flames stayed burning on the wall in front of me"
"Flames burned on a wall?" questioned Elia.
Varys swallowed clearly uncomfortable and continued, "The flames burned in the shape of a three headed dragon my Lady"
Elia listened to Varys sceptical at first but she could see how shaken he was after her threat and how uncomfortable he was divulging his past. She sat quietly after he finished.
"This is why I've pledged myself to House Targaryen, something, some force wants me here serving the family. Whatever the prophecy is I don't know, but I do know that since that day I've had one purpose in my life. To serve this family"
"You haven't always done it in the best way though Varys" said Elia her voice full of emotion, mostly anger.
Varys acquiesced his head in agreement, "No I haven't but I've tried to do what I thought was right at the time"
"Will you keep doing what you think is right? For our family?"
Varys nodded, "Yes my Lady I will. I pledge it"
Elia stood and stared south again, " I have a job for you as a way of proving your loyalty stands with us still"
"Anything for the future Queen"
His words unintentionally stung Elia, he couldn't have known they would. She let them roll past her.
"You will find two children who resemble my own and take my children out of Kings Landing. They will go to safety at an undisclosed location"
Varys looked confused, "Why?"
"War is coming and with it people who wish to harm my family. I will not let them"
"If those people are coming for your children they're coming for you too, we need to get you to safety as well"
"The children go first, I cannot leave until the last minute. We can not have word get out or suspicions to rise. Take the children to the boat docked in the secret bay, they will be safe once they board that boat. And you will have gained my trust and that of my husband"
Varys thought long and hard, "I will help you my Lady, but I implore you find a way out for yourself as well"
"Thank you for your concern Lord Varys, good day" said Elia coolly as she swept away signalling the guards to follow her. She left Varys to contemplate what could have happened to him had she decided to throw him from the walls of the Red Keep.
Varys turned and watched Elia saunter away, "My Lady wait"
Elia stopped mid step and turned her face slightly but not completely turning to face Varys, "Please keep what I said in confidence"
Elia nodded without looking back and continued to exit the battlements leaving Varys alone.
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The days had stretched into long years for Aerys, it had been such a long time since that strange night. Yet it replayed over and over in his mind, every single moment he was still alive. Dressed in his night clothes from years ago he shivered the same every day in the strange prison he was held in. Left only with memories and regret his face was dirty and streaked with the paths of dried tears. He sat in the dark depths of his mind as the thoughts and memories played around him on repeat. Every day he saw the face of his mysterious and beautiful mistress and heard Rhaella's mistrusting words.
"Do not trust the foreigner Aerys, something is not right with her"
He dismissed his sisters concern with his usual arrogance and confidence he knew better than Rhaella. He was a dragon and a king, he can bed who he wants!
Aerys hung his head in shame at these memories, Rhaella had been right and he was now the fool. Blinded by love and duty he had been obsessed with the foreign beauty. Charmed by her words and under her spell he was surprised when she was with babe. Another Targaryen bastard? He was convinced it could work, and she agreed soothing his worries with logical arguments.
"Our son will change the world dear Aerys, change is needed in Westeros. Who better than a man born of Targaryen and Essos heritage? To bridge the gap for us to know real power!"
She spoke of returning glory to his House, raising the power latent in his bloodline from Old Valyria and seizing control of Essos together. Everything she said had stirred a desire in him, in his blood and he fervently followed what she said.
Aerys shook his head at the memory, he should've cut her throat for speaking treason then and there. Their son would be last in line for any kind of power, but he was a fool who paid the price. He saw her face again and anger rose in him fast and furious, he screamed and writhed in his invisible chains struggling against the magic binding him. Her face swum in the air in front of him, he saw her standing over him in the night with her swollen belly. It was a sight he loved once, until the moment he saw their son. The monster he brought into the world that was a tool of death and destruction for his family. He'd envisioned holding a beautiful baby boy in his arms but when the shadow spewed from his mistresses body while she chanted her spell he knew Rhaella was right.
The Ruby on Valraya's neck glowed bright as the shadow demon consumed his father, permeating his body and seizing control. Forced to his knees by the shadow demon spewing its foul black form into his body, the last thing Aerys saw was Valraya standing over him gloating with an evil smile across her face.
"We will take control of the Targaryen family from here my Love" was the last thing he heard her say before everything went black and he woke in his dark prison.
Valraya's words stung him over and over as he was powerless to change anything. He thought of Rhaegar and what fate awaited him and his other children. The shadow demon worked smart, concealing Aerys new evil as progressive madness. Acting out the plans of the Red Priests, seeking to take control of Westeros. He was so stupid, he fell for her magic like a dumb child. He should've known to be suspicious of that Ruby and her love of fire. He often found her near fire, the flames dancing in her eyes. That's what drew her to him, the way the flames looked on her skin, the warmth of her skin which seemed to soothe his stress away. Now he was trapped in this prison until the day of his death, he prayed daily someone would kill him. He screamed it over and over again but no one could hear him, trapped in his own body while the madness was controlled by evil.