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Chapter 3

Rhaegar stood alone in the throne room for some time. In fact, he had not even moved since his wife left. He found himself unable to do anything but consider Elia's words. Her last words he repeated aloud, "The child has done me no wrong". He recalled the stress she put on the word "child". If the child was not who was wrong, then who? He sighed when his mind supplied, "You".

He was grateful that she had not been angry about Jon, but, in her tirade she had not said why she was angry at him. What he did know is that she was angry at him for something he needed to deliberate on.

Even though she was not most women, he still expected his wife to be less than enthused about the child. He returned from a war with a child not hers. Many men in Westeros have had children with women they are not married to; and if they happened to be married when this happened, it is understandable their wives would not be pleased.

He acknowledged he could see where Elia believed he wronged her. He expected some of her ire; truly, he did. What he hadn't expected was for her to be visibly angry at him and it had very little to do with Jon.

He considered his wife and it rather shamed him to think he never did think about her as often as he should have. Elia had always been level headed, kind, and of a good temperament. He considered himself rather fortunate her temper was more like her brother Prince Doran's rather than Prince Oberyn's. While she would not be like her mother a ruling princess of Dorne in her own right, nor was she exceptionally healthy, Elia had never been spiritless. She rarely had been angry and he admitted to himself he had never truly given her a reason to be angry; well, until that tourney at Harranhal, at least.

Even in the days after he crowned Lyanna, Queen of Love and Beauty, though her silence spoke volumes, Elia had never become visibly angry with him. She never shouted at him or went out of her way to be unkind, though, for a long time after that tourney she treated him with a distant sort of civility he hadn't experienced from her since the first days they began to know each other. Still, she never spoke badly to him though his mother and Ashara had been furious enough on her behalf.

Thinking back on it, he had not meant the gesture to be unkind to his wife and he never meant it as a gesture of love for another woman. He simply did it to honor Lyanna Stark who he discovered to be the Knight of the Laughing Tree; nothing more than that. Elia had been from Dorne and as such many of their ways are different from those in the rest of Westeros; especially where paramours and natural children are concerned. Yet, Lyanna had not been his paramour and this was not Dorne. Elia could never be replaced his heart or at his side, even if he gave roses to another woman. She should have understood that it meant nothing more than a courtly gesture. Of course, once he saw that Elia had not taken it well, he had explained and apologized. It was different in King's Landing and he understood that. After a while, she had forgiven him. Once Aegon was born the events of the tourney had been firmly put behind them.

When he left with Lyanna, he had not meant for all this to happen; not any of it. Once the maesters informed him Elia would no longer be able to carry another child he knew he needed someone else to help him fulfill the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised. He had also come to know Lyanna had not wanted to be wedded to Lord Robert. It seemed like such a simple solution then. He had not meant taking Lyanna as a gesture of love. It was true he and Lyanna got along well enough and he admired her and she him; yet, he felt no love for her then and he did not feel any now.

He simply needed someone to give him his third child and she had not wanted to be married to the man her father had chosen for her. Lyanna described her father, Lord Rickard, as having Southron ambitions, which was why he chose Lord Robert for her as a husband. Still, they believed they could bring Lord Rickard around to reason. He still had intended to marry Lyanna and make her his second wife. It would have been the right thing to do even if marrying more than one wife fell out of practice for the Targaryens long ago. Who would choose to have a lord as their good-son, when their daughter would be a Queen and the mother of a prince? He knew Elia and Lyanna would have become friends, given the time. Once everyone realized this was best solution for everyone the scandal would have died down.

Still, neither Lyanna nor he had expected the situation to escalate so badly. He had not known Brandon Stark would come to Kings Landing to challenge him because he and Lyanna went away together. In no way had he expected it. Lyanna had informed him her brother Ned knew she was unhappy in that relationship with Robert. He hadn't known Lord Brandon did not know this as well. Nor had he expected Brandon's temper would cause him to come to Kings Landing. He certainly had not expected his father's madness to manifest to where he would kill the young lord, his father, and Jon Arryn's heir.

Unfortunately he had been at the Tower of Joy when it happened. Once he learned of it, there was nothing he could have done. By then, Jon Arryn called for the banners of the Baratheon and Stark men on behalf of his wards, and it were far too late; war had begun. With Lord Tywin and his forces choosing to remain neutral until the Battle at the Trident and the sheer number of the joint force of the Baratheons, Starks, Arryn, and Tully families and their bannermen, even if the Targaryen forces did have the support of the Dornish and the families of the Reach there was little he could do until the fighting was finished. He had a duty to finish and win the war before fixing anything, if he could.

He shook himself out of those thoughts. Ruminating on Lyanna, the Starks, and the war would not help him understand Elia's current anger. He returned from and his wife was clearly angry at him and this time it had very little to do with that Tourney and not Jon, not exactly, perhaps not even Lyanna. He admitted to himself that they were probably a part of it, but, that could not be all of it. He supposed it had to do with his father, or more likely, what he failed to do for her where his father was concerned. There had been no time to return to King's Landing nor had he been in any position to move his family; even if his father would be willing, which knowing his father, he would not have been.

He thought Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon would be safe from the war in King's Landing. His mother was here as well. It was why he left them here. The Gold Cloaks of the City Watch were present and Ser Jaime was present as well, though young, was a fine swordsman. There were plenty of servants around as well; good men and women. He supposed still Elia had not entirely been untouched by war. Her uncle, Prince Lewyn had died at the Trident. Her beloved uncle had died at the battle where her husband was victorious. It probably weighed on her mind; it did on his. Still, he personally had not struck down the prince; the prince had been a casualty of war. That was nothing she could fault him for.

So, it came back to Aerys again. He admitted to himself that he knew his father had been unwell since the Defiance at Duskendale, and how his father acted towards his mother. Although unwell was putting it mildly. He should have done something to curb his father and he had wanted to. He knew something had to be done. He even planned on removing his father as King. Yes, his father had not been particularly well, but, he had not thought the situation was so bad to where he could not have fulfilled the prophecy before resolving the issues with his father.

He freely admitted his father had been monstrous and he should have done something about his father sooner. It was bad enough his father's unchecked madness allowed him kill men for little to no reason, but, his father did it in front of others without thought of consequences. That his father was cruel enough to kill men in horrific ways in front his wife, child, and young brother; he had never expected it. He never suspected his father's madness or thirst for violence would turn towards Elia or the children. He could not have imagined that at all. His father rarely had anything to do with Elia or the children. Of course, before the war Viserys had been sheltered from his father's madness and violence as much as possible and now he was exposed to and along side his daughter. It affected his daughter so much to where she feared the very sight of him.

Yes, he could see why his wife was furious at him. Now because he had not been in King's Landing to stop his father, and she blamed him for it. However, there was no way he could undo the damage. He could try to fix it, but, for all the prayers he could make to the Seven to provide wisdom, he could not understand how to. Still, there had to be a way; especially with Lyanna no longer the issue and his father gone. His wife loved him still, he was sure of it. If she had not, she would not be angry, he was sure. She was Rhaegar's wife, the mother of his children, and now with now his father dead, his queen. He was here now. His daughter would learn to not fear him. He would not be a virtual stranger to his son and brother. He vowed to himself that he would try to fix this with his wife and family. He needed to fix this.


Elia shut the door behind her sharply, her thoughts furious and her temper elevated, as she stormed to her chambers. She never thought she would ever grateful for the Red Keep being so empty. She had planned on going to the nursery to see about the children or to the kitchens to check on the progress for the feast tonight, but, after what Rhaegar said she did not want anyone to see her just yet. She needed to be alone for a few moments to sort out her feelings.

She was relieved Rhaegar was alive, whole, and returned to her. Ever since he left she had been fearful for him. Truly, she was glad he was home, yet, she could not stand to be near him at that moment. He came back to King's Landing from that senseless war after being away for more than a year to find the city in disrepair, both of his parents dead, an orphaned sister, his daughter fearful of him and of all the things he could say, he could have said: how much he missed her, how delighted he was to be home again, how he was happy to see them all again, he heard what happened while he was gone and he was sorry for it; no, he said he was glad she did not blame his child for existing.

That he even considered the possibility of her being cruel a child is unfathomable. It was as if he believed her to be a woman of low ideals or that she would behave like some harridan at the very sight of the child. Oh, she knew most other women would find it horrid to find their husband's bringing their natural children to see them. While she still loves him, she is angry; there is no question of it, though the child is not why. While it did hurt that Jon is a reality, but, she was a Martell: their words are "Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken". Certainly her husband knew her enough to know she was strong enough to not begrudge a motherless child a home with the boy's father. He should know her better than that.

She let out a humorless laugh. Of course Rhaegar hadn't known it. He had not known her at all; or rather, he never tried to. That is what hurt the most. Oh, he knew well enough she was his loyal wife, daughter-in-law to his dear mother and that monster of a father, she was the soft-spoken mother of his children, and the kind good-sister to Viserys; but, clearly he had not known her to be more than that. She supposed it was because she had not meant much to him. Well, no, she knew what she had been to her: a vessel for him to fulfill that odious prophecy. If she had been anything more to him, once he could no longer use her for that he would have never all but abandoned her and their children, to take Lyanna, who for all her uniqueness was little older than a child, to fulfill it.

Once Elia made it to her chambers she shut the door behind her and sat down heavily. She could not help laughing, though these laughs were edged with hysteria. Her husband who perhaps because of the love he bore that girl brought the potential for disaster over their heads by: eloping with the daughter and betrothed of a high lord; leaving her, their children, his mother, and his young brother with that beast, Aerys; he and Aerys were ultimately responsible for starting the war which tore Westeros apart; and he expected seeing that poor, living child is the cruelest reality she has faced? What else could she do but laugh?

When she first married Rhaegar she knew what was said about in whispers and her behind her back. 'Oh, certainly the Crown Prince deserves someone more beautiful, someone with better health, and someone better...' Aerys told her often enough the only reason why he even bothered allowing her to marry Rhaegar was because she, with her tainted Dornish blood, was the closest he could get to a girl with Targaryen ancestry. Rhaegar was good to her, she grew to love him, and they had two beautiful children together.

At Harrenhal when he passed her by, crowning Lyanna, Queen of Love and Beauty, in front of all those lords and ladies the memories of those words and slights came back to her. Oh, he explained and apologized and of course she forgave him. Then despite her ill health after Aegon's birth, they were happy; or at least she was. By then she had hoped he grew to love her as well, even if his nature and role as Crown Prince to Aerys would not allow him to show it.

She had given him his son and his heir and still Rhaegar had been obsessed with that prophecy. Most men would be thrilled to have a son, a healthy heir, and even that was not enough for him because "the dragon needed three heads". He spit on his vows to her because of some words. She had not even believed in the prophecy as he did and he knew it. He had known and he did not care when he went and tried to fulfill it by using someone else.

And the person he chose; it had never occurred to him what that choice would mean for the girl, for him, for their children, for her. When he left with Lyanna the whispers, the cruel japes, and the sidelong looks returned. Only now, her husband showed all of Westeros that she wasn't good enough. The day Brandon Stark was killed, Aerys, always so quick with barbs, slapped her face and said, "This was your fault. If you hadn't been so weak, so useless, Rhaegar wouldn't have had to run off with that Stark whore".

And now her husband returned from that war which should have never happened and he thanked her for not hating a child as if she would hold the child responsible for what she experienced; as if the child had anything to do with why she was angry at her husband. Clearly, Rhaegar still does not know her.

Elia shook her head. Still he is her husband and she is his wife. She has a duty to him, their children, the rest of his family, and the kingdom of which she is now Queen. Her hurt feelings or Rhaegar's actions or in-actions do not matter; she has far greater concerns. She has a feast and coronation plans to prepare and a war-torn kingdom to help him rebuild.


Rhaegar's thoughts were interrupted by Ser Jaime entering the throne room.

The knight smiled at him though his eyes seem to dart around, "Your Grace is still here?"

Rhaegar returned his smile, though it was strained, not that the knight was looking at him. "Yes, I was going to go to my chambers, yet, I stayed to think on some things." He paused; Ser Jaime did not need to know what his thoughts were about. His thoughts were his own burden to bear.

"What brings you back here? Certainly you are not here to do your duty to safeguard my person from danger; I just have returned to King's Landing. I can not be in danger just yet; as it is though it will change soon enough, there is hardly anyone here."

The distracted knight said, "No, no Your Grace, your person is completely safe."

Instead of looking at him Jaime kept his eyes on the floor as though he was looking for something. Finally the young man let out an uncharacteristically joyful laugh. He watched as the knight walked over to skull which used to be Meraxes to reach down to pick up a black cat by the scruff. The knight cradling the cat in his arms, now looked at him though his expression uncomfortable, "Prince Viserys said something about the Princess Rhaenys would be more cheery if she had Balerion with her."

Rhaegar almost flinched at the reminder of his daughter shying away from him.

Jaime changed the subject abruptly. "While we are here Your Grace, Her Grace bid me to ask you would be willing to stay in your old chambers as the King's chambers still showed signs of damage due to, ahem, His Grace's accident. The chambers have mostly been fixed, but, it will take a few more days for them to be completely ready."

Feeling relieved at Ser Jaime's offer of a distraction, "What more needs to be done?"

"A wardrobe was broken and needs to be replaced as does one of the bed posts, one wall needs a tapestry to cover up the burn marks, and the smell; it still remains." The younger man looked haunted as he said the last.

This time Rhaegar offered the distraction, "Ser Jaime I wanted to thank you for looking after the Queen and my family. I am glad you were here for them. The children seem very comfortable around you."

Jaime smiled rather softy, "Your Grace entrusted them to my care. It was no great hardship. The Queen had always been kind and did most of the work with Ser Willem. The children were very sweet, though Prince Viserys was always active like most boys his age. Still, I suppose it has to do with Tyrion, my younger brother. Before I was honored by being asked to join the Kingsguard, I would often look after him myself. It was something I was used to."

Rhaegar vaguely remembered Tywin Lannister's third and youngest child. He had been told the child was quick witted "for a dwarf"; though the last would be said out of the Lannister Lord's hearing.

"Yes, quite. I am glad for it. So, Ser Jaime have the rest of the Kingsguard needs been seen to?"

"Of course; they are resting now. Will Your Grace be requiring a bath as well, before the evening meal?"

"Yes. That would be lovely. It has been far too long. And the journey has been far too weary."

Ser Jaime, though he had voiced nothing, his eyes seemed to as ask a question Rhaegar did not feel prepared to answer. Instead the young knight, with cat in hand, started to walk to the door, "I can imagine".

Having taken a few steps he stopped as if another thought had just occurred to him. He turned to Rhaegar, "Has Your Grace…" His voice trailed off and shook his head as if to say 'forget I was intending to say something' though Rhaegar saw as the younger man's eyes fell onto the Iron Throne.

Rhaegar smiled crookedly. "In between all of this: the war and returning; even though the Queen sent me that raven informing me of my father's death I forget that it is indeed mine now." He stopped speaking for a moment. "I suppose now is as good a time as any".

Rhaegar slowly made his way to the imposing Iron Throne; his throne, now. He walked up the dais. He remembered old tales from his youth about the throne. He remembered that many looked at it as though it was almost a sentient being, that it knew who was worthy of sitting on it. Standing in front of it he considered perhaps there was truth to the tales. He remembered his father used to cut himself on it often. He knew all to well his father proved himself unworthy of it. He carefully lowered himself onto the seat, cautiously minding the sharp and jagged edges, reminding himself to not fully lean back on it. He felt the need to close his eyes and release the breath he had been holding.

He opened his eyes and turned to his knight. "How do I look, Ser Jaime?"

"Like a true king, Your Grace."

"I swear Ser Jaime that I will do all in my power to be, to remain, a true king."

If Rhaegar hadn't seen it come and go so quickly he would have believed he imagined Ser Jaime's uncertain look before his face became an expressionless mask. "I would think so, Your Grace."

Because all the things he learned today, he understood Ser Jaime's skepticism. The knight was here to see everything. For all the young man was idealistic, he was no dullard. If a man could abandon his duty to his family and responsibilities to his kingdom, how could he be a king? Still, by saying nothing the knight said it all. He would do his duty to Rhaegar because he was sworn, just as he did for Aerys; even if he no love for them. Rhaegar did not know if he should be relieved or not.

What he did know, Rhaegar would have to earn the trust of his men; just as he would his wife and his children's. He would not fail in this. He could not fail, not again.


Ser Jaime had said to his brothers in the Kingsguard that the evening meal was to be held in the Great Hall of the Red Keep. A few hours after resting, the knights of the Kingsguard entered the hall together. The place was almost exactly as the place the last time they saw it. The Targaryen banners still hung high, but, the hall was very much empty, just like the rest of the Keep had been when they arrived. Still, there were differences; on the High Table it was Rhaegar who sat in the place reserved for the King and the Queen at his side was Elia. On the King's other side sat Prince Viserys and Princess Rhaenys sat on the other side of the queen. The old Maester and Ser Darry sat on a table laid out just beneath the High Table with spaces enough for the four of them to sit. Wylla was nowhere to be seen, nor were any of the other children. Given the lateness of the hour, the younger children must have been asleep.

The one thing they had not expected was for Ser Jaime to be seated next to the little princess who clung to the lad while shooting fearful glances at her father. Once they fully entered the hall and got nearer to the slightly raised table they heard the Queen murmuring comforting words to the girl with her back to her husband while the knight seemed be trying to coax the younger girl into a conversation and unsuccessfully trying to get the girl to release his arm. The King for his part seemed composed save for the stiffness in his spine as kept his gaze firmly fixed on his younger brother. Prince Viserys evidently happy about having the attention of the brother he idolized, appeared to be waxing poetic about the wonder that his new room and what he think he needed to make the room even more perfect while the king nodded along at the appropriate moments.

The Queen finally looked up at them and smiled rather distractedly, "Sers, I trust your accommodations were sufficient? Please let me know if there is anything you need. I will arrange it for you."

Receiving nods, she continued. "I do hope you will forgive the lack of formality tonight. Lately there have been so few of us..." She trailed off for a moment but rallied, "Please, sit. The food will be brought out shortly."

The group of four for the lack of anything to say took their seats. A few servants entered the room arms laden with trays.

Ser Arthur sat facing the High Table and did not like what he saw. The Queen kept her eyes on her daughter or on her plate. The King, when not facing his brother, kept sneaking glances at Princess Rhaenys and the Queen while it looked as though it took great effort for him to stop frowning. Arthur guessed the Queen and King had tense words when the group left the Throne Room. He'd never what it is like to be married, but, he supposed after spending more than a year apart given the circumstances surrounding Rhaegar's leaving and coming home, the situation between the pair would be tense for some time. He was loyal to Rhaegar; yet, Elia had always been a friend what with Ashara and Elia being close. Now to see the pair of them like this, did not sit right with him. Still, he could not know where to start to help fix this. He doubted they would welcome his interfering.

He tore his eyes away and looked at his own table. Ser Oswell was looking well and joyful while he was truly tucking into his meal. It was just as well; his plate was exceptionally full. Arthur supposed he couldn't fault his 'brother'; food at the Tower not plentiful by any means and the stops they made on the road had little to do with indulging oneself with food. Ser Gerold seemed intent on savoring each bite of the roast on his plate. Ser Barristan looked to be in some deep thought as he picked at his food. Ser Willem and Maester Pycelle were having some sort of conversation about trying to scrounge up more servants now that the King had returned and a little bit about the preparations for the Coronation ceremony.

Just as Arthur was going to start eating, a young boy burst into the hall clutching something. This interruption caused everyone to look up as the servant walked to Maester Pycelle and handed a note to him. The old man dismissed the boy while he scanned the note and he turned his attention to the Queen. "It is a note from Dorne, Your Grace, from Prince Doran. Prince Oberyn will be arriving in King's Landing in less than a fortnight." Seeing her smile, he turned to Arthur, "Lady Ashara and, ah, Lady Alya are riding with him."

Arthur was so happy to hear this news. He would see his sister again after so long and this would be the first time he saw his niece. Once it was discovered Rhaegar left with Lyanna, King Aerys had sent them out to find Rhaegar and if Lyanna had been with him, they were ordered to "guard her". Even though the Tower was in Dorne, Arthur had not been given leave to go to Starfall even for briefest of time. Arthur though the Queen looked elated; he remembered she and Oberyn were close. Amusingly enough, it seemed Prince Viserys was equally delighted as he turned to his good-sister and asked, "Do you think when the Prince arrives he would show me how to fight with a spear?"

Ser Jaime coughed and replied in good humor, "Prince Viserys! I think I should be insulted. Word of Prince Oberyn's coming just arrived and you've already forgot about our sword lessons?"

While Viserys let out a childish laugh, "No Ser Jaime, I like our lessons. I just want to be an excellent warrior like Aemon the Dragonknight!"

Rhaegar looked at Jaime sharply, "How could you let him play with swords? Weapons are not toys for children." Rhaenys buried her head in Jaime's arm while Jaime looked at Rhaegar in shock.

The Queen, for the first time since knights entered looked at her husband, frowning, "It's not but few lessons about proper care of swords and play with a wooden one. My brothers started at that when they were younger than Viserys is now." Turning to the visibly deflated Viserys, "I'm sure my lord is just surprised he wasn't the one to begin teaching you, himself. I am sure my brother will be happy to teach you about using the spear. You'll make a fine warrior one day. Perhaps you can show the King what you learned so far? Would that not be lovely, my Lord?"

Rhaegar collected himself and nodded to his younger brother. "Yes, yes fine. You may learn whatever you wish from Prince Oberyn, but, only when I am present. You understand." The boy agreed readily.

The Maester chimed in, "Prince Viserys has began other lessons as well. He has memorized the history of the House of Targaryen from Aegon the Conqueror forward and some history of House Martell as well."

Rhaegar looked sharply at the Maester. "Since when has he been receiving lessons on heraldries and family histories?"

Ser Willem chimed in, "His Grace insisted on it and there was no reason to discontinue it his learning since he proved to be a diligent student."

Looking at his brother's anxious face, Rhaegar let out a resigned, "I see. I suppose I am far too late to decide plans for you, myself. Do you intend on being on my council by your tenth name-day. as well, hmm?"

Viserys giggled, "May I?"

"We will see. We would prefer you have time to play". The boy pouted slightly, but did not press the issue; he would not be denied pudding the following night as well.

Just then the Maester turned to Rhaegar, "Speaking of councils has Your Grace decided on who is to be your Hand?"

Rhaegar considered the man in front of him for a moment, while the Kingsguard who returned with their king exchanged glances. "He had been forbidden from speaking of it yet, but, once the fighting at the Trident was finished and peace negotiated, I offered the position to Lord Arryn. He has accepted. He will be here shortly with his wife; as will the Lords Stark and Baratheon. He was fairly open to reconciliation and he seems like a sensible sort of man. His assistance in helping us rebuild the kingdom will be considerable."

The Maester looked as though the believed the proposition was absurd while the look on the Queen's face plainly said she was amused. Jaime's thoughts mirrored the Queen's expression. 'Arryn was a good enough choice. The man had been highly regarded. That he accepted peace, speaks highly of his interest in repairing the realm'.

Pycelle spoke again, "But, Your Grace, certainly someone who fought along side our forces would make for a better Hand? Lord Tywin had been hand for twenty years."

Rhaegar responded flatly, "The Office of the Hand needs to be filled by someone with experience of some sort of governance someone with a strong reputation. Lord Mace who supported fully would serve us best in the Reach." The Maester could hardly argue with that. The King briefly looked at Ser Jaime before continuing, "Lord Tywin; his support after the Trident assisted greatly, yet, this is a new era. Someone different; I think."

Jaime could barely hold in his laughter. His father will be in for quite a surprise. Of course, his father tried to back the winner. Unfortunately for him it appears entering the fray late cost him his chance at reaping the rewards. Still his father would not take this lightly.

As if on cue, the Queen spoke, her expression almost wicked, "Come now, my good Maester, I am sure we can honor Lord Tywin in another way. My Lord makes valid points and what's done is done. We must look forward now".

The king nodded. "Enough; there will be time for discussions later. We needn't bore the children with such talk. For now we should finish the meal." Everyone took the hint and turned their attention to their food.


After the meal three of the knights retired to solar of the Lord Commander. Ser Jaime would join them after he escorted the excited young prince to his new chambers while Ser Arthur was remaining with the King. Gerold Hightower, for his part, was glad to finally sit in his solar again. He would finally sleep in his own bed again. Looking at his 'brothers' he felt a pang of sadness. He remembered Ser Lewyn and Ser Jonathon who had been killed in war. His brothers had been loyal men and good friends and he felt their loss keenly. He would miss their company. Still, as Lord Commander, before long, he would have to speak to the King about picking some men to add replace the losses to their group.

When he noticed the Bull's eyes fall on the empty seat favored by Prince Lewyn, Ser Barristan spoke, "I saw them both fall. The first few nights after, I saw their faces in my sleep. Good men, both of them. I will miss them."

Ser Oswell grunted, "Aye, good men, gone for nothing."

Ser Barristan turned to his 'brother', "Nothing? They died in service of our King."

Ser Oswell looked at him steadily, "They would not have been at war if the Mad King had not burned those Lords. Of course, those lords would not have been in King's Landing waiting to be burnt if the King never took that that Stark girl."

Ser Barristan spoke again astonished, "Come now. He is our King and we have to serve him. Our lot in life is not to question. It is our duty, even if he forgot his in the course of love."

Ser Gerold let out an inelegant laugh, "Madness. Madness is what it was, not love."

Ser Barristan, "What do you mean 'madness'? He would not tear apart his kingdom for something less than love. The King is his father's son, true, but he is not like his father."

Ser Oswell smiled sadly. "Brother, you are a bigger dreamer than Ser Jaime used to be. Surely you do not put stock in the old saying about Targaryen's and coins? Aegon the Conqueror used dragons to burn Kings to death; Baelor the Blessed locked his sisters away. Nay, after what we have seen, what we lived through; even the best of them seem mad in their own way. I pray to the Seven that was the end of his."

Ser Gerold sent Oswell a bland look, before returning his attention to Barristan, "Make no mistake about it, the Stark girl cut a striking figure and there was something there, but if he was in love, it was more the idea of the girl rather than the lady herself; or rather he loved what she was to do for him. Oh, he returned to that Tower full of righteous happiness in his victory at the Trident alright, and though he was mournful when he learned she was dead, but, what he grieved was his plans going awry. The Bull had a faraway look in his eye when he recounted the tale.

Rhaegar looked away, "I see. She was a good woman. I am so sorry she died; she was so young and so full of fire and promise; so fierce. It truly is a shame." He took a breath, "Tell me, Ser Gerold, how the child, my Visenya?"

"Visenya, my Prince?"

"Lady Lyanna was to give me a daughter. I was intending to give my daughter the name, Visenya. What better name could there be chosen a Targaryen daughter born of a woman with the spirit of a warrior?"

"My Prince, Lady Lyanna gave birth to a boy. He is with the nurse now. Lady Lyanna lived long enough to name him Jon."

Rhaegar smiled though his expression was the melancholy one they were used to. "Jon. Of course, the gods saw fit to grant me son and while his mother died. None of this should have happened. Not at all…" He laughed though it sounded hollow, "Let us go see my son."

Ser Oswell, "You see 'Brother'; it was desire and madness, not love".

Barristan looked rather troubled. "But, certainly she loved him? At Harranhal she wept when he sang and it was no secret she had not favored Lord Robert. Certainly her love was true."

Ser Oswell laughed dully, "She would not be the first maid to believe herself in love with him when he was but a comely prince. She was six and ten when she died. What do they know of love at that age? She was young and hated the lot in life chosen for her. She was just as wolf-blooded as that fool brother of hers. If it was love that drove her, it died quickly enough when the girl found out about her father and brother. And then, she wanted nothing but to go home and it would not have happened no matter how much she cried or pleaded. Our orders were that we guard her and we did, until we no longer had to".

"Whatever drove them, it matter not now. The girl is gone and the son is settled into his father's household. Either way, do not stress yourself overmuch, Brother. As you said, it should not matter to us. We are but members of the Kingsguard. Our duty is to serve and protect our king, not to judge. As it was for Aerys, it should be for Rhaegar. During the meal he the King and Queen spoke of moving forward. We are here, we survived, we move on", Ser Gerold spoke with a sense of finality.


Elia was seated in her bedroom in front of a vanity brushing her hair. She looked back at her bed where her daughter was sleeping. Her daughter had been disturbingly out of sorts today. The nurse said she'd be fine with the four children, but, Elia worried Rhaenys, who had been acting frightened most of the day would have a terror-filled dream as she had once in a while when Aerys had been alive. The way her daughter was acting at dinner just strengthened her resolve to keep her daughter with her. Lost in her musings she almost did not hear the knock at the door of her sitting-room. She walked out of her bedroom to open the door to find her husband and Ser Arthur on the other side. "Please come in."

Arthur said, "I will stay outside."

Elia stepped aside to let Rhaegar in her chambers though she moved to close the door to her bed-room. Motioning to a cushioned chair she bid her husband to sit. "If you needed me for something you could have summoned me. I would not have refused."

"I am aware. I had a few items I needed to discuss with you. I expect Lord Arryn and his wife Lysa Tully will be here within the fortnight; as will Lord Stark, his wife Catelyn Tully, and Lord Stannis. I need to you to make the arrangements. Of course, I will see what I can do about getting more servants for the Keep to assist you.

"Of course, I will begin to make the arrangements tomorrow."

"One more thing; you saying something about finding a way to honor Lord Tywin; what did you have in mind? A seat on the council for sure, but, he will not accept no mere seat. It is not as though I could release Ser Jaime with his vows."

"Well, I agree we can not make him Hand nor do that. Lord Arryn was a good choice if he holds no enmity towards us. Just inform Lord Tywin the realm needs to know that we intend on moving forward, in unity, and we needed to choose someone else. Master of Coin; I think, and a marriage proposal."

"A marriage proposal for Lord Tywin? Though it has been years since the loss of Lady Joanna, he would still not agree to marriage now."

"I meant for his daughter, Lady Cersei. Years ago my Lady Mother and Lady Joanna intended for me to marry Jaime and Cersei to marry Oberyn; except Lady Joanna died and it fell through. Lord Tywin always believed his daughter was meant to be a princess. She still can be."

"You intend on matching your brother for the girl?"

"Why not? It would bind our families closer together and who else is high enough for the girl? Lord Tyrell's son is far too young; so is Benjen Stark. Hoster Tully is not as high a Lord and his heir a mere boy. Can you imagine her with a Frey? Pardoned or not, Lord Stark has his Tully bride; and from what I remember of Cersei and what Ser Jaime says about her, she would be terribly unhappy with Lord Stannis. My brother is a prince; he is also strong, comely, and agreeable enough."

"Your brother would agree?" Elia raised her eyebrow "He will do what I ask of him. The girl is pretty enough. If he does seem reluctant, I will speak to Doran; he would make Oberyn see the sense in it."

"Very well, I will talk to Lord Tywin of the match. Still, I wish to talk to about your brother. I shouldn't have reacted badly about Oberyn coming to King's Landing. I know you were always close to him. Still, we do not know how long he would stay and I don't know if Viserys should be taking lessons from him. Why have Pycelle and Ser Jaime have been teaching him at all? I should have been the one to teach him. I am here to do that now. He only has lived through six name days. He's too young to be playing scholar and at weapons and war."

"And what is to stop you from taking a role in his education? You are his brother, but, the lessons are ones he needed to learn, Rhaegar. If not now, then later; he has to learn them. He's a prince no matter how many name days he has seen. He is far too curious for his own good. Having him distracted was the only thing I could do to stop the questions."

"Questions?"

"There were so many. 'Where you were? Did you really take the girl with you? Why did Mother always cry after coming out of Father's rooms? Why were there bruises on my face? Why did Father burn that man? Why are we at war?' What would you have me do? I would not lie to him. There were so many questions and not many answers. Some truths I knew and not many of them suitable for a boy who had not even seen seven name-days. Would you rather he asks questions of the Maester, Ser Darry, or Ser Jaime; who knows what they would say? Or, would you have preferred him asking your father? Giving the boy distractions was the only choice I had; one of the few you left me with when you left."

"I was the one who had no choice. The prophesy—"

"That again? Prophesies are mere words and we both know words are the wind! But, then again so were our wedding vows!"

"You know it wasn't like that; I had no love for Lyanna."

"Ha! If you had no love for the girl then why take her if all you needed was a vessel for the "third head" of your 'dragon'? Were all the whores in Flee Bottom not available that day? You have no love for her! Are you trying to tell me that or trying to tell yourself? Or did she lose your love when she gave you a "Jon" and not a "Visenya", just as I lost yours when I only gave you two children?"

"That is not true. I love you. You wanted me to return and I returned to you!"

"If you loved me, you would not have left; no matter how many prophesies you came across!"

Just then a noise interrupted their argument. Elia went to check on Rhaenys while Rhaegar trailed behind her. Rhaenys was sitting up with tears rolling down her cheeks and Elia rushed to take the child in her lap brushing her tears while Rhaegar stayed in the door-way.

"My darling; what happened? Did you have a bad dream again?"

"The loud voices scared me, Mama." Elia and Rhaegar looked abashedly at one another.

"It's quite alright, my girl. There will not be any more loud voices. Not anymore."

Rhaegar took this chance to step closer, his daughter's eyes wide, "If we promise that there would be no more loud voices will you sleep." The girl looked unsure.

"Will you not give your Papa a smile, little one?" The little girl turned to her mother who smiled faintly and nodded.

"Now smile for me; will you, my love?" Seeing the girl's watery smile, Rhaegar relaxed.

Elia hugged her daughter once more before laying her down and the pair of them said nothing while they waited for the child to sleep again.

Once they shut the door behind them Elia turned to her husband, "I am tired of having the same arguments again, and the children deserve better from both of us. I do not wish to fight with you anymore, Rhaegar."

"I know you do not believe me, but, I swear one day you know I am sorry for all of it. I meant what I said about us moving forward; together."


Chapter 4: New Arrivals and New Plans