Robert

277 A.C Red Keep

Robert grunted and parried another strike from Arthur's sword, back-peddling as he did so. Arthur swung overhead. Robert caught it with his hammer, pulling down and releasing the sword. Robert struck with his hammer from above. Ser Arthur stepped back in retaliation. Sword raised fast to parry Robert's strikes. Arthur hacked at Roberts's stomach but he caught it with the pommel of his hammer. Robert swung at Arthur's chest only for his strike to be parried. Their audience, Ser Lewyn, Ser Gerold and, Ser Oswell Whent; watched their techniques with critical eyes.

Ser Oswell grinned commenting on the battle, "Gerold, Baratheon would make a good Kinsguard wouldn't he?"

Ser Gerold grunted, "He knows how to swing a hammer, but he does not act much like a knight," referring to Robert's trysts with the servant girls. He hadn't fucked one, not from lack of trying with Ned and Rhaegar being wet blankets. Before Kings Landing, Ned only disapproved of his tryst. Now he openly kept him from even getting to feel a girl's tits. Rhaegar climbed on board after the tourney. They had to be hiding something from him to be so bloody persistent.

"Come on now Ser Gerold, I took my oath to stand by the king, Standing vigilant while the he rules, sits, shits and, pisses," Ser Lewyn quipped with a twist of his lips, making Ser Oswell laugh.

Ser Gerold sighed shaking his head. "You're no man to be a judge of character, if you can't keep your cock in your breeches."

"Oh I fathered no children, and taken no wife, just fucked a few girls…and some Lord's wives." Ser Lewyn feigned offense from his knight brother.

Robert laughed, losing concentration raising his hand. Arthur stopped chuckling at Ser Lewyn's words. Robert sucked in a breath when he stopped laughing, he spun his hammer once nodding to Arthur, thanking him for the reprieve. The gesture proved him a knight of greatness yet again. The two continued their spar until they countered each and every move they could think of. By the time they were done, Ser Lewyn had left to return to his duties and Ser Oswell follwing him with Ser Gerold declaring the match a tie. Robert shook hands with Arthur, then went their separate ways. Robert went to the great hall to find some wine. With Ned gone and Rhaegar busy with the politics, he found himself with some free time. If he were lucky maybe one of the serving girls would help him waste it. He sat on a table with wine, and bread pondered about his friends. Rhaegar was being talked to death by Tywin, and the rest of the small council. Ned was out with Jon in the city about some business or other Robert paid no attention to. The gods know Jon probably told him, but when they were talking near the Red Keep's Gate he'd seen a girl with great big tits wink at him. He completely tuned out Jon and Ned after that.

"Lonely my lord?" His cup of wine was refilled by a servant with a sultry voice.

Robert looked up to see that same girl from before. Her face wasn't much to look at. Her eyes were a little too far apart, she had buck teeth with the shadow of a moustache on her upper lip. Lucky for her, mens' eyes weren't on her face, but the low cut dress, that barely contained her huge tits. "No, but I don't turn down company" Robert smirked, he turned patting his lap to let her sit on. The servant girl did so, making herself comfortable. She placed a hand on his chest feeling the muscle underneath his doublet. Robert smirked, wrapped his arm around her waist. The other, grabbed his cup to drink.

"I hear the girls in Lord Arryn's service talk about you" She purred the words, while making circles on his chest with her finger.

"Is that so? Can't imagine why they would whisper about me." Robert shrugged and grasped a full hand of her plump ass that felt like he was squeezing a wine skin.

"Aye they whisper about you, how you stick your fingers in their cunts." She whispered near his ear. Her warm breath tickling his neck.

Robert laughed and nuzzled her neck, he placed sloppy kisses eliciting a moan from her.

She leaned to his ear to whisper with a seductive tone. "My name is Bessy. If it pleases you, my lord, why don't we go to my room, I want to ride the stag," she whispered nibbling on his ear.

Robert felt his cock press against his breeches, he smacked her ass to get her up. He was going to fuck this girl, until her teats bounced like balls down stairs. She guided him to the servant rooms, opened the door to her room with her back then pulled her dress down making her teats pop free from their confines. Robert reached to undo his breeches but stopped.

"My Lord?" she asked, her brows knitting together. With that motion he absently observed her eyebrows were close enough to look like one.

Robert tied his breeches back, realisation dawning on him."Shit sakes, never mind." He turned and bolted to the opposite direction. He wanted to fuck her, he did! He wasn't going to need to look at her face either, she'd be clutching a barrel she used for a table in her bedroom anyways. Her face in her arms screaming his name as he bent her over it. Decidedly tired of the secrecy and his love for his brothers keeping him celibate, for now at least, Robert decided he would get the truth or he'd knock their heads together until one of them caved and spill their secret.

Eddard

277 A.C Kings Landing

Ned's horse trotted next to Jon's own mount outside the Old Gate of the city. On the way down the Kings Road, Arryn banners proudly flapped above a score of knights, following a young man about his or Rhaegar's age. He had dark locks of hair and blue eyes, like that of Jon's he looked familiar, but Ned could not pin a name on him. Jon proudly smiled as the lad stopped by them greeting their liege Lord.

"Denys! How are you my boy!" Jon greeted, urging his horse forward to clasp hands with the man.

"Aye it's good to see you, my lord." He returned the handshake firmly, before he nodded towards Ned.

"This is my ward Eddard, I don't think you have met him." Ned rode forward as well, both men clasped hands with strong grips.

"A pleasure, Eddard. Good day to you," Denys greeted.

Ned returned the sentiment. "Good day to you as well." A few introductions with the Vale knights followed, before the group retreated back into the city.

"I believe Jon has two wards, would you tell me of the other?" Denys asked while his face soured the deeper they got into the city.

Ned chuckled, remembering all too well his first time in the city. "Don't try to be polite Ser, this whole city smells like shit." He waved to the streets where the poor, hired by the crown, shoveled excrement from man and beast alike aside.

"Aye, this city smells like pig sty." Denys looked apologetically to Ned all the same.

"Don't worry, I don't have particular love for this city, the Red Keep holds better memories and, thank the gods, is downwind of the city." A peasant woman dumped a chamber pot into the streets and Denys averted his eyes, the valeman swallowed thickly, forcing the rising bile back into his stomach. Thankfully after coming up the sisters, the company could sigh in relief. The smell faded the higher one went on the city.

"The smell has let out a bit." Denys spat on the passing ground. He scrunched his nose able to breath slightly fresher air in.

"Don't worry, after we pass the Great Sept of Baelor, the smell becomes more bearable." Ned assured him. Jon urged them forward to leave the stink of the city behind. Crossing the gates to the Red Keep, stable boys took their horses. Jon then told Ned to take Denys and his men to the Great Hall to drink and eat after their long march. Here he got to know the Valeman, how he earned his knighthood killing a raiding band of Mountain Clansmen. Denys also shared his marriage to Jon's last remaining niece.

.

"Ned!" Robert had exclaimed his name, his friend practically stomped his way to him and Deny's table.

Ned stood, before Robert could continue he introduced him to Denys, "Robert, this is Denys Jon's nephew by marriage." Robert shook hands with the Vale Knight, but Ned could already tell Robert had a bone to pick with him. So Ned excused them both from Deny's presence and the two found a more private part of the Great Hall to speak.

"What is it Robert?" Ned leaned on a pillar, one of many in the Great Hall.

"What are you hiding from me, Ned? You and Rhaegar both." Robert grumbled.

Ned felt his jaw tighten, had Robert somehow learned of his father's plans to marry his sister? "I'm not sure what you mean, Robert." Ned waved his hand in dismissal, he didn't lie to Robert. His father was still deciding. He felt telling Robert would raise his friend's hope without even knowing his father's decision.

"Damn it, Ned! I had a good thing going, a girl with the kind of teats you could bury your face in!" Robert paced in his place, he threw his arms out before continuing, "A face like stale bread sure. But her ass was also nice and plump." Robert stopped his pacing, he slid both his hands up his face, smoothing his black hair down. He was frustrated, not to mention he felt Rhaegar and Ned were both keeping secrets from him.

"Robert, I promise you I am hiding nothing from you-"

Robert interrupted, pointing an accusing finger at him,, "Then Rhaegar! He asked you to keep a secret!"

"Robert, there is no secret. We simply wanted to keep your honor and name intact." Ned tried to speak reason but Robert wasn't having it.

"Oh to the seven hells with your Northen honor, Ned! So what if I fuck a girl or two?" Robert threw his arms out before letting them fall to his sides.

"Because you are to be the heir to Storm's End! You are the firstborn of your house" Ned grabbed at Robert's shoulders, shaking his bigger friend trying to get him to see reason.

"What does that have to do with it? Damn it, Ned. Let me live a little. You and Rhaegar can be as fucking pious as you want but let me live. I only hold myself back because of my love for you both!" Robert shouted he stepping back from Ned's reach.

Ned opened his mouth to retort but no words came. What could he say? Robert would be willing to kick the doors to the seven hells down, just for Rhaegar and him. With a resigned sigh, Ned decided he could not hold this from Robert any longer. "Robert I…I have something to tell you." Ned rubbed his temples.

"Damn it, so you have been hiding something!"

"No! Gods no, I haven't been hiding anything, I just did not want to get your hopes up." Ned turned throwing his arms up in exasperation.

"My hopes for what, Ned?" Robert crossed his arms standing firm, he would have his answer no matter what this time. Ned was sure of that much.

So after he rubbed his face with one hand, Ned turned to Robert with the news. "Robert, my father has been in talks with Lord Steffon for a possible union of our houses." Ned uncrossed his arms putting one hand to his hips, the other lifted up in defeat. "There has been no arrangement made, my father has also the heir to the Dreadfort in mind to strengthen our house ties."

Out of those words, Robert clearly only heard the ones he liked. Because he quickly hugged Ned in a bone crushing hug, excited. "Haha! God's man! Why didn't you tell me?" Robert's smile looked about ready to crack his face.

"Robert, as I said it's not decided yet." Ned patted Robert's shoulder trying to get him to release him.

"Then I will ride north! Better yet, I shall win the next tourney in her name!" Robert proclaimed. but he didn't know Lyanna. She was a willful girl she would not want Robert to win a tourney for her, she wanted to win it for herself. Ned freed himself from Robert's grip, and he rolled his shoulders feeling his bones pop. Ned was quick to remind her she would not like that.

"Why would she not like that? Is it a northern thing?" Robert stroked his chin his free hand propped on his hip.

Ned had to laugh at that. True northerners weren't much for tourneys, but this was more of a Lyanna thing, than a northern thing."No Robert, it's a Lyanna thing. She is a willful girl who loves to ride astride as a man. She plays with swords, she sneaks away from her septa to play joust with our younger brother Benjen." Ned explained all in a brotherly tone.

"Then tell me about her Ned. What she is like. What makes her laugh. What makes her cry?" Robert looked genuinely interested. So Ned threw an arm around Robert and guided him back to the table with Denys. He told the Valeman and Robert about his sister, while Robert listened eagerly.

By the end of the story, Robert's excitement only increased. He seemed intrigued by Lyanna, her un-lady like behaviour only attracted him to her further. "I will speak to my father. We will be brothers by blood Ned!" Robert stood suddenly, making him and Denys jump a little in their seats. Robert pointed at Ned, "Just think! When we have children, I will have Rhaegar's children marry mine! We can be family as it was meant to be." Robert certainly had an interesting plan, but neither him or Rhaegar were even betrothed yet.

"You have a brother at Storm's End, Robert. As I have Brandon and Benjen." Ned was quick to remind his over eager friend.

"I know Ned, Stannis is my brother, we are blood. Nothing will change that, but you are as much my brother as Jon is my father," Robert argued.

Ned agreed about that much, Jon was like another father to him.

"Your father will not pay for a wedding, we shall pay for it and I will make sure no dowry is necessary!" Robert proclaimed, a bold claim but he was sure his father would cool his head about such matters if they did agree.

"Robert just don't get your hopes too high my friend." Ned reminded him once more.

"Don't worry Ned, I will do my best to make this happen, now come on tell me more about her." Robert led Ned to a table away from the Vale party. Only barely registering Denys parting words. Ned sat down with Robert who eagerly poured them some wine. Rubbing his scruffy chin Ned thought of his home. Lyanna was already a better rider than him, with what little swordplay she was being taught in secret by Brandon she was showing promise. Lyanna was wild by nature, she hated everything about the Septa his father brought in to teach her southern lady mannerism, should he marry her to a shorthorn Lord like Robert.

"Lyanna rides astride as a man does, she likes wearing breeches and fighting her own battles." Ned's fondness for his sister shone as the sun, with each word.

Robert looked on confounded when he heard she liked fighting. "Fights like a man? Why would she need to fight? I'll fight for her Ned!"

"I know you would Robert, and as her brother I can't thank you enough. But you have to understand, Lyanna isn't a flower. She is the north in spirit, and body," Ned warned him.

"But why would she care so much about man's pursuits?" Robert grumbled confused, but all the same interested. To choose her own path was her greatest wish, to choose her husband and to win glory for herself. She was born into a world unfair to her wishes, but Ned was aware of that as a second son. He had more freedoms than Brandon, Benjen more so as a third son. Yet his father would surely look to his bannermen for a wife for him. Even when he had someone else in mind for that.

"Well then what can I do to make her happy?" Robert asked.

Ned wondered if his friend somehow had a romantic notion about Lyanna, or if it was his brotherly love to him that made him so interested. Whatever the answer, Robert was trying and Ned, for one, would love to have him related by blood.

"Don't sleep with other women Robert, Lyanna will never so much as try to talk to you if she knows you bed other women," Ned warned steel in his voice.

Robert groaned at this, "Damn it man, we're not even betrothed!"

Ned reaffirmed him just the same."Robert! Damn it think man! We are of the North, if you wish to be looked on in favor than you must respect our ways." If Robert wanted to win Lyanna he needed not respect the North for his sister was the north. Wild, cold at times angry, but beautiful to those who inhabited it. Robert needed to understand that if his father decided to marry her to Robert. " Not to Lyanna, if you fuck every girl that lifts her skirts for you. It will be to Lyanna as if you had broken your wedding vows already." Lyanna already abhors the idea of being sold off to another Lord for one agreement or other.

"Bullocks alright, damn it alright! I understand I won't fuck another woman." Robert sighed, then propped his arms on the table.

"No whoring either Robert, my sister will just think you a whoremonger for looking at one." Ned felt compelled to add, Lyanna in her bitterness at being denied her own choices would look for any flaw to disgrace any would be sutor.

"Fine, damn it, fine. I will stop groping with the servant girls. Damn, who knew I'd be married before even stepping into a sept." Robert grumbled.

Ned smiled thinking of something, to help Robert endear himself to Lyanna."Want to really get into her good graces?"

"Alright what else, huh?" Robert shrugged defeated, yet his blue eyes shone with determination to winning his sisters heart.

"Ask your father to marry her in Winterfell, with her family and in the Godswood. She will love you for that, I can almost guarantee it." Ned picked up his wine and drank nearly all of it in one gulp.

"Alright, I will speak to my father. He is due to come in a moon's turn. The gods be good Ned, we will be brothers by blood I swear it!" Robert's fist hit the table as he slouched over it, the hit nearly knocking his cup of wine over.

Rhaegar

Rhaegar threaded his fingers as the small council reported on the happenings of the realm. Since his father was in Duskendale, it fell to him to rule in his absence. He was to rule one day, it was only natural he should sit the king's seat. Lord Qarlton Chelsted the Master of Coin reported on a problem that bothered the whole council.

"The taxes have been lower than supposed to be your grace." Lord Chelsted went over his ledgers, his eyes squinting at the pages.

"What seems to be the problem, then Lord Chelsted." Rhaegar nodded to his Master of Coin.

"My Lord, the taxes have been collected as always. We normally wait until the North send theirs to count them. About some days prior I began counting the coin, and noticed the shipment from the Bronzegate and Haystack Hall has not arrived." The master of coin turned pages of his ledger. He turned the book and pointed to where the error was recorded.

"My Lord Arryn would best be able to explain the situation." Lord Chelsted bowed his head Jon Arryn.

The Lord of the Vale, and Master of Laws nodded. "The mark in thievery on the Kingswood has risen. The smallfolk that have been questioned have been silent on the matter."

Lord Varys jumped in after the Hand. "The bandits in question call themselves Kingswood Brotherhood, your grace" Lord Varysproducing a parchment from his sleeves. On the parchment were crudely written words the 'Kingswood brotherhood gives to the people.'

"They have risen recently, and their numbers are unknown. Even my birds cannot gather information on them." Varys pouted hiding his well manicured hands in his sleeves again.

"Why not, Lord Varys?" Lord Tywin's fingers drumming against the fine wood table.

"The Smallfolk, my birds tell me, might be hiding them. They believe they speak for their interest, and the Lords and the Crown cares for them not." Varys shrugged as if understanding their pleas. The people believing the crown has abandoned them would not do. Such thoughts brewed trouble and allowed bandits like these to thrive.

"The solution is simple your grace." Tywin got the rooms attention. "Go to one of these towns and put them to the sword. Warn all other villagers, to give the brigands over or they shall meet the same fate." That was barbaric but effective, cruelty could be counted on, at least to a degree . However, Rhaegar would not have his image tarnished as a cruel man before he ever even sat the throne. He would not butcher people because they felt unloved. He had to reassure their trust to protect them.

Rhaegar shook his head delivering a stern look to the whole room. "No Lord Tywin. I will not butcher my people, Lord Arryn gather a force at least four hundred men and secure the Kings Road check points every four hundred leagues." Rhaegar ordered leaving no quarter to be argued. Lord Tywin tried to stare down Rhaegar to make him reconsider, this only made his resolve stronger as he silently gazed back at his Hand of the King.

The Lion of the west's lips twitched upward ever so slightly. "Very well, your grace. Lord Arryn do as the prince says, and hope these brigands don't kill more loyal men." Lord Tywin's comment was unnecessary. But Rhaegar could tell he had just earned some respect from the old Lion.

"Very well, your grace. I shall assemble a force and personally ride out in a moon's turn." Lord Arryn bowed his head to him a small smile playing on his lips.

"What else is there to discuss, my lords?" Rhaegar gazed at his councilors.

"The problem at Duskendale, my lord." Lord Chelsted cleared his throat after speaking.

"What's that problem? Gods don't tell me the other crownland houses are beginning to back Lord Denys." Rhaegar sighed rubbing his temples.

"No, your grace. They have declared their loyalty to the crown and denounced Lord Denys. He tried to garner support and sent ravens to them with offers of coin and trading rights in his lands for their support." Varys informed with that enigmatic smile of his.

Rhaegar hummed stroking his chin. Varys was well informed, his 'little birds' provided information invaluable to the realm. His network expanded the seven kingdoms, and beyond if he was to be believed. "Good. Reward the loyalty of our bannermen, offer them each a hundred thousand golden dragons to the lords." Rhaegar ordered his Master of Coin, he eagerly nodded eagerly writing on his ledger.

Jon Arryn spoke up on the matter further, "Your grace I suggest the coin is delivered after Lord Denys is brought back in line."

"This is good, my father should find the realm well in place when he returns. What other matters to discuss?" Rhaegar relaxed against the back of his chair.

"Thievery within the city is at an all-time low, Lord Commander of the Watch Strong has proven a good man." Lord Arryn praised.

"Aye the drop in thievery is good, our coin spent on more men can be put to better uses." Lord Chelsted reported.

"The recruitment into the Gold Cloaks is at an all-time high, I suggest we drop the recruitment quota." Lord Arryn commented further.

"Why is that?" Rhaegar looked to the Vale Lord.

"Because any man willing to hold a spear can get a meal to fill their bellies and coin for their pockets." Lord Tywin dismissed the gold cloaks.

"The red cloaks of Lannisport were better trained and equipped than our own men." Rhaegar brought up the lax standards of the city watch.

Lord Tywin threaded his fingers, his elbows resting on his arm rests. "I spend my own coin to train my men, your grace. I want the best and ask for the best. The rats that fill the city watch are mostly half starved dregs from Flea Bottom."

"Then we spend the coin to make them the best, we put a quota of men and recruit no more. We will train the existing guard and the new recruits. I want the city watch to reflect the red Cloak of Lannisport." Rhaegar ordered his councilors. Lord Tywin looked deep in thought about the matter. Lord Chelsted jotted more notes on his ledger and Lord Arryn turned to lord Tywin to discuss the amount of men to recruit.

"Any other matters?" Rhaegar addressed them again after coming to an agreement about the men to recruit.

"Good, Lord Chelsted, have those figures sent to my rooms whenever you are finished" Rhaegar stood ending their meeting for the day. He looked forward to unwind after such a tedious meeting. Ned and Robert would be eating their supper by now, if the indication of the sun through the window was anything to go by. Ser Arthur had stood as silent as a statue by Rhaegar stepped aside to let him pass. Rhaegar pushed his chair in while the Council they moved for the door.

The door slammed open. With speed, Ser Arthur drew his sword at the sudden commotion. Ser Gerold stood before them, his white armor stained in blood, a particular bloody handprint over his heart smudging the bull engraving on his breastplate. "The King has been taken" Ser Gerold all but shouted. Rhaegar felt his heart drop to his stomach, his mouth went dry before he moistened his lips.

Ser Gerold with hardly a breath to respond, raved in hot fury. "Lord Denys proved himself a treacherous snake. He slew the king's men and our sworn brother Ser Gwayne was the only survivor who made it here to warn us!" Ser Gerold slammed his armored fist into his open palm.

"Madness " Rhaegar breathed out, his handsome face twisted in fury. He turned, gripping the high chair behind him. His knuckles paled from his grip. With a roar Rhaegar flung the chair hard enough to break one of the legs. His quiet voice was no more, with a quick turn he declared to the whole room, his voice booming, "Call the banners! The entire crownlands tell them their king has been wrongly imprisoned by the treacherous Lord Denys Darklyn!" Rhaegar stormed to the opened door. Ser Gerold put a fist across his heart bowing to the side for his liege. "Lord Denys has made a grievous mistake, I will show him his mistake. I will show him blood and fire." Rhaegar turned at the door to his councilors with his final declaration. Instantly the Lords set about the task of raising his army. The crownland banners would fall on Duskendale by the moon's turn. Rhaegar quickly found Robert and Ned, the two were speaking with a man he did not know yet, but he wore the colors of house Arryn.

Robert had lifted his cup to drink wine when he spotted him. Not noticing his scowl Robert stood waving him to sit with them. "Rhaegar, come meet Ser Denys Arryn a knight of the Vale he-" Robert paused when Rhaegar was close enough to catch his scowl. "What happened?" Robert asked sobering up.

Ned stood up as well. Dread clear as day on his long face. "Well, come on, man. Speak. Silence will get us nowhere."

Finally Rhaegar's fury faded, to give way to the sadness of a son who feared for his father's life. "War," he uttered eyes downcast, his right hand clutching at his heart as if pierced by a blade.

Duskendale has started, and Rhaegar has decided to act in what he hoped to avoid most. Violence, the lord of duskendale has brought on himself the wrath of the dragons. So let's see how everything will change now. The laughter and happiness is coming to an end the beginning of Aerys madness has started. Also special thanks to my Beta that I just acquired she will be replacing the chapters leading up to this one. Elfyna thanks once more for your help this chapter is dedicated to you!

Melubarv: Lyanna has a septa because Rickard is thinking of betrothing Lyanna to Robert, so he brought a septa to teach Lyanna in case he does decided to marry her to a shorthorn lord.

Edited 03/21/2017: Another chapter down, brought to you by the letter 'A' and Shadowcrest Nightingale