Eddard
278 A.C The Red Keep
The Quiet Wolf, Ned wasn't sure how he felt about the name, came from the ballad bards have been singing since Duskendale. The Quiet Wolf, the Wild Stag, and Bold Knight. The tale sung of how the wall was climbed, the king found, and the traitor knights slain. Though a few verses mentioned of facing an army. Apparently the bards considered half scared levies as an army in their songs. Though what made him more uncomfortable was the attention he was receiving from noble ladies. Foolish girls with songs of romance and knights flocked to him now like they did Rhaegar and Robert. Despite their relationship, Ned admitted, albeit rarely, he felt jealous of the attention his two friends got from the fairer sex. He was a second son and his shyness often got him looked over. Now that they had seen, or rather heard of the quiet wolf baring his fangs. They looked to him with lust and to climb the social ladder. To that event he was called by the king to receive a reward befitting the act of valor. At least that's all anyone knew of the matter. Ned had tried asking Arthur, a Kingsguard, but he shrugged his shoulders. He knew no more than him, so with a wary sigh he stood before the gates to the throne room with two goldcloaks guarding the entrance.
Ned scowled a little, he adjusted his leathers. He had been standing there for almost ten minutes before the doors opened. This wasn't the first time he was called here, the first time he was offered the newly vacant spot in the kingsguard as a reward. Ned knew it to be a great honor and wanted to accept, but lilac eyes and a beautiful smile played in his mind's eye so he refused it. The King had slapped Ned's back with a grin when he told him he planned to marry. The king eventually coerced his intended lover's name, Ashara Dayne and the king promised a fitting reward to fit the lady he wanted. Ned hoped the king, as he tended to do often, would forget this and simply give him a bag of gold and be done with it. He could use the gold to buy the armor Rhaegar wanted to craft for them. Blinking his thoughts away, Ned entered as he was announced, the king stood from the throne and clapped. The attendant nobles clapped following suit. Some might have meant it, but Ned knew most simply curried favor with the king.
"Your Grace, you summoned me?" Ned spoke humbly and knelt before his king.
The king stepped down from the throne, he spread his arm for a hug. "Ned!" The king used his childhood moniker, as good a signal as any to stand, he did so and received a firm hug from the king. "I have decided on your reward for saving my life."
Stiffly Ned returned the hug, he felt rather uncomfortable with the kings closeness lately. "You humble me, my king. I will be honored to accept this reward." Ned broke from the hug, and took a better look at the king. He seemed paler, his face somewhat gaunt as he had refused to eat before his food was tasted at least thrice. Once his royal taster ate the whole meal on his order, then had the man watched for a fortnight to see if he keeled over. The king ate little, oddly he only drank water. 'The wine hides the poison' the king would hiss aloud, so his tasters would taste his water from the cup and pitcher. His hair was a tangled mess. He refused to cut it, not wanting blades near him. Even his beard grew, unruly and tangled. The servant responsible for shaving the king had nicked the him when the he first decided to shave his beard. The nick got the man executed to everyone's shock. The king insisted he had been trying to murder him.
The king put his arm around Ned's shoulder, disrupting his thoughts and he turned with the king who addressed the gathered guest. "Look here! A good man, a true man who risked his own life and limb to save me. He is not my kin, ney we share no blood unlike I do with Robert Baratheon." The king swept his hand dramatically across the room. "Here in the eyes of gods and men, I Aerys Targaryen, second of my name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and, the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms protector of the realm. For your services to the crown and saving the life of your king." King Aerys paused on this point and looked with narrowed eyes at the court that discreetly bowed their heads. "I hereby grant you Lordship of Duskendale and name you shield of Blackwater Bay."
Ned's eyes widened and he whipped his head up, "Your Grace, what of Dontos Hollard?" The king said previously he would appoint him Lord of Duskendale. That was clearly thrown out the window along with any hopes of enterprising lords.
"I would not trust that castle to the blood of traitors. Take him into your service if you wish, but he will not rule Duskendale." The king was final in his command, he could not refuse this gift and if he did he would only insult the king's generosity.
"You honor me greatly, Your Grace. I shall take the boy in my service when he is knighted." Ned bowed his head respectfully. "Your Grace, would you need me further, or may I take my leave?" Ned just wanted get away from all the gawking eyes and whisperes, already he knew the nobility gathered would parade their daughters to the Lord of Duskendale to have their blood rule the city.
"Aye I know you aren't for these festivities lad, go on, get to your new Keep and make it yours." The king gave him one more soft pat on his back and sent him on his way. Though as Ned walked to the exit the king had more words to impart on everyone gathered. "There goes a true son! Stark is lucky to have such a son, while mine conspired against me! To leave me to rot in a cell while conspiring to usurp my throne with my own hand!" The king took the remaining steps down the throne room and practically shouted to them all, "So look how I reward the loyal and repay treason with blood and fire!" The gates to the throne room closed on his final words.
Arthur seemed to come from nowhere and placed a hand on Ned's shoulder. "Congratulations."
Ned turned and gave a sheepish smile, "Thank you my friend, but the gift is unnecessary. I merely did what I thought right."
"The king thought this right as well, and your reward befits the act," Arthur insisted and gave Ned's chest a light punch. "Perhaps I should mention to my brother you have lands worthy for a lord looking to marry off a daughter...or sister."
Ned snorted a short laugh, he walked with Arthur following close. "Keep that up and I might start thinking you're serious."
Arthur's playful tone dissipated to one of a concerned brother, "Tis no jape Stark, I am no fool, I know men lust for my sister and the prestige of House Dayne." Arthur passed Ned and blocked his path so he could stare into his eyes. "They would sooner fuck her and call her a trophy." Arthur spat on the ground for emphasis, before he jabbed his finger into Ned's chest. "I heard my brother hopes a match with Prince Oberyn, but I want to tell my brother to choose you." Arthur sighed, he stepped back and dragged his hand over his face. "Oberyn Martell won't stay true to my sister, he has three bastards that I can recall, no doubt more to be had. I don't want my sister to have to bare another man's infidelity."
Ned looked down. A prince he hardly could compare, a prince and the second son of their liege lord. "I would think you would approve for the honor of your house and standing." Ned crossed his arms trying to keep the dejection from his voice.
"I don't want my sister's heartache to pay for that standing. I want her happiness more than any standing." Arthur spoke as a brother should, as Ned knew he would for his own sister.
"Thank you Arthur." Ned clasped the kingsguard hand firmly, he felt deeply honored that such a great knight thought him worthy of his sister's love.
"Don't thank me for speaking the truth Stark, like Rhaegar," Arthur paused before he smirked "Sometimes even Robert, I consider you my friends."
Ned had to laugh at last part, more often than not Robert was trying to get a rise out of Arthur, but the two men held great respect for each other as warriors. "Do you think your sister would have me?"
"She writes to me as well, Ned." Arthur grinned. "Her letters mention you quite a bit, even more than our sister Allyria." Arthur raised his finger to emphasize his point. "Who she loves dearly, but yours is the name she puts to parchment more than others."
Ned felt his heart skip hearing that, the attention of all the women in the seven kingdoms did not compare to her's."I shall think on it, when I write to your sister I will ask her opinion on the matter." Ned let the thoughts of the object of his affection pass him. He thought instead of the city he must now govern and the burdens that would come with it. "I should make preparations, I need to ride to Duskendale and establish my rule, for better or worse. Duskendale is under my protection now."
"Do you mind if I join you?" Arthur offered.
"Can you?" Ned replied with raised brow.
Arthur shrugged with a half smile, "If I mention your name the king will part with me for a bit."
"I would be honored then. When you get permission let me know and we shall ride for the city." Ned gave his farewells to Arthur and left to prepare for the journey. In his preparations he made sure to visit with Ser Barristan to see how Dontos Hollard was doing. The lad was practicing and eagerly met him, despite Ned having taken part in the slaying of his father, the lad took a quick liking to him. Ned stopped by Jon's and told him the news the old Lord of the Vale jumped from his seat and hugged Ned with pride.
Ned had the impression he knew, but the king had kept this even from his council, perhaps because he refused to let Lord Tywin hear of it. Jon spared from his guard, twenty knights of the vale practically ordering Ned to take them. His final stop's were to speak with Robert and, Rhaegar. The latter was preparing for his own journey to see his father at Storm's End. Rhaegar meanwhile had been in the massive library in the Red keep. He kept reading stories about the Longest Night and some vague prophecy or such nonsense.
Ned had other things on his mind, like the responsibility dropped on his lap in the form of a city that had only recently seen the fate of traitors. In his final days before his departure, Ned realised something, Duskendale would become his new home. It felt odd, for most of his life the Red Keep was home. It was where he grew into a man, where he met his best friends and, where he now became a Lord. A Lord, he knew when he returned North as he was meant to, he would marry the daughter of one of his father's bannermen. Perhaps his father still planned to do so, but he was a Lord now. Ned was his own man, despite the weariness in which he accepted this gift. He was free to choose who he married, his father could ask true. But no man, be it king or his father, could force a man to marry. Ned would need to write to his father on the matter, but that was for a later time. On the day he was to depart Arthur came to him with the leave to join him. So the party of knights rode out from King's Landing to Eddard Stark's new seat.
Robert
278 A.C King's Road
Robert left Kings Landing with the melancholy of leaving family, but at the same time the excitement of seeing family after a while. He hadn't visited home in months now, with few letters between himself and his family. Stannis wrote of happenings in the keep and Stormlands, his were the dullest of letters. Once he event sent him the books about the stores and coin of Storm's End. His father told him of his hunting ventures and possible matches for him in the Stormlands. Robert promptly wrote back about Lord Rickard Stark's intentions. His father was already in talks with the Lord of Winterfell to set up a marriage alliance. Finally his mother did as she was prone to dote and sent her love and constantly made sure he ate properly. She constantly scolded him over letters to not cause trouble for the royal family or Jon. Not that Robert paid much heed to those scoldings. Trouble practically followed the three and he felt almost insulted he was blamed for it! Well there was that time in King's Landing, but truly that fight was inevitable the moment the drunken idiot mentioned Rhaegar's mother.
From the city his father had arrived with knights from the Stormlands. After a day's rest the party travelled the road running into the checkpoints set up by Rhaegar and the small council. The procession of men stopped briefly at the Bronzegate for rest before continuing their journey and a week of riding had them on the stretch home. Stannis met them in the road with a party of men consisting of the Captain of the Guard of Storm's End and the garrison.
"Lord Father, brother, welcome home," Stannis stiffly greeted.
Robert rolled his eyes at the formality of it all and grinned. "Screw titles, we're family Stannis!"
"Robert, it is only proper." Stannis grounded the grip on his reins, slightly.
"Proper and family hardly ever goes together my sons." Their father, Steffon grinned and ruffled both their hair despite being grown men, causing laughter from the gathered men.
"Father!" The boys grumbled in unison.
Storm's End 278 A.C
Their father threw his head back laughing, despite the distance it seemed they still thought alike sometimes. The rest of the ride was a lively affair, or at least by Stannis's standards as the brothers caught up. Reaching their ancient seat, Robert practically flew off his horse when his mother Cassana exited the keep proper. Robert ran her down, barreling at full speed as if meaning to ram her into the ground. Instead, he hugged his mother with such strength and fervor he lifted her off the ground and she laughed as he spun her around.
"The gods, I missed you mother!" Robert bellowed.
When her feet touched the ground, she noticed her son had buried his head against her neck. "My boy, come on let your mother look at you." she held him at arm's length. Robert smiled sheepishly as she squeezed his arms and felt his chest making her sigh with a warm smile only a mother could have.
"Mother, you're poking me more than a maester." Robert chuckled.
She fussed over him regardless with probing hands checking for wounds, he thought, "Oh allow your mother to fuss over her boy, look at you strong and handsome, you must be beating the girls off you with a stick."
His father still tall, oh so tall and powerful came to them, hugging his mother and kissing the crown of her head. "Don't fuss about him so much my love," his deep voice said but his mother only waved him off.
"You worry about teaching him to hit things, and I will baby my boys." His mother ushered them all inside the keep. "Come let us dine together and Robert can finally meet little Renly."
"Let's hope he isn't as sour as you, Stannis" Robert japed with his brother.
"Or as loud and dumb as you," he drawled and Robert only chuckled, the sour brother of his still had that dry wit he remembered him for.
"Come, when we eat I have a gift for you and matters to discuss," his father said before they began the feast. The hall was filled with laughter as Robert told stories of how he Rhaegar and Ned got into all sorts of trouble. His mother scolded him further about causing trouble for Jon but Robert only laughed, swearing most of it wasn't his fault. After lunch, he met his baby brother Renly who had all the Baratheon looks. A tuft of black hair and blue eyes looking at him with a toothless, drool filled grin.
"Look at you, you'll be another Baratheon warrior won't you?" Robert proclaimed, Renly giggled with glee when he moved his huge hand to his brother, the little one clutched his pointer finger. His tiny fist barely big enough to wrap around it and put it in his mouth.
"Heh you will want to put everything in your mouth brother." Robert smiled.
His mother looked to them fondly as she entered Renly's nursery. "How do you like your little brother, Robert?" She gently placed her arms around her two sons.
"He is very active, he hasn't stopped wiggling since I picked him up mother." Robert pulled his finger back only for Renly to fuss, demanding it back. Robert obliged his little brother a while longer.
"You and Stannis were much the same. If we left the door opened you would crawl all over this castle," she wistfully recalled. He did remember in his earliest years half the guard after him as he ran across the battlements once as a boy. He had been running from a bath he did not care to take.
"I couldn't picture Stannis ever being lively, then again I was gone early." Robert shrugged.
He did not see his mother flinch, or the change in her demeanor. "I'm sorry, Robert." She tightened her hold on him. "I wish you and Stannis grew up together," her voice cracked a bit.
Robert looked to her without hate in his eyes, "Mother I don't hate you. If anything I am grateful." He put Renly down in his crib. His little brother fell asleep almost instantly. He wasn't very good with gentling crying women but he could never recall seeing his mother cry. So he hugged her tightly and preferring his actions to show he loved her and held no bitterness to her, or his father.
She smiled, kissed his forehead and he did not grumble ,allowing her to baby him for her own sake. "I thank the gods you don't and, to Jon for raising my son into a proper man." She wiped her eyes from stray tears. The sadness was gone as quickly as it had come.
"Mother I was never lonely, take comfort I found brothers in Ned and Rhaegar," Robert tried to assure her, to soothe any lingering worries.
The words had the opposite effect and she frowned a bit before she held one of his hands tightly in hers. "Robert, remember Stannis is your brother, as is Renly."
Robert shook his head, he wouldn't want his mother thinking he hated Stannis. "Mother we barely see each other, Stannis and I do not hold any contempt for one another." Robert only kept putting his foot in his mouth further.
It didn't make her smile, only frown more. "You are brothers, Robert. I feel my heart weep that you do not know each other as you do young Eddard and The Prince," she sighed.
Robert gently brought his other hand to softly trace circles over her's with his thumb. "Stannis is my blood mother, nothing will ever change that and he is my brother. I love him as I should."
This time she smiled seemingly glad of his response."Oh I just want my boys to be close and loving to each other." She wiped her eyes and patted his black hair down.
"Well maybe we can bond tomorrow, I think father plans for a hunt with visiting bannermen." Robert assured her he would spend time with his brother while in Storm's End.
"Thank you Robert, I hope you boys enjoy yourselves." She kissed his head and Robert excused himself to find his father. He was in the armory, even after all the years he could still find his way around the armory. The Guards outside the armory waved him in. The ancient room held weapons used by the Lords of House Baratheon and some antiques from the Storm Kings of old. Old armors from previous Baratheons lined the walls, racks on the walls held swords, hunting spears and, even a few valyrian daggers.
"Robert, come here," his father called to him.
"Yes father." Robert walked to the sound of his father's voice to the far end behind some stands holding axes. The view was obscured, his father's big frame covering what he was looking at. When he felt him near, his father reached for something, he turned and Robert's eyes widen. A Warhammer unlike the one's commonly used. It was almost entirely of steel, black wood made the polearm, a steel pointed pommel at the end for balance. The head was square and much larger than a regular warhammer. On the sides, gilded with gold was a crowned stag the antlers facing the square hammer had sharp ridged surface ensuring whoever was hit would be left disfigured and seriously wounded. The back of the hammer had a spike meant for piercing plate. A spike at the top of the hammer finished the flawlessly designed weapon.
"Close your mouth son, a fly might fly in." His father cheekily closed Robert's mouth that had opened without his command.
"This is a hell of a weapon, father." Robert gawked he reached out to grab it pausing looking for permission.
"Take it, it's yours. A gift from me to you." Robert eagerly held it and unlike the other hammers he wielded before, he felt weight behind this one. Yet even so, he still turned and gave a few practice swings with one hand. The weight was there, with this hammer he would unstoppable in a battlefield.
"Thank you father! Seven hells I can't wait to swing this at the practice dummies!" Robert really wanted to swing it to some poor bastard unfortunate to cross him. He would settle for dummies this time. Speaking of, they would need new ones after he was through with them.
"Well go on, get yourself tired out. I have a hunt planned for tomorrow some of our bannermen will be here for it. Afterwards, we have something to discuss." His father walked out with Robert following closely behind before running for the practice field to test out his gift.
The next morning, Lord Maron Dondarrion Lord of Blackhaeven and Lord Armond Connington Lord of Griffin's Roost arrived to Storm's End. With the Lord's of the Stormlands came their sons Beric Dondarrion and, Jon Connington. Robert and Jon instantly disliked each other, so much so dreary Stannis was much better company, to the upstuck Connington. Robert got along swimmingly with Beric though, his cool demeanor reminded him of Rhaegar but easy to smile. Jon, on the other hand, seemed ready to turn his nose at anything that resembled fun.
By midday Robert had proudly hunted and killed a huge black stag with onyx colored antlers. Stannis killed a wolf whose pelt he would have made into a cloak for cold nights. A prudent and wise move his father had commented. While Jon, who had thought it all a waste of time, returned empty handed. Jon's father was properly embarrassed and apologized to his father for the dishonor.
In Storm's End when the sun dipped behind the mountains, Robert presented his kill to the Castle. His father hosted a sizable feast and Robert sat down next to Stannis. Beric got along with anyone, so Robert was glad he and Jon sat somewhere else.
"How did you kill the wolf?" Robert asked, he didn't like the silence between them. He had chased his stag into the woods. When Robert returned to boast about the kill Stannis had been standing over his dead wolf, bloodied spear in hand. Jon Connington was standing beside Stannis his horse nowhere in sight. Stannis didn't respond, he drank from his cup quietly.
"Come now brother, won't share your secret?" Robert elbowed Stannis's side, but Stannis only only moved away from his probing. "Did something happen?" Robert only pressed further.
Stannis sighed, "the blood trail your stag left attracted it, Jon Connington was flung from his horse and I killed the wolf before it attacked him."
Robert banged his fist on the table laughing like a madman. "That high and mighty cunt, no wonder he didn't catch shit."
"Stop it, Robert. Mocking our guest will reflect bad on our father," Stannis grounded out through clenched teeth.
Robert rolled his eyes and drank from his wine cup, "Oh live a little Stannis. Jon was a cunt and he earned that wolf's ire."
"It matters not how he acted, our duty-" Stannis began.
"Duty, gods you sound like Ned, Bugger to that, we hunted and you got a good kill! Why aren't you happy!?" Robert spat his mood souring from the conversation.
"Because you keep acting like a fool and embarrass us," Stannis fixed his own glare back at him.
"Embarrassing us? I killed that stag, everyone here is talking about it!" Robert roared. A few guest looked their way.
"Robert, that doesn't mean you can act as you please and embarrassed our father." Stannis curled his hand around his cup tightly.
"You would know him better!" Robert shouted without thought.
His brother looked at him with wide eyes, realization dawned on Robert of what he said. Maybe fostering with Jon hadn't fixed everything that he thought it did. Silence followed the outburst, the bustle of the guest the only noise between them.
After a lengthy silence, Stannis broke it, "I never stopped asking about you."
"Why would you need to ask about me?" Robert looked down eyeing his empty cup, another drink sounded better to the older brother right about now.
"Because you are my brother." Stannis looked to him, his face betrayed nothing but his words were heavy with emotion.
"You are mine, no matter how sour you are." Robert smiled, small but it was from the heart, he lifted his cup empty though.
Stannis lifted his cup meeting his brother's in a toast with a grunt. "The gods will curse me with you only getting louder."
Robert was sure he didn't miss the smile his brother had. After the feast everyone retired for the night and Robert, despite what his loins wanted, turned away all the servant girls that tried to find their way into his rooms. After breaking his fast with his family and guest the next morning, his father called the family into his solar. Sitting behind his desk, his father addressed them as Lord of the Stormlands.
"King Aerys has tasked me with scouring Essos to look for a wife with Valyrian blood for the prince," his father confessed. "I will be departing by ship across The Narrow Sea to Volantis." His father opened a drawer in his desk. He produced the royal decree from King Aerys showing it to them.
"I have set up a meeting to enter the city. I should find a Valyrian wife for him and be back in three months," his father finished.
"By yourself father?" Stannis asked.
Their mother shook her head, she did not like the idea of having him travel alone so far from home."I will accompany you my love, you will need a woman's touch if you are to find a suitable wife."
His father looked pensive for a moment, he was ready to agree when a knock on the door distracted them. Their Maester, Cressen poked his head in with a kind smile. "My Lord, forgive me for intruding, but young Renly will not stop crying, the wet nurse is beside herself." His father smiled and looked to mother in a loving manner.
"Cassana, Renly will need his mother," his father moved, he reached for his wife, though hesitant at first, unhappy with his decision. But his father smiled the Baratheon smile, so his mother called it. A small smile played to her lips and she allowed herself to be pulled into a hug. His father much taller wrapped his arms around her and kissed the crown of her head.
"Renly also needs his father Steffon, if you won't take me then don't go make up an excuse," she tried one more time in vain.
Robert knew the king, this would displease him, and lately one did not want to be on the king's bad side. "Mother, it would be unwise to anger the king, he has been acting off lately."
His father gave a weary sigh, he had been in Kings Landing recently. "Agreed Aerys is not the man I saw in the Ninepenny war, he has…changed quite a bit." Robert remembered his father and Lord Tywin were best friends with the king.
"My husband, let me accompany you." his mother tried, but his father firmly rejected her.
"Cassana for my own state of mind stay here with our boys. Robert will be acting Lord until I return, if it will ease your mind, I shall take Lady Ralys Dundarrion. He offered when I mentioned it during our hunting trip." His father finished and his mother was somewhat appeased.
"Please be safe husband, I will await your return" his mother said and his father smiled sadly not wanting to leave his family after just being reunited. After a few days, passed Robert stood on the highest tower of Storms End with his brother and mother to see his father's ship sail for Griffin's Roost. Before he had left, he talked to Robert and he watched his father go with a smile.
"Why are you smiling Robert?" Stannis raised brow.
"I spoke to father before he left, he says he has won over Lord Rickard Stark and he has agreed to betroth his daughter Lyanna to me." Robert grinned.
"Eddard Stark's sister," Stannis mumbled.
"Aye, when she comes here to Storm's End one day as my wife, I hope you treat her like family."
Stannis rolled his eyes. "I know my duty Robert."
"Boys." Their mother put her hands on their shoulders, instantly ending a brewing argument.
"Ah your father left me alone in a house of men, the gods give me patience." Their mother sighed and kissed the top of both their heads. Both Baratheon brothers grumbled about being grown men earning a laugh from their mother.
Rhaegar
278 A.C The Red Keep
Elbow deep in books Rhaegar sighed and rubbed his temples. Robert left for Storm's End and Ned for Duskendale, something he congratulated him on . As always Ned had been bashful and said he didn't need such a reward. Robert promptly told him to shove it, and Rhaegar agreed reminding him of Ashara. Then he was surprised when Arthur had joined him on his journey. His father had allowed one of his Kingsguard out of his sight. Then again his father been doing quite a number of odd things lately. Most of them bad, like playing with wildfire. He brought the substance into the Red Keep! The gods, if it got out of control it could burn the whole castle to ashes. His father had been trying to hatch the dragon egg they found all those years ago. How many Targaryen's have died for the sake of these eggs? Trying to capture the power they once held when they had the dragons to rule the seven kingdoms.
Rhaegar closed the book before him, he told a servant to take the books up into his rooms. Rhaegar passed by one of the courtyards. Someone was singing a song he remembered from his youth, his mother sang this song to him. He recalled falling to sleep to the song gently as his mother cradled his head on her lap.
Following the voice he found a stone fountain where his mysterious singer was. A girl he noticed dressed in an evening gown of red and gold, blonde locks cascaded down her back for she was not facing him. She sat on the edge of the fountain one hand gently caressing the waters. Rhaegar stood quiet and smiled slightly as he listened to her beautiful voice. After a few moments she stopped abruptly and he opened his eyes not realizing he had closed them enjoying her voice.
"Oh! My prince, forgive me I had not seen you there." The mysterious blonde curtsied hurriedly.
"No I should apologize, your voice drew me in and I could not help but listen." Finally he got a good look at her face, gentle and heart shaped with green emeralds for eyes. The eyes led him to put a name behind the girl.
"Cersei Lannister?" he asked, a fine silver brow raised.
She smiled bowing her head in recognition. "You remember me, Your Grace," she said flattered and her soft voice inflicted with surprise.
Rhaegar could only recall the small girl that was about his hip high when he last saw her. Now she was young woman beautiful and with a lovely singing voice. "Forgive me I did not recognize you, it has been some time, my lady."
"I must have not made as great an impression as I thought, my prince." She sniffed mockingly pretending to be slighted.
Rhaegar chuckled slightly and shook his head, raising his hands in defeat. "No my lady, simply the last time I saw you, you were about hip high."
"So then I should be thankful that you recognize me as I am now, tall and beautiful," she said with a twist of her lips. She had quick wit, Ser Lewyn would like her indeed. She had grown somewhat from the Tourney at Lannisport but she was still a girl.
"I assume your father brought you to court, my lady." Rhaegar crossed his hands behind his back.
"He did, my prince. He wished for me to be the pride of house Lannister." She lifted her chin and he noticed the gold lion with red rubies for eyes dangling around her neck. Was she trying to display herself to him? Despite knowing this was Lord Tywin's doing, Rhaegar found it endearing of the young girl to try and play this game. He thought of Ned, who hated this game more than anyone. Rhaegar envied his status a second son sometimes. He had little pressures to deal with. Though considering his new status as Lord, he had joined the spotlight of heirs.
"The flower of Casterly Rock will make the Red Keep all the better." Rhaegar complimented her with a smile.
Cersei smiled and shook her head at his compliment. "Not a flower, I am a lioness, my prince."
"Forgive me then dear Lioness, but this dragon must take to his cave." Rhaegar japed she looked disappointed he was to leave. He was tired from studying old legends and prophecies, he did not feel like entertaining guest at the moment.
"Is my company unpleasant to you, my prince?" Lady Cersei looked hurt.
"No, your company is lovely, but I have had a long and tiring day my lady, perhaps tomorrow I can ask for your forgiveness over lunch." He compromised and the young girl's eyes lit up.
"I would considered this slight forgotten then, my prince." She smiled sweetly and Rhaegar resisted the urge to ruffle her hair as he would have Viserys. Instead he took her hand kissed it and took his leave. Rhaegar could only roll his eyes as he would have to be sure to not offend Lord Tywin. His father was doing it fine without him helping him.
Hey guys first things first THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! Again review with thoguhts concerns and critics. Also the first chapter has been edited by my Beta Elfyna. It has been posted for your better fixed and reading pleasure. So now you guys get to see the mad king in action! Ned saving his life he takes as Ned being a loyal man and now he blames his son for not saving him himself. Aerys and his ever descent into madness thinks his son is conspiring with Tywin to take the throne and kill him. The cannon changes are now begging to change for example instead of House Ryker getting Duskdendale Aerys gifted it to Ned who he praises as a true son and loyal man for taking that arrow for him. Tywin brought Cersei and Rhaegar will be somewhat forced to act a host with her. He for obvious reasons of her being twelve years old isn't attracted to her but he is running damage control with his father doing doing crazy things. Not to mention Wildfire is introduced and that mentioned dragon egg is brought back to bare.
The next chapter we catch up with Ned in Duskendale and well like I said cannon is begging to go fuzzy and things are changing. Before anyone asks, no Lyanna doesn't know yet about the betrothal for now it's just a vague agreement between Steffon and Rickard who need to correspond with each other to further make arrangements. So until otherwise this is just his father telling his son it's in the workings of getting an official betrothal.
Don't worry by the way the multiple POV's are still some times away. We are also getting closer to the Kings Wood Brotherhood arc. As you remember they have only been mentioned as of late a bit, they will be just that a ghost until the arc starts. Honestly I think that will be my favorite arc! Now to get some stuff out of the way get the ages straight of the important characters.
Ned as of 278 A.C Age 15.
Robert as of 278 A.C Age 16
Rhaegar as of 278 A.C 19
Now to answer some reviews though I already answered some throug mail as I will do from now on, but for the sake of other ppls heres the answer to the questions incase you are wondering as well.
LastEnclave: Thanks for the review! First I'm glad you enjoy their friendship as it's the core this story is built around, When I first sat down I kind off just wondered. Huh what would happen if these three were friends and it just took off! Now for as far as the POV's they will as always remain focused on the three. the extra POV's will be for the battles to come As I will need to the battle to be seen from a few sides to better convey massive armies clashing. As well and a rather unavoidable thing in Westeros marriages are to be made so you will be hearing from the spouses of Robert, Ned and, Rhaegar.
Weylandcopr 4: Normally I answer this questions on the next chapter but I will answer now! Ugh! I struggle to try and get tywin's character right. He's got that cold and very tactical mind. I mean as far as bloodthirsty, goes he did wipe out house Ryene and Castamere. He's also a serious guy all around which is why he was a buzzkill to the kids in the first chapter. But all in all I still struggle how to get his character to work. As for the marriage proposal of Cersei and Rhaegar that happened in chapter two that was the point of the Tourney at Lannisport. Tywin wanted to use it to announce the engagement of Cersei and Rhaegar. That's where Aerys said to Tywin
"You are my most valuable servant but a man does not marry his daughter to his servant"
Laura: Nope this will not be a Ned and Cersei fic, as that would work best if Robert takes the throne. Sure Ned is Rhaegar's best friend as well but his goal is Rhaegar which is why he brought Cersei to court.
Also I love you guys! I love all the views and follows and favs, but again give me your thoughts read and review guys! Tell me what you think, questions on what I'm doing I want to know what is in your thoughts.
Edit 4/4/2017: Chapter Six is done, thanks as always to my lovely Beta Shadowcrest Nightingale.