Rhaegar
279 A.C Kings Landing
Rhaegar was excited today seemed to be a great day for him, even his mother was smiling a bit this days. Lady Cersei's welcoming feast was fast approaching and Robert was making for Kings Landing. So Rhaegar with Ned in tow who arrived just a few short weeks earlier was with him both of them grinning like bloody madmen as they leant forward racing down the Kings Road to meet Robert. Ser Barristan four guards and Ser Oswell Whent rode behind them. After they made it far enough to see the Kings Wood orange banners flapped in the distance to see a party riding up the Kings Road. Ahead of the procession two men rode up front, when they saw his party fast approaching one of the riders broke off and rode at breakneck speed for them. Robert laughed in his booming voice as he met them half way there slowing down they met Robert and the three dismounted their horses. Arms spread the three of them hugged each other, the gods be good Rhaegar missed his friends!
For months Lady Cersei had been his only constant companion and she was much too. Well he supposed the polite word would be affectionate. Ned might agree but Robert would way say a need cunt, but offcourse Rhaegar would never think such a horrible thing.
"Fucking hell I missed you guys!" Robert grinned ear to ear.
"I as well Robert" Ned smiled and Rhaegar crossed his arms shrugging indifferently.
"I as well friends, it is good to be together again." Rhaegar said, the rest of Robert's party caught up and Roberts's father smiled at them though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"My prince forgive me for failing you on bringing you a suitable wife" Lord Steffon siged bowing his head in shame.
"Wife? I don't understand my lord" Rhaegar raised a brow. Blinking confused Lord Steffon looked to Robert who shrugged showing he didn't know why he wasn't on the loop either.
"King Aerys sent me to Volantis to bring you a worthy wife of Valyrian lineage." Lord Steffon explained.
"I was not informed of the arrangement my lord" Rhaegar said thinking why his father neglected to tell him of this.
"I see forgive me perhaps the king meant to have it as a surprise." Lord Steffon replied with a look that said he was just as confused as him.
"It matters not, what done is come let us return to the capital, the feast will begin at midday" Rhaegar waved off the matter resolute he would speak with his father after the festivities. Returning to the city Rhaegar was with good reason able to avoid Lady Cersei for day. He had the excuse that he had his new guest to cater too. She got somewhat mopey and angry stomping her foot in indignation. Rhaegar appeased her promising the first dance of the night to her as the lady of honor. Robert had brought with him a keg from Storm's End wine cellar. Rhaegar knew better to not get drunk before the party and swayed him from keeping it after the feast.
The three of them together before the party had to have the barber come and trim their hair and beards. Ned was in the process of a hardy beard while Robert simply had a shadow on his chin. Both gave him knowing looks and he simply rolled his eyes. The barb at his lack of ability to grow facial hair wasn't forgotten even after all these years. He wished his mother had called him handsome instead of beautiful Robert didn't need more things to make japes about.
"Looking beautiful already Rhaegar" Robert smirked and Ned grinned shaking his head.
"Ass" was all Rhaegar responded too and as they waited for his hair to be cut up to his shoulder in length. His hair ready they took a bath and then dressed in their finest clothes. Well Robert and Rhaegar did dress in fine tunics. Ned as expected in a leather double with the Grey Direwolf over his heart and boots. Robert himself forwent the slippers and kept his boots. Rhaegar with little coaxing poot his fine black boots as well. The sun was dipping over the city and the guest were already assembled in the great hall and the court yard outside. The three of them fresh and Rhaegar the only one perfumed of the three entered the Great Hall.
278 A.C The Red Keep
"Well now comes hours of conversation with strangers and people trying to move their schemes" Ned grumbled. Rhaegar smiled to his friend and as vengeance for his earlier teasing.
"Yes and staving off the ladies wanting to marry the Lord Duskendale" Ned groaned at the reminder.
"Lady Ashara should be here beat the girls off with a stick to keep you to herself" Grinned Robert and Ned blushed.
"Traitor" he accused Robert referring to when the two were together on teasing Rhaegar. Eyes up front they looked to the high table, three seats set to them and, again making Ned feel uncomftarble. His father was once more making a point of having Ned sit next to him instead of Rhaegar. Though he held no contempt for his friend and brother he wished his father didn't push him away. Rhaegar swallowed his grief on the matter and joined the high table sitting next to his mother. She put her hand over his and he smiled at her gently his mother looked beautiful and she wore a gold choker with their dragon pendant.
"You look beautiful mother" he smiled and she returned the smile leaning over to him.
"You handsome as well my son, I'm glad you are smiling again" she said gently.
"When did I not smile mother?" he said grinning slightly.
"When the boys left." She sighed her lilac eyes downcast.
"I just missed them mother" he admitted with her he could never hold back his feelings. His mother was his confidant and rock in these times, he only wished he could be a good son for her.
"I know but remember, Eddard has a keep now, and Robert will have to rule the Stormlands one day" she said wisely, though he wished they would remain side by side forever. He knew the day would come when they would have to part ways to do their duties. He would be king as well and his relationship with his Lords had to be seen as that of a king and Lord sworn to him. He at least remembered before his father changed. Him and Lord Tywin where good friends in his youth he had seen them smile together something the lord of the rock didn't do much.
"I know mother, I remember all too well their duty to the realm" Rhaegar assured her. With that in mind Rhaegar ate his meal presented before him. A boar Lord Steffon had hunted and brought as a gift for his father. The boar was immense and would feed half of Flee Bottom for weeks, Rhaegar had arranged for all the leftover food to be given to the poor when the feast was over. The food would be plenty as he knew these lavish feast seldom had too many people eating. Well not entirely, Rhaegar thought drinking some wine and looking out to the gathered Lords. Lord Mace Tyrell of the Reach was on his second cup of wine but fourth plate. The man was big, and one of his bannermen was with him Lord Randal Tarly who ate two plates and one cup of wine. Looking to the right he saw various Crownland Lords as well from house Staunton Valaryon and countless others.
After about an hour the music started playing and Rhaegar knew what was next. He looked to his mother and gave her a wry smile she looked on him pulling her lips back in a wicked smile. She knew who he would dance with first, and probably most of the day with. On cue he stood and rounded the table as Lady Cersei came to him she matched his dress in black with gold and she looked lovely to his eyes. He wondered briefly when the day came and he married would his own daughter be as sweet?
"My Prince, I saw you get up you are a man of your word" she bowed her head.
"I try my best my lady, now shall we dance?" he smiled charmingly and she blushed as he led her to where they made room to dance. Rhaegar began the dance and people began clapping in good humor. Dancing with Cersei he caught someone else entering the dance floor. Robert with his mother Rhaella he took her hand bowing to her and she returned it. Rhaegar didn't miss the grin on his mother's lips. They swayed surprising Rhaegar Robert was just as good at dancing as he was hitting things.
"Enjoying yourself my prince? You are smiling quite a bit" Cersei looked flattered and he noticed the sneering glances he sent to other girls that she was dancing with him first and not them. Rhaegar shook his head chuckling slightly.
"I am my lady, my friends returned and I got to dance with a lovely lady" he said using his charm and Cersei's cheeks heated up as she glanced down. Thinking about it if his father had accepted Lord Tywins offer this girl would have been his betrothed. He was to marry and his mother birthed no sisters for him to wed. Than without his knowledge his father had looked for a Valyrian blood wife for him. She had died at sea and Rhaegar was left wondering who she was? If he was honest he found marriage as a foreign thing. His focus as he grew where the realm, his family and friends romancing girls was the farthest thing from his mind. Robert had the better personality for it, or at least on the carnal parts of love. Rhaegar on the other hand didn't really want to marry, like Ser Brynden the Blackfish. He had spotted the legendary knight somewhere in the hall as even in his years young women flocked to his charm and wit.
The first song ended and he separated with Cersei both bowing to each other. Hoping to try and dance with his mother he got another partner he didn't expect. Cersei pouted as coming up to them was Joanna Lannister. He never met the lady of Casterly Rock, he had vauge memories of her as a child but she left early in his childhood. Last he had heard from her was she had almost died at child birth birthing Lord Tywin's third child Tyrion Lannister. The poor boy was a dwarf and it had brought no amount of pleasure to his father. Something Rhaegar had to smooth over by spending a tremendous amount of time with Cersei hoping Lord Tywin would think she was charming him and a royal match was still in play.
"My Prince may I have this dance?" she asked the older woman was beautiful. Blonde hair and green eyes like her daughter.
"My pleasure my lady" he bowed his head and they danced.
Eddard
Ned watched smiling as his friends danced, Robert and Quene Rhaella where on their second dance, Robert said something and the queen laughed throwing her head back. Robert grinned and chuckled as they danced their second dance. Leaning on his fist using his chairs armrest Ned relaxed taking a sip of his wine.
"Ned lad, me and Steffon are talking about the brigands that plague his lands" The king caught Ned's attention and he turned to the king nodding. Ned now regretted not finding a dance partner as the king once more turned his wily eyes at him.
"I had thought Rhaegar's solution to secure the Kings Road might have paid off" Ned conversed with the older lord and king.
"Since then we have found more dead men and the smallfolk continue to say no brigands have troubled them" Lord Steffon grumbled clearly discontent with the elusive Brigands.
"Bah my treasonous son, he knows little of ruling" Lord Steffon and Ned both kept quiet about that.
"Perhaps one of these brigands came north to my lands" Ned said filling in the silence.
"Truly lad?" Lord Steffon questioned.
"Aye Lord Steffon a party of thirty brigands were raiding my lands until I took care of them" Ned was interrupted by the king.
"Hah! You did what my useless son could not! See Steffon like I told you, Rickard Stark is lucky to have such a son!" King Aerys reaved banging his cup on the table a few times.
"Young Eddard Stark has proven good Lord and man, your grace." Lord Steffon said dissuading the king from further ranting.
"The brigand I captured told me he was backed by a noble house. which one is beyond me" Ned sighed at length wondering.
"Bring me the man lad! He will spill his guts here in the black cells!" The king said with a gleeful glint to his eyes.
"I can't your grace I have already sentenced him, he chose to take the black" Ned said and the king switched from glee to anger.
"Agh he lied to you Ned! Liers all of them plotting and whispering behind my back!" Ned quietly watched, unsure how to respond to the king raving. Lord Steffon spoke up bringing up a different topic.
"You grace how has the realm faired since I sailed" Lord Steffon haistly said and King Aerys looked uninterested at that.
"Ah peace nothing changes, at foot but in the shadows is where my true enemies lie…maybe even in my blood" The king glared at Rhaegar on the dance floor. He had danced previously with both ladies of Casterly Rock. Currently he was dancing with Lord Mace Tyrells wife who seemed to be talking his ear off about something.
"My son! Damn it all I had forgotten, where is the woman you brought for my son I want to meet her" King Aerys said. Lord Steffon looked uncomftarble at that.
"Perhaps it will be best if we speak about it after the feast your grace" he tried.
"This feast is as useless as Tywin flaunting his daughter to my son. He will marry who I want him to marry!" the king growled.
"Now tell me Steffon" the king insisted and Ned simply shrugged when the Lord of Storm's End made brief eye contact.
"I had found the wife you wanted for your son your grace, but she took ill sailing back and died. I returned her body before coming to your side your grace" The king frowned and remained quiet. Ned swallowed and drank from his wine cup sighing.
"Tywin…he brings his daughter to court, and the pure blood wife for my son dies! Treason conspiring against me!" Aerys growled.
"I should have him beheaded here for everyone to see, no burn him yes burn him to hatch my dragon!" King Aerys smirked. Lord Steffon's eyes widen and opened his mouth but the gods had mercy on them as usual the kings mood switched on a dime.
"But…I know better yes, yes I will show him a real insult! I shall marry my son to that Dornish girl" Aerys smirked.
"Your Grace Lord Tywin has betrothed his son Jamie to Elia Martell" Steffon tried to avoid the king slighting Lord Tywin a second time after he denied him the marriage.
"Steffon don't you see! He poisoned the girl! He killed her to parade his daughter to my son! Their treachery knows no boundaries" Aerys accused and some of the other guest noticed the king point his finger to Lord Tywin who was dancing with his wife. He seemed unaware as Lady Joanna grinned saying something made the Lord of the Rock crack his stoic demeanor pulling his lips up slightly in a smirk.
"I will put him in his place! After this is done I will send my son order him to marry her" King Aerys finished and then he looked to Queen Rhaella. Downing his cups he stood and moved to the dance floor. The second song finished and Ned watched the King go to the queen. Her face once elated switched to a neutral line. The king waved Robert away and Robert bowed his head and then bowed to the queen and left to return to the high table. Aerys said something and then grabbed the queens wrist in what looked a rather forecul grip and began leading her out of the great hall. Ned caught the queen's lips quiver and he fought everything his instincts told him to not stand and try to snatch the queen from the kings grasp.
"I didn't like the way she looked" Robert said sitting next to him. His father had stood went to speak with Lord Tywin. He saw Lord Steffon Lord Tywin and Lady Joanna speak before Lord Steffon leading them away.
"Me neither, even from here it took all my will to not stand up and go after them" Ned said sighing sadly, he felt cowardly but he also could not cause a scene in front of half the realm. Ned stood saying he needed air and walked out to be stopped by a young lady. He was about to politely decline her dance when he noticed her lilac eyes.
"My Lord do you mind if we could dance?" she curtsied smiling sweetly. Arthur as if having been watching him walked by them said off hand.
"You should dance with her" the lady in question grinned at Arthur as he passed his white cloak flapping behind him.
"Very well my lady let us dance" Ned said and led her to the dance floor and both bowed to each other before dancing.
"You look familiar my lady" Ned pointed out.
"That is good, because if I look half as beautiful as my sister I will be the object of Lords desires" she said.
"So you are" Ned began and she answered in return as he span her around once.
"Ashara's younger sister, Allyria Dayne she wanted me to send you her regards for not being able to make it to this event. Being Pincess Elia's handmaiden she could not leave her side" Ned nodded understanding. Though now he wished he didn't know for he felt a dull ache on his chest. However he still smiled a little.
"She had hoped to see you and have a dance I am told you promised her" young Allyria said.
"I see, I hope we can see each other soon writing doesn't quite have the same feeling" Ned admitted to Allyria.
"I understand my Lord, she speaks oftern about you in her letters, I must admit she has never spoken this much about other men" Ned felt his heart flutter at the words.
"I am happy I made such an impression" he smiled at her sincerely and the lady giggled before him a sweet sound.
"I see why, you are not like most men Lord Stark you don't see her as a sex object" she was as blatant as Ashara in her words.
"I would not cause her dishonor by simply admiring her beuty, her wit is sharp and we share quite a bit of views" Ned replied.
"Than that is good my Lord I hope your future with my sister is a happy one" Ned felt heat rise to his cheeks and he opened his mouth sighing.
"Arthur mentioned my intentions to ask for your sister's hand?" Ned said they parted and he rubbed his temples.
"Oh? It was not you I was talking about" Allyria said mysteriously and bowed leaving him returning to Lord Tristan Dayne who eyed him for a brief moment before looking to his sister and smiling at her. Ned needed some air he turned and was about to walk out of the great hall to the court yard when he felt a heavy arm around his shoulders.
Robert
"God's Ned where is your sister and family! I wish to meet them" Robert grinned as he put his arm around his friend. Ned raised a brow with a small smile as walked forward shrugging his arm off and Robert followed.
"She is North where she belongs Robert, atleast until she says the words" Ned said letting know that he was aware of their fathers arranging a betrothal.
"You know!" Robert grinned as they exited the great hall a cool wind hitting their faces.
"Aye I know my father sent me a letter before I returned to Kings Landing he wishes for us to ride North for you to meet Lyanna" Ned shrugged smiling slightly.
"Then after the feast write to your father we shall ride north!" Robert proclaimed and clapped his hands he would need to gather men. He cursed the party of Stormland Lords that came where with his father.
"Calm yourself Robert, riding to Winterfell would take a long month, best we sail to White Harbor and then ride to Winterfell." Ned waved his hand to try to calm him, but the gods he was betrothed! He wished Lyanna was of age already so he could marry her and call Ned brother. He called him so but once married under the eyes of gods and men they would be brothers! Family Robert wondered briefly if Stannis and Ned would get along both being so bloody dreary half the time.
"Fine then we sail I would crawl meeting her will be excellent. Rhaegar! I want him with me the three of us. We should be together when this happens" Ned smiled but his lips were pressed tightly. He knew that to be Ned for hes uncomftarble with what he knows.
"Oh seven hells what has happened now, come on speak" Robert crossed his arms. Ned frowned slightly and nodded but moved and Robert followed, they went to a more private area of the court yard by a lone fountain where no one paid them mind. Looking around Ned still looked unsecured but lowly he pulled Robert forward and spoke in a hush tone.
"Something is going to happen between the King and Lord Tywin" Ned whispered.
"So what? Lord Tywin has swallowed it all so far" Robert grumbled.
"Not this Robert…not this, he plans to marry Rhaegar to Elia Martell" Ned said and Robert was about to interrupt him on why would that anger Tywin.
"Lord Tywin has arranged a marriage between Elia and his heir. The king plans to force a break of the betrothal. This will humiliate Lord Tywin" Ned hissed and Robert felt his eyes widen.
"Shite" Robert grumbled Robert this would not bode well, but Lord Tywin would not dare risk doing something stupid. Robert however knew what they would need to do.
"We need to accompany Rhaegar down south wont we?" Robert wanted to go north damn it north! But his brother by the olds gods and new needed them now more than ever.
"Rhaegar has been doing his best to keep Lord Tywin appeased, at this point only marrying Lady Cersei will sedate him" Ned said and Robert nodded.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Robert asked, he wasn't one for these politics.
"Speak to Rhaegar best he knows he is going into this with open eyes" Ne said and then he froze looking behind Robert. Robert turned and caught only the rustling of bushes.
"What?" Robert said.
"Someone heard us….come on we need to make it to Rhaegar now!" Ned said and he nodded they briskly walked back into the Great Hall. The king was still missing and Rhaegar was nowhere to be seen. Robert looked around the room and found Ser Arthur standing guard by the door, he hit Ned with the back of his arm to catch his attention. Poitning to Ser Arthur they made their way to him Ned spoke first.
"Arthur, where is Rhaegar have you seen him?" Ned asked, Arthur scrunched his face and thought on it.
"Aye he headed out mayhaps to his rooms?" Arthur suggested and Ned thanked him but Arthur raised his hand stopping them.
"Whats wrong?" he asked.
"The king is about to do something foolish to Lord Tywin" Ned said and they both bolted briskly walking to Maegors Holdfast and finding the Royal Apartments. They found him he was leaning on one of the many balconies.
"Rhaegar!" Ned exclaimed and he turned to them startled and both of them looked startled his eyes where red and slightly puffy. Rhaegar cried…he never cried not once in their recent memory. Rhaegar tried to hide but it was too late walking to him Rhaegar looked down ashamed he was the oldest and he shed tears before them. Robert felt a pain in his heart his friend was hurting and he would murder the bastard who dared bring him this pain.
"Forgive me Ned, Robert I had to see my father and…and" Rhaegar tried and he teared up again before he glared angry trying to keep from crying.
"Calm yourself Rhaegar we are here brother, speak to us for we cannot help you without knowing what needs help" Ned said his low voice comforting to Rhaegar.
"I wanted to find my fathe speak to him about why he did not inform me of the betrothal he wanted with the Valyrian wife, he sent for me" Rhaegar said sighing and tried hard not to cry and they gave him the minute he needed to compose himself.
"I went to find him and the gods I know why mother was so sad, I know why Ser Gerald and Ser Lewyn wouldn't meet my eyes." Rhaegar let a sob escaped him and Robert could not help it, he threw his arms around him and hugged him Rhaegar stunned returned the hug after a second and held tight trying not to sob
"My father…Aerys he was raping her…he was raping my mother and made his guard stand and watch" Ned gasped out gods. Robert to the woman who had been a second mother to him felt fury rise in his heart. How could a man do that to his own wife, how could he hurt a woman who was so sweet to him as a boy. She suffered through stillbirths and now the king brought another.
"Ser Gerald saw me when I was in sight but I could not unhear the sounds of my mother screaming pleading for my father to stop." Rhaegar sobbed clutching to Robert as if he was his lifeline.
"Rhaegar…I'm sorry I should have just kept talking to the king" Ned said and the fool tried to blame himself.
"No, no by the gods do not try to put such an act on your shoulders" Rhaegar finally gathered himself and wiped his tears.
"Ser Lewyn was inside the chambers witnessing…well you know" Rhaegar said and wiped his eyes once more before straightening his tunic.
"This is enough, come with me to my rooms please" Rhaegar said and they followed him. In his rooms he locked the doors and closed curtains on his windows with the light of a single candle to illuminate the room. Staning by the table near the center of his bedroom Rhaegar looked convicted as he spoke to them.
"I trust no other men in this world like I trust you. You are my brothers to me you are as good as my own flesh and blood" Rhaegar sniffed quiet for a moment.
"My father must be removed from the throne, this act is enough to tell me he is going madder and madder" Rhaegar said before he continued.
"I have kept quiet on it but he has been taking prisoners from the black cells and he burns them in secret in the throne room. He uses them to try and hatch the dragon we found" Rhaegar replied and this was treason, of the highest caliber the wrong person who knew this would have their heads on a pike. Rhaegar scowled slightly and conituned.
"How long until he begins burning men in front of everyone? He did something Lord Tywin has been able to hide" Rhaegar sighed.
"What is that?" Robert questioned what could be worse than burning men?
"He cut the tongue of Lord Tywin's captain of the guard Ser Ilyn Payne in front of some of the court. Lord Tywin and I bribed them to keep it silent" Rhaegar confessed.
"Gods" Ned mumbled and Robert was in agreeance had the king really been gone this far? Robert had never cared much for the politics around him. He just cared about mastering his Warhammer and finding a good fight. This was beyond him, this was talking about taking the most powerful man of Westeros from his throne.
"Rhaegar this is dangerous let's just take your mother away from him" Robert tried.
"How? Viserys is still too young and my mother would rather suffer in silence than leave him" Rhaegar said now sounding bitter.
"Things will be more difficult than that" Ned said sighing and Robert remembered why they had been seeking Rhaegar.
"The king will insult Lord Tywin by sending yout to Dorne to betrothed you with Elia Martell" Ned confessed and Rhaegar closed his eyes shaking his head.
"I will need to speak with Lord Tywin" said Rhaegar.
"I think my father has done so himself, I saw him leave with him when the King left with…the queen" Robert said a bit uncomftarble.
"Aye I am willing to wager Lord Steffon spoke to him" Ned said.
"Then so it begins, I might have to marry Princess Elia and win her to our cause. I hoped marriage was something far away for me." Rhaegar grumbled.
"I will try and make this work to our advantage and make this engagement not happen. " Rhaegar proclaimed. Then after a moment of silence he put his fist foreward.
"Brothers I trust no other men like I trust you. I have little offer you for if we lose we lose everything" Rhaegar said.
"Bullocks to that, I don't want nothing from you Rhaegar I am with you" Robert replied putting his fist forward as well and Ned hesitated. He was thinking if not about his family Lady
Ashara.
"I am with you as well Rhaegar, to whatever end I will follow you to it" Ned said and put his fist forward as well.
"thank you, the realm will tear itself apart if we do not intervene my father will do something that doesn't slight a Lord but anger him enough to plunge us into war" Rhaegar said.
"I must first gather evidence allies and prepare to call a great council to remove my father from the throne" Rhaegar finished and they nodded.
"The Stormlands will be yours my father will support you" Robert said.
"I will see if my father supports you as well" Ned said.
"Good but let us speak of this another time, we should return before questions arise about our absence" Rhaegar said and they agreed. Opening the curtains Rhaegar turned the candel off and they walked outside to return to the feast.
Cersei
She wanted to surprise Rhaegar and give him a gift she had sown with her septa in the time leading to the feast. She knitted a black cloak with the red dragon emblazon on it, she wanted to gifted it to Rhaegar and ask him to wear it on a Tourney. She had snuck into his rooms and waited for him as she had seen him gone out of the great hall to look for his mother. So she had gone back to her rooms and gotten her gift and entered his rooms. Then she sat on his bed waiting and before she knew it she had snuggled into his sheets and buried herself in pillows falling asleep. She woke when she heard the door open and then the light that filtered through the windows where gone. She froze when she heard the extra feet walk. One was clearly the prince strides dignified and strong. The others were strong and powerful. The last one she didn't hear until his voice proved he was there. His strides had been so subtle and precise.
She heard Rhaegar talk, then his friend Robert and Eddard Stark. They spoke and she wanted to reveal herself but what she heard scared her she wasn't supposed to have listened. Cersei quietly listened to their entire conversation until they left. She waited almost a good thirty minutes before she peeked from her fortress of pillows and saw the windows open and the room empty.
She shuffled out and looked out the door to see the coast clear. She walked out closed the door and walked down the corridor to the great hall. Then she walked faster until she found herself lifting her skirts and running. She found the great hall the people were starting to leave soft music playing she clutched the black folder cloak to her breast. She was shaking she shouldn't have heard that, she wasn't meant to.
Would Rhaegar be mad? Would he tell her father and if he did would Rhaegar be in trouble? His father was the hand of the king. If he found out he spoke treason His father might hurt Rhaegar and he wouldn't allow her to be with him anylonger. She wished Jamie was here, or Tyrion he could say something that made her laugh and calm her fears.
"Cersei" her father scared her and she jumped dropping the cloak.
"Father, I'm sorry" she said and bent down picking her cloak. He raised a brow before his lips pulled up slightly.
"Its fine I did not wish to scare you daughter" he said his deep voice soft and comforting. He put his hand on her shoulder and she smiled still feeling frightened from what she heard. She shouldn't listened have she shouldn't have been there, the mantra was repeated in her mind and it reinforced her words when she spoke.
"Something the matter?" he asked as he led her away probably to her rooms, the hour was late and she wished to sleep feeling very tired.
"What is you are clutching Cersei?" her father asked and she answered automatically.
"It's a gift for the prince…I made it a cloak for him to wear" she replied one hand absently ran down the cloak.
"Did you not find him?" he asked and she thought of his rooms the conversation. She shouldn't have listened, she shouldn't have been there. Cersei spoke the mantra leading her words and fear lying to her father.
"No I couldn't find him, perhaps tomorrow father" she smiled her best smile and his father hummed and nodded. She entered her rooms. Her servants came in after and she ordered them to dress her in her night gown. After a few minutes she dismissed them and she crawled into her big bed and brought the cloak with her clutching it to her breast she laid on her side trying to sleep. As the tiredness from dancing and the long night lulled her to sleep she repeated the words in her head out loud calming her enough to sleep.
"I shouldn't have listened, I shouldn't have been there" Cersei slept and dreamt of fire dragons, wolves and stags.
Ohhh the plot thickens as it were, the kingswood Brotherhood arc is only one more chapter away I promise! This is more set up for the main plot that is developing. You will get your scene in the North with the three boys and get to see the Stark family. I promise you that much lol, you will enjoy the interactions of the Starks and our main lads. This also marks the first different POV beyond the boys, and Cersei oh my-oh my what does this mean? Will she ever speak about what she heard? Who will hear I wonder who, oh who indeed.
The reviews are fixed thank the old gods, so I got to answer the questions of my lads now then here's the answers to your questions! Oh and offcourse READ AND REVIEW QUESTIONS CRITICS CONCERNS LET ME KNOW!
Ladyres: Well, Jon existence is depending on you entirely lol, believes at least but who knows. Things may change or not, just wait and see ;)
WaylandCopr 4: Rhaegars opinion on Cersei are nothing beyond she's a sweet kid, keep in mind Rhaegar is 19 she's 12. To him she is just a child and he feels more obligated to humor her than actual romantic feelings. As far as marraige goes, he hasn't thought about it a small reveal will come in the next chapter about Rhaegar's thoughts on marraige. For now he just sees her as a sweet girl and nothing more. Yes Ned aquiring Duskendale will have it's own headaches, to deal with him getting Duskendale is on the whims of a madman. But a madman that favors him greatly. So maybe some of the crownland Lords don't look too favorably to Ned who was getting special treatment.
LastEnclave: Roberts Rebellion? Well I don't know if he is the one leading a rebellion, but who knows peace hasn't always lasted long in Westeros. Something is bound to happen and Aerys growing more unstable he's bound to piss somebody enough to raise a ruckus. Also I'm glad Ned becoming Lord of Duskendale was received so well! I thought with Aerys seeing knives everywhere he clings to Ned and that one act of selflessness on his part. As for Ned and Ashara I loved the couple and very little stories have them so this is the one couple I can confirm and your probably right on marriage wise, things will get messier with the Kingswood Brotherhood arch around the corner. Cassana is not dying indeed but Steffon avoided the chopping axe too! Man just where am I going with all this? I don't know about Robert being a dick, i mean sure he's kind of an arrogant prick sometimes but he's so damn jolly it's hard to stay mad at him! Even when he was depressed after the loss of Lyanna he was still like a mideavil santa.