Chapter 3: Ch-2: Tywin's Revelation

Tywin exited Joanna's chambers, a worried frown on his face. Kevan rushed over to him. 'Tywin!' he exclaimed. 'What happened? Is Joanna all right? How is the baby?' He rushed over the words.

Tywin, who was lost in his worries of Handship, jolted back to the present and remembered the happy news. The change in his expression was startling. His features softened, and he smiled, his green eyes shining with joy and pride. 'Joanna is fine.' He replied, a lilt to his voice. 'I am blessed with twins, a girl and a boy.' Kevan was pleasantly surprised. 'Twin babies? What a joyous news!' He enthused. 'Have you named them?' 'Yes, the boy is Jaime and the girl is Cersei.' 'Proud names, for a House of pride.'

Kevan's mind suddenly flashed back to his brother's worried frown. Indeed, he was frowning again. 'Tywin,' asked Kevan, 'Is all as it should be?' Tywin hesitated. He could confide anything to his brother and was aware and grateful for that when he tentatively murmured 'Kevan, Aerys-' He looked over his shoulder.

Kevan could grasp that whatever his brother was about to say was confidential, and he led Tywin to his rooms. There, his brother finally relaxed. 'What were you saying?' 'Kevan, Aerys is not what he once was. He was my closest friend, a liege lord I was proud to serve. He is not that now, Kevan. He has been crumbling slowly, turning into someone I barely know.'

Kevan gasped. Regaining his composure, he queried, 'Crumbling in what way?' 'Crumbling in the way only a Targaryen can.' replied Tywin. 'He may have been my friend, but now he thinks that I am his greatest rival. He is deteriorating. ' Tywin stopped. 'No one knows this yet, save you, me and the Royal Family.' 'Not even Joanna?' 'No, not even her.'Tywin confirmed.

To Tywin, the perilous mental condition of the King put a damper on the absolute joy he felt on the birth of his children. He tried to hide it from his family, but, Joanna, astute as she was, sensed that something was wrong. What could be the source of the change? she wondered. But, she rarely had time to ponder upon the unexplainable change in her husband, for the twins demanded all her attention. They were insistent, always fussing. She sighed. Even the babies were not oblivious to the tension in the household.

Meanwhile, in King's Landing;

Six year old Rhaegar Targaryen was following his father around, contrary to his mother's orders. But, the King fascinated the young boy. Sometimes, he would hug Rhaegar and show him the dragon skulls. Rhaegar would clap his hands excitedly and name all the dragons correctly. And father would give him a sweet and pat him on the days, like today, Aerys would cuff Rhaegar when the boy tried to hug his father, shout at him for being a bookish wimp, scream that Rhaegar was a fool, a useless boy.

Rhaegar would then slink away and follow the King, crying softly. He wanted Aerys to be the loving father everyday. Aerys went into Rhaella's room, Rhaegar saw. He was shouting at her. 'Give me a son!' he shrieked. 'The dragon has three heads, give me a son!' Rhaegar heard a woman crying inside. 'It's not my fault!' she cried. 'Mama!' thought Rhaegar.

Suddenly, he couldn't control himself anymore. Why was his father like this? Why did he love Rhaegar one day and hate him the next? Why did he hurt mother? Rhaegar couldn't shake off the feeling that all this was his fault. With these thoughts in his head, he peeked from his hidey-hole. Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Barristan Selmy were standing on guard, looking uneasy, eyes cast down. Rhaegar decided to take their squeamishness to his advantage and ran to them.

Barristan Selmy could not tolerate the screaming anymore. Yet, he was a Sworn Brother of the Kingsgaurd and he had to obey. So, he stood, silent, eyes downcast. Suddenly, his keen ears noticed a sniffling sound from near the doorway. He glanced at the Lord Commander, who nodded. Barristan was surprised. Who would be here, at the Red Keep, during this time? Surely not a spy. Barristan tensed.

But then, a silver blond head peeked hesitantly at them. He exhaled. It was only Rhaegar, the Crown Prince. The head vanished. A split second later, he saw the boy running full-tilt towards him. Ser Gerold also looked surprised. The boy cannoned into the Lord Commander's legs, startling him.

Ser Gerold knelt before the boy. 'What happened, my Prince?' It seemed obvious to Selmy. He had often seen Rhaegar follow His Grace around, staying hidden, peeking around occasionally. He felt pity for the boy. He was barely a child and today, he had the misfortune to stumble across his idolized father torturing his beloved mother. Selmy turned to look at the boy.

He stammered 'Mama's crying!'and burst into tears. Impulsively,the Lord Commander hugged him. ' Ser Gerold, I want to see her!' He exclaimed. 'She would not like it, my Prince.' Rhaegar hesitated. 'Call me Rhaegar, Ser Gerold.' He mumbled unexpectedly. Barristan saw that the Lord Commander was taken aback. 'Rhaegar, then,' he murmured soothingly'. 'Your mother would not like it, Rhaegar.'

Rhaegar stood stock still between the two Kingsgaurd. Suddenly they heard the King shout 'Rhaegar, you call him. To think that I thought that he would be the prophesied hero! He is a bookworm, he does nothing worthy!' Rhaegar stiffened. To his utter dismay, he heard his mother shout 'Rhaegar is my son! He is a good son, he adores you!'

Barristan and Ser Gerold stared at the boy, transfixed. He tugged at the door. Ser Gerold was spurred into action. 'Rhaegar, no!' He yelled. But the boy was in a frenzy. 'All this is my fault!' He wailed. Ser Gerold, looking traumatized, shook his head and picked the boy up. Rhaegar flailed and trashed, finally banging the door. After what seemed an eternity, the door opened and the King stormed out.

At this precise moment, Rhaegar wriggled out of Ser Gerold's grasp and ran to the King. 'Why do you hate me, father? What can I do to make you love me every day?' He asked innocently. Queen Rhaella emerged. 'Rhaegar!' She exclaimed. She led the boy away. 'I'll do anything!' He cried out. Rhaella hugged her son close and ruffled his hair. 'Shh, little hero.' She soothed. But he was not to be pacified. 'Mama, I'm sorry!' He exclaimed. ' It's all my fault!'