267 AL
Lord Lannister was loath to give up his mistress. The Queen Regent exhaled slowly. She ought to send a few pieces of jewellery to the candlemaker's daughter for the hold she had on the Laughing Lion. Seldom did a man refuse a Queen's hand for that of a peasant. But Rhaella, for the very first time, minded it not one jot.
The Lord Hand, however, was pacing the room back and forth with such speed that she feared he might make himself ill. For more than half a decade the lion had evaded their scheme, citing different reasons which held him at the Rock. Rhaella had almost sent him a raven with her compliments, alas, she knew that such a move could not bode well. It remained that Tytos Lannister was much too taken with his young mistress to think about the lonely Queen of the Red Keep.
"It is preposterous," her father's loyal friend continued. "The things they say about that impudent wench. How can a man allow himself to be led on so?"
That Rhaella could not answer. No man had ever allowed himself to be led by her as far as she knew. Yet other women seemed more than pleased to charm and control. The Queen Regent had simply never met a man to succumb to her charm. Aerys had not cared much for her, she knew, as he always had some woman or another waiting behind closed doors. Lord Tytos was happy enough with his mistress. Even her knight of long ago had found is place in the world.
Well, she did not need any of them in any event. There was a kingdom to be run, matters of the state to be resolved and a son to raise. What mattered if she had a man beside her or not. Rhaegar needed to be her main concern. Rhaella knew that with the proper attention he could become a great king, another Jaehaerys the Conciliator, a man who would lad the realm to its glory.
That was what she saw whenever she gazed at her son. Despite his tender age, King Rhaegar, the First of his Name, exuded the Targaryen aura of greatness. Without intention her mind turned to Aerys once more. Had he not been much like their son? Such promise, wasted on the battlefield. The realm was in good hands though.
"Might be my lord Lannister has the right of it. I would be of little use at the Rock," Rhaella cut in into the Lord Hand's tirade. "He has heirs enough and coin and prestige. Were I to birth him a son, say, some might think to push for his ruler over the Westerlands in the future." And for the Iron Throne. If there was ever a chance that anyone might sit that ugly chair, blood would be shed. Nay, it was best that she kept as she was.
"Your Grace, you are yet young. It cannot be expected that you live the rest of your days alone with nary a comfort." The words were promptly dismissed by Rhaella. Sloane was not to be deterred. "The realm has incurred massive debt. We need the funds the Rock can provide."
"Then the Master of Coin had better negotiate with the lions," the woman spoke. "This is why he has been given his position on my council. If he is unable to, then we need a new Master of Coin."
"'Tis not that simple, Your Grace," the man insisted. "The bride price would go a long way to aid us. The Iron Bank shan't wait much longer."
It was that bloody war. The following year crops had failed and a famine had swept throughout the land. Though Rhaella had tried to ration grain and corn, the loss had been substantial. Most resources had been used up. Little remained. She did understand the need for coin, but she did not see why they could not make the demand of House Lannister. As a sworn house under the King of the realm, they owed their liege whatever help was needed. She could hardly be expected to seek a new husband every time the realm was in peril.
"'Tis exactly so simple, my lord. Tytos Lannister is ruler of Catserly Rock and he has never shied from lending coin when it was needed." Although, his son might and if the truth of it was that Tywin Lannister controlled the strings of the purse, Rhaella had better think of a trade.
Clearly her argument did not ring true with the Lord Hand. He was, however, unable to further protest as Rhaella dismissed him with a small sigh. "I shall think further upon this matter, my lord. I've no answer now."
What could she possibly promise to the young lion that might induce him to offer aid. The Seven Kingdoms were already his home, clearly that would not persuade him. What did Tywin Lannister lack that she could offer? He was the oldest son of a powerful in name, if weak in action, lord and stood to inherit a great deal.
That was it. Tywin Lannister was, despite his potential, a mere ser. He hadn't yet any land of his own and through he ruled within the Rock to the best of his abilities, it was reported that he was forever hampered by his father's mistress and her wiles. No doubt he would wish to be far away from the vile creature as he possibly could until his father last drew breath.
Indeed, Tywin had been a companion of Aerys'. She could offer him a position at court. Her Master of Coin was useless as it were. She had need of a fair and capable man.
The solution found, Rhaella held back a small smile. First she would need to write to him. Mayhap she ought to write to Joanna. That might sway matters in her favour. It seemed that father and son shared some similarities despite their vast differences.
Then so she would do.
Her business conclude3d, the young Queen drew herself to her feet and left behind the solar in favour of a room she held much closer to her heart. Though as King, Rhaegar ought to have attended court, the poor boy had come down with a head cold that would simply not leave him be. She had been assured multiple times by the maesters that he would be well given a few days of rest, but Rhaella could not bear to be far from him for more than small amounts of time.
She entered in time to see Grand Maester Pycelle had concluded his visit for the day. The man turned to her and bowed respectfully. "His Majesty is much better on this day. The fever has broken." Such joyful news elicited a full smile from the mother. "The fatigue shall fade as well."
"That is the very best of news you could have given me, maester." Rhaella hurried to her son's bedside and peered down at the boy. Rhaegar was looking at her with a curious look. "Did you hear, son? As soon as you are well, I shall take you wherever you wish to go."
The incentive obtained a slow nod from the child. Rhaella turned to the maester. "'Tis a pest, this head cold and much too persistent."
"His Majesty is young, is all. All children are subjected to such hardships." Pycelle bowed once more. "If I may be allowed to take my leave, Your Grace. There are other matters I must attend to."
Grateful for her son's recovery and less interested in the maester, Rhaella bade him to be on his way. She returned her attention to Rhaegar. "Tell me truly, are you feeling better?"
"Much better," Rhaegar confirmed. "I am bored, lady mother. There is no amusement to be had." Another one of those hardships children faced, Rhaella thought with a smile. Rhaegar, like most individuals his age, was in possession of a very short attention span, unless storytelling was involved. Which was the reason why she had seen to it that her knowledge of songs and stories was ever increasing.
"I know. 'Tis a pity to be sure." Leaving his side for but a moment, Rhaella took the book that had been left upon a stool and returned to her place. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Let us see which story you have not yet heard."
"Can you not tell me about the dragons, lady mother?" the child demanded, rising himself against the pillows. "I want to hear about the dragons."
Dragons had a special place in her son's heart. Rhaella pursed her lips. "I have told you the stories a thousand times over. You would like something else better, I am certain." Rhaegar looked unconvinced. Rhaella sighed. "Very well, then. Dragons it is. Which one shall I tell you of?"
"Balerion the Black Dread," came the swift reply. As if anyone would ever doubt what the boy's passion was.
Had her grandfather's attempt been met with success, Rhaegar would have likely had a dragon of his own. The very thought unsettled Rhaella. She could just imagine the lizard-like creature crawling about the room with its shiny scales and beady eyes. A shudder travelled down her spine. As magnificent as dragons were, they were ten times as dangerous to everyone, even their masters.
What need had they of dragons in any event? The realm was at peace. A dragon would need to be fed much more than a small army and it hunted what it was not supposed to, livestock and inhabitants of the realm. The chronicles numbered mayhap dozens upon dozens of such victims.
Although, to be entirely fair, a dragon egg, if sold could ease the debt incurred. A live dragon would be bund to bring in enough coin to erase the debt. Rhaella shook her head. What was she thinking? There were no dragons, except upon banners. More the pity.
Unable to delay any longer, Rhaella delved into her story of Aegon and Balerion and was pleased to see that her son, despite knowing the tale, listened with rapt attention. If one could get him to listen just so to the matters of the realm, she would feel truly blessed. Alas, he was still just a child. As he grew, however, she knew that he would not disappoint her. It was simply not within him to.
She had just reached the chapter of Harrenhal within the conquest tale when a knock on the door interrupted. Cut off midspeech, Rhaella invited however stood on the other side to come in. The door opened to admit Ser Barristan Selmy.
"Apologies, Your Majesty, I was bade to inform Her Grace that her mother has returned." And with her so had chaos, Rhaella presumed. She thanked Ser Selmy for his service and dismissed him. "It seems you shall have to wait for the rest o the conquest. I must away."
Much displeased, her son was a long sigh, but did not try to stop her. "You shall be back, lady mother, shan't you?"
"As soon as I can," Rhaella promised. It would likely not be any time before nightfall, as her own mother tended to require a lot of attention.
Since father's death, her lady mother had not been the same. Rhaella had always known that a great love tied her parents. It had been the reason for which she'd been as distraught to not be given a chance of her own to love. Alas, she now found that it was mayhap for the best that they'd not allowed it.
Mother had been distraught at father's death. But it was more than that. She had lost her grip on sanity, as far as Rhaella was concerned. Father had been a good man, despite his faults. But mother had always been the paranoid one, the one who saw shadows where none where to be found and the one who thought to look for threats in the strangest of places. Father's death had only exacerbated those faults.
In fact, more no less than a year, her mother had been certain that the King dies as the result of a plot and not because of a banal cold. It was as if she could not accept the simple truth. Good gods, who would want to assassinate father? He had brought peace to the realm. The very notion was laughable. But not in her lady mother's mind. With a shake of her head, Rhaella tried to dismiss those thoughts. They would not serve her well.
Walking through the hallways of Maegor's Holdfast, the young woman could already see servants running left and right to prepare whatever it was her mother asked for. Chaos indeed. The daughter entered the large chamber the former queen had been assigned. Her lady mother sat in one of the chairs, her cloak still fastened about her shoulders.
"I was wondering when you would arrive," Shaera said, without looking at Rhaella. "You have kept me waiting. It seems you manner are lacking, daughter."
"Apologies, lady mother. I was tending to my son." Though she had given a valid reason for her tardiness, Shaera did not seem impressed. "Rhaegar was ill. I could not leave her side." There were times when Rhaella wondered if the woman had lost her heart along with her mind. The answers seemed obvious, to her eyes at least. "How were your travels?" Rhaella questioned, striving to remain pleasant.
"Cut short by the strangest rumour. I have heard it said that Tytos Lannister elected to remain at Casterly Rock even when the King has issued him an invitation at court. Furthermore, he seems intended on remaining with his common born mistress." A sour look spread upon the older woman's face. "I have also heard you have yet to do a thing about it."
"You are very well informed, my lady," Rhaella answered after a long moment of awkward silence. "I see no reason to force the issue more than it has already been forced. Lord Lannister does not wish for the match. Nor I. We are neither of us children to be pushed into matrimony at the whims of others."
"Do you have feathers in that head of yours?" her mother demanded acidly, jumping from her seat. "Neither of you wishes for the match? Good gods, let us all do exactly as we wish them and have the realm crumble around our ears. This is not about what you wish; this pertains to your duty."
"I have done my duty," the Queen Regent contradicted. "My duty was to my family and the realm. I have birthed an heir. I am the King's mother." Was it to be a never ending cycle of sacrifices? "Lord Tytos must have similar thought about his own duty."
"Tytos Lannister is a weak fool," Shaera Targayen interrupted. "The real does sometime need such individuals of his special manner. As for duty, as long as you draw breath, you duty has not ended. The Seven Kingdoms are needy and you can satisfy their need."
At the cost of her own sanity, mayhap. Rhaella shook her head. "There are other ways. Allow me to solve these troubles in my own fashion." She of all the people wished to do so more than anything. Her son would one day rule the Seven Kingdoms, thus she had as much interest s anyone else if not more.
"You have been allowed your ways for far too long. I shall write to Lord Lannister and if he does not arrive to King's landing in good time, he is to be declared a traitor of the realm." Well, her mother had gone and truly lost whatever was left of her mind.
"He cannot be declared a traitor for not wishing to wed me," Rhaella countered.
"He can be declared a traitor for refusing to submit to his King's will," Shaera declared, no inflection whatsoever in her voice.
The angrier Rhaella grew, the calmer her mother became. Breathing in deeply and exhaling, the young mother tried to think of an argument which might put an end to the dispute. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind.
She could protest all she liked; if the Small Council pressured for such a letter to be sent, then it would.
"There is one small issue mother. That of consent. I shall simply refuse to wed Lord Lannister," she apt out in the end. "There is no law that can obligate me to act against my conscience."
Laughter escaped past her mother's lips. "Foolish child. I see you've grown only in years. Have you learned nothing at all? The King's decree cannot be ignored. Not unless one wishes to meet their end upon the chopping block."
And they could very well convince her son to sign such a decree. Rhaella gulped softly. Nay indeed, she could not ignore the King's word, no matter that the King was her son and still very much a child. It seemed that she was sinking into a bottomless pond with no shoreline in sight.
It occurred to her that she had need of a great number of allies to put an end to the scheme. Alas, Rhaella had cultivated very few such connections, concentrating more on raising her son. Yet even so, surely some could be found that would oppose the match.
Refusing to give up or allow anyone to dictate to her further, Rhaella clasped her hands together behind her hack and raised her chin definitely. "We shall see what the King decides then." It was only a matter of convincing her son not to give in.
If he had even a fraction of his father's stubbornness, her mission should not prove impossible.
A thin, cutting smile spread upon her mother's face. "Let us see then, daughter, how much your skill has improved."
Rhaella huffed. "I have other matters to attend to now, lady mother. If you will excuse me." She waited no further to leave the presence of Shaera Targaryen.