Jocelyn clicked her tongue in approval, seeing her arrows gathered very closely in the center of the target. Looking over her recurve bow, she admired how far she had come since she started her archery lessons and kept practicing. The bow was made just for her and was surprisingly elegant looking. When she first started, she foolishly thought she could use the longbow. Her trainer had to inform her that it would be impossible for her to use it. Longbows required raw strength that most women just did not have. There was a reason why archers who used longbows had thicker, muscular arms. She thought to her own arms, and that they were slim and toned thanks to her lessons.
She was a talented archer, she'll give herself that. But being a fighter in the physical sense wasn't what she was after when she wanted to do this. Archery helped one learn to concentrate, to focus. That ability was valuable in King's Landing. In King's Landing, she must learn who her ally is and who is not. Trust? That wasn't something on her mind. Putting trust in someone in a toxic environment like her home was practically asking for a dagger in the back (Speaking of which, she had one strapped to her leg). In her position, being a physical fighter wouldn't do her much good.
Instead, she would follow her uncle Tyrion's advice of treating her own mind like a weapon. Books were like sharpening stones, so she sharpened her mind quite often. She was known to play chess against herself as if she was exploring her own weaknesses. While she did read and do her research, most of it was only theories. She had yet to put any of them to the test and hopefully she wouldn't have to put…well certain theories to the test. She was no master strategist or genius, but hopefully she knew enough to get by.
For now, her main concern was who she was going to be married to. The politics of it would greatly influence her future. There was plenty of men who would want her hand in marriage, she is the princess. After much consideration, she could think of a few men she would most likely marry.
Robb Stark would be a likely choice, but Sansa may be marrying Joffrey. While she wouldn't put it pass her father to push it, she doubted she would marry Robb. Now that she met him, she admitted she wouldn't mind but if her father was going to do it, he would have brought it up by now. Not to mention, Cersei certainly wouldn't be pleased with her daughter marrying a northern man.
Willas Tyrell was a good possibility. Not only would the Crown have access to resources House Tyrell could provide, it would improve relations and ensure their loyalty. True, he was crippled from a tourney accident but from what she heard it wasn't that bad. Supposedly he was very intelligent. Her uncle Renly was promised to Margaery Tyrell.
She once wondered if anyone from House Martell was a possibility but due to their tension with her father and grandfather, it probably wouldn't be the best idea. Whoever it was, she figured it would be soon. She briefly recalled her mother telling a few years ago what it was like for her to wonder who she would marry. Her mother had wanted to marry the prince Rhaegar Targaryen, who was beloved by most of the Seven Kingdoms. Instead, the Mad King had his son marry Elia Martell, the Dornish princess who met a tragic fate along with her children. Jocelyn wondered what would have happened if her mother had married a Targaryen instead of her father. In the end, she'd probably be disappointed just like she is now since Rhaegar did kidnap Lyanna Stark.
Shaking her head, she gathered up her arrows and prepared to head back into her guest chambers. She should go over her studies for a bit. That is, until she heard cries of alarm sounding.
Jocelyn,
I hope you arrived in Winterfell safely, I know it's a long journey from your home to the north. What is it like? I hear it's amazing and I wish I could see it for myself! What are the Starks like? Father says Lord Eddard is honorable and that he respects him greatly. You must tell me everything, there's only so much books can tell me. I miss you, I hope I can see you soon or maybe you can come to Dragonstone again.
-Shireen
Jocelyn didn't bother to fight back the smile forming on her face, relaxing in her chair as she read the latest letter from her little cousin. She loved Shireen and wrote to her as often as she could. She was a sweet child who didn't deserve the greyscale scar on her face. She made a mental note to write her response later as she tucked the letter away. This letter in particular cheered her up, as the mood around Winterfell had been grey.
Bran Stark was found unconscious, having fallen from an old tower he was climbing. Apparently he had a knack for it and constantly climbed according to the staff around Winterfell. This time he had fallen and has yet to wake up. Her heart went out to Lady Catelyn, who had yet to leave her son's side. She was horribly distraught and Jocelyn knew that if it was her or one of her siblings, her mother wouldn't leave their side either. Cersei may have favored Joffrey and certainly didn't hide it, she loved all of her children.
It was early morning, and the Baratheon made plans to stop to offer her condolences. She briefly wondered if her brother had bothered but doubted it. He was the kind to not care about such things and he had yet to understand how it made him look. Even if he could care less about the Stark boy, showing curtsy especially when a guest did a lot for one's reputation. It was something her mother should have taught him but she had put into his mind that he could do what he wanted due to his status as the Crown Prince.
Jocelyn genuinely did care if Bran lived or died. The Starks didn't deserve to lose a child, they were good people. Unfortunately, tragedies loved to visit people like them if history proved anything. The fourteen year old made her way to Bran's chambers, where Lady Catelyn was next to the bed, murmuring prayers as she weaved what looked to be a prayer web. Bran looked to be buried in furs and if it wasn't for the rising and falling of his chest, Jocelyn would think he looked quite lifeless.
Catelyn was quick to note her appearance despite her concentrating on the prayer web and would have stood if Jocelyn hadn't shook her head. "Please, there's no need." Carefully the Baratheon stepped a bit closer to Bran's bed. It was a depressing sight, to see a young boy like this. She couldn't help but think of what it would be like to have Tommen in this position and the thought broke her heart.
"I'm so sorry about what happened to your son Lady Catelyn." Jocelyn bowed her head, meeting the woman's eyes. She looked exhausted. "If there's anything I could do, please let me know."
"Thank you, my princess. But Maester Luwin says all we can do is wait and pray."
That interested her. "He will live? That's great news my lady." She read that Lady Catelyn wanted to be left alone, so she curtsied and said her farewell as she went to join her family for their morning meal.
Her mother and Uncle Jaime were already eating along with her young siblings in the great hall. After asking for bread and eggs from a servant politely, she sat next to Mycrella. Once again, Jocelyn couldn't help but notice just how different she looks from her siblings. She definitely felt like a black sheep, or rather a black stag. She didn't have their golden locks, or eyes that could put emeralds to shame. No, she had black hair and blue eyes. She even was lacking in the facial features they had besides the cheekbones. She shook her head, digging into her meal after thanking the servant who brought it. Tyrion showed up looking quite pleased with himself and Jocelyn hid a snort with a sip of water. Usually that meant he did something that was going to irritate her mother and amuse Jaime. He enthusiastically ordered his own meal before sliding next to Tommen and Jaime.
Mycrella spoke up first. "Is Bran going to die?" she asked so innocently. Tyrion smiled at her sweetness as did Jocelyn.
"Apparently not." He was glad to answer. Mycrella and Tommen both exchanged happy glances. As Jocelyn tore off a piece of bread and chewed, she noted a concerned look that briefly flashed on her mother's face.
"What do you mean?" She asked carefully.
"I talked to the Maester, and he says Bran may survive. He'll be unable to walk, but he'll survive."
"It's true, Lady Catelyn told me so this morning before I came." Jocelyn confirmed, carefully watching her mother's face. Something about that look a moment ago didn't sit well with her. Cersei spoke up after exchanging a look with Jaime.
"It's no mercy, letting a child linger in pain like that." She said and her eldest daughter narrowed her eyes in disapproval.
"Considering where he fell, it's a blessing he's alive at all Mother. From what I understand, he doesn't feel any pain in his lower body. He may be crippled but he's still alive." Jocelyn spoke up.
"Even if he's alive, he will be a cripple, grotesque. Give me a clean quick death any day over that."
Jaime, after saying that, became aware of daggers being stared into him and turned to see Jocelyn staring him down angrily. "Uncle, I wasn't aware Bran Stark was a lame horse. I could have sworn he was a living, breathing boy with a life ahead of him. I also could have sworn it was only his legs, not his brain that was damaged." Quick to defuse her anger, Jaime went to reply only for his niece to open her mouth again.
"Willas Tyrell has a permanent leg injury, but he's still considered one of the most intelligent men in the reach. His family isn't trying to get rid of him either. Bran can still do great things, even if he can't walk."
Jaime raised his hands defensively. "Now now, I was only saying what I thought would be best. The boy is going to be bed ridden for the rest of his life. His legs are useless now."
Leaning forward, Jocelyn's blue eyes became stormy as she adopted a look Robert could occasionally be found with. "If this was to happen to me, Joffrey, Tommen, or Mycrella, would you suggest giving us a merciful death?" she hissed. The atmosphere at the table became tense as everyone stiffened. Tyrion grimaced from behind his goblet as he watched Jaime quickly back down as he noted Cersei's sharp gaze to him. She then turned it to her eldest daughter.
"That's enough Jocelyn."
The girl would have argued but then she saw her younger siblings' faces and decided to end it there. She took one last bite of her meal before excusing herself out of the hall. She could have handled it better, but whenever she reminded of how cold the Lannister side of her family could be, it set her off. She inhaled the cold air deeply to clear her head. The sooner I don't have to live in King's Landing, the better she thought to herself, resuming her walk. She really did love her family. There was no question that she loved her siblings. There was no question that she loved her parents. Her uncles, both Lannister and Baratheon, she cared deeply for. It's just that she couldn't take how cruel some of them could be and how toxic her home was.
As she walked through the halls of Winterfell, she spotted the same boy who avoided her on her first day of being here. Noting his resemblance to Lord Stark, she came to the conclusion he was Jon Snow, his bastard. She couldn't help but notice that he looked more like Lord Eddard than Robb did. That can't be something Lady Catelyn was happy with. Speaking of the Stark heir, he was walking next to Jon.
Noticing her approach, he greeted the Baratheon warmly. "Hello Robb, I take it you are Jon?" she addressed, careful to avoid the "Snow" part of his name. She figured he wouldn't like be reminded of that. Robb smothered a grin seeing Jon's surprised face as the princess turned her attention to him, even with a smile.
"Y-yes Your Grace." He answered.
"He's sorry for not introducing himself sooner, he's a bit shy when it comes to women." Robb remarked playfully, pretending to not notice Jon's glare.
"Oh, it's no problem. It's a shame though, I'm sure he would have been nice to dance with unlike…well someone else." Jocelyn made a show of giving Robb a side glance, making Jon fail to hold back a snort of laughter while Robb managed to look insulted. Though he didn't take it to heart due to the laugh that escaped him moment later.
"Are you saying I don't know how to dance princess?"
"I'm afraid that is what I'm saying…although at least you didn't step on my toes. Can't say the same for my dear brother."
"Well when you put it that way…" The two of them laughed while Jon relaxed with a smile on his face.
"We were about to go to the Godswood. Would you care to join us?" Jocelyn nodded and walked with them, glad to notice she was less tense than she was minutes ago. She looked over at Jon, who was trying to be subtle on how he was staring at her. She smiled.
Varys pursed his lips, going over what he had learned from Jon Connington. Young Aegon was growing well, and was still well disguised as Young Griff. It was a bit tricky to make sure he concealed his loyalty to the Targaryens. It was even trickier to make sure his plans involving the surviving ones stayed hidden. Robert was dragging the Seven Kingdoms down, what the people needed was a king that wasn't going to destroy the country. Joffrey being next in line was no good either, it was no secret the boy was cruel and uncaring.
Viserys Targaryen was no good either. From what he has been hearing, the boy wasn't fit to be king. The Targaryen rule would not come back strongly with him leading it. Anyone who would sell their sister, a pure blooded Targaryen, to a Dothraki warlord wouldn't be the example people would look to.
His hope rested in Aegon, the baby he arranged to be smuggled out during the sacking of King's Landing. If he had more time, he would have arranged for Rhaenys to be saved as well but they couldn't find a baby girl with a Dornish look and switch her out in time. The Targaryen princess did indeed die a cruel death, and it was something the Spider would forever regret. As long as Aegon became a man similar to his father, there was still hope for the Targaryen bloodline.
When Aegon does come to claim his throne with an army, the people of Westeros will still be troubled no doubt. The people recognize Baratheons as the rulers of Westeros now. Lannisters, if one wanted to be closer to the truth. A Targaryen coming to upset the balance would cause a bit of chaos. Which is why Varys formed a more difficult part of the plan. If he could somehow arrange a marriage between Aegon and Jocelyn, it could satisfy both sides. Of course, he couldn't just whisk her off. He didn't want a repeat of the Rhaegar/Lyanna situation. Not to mention, he would easily anger two powerful houses with strong allies to boot. No, he had to wait for the right moment. That is what Varys is good at after all.
Waiting.
I'm so sorry for neglecting this story. I was struggling with this chapter, and I'm not very happy with how it came out. I'm just going to continue onward though or else I'll never get this story done. I hope nothing was confusing, and that it's satisfying.
I hope you like the end part with Varys and hopefully I did it right. Rhaenys not surviving was always a hole in the Young Griff theory so I figured in this, they just couldn't find one to pass as her since Rhaenys was supposed to have the Dornish look and with how I picture her, she had purple eyes so she was more difficult to replicate unlike Aegon, who was swapped with a Lyseni baby. Again, I'm open to advice like always, and I promise you won't have to wait so long for another chapter!
