One morning, as Ned walked into the throne room on his way to the Small Council chamber, he was greeted by a flurry of murmurings and activity. As he walked further into the room, he found himself staring into the dark long empty eye cavities of Balerion, Meraxes and Vhagar. His jaw slackened. Three gigantic skulls were arranged around the Iron Throne, Balerion, Meraxes flanked it while Vhagar peered out from behind. Unsurprisingly, courtiers muttered and sniggered behind their hands.
Ned pulled a servant aside, a young man who twitched nervously.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"The…the Queen's orders, milord."
His eyes searched for his sister.
Amid the chaos, Lyanna stood nonchalantly scrutinizing her handiwork. A small figure swathed in grey silk with hands clasped as if in prayer. There was no doubt, she had ordered this. In three quick strides, Ned crossed to her and shook her arm slightly.
"Lyanna, by the old gods and the new, what are you doing?! These skulls haven't been seen since the Mad King's reign."
She glanced at him briefly and nodded.
"I'm going to pay my respects where it is due."
Ned was aghast. His sister, despite her political canny she had shown before, was committing political suicide. Maybe, after this, she would become the Mad Queen Lyanna, the Dragon's Whore. They were not Targaryens, they have no connection to the Targaryens. But now, every time anyone set eyes upon these monsters they would see Lyanna and her infatuation with Rhaegar. Instead of embracing a new era, they would see a woman unable to let go of her past, her long dead lover.
It would have been less insane to encase the Iron Throne with direwolf pelts, thought Ned dryly. Not that it would be any cleverer to proudly display dead wolves. Maybe direwolf skulls would do.
"Lyanna, every time anyone sees this, they will see Aerys and Rhaegar." Ned reasoned slowly with her. "They will see a long lost family who we have no connection to… No good connection to."
But she shook her head. What happened next amazed Ned, Lyanna Stark laughed and slapped him playfully on his arm. He was truly concerned for her sanity now.
"Don't you see, Ned? Aerys was a fool. He displayed all the dragon skulls, the smallest was about the size of an apple. Everybody saw how the dragons slowly died out almost foreshadowing the Targaryens dying out. Balerion, Meraxes and Vhagar belonged to Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters. They were the ones who united Westeros, the Seven Kingdoms. They put an end to all those petty feuds all our families had. Without them, that ugly chair wouldn't even exist!"
Ned stared at her as she grandly gestured at the throne and skulls standing around it. It dawned on him. Lyanna intended to be Aegon the Conqueror reborn. She wanted to unite the Seven Kingdoms. It was a symbol of power rather than madness, at least in her mind. Only if it were true in the mind of others.
The irony hit him. If Lyanna wanted peace, she should just have borne Robert one son. One that looked just like him with black hair and blue eyes. It would not matter if the others didn't look like him, the one son would have been enough. Ned wondered if she thought about this too.
"So how are the city defences, Ned?"
Lyanna's voice drew him from his reverie. It was a mockery. A sudden turn of their conversation away from dragons and power onto familiar ground. Topic more suited for Queen and Hand rather than for siblings.
The city defences were shambles, they always were. Jory Cassel was a good commander and a fighter, but there were only so many things he could do to change ruffians and drunkards, who formed most of the four thousand Gold Cloaks, into seasoned fighters. It was recently supplemented by some Knights of the Vale and part of the Stark household guard. Yet the addition would be futile against Stannis. Their hope lay with Roose Bolton and Robb's forces as well as Manderly's fleet.
"Jory is directing the building of more catapults. Roose Bolton and Robb are marching through the Riverlands as we speak." he replied slowly.
"Pray they arrive on time."
They walked in silence in the direction of the Small Council chamber.
"Roose Bolton, he tried to marry me to his son you know." She shuddered at the thought. "Do they still call him Leech Lord?"
Ned had to smile slightly at that. Roose Bolton was not like most lords.
"Roose Bolton can win wars," he reprimanded slightly.
"But not hearts. And slippery as an eel."
"He commands. A commander need not be loved."
"That's true."
Lyanna agreed sluggishly. Ned wondered if that was true for her too. Queen Lyanna was certainly not loved, yet he has no doubt that she could win wars if she so desired.
Ser Barristan Selmy was one of the most honourable men in the Seven Kingdoms. A very rare species indeed. Yet as he sat in the Small Council chamber waiting for the other members to arrive, he began having traitorous thoughts.
King Robert saved his life by healing him instead of letting him die of his wounds. Barristan pledged to serve him from that moment on. He owed Robert his life. Yet, when Robert tried to take down that boar in the Kingswood. Barristan stood idle and let the animal tear apart his King. He has failed spectacularly in his duty.
Thinking of kings, he remembered Aerys. Hadn't he swore to protect Aerys too? Aerys, Rhaella, Rhaegar, Viserys and Daenerys. Yet Aerys died with Jaime Lannister's sword in his back while he was enamoured with Robert saving his life. Had he been in King's Landing, Aerys would still be alive. That Lannister boy would stand no chance. Barristan had failed again.
Brandon was a good boy, he has the makings of a good king with his Stark blood. A relatively good sword after being trained by Arthur Dayne. Clever too. And well-loved by the smallfolk. Maybe Barristan could try to protect the son when he failed the father. Yet something nagged him.
Lyanna Stark.
Frankly, Robert may be wet with love for his wife. Barristan never really liked the woman. He didn't know why Rhaegar would crown her Queen of Love and Beauty in the first place. There was a vindictiveness about her, a darkness and coldness in those grey eyes he didn't trust. At first, he thought it may have been because of Rhaegar. After all, even the best people would change after being kidnapped and raped.
But later, he realised that vindictiveness and aloofness was always directed at her husband. Lyanna Stark might have favoured Rhaegar Targaryen over Roberrt any day. It slowly dawned on him that she might have forsaken her duty to run away with a married man and wasn't taken against her will. It seemed logical enough, a woman like Lyanna would have stirred up a storm if someone tried to kidnap her.
Besides, she was always scheming with Cersei Lannister. She clearly favoured the Lannister woman over all the other ladies at court, inviting her for tea, for walks. Another reason for Barristan to mistrust her.
Gradually, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Robert's death was somehow related to the Stark Queen. It was a nagging feeling he could not place. It gnawed at his insides like a parasite, growing bigger every day. He was sure Brandon trusted his mother more than anything. For that, he would never feel totally devoted to the boy at all.
Eddard Stark was a good man. Or so he thought. The Honourable Eddard Stark suited the man far better than the title Lord Eddard Stark any day. Yet he seemed to always by his sister's side. Advising her, giving her men, fighting her battles. He was steadily becoming a participant to his sister's plots in Barristan's eyes. Besides, any man who stood idle was just as guilty. That really eroded Barristan's respect for the man.
They say Northerners were honourable. He would say the Starks who control King's Landing were far more Southron than they were Northern.
Yes, Ser Barristan Selmy has made up his mind. He couldn't stay on as Lord Commander and watch his failures grow. Instead, he would take a leap and do the dishonourable thing. But he knew it would be for the greater good.
"A most interesting choice of decoration, your Grace," Cersei mocked. She took a sip from her goblet. Lord Tywin has refused to take up the seat of Master of Coin personally, instead appointing his daughter as his replacement. A position that has bloated Cersei's ego and sense of importance.
Lyanna ignored the remark. Let her think whatever she wants. Only those clever enough would see through her actions. Instead, she rebuked, "I did not think Lord Tywin would openly object to the actions of his queen."
Tywin Lannister would be the few people who would have seen the dragon skulls as her warning, her ambitions, thought Lyanna. Even if he didn't, he would let his ruler's mistakes show to his advantage not mock them. His daughter was far less skilled than him.
Cersei bristled at the veiled insult. She so longed to emulate her father.
Pycelle was already nodding off in his seat beside Varys. He needs to be removed, Lyanna thought. The Lannister's cannot worm their way too much into the highest levels of power. Besides, someone needed to be punished for Robert's untimely demise. Though rather timely for her. Ser Barristan was one. But Lyanna would be fraught to see him go. Besides, he was not affiliated to any Great House. Ned sat down heavily on her left.
Brandon cleared his throat. He stretched out in his seat and shifted Robert's crown on his head uncomfortably. He was just a boy of fourteen and the gold crown sat far too heavy on his brow. It was a rather comical sight, she had to admit. Lyanna made a mental note to have a new one made for him, a smaller, lighter one. Maybe replace some of the antlers with swords, like that worn by the old Kings of the North.
"My uncle, Stannis Baratheon has declared war on me. He claims that I am a bastard." Brandon declared. His fists clenched. "He intends to steal what is rightfully mine!"
While the last part about stealing was delivered in a high pitched tone, making him sound more like an upset child, the beginning still came across quite strongly to the adults in the room. Lyanna felt pride swell in her chest, as she looked at her son. Her son. Not Robert's. Not even Arthur's. Just her son. He may become a king yet.
"Stannis Baratheon has always bore a grudge against his brother when Robert passed Storm's End to Renly instead of him. Perhaps, this time, he has decided to claim something even better. A crown and the Iron Throne." Lyanna said, nodding her acknowledgement at the boy king. Let them all think Stannis a worthless rebel.
"Yes," Varys simpered. "What better way than to say the king is illegitimate? It would make him the rightful king, if his grace is a bastard."
Lyanna narrowed her eyes. What did Varys know? She wanted Varys out too, but he was too much of a danger at this early stage. Too much of a wild card.
"I am no bastard. He claims it so because he wants the crown," retorted Brandon, he added thoughtfully, "He has no evidence which weakens his position substantially."
It was sayings like these that made Brandon sound much wiser than his ten and four years. Like all boys, he loved the training yard, yet he took himself to his studies like an acolyte at the Citadel, reading late into the night. Lyanna's advice of keeping his pen as sharp as his sword did not fall on deaf years.
"Wars have been fought for less, Brandon," reminded Ned gently. "His claim is just trying to provide a reason for this war. It does not even need to be substantiated."
"If he wants war, I'll give him war!" declared the boy. Lyanna sighed, that proclamation was completely unnecessary.
"But what of this claim? This rumormongering? Surely you will not let this go?" Cersei raised her eyebrow. She was testing for weakness.
Barristan furrowed his brow and interrupted, "If her grace was to ignore this jibe, she would appear stronger than if she was to react strongly."
Lyanna tugged on a strand of silk falling out of her sleeve. Barristan did not even look her in the eye. He did not even address her, speaking as if she was not in the room. She bristled at it. Maybe he thought it was true.
Ned nodded his assent, oblivious. Cersei let out an unladylike snort.
"I agree, it would be wiser to ignore it."
Lyanna contemplated. Ignoring Stannis would certainly anger him. It reflects how she does not even deem his claim serious enough to warrant a response. Yes, it would certainly fall in line with the symbol of dragon skulls. Some lords would still believe it. But they would believe it if it suited their purposes. Once she put Stannis down, then no one would question Brandon's claim.
"Ignore the jibe, Stannis' claim is too ridiculous to even warrant a response." She dismissed it with a wave. Instead, Lyanna asked. "Lord Varys, what does your little birds say about the state of Stannis' host?"
Varys feigned surprise at being addressed.
"Dragonstone is sealed off, your grace, so my little birds haven't twittered as much as usual." He giggled. It sent shivers up Lyanna's spine. "But he has hired Lyseni sellsails."
Sellswords would not help anyone win a war. Stannis was after the Stormlords. Though the Stormlords owe their loyalty to Renly. With Renly's arrested, they might just call their banners for Stannis. Lyanna shifted uncomfortably. Arresting Renly may have been a misstep, she thought. She had just given them a martyr to fight for. She glanced at Ned. He seemed to be thinking the same thing. But, if she let Renly escape, he may still join forces with his brother. And the Stormlords had always loved Renly more.
There was something else though. She needed the Lannister host.
"All this talk of war. How about we bring about a royal wedding? A wedding between the king and Lady Myrcella."
Cersei turned her green eyes on her. Brandon narrowed his eyes at his mother.
"My daughter is yet young," she protested, green eyes flashing. The lioness was growing protective of her cubs.
"We just need to set a date. A jubilant celebration of our imminent victory over a rebellious lord," answered Lyanna. Oh yes. She knew about her daughter's blossoming into maidenhood. And with Cersei and Myrcella in King's Landing. Besides, by tying the two families together, the Lannisters would have no choice but to support the war even more. "We will speak of this later."
"Yes, a wedding is perfect to celebrate," twittered Varys.
Cersei stayed behind with Lyanna as the rest of the Council filed out of the room.
"What is the meaning of this? First you send Jaime to Dorne, now this?" she hissed. "Myrcella is too young."
"Not too young to bear my son an heir," Lyanna retorted. The other woman paled.
"But still too young."
"Well, if you still want your daughter to be alive and the future queen, your father must send more than gold to support our war effort. Stannis is already married. And he has no sons. Myrcella will only be queen once Stannis is defeated and married to my son."
Lyanna examined her nails as she delivered the blow to the other woman. Cersei's face began to flash scarlet. But victory tasted bitter on her tongue. She supposed it was godsend that Tywin Lannister asked Cersei to take his seat on the council.
"It will not be forgotten," Cersei seethed as she swept out of the chamber.
Lyanna was sure there was going to be hell to pay. Jaime Lannister might have departed for Dorne with Visenya and Ser Arys willingly enough. His twin and his father saw this as an insult. Possibly one reason, Tywin hasn't mobilised his men yet, even to protect Cersei. Lyanna had one card to play with the Lannisters and she hoped she played it right.
Ned silently handed the raven to his sister sitting by him in the Tower of the Hand. He shook his head grimly. Robb had written that Walder Frey and other Riverlords gathered at the Twins to prevent the Northern host from marching through their lands.
This was terrible news. This would delay their host's arrival by weeks.
Lyanna's brow creased.
"Surely, Catelyn could persuades her brother to let them march through the Riverlands?"
Ned was troubled. There was no reason for the Riverlords to become so hostile. They are still providing food supplies to King's Landing even though the Tyrells have slowed the supply of food along the Roseroad to a trickle. It was probably some scheme devised by Walder Frey to make the Northern lords somehow indebted to him.
"Yes, she will write to Edmure." Ned brushed his hand over his face tiredly. "But, meanwhile, we have to hope Manderly's fleet arrives in a month's turn."
He unfolded a map. Pointing to Dragonstone, Marlon Manderly would sail outside Blackwater Bay providing the first line of defense against Stannis' fleet by blockading the bay.
Lyanna studied the island of Dragonstone. Seeing there were no well sheltered bays, she remarked, "I hope a storm destroys them before they even set sail."
Just like the Targaryen fleet, he thought.
Brandon examined his new crown closely. This crown was lighter, with a mixture of gold and silver, perfect for him. The antlers on Robert's crown was still replicated but amid them, there were several silver swords, standing tall. Carefully wrought vine twisted around them as if binding the swords and antler's together, the gold and silver intertwined. If he looked closely, he could even see tiny gold leaves. Antlers for the Baratheons. The swords for the Starks, the old Kings of the North. Yet, North and South was bound inextricably together.
Lyanna looked at her son.
"Do you like it?"
Slowly she took the crown from his hands and placed it delicately on his dark curls.
"It's perfect, mother."
Brandon scrutinized himself in the mirror. He looked kingly, he thought proudly. He just needed to act like one too. Suddenly nervous, he fidgeted and shuffled his feet. He was the king. Not his mother. He needed autonomy too. Otherwise, how would he ever become a true king?
Yet Brandon couldn't find the words to break it to his mother. He shifted uncomfortably under Lyanna's gaze and her hands placed heavily on his shoulder.
"What is it Brandon?"
"I want to be a king."
Lyanna furrowed her brow, a look of confusion passing over her face.
"But you are a king."
"I want to be a true king. A king can do what he wants."
Coldness gripped her heart at her son's declaration. Lyanna spun her son around looking him in the eye.
"No, Brandon. A king must do his duty. Do what is best for the realm," she said slowly. Irony seeped through those words. Rhaegar wanted to protect the realm too. But he tore it apart instead. She sighed.
"No!"
Brandon twisted out of her grasp.
"I am the king. I should make decisions myself."
Realisation dawned on her. Brandon was sounding more like a spoilt child by the minute. Yet underneath, she could hear his frustration. He wanted his autonomy. But he was too young, too innocent. He might think that Lyanna was using him to rule, but she was just protecting him like any mother would do.
"The Mad King did not listen to his advisors. And look what he become. You may be a king. But you are never free to do as you wish. You must listen to counsel, good counsel. A king cannot rule alone, Brandon," she said softly, imploringly.
The boy quieted, contemplating.
"If I am to learn, you cannot tell me exactly what to do," he said slowly. Lyanna shook her head.
"I will only give you counsel," promised Lyanna solemnly. His blue eyes turned on her face.
"No, you wouldn't," he declared. "You always hide things from me!"
Energy drained from her body.
"I'm you mother, Brandon. I'm trying to protect you!" she protested. "Trust no one around you, but for me. You are nothing if you cannot even trust your own mother."
"You should wear this crown. Not me."
Brandon stormed out of her solar. Lyanna sank down onto her bed.
Quietly, the door opened to reveal Arthur. There was a pained expression on his face.
"I heard."
Guilty tugged on Lyanna's heart strings. He was Brandon's father. And she took that away from him. To Brandon, Arthur was just her white shadow. He slowly put her arm around her, his fingers lightly brushing across her back.
"He will understand. It's all the books he reads. He thinks he's too clever."
Lyanna cracked a smile.
"I'm not trying to rule through him," Lyanna insisted. "I'm trying to teach him."
"Sometimes the best way to teach, is to let them fall first," Arthur suggested.
"But the consequences would just be too severe," she murmured.
Slowly, her mind began to clear, emptying of her worries with Brandon, Stannis, the Lannisters.
There was something very comforting about the knight's presence. Something that made Lyanna want to disappear into Arthur's arms and forget all her troubles for a while. It wasn't just lust. While Lyanna would dismiss this as fanciful thinking. After all, she was no longer a blushing maid with her dreams of knights in shining armour. But deep down no matter how hard she tried to push it away, she knew she was hopelessly in love with Arthur Dayne.
But then, life came knocking back in the form of Ned Stark. He glared disapprovingly at the pair sitting on the bed. Lyanna quickly disentangled herself from Arthur as the knight stood.
"It would not do to have the grieving widow grow with child," he admonished. In Ned's hand was a letter, abruptly he said. "Ser Barristan has left the Kingsguard."
Lyanna sprung from the bed, disbelieving.
"But the Kingsguard is for life!" sputtered Arthur. He snatched the letter from Ned's hand.
"You mean he deserted?" she blurted out. It was certainly unprecedented. The man valued honour more highly than his life. He could not possibly….
"Yes, Lyanna," Ned glanced at Arthur, hesitantly.
"He says he believes he has failed too many kings. He should have died with Aerys….. to be true to his vows," read Arthur. Shock passed across his features. "The Targaryens are the true kings. I have failed them."
"The Kingsguard serves the king who sits on the Iron Throne," Lyanna growled. Ned looked suspiciously at Barristan's sworn brother. His hand was travelling towards his sword as if expecting Arthur to declare his loyalty to the Targaryens at any moment.
"Anybody who would serve Aerys in his later years is mad!" declared Arthur, purple eyes flashing angrily. But beneath the anger, Lyanna could detect a haunted look. He looked at her. "Sometimes vows should be broken."
Ned addressed his sister, still scrutinizing the other man.
"I've sent Jory to apprehend him. And offer a reward for anyone who can stop the knight."
Lyanna smiled humourlessly.
"At least we'll know who he's going to serve next."