Brynden

The words that Lord Marcus Grafton had spoken to his niece of her husband's illness were lies, lies spoken to further his own gain with the man who had loved the Queen since they were both children, and of course with a man across the narrow sea whose gain it would be should the proof he was slowly gathering turned out to be true. Of course Brynden Targaryen, first of his name and king of the seven kingdoms, did not know of the plots and intrigues going on in his wife's home kingdom nor was he aware of the potential threat to his children and dynasty. No at the moment that his wife was taken into custody along with Princess Rhaenys, Princess Aelinor and Prince Baelor, Brynden was busy meeting with his small council, discussing many pressing matters, first and foremost amongst them was who to appoint as successor to Prince Maekar to the position of hand of the king.

Many of the lords at court thought that the king would follow tradition and would appoint his cousin Prince Aegon as his hand, Aegon was an experienced warrior having fought in three Blackfyre wars, and had the experience of the politics and intrigue that came with operating in King's Landing. Aegon himself had no intentions to push for the handship, not wishing to hold the burden that his father and great uncle had had before their deaths. As he said during the council meeting, "I do not think I am hand material Your Grace, my lords. I may have been at court for many years now, and I may know the ropes around the intrigue of the court, but I have much to attend to at my own home of Summerhall. Daeron and Aerion have left me with much to attend to there, plus there still is much to do with regards to enforcing the laws of the kingdom that my own father could not get round to doing before the last rebellion."

Brynden nodded in acceptance of his cousin's wishes, but by looking at the expressions on Lord Edmond Rosby- his master of coin – and Tyrek Baratheon- his master of ships-, he knew what his cousin had not been received well. Baratheon he could understand, the man was betrothed to Egg's daughter Rhaelle, and therefore would more than likely wish to have more influence at court, something he could only have if his goodfather was hand of the king. Rosby spoke then, and Brynden knew that the man was speaking simply to further his own voiced opinions from the previous session. "My prince, whilst we can all understand and appreciate the difficulties at Summerhall, surely it would be better for one of the blood such as you to serve as hand. As it would show the kingdom and the rest of the lords and smallfolk that the dynasty is united behind itself and his grace. There has been precedent for relations of the monarch to serve as hand, Prince Viserys served as hand to both his nephews and the realm had a long lasting peace and prosperity. Such a thing could be achieved if you were to serve as hand."

Brynden snorted, he knew that Rosby did not entirely approve of some of the measures that he had been implementing since uncle Maekar's death that the man still saw him as something of a green boy, even though it was now 241 A.L. and he had ruled as king in his own right for fourteen years now. He knew that Rosby wanted Egg as hand so that he could curb what the man thought as Brynden's rash decisions. Brynden saw Egg smile slightly and his tone was light when he replied. "Whilst I thank you for your confidence in my abilities Lord Edmond, I must confess that having seen the affects the handship had on my father and great uncle, I do not wish for the handship. Also with the Blackfyres still a threat across the narrow sea, it would be better for the peace and for the stability of the realm, if a lord from one of the other noble families was made hand, so as to give the impression that his grace was not so arrogant as to seem contemptuous of the influence that such houses have."

Brynden nodded and then spoke in serious tone, though he already knew what his cousin's response would be. "And tell me Prince Aegon, whom would you suggest that I make my hand if not you?"

Brynden saw his cousin look at him then, it was a look that he had seen many times from his uncle Maekar when they were discussing something that was known only between the two of them, he hid a smile behind his hand. "I would suggest either Lord Edwyle Stark of Winterfell or Lord Robar Baratheon of Storm's End."

Brynden looked at Tyrek Baratheon, the heir to Storm's End, and he was delighted to see the man's usually smug face fade into worry, if the boy's father were to come to the capital, the boy would not be able to keep to the numerous vices he had going on, the visits to the brothels of King' s Landing, the visits to the winesinks and hideaways of the cutthroats, a boy who had come from a well off family, a boy whose father was someone whom Brynden admired deeply, a boy who was betrothed to Brynden's niece, he was a scoundrel and a shame to the family name, but if his father was here he would not do any of that. Brynden decided that the boy did not need his father's presence here to straighten out before he wed Rhaelle, he would see to that. So clearing his throat he said "Very good suggestions, personally I prefer Edwyle Stark. We need to improve relations with the north, make them more active in the daily affairs of the kingdoms. Edwyle has fought honourably and justly for us, it is time we honoured his contributions to defending our realm."

This was met by some silence before protests began to rise up, chief amongst them Lord Edmond Rosby. "Surely Your Grace cannot be serious? The man is a barbarian and a savage and there are rumours about the things he does to those who are disobedient to him. Plus the man is a fanatic about his tree gods, such a man would alienate the faith and would drive more of the pious lords into the arms of the Blackfyres."

Tyrek Baratheon echoed Rosby's thoughts saying. "Edwyle Stark is a man I would not trust with my life, let alone the lives of the whole of Westeros Your Grace, surely my father are a better option than that fanatic."

Grand Maester Derryck spoke up, even though he knew Brynden's reasoning for wanting Edwyle as hand, and said "Your Grace, consider this, in 241 years of Targaryen rule, the hands of the king have either been of the blood royal, or have been from noble families from the south. The north has largely been left alone during this time and for good reason as well. What is there to say that Lord Stark will know of the intricacies of court politics, or of how to deal with the more pious lords who come to court? Surely Lord Baratheon would be a better hand than this man?"

Brynden sighed, he was about to explain his reasons when his master of whispers Jarryck Lothston spoke. "Your Grace is right in thinking that Lord Stark must be recognised for his achievements in helping to protect the realm. What better way to do this than by giving him a position of great honour, as the right hand of the king?"

Ser Oberyn Dayne Lord Commander of his Kingsguard spoke up in agreement saying. "Stark is an honourable man and will do all he can to ensure that peace remains in Westeros."

Brynden smiled then and said "So it is decided, Edwyle Stark shall be my hand."

As the lords filed out of the council chamber, he asked Egg, Lord Jarryck and Ser Oberyn to remain behind. Once Maester Derryck had shuffled out of the room and the door was closed, he turned to look at Lothston and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. "What word of Rowena and the children?"

He saw Lothston swallow nervously before he replied. "They were to board a ship from Gulltown two weeks ago. When they came to board the ship they were greeted by Lord Marcus Grafton and his household guard, and were taken into custody. Ser Gwayne Grafton was slain."

Brynden stared at Lothston for a long moment before saying. "And why would Grafton wish a death upon himself?"

"Power." Was what Aegon said.

"The Blackfyre Lucereon has promised Grafton Lordship over Runestone and many other places if he removes her grace the queen from the game, as well as Princess Aelinor and Prince Baelor. He intends to wed Princess Rhaenys to his son. Ser Loras Arryn has been promised lordship of the Eyrie and her grace as his wife for aiding him." Lothston elaborated.

Brynden felt himself go cold at the mention of Loras Arryn, he had never met the man but he knew from speaking with Rowena that the man was cold and cunning. This needed to end, and in a voice that reflected the anger burning inside of him he said "Well then, it is time that Lord Marcus remembered who it is that gave him Gulltown. It is time that Ser Loras Arryn learned what it means to wake the dragon. Aegon have Maester Derryck send the ravens out to the lords of the crownlands and to the lords of the Stormlands we shall sail for Gulltown and wipe out the traitors."

Aegon nodded, and Brynden prepared himself for war.

They docked into Gulltown in the dead of night, Brynden felt a cold anger pounding through him as he looked up and saw the castle of House Grafton in the distance. Somewhere there were his wife and children, having gods knows what done to them. He would kill Marcus Grafton and anyone who stood in his way. He would let them know what it meant to anger the dragon, to wake the dragon. Beside him he saw his nephew Duncan tense with anticipation, he had decided to take Duncan with him telling Egg that the boy needed experience if he was to succeed Egg as Prince of Summerhall, the boy was nineteen now, had been too young to fight in the last Blackfyre rebellion, he was boisterous and good natured and not too bad with a sword.

"Easy lad," Brynden said to his nephew. "Don't move just yet. Wait till we've docked in, then we can begin the assault."

Brynden saw his nephew nod his head in acceptance, and found his thoughts turning to his own boy, Maelor had just turned eleven and had not fully understood where Rowena or his other siblings were, all Brynden had been able to tell his son was that something had happened that required him to go and see Rowena and help her. He had left his son in the capable hands of his mother, Queen Dowager Aelinor and his cousin Egg. He still needed to speak with his mother about what uncle Maekar had told him on his deathbed about secrets, something about secrets that always sent a tendril of dread through him when he thought of them.

He shook his head to take it away from those dark thoughts and instead turned to Lord Robar Baratheon, the man was pushing fifty and yet he still had answered the call when it had come. Turning to him now, Brynden smiled wanly at his old mentor and friend and said "I want the boys on the landings killed; no one is to know we have come. We have the element of surprise and I want it to stay that way."

"Aye it will be done Your Grace." Robar Baratheon said before he trudged off to give the commands to his men. No doubt he would lead the charge up the planks that was his way.

"Why do you need all the boys on the landings killed nuncle? Surely one would be better kept alive so as to provide a bargaining chip should the Arryns of Gulltown become suspicious?" Duncan asked.

Brynden looked at the lad and nodded in agreement with his question but simply replied. "They have my wife and three of my children Duncan, logic serves no purpose when it comes to family. Keep that in mind when the time comes for you, though hopefully it never will. Grafton will expect us to keep one of the boys alive, and will therefore have removed anyone who could be of value; therefore whilst these deaths will pain me, they must be necessary so as not to give away our position."

"Okay nuncle." Duncan replied.

They remained in silence for a long time, before they felt the ship dock in and saw the planks being lowered. Brynden turned to his nephew and whispered to him, "Stay close Duncan, if we get separated find a member of the Kingsguard and stay with them, no heroics okay?"

"Yes nuncle." Duncan replied.

"Good." Brynden replied, and then once he heard the clanging of swords and the shouts of men fighting and dying, he waited four, five, six breaths before he moved from his spot and said "Come we must move now, whilst the dark still shields us." And with that he walked off the ship with Duncan and Ser Oberyn and Ser Tywin in tow, he drew Blackfyre from its sheath and looked around the pier, bodies littered the ground, covered in blood and water.

"The way to the castle is clear Your Grace, no one escaped alive." Robar Baratheon said to him.

Brynden nodded and said "Many thanks. Go rally your men Robar, we take this castle now with as little bloodshed as possible."

They charged up the road toward the castle, and arrived to find the guards that Jarryck had told them usually guarded the entranceway were dead already, their throats slit. That was odd he thought, they had not sent anyone ahead of them, perhaps Jarryck had men inside the castle? He pushed on, Duncan and the two knights of the Kingsguard trailing behind him. As they entered the hallway leading to the great hall, they found more guards lying on the floor their throats slit, stab wounds in their bodies. Brynden began to feel something akin to worry pounding in his chest, what was happening?

They pushed on through the doors that led into the great hall and Brynden felt his heart catch in his throat. There lying on the ground was the body of his wife, she appeared lifeless, there was blood flowing from somewhere on her person and he immediately rushed forward to her, and when he got to her, he cradled her head in his lap. Duncan, Ser Oberyn and Ser Tywin formed a protective ring around him, and he noticed that Rowena was clutching something, though her eyes were closed. "Rowena, my love," he whispered. "It's me, its Brynden. Open your eyes my love."

That was when he heard the laughter. "Ah if it isn't the boy king, come at last to save his wife." Brynden looked up and saw the big and broad figure of Marcus Grafton walking down the steps toward him. Ser Oberyn and Ser Tywin tightened their grip on their swords and moved closer toward Grafton. Brynden saw his wife's uncle look at Rowena then at Brynden and heard him chuckle once more. "Don't worry, she's not dead. I had my maester give her some milk of the poppy before your men killed those deckhands out on the pier. She need not know of what we discuss tonight."

"And what would I discuss with a traitor Lord Grafton?" Brynden replied.

"Why your surrender of course." Grafton said a smug smile on his face.

"Surrender? Why would I surrender?" Brynden asked genuinely confused.

Grafton laughed once more and said "Because you cannot win. A war will come to Westeros, the like of which has never been seen before. The Black Dragon shall rise from the ashes, and take back what is rightfully his, and House Targaryen shall fall, and fall hard."

"Blackfyres have been trying for nearly fifty years to remove my family from the throne, based on an old rumour started in some winesink by a man too drunk to remember the words of what he heard. Each time they have failed, and they shall continue to do so." Brynden replied.

Grafton merely laughed at that and said, "I believe your wife has something she wishes to share with you."

Brynden looked down and saw Rowena's brown eyes looking at him, she seemed woozy and confused, but when she recognised him she smiled, though her smile quickly turned to worry. "Brynden, Brynden, please you must leave, you must leave, it's a trap, it's a trap!"She exclaimed.

Brynden did all he could to reassure her whispering soothing words in to her hair, though for some reason this only served to make her more agitated, and she constantly seemed to flick her eyes towards a bundle on her chest. "He killed her Brynden, he killed her."

"Who, who did he kill?" Brynden asked fear building up in his chest.

"Aelinor, my baby, my sweet baby." Rowena whispered.

And with growing horror, Brynden recognised the bundle on his wife's chest, it was not a bundle, it was the corpse of his baby daughter Aelinor. He looked at Grafton and asked his voice choked. "How, how could you do this? Killing an innocent?"

There was no remorse on the man's face when he replied "Because it needed to be done."

Brynden remained speechless, and as he saw men emerge from the shadows of the hall, he knew that they would be outnumbered, and he did not feel like fighting now, not with his wife lying here broken and his baby girl dead. He feared for Rhaenys and Baelor, he truly did, yet he dare not ask for them, not with this mad man still alive. He looked at Ser Tywin Reyne and titled his head slightly, he saw Reyne nod, and then Brynden said loudly. "You have committed a most grievous sin by killing a child, that she happened to be mine own daughter, has made your crime even more damning. Lord Marcus Grafton I sentence you to death, Ser Tywin shall do the deed."

Grafton merely laughed, and said. "My men outnumber you here in this hall, I severely doubt Reyne will be able to get to me, even if he tried."

At that moment though the doors burst open and in walked Robar Baratheon and 5,000 men from the Stormlands and the Crownlands, with them was the wounded but still alive man whom Brynden believed to be Loras Arryn. "Aye Grafton, outnumbered are we. Men kill the guards on the wall." Brynden heard Robar Baratheon shout. As the carnage died down, Baratheon turned to Brynden and said "We found your children Your Grace, the bastard kept them in one room." Brynden looked and felt such relief as he saw Rhaenys and Baelor come running toward him, they hugged him tightly and whispered words of sorrow into his ear.

He held onto his two children with one arm and with Duncan's help, helped Rowena sit up, though she still cradled Aelinor's lifeless form in her arms and would not part with it. Brynden looked at Grafton who had gone very pale as the massacre of his men had occurred, and said in a tone of ice. "You shall die now Marcus, and you're house shall end. Ser Tywin kill this man, Ser Oberyn Lord Robar bring the man's sons here, if they resist execute them."

And so it came to pass that House Grafton of Gulltown ended that night in the sixth moon of the 241st year after Aegon's Landing. Marcus Grafton and his two full grown sons Desmond and Derryck Grafton were all put to the sword for crimes of treason. Ser Loras Arryn was brought back to King's Landing and thrown into the black cells for questioning at a later date. Brynden spent the rest of the month with his wife and children, all business with ruling the realm he left to his small council. He tried to help his daughter and son recover from witnessing the trauma of their sister's death. Lordship over Gulltown was given to House Wydman on the suggestion of Jon Arryn and his mother. A moon after their return to King's Landing, Brynden and the royal family, that being his wife Rowena (who was slowly recovering from the loss of her baby girl), their eldest son Maelor, their only daughter Rhaenys and their son Baelor along with Queen Dowager Aelinor rode north for Winterfell, where Edwyle Stark was named Hand of the King, he brought with him.

All was well for the time being. Though it would not be long before more conspiracies and plots unfurled and the dragon was woken once more.