King Brynden I Targaryen

Two years had passed since the death of Garon Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Master of Coin, two years in which Brynden had seen his sister Daenys come to life once more, no longer did he see her cower in fear for a potential beating, no Daenys his oldest sister had always been strong and proud, and now she was strong once more, a dragon now not a tamed lion. Her son that nitwit Tytos Lannister was Lord of the Rock now, an amiable fellow was Brynden's nephew, more concerned with remaining popular than trying to enforce his hold on his vassals, and already Brynden could see the blood in the water, not that he minded per say, it was good to have the lions tamed for once, and Daenys herself cared not a whit for what the lion's bannermen thought, not when the might of the throne was behind her.

The kingdoms were enjoying a fruitful summer and peace, no wars, no disputes merely trade and prosperity, and Brynden, he was enjoying the fruits of all the hard work he and Edwyle had been putting in. Trade within the kingdoms was booming relations between the various lords was at its highest since the latest days of Brynden's grandfather's reign and there was of course trade with the free cities, the royal coffers were filling up quite nicely. As he sat waiting for the other members of the council to arrive, Brynden thought about how much more he enjoyed the peace compared to war. War had occupied much of his early reign, the Blackfyres constantly on the prowl trying to take what was not theirs, with ambitious lords always trying to help them and assist in their failed coups. Now though, the Blackfyres were left down to two members, what with Maelys Blackfyre's cousin having wed Jaehaerys, and having borne him two children, Aerys and Rhaella, there was no hope for a future Blackfyre invasion to garner much support and that was something Brynden wished his father, his real father not Aerys Targaryen, could have lived to see.

He wondered if Prince Maekar would be proud of the person he was today, the person that court and being king had shaped, with his mother and his 'uncle's' guiding hand, he wondered whether Maekar would approve of some of the decisions he had made during the course of his life, or whether he would still have that gods damned frown on his face. As he looked over some of what would be discussed in council today, he wondered what Aegon would think if he were to tell him that they were in fact brothers and not cousins, but then the situation would not do well for thinking about, his cousin might try to claim the throne, and then Duncan, his brave and rash nephew would be in line to inherit, not the best move no, it could not be.

The door opened and the members of the council walked in, the same members of the council as had been serving since the last Blackfyre rebellion had ended with the exception of the master of coin Brynden's cousin's husband Allem Dayne, the man had been recommended to him by Maron Martell, according to Martell the man was a good administrator and very good with money, and it had showed, the royal treasury was benefitting from some of the tax incentives that the man had implemented as well as from some of the trade suggestions he had come up with. A smart man that was for sure, as for Maron Martell, the man had proved to be very useful in maintaining the peace within Westeros, his network included various undercut people whom Brynden tried not to think about too much, he cared not how the man got his information, so long as it could be put to good use.

As Edwyle sat down in the chair to his right, Brynden nodded slightly at his goodbrother and friend, things had been tense between them for some time, after Brynden had learnt the truth of his heritage, but now they had thawed, the shared worry over Brynden's mother's health and the fact that they had literally had to spend long periods of time in each other's company meant that there was no space for anger anymore, besides Edwyle had proven to be very useful in keeping the peace as well, what with his visions and such. Regardless once all the members were sat down Brynden spoke. " My lords I thank you for coming today. Now the issues that we must discuss include, trade with Tyrosh and Lys as well as the issue of Jarryck Lothston and my cousin Aerion's children. Lord Dayne if you wish to proceed."

Allem Dayne was a tall man with dark black hair and violet eyes, and a sharp mind. His voice was strong when he spoke. "Thank you Your Grace, now an emissary has come from Lys asking if Your Grace would be interested in opening up an account with their fledgling bank, he asks this as he states that their bank would charge lower rates of interest than the Iron Bank of Bravos, which he claims would be more beneficial to the both of you."

"A ploy no more than that. These Lyseni are known for their flirtatious manner in both love and business." Lord Tyrek Baratheon said, the lout's father had died two moons ago, old Robar Baratheon a strong and smart minded man, his son not so much.

"Lord Tyrek speaks truly Your Grace, what reason would the Lyseni have for offering this agreement now? The bank Lord Dayne speaks of has been open for two years already and yet now they come to the Throne with this offer. There is something strange going on here." Prince Aegon said.

"The emissary said to me, that the reason why they had not approached the throne before now was because they did not wish to be shot down for simply being an upstart bank at the beginning. The Prince of Pentos has several accounts with them as does the Sealord of Bravos. That in itself should show just how credible they are. At least that is what the emissary said to me." Lord Dayne said.

"Ah My lord of Dayne, one must wonder why the Lyseni would bring up the fact that the Sealord of Bravos has an account with them when he clearly does not. For hundreds of years since Bravos' founding each and every Sealord has always had an account with the Iron Bank, a blood debt if you will for helping the city escape the Doom and the Valyrians notice. This emissary was trying to fool you, besides my sources report that this bank has helped Maelys Blackfyre in his campaigns in the Disputed Lands." Prince Maron said.

Brynden spoke then. "And how much money can they promise us should we ever need it?"

Lord Dayne spoke rather nervously then. "Not that much in the way of loans Your Grace, perhaps only some 100 dragons. Not enough to last through a long summer filled with drought."

Brynden nodded then and said. "Next time you see the emissary Allem, tell him that though his offer is kind, we shall politely refuse. The Iron Bank has been good to us, it would be a shame to ruin such a good thing there. Now the issue of Tyrosh, Maron I believe you have the report on that."

Maron Martell the master of whispers and cousin to Princess Loreza of Dorne, spoke in his sultry voice then. "Thank you Your Grace, yes my sources in Tyrosh report that the Archon of the city is ailing and his son means to claim the position, though of course Tyrosh holds elections to decide its rulers. I bring this issue up my lords, because the Archon and his family have always been staunch supporters of the Blackfyres, in fact I believe the man's grandmother was wed to Bittersteel or was supposed to be. Regardless of that fact, the Archon's son means to support Maelys Blackfyre's campaign in the Disputed Lands, he also has friends in Volantis and Yunkai who would be more than happy to see Maelys Blackfyre sit the Iron Throne."

Brynden remained silent though Edwyle spoke for the first time during the meeting. "Who are the other people competing for the position?"

Maron takes a deep breath and then says. "Two other people are competing. One of them Mors Mopatis is Maelys Blackfyre's cousin through his uncle's marriage. Whilst the other Dennerro Broqo is my sister's husband. Mopatis will be bought off to support the Archon's son though, whilst Broqo faces threats to his life from members of the Golden Company."

Grand Maester Derryck speaks then, his voice ponderous and tired sounding. "So then our way is clear my lords Your Grace. We must send men to see off Mopatis and make sure that the Archon's son faces a slander campaign, surely Tyrosh must be tired of the wars that the Blackfyres keep involving them in?"

"What you say has merit Maester, but then how would we go about doing that? Without it coming back to us?" Aegon asked.

Maron laughs then and says. "Why my prince I have contacts in the city that could easily do the deed for the right amount of money, and never speak a word of what or whom paid them. All it requires is the king's say so."

With that all eyes turn to face him, Brynden is silent for a moment looking as if he is considering what has been said though he has already made up his mind. "Very well, Maron get in contact with your sources in Tyrosh discreetly of course and get the deed done. Mopatis I need dead, and the Archon's son, I want people digging into his past, every shady thing he has ever done I want it fed to the people who will vote and play a key part in deciding how others vote is that understood?" With that done, Brynden then turns his attention to the next issue at hand. "I received a raven from Lord Massey last night, he reports that someone claiming to be Jarryck Lothston has turned up outside his castle, now the question is what to do with this information."

Edwyle spoke then, his voice hard. "Do nothing Your Grace. Jarryck Lothston is still serving in the Golden Company like the coward he is. This man is clearly an imposter and Lord Massey is clearly trying to win your favour by trying to hand over an up handed man he probably found in the docks."

"Lord Stark speaks true there Your Grace." Maester Derryck said. "Besides has Lord Massey ever seen what Lord Lothston looks like? If I remember correctly Lord Massey was but a boy when Jarryck Lothston fled."

"Very well then," Brynden replies. "Edwyle speak to Lord Massey and tell him to hold the man until further notice. Maron I want a report on what the Golden Company is doing before I next speak about this issue." Both men nod and then Brynden speaks once more. "Now Maron what news do you have for me about Aerion's children since we last discussed the issue?"

Maron Martell clears his throat then and says. "Well as you know Your Grace, my sources had the bastards moved from the place where they were in Pentos to a safe house in Norvos, whilst the legitimate children have vanished from Lys and have gone to gods know where. The last place my sources have them at is Volantis."

Brynden is silent for a moment, and then he feels anger boil up inside of him. "I want your sources to find Aenar and his legitimate siblings as soon as possible, I will not have Maelys Blackfyre use them as leverage over anyone connected to us in Essos. Find them, and find them soon." With that the council meeting ends and Brynden goes to spend time with his children, Rhaenys a grown woman now with a child of her own is off visiting the Martells in Dorne along with Aegyl, his daughter had become a strong woman with some very strong opinions on how things should be done, her son Aegyl was a charming boy of four and had brought new life to Rhaenys after Maelor had died, sometimes he still debated the wisdom of allowing that match to go through.

Still his other children were young still and would be for a good while yet. Aenar was thirteen a squire for Aegon and a good swordsman, he reminded Brynden of Maelor at that age in his mannerisms and his speech, whilst Maekar and Jaehara were both still quite young and were very quiet and shy around him. As he walked from the council room followed by Ser Oberyn Dayne and Ser Quentyn Bracken of the Kingsguard he wondered not for the first time what life would have been like for himself had his own older brother Aenar had survived the Great Spring Sickness, he had never met Aenar but according to what Daenys and Myriah had told him, their brother had been full of life and the light in their mother's eyes.

He sat down on the edge of the grass embankment where he found Rowena sat watching their children play, Aenar was sparring with his cousin Aelix whilst Maekar and Jaehara were running round with Aerys and Rhaella. Rowena snuggled up to him when he sat down. "How was the council meeting my love?" she asked.

Brynden sighs then and says softly. "It was good, productive. We know why Lys asked if we wished to start a trade deal with their bank. And we now have someone we can rely upon in Tyrosh. But my cousin's children have gone missing."

Rowena stiffens in his arms then. "They have gone missing my love? You don't think..."

"I do not know Rowena. It is possible that he might have them, but then again we have not heard a single word from our sources across the sea about him for some time. For all we know he could be dead and they could have left of their own free will." Brynden replies.

Rowena though does not seem entirely convinced of that. "He might not be my love. You don't know him like I do. He will not be found if he does not want to be found. He has alluded you for so long now, who knows what he has gotten up to in that time. He managed to escape did he not?"

Brynden sighs once more. "Aye he did, but that was by chance, and we caught those who helped him escape and we have been tracking him for some time. We shall find him my love I promise you, and when we do, we shall get revenge for our little girl."

Rowena is about to reply, when Edwyle suddenly appears in front of them and says apologetically. "I am sorry Your Graces but the king is required, Queen Aelinor has requested your presence Your Grace."

Brynden stand sup then, kisses his wife on the top of her head and then follows Edwyle back into the main castle and towards Maegor's Holdfast and his mother's room. "How bad is she?"

They do not stop walking though there is a sense of urgency in Edwyle's voice when he responds. "Very bad Your Grace. Maester Derryck has had to bleed her knee to get the blood out. Still the swelling continues to grow."

They say no more, as they are soon entering his mother's chambers, the scent of blood and lavender linger together, and Brynden feels slightly sick. Still he pushes past his goodbrother and walks straight to where her bed is. Maester Derryck holds his arm and then whispers. "I have done all I can Your Grace, but the bleeding remains it will not stop, and I fear her grace does not wish for it to stop now."

"Thank you for all you've done Maester." Brynden says before dismissing him, he then walk and kneels beside his mother. "Hello mother," he whispers. "I have come just like you asked."

His mother's eyes turn towards him then, and though they are the same purple as his, they seem to burn less brightly than they have always done. "Sweetling, oh it is nice to see you. My knee Brynden, they say its bleeding to much to stop. They say I will lose the leg , but I do not wish to lose it. I'd rather die sweetling."

Brynden's chest seizes then. "Don't say that mother, you have to live mother, you have to."

His mother shakes her head. "No sweetling. You and Daenys and Myriah are grown now, with children and grandchildren of your own. The realm is at peace and is secure now. I can rest easy. Please Brynden I do not wish to be a burden anymore, the maesters will not end it without your say so, but I don't want to die with milk of the poppy, I want to die with you here, not in a dream please sweetling."

Brynden knows what his mother wants of him, but still he hesitates. "Mother surely there must be another way. Surely there must be!"

"No sweetling," his mother says so calmly, its almost as if she's comforting him. "You know what needs to be done. Don't shirk from your duty now, sweetling I raise you better."

Brynden feels the tears begin to run down his cheeks as he grabs the pillow from the foot of the bed, just before he does the deed he whispers. "I love you mama." And then he holds the pillow over his mother's face until she stops breathing. When he removes the pillow, he throws it out of the open window, and allows the tears to fall freely. Edwyle enters then and sees his mother lying motionless and then looks to Brynden who merely stares at his mother. She's dead, and he cannot believe it, he thought she'd live forever.