King Aemon I Targaryen

Aemon Targaryen, King of Westeros and Lord Protector of the Realm opened his eyes and saw that the sunlight was beginning to stream in through the curtains. He heard someone mumble next to him, and looked down to see his wife's head pillowed on his chest, her dark black hair spread out like a fan. He smiled contentedly; he and Ashara had been wed for three moons now, three moons in which Aemon had felt drunk on love and lust. He had first seen Ashara when he had been thirteen years old and her fifteen, at his cousin Rhaegar's wedding. She had come as one of Princess Elia's ladies in waiting, and had been the most beautiful woman in the whole entire building, there had already been rumours and songs about her at the time, there was talk of how she wooed men and women alike, and how even for a Dornishman she was far more flirtatious.

None of that mattered to Aemon though, not when she had the loveliest haunting violet eyes he had ever seen, or the loveliest laugh he'd ever heard. He'd known then and there that he was in love with her and wanted to marry her. And so he had set his mind to the task, he would court her and woo her he had decided, and eventually after many moons she had eventually been worn down enough to accept his suit. Their betrothal had been announced and he had been the happiest man alive, and then they had married and his happiness had increased. Looking at her now as she slept, Aemon knew he had made the right decision, she might not be from a Great House but that did not matter to him, she made him laugh and was a great source of comfort to him, something he had never truly known, not since his father had died. He had found that he could speak to her about anything and everything, they would often spend their time together talking about the court and the council, and Ashara would offer him her advice which was more often than not very sound political advice.

She moved her head slightly and murmured something, but Aemon's thoughts had turned from her to something else. His life before he had met Ashara had been chaotic, at least the years since his father's death had been so. He remembered a little of his father, knew him as a kind tall man who would play with him and his brothers sometimes, but other than that he knew not much else. His father had died when he had been ten, killed by the Darklyns during the Defiance of Duskendale, and so there had been a huge struggle for control over the regency, which had seen his great aunt and great uncle killed and his uncle Aerys installed as regent. Aerys was not truly his uncle and was not truly sane either, the man had been very harsh to Aemon growing up having his toadies beat him if he misbehaved or refused to do something that could benefit Aerys. In the beginning he had done as told simply because he did not wish to be beaten, but towards the time of his fourteenth birthday he had begun refusing and that was when he had become closer to his father's friend Lord Tywin Lannister.

Tywin Lannister was a smart and ruthless man who could be caring if he truly wanted to. Aemon had befriended his father's old friend and had found him to be a very useful ally, as Aemon tried to wrest control of King's Landing and the kingdom away from his uncle and back into his own hands. The man provided some very sound advice, speaking to him of the intrigues that ran rampant around court and the divisions that the struggle for power in the years following his father's death had created. Tywin had advised him on whom to trust and whom not to trust amongst the council and the members of court, and as such the rot from Aerys was beginning to lessen.

That was a good thing, for his uncle was growing steadily and steadily more mad with each passing day let alone month or year. Whenever Aemon had happened to pass him by in the halls of the Red Keep he would often be found muttering about burning various lords and nobles, something Aemon was deeply worried about. And yet there was very little he could do just yet, until he was sixteen he could not remove Aerys from King's Landing by force or any other means, be they peaceful or not. Yet that did not mean he could not begin the process now, and he had done so already. Ashara's family were firmly behind him, of course they would be with a Dayne as Queen and a half Dayne to be heir to the throne. Tywin and the Lannisters were already behind him as well due to Tywin's friendship with his father, the Starks and Arryns were staunch supporters as well due to family ties. There were only blackspots amongst the Greyjoys, the Tullys and the Baratheons. The other houses were either too weak or in Aerys camp because of Rhaegar.

Rhaegar, the mere thought of his cousin annoyed Aemon. The man was gifted at whatever he set his mind to, and yet there was an air of melancholy and distance in him that Aemon truly could not understand. It was as if he was simply drifting by in life without a care in the world, it was frustrating and Aemon had never truly been able to understand or connect with his cousin the way he had with Brandon, Elbert and Garth.

Brandon and Elbert were wild and free spirits, both of whom he knew were undyingly loyal to him, but they were also laid back and charming to a fault, able to get whatever they wanted with a wink and a smile. Garth was the more serious of his friends, taciturn and dutiful, Aemon knew that his friend had often disapproved of the pranks they had played on the other members of the court in their childhood and yet he had gone along with it because Aemon had asked it of him. He could not have asked for a better set of friends, it helped ease the pain of the fact that he did not truly know his brothers, true Viserys and Baelon had come to court shortly before his wedding, but that was not enough to heal the damage that his mother's flight to Dragonstone had done.

"What's got you so glum my king?" he heard his wife purr.

He looked down to see Ashara's violet eyes staring right at him, he smiled and kissed her forehead and then said. "Oh just the fact that I can't spend the whole day in bed with my beautiful wife ravishing her."

Ashara hit him with her hand and sat up then; cradled in his arms she kissed his mouth and then asked. "Do you have to attend the council meeting today my love? Can't you just let them get on with it themselves? After all they did manage for four years without you attending and the kingdom ran just fine."

Aemon laughed slightly then and kissed his wife back before replying. "You know I must attend the meeting Ash. I cannot let my uncle's influence grow anymore than it already has. I must show these men that I mean to take full control when I come of age, and not afterwards nor will I let someone like Aerys continue to dictate my kingdom. Besides I must speak with Tywin about the tourney."

His wife sighed then and said. "Very well then my love. But make sure you are back before lunch, this time. I do not want to have to explain to Arel why you missed your meeting with him a second time."

Aemon smiled guiltily at that, in truth he had deliberately kept the council meeting running a little longer than usual as he was so nervous at meeting his goodbrother to discuss the marriage arrangements. But he would not voice that aloud instead he kissed his wife once more and asked her. "Now are you and the babe doing?" His wife had told him a moon ago that she was with child, convinced they had made the child on their wedding night and Aemon had never felt happier or more concerned.

Ashara smiled at that and said. "We are both well my love, and won't harm your plans for the tourney."

Aemon smiled and kissed her again before saying. "You never could, neither of you my love." Just as the kiss was deepening there was a knock on the door. Aemon sighed and called for whoever it was to come in. Ashara pulled the covers higher to cover herself whilst Aemon remained upright in their bed.

It was his squire Joffrey Velaryon. "Pardons Your Grace," the boy stammered. "But you asked me to knock on your door when it was time for the council meeting."

Aemon nodded and then said. "Very well, you may go now Joffrey. I shall be out in a minute." His squire left and then Aemon sighed and said aloud. "I guess I must get to work then. Till lunch my love." He kissed his wife on the lips and then got up out of bed and began putting on the clothes he would wear for the day. Once dressed he walked out of the room and walked toward the council chamber, followed by Ser Brandon Stark of the Kingsguard, Brandon the elder he was called now to differentiate him from Brandon the younger the heir to Winterfell and Aemon's best friend. Ser Brandon had been Aemon's sworn sword since he could remember, the man knew more about him and the plots he was planning than even Ashara did. Ser Brandon stood outside the small council chamber along with Ser Oswell Whent when they arrived; Aemon entered the room and found the other members of the council already seated. Tywin, his hand, Aerys the mad, Victarion Greyjoy his uncle and master of ships, Lord Steffon Baratheon Aerys cousin and a good honest man his master of laws, the eunuch Varys who was his master of whispers he mistrusted that one, his cousin Rhaegar Targaryen master of coin and Pycelle the Grand Maester as well as Ser Gerold Hightower the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Aemon sat down and then said. "I apologise for my lateness my lords. Now I would ask what issues are there for us to discuss?"

Aerys spoke then his voice harsh and stern. "Well now that you have sought to come from fucking your Dornish whore Your Grace, there is the issue of these bandits in the Kingswood forest that have been plaguing the villagers for some time. We would like to know what you mean to do about them."

Aemon ignored the sally to his wife and spoke in a neutral tone. "I have already instructed Ser Gerold and Ser Arthur to lead a party of Gold Cloaks out of the city later today to hunt for these bandits and bring them to justice as well as to return whatever had been stolen from the common folk. But you would know that if you had paid attention last time we met uncle. Now what else is there for us to discuss?"

His uncle bristled but Aemon did not care, let him bristle and stew soon enough he would be gone. Pycelle spoke then. "A raven came from the citadel Your Grace. My colleagues there believe that this summer will soon be at an end and that a long harsh winter is soon to follow."

Aemon nodded. "Very well send the ravens out to the other lords, those who are wise will know that they will need to begin their harvests now, otherwise there will be nothing left for us to deal with come winter. What more?"

Varys speaks then his voice laced with its usual annoying sweetness. "Word from across the narrow sea Your Grace. It appears the Brightflames have added one more city to their conquest of Essos. Volantis has fallen."

There is a deathly silence for a long moment and then Aemon says in soft voice. "What do they plan to do next? Do you know Varys?"

The eunuch titters and then replies. "They mean to take the Slaver cities. Though Bravos plans to invade Pentos and free it from the shackles of empire once more."

Aemon nods, looks briefly at Tywin before saying. "I want you to keep an eye on that issue and should it become more pressing I will want a full detailed account of their campaign before we next meet. Now what more is there for us to discuss?"

As it turns out there is no more to discuss so the members of the council are dismissed apart from Tywin, Ser Gerold and Pycelle. They remain silent for a moment before Aemon asks. "Does he know?"

Silence and then Pycelle speaks. "Yes Your Grace. The eunuch whispered in his ear about the tourney. He thought that I was not listening as he did so, but he knows and he plans on coming with his son and gooddaughter."

Aemon sighs. "It makes no matter, the plans have changed since we last met to discuss them. Tully has refused to answer my summons and my uncle Balon is a fool who cannot see passed his salt and rock. The tourney will continue, and when the lords see Aerys madness for what it truly is, they will know that what I mean to do is not wrong, it is the only way to save the kingdoms."

Tywin spoke , his voice calm though the question was still evident in his tone. "Then why go to Harrenhal with Brandon Stark Your Grace? I know you are not going there to look at his daughters, one is to wed your friend and the other is said to be a sot. Why go then if not to convince him of the purity of your motives?"

Aemon smiled slightly. "I admit you have me there Tywin. Still I must go in person to convince Tully, the man is smart and shrewd yet his words will come back to haunt him should he not support me. I must make him see that. Still I expect you and your family to be at Harrenhal when I arrive Lord Tywin. More support the better, even if my fool of a cousin will be there."

Two weeks later with the Kingswood brotherhood dealt with, after a legendary duel between Ser Arthur Dayne and the smiling knight, Aemon heads out to Riverrun with his best friend Brandon Stark the younger. With them come his wife Ashara, and two knights of the Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning and Ser Gerold Hightower, Aemon's brothers Viserys and Baelon will join them on the way to Harrenhal but for now they remain in King's Landing sparring and jousting. The ride to Riverrun is pleasant and peaceful and when they do eventually arrive Hoster Tully and his family greet them. Tully is a tall man, broad with craggy features and his auburn hair is turning grey, beside him stand his two daughters Catelyn and Lysa and his son and heir Edmure, as well as another boy, their ward. Introductions are made, and then later that night the feast is held, Brandon spends the time with his betrothed and Ashara speaks with Lysa Tully leaving Aemon the chance to speak with Lord Tully himself. "What you ask is most dangerous Your Grace. Aerys might be mad but he was appointed your regent lawfully until you do come of age. I cannot move against him without some repercussions surely."

Aemon takes a sip of wine before saying. "You love your children do you not my lord?"

"Of course Your Grace." Tully replies.

"Well if Aerys remains in power until my coming of age your family and the families of the great houses shall be in deep trouble. You have remained neutral throughout the whole case of political conflicts that plagued the early part of my reign whilst I was still a child, I can understand and sympathise with that. My uncle cannot, he will view you as a traitor and will have your whole family wiped out if he can, or remove you from power bit by bit until your daughters beg and your son is sold to slavery. Unless you want that to happen, side with me and you shall never face that fate." Aemon replies.

Hoster Tully is silent for a long moment before he asks. "You are certain nothing bad would come from my supporting you Your Grace?"

Aemon chuckles softly then and says. "Of course my lord of Riverrun. I am the rightful king after all, what I say is law. Support me and you and yours will only prosper after all you will have an ear in Winterfell soon enough."

That night he and Ashara are in bed, and Ashara is drawing patterns on his chest when she asks. "Do you think his mind has changed now then?"

Aemon is silent for a moment before saying. "I believe so my love, Tully is nothing but devoted to his family and his duty. Combine the two of them and he shall fall for it, and we shall have the extra support we need."

"You might want to keep an eye on the second Tully girl then my love." Ashara says, when Aemon looks at her enquiringly she replies."She seemed quite taken with that ward of theirs, the Baelish boy though he was moon eyeing Catelyn Tully. That one will be trouble."

And so it is, two days after their arrival, Petyr Baelish challenges Brandon to a duel for Lady Catelyn's hand, a foolish thing to do, for the boy is but twelve, Brandon a man grown at nineteen with far more experience, the duel lasts barely anytime at all, and though he would be within his rights to kill Baelish, thankfully Brandon listens to his betrothed and spares the boy. Later on when he and Brandon are sat alone in Brandon's room drinking wine, Aemon asks his friend what he made of his betrothed. Brandon is silent for a moment before saying. "She is a good woman, and will make a good wife, but she is very uptight and proper about some things."

Aemon laughs then. "So she did not offer you her maidenhead then my friend? Ach well there will be plenty of chances for you to take it after you are wed. Not every girl is like Alyssa Celtigar or even that other girl what was her name? Velaryon's daughter?"

Brandon snorts then and hits him playfully on the arm saying. "Not his daughter, his cousin. Gods above Aemon she was a delight. Big breasts and such a nice arse."

Aemon is about to respond when there is a knock on the door, Ser Arthur opens the door to reveal Lady Catelyn still fully dressed. Aemon gets up and bids farewell to his friend and walks back to his own rooms. The next day they leave for Harrenhal and if Brandon rides with a bit more spring in his step Aemon says nothing though he smiles slightly. When they arrive at Harrenhal Aemon learns that the other lords and guests are already here, camped over the vast expanse of lands that make up the lordship of the castle. Being the king of course means that Aemon and his family are housed in the actual castle whilst Brandon rides of to find his own family, Lord Dorris Whent, a smart man more bookish than martial had decided to hold the tourney after a visit from his brother Ser Oswell, something Aemon had orchestrated. Dorris speaks softly as they to the rooms Aemon and his wife shall be sharing the duration of the tourney. "All those who said they would come have come Your Grace. Stark, Arryn, Baratheon, Lannister, and Hightower they are all here with some of their more powerful bannermen. Aerys is here as well though and Prince Rhaegar, and Princess Rhaella and Princess Elia and her daughter as well."

Aemon nods. "I know this, you have done Lord Dorris. I shall not forget what you have done for me when I come into power."

The tourney of Harrenhal itself lasts for ten days, with a competition for singers, an axe contest, a melee which is won by Robert Baratheon heir to Storm's End, an archery competition won by Ser Lewyn Dayne of the High Hermitage branch. And feasts, so many feasts Aemon feels as if he has eaten his body weight in food by the time the jousting happens on the final three days. The event everyone had looked forward to because of the competition, Aemon has his favourites, his sworn sword Ser Brandon is competing and so Aemon follows his progress most studiously. He comes up against Ser Baelor Hightower Garths eldest brother first and beats him in two tilts, next he comes up against Ser Tygett Lannister and beats him in four tilts, then comes up against Ser Lewyn Dayne beating him in two tilts, he comes up against Lord Summer Dondarrion and beats him in one tilt, through to the semi final.

Two other knights of his Kingsguard compete, Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan. Both men advance through to the semi finals where Ser Arthur is unhorsed by Ser Brandon after twelve tilts, and Ser Barristan is unhorsed by Rhaegar after nine tilts. Another interesting thing of the tourney is the Knight of the Laughing Tree so called because of the weirwood tree on his shield, who rampages through the early stages of the jousting unhorsing men much bigger than him, including three squires from House Haigh, Frey and Blount before never appearing again in the lists much to Aemon's fascination. He begins wondering who the knight is and though Aerys demands the knight be found, Aemon simply says if the knight wishes for a reward he must come forward. No one ever does and so the knight if forgotten for a time, as the final of the jousting happens.

The anticipation that fills the stands at the first tilt is something Aemon will never forget. Both men rear up and charge and shatter their lances, and are soon at it again and again. Fourteen tilts it takes, fourteen tilts of pure action and adrenaline before Rhaegar manages to strike a lucky blow and unhorse Ser Brandon, when he comes to the stand to get the crown for the Queen of Love and Beauty from Ashara, he makes a round of the ground before coming back to the stand, Aemon expects him to place the crown on Elia's head, and yet he places it on the head of Brandon's little sister Lyanna Stark.

Shock gives way to anger and later on before the final feast, Aemon sits in his cousin's room waiting for him, when Rhaegar Aemon stands up and punches his square in the jaw. His cousin snaps back, and Aemon thinks for a moment Rhaegar means to hit him, but his cousin merely looks at him with those sad eyes of his and asks. "What did I do to deserve that Your Grace?"

Aemon fumes then and says. "You know damned well what you did Rhaegar."

His cousin merely looks at him before sighing. "Is this about the incident with the Stark girl? I meant nothing by it, I was simply acknowledging her bravery and her beauty."

Aemon is silent and then says. "What do you mean, what do you mean to her?"

Rhaegar shakes his head. "Nothing sinister Your Grace. She was the Knight of the Laughing Tree and I meant to honour her by crowning her, I meant no slight to Elia or to anyone else."

"Well keep in mind that she is betrothed cousin, to Robert Baratheon and the man wanted your head for that. You will tell him why you did what you did and then we can move on from all this." Aemon says.

He is surprised when his cousin shakes his head and says. "I cannot I promised the girl that I would not tell anyone, I have broken that promise now but I cannot break it again. Besides she is ice."

"What do you mean by that?" Aemon asks.

"Ice and Fire Your Grace. We were meant to meet." Rhaegar replies and Aemon feels his heart sink, not this again.