Thank you so much for reviewing. It is always a pleasure to read them. Now I have read information about Roberts Rebellion and I will try to amend it to fit my story. Now I did not read the books but I will try my best to replicate it to my best ability. Please review and let me know what you think.
Chapter 13: Bannermen and Loyalties
Jon Arryn stood in front of the fireplace looking at the fire. He was quite transfixed by it. Fire although deadly can also save your life. It is truly a beauty. In his hand he held two letters. Two letters from his two sons. Two very different sons. Although they were not his by blood he loved them as such and now he has to betray one and help the other.
Jon Arryn closed his eyes as his heart was split in two. It pained him that he has to make a decision this hard. A decision that no matter what he does will break his heart. There was no easy option here. There was only pain. There was only betrayal.
"Uncle you wished to speak with me." He heard his nephews voice. He did not turn around. He stood there staring at the fire. His eyes closed. Tears falling from his eyes.
"I received two ravens today my boy. Two very different ravens. From two Kings." Jon Arryn said and turned around to look at the boy. He was younger than Ned and Robert have been. He was ten and six now. He has ashy blond hair and big brown eyes. He looked so much like Jon's brother Ronnel did at his age.
"I do not understand Uncle. What two Kings?" Elbert asked and his uncle handed him the two letters. One was from Ned and one was from Robert. Elbert finished the two letters and crushed them and threw them at the floor. He as angry. He was angry that his brothers who he grew up with were at war with each other.
"What was he thinking?! I knew that bastard was too cocky for his own good but to steal the Queen. Right from under everyone's noses. He is crazy!" Elbert exclaimed.
"Now boy watch your words." Jon Arryn said and Elbert looked at him with stormy brown eyes.
"What else do you want me to say Uncle. He proclaimed himself the King and Westeros and wants to take the Iron Throne. He is crazy. Who does he think he is?" Elbert said and Jon Arryn closed his eyes.
"A man who is in love." he whispered trying to justify Roberts actions.
"To a woman that despised him Uncle. She does not love him. The Targaryen blood line runs through his veins Uncle and you know what they say about them. When a Targaryen in born a coin is flipped to see if they are going to be mad. Just like the Mad King was. This applied to Robert as well. He had gone mad because for the first time a woman denied him." Elbert said and Jon Arryn nodded his head
"You are my heir Elbert what do you decide?" Jon Arryn said barely above whisper.
"We will send a raven to the Capitol. Swear our allegiance to King Rhaegar. That we will stand with him and defeat the Usurper." Elbert said and Jon Arryn winced. Elbert's stony face softened and looked at his uncle. Jon Arryn was not a young man any more. He had no children but he raised him Ned and Robert like his own. Like brothers. Elbert was hurting for his friend. For his brothers but this was the best thing to do.
"Uncle this does not fall on you. This is my decision. I will take all the blame when Robert dies." Elbert said and Join Arryn burst into tears. His nephew run to him and hugged the man. He could not presume to know his pain. He was sentencing of his sons to death.
The older man composed himself and wiped his face and looked at the boy he raised. His blood.
"You will make a great Lord of the Eyrie my boy. Now write to our King. The Rightful King and write to Brandon Stark as well. Tell him we will help but we need to be stronger. We need more ties to the South. You will wed Lysa Tully. He is probably readying his bannermen already. Ready ours." Jon Arryn said and Elbert nodded.
"You know that some of our bannermen will fight with Robert." Elbert said and Jon Arryn looked at the boy who was becoming a man. Blue met brown. Off course some of his bannermen will fallow Robert. He was loved in the Vale and the Vale hated the Mad King.
"I know my boy. I know." Jon Arryn said and Elbert nodded in understanding. Jon Arryn will not take part in this war. Whatever decisions Elbert will make he will be acting like the Lord of the Eyrie Protector of the Vale. His uncle will not help.
The King was sitting on the Iron Throne and was looking at the people in from of him. There was Brandon and Ned Stark. The younger of the two was feeling much better now and was standing with the help of a cane. There was Oberyn Martel, Jamie and Tywin Lannister. Baristan Selmy and Arthur Dayne was there too. Tywin Lannister was talking now.
"Robert Baratheon send a raven. He proclaimed himself as the King of Westeros and wants to claim the Iron Throne. He send raven to all major houses Your Grace. We received a raven from the Reach who stated they will support you so did the North and the Riverlands. We had no response from the Vale the Stormlands and the Iron Islands." Tywin said and Rhaegar looked at him with anger in his eyes.
"My brother also sent a raven and he swore that he sees no King other than you but he will not be taking part in this war." Oberyn Martel said and looked down ashamed. King Rhaegar simply nodded. He knew that Dorne will not partake in this war. The bond between the Martel's and the Targaryan's were not that good. At least they will not take part and help the rebels.
"Jon Arryn has yet to reply Your Grace. I am sure he will send his support and his men. I sent a raven myself. His like a father to me." Ned Stark said and Rhaegar looked at him with stormy purple eyes.
"Are you so sure My Lord. He was like a father to Robert as well was he not. You both grew up there. People if the Vale know and love you. How many of them will stand by you and how many of them will stand by Robert. The crown has many enemies due to my father. Surely they do not want another Mad King." Rhaegar said and stood up and walked over to Eddard and they were looking at each other.
"Jon Arryn is a man of duty your Grace. He will not betray the crown. As much as it pains him he will stand by his King." Eddard said in a low voice. Eddard was a man of dusty but he was no pleased that someone spoke ill of the man who raised him. Rhaegar nodded and looked at Tywin.
"What about you My Lord. What do you claim." The King and said everyone in the room hell their breath.
"This is not my war Your Grace. Why should I put my people at risk?" Tywin said with a hard voice and there was some gasped in the room. Only Tywin would dare to speak like that to a King.
"I understand but where does your allegiance stand?" Rhaegar said. Tywin was not the most likeable person but he ruled the country when his father was the King and he ruled it well. Until he left and returned to the Rock. Rhaegar knew that Tywin was a ruthless man who wanted and craved power. He wanted his daughter to be his Queen. He wanted to be in control. He was good at it. That he had to give to the older man.
Tywin looked at the King with a hard stare. He watched this boy grow up. He knew that he would be a far better King than Aerys was but not as easy to control.
"My allegiance is with my King." Tywin said and Rhaegar nodded. as much as he hated to say he needed Tywin Lannister. He needed his cunning and he needed his smarts.
"Good. You are now the hand of the King." Rhaegar said and held out the pin in his palm for Tywin to take. Tywin looked at the pin and the King and took it. His face did not change. It was still as hard and cold as it was before.
Jamie looked at his father and shook his head. He had not wanted power. He never craved it. His father was the one who needed it. He needed power to prove that the Lannisters are better than anyone and now he had the bloody country again.
The door to the the Throne Room opened and one of the Kingsguard ran to the room.
"There was a raven from the Vale Your Grace." He said and passed the letter to the King. Eddard stood there worry on his face and his heart beating. He prayed that the man saw reason and will not stand with the rebels.
"We have the support of the Vale. Not every Lord agreed. Some are siding with the Usurper. Elbert will make his way but he wants a wife. A Tully wife." Rhaegar said and looked at Brandon who was now the Lord of Riverrrun due to Hoster Tully dying and Edmure Tully dying last year due to the chills.
Brandon Stark nodded.
"Send a reply. We will match the term. Lysa will marry Elbert. He is an heir. It is a great match for her." Brandon said and Rhaegar nodded.
"Robert is said to be making his way to Storms End. We need to get him there." Rhaegar said and Tywin shook his head.
"Sent Mace Tyrell and his bannermen to lay siege there. You cannot leave King Landing. You are far to valuable now that the Baratheon boy calls himself King. We need to make sure you are save." Tywin said and Rhaegar threw the letter that he had on the floor.
"So I must sit here and do nothing? I must hide here in a castle with the children and women?" Rhaegar said angry
"Precisely Your Grace." Tywin said.
"Your Grace you are to valuable. The rebels want you dead and if you are dead the Usurper will take the throne. Let your bannermen do the work." Arthur Dayne said and Rhaegar stood thee defeated. He could do nothing. He felt helpless. Sat back on the throne put his elbows on his knees and hid his face. he felt ashamed but he knew he had to do what was right for the realm and rely on his bannermen and his new brothers who want to get their sister back.
Ashara was in her room. She had not left it since her husband took the Queen away. She could not face anybody. How can she when her husband left her pregnant and alone. Abducted the Queen and became and Usurer claiming the Iron Throne.
Ashara wiped her eyes angrily and threw her needle work away. She was angry and she was sad. She looked at her belly and was showing now. Everyone knew now. Even her handmaidens could not keep their mouth shut. Everyone knew she was pregnant longer than she was married. They were talking that Robert has gone mad when he found out that his wife was carrying another man's child. Some were talking that he only took her as a wife cause she was pregnant. That part was true. He only took her after he found out she was with child. When twice her moons blood did not come she knew. She knew her luck was gone. She was sleeping with the man since the Tourney of Harrenhall. She should be happy she did not get pregnant sooner. She knew back then that Robert wanted Lyanna. He loved her. Or so he though. He wanted her as she was the only woman that did not faint when he walks passed or freely jump in his bed. Like she did.
There was a knock on the door and Ashara jumped and held her heart and looked at the door. She stood up and walked up to it and shouted.
"Who is it?" She can never be too careful.
"Its me Ned." the voice said and Ashara closed her eyes and put her forehead on the door. She felt tears prickling her eyes.
"Ned please I cannot do this right now." She said
"I just want to talk please Ash." He said and Ashara let her tears fall as she opened the door and there stood the shy boy who has his brother asker her a dance with him for him. Although he was not a boy anymore. He was a man. Although not as handsome as the older Stark he had a charm of his own. He was good and he was pure.
"Are you not going to let me in?" Eddard said.
"I am not sure it is a good idea. The walls have ears." Ashara whispered.
"I do not care about that. I just want to talk." Eddard said and Ashara nodded and let him and and closed the doors. Eddard looked around the room before he looked upon the woman and her swelling belly. There was a time that he would give anything to have her belly swell with his child. To call her his wife but alas Robert won again.
"I am so sorry Ash. So sorry this happened to you." Eddard said and Ashara nodded looking at the floor.
"I got why I deserved Ned. I knew he loved Lyanna. I knew I was just someone who is an easy fuck. i was so stupid Ned. So stupid. For two years he would come and fuck me. Since Harrenhal." Ashara said walking around the room crying. Eddard looked at the floor not knowing what to say. He knew that Robert took her at that Tourney. Even if he knew that Eddard wanted her. Even if he knew that Eddard wanted to marry her.
"I still remember how you smiled when we danced at that Tourney. How happy you were. How your face turned red when you kissed me at the balcony. For five days we danced together and then you asked me if I wanted to marry you Ned. I should have said yes Ned. I should have married you. You were so good to me then Ned. We were so young. We would be happy. I would be happy at Winterfell. I was so stupid. So blinded." Ashara said with tears in her eyes. She looked at Eddard and she looked so broken that he went to her and took her in her arms and let her cry.
"It was two years ago Ash. We were all so young and stupid. We all made mistakes." Eddard said and Ashara left Eddards arms an wiped her tears.
"I was stupid and now you have a wife. A Lannister wife. A beautiful wife. More beautiful than me." Ashara said looking at Eddard who took a deep breath.
"No one could be more beautiful then you." Eddard said. He looked into Ashara's broken purple eyes and his heart pained him. He remembered those days at the Tourney. He wanted her to be his wife. He wanted to marry her but Robert took her from him like he took Lyanna now. He always took what he wanted. Eddard's toys and women.
Eddard looked upon Ashara's beautiful face. The face that he wanted to erase from his memory. The face he wanted to stop loving for two years. Those eyes that broke his heart and those lips he tasted only once. He wanted to taste them again. He looked at them and moves his head closer but Ashara moved her head to the side.
"I cannot Ned. You are married. Do not shame your wife Ned. Be happy with her. Love her like you would have loved me." Ashara said and stepped out of Eddard's arms. She stood away from him and crossed her arms on her chest. Eddard nodded cursing himself for losing himself and almost breaking his honour.
"If you need anything Ash anything do not hesitate. I will help you in any way that I can." Eddard said and Ashara nodded.
"Thank you Lord Stark." She said with a hard voice.
"My Lady." He said bowing and walking out of the chamber with a hard look on his face. He walked away not seeing eyes looking at him.
Ashara closed the door and slid down on the floor crying. She wanted to go home. She cannot stay here. She hate it here. She fell in love with Baristan Selmy knowing she cannot have him. Then she fell in love with Robert who wanted another woman. She wanted to turn the time an be back at the Tourney of Harrenhal be under the stars kissing Ned. She may not loved him at the time but she could have learned to love him. He would be good to her and this child could have been his. Ashara was a stupid wench indeed.
Elbert Arryn cursed as he read the letter from his bannermen. He called upon his bannermen but not all of them replied. Some were became loyal to Robert and his cause. There were people who hated the Targaryan's who wanted them dead. Who hated the whole lot and now they were stupid enough to cause and uprising in Gulltown. Robert wanted sail to Storms End and his banner men fought one another.
"Uncle Robert is in Gulltown. I received from Lord Grafton. His loyalist are fighting our bannermen. I am going to help. We need to leave for the Riverrun. We must stop him." Elbert said and Jon Arryn sat in his room. He was not going to take part in this. He could not watch as his sons were butchering each other.
"You are the Lord of the Eyrie my boy. Do what you need I will not stop you but I cannot partake in this." Jon Arryn said and Elbert nodded and left his uncle.
Lyanna was pacing the tent. She could hear men fighting and shouting. She did not know where she is or where they were going. She was stuck in that tent for 3 days. For three days of not knowing anything. No one was giving her any information.
Just then Robert came storming in covered in blood and with an angry look on his face.
"I cam to take what is mine." He said looking at Lyanna.
"And what is that." She said with venom in her voice.
"You Lyanna. I have a high Septon outside. He will annul your marriage to the Targaryen scum and he will marry you to me." He said and Lyanna looked at him in anger and fear.
"You cannot!" Lyanna exclaimed.
"Yes I can. I am the King." Robert said with a crazy glint in his eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Lyanna asked looking at him like he was crazy.
"I proclaimed myself the King. I will win the Iron Throne for you. I will be King and you will be my Queen and I will kill that Dragon you claim to love." Robert said taking her wrist in his hand and began to drag her out out of the tent. She tried to fight him but it as no use. He was too strong.
"Robert please do not do this. Robert please. I am with child." Lyanna said and Robert stilled . He let go of her her wrist and she fell on the floor. He looked at her like he was about to murder her.
"You are with child. With the Dragon." Robert said with a crazy look on his face taking his sword out. It was already red from blood and she looked at it with fear and trying to hide her belly.
"I should the demon from your belly right now." He said pointing the sword at her and Lyanna screamed.
"Robert please if you truly have any affection for me you will not hurt me. And you will not hurt my child." Lyanna cried out and Robert closed his eyes and put his sword away and looked upon Lyanna.
"Very well Lyanna. Just to show you how much I love you I will not touch you until you give birth. Then after I kill your Dragon husband and I am on the iron throne I will marry you and you will give me and heir and if it is a boy I will sent him to the Night's watch if its a girl she will be married off." Rober said and left the tent and Lyanna who crying at the tents floor.
Well well well what do you think. I used Jon Arryn's heir Elbert here as well as the Mad King never killed anyone in the Capitol and he will marry Lysa. She had the shitty end of the stick when in came to Littlefinger and her miscarriages. Maybe this marriage will be happy for her. Oh and Littlefinger died from the wound that Brandon gave him in this story. Lets just say as well that Hoster and Edmure Tully died and that is why Brandon is the Lord of Riverrun. And Eddard Stark is in love with Ashara but cannot be with her and now he is married to Cersei who he is very fond off. Poor honourable Ned Stark. Lost his girl to Robert. I hope you like the chapter. Please review and let me know what you think.