Author's Note: Apologies for the wait, I had trouble writing this chapter and even what I've written is not something I'm entirely pleased with. I will talk more about it at the end Author's Note.

Chapter II, Part II: Recollection And The Future.

Rhaegar couldn't help but be fascinated with the silver knight's swords. He had seen many swords, both in life and in books, but never had he seen one such as the two before him. The light blue tinge made him think the blades had an icy touch to them, while the blue veins made him think they were magical.

They are light, he thought as he held the longsword in his right hand and inspected it. And incredibly sharp.

"Q-Quite the sight, aren't they?" He heard Grand Maester Pycelle quietly say from beside him as he put his fingers on blade and ran them down it. The steel was as he believed it to be, cold as ice.

"Yes, I have never seen swords such as these before." Rhaegar agreed as he pulled his fingers away, wondering how it had such a chilling touch to it.

"Neither have I, My Prince." The Grand Maester concurred, smacking his lips. "Shame they are wasted on a hedge knight. They are… far more suited for royalty in my opinion."

Rhaegar had his doubts on the man being a hedge knight. He had seen hedge knights on his visits to Summerhall and in tourneys, and never had he seen a hedge knight in such ornate armor. To add to that, the man didn't even speak the common tongue. If he was a hedge knight, he would have known the common tongue.

"They are his, Grand Maester." Said Rhaegar, his voice solemn and low. "We are only holding onto them until we find out who he is and what his intentions are."

"Of course, My Prince." Pycelle affirmed quickly, "but you cannot deny that they are wasted on him. If anything, they should be sent to the Citadel, so that they can be studied!"

At this, Rhaegar frowned slightly and set the longest blade down. A part of him did think they should be studied, but that wasn't something he got to decide.

The only one who can decide what happens to them is their wielder, even my father in his descent to madness knows this.

"Ser Arthur, what do you think of them?" Rhaegar inquired as he glanced over his shoulder at his white protector.

"They share a resemblance to Dawn, My Prince." His friend declared after a moment of silence.

"Really?" Rhaegar asked, an eyebrow raised inquisitively.

His white shadow merely nodded his head in response, not saying anything more.

"Ser Arthur, are you saying that these two blades ar-ar-are made of the same metal as Dawn?" Questioned Grand Maester Pycelle in a shocked tone.

"I would not say that, but I cannot deny the similarities between them and Dawn." His friend said as he looked at the old man.

Rhaegar waited for his friend to say more, but when it became clear he would speak no further on the subject, Rhaegar turned his attention back to the two swords.

He had seen Arthur train with Dawn several times against his fellow kingsguard, and now that he was thinking about it, he could see the resemblance between the three swords.

Get rid of the veins, remove the blue tinge, and they would look just like Dawn, albeit with different handles and crossguards.

"Hmph, even more so why they sh-sh-shouldn't be wielded by the likes of that man." Pycelle declared, making Rhaegar's lips lower a little.

"Who should wield them if not their owner?" He inquired as he looked at the Grand Maester.

"Why pe-people such as yourself and your father!" The Grand Maester proclaimed. "Mayhaps even Lord Ty-Tywin."

Rhaegar didn't need to see his friend's face to know that he disagreed with the old man's opinion. He knew Ser Arthur well and knew how much he valued his family's ancestral blade.

"Do you believe then Ser Arthur shouldn't be the one wielding Dawn, and I should be its wielder instead?" Rhaegar inquired; his voice tinged with a bit of hostility.

"Of course not, my—"

"Then who should wield it if not for me? Should it be Lord Tywin or my father?" Rhaegar questioned, not giving him a chance to finish.

"N-No, my—"

"Then who? Or should Dawn be sent to the Citadel so that it can be studied like these blades here?" Rhaegar asked as he stared down Pycelle who could do nothing but stammer and bumble his words.

After a moment of watching him sputter and fumble, Rhaegar sighed and said, "forgive me, Grand Maester. I did not mean to speak to you like that, I did not get that much sleep last night and believe people's possessions shouldn't be taken from them just because they are of lower status."

"A-Apologies myself, My P-Prince." Replied Pycelle hesitantly. "I was ca-ca-careless with my words. I did not mean to ca-cause offense. I was merely impressed by the man's swords."

Rhaegar stared at him for a moment before nodding and turned his attention back to the table. He thought about seeing the owner of the swords, and as he did, he glanced at the longer object laying on the table. It was the thing the woman had carried on her back, and as he looked at, his lips pursed slightly.

There is something more to that, I do not know what it is, but I know it isn't just some stave used for getting around.

When he had first looked at it, Rhaegar had considered it to be just that. An intricate walking stick, used to help get around, but after some inspection of it, his thoughts had drifted away from that and to that of a spear, but even that didn't suit it. The talon at the end of it wasn't that sharp and was curved. If it truly was a spear, then it wasn't a very effective one.

He stared at it for some time, and as he did, he thought about what to do. He knew that he needed to speak with them, but he also knew that he needed to consult with his grand uncle, Maester Aemon and the ghost that dwells in the ruins of Summerhall.

There is so much to do, and I have so many questions. Who are they, where did they come from, why did they come here, and more importantly will they be my allies in the coming war, or will they be my enemies?

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

Aedan had a hard time sitting still. The chair he sat in wasn't a comfortable one, and made him have to sit up straight, unless he wanted to feel discomfort on his back. Unfortunately, if he sat up straight then he'd be too far away from the table that had his book on top of it.

It had been a bit before midday when he acquired this book. He had been standing on the small balcony, taking in the large red city when there had been a knock on the door. He had turned and walked into the sitting area, where Morrigan and Kieran were, and watched as what he could only assume as servant girls entered the room.

Two of them carried trays of food, while two others carried an assortment of books. Following closely behind the girls, were two burly men who wore dark steel suits that had yellow tabards over it. On the tabard, was a black stag.

After them was the tall, blue-eyed man he had seen when he first stepped out of the eluvian. He was dressed in fine yet simple clothes, and next to him was one of the knights cladded entirely in white.

Aedan glanced at Morrigan and saw her look at them with a curious yet hawklike gaze. She had Kieran in her arms, and had been rocking him back and forth until they had come in.

The tall blue-eyed man came to a stop behind the couch and spoke as the serving girls took the books and food to the dining room. The two burly knights in dark steel inspected the room, while the white knight stood next to the blue-eyed man.

He didn't know what the tall nobleman said, but judging by the amount of words and his tone, he assumed it was something along the lines of. "Afternoon, esteemed guests, did you sleep well? I have brought food for you to eat, and some books to keep you entertained while we try to find out who you are."

Legion, who had been laying rather peacefully in his chair, started to growl when one of the knights got close to his armor. The knight looked at Legion in response before shifting his attention to the blue-eyed man and saying something to him.

The nobleman chuckled and responded with mirth in his voice, which made the knight laugh in return. Not long after that he stepped away from Aedan's armor with his hands raised slightly all while saying something to Legion.

Legion ceased his growling once he was a good enough distance away and laid his head back down on his front legs.

While he did this, Morrigan said with some amusement. "Well, at least these people understand what a growl from a dog means."

"I'm sure there are dogs in this world, Morrigan." Said Aedan as he looked at her. "So far it doesn't seem to be that much different from ours, so I'd be surprised if there wasn't any."

"Its similarities are vast, I will admit that," Morrigan declared after glancing at him. "But there are some things that are different."

Aedan gave her a curious look but did not speak any further on the subject due to the blue-eyed man saying something. He directed his gaze at him, and watched the man speak with furrowed brows.

"Is there something you can do, Morrigan?" Aedan inquired as he glanced at her. "Something that can allow us to understand them?"

"If I could do something like that do you not think I would have done it the moment we came here?" Responded Morrigan.

Despite frowning at her words, Aedan said, "fair enough," before directing his attention back at the nobleman.

A small sigh escaped his lips as the serving girls retreated from the room. "My name," he said slowly as he put his left hand on his chest. "Is, Aedan."

He saw Morrigan look at him out of the corner of his eye and saw her turn her gaze to the blue-eyed man. Meanwhile the man furrowed his bushy black brows once more and said in response. "Aedahn."

Aedan shook his head and said, "no, Aedan."

"Aeden?" Was what he said back in a somewhat unsure tone.

"Aedan."

"Aedan," the man repeated, causing Aedan to smile a little.

"Yes," Aedan said before looking at Morrigan. He pointed at her and said in the same slow manner. "Morrigan."

"Morrigan?" The man repeated almost perfectly, which was surprising to Aedan, for he expected her name to be the hardest to pronounce.

"Yes," Aedan affirmed. "Aedan," he said as he pointed at himself. "Morrigan," he said as he pointed at her.

The man nodded his head in acknowledgment and proceeded to do the same thing Aedan had done. He spoke four words while pointing at his chest.

Aedan repeated the last word he heard him say. "Steffan."

The man shook his head and said slower. "No, Steffon."

"Steffon?" Aedan repeated in an inquiring tone that was met by approval.

Steffon then began to speak some more, and as he did, he looked at the two of them curiously. Aedan didn't know what was said, but if he had to bet by the glances and the inquisitive tone, he believed Steffon had said something along the lines of. "Have either of you had something to eat yet?"

With the belief that was the question asked, Aedan shook his head and said, "no."

Steffon looked at him and said two simple words before clapping his hands together. He then spoke some more and as he did, he made a gesture to them.

It was a gesture for them to come, to follow after him.

Aedan looked at Morrigan, who looked at him, before averting his gaze back to Steffon and following after him.

After that, they sat down and proceeded to eat a warm meal. Throughout the meal, Steffon would show them the books that had been left by the serving girls, and every once in a while, Morrigan would speak and say something along the lines of.

"What do you call this?"

This would be followed by her holding up something or pointing at it, and an answer from Steffon.

Once they were finished eating, Steffon rose from his seat, and said while nodding at him. "Aedan."

He then turned his head to Morrigan and repeated the motion and said her name. This was then followed by what Aedan believed to be. "Should either of you need anything, knock on the door, and Ser Barristan here will attend to it."

After that, Steffon, the white knight that Aedan named as Ser Harlan, and the two other knights left the room.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

It wasn't long after Steffon finished meeting with Aedan and Morrigan did he meet with Aerys and his Small Council. He had been the fourth to arrive at the Small Council's chamber with the three arriving before him being the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold Hightower, His Grace, Aerys Targaryen, and Lord Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King.

"My King," He greeted with a bow upon entering the room.

"Steffon," Aerys greeted back.

After that, Steffon straightened himself and said to the other two occupants of the room. "Lord Hand, Lord Commander."

Tywin greeted him with an acknowledging nod as did Ser Gerold Hightower.

Shortly after he seated himself, the Master of Ships entered the room and was followed by the Master of Laws, and then the Master of Coin. The last to arrive was the Grand Maester who professed his sincerest apologies for being late. He claimed that the reason why he was late was because he was busy studying the mirror.

"Enough," Aerys said midway through Pycelle's explanation for being late, his voice dripping with annoyance. "I called this meeting to hear what Steffon has learned, not to hear you spout nonsense, Pycelle."

"Yes, forgive me, Your Grace." The Grand Maester mumbled as Aerys shifted his attention from the old man to him.

"Agreed, I am also curious to hear what Lord Steffon has learned about last night's intruders." Spoke Aerys' Master of Laws, Symond Staunton, the Lord of Rook's Rest.

Steffon didn't need to look around the room to know that all eyes were on him and said with a sigh. "I'm afraid I haven't learned much yet, My King. All I've learned so far is their names really."

Aerys scowled at him, but it wasn't him that spoke, it was his Master of Ships, Lord Lucerys Velaryon. "That's it? Their names?"

"The language they speak isn't one I'm familiar with, and everything I say is unfamiliar to them. They do not speak the common tongue." Steffon said as he met Lord Lucerys' gaze.

"Forgive me, but do you even know any other language besides the common tongue, Lord Baratheon?" Lord Lucerys inquired as his lips curled slightly upwards into that of a grin.

At this, Steffon furrowed his brows and frowned. He wasn't the only one to do this, his friend Lord Tywin and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard frowned at the question as well, but they were the only ones to do this. Everyone else either looked amused or hid their feelings behind a blank look.

"What are you trying to say, Lucerys?" Aerys inquired before Steffon could respond.

"I mean no offense, Your Grace, truly I do." Lord Lucerys said as he looked at Aerys, "but Baratheons aren't very well known for their… linguistic abilities? I'm just wondering if it might be better if someone else deals with last night's intruders."

"Someone like you?" Steffon demanded, anger seeping into his voice. He may not be that involved in the plots and schemes that go on here, but that didn't mean he was oblivious to it. He had spent a good portion of his life in King's Landing and would like to believe he was fairly adept at what many called the Game.

In response to his question, the Lord of Tides and Master of Driftmark merely shrugged his shoulders and said in an almost uncaring manner. "Possibly. I will not deny that I am fluent in over twenty-two languages and have spent a decent part of my life traveling the world while you've been here or ruling Storm's End."

Steffon's frown deepened and saw out of his peripherals Aerys pondering Lord Velaryon's words. He saw also Lord Staunton inclining his head while Lord Chelsted had furrowed his own brows into that of a contemplative look.

You had smiled at his quip earlier, but rather than show your approval of what he says you keep it hidden. Tywin was right when he wrote about you. You are a craven, Lord Chelsted, who has no thought of his own.

"Lord Lucerys," Spoke Tywin, breaking the silence that had formed in the room and causing all eyes to fall onto him. "A question, if you don't mind."

"Of course, what do you wish to inquire, Lord Hand?" Lord Lucerys asked as he turned all of his body to the Lord of Casterly Rock, his smirk still etched on his face.

"What language did last night's intruders speak in?" His old friend asked the Master of Driftmark, which caused the man's smirk to vanish instantaneously.

"I beg your pardon, Lord Hand?" Said Lord Lucerys, his tone tinged with confusion just like his face.

"What was the language last night's intruders spoke in?" Tywin asked in a slower manner. "You claim to know twenty-two languages, I'm sure you can identify the language they spoke in and tell us what it is they said."

Steffon couldn't help but smile at the Master of Ships, who was now looking very uncomfortable.

"Indeed," Ser Gerold said with a nod of his head before turning to the Head of House Velaryon. "What language was it they spoke in?"

Seeing all eyes fall on him, Lord Lucerys could do nothing but gape like a fish before finally saying in a low voice. "Forgive me, my lords and king, I must admit the language that they spoke in was one I was unfamiliar with."

"Hmph," huffed Aerys with a large scowl. "Waste my time again like that, Lucerys and I will have you burned alive, understand?"

At this, Lord Lucerys blanched before quickly nodding and saying. "Yes, Your Grace, thank you, Your Grace."

It took Steffon a moment to process what his old childhood friend had just said, and when he finally did, his eyes went wide.

Burned alive? I understand you do not like the plotting and scheming, Aerys. I understand that well, but burning alive? Isn't that barbaric and extreme?

Steffon could do nothing but stare at Aerys and wonder as he spoke to Tywin.

What has happened to you, Aerys? Is what Tywin told me truly real? Has Duskendale changed you this much?

Author's Note: I feel like for this chapter I had strong starts, but then rather weakly. Like I wrote Rhaegar's part four times, and each ending I wasn't really happy with. I feel like I didn't do his character well, but at the same time I wasn't sure what was missing. I think I see him somewhat like Viserys from HoTD who has a spine when it comes to Rhaenyra, but in other cases does not have it. That's how I see Rhaegar.

As for the other scenes, I think they did pretty well. I think I should have done Aedan's scene a bit better, but my whole goal for that one was trying to show that they acquired books and were trying to learn Westerosi. I do not know if I am doing Tywin's character right, but I do think I am not doing him any injustice either.

All in all, thank you for reading and hopefully you won't have to wait long for the next update, toodles.