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Brandon Stark I
Winterfell, North, Year 284 AC
Brandon had just woken up from a comfortable sleep in his old bed, a slumber that he had been in great need of, with few nightmares too…
He got dressed and then made his way to the Great Hall of Winterfell where he found Lyanna eating a toast with lemon jam, some servants were on the other tables eating and nodded at the sight of him. "Lya!" he said with a smile after nodding back at them, earning a smile from his sister. Today she was dressed in a simple light blue gown, the neckless Ned gave her on Robert's part adorning her neck. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better." His sister replied as she took a bite at the toast. "A bit dizzy still but overall better."
"That's good to know," Brandon said as he took a seat in front of her without much care of where he was seating and began preparing a toast of his own. "You will be better in no time at this rate."
"I hope so." His sister quickly agreed. "I would hope to grab a horse and ride it and…"
"You are going to stay inside for at least a month or two." Brandon quickly stopped her from saying anything else and allowed his and Ned's intentions to enter her head fully.
"Why?" she asked confused.
"Because you injured your back and you almost died in child labor." Brandon elaborated. "You need to rest."
"But I miss riding!" she protested.
"Lya, you will ride as much as you want but rest a little first. None of us wants you to have health problems after everything you went through." he took a bite at his toast after speaking.
"Fine…" His sister sighed. "I get your point."
"It's just a month or two, it will pass quickly." he assured her.
"If you say so…"
"Anyway…" Brandon began as he thought about something that would lighten the mood… "I was going to ask if…you heard a certain pair of…Dothraki screamers yesterday…"
"What do you mean by Dothraki screamers?" Lyanna asked confused.
"Did you not heard loud moanings coming from Ned's room yesterday after the feast?" Brandon questioned chuckling while his perverted mind imagined Ashara on top of Ned, riding him like a Sand Steed or something of the sort…
"Oh, that…" Lyanna smirked. "Yes…I did hear it quite well but luckily for us, it didn't last too long..."
"Our dear brother got himself a Dothraki screamer and all…I wish father could have seen it…" Brandon murmured as the images of his father burning returned. "I think even he would be chuckling at the sight…"
"I think so too…" Lyanna sighed with a meek smile. "I miss him so much…"
"I do too…" Brandon sighed as well. "He left us too soon."
"Wise words…" Lyanna nodded. "He would have liked to see his grandson too…our little nephew…"
"A little Ned named Jon…" Brandon chuckled a little more at the similarities between father, son, and grandfather. "Yes…he would have liked to meet the boy…"
"At the rate they are going…by the end of the year, we will have more pups around…" Lyanna giggled. "A whole army of little cute Neds and Asharas will soon roam Winterfell…" Lyanna laughed loudly now before her gaze noticed something. "Speaking of the weasels…"
Brandon leaned his head back and saw the pair of lovers enter the Great Hall with big smiles and arms entranced. Ned dressed in his usual clothes and Ashara wearing a simple Northern yellow gown with little Jon in her arms. "Good morning everyone!" The violet-eyed beauty proclaimed with a melodic tone and a hint of a Dornish accent.
Pleasantries were exchanged as the two lovesick puppies sat next to each other. Little Jon looked at everyone before his gaze befell on Brandon which gave the oldest Stark an idea… "Look Jon…" he said as he gently placed two fingers on his nephew's nose and pulled them out. "I have stolen your nose!" The baby looked at him with that serious look Ned usually he had… "Looks like it's too early for this, heh?"
"Probably…" Ashara admitted giggling as she placed lemon jam on two toasts, the Starks glanced at her surprised. She noticed all the looks and smiled. "I have a soft spot for toasts…I can't help myself…"
"Then don't complain that you are turning into a big-boned lady." Benjen said with a mirthful smile as he took a seat next to Brandon. "Good morning everyone."
Ashara looked at the toasts with a sad look and sighed. "I guess you are right…I will eat these two and then another one…"
"Three?" Ned questioned with a raised eyebrow.
His sister-in-law looked at Ned with a serious look and then sighed again. "Fine…I will just eat these two…" Ashara scoffed before she turned to Lyanna who was at her right. "Are you feeling better today Lyanna?"
"Yes." Lyanna nodded.
"That's good." Benjen proclaimed just as Ned nodded.
But the Dornishwoman made a weird expression as she looked at Lyanna weirdly. "Is it me or…Lyanna's eyes look like they have a green tone in them?"
All eyes fixed themselves on Lyanna's and she hesitantly looked for their verdict. Brandon did see them looking slightly different than their usual silvery grey…they indeed had a shade of green in them which was weird… "They do look greener…" Benjen murmured as the other Starks agreed.
"But my eyes have always been the color of Brandon's so how come they be greener now?" Lyanna questioned confused. "It makes no sense."
"It's not natural for eyes to change color like this…" Ashara avowed worriedly. "Though I have heard that some Red Priests of R'hllor can somehow make their eyes change to the colors of fire…"
"Green is not the color of those fanatics." Brandon pointed out.
"But it's the color of Greenseers…" Ned murmured.
"Oh come on Ned, you can't seriously think that those fairy tales from Nan have fundament?" Brandon questioned aghast.
"I did have a weird dream while I was in a coma…" Lyanna admitted, shifting the gazes to her. "I was falling down in some dark area, I got worried because what goes up eventually has to fall back down and I was worried that I could die…then I began seeing the floor and then a weird crow appeared before me telling me to fly…"
"A crow?" Brandon asked surprised.
"Yes!" Lyanna insisted. "The little weasel was driving me mad with his nonsense and then there was some corn and the floor getting closer…"
"That is indeed a weird dream…" Ashara muttered. "Sometimes we don't understand them at all…"
"But that's not the end of it I tell you!" Lyanna continued. "I was already desperate by seeing the ground get closer and the stupid bird kept telling me to fly but I refused and then a bright light engulfed me and the crow hissed something about their blood…The next thing I remembered was being at Winterfell's Godswood and…"
"You met mother?" Brandon questioned abashed, as he found this so similar to that time he met his mother in a dream.
"How did you know?" Lyanna questioned confused.
"I had a dream like that!" Brandon proclaimed. "When I was giving up hope in the Black Cells…"
Ashara turned to Ned then. "Didn't you have a dream like that when we almost died in the Bite? I recall something like that…"
"I did…" So all three of them had a dream with their mother at Winterfell's Godswood? That was very strange…and could not be a coincidence…
"That is so strange…" Lyanna murmured the words he was thinking of.
"Did you have one dream like this too, Ben?" Brandon questioned his youngest sibling who looked at him grimly.
"No…"
"It sounds like more than a coincidence that the three of you had the same dream about your mother…" Ashara concluded. "Something weird is happening."
"But why hasn't Ben dreamt of mother too?" Lyanna questioned.
"I did kill her when I came into the world didn't I?" Ben said. "I doubt she will want to see me…"
"Don't say bullshit like that Ben!" Brandon said in a commanding tone. "Mother loves you, she said so. She loves us all."
"Aye." Ned agreed.
"No contesting on my part, Ben." Lyanna agreed as well. "Mother loves you too."
"Then why didn't I see her?" Their younger brother asked.
"Lyanna was in a coma when she dreamt." Ashara began. "Ned had fainted because of the storms and Brandon said he was losing hope in the Black Cells…perhaps she only shows herself during situations where you guys are in danger?"
Brandon had to admit that Ashara's reasoning had fundament. "It does seem like that…" Ned said while he rubbed his chin. "Ben wasn't in danger so she didn't show herself to him. Yet…"
"I guess you right…" Ben said saddened still. "By the way…since we are speaking about me…I intend on…joining the Watch…"
That caught all of them by surprise. "What do you mean about wishing to join the Watch?" Lyanna quickly asked, taking the words out of Brandon's mind once again.
Little Jon began weeping with the sudden tone rise of his aunt and so his parents had to calm him down. "You guys know it was my intention for a long time…"
"You are still too young to join…" Ned pushed forward as he played with Jon's hands.
"And we need you here!" Lyanna added in a quieter tone lest to make her nephew sad.
"I'm sixteen of age Ned, I'm a man grown now." Ben retorted indignantly. "And I don't think you guys need me that much, Bran is to leave to the south, Ned has Ashara and a son and Lyanna has everyone else."
"Ben, that's not true, I need you too." Lyanna insisted. "We always have been together when Bran and Ned were away being fostered so why should we change that now?"
"It hurts Lya but…it's my decision and my wish." Ben insisted. "There is honor in serving the Night's Watch."
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Ned insisted too. "Once you take your vows, there is no turning back. If you turn back…"
"Worry not brother, I will not have you or Bran behead me with Ice," Benjen said smiling. "If I was to desert, which I will not do, I would find a way to go to Essos."
"I'm sure there is a holdfast we can give you…" Ashara proposed. "You could find yourself a wife and have children…"
"Ashara is right, we can find you a place of your own, brother…" Brandon avowed. "I may sound like a prude fool but a woman's cunt is an experience you will not forget."
"Brandon…" Ned shook his head in disapproval but he ought to suck it up because this prude language was for a good cause.
"I appreciate your concerns and I'm sure I will miss a lot without…you know what…but I made my mind and nothing will change it." Ben concluded. "Father always said that if you can't honor your word then you are unworthy of calling yourself a man."
It seemed there was nothing they could do to change his youngest brother's mind… "You will visit us often, won't you?" A sad Lyanna asked. "Tell me you will."
"As often as Bran will," Ben smiled. "Which I hope it's often…"
"Aye…I was indeed planning something of the sort…" Brandon admitted. "Can't be too far from Winterfell at the end of the day."
"Winterfell calls us home." Ned said wisely as he still played with his son.
"Indeed." Lyanna and Benjen nodded in agreement.
Sharley and Jonelle arrived just as they finished their conversation, Ser Arthur didn't take long either. The Kingsguard joined in to play with his nephew much to everyone's amusement. The baby seemed to warm every spirit except Lyanna's who if he was to guess grieved for her lost son.
As for him, he wasn't too different from his sister…And yet hearing Ned and Ashara go at it during the night did stir something within him that he had buried for the sake of his marriage with Catelyn but now that he had no commitment, he didn't felt compelled to marry, not after everything that he went through…even if Ned told him to not discard that option. Only the future would tell what would happen and for now, he would need to focus on surviving King's Landing and for once do something productive for the realm.
Cersei Lannister I
Casterly Rock, Westerlands, Year 284 AC
Rhaegar had died…
Her perfect Silver Prince that was to be her King as she would be his Queen, had been killed by Robert Baratheon during the Rebellion of Houses Baratheon and Stark against King Aerys' tyranny. A victim of injustice no doubt, the problem had been Mad Aerys, it was the mad fool who cause all the disgrace in the realm, not Rhaegar and yet he also paid the price of his father's actions.
But then again…the rumors went around here and there talking on how he either kidnapped the Stark girl or ran away with her…for love…Cersei had half the will to cut the tongues of those servants for such insolence and nonsense…how could they say that Rhaegar Targaryen ran away with some barbarian bitch when he had a much better prospect right there at the Rock? She was the most beautiful woman in all the Seven Kingdoms with a body to make every other woman jealous. They knew nothing of him at all.
Somedays, after she learned of these dreadful news, she did consider crying but she was a Lannister and Lannisters did not cry no matter how dire the situation was. A lion could not show weaknesses to the sheep, her father always told her and Jaime when they were children…But her father had also told her she would be the next Queen, married to Rhaegar, and look where that got her now…
She still remembered the day she first saw the gorgeous Prince…how people cheered for the blood of Old Valyria dressed in black plate armor, long streamers of red, gold, and orange silk floating from his helmet as if it was fire…Rhaegar had defeated both her uncle Tygett and uncle Gerion, who were renowned warriors, in the jousts and even Ser Barristan the Bold fell to him. Only the Sword of the Morning prevailed against the Prince of Dragonstone in that tourney…it was no wonder that the smallfolk cheered him louder than the King or Lord Tywin, her father.
And at night when he played his harp…she wept at his marvelous song…the Prince had so much sadness in him…in those sad purple eyes that drowned her and attracted her…he was so beautiful…even Jaime was nothing compared to him and that was saying a lot.
Aunt Genna, who took the role that her mother left behind thanks to that spiteful creature the Gods condemned Cersei to call brother, assured they would get married but she had to look especially beautiful through the tourney, the most gorgeous of all the maids…Cersei had been so full pride and joy…becoming the Queen of such charming Prince was a dream to every girl…but it was not to be…
Both aunt Genna and Lord Tywin promised her a better man than Rhaegar but such man did not exist…Now she did wonder if them liars would find this so much better man…
"Cersei," Melara called as she entered her room. "Your Lord Father and uncles arrived just now with the army. He demands your presence in his study immediately."
Melara Hetherspoon…with her long waving coal-black hair and hazel eyes, a decently shaped figure with decently shaped curves, pretty face but full of freckles below her eyes…She was the closest thing Cersei had for a friend…her and Jeyne but mostly Melara because she had wits in her but knew her place.
Cersei still remembered that day where both her companions tried to make her visit that old hag witch at Lannisport to see her future…the lioness refuted them because she already knew of her future, she was to be the Queen. Even when Melara and Jeyne provoked her by claiming she was afraid and thus a chicken, she refused. And didn't she laugh for hours when she learned the two brave girls came running back home shrieking after seeing the eyes of Maggy the Fog…From that day onwards never have they called her a chicken again because chickens do learn to respect their superiors.
But sometimes Cersei did wonder what would have happened if she did go to meet the old witch and asked about her future? Could all this grief have been avoided? Could her mind be at the ease? Now it was not a time to think on routes not taken especially when the Maggy the Fog disappeared not long afterward. "I shall not leave him waiting for long." Cersei proclaimed as she stood for the chair that allowed her to overlook the Sunset Sea in the far distance. "Anything else I should know?"
"From what I gathered, Prince Rhaegar's son was made King and a Regency Council installed in his name." A Regency Council? Interesting…I do wonder what father is planning to do with this…
"Find Jeyne." The blonde commanded. "I shall take a stroll in Lannisport afterward and see the sea."
"Of course." Melara nodded. "Shall I arrange fresh smallclothes?"
It was quite normal for the three of them to take off their gowns had swim on a private beach if the heat was strong, therefore leaving them in need of dry smallclothes after they were done. Nevertheless, she didn't feel like swimming that day. "No. Wetting our feet should suffice." Cersei said while exiting the room.
"Ok."
Cersei strode in the halls adorned with crimson and golden tapestries of which many originally came from the Free Cities and arrived at the Great Hall not even five minutes elapsed. She knocked on the door and waited for a while…with her father, it was always necessary to wait even for the simplest thing. A minute later and her uncles Tygett and Gerion exited the room and she curtsied a smile as she was supposed to. "Ah, my most beautiful niece!" Her younger uncle proclaimed with a wild grin. He was a funny one, unlike the rest of the male brood of late Lord Tytos Lannister and she did enjoy his japes at times plus he reminded her of Jaime a little bit.
"Uncles." she nodded. "I trust the journey was enjoyable?"
"As it could go." Her uncle Tygett replied grimly. Tygett was always angry at everything. He hated to be the shadow of her Lord Father but he was failing to see that he could not cast a larger shadow than her father's. "Your father is waiting."
"Best not make him wait," Cersei concluded as she made way inside. "Forgive me."
Her uncles closed the door behind her once she was already inside. Her father was still dressed in his deep crimson armor polished with gold dust to make it shine a tone of red which her uncle Gerion called Lannister red or Tywin's red. Dozens of golden lions adorned the entire thing and the great helm which was by his side had a roaring lion with ruby eyes to scare the dimwits. "Cersei." Her father acknowledge from his Lord's chair carved in weirwood and emblazoned with gold and other precious stones just like the desk and the two chairs in front of him. "Take a seat."
For once it seemed like Cersei would have to wait little to speak with her father…She pulled her dressed and sat on the chair on the right. "Was the trip enjoyable father?" she asked because it was expected of her but if she was to confess…she was a bit curious with it all…
Her father glanced her for a little bit before returning his gaze to some papers he found himself reading. "It could have gone better but I'm not entirely disappointed."
"They speak Rhaegar's son was made King and a Regency Council rules in his name…" Cersei pressed forward to see what she would be deemed to know. Judging by her previous experiences it would not be much, she, after all, had a big pair of tits and not a cock between her legs so…less information for her…
"You heard right." Her father assured. "I was considering an outcome like this from the many possibilities but I must confess that I was not expecting that the King's mother, Elia of Dorne would be the one to put it forward." Likely the feeble Princess wanted to save her head and her children's…weaklings do it often... "I have managed to secure quite a lot of concessions from this…your uncle Kevan was made Master of Coin meaning that indirectly we control the Crown's finances. Pycelle unknowingly to many is a Lantell by birth and his allegiance is to us, therefore we have two members in the Small Council which ensures that we mostly control it."
As expected from her father…controlling the affairs of the realm was quite an easy task for him…Cersei always wanted to prove herself to him, how she was the smartest of his brood and how she was the heir he always wanted but the Gods cursed her and blessed her with a woman's body. "I'm certainly glad to hear this father." she avowed. "Our family shall prevail no matter what."
Her father seemed to gaze her as if he was entering her mind somehow…had she said something she shouldn't? She certainly was not lying in her convictions but was he expecting something else? "There is also a Council of Advisors to make sure every Kingdom has two representatives in this Regency, to promote equality. I have secured one such position to myself."
"So we have three representatives." Cersei declared, smiling with the knowledge. To be honest she was quite amazed at how fast her father had gained such advantages.
"Correct." Her father nodded. "But this position of Advisor has few powers so it doesn't do much besides granting us a third representative. However, it does allow me to nominate a representative to take my place in a meeting and I have decided that you shall represent me in the extraordinary meetings."
Was she hearing it right? Her father had found it in himself to give her a position of power? To prove her worth to him? "Father I'm not sure if I have what it takes…" she said humbly, but deep down she was screaming with joy.
"I can safely say that you have what it takes." Her father insisted. "You will not only represent me and the Westerlands but you will also have a secret agenda to fulfill."
A secret agenda for me to fulfill? "Could you please elaborate father?" she begged.
"Certainly." Her father agreed as stood up. "The Queen and Princess Elia have just two ladies-in-waiting. Lady Dayne has married the middle Stark lad from what I heard and thus she was likely relieved of her position and Lady Yronwood is if the information I have is trustworthy, close to marrying as well. Therefore it is likely that they will need new ladies to attend them especially when the Queen is heavy with child. Previously the number of ladies was fixed at five for reasons I do not feel like explaining to you right now but given the entire please everyone mentality they have, it's safe to assume that they will have more than five and you must be one of them."
"Why?" Was all she could think.
"By becoming a lady-in-waiting you will be part of both the Queen and Princess' inner circle. This will not allow you to get precious information but also to get closer to the King." Lord Tywin elaborated but she was unsure why he wanted her to be close to the King. "And by getting close to him, you can seduce him with your beauty and make him fall in love with you so once he gets the lust of men, he will beg you to be his Queen."
Cersei always dreamt of being the Queen but Rhaegar's Queen, not his son's. Not a babe… "Father what about the age difference? The King is naught but a babe."
"Viserys the Second was married at twelve and had a son at thirteen." Her father retorted. "A precedent was opened therefore a spoilt can be achieved."
"By the time he can find pleasure in women I will be close to my thirties. Am I expected to remain…a maiden for that long?" Truth be told she had long last her maidenhead but other people did not need to know least of all her father because who knows what happened if such information reached his ears… "What will other people say of that?"
"A lion does not concern himself with the opinion of the sheep." Lord Tywin proclaimed. "Elia's babe is just an option. Another option would be for you to seduce Prince Viserys and then marry him. We would then find a way to get rid of his nephew so Viserys would be crowned. Yet another option would be Lord Stannis Baratheon who inherited Robert Baratheon's claim to the Iron Throne, thanks to their Targaryen blood and thanks to Robert being acclaimed by the Rebels before the Trident. We have three options to choose from. Ideally, the current King would be the best option but keep your options open with the other two."
Is this what her life was going to be like? Seduce children so she can become Queen? Or rather seduce the brother of the man who killed her beloved Rhaegar and destroyed all of her possible happiness? But in the end what choice did she have? For as much as she hated, she was still a pawn of her father… "I understand…" she said in a quiet tone.
"I understand that this is not the outcome I promised you but this allows you enough time to fulfill what is needed of you and shape one of the boys into your liking." Shape a boy…as if she was their mother...by the looks of it, she would need to breastfeed them too but not when they were babes but boys whose tiny royal pricks were bigger than her pinky finger and in need of pleasure…somehow it felt disgusting to her.
"I will do my best father," Cersei assured almost wishing to puke. "May I leave? Melara and Jeyne are waiting for me as told I wished to go to the beaches."
"Yes, you may." Her father allowed and she stood from her chair and made way to the door. "And Cersei." As her name was called she turned back and saw her father's intimidating gaze. "The family is counting on you, do not fail us."
"I shall not, father." she bowed, full of anger and disappointment inside her but she dared not show it. The only good thing about all this was that she would see Jaime again and so she would be satiated for a very long time. To be honest, she missed her brother inside of her, worshipping her as if she was a goddess…
Melara and Jeyne were waiting for her at the door, sunshades at hand. "Cersei we are ready to go." Fat Jeyne Farman said with a joyful smile hoping to warm her spirit...Jeyne was not fat but neither was she in perfect shape like Cersei or even Melara. She was comely enough with her flaxen hair and blue eyes but sometimes Cersei found her so annoying that she wished to ripe that smile out of her with the help of her nails.
Today was one of those days… "Be quiet Jeyne or I shall close those fat lips of yours with stitches!" Cersei warned angrily. "Let's go. Perhaps the sea's breeze will soothe my head." Jeyne almost sobbed but Melara managed to prevent the Rock from suffering floods by soothing the big walking lemon. "Also, we are to leave to King's Landing soon so you two better get everything ready for our departure." I will be damned if I have to share this burden and suffering alone. Both of her companions nodded and followed her quietly until she addressed them later, after she relieved her troubled head.
As always thank you for the reviews:
HyperboreanRealist: Every side has fundament in their actions no matter how evil they are. Well, most humans at least...I can say that the Greyjoy Rebellion will be different from the canon in many aspects but keep the essence of it nonetheless.
miguelgiuliano: It's not that the Ironborn are useless, they simply don't understand that any rebellion on their part will not be successful when the realm is at peace and the armies at full might, they simply can't cope with the numbers and once their navy is neutralized they are done for. I'm sure there was a reason why the Starks never rebuilt their navy besides honoring one of them's decision, but don't worry, the current and next generation of Starks will be changing things around...
I don't think they need anyone to ignite the flames of youth but I will see what happens...I will confess that despite loving Greek Mythology, I never read Percy Jackson and I just saw the first movie, I know a little of Percy and Annabeth's traits but I'm not sure. I do have some plans for Stannis' children, however.
mlkoolc86: No, the Greyjoy Rebellion will happen in five years as Balon stated to his men, meaning 289 AC, like in canon but I'm glad you are excited nonetheless.
Radomir's Renegades: The problem with the Ironborn is that they don't have the resources to face the Seven Kingdoms while no major is occurring, they were successful in the books because of the War of the Five Kings which had the entire continent at war and resources were spread. The same thing happened during the Dance but if they lose at sea, they are done for.
Guest: While your theory may be valid in canon, it won't be here because Ned never married Catelyn.
So starting up Part 2 properly. These earlier chapters will be showcasing some new POVs and what the players are up to starting up with everyone's favorite lions. Finally a POV from the lioness herself, I hope she is in character but also a bit OOC since she is young and not plagued by prophecies?
Also, the Starks are beginning to dive into the mystery of their dreams but will they find the answers they seek?
I also intend to publish the Charter of the Regency and the Charter of the Rebellion which are some directives like the Magna Carta but I'm not too sure if I will publish them in the Appendix or in a separate Chapter.
Thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day and stays safe.