Chapter Eleven
"Ned Stark is becoming a problem." Jasper glanced up from his letters at her, amused, and Kailyah scowled at her brother.
"We seem to be having a lot of those, lately."
"He's looking into Jon Arryn's death, he's looking for Fathers bastards!"
"So what? We had nothing to do with that. Maybe he'll find evidence to toss Baelish in the dungeons, the rat bastard…" Jasper trailed off, grumbling to himself, still sore that he couldn't punish the man responsible for his mentor's death.
"Ned trusts him, at least more than he trusts us."
"He likes us! Me, at least. And he's fond of you, he says you are kind to his children, and-"
"There's a difference between liking someone and trusting them. He just met us, and he hates Lannisters, or just about anyone from the South! Baelish has a history with his wife. Littlefinger or Varys will try to convince him we did, if Lord Stark believes him like he did before-" Jasper interrupted her pacing, pulling her into his arms and wrapping his around her so she couldn't move.
"Breath, Kailee." He ordered, feeling her shaking slightly. Nothing rattled her like being out of control, and it was made far worse when whatever it was she couldn't control threatened her loved ones. She'd gotten more and more tense as Ned had started poking around (rather unsubtly), and several of her people had reported seeing him frequently in Baelish's company. "He's only been here for a month, Kai. What can he do to hurt us, hm?" He asked, rocking her slightly.
"He's going to start a war, Jas."
"Even if he does." Jasper pulled back to meet her eyes. "This time we will come out on top. We will not make the same mistakes as last time. You won't let us."
"I'll kill him." She pulled back enough to meet his eyes, emerald green warring with stormy blue. "If he acts a fool and gets one of you hurt, I'll kill him myself."
"I won't let him. I swear it." Jasper kissed the top of her head, pulling back slightly to examine her, his hand raising to cup her cheek, thumb gently pressing to the dark circles under her eyes, mostly hidden under powder. "You need to sleep, Kailee."
"I can't." His twin confessed, eyes closing for a moment. "Nightmares."
"About?"
"Failing." Every night brought more as Maya brought her reports of Ned Stark carelessly looking for answers, finding time to seek out each of Robert's bastards despite every distraction Kailyah threw in his way. "What if this is all for nothing? What if-"
"Don't, Kai. You'll drive yourself insane thinking of every 'what if.'"
"Grandfather says-"
"Grandfather is not the best role model. You already have a plan if Ned finds the truth, and I'm certain you have half a hundred more you haven't told me. You need to rest."
"I can't. My mind- it won't stop. It never stops."
"Here." Jasper pulled away, walking over to a chest on a small table next to his bed, opening the top and pulling out a vial. He poured his sister a glass of wine and carefully added three drops, before handing it to her. "It'll help you sleep."
"I can't, Jas, I have to meet Mother and her ladies for tea, and then we have embroidery, and Sansa-"
"Not today. I'll make excuses for you, and if something happens, I'll wake you. Sleep." Kailyah hesitated, but drank obediently, and Jasper led her across the hall and back to her room, ushering her into bed before walking around, pulling the curtain over every window and blowing out her candles. Eventually he made his way back to her, sitting next to her on the bed and running his fingers through her hair, reading aloud from a journal he'd found on her desk. Not long after, Kailyah slipped into a dreamless sleep.
TLR
"Seven help me." Kailyah groaned, rubbing her eyes tiredly as the door closed behind her, muffling the sound of Tommen, her normally sweet tempered brother, screaming at his Sepas to leave him alone, sounding remarkably like Joffrey, if not for how near tears he was.
"That was interesting." Jaime chuckled, and Kailyah glared half heartedly at her Uncle.
"Interesting? Tommen hasn't had a tantrum like that since he was three!"
"Well, you know why, don't you?"
"I know, I know, but I promised Bran I'd help him practice his archery, and then Jasper and I are meeting Lord Stark for lunch- I told him I'd come play with him and the kittens later."
"Well, most nine year olds aren't known for being reasonable."
"Tommen is!"
"Tommen is jealous."
"Of what?" Kailyah turned to face her Uncle, frustrated. ""He adores Bran!"
"You've never denied your siblings your attention before Kailee, in fact you've rearranged important events simply to please them. They aren't happy the Stark children are your priority now."
"They aren't!"
"Then why spend so much time on them?" Kai looked away, biting her lip, and Jaime gently turned her back to him. "I know you, Kailyah. You've always cared about politics, you've always been good at politics, but I've never seen you put in this much effort for anybody. Tell me why. What's troubling you?"
"...Nothing."
"Kailyah."
"It's just… Lord Stark is the only person in Westeros that Father will listen to, he's the only one that Father actually cares about! Stark needs to like us, he needs to back Jasper, he needs to be loyal or…" Kailyah trailed off, and Jaime stepped forward, lifting her chin with his finger so that she'd meet his eye.
"Do you truly think I'd ever let him hurt you? Him, or anyone else?"
"You may not be able to stop him, Uncle Jaime. Not without consequences."
"I don't care, little lion. I'd fall on my sword if I thought it'd save you. Stark won't touch you, not now, not ever." Kailyah hesitated for a moment, before stepping forward abruptly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Jaime held her as if she was a child once more, and kissed the crown of her hair. "I know you're planning something, Kailyah."
"Please don't make me lie to you."
"I won't ask you to tell me what it is. I trust you. And I will back you, regardless of what happens, now and always."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
TLR
"Arya." Kailyah caught the frantic girl's shoulders, eyebrows furrowing when the girl stumbled away from her, eyes wide with fear. "What are you doing down here?"
"What are you?" Arya shot back, keeping her distance.
"I live here, dear. I discovered these tunnels when I was your age, it's my favorite place to get away. Almost no one knows about them, how'd you find it?" Arya hesitated.
"I was chasing cats."
"Ah, another one of Syrios lessons." She smiled at the little girl and Arya returned it shyly. "Is everything alright? You looked afraid."
"I- I saw someone. Two men, they were talking- they were saying there would be war, between the lions and the wolves." Arya stuttered nervously. Kailyah frowned.
"Did you recognise these men?"
"No. One's voice sounded familiar, but he wore a cloak. I didn't recognise the other. He said something about- Khal Drogo?" The little girl wrung her hands, clearly shaken.
"Hm. Thank you for telling me, Arya." Kailyah knelt, resting a hand on Arya's shoulder and giving her a reassuring smile. "Listen, I don't want you to worry. There will be no war between the Starks and the Lannisters, Grandfather has no reason to oppose your father, and my father will never allow it."
"I think they meant your mother- the Queen."
"Any issues our families may have will be talked through peacefully. My brother has no desire for war, especially with our allies. Alright?" Arya nodded hesitantly, biting her lip.
"Can I… Can I tell my Father?"
"Of course, Arya, I'd never ask you to keep secrets from him. You never need to ask." Aryas shoulders relaxed, and she smiled up at Kailyah, letting the eldest Princess wrap her arms around Arya's shoulders.
"Let's get you out of here. If you want, I can show you the dragon skeletons."
"Really?"
"Really. I think Balerion's skeleton is here somewhere…"
TLR
"More lessons?" Tommen whined, wrinkling his nose slightly.
"There's always more to learn, littlest lion." Kailyah teased reaching across the table and gently bopping him on the nose.
"Easy for you to say." The nine year old grumbled, glaring at Marcella when she laughed. "You don't have to do it."
"I do, actually." Tommen's head snapped up immediately, and Kailyah smiled. "I'm quite curious about the subject, if you're going to learn, I might as well join you."
"Really? For all of them?"
"Not quite, but I'll be there from your trade lessons and Naval Militia strategy. Jasper will join you for your sailing and navigation lessons."
"That's not fair!" Marcella jumped in. "I want to sail too!"
"You are welcome to join us, 'Cella. But if you take Sailing, you also have to attend Navigation lessons as well. You can't sail if you can't find your way home."
"Won't you come with us, Kailee?" Tommen asked.
"I wish I could, my love. I've been kept busy lately, I won't have the time unless I quit another class, and Mother still won't let me drop my harp lessons."
"Not that rant again." Jasper laughed, walking into the dining room with their Mother on his arm, pulling out her chair for her before taking his own seat.
"You play beautifully, Kailyah, it would be a shame for you to quit."
"There are more important things I could be doing, Mother-"
"There is nothing wrong with slowing down from time to time, my love."
"I do that in embroidery!"
"Please, darling, I know you. You play politics with all those little ladies of yours during embroidery."'
"But Mother-
"No buts. I can't seem to stop you from running around Kings Landing, but I can guarantee there is an hour, every other day, where my eldest is safe and calm, playing her music and worrying about nothing else. I will not budge on that." Cersei gave her a stern look, and Kailyah reluctantly backed down as her siblings laughed at her, and Cersei relaxed, turning her attention towards her youngest.
"Joffery will also join you and Kailyah for your Trade lessons, per your Grandfather's request. And he and Jasper will add more Naval strategies to their Militia classes they're already attending."
"More lessons." Jasper groaned, dropping his head onto her folded arms., sounding remarkably like Tommen.
"You like reading, Jas!" Marcella tried to encourage, reaching over to pat his golden curls.
"But I don't like being told what to read!'
"Not this rant again." Kailyah mocked, and Jasper scowled at her.
"Children, please." Cersei's sigh went unheard as her twins started to argue, though she hid a smile behind her wine glass as Jasper tried to mimic Kailyahs voice quoting her never ending attempts to quit her harp lessons. Kailyah retaliated by tossing a bread roll at his head, and Cersei's peaceful evening dissolved into chaos.
TLR
"That is enough, boys. We are done with the dance today." Syrios accented voice called, and Kailyah nearly dropped from sheer relief. Arya had no such reservations and quickly flopped to the floor, flipping onto her back with her limbs spread wide.
"Thank the gods." Kailyah muttered under her breath, though clearly not quiet enough.
"There is only one god, boy. The god of death."
"I may meet them soon. This heat."
"I thought you were used to the heat here Kailee. You were teasing Bran about it just yesterday."
"I'm not used to fighting in this heat in a gown. Had I known I'd get pulled into a lesson, I'd have dressed for the occasion."
"Your enemy's will not wait for you to be ready to fight, boy. You fight as you are, or you will be a dead boy." Kailyah huffed, but didn't argue with his logic. She truly hadn't meant to get pulled into a lesson when she'd sought out Arya's sword master, but Syrio hadn't given her much of a choice. He'd tossed her a training sword upon her entrance and turned Arya her way. He'd drilled them for well over an hour, sicking them on each other before ordering them to work together to strike him. Neither had managed to land a hit, though Arya had raved that this was the closest she'd come since they began. Kailyah lingered for a bit, chatting with Arya before sending her off to clean up before her embroidery lesson, promising to see her there. The little girl finally left, and Kailyah turned her attention towards Syrio, who was watching her expectantly.
"Why did you seek me out, boy?"
"What do you know about the Lord of Light?" The water dancer showed no reaction beyond the slightest tightening of his shoulders, so subtle she barely caught it.
"Why do you ask?"
"My dear aunt Selyse has found religion, it seems. She has befriended a Red Priestess, and is apparently trying to convert my Uncle Stannis to her new church."
"The Red temple is a friend of no one. If a boy does not wish to meet the God of Death, he should avoid the followers of R'hllor at all costs."
"They say they have magic-"
"I will not feed your curiosity, boy. It will get you killed."
"If you don't tell me I will ask someone else. I won't stop."
"Why?"
"The Red Priestess is with my Uncle, and my cousin. She is only nine. I need to make sure they are safe." Syrio stared her down, but Kailyah tilted her chin up, meeting his eyes stubbornly.
"The Priestess you speak of follows the faith of R'hllor. They speak often of prophecies, but they do possess a dark magic."
"Is there any way to protect yourself from their magic?"
"Do you plan on making an enemy of the Red Priests, boy?
"No. But they're coming to Westeros, to a member of the royal family, and I don't think that is a coincidence. I don't know what they want, and I don't like the idea of being defenseless against them."
"Hm." Syrio stared at her for several moments, and Kailyah held his gaze. "The followers of R'hllor acknowledge two gods, R'hllor, the Lord of Light, and The Great Other, the Lord of Darkness. The followers of the Great Other are shunned and feared by the Red Priests. I have heard they have found some shield from the Red Temples magic."
"And where are they located?"
"Planning a trip?" Kailyah just smiled demurely, and Syrio sighed. "Essos."
"More specifically, please?"
"Asshai. On the border of the ShadowLands."
"What's in Asshai?" A voice drawled, and Kailyah glanced up as her Uncle walked in, arching an eyebrow at her.
"Nothing, Uncle Jaime." Kailyah promised, and Jaime narrowed his eyes at her, suspicious already. "Thank you for indulging my curiosity, and for the lesson Syrio. I'll leave you to the rest of your day." Kailyah bowed her head at the Braavosi man, who simply hummed, watching her curiously, and turned to leave, Jaime falling into step behind her.
"So." He started after a few minutes, pulling Kailyah's attention from her plans. "You skipped your harp lessons."
"Don't tell Mother!"
TLR
"Kailyah." Kailyah glanced up from where she sat across from Tommen, playing with him and Ser Pounce while Marcella stood behind her, braiding her hair. "Small council meeting."
"Will the vultures ever leave us alone?" Kailyah sighed dramatically, scratching the kitten behind her ears as Marcella and Tommen giggled.
"Father called it." Kailyah paused at that, turning to meet her brother's eyes.
"Very well then." Kailyah sighed, rising to her feet and brushing off her turquoise and gold skirt.
"Do you have to go?" Marcella pouted up at her.
"Just for a bit, my lovelies." She bid them goodbye before joining her brother as he led her toward the Small Council room. "Any idea what this is about?" She asked, starting to undo Marcella's lopsided braids, wincing when her fingers got tangled.
"You don't know?"
"I saw eight years, Jas, I don't remember every single meeting." Kailyah huffed at him, letting her hair fall in loose waves around her as she took her brother's arm, just before they entered the chambers. "My lords." Kailyah greeted as Jasper pulled out a chair for her. "Father."
"Father." Jasper nodded at the King as well, taking his own seat. The King waved them off, clutching a flagon of ale in hand.
"Sit down already." The King grumbled. "Where's Ned!" He roared.
"I'm here." Kailyah took a sip of wine Jasper offered her, watching Lord Stark walk briskly towards the table. Lord Varys quickly explained the situation, one of his spies, stationed with the Dothraki, had reported that Daenerys Targaryan was pregnant. Jasper met her eyes as her Father roared his fury, demanding dragon blood as Ned argued with him.
"The whore is pregnant."
"Youre talking about murdering a child."
"I warned you this would happen, back in the North. I warned you, but you didn't care to hear it. Well, hear it now. I want them dead, mother and child, both. And that fool, Viserys as well, is that plain enough for you? I want them both dead."
"I thought you were done killing children, Father." Jasper snarked, not flinching when his Father whipped around to glare at him.
"Quiet, boy! You don't know-"
"Yes, we know Father. No dragons shall live while you are King, we've heard it before." Kailyah drawled, meeting her Fathers furious blue eyes.
"You'll dishonor yourself forever if you do this." Ned cut in, glaring at his old friend.
"Honor? I've got seven kingdoms to rule! One King, seven Kingdoms!" Kailyah rolled her eyes, refilling her goblet as Robert roared at his friend. "Do you think honor keeps them in line? Do you think it's honor that's keeping the peace? It's fear! Fear and blood!"
"Then we're no better than the Mad King!"
"Careful, Ned, careful!" Roberts face was flushed red with fury, eyes blazing and bloodshot.
"You want to assassinate the girl, because the Spider heard a rumor?"
"It's no rumor my lord, the Princess is with child."
"Based on who's information?"
"Ser Jorah Mormont. He is serving as adviser to the Targaryens."
"Ser Mormont. You bring us whispers of a traitor, half a world away, and call it fact." Ned scoffed at the spider.
"Jorah Mormont is a slaver, not a traitor. Small difference." Littlefinger cut in.
"Does it matter?" Kailyah snapped, silencing all of them. "Slaver or Traitor, pregnant or not, the Targaryen's no longer have a claim to the throne. The reign of the Dragons ended when the Mad King died, and the Dothraki are too scared of water their horses can't drink to cross the sea. And even if they do, our armies outnumber them twenty to one. Unless the Targaryens have found a hoard of dragon eggs, I see no reason for a pregnant girl half a world away to concern us."
"Quiet girl."
"She's right, Robert." Ned snapped.
"Do nothing! That's your wise advice, no nothing until our enemies are on our shores?" The king took a swig of ale before turning and glaring at the rest of them. "You're my council, council! Speak sense to this honorable fool!" He demanded.
"I understand your misgivings, my lord, truely, I do. It is a terrible thing we must consider, a vile thing. Yet we who presume to rule, must sometimes do vile things for the good of the realm." Lord Varys tried to sooth, the other lords nodding in agreement. "Should the gods grant Daenerys a son, the realm will bleed."
"I bear the girl no ill will, but should the Dothraki invade, how many innocents will die, how many towns will burn? Is it not wiser, kinder even, that she should die now, so that tens of thousands might live." Pycelle agreed.
"I hate it too, Ned, I really do." Jasper agreed, trying to sooth the man he'd befriended in the past month. "But we have seven kingdoms depending on us. We are responsible for every one of their lives. When it comes down to one life against all the people they will hurt if the Dothraki make it to our shores, I have to put my people first."
"And if we fail, what then? What if Khal Drogo takes offense to us trying to murder his wife and child, and turns his rage back towards us." Kailyah argued, still unsure where she stood on this. When the Raven had shown her the events of the future, she'd been more concerned about what was happening in her home than she was in anything half a world away. It wasn't until Daenyres had gotten her dragons that she'd truly started to pay attention. She knew Daenyres had survived her Fathers attempt on her life, but she wasn't sure if this attempt was what had turned her attention towards conquering Westeros, or if it had already been her intention.
Then again, if they succeeded, Kailyah wouldn't have to worry over Daenerys raising her dragons and burning King's Landing to the ground. They'd gotten close before, and if it wasn't for Jorah Mormont, they would have succeeded. Who's to say if they;d continued sending assassins after her Fathers death they wouldn't have succeeded?
"Then we send another, and one for Viserys as well. Whether she has a boy or not, Viserys will try to lead the Dothraki to Westeros to reclaim his Fathers crown. I'd rather not have a war if we can avoid it. The lives of four people against the lives of thousands. It's a horrible decision, but an easy one." Jasper met her eyes and she tipped her glass towards him, just slightly conceding his point before Renly jumped in.
"We should have had them both killed years ago."
"When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, you'd best close your eyes, get it over with." Baelish drawled, making Kailyah roll her eyes. "Cut her throat. Be done with it." Ned stared at them, stunned, before making his way toward where Robert sat.
"I followed you into war. Twice. Without doubts, without second thought. But I will not follow you now. The Robert I grew up with didn't tremble at the shadow of an unborn child."
"She dies." Robert hissed, furious.
"I will have no part in it."
"You're the King's Hand, Lord Stark. You will do as I command, or I'll find me a Hand who will." Ned simply nodded, stood tall, and removed his badge, tossing it onto the table in front of Robert.
"And good luck to him. I thought you were a better man." Robert leapt to his feet.
"Out, Out! I'm done with you, damn you! Go! Run back to Winterfell!" He screamed as Ned turned and walked away. Kailyah slipped out, unnoticed by anyone but her brother as she left the room, her Fathers shouting faded behind her.
"Lord Stark." Ned jumped, whipping around to face her and glancing back at where he came from.
"How did you-?"
"I've lived here my entire life, Ned. I know the castle like the back of my hand."
"I see." Ned rubbed the back of his head, glancing towards his rooms, and Kailyah started walking in that direction, letting him follow.
"So, you're leaving for Winterfell?"
"I will not plot the murder of a girl my daughter's age and her unborn child."
"Nor will I, Lord Stark, that is why I left." She lied smoothly. They walked in silence for a moment and Kailyah sighed. "I told Robb once that Kings Landing was a snake pit. I meant it. This place, it changes people. I'm sorry that it changed your friend."
"He was my brother. I barely recognise him now." Ned said, a bit of grief slipping into his voice.
"You are too good for this place, Ned. Too honorable."
"You seem to be as well."
"I'm not." Kailyah said honestly, with a rueful smile. "My brother is, though. Perhaps it will become better, someday, under his reign."
"Aye, I expect it will." He glanced at the Iron Throne.
"Please don't misjudge him for that. As awful as it is, he does have to put his Kingdom first, and unless they find a better solution-"
"They didn't even try! Their first thought, on the word of a traitor, was to murder a sixteen year old! How can he do that when he has a daughter-" He cut himself off, glancing down at her apologetically.
"My Father doesn't care about anything but his whores and drinks, my lord. He doesn't even care about his kingdom, he just wants an excuse to spill dragon blood again." Kailyah shook her head, before smiling up at the Warden of the North. "Safe journeys, Ned, may we meet again under better terms."
TLR
Kailyah,
Rickon is unhurt, he slept through most of the attack, thank the gods. I have passed on your well wishes to him, and he asks that you come North to play with him again. The tourney did sound interesting, though I hope the Knight of flowers didn't take your heart when he gave you the crown, as he took Sansa's. Bran did tell me of his victory with Lancel, he is a clever boy. He wrote me nearly three pages about squireing to the prince, rivaling Aryas rants about her new sword master. I might have to warn my Father that she may run away with him. Lord Tyrion made it safely through Winterfell, though I hear he had some trouble on the road farther south. Last anyone heard he is well, and on his way to the capitol. I hope he arrives safely, I'm afraid we made him feel unwelcome when he arrived in Winterfell. Things are still rather tense here, Mother is barely letting Rickon out of her sight, and I have increased guard rotations throughout the castle. I've been kept busy, but I have been told I'm managing well. How are things in King's Landing? I hope your siblings and mine are doing well.
~Robb Stark
TLR
Robb,
I don't blame you for being upset, I am glad Rickon is well, tell him I hope to come to Winterfell again soon. As for Loras, you have nothing to worry over. Loras and I are friends, nothing more. We have pretended to court when we were young, it kept his father off his back about finding a wife, and as my father will never allow a betrothal, we never saw the harm in it. My Father hates the Tyrells for their attack on Storms End during the Rebellion. Loras has no intention to marry, ever, he wants to join the Kingsguard someday, under my brother. He's just stalling until there is an opening. Arya may well run off with her sword master, she absolutely adores him. I've been pulled into a few lessons along with her, Syrio is very impressive. We heard of Tyrion's trouble as well, in his last letter to Jasper, he said he was attacked by bandits. A sellsword saved his life, and Tyrion hired him to escort him to King's Landing. Things are tense here as well, I'm afraid my Father and yours got in a fight. Lord Stark says he is returning to Winterfell, with his children, though I'm sure Father will try to convince him to stay. Hopefully things improve soon. Tell me more of what you've been doing in Winterfell, I imagine running a household there is far different than it is in the South.
~Kailee Baratheon
TLR
"Lord Stark should have left for Winterfell by now." Jasper said, watching Lord Stark storm into the Tower of the hand with Baelish by his side.
"Lord Baelish's work, no doubt." Kailyah sighed, not looking up from the letter she was writing.
"You're surprisingly calm about this." Jasper turned from her window, arching an eyebrow at her.
"I knew it wasn't going to be that easy, the gods aren't so kind." Kailyah shrugged without her usual grace, unconcerned about her appearance with only her twin close by. She poured wax over the letter and pressed her seal to it before starting another to Margery.
"You'd think they'd be kinder, considering they asked a little girl to stop a war."
"I am not so little any more Jas."
"Really, you seem pretty little to me." Jasper grinned, puffing up to his full height, losing his usual slouch he had when he was with family. A moment letter, a little inkwell, sealed thankfully, hit the side of his head. "Ow!" He groaned, rubbing the sore spot. He turned his pout to his sister, who arched an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "You shouldn't throw things at me, I'm the crown prince." He huffed, petulantly.
"That's never worked on me before, it's not going to start now." Kailyah smirked, turning back to writing. "Next time it'll be a book!"
"You can't throw books!" Jasper gasped, horrified, reaching over and lovingly running his fingers over the spines of a few she had on her bedside table. "Throw something less important!"
"You're completely right Jas, I'll throw the emerald and gold tiara Mother gave me instead."
"Or we could just not throw things." Jasper shrugged.
"Where's the fun in that?" Kailyah grinned before she was hit upside the head with a pillow. She very delicately placed her quill down and removed her dangling necklace before turning to tackle her laughing brother. For a moment, Ned Stark was forgotten as the prince and princess battled.
TLR
"You will never believe what he did now." Jasper burst into her rooms, eyes wild.
"Seven hells, Jasper!" Kailyah breathed, holding a hand to her chest and replacing her dagger that she had drawn.
"He sent a hundred men to the Mountain's keep, he stripped Gregor of his lands, his titles. Ned commanded that he come to face justice per the King!"
"What? Why?"
"Gregor and his men have apparently been burning the riverlands, killing and raping as he goes! A survivor came to court today to tell his story. Lord Stark called Grandfather to court to answer for his bannermans crimes or be branded a traitor to the crown."
"You're joking." Jasper shook his head frantically. "Seven hells, that man has no head for politics." Kailyah groaned. The King had managed to convince his friend to be his Hand again, just before abandoning his kingdom for a hunt, leaving Ned to sit on the throne in his place.
Before he'd left, Kailyah had pulled her brother aside, gently informing him that this would be their Fathers last hunt, and if Jasper wished to be with him before the end, now was the time. Jasper had just shook his head, tiredly telling his twin that he had no love left for their drunkard of a Father. He had, however, arranged a private dinner the night before, with their siblings and the Starks. Their Mother had abstained from coming, and that, as well as Lord Stark agreeing to stay, had left their Father in a good mood. He'd spent the night telling the children stories of their childhood, their adventures in the Vale, and their favorite battles. The Starks were enthralled at the stories of their Father as a young warrior, and Kailyah's siblings were basking in the glow of their Fathers rare attention. It was more than he'd given them in the entirety of their lives, and Kailyah hoped it'd leave them with at least one good memory of the man.
"The mountain is a rabid dog, but making an enemy out of the man you owe two million dragons to is not a wise move. He's picking a fight with Grandfather."
"Did this happen before?"
"Yes, but I didn't think he would do it with the way things are now! The Starks and Lannisters were at war then, why would he do that when there is peace?"
"All he cares for is honor, he doesn't think about consequences." Jasper sighed.
"No, he just thinks as long as Father is here he's untouchable."
"What is going to happen now?"
"I suppose Grandfather will have to answer to him, since they are not at war."
"And then?"
"The gods didn't make me all knowing Jas!" Here her brother paused, turning to grin at her impishly, making her narrow her eyes.
"You're right, how does it feel to be as clueless as the rest of us?"
"Like rubbish, you prick." Jasper laughed and she stood, making her way to the door, before pausing and looking back at him. "You're right Jas, I don't know what is going to happen anymore. But I do know things are getting serious. Be careful. Please." His smile faded and he took her hand, squeezing it gently.
"We will survive this, sister."
"I know." She kissed his cheek before walking out the door, stopping next to Jaime. "You know what's happening?"
"I do. Ned Stark is being a fool."
"A fool who will start a war if he's not careful." Kailyah agreed. "I want extra guards assigned to my siblings, all of them."
"As you wish, Princess." He agreed, bowing. She smiled at him before walking down the hall, Jasper at her side, guards trailing behind them. She paused next to one of her little birds, taking a wine glass from her tray and whispering in her ear.
"If Lord Stark calls for my Mother, I want to know immediately."
"Yes, your highness."
TLR
"Your brother, or your lover?"
"Mother!" Kailyah called, slowing her near run to a leisurely stroll, smiling at her Mother and Lord Stark like she hadn't practically run through the Keep, like nothing was wrong.
"Kailyah, darling." Cersei greeted, kissing her child on the cheek and avoiding Lord Stark's eyes. "Did you need something, my love?"
"Not I, but Jasper. He's looking at the battles of Casterly Rock, he was hoping you would have some insight to Grandfather's battles. You know how he likes to read between the lines."
"Of course darling, come. Forgive me Lord Stark, we will have to speak another day." Cersei took her arm, leading her out of the gardens.
"It will have to be before Robert gets back. He and I will have much to discuss." Lord Stark called after them, and Cersei's hand tightened on her arm, but she didn't respond, not with her daughter there.
Jasper was confused when they appeared at his door, but easily slipped into conversation with his Mother about her childhood home while Kailyah laid on his settee, closing her eyes and praying to the gods, old and new. The Starks and Lannisters were in good standing, the only rift between them was Lysa's note to her sister. The direwolves lived, Bran walked, and his children loved Kings Landing, and the royal family. Lady Catelynn never rode south, never took Tyrion prisoner, and Jaime never attacked Lord Stark or his men. When Robert died, his trueborn son would take the throne, a man Ned Stark had grown to respect. With no confession from her Mother, Lord Stark would have no reason to push the issue once Father died. Right?
TLR
"I should have spent more time with you. Showed you how to be a man." Robert murmured, staring at his sons. Jaspers watched him silently, hand on Joffrey's shoulder. Joff held his fathers hand, eyes wide and panicked, breathing shallowly. Kailyah stood behind them, Marcella and Tommen clinging to her skirts, crying quietly. Kailyah simply watched cooly, shedding no tears. "I was never meant to be a Father."
She tried, she truly did, but she couldn't bring herself to feel anything for this man, even hatred. This man lived in the past and hated his family and the responsibilities he fought for. He drank and whored and blamed it all on his love for a girl he met once, he didn't even know Lyanna Stark, let alone love her. This man abused her Mother and ignored his children and neglected the kingdom his sons were to inherit and saw nothing wrong with it. No, Kailyah had given up on her Father when she was eight, she was numb to it all.
The door opened behind her, and she forced the socially expected tears to her eyes, turning to face her Uncle and Lord Stark as they entered, tears rolling down her cheeks. She turned away quickly, waiting just long enough to be sure they saw, and a moment later she had her dear uncle's arms wrapped around her and the little ones. She clung to him, watching Lord Stark approach the bed.
"Go on." Robert urged his children to leave. "You don't want to see this." Jasper stood, wrapping an arm around his thirteen year old brother's shoulders and gently leading the boy out of the room. Renly released her, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes.
"Alright?" He asked quietly. Kailyah gave him a weak smile, releasing Tommen for a moment to 'futilely' wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I will be." She promised. Renly kissed her forehead before releasing her, watching her lead her youngest siblings to the door.
"Kailyah." She paused at the door, turning to meet her Fathers eyes. "Why couldn't you have been born a man? You'd have been the cleverest king there ever was." Her father chuckled, breaking into a coughing fit. Kailyahs lips quirked up.
"Goodbye Father." She left the room, handing off the little ones to Jasper and pulling Joffrey into her arms, holding him tightly while he shook against her. Their mother followed them a few moments later, with Renly, Ser Barriston and Pycelle.
"My loves, why don't we go to my solar? This is not something I wish for you to see." Cersei urged, taking her children away. They arrived in her solar, sitting around in silence, until Marcella finally spoke.
"Father is going to die."
"Yes, my love." Cersei agreed, running fingers through her youngest daughter's wavy blond hair.
"That means Jasper is King now."
"Yes, it does." Kailyah agreed, turning to meet her brothers eyes. They sat on a couch together, Joffrey on Kailyahs other side, leaning into her side. Jasper didn't speak, simply intertwined their fingers. Kailyah squeezed his hand, holding on tightly. They stayed in their mothers solar through the night, until the bells began to toll. The King was dead.
TLR
"You were crying." Jasper pointed out later that night, when it was just the two of them, lounging in a set of chairs on his balcony, passing a flagon of wine back and forth.
"That's what you're meant to do, isn't it? When your Father dies."
"So it wasn't real?"
"No. I don't… I don't feel anything for Father. I haven't for a long time." Kailyah took a swig of wine. "I forget, sometimes, how alike Joffrey and I are. Mother and I are too."
"What do you mean?"
"It's… difficult for us to care about other people. I have a very short list of people that I genuinely love. Everything I do is for them, and I don't particularly care what I have to do, if it keeps my people safe. I don't really care that much about anyone else. Not the way you do."
"Do you feel guilty? That you could've stopped it?"
"... Not particularly. If I had somehow managed to stop this one, there would've been another. And another after that. And if he lived, our siblings, our Mother, would've been in grave danger."
"Mother killed Father, didn't she?"
"Yes."
"Because he was hurting her?"
"...no."
"Tell me." Kailyah just met his eyes, and her twin sighed, taking to wine and drinking. "Joffrey, Marcella, and Tommen aren't Fathers, are they?"
"Lord Stark was planning to tell Father when he returned from the hunt."
"Father would've killed them. He wouldn't- he won't care that it's not their fault, that MArcella is only ten-"
"I would kill him first. I wouldn't have let him touch them. And If I'd survived, if you'd pardoned me-"
"-of course I would!"
"-I'd have worn the title of Kinslayer with pride. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my family, Jas." Her twin didn't respond, simply reached over, taking her hand in his. Kailyah stared up at the stars for what felt like hours, tracing patterns, until her brother's voice broke her concentration.
"Do you think I'll make a good King?" She glanced over and found her twin's gaze had fallen from the stars, down to the distant lights of Kings Landing.
"I think you'll make a wonderful King."
"How do you know?"
"Because. You genuinely care, about all of them. From the Lords to the street urchins, you care, and you want to make life better for them. And you will."
"You'll stay with me, won't you?"
"As long as you need me, I'll be here."
A.N.
~she's baaaaack~
I'm alive! I'm sorry it's been so long, things have been crazy lately. I started a new job, I moved, my car died a painful death and I'm having to work extra hours to make my car payments. Adulting is the worst. Also I've gotten super into reading my physical TBR which is great cuz i had like fifty books sitting on my shelves (and piles around my room) that I haven't read yet (I think I like buying books more than I like reading them. It takes commitment to actually get into a new book or series, buying ones more like swiping right on a dating site, you don't have to commit yet) I've finished 23 books in the last few months!
I'm starting to get back into my stories, but I'm having to edit things I already wrote cuz I get new Ideas or I have to fix old mistakes, but I promise my next update won't be as long! I'm going to update my other stories but hopefully I'll have a new chapter out soon:)
Again, thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews! They inspire me to keep writing, I hope you love my characters as much as I do!