Hello, Readers.

Dothraki will be in bold.

I own nothing but my characters.

Enjoy.


The Lannister army set up camp in the Westerlands on a crisp afternoon. After Tyrion's abduction and Jaime's altercation with Ned Stark, Lord Tywin gathered his troops for battle. While waiting for their next move, Tywin and his youngest son, Gerold, were skinning a deer they had hunted that morning in Tywin's tent. Gerold was Tywin's eldest son from his second wife, Sanya Sarsfield, and had the classic Lannister appearance. He was a muscular, six-foot-tall, twenty-year-old with short, wavy, golden hair styled in an easy, swept-back layer and emerald eyes. He was always dressed in clothing with Lannister colors and kept a close-shaven look.

Many would say he was the ideal son of a noble lord, especially Tywin Lannister. Gerold was always practicing his sword fighting, reading books about history and battle strategies, and always eager to learn about politics and everything he was meant to do. As Tywin and Gerold were skinning the deer, while Jaime, wearing Lannister armor, with an amused look on his face while reading a letter from the capital.
"Summoned to court to answer for the crimes of your bannerman Gregor Clegane, the Mountain," Jaime recited the message sent from King's Landing, "arrive within the fortnight or be branded an enemy of the Crown. Poor Ned Stark. Brave man, terrible judgment."

"One would question your judgment," Gerold commented while cleaning his hand from the deer's blood at the other table.

"My judgment," A confused Jaime asks Gerold, who is leaning on the table

"Attacking him was stupid," Tywin retorted as he skinned the dead deer, not looking at Jaime, who stayed quiet, "Lannisters don't act like fools. Are you going to say something clever? Go on, say something clever."

"Catelyn Stark took my brother," Jaime defended before looking to Gerold, "Our brother."

"Doesn't mean it was the right course of action," Gerold tells his older half-brother.

"Then what should have been the right course of action," Jaime challenged.

Tywin suddenly asked, "Why is he still alive?"

Jaime tilt his head, "Tyrion?"

"Ned Stark," Tywin corrected.

"One of our men interfered," Jaime explains, "speared him through the leg before I could finish him."

Tywin asked again, "Why is he still alive?"

"It wouldn't have been clean," Jaime tells him.

"Clean," Tywin scoffs, "You spend too much time worrying about what other people think of you."

"I could care less what anyone thinks of me," Jaime defended.

"And that's what you want everyone to know," Gerold tells him, "Isn't it?"

Jaime urges, "It's the truth."

"But you want people to know that," Gerold counters, causing Jaime to go quiet.

"When you hear them whispering "Kingslayer" behind your back, doesn't it bother you," Tywin asks his eldest son.

"Of course, it bothers me," Jaime said hastily.

Gerold then concluded, "So you do care."

"The lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of the sheep," Tywin recites, "I suppose I should be grateful that your vanity got in the way of your recklessness," he stops skinning the deer to grab a rag to clean his hands, "I'm giving you half of our forces. 30,000 men. You will bring them to Catelyn Stark's girlhood home and remind her that Lannisters pay their debts."

Jaime sarcastically said, "I didn't realize you placed such a high value on my brother's life."

"He's a Lannister," Tywin chuckles, "He might be the lowest of the Lannisters, but he's one of us. And every day that he remains a prisoner, our name commands respect less."

Jaime then challenges his father, "So the lion does concern himself with the opinions of,"

"No, it's not an opinion. It's a fact," Tywin exclaims angrily as he turns to Jaime, "If another House can seize one of our own and hold him captive with impunity,"

"Then we are no longer a House to be feared," Gerold finished, "They would rise against us and tear us apart."

"Precisely," Tywin turns to skin the deer again as he tells Jaime, "Your mother's dead. Before long, I'll be dead. Then your stepmother, you, your brothers, your sisters, and all of their children. All of us dead. All of us rotting in the ground. It's the family name that lives on. It's all that lives on. Not your personal glory, not your honor, but your family. Do you understand?" He turns to Jaime, who nods gently. Tywin then looked to Gerold to see if he understood, who nodded to him.

Tywin puts down the knife and cleans his hands, "The both of you are blessed with abilities that few men possess—blessed to belong to the most powerful family in the kingdoms and still blessed with youth. And what have you done with these blessings, Jaime? You've served as a glorified bodyguard for two kings. One a madman, the other a drunk. And you, Gerold, are still being ushered into manhood. Learning about what it means to be a man on the battlefield and in politics," Tywin then walks close to his sons as they listen to him carefully, "The future of our family will be determined in these next few months. We could establish a dynasty that would last a thousand years. Or we could collapse into nothing, as the Targaryens did. I need both of you to become the men you were always meant to be. Not next year. Not tomorrow. Now."

Jaime and Gerold look at each other as Tywin returns to his deer. After a few more moments, the two half-brothers walked out of the tent and through the camp in deep conversation.

"Father seems to be ready for war," Jaime comments.

"Tyrion has been kidnapped. A slight to the Lannisters must not go ignored," Gerold shrugs, "You don't believe Tyrion tried to commit murder, do you?"

"No, he's not stupid," Jaime scoffs.

"Father and Cersei might think so," Gerold sums, "And Catelyn Stark certainly believes it."

"A grieving mother, nothing more," Jaime concluded before asking, "And what of your mother's thoughts? She has always been kind to Tyrion."

"She doesn't believe a word of it," Gerold tells him.

"Does she also think going after Stark was stupid," Jaime challenged.

"Actually, yes, she does," Gerold tells him, causing the two brothers to stop walking as the younger one continues, "You should've finished Stark on the spot or, better yet, not go after him at all. Attacking him had no strategic reason at all."

"His wife took our brother," Jaime defended as his temper grew, "Should we ignore that?"

"Father was going to deal with it," Gerold argues, "That's why he sent the Mountain and his men, disguised as brigands, to attack the Riverlands in retaliation. The plan was to draw Stark out of the capital and capture him so we would have something to trade for Tyrion's safety. But now, thanks to you, there is an all-out conflict between us and the Starks."

Jaime stayed silent as he took this information in. Then he asked, "So I should have just sat in the capital and done nothing?"

"Yes," Gerold tells him, "As a Kingsguard knight, that's exactly what you should do. Father is depending on us to be the men we need to be. Perhaps you could do that by thinking before you act."

And with that, Gerold leaves Jaime behind with his thoughts. It was essential to act cautiously and make decisions that would benefit the family. Like his sister, Gerold took his position as Tywin Lannister's son seriously. While his half-brother, Tyrion, goes around drinking and whoring, and Jaime does whatever he does, Gerold always respectfully presents himself. He always practices his sword fighting, is a skilled hunter, reads books about politics, wars, and battle strategies, and ensures he's never in a position for scandal. However, what Gerold strives most for is his father's approval.

Gerold always tried to do what was right in Tywin's eyes, but when he did, his father hardly ever acknowledged or praised it. It's as if Tywin expects Gerold to be this dutiful young lord with high expectations, and if he strays from those expectations, he will be a deep disappointment to his father. Tywin already has public disdain for his other son, Tyrion, and Jaime is a Kingsguard member, making Gerold being Tywin's only son to uphold the family name. Some even whisper he would be the next Lord of Casterly Rock if Tywin had his way. However, Gerold knew well that his father wanted Jaime as his heir. His favorite child simply because he was the only son of Tywin's first beloved wife, Joanna Lannister, while Gerold's mother was just a wife to produce more heirs for him, making Gerold try even harder to prove he is just as good if not better than Jaime.

In truth, however, Gerold can barely handle the expectations of being a Lannister. He always questioned his next move, whether his father would approve or not. Gerold then thinks about his full-blooded sister Lenora and how she's been doing. No doubt the situation between the Starks and Lannisters is putting her in a precarious position since he and their mother got word that Sansa Stark was another lady in waiting for Princess Cassana Baratheon alongside her.

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Lenora was with her friends at the southern shore of Blackwater Bay from the Mud Gate. There were times when Cass would take her friends swimming on the shores, which was fun. Although while Sansa, Arya, Ceryse, Jocelyn, and Ema were in the water, close to the shore, playing, Lenora was on the ground away from the water with Jarred, carrying his sword, beside her, keeping an eye to make sure no one was drowning. Since their father has been thinking about leaving, Jarred thought about having Arya and Sansa here with them, so they can have some fun before leaving, although there has been some talk if they were going or not.

"Do you think we might find any fish here," Jocelyn asked as she was in the water. The girls were not too deep since the water was up to their knees, although there was the occasional splashing around for fun.

"There are no fish on beaches," Arya retorts to her.

"No, but there are legends of Merlings," Ceryse tells her jokingly, "creatures with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish."

"Oh yes, I'm sure we'll see that," Cass jokes, "Unless we see the Deep Ones."

"The Deep Ones," Sansa asked, never hearing that before.

"They're queer, misshapen race of half men sired by creatures of the salt seas upon human women," Cass said in a scary voice, next to Sansa, "They might come to drown us…at…any…moment!" she suddenly grabs Sansa who was laughing before splashing water at the princess who splashed back in retaliation.

"So, Ned Stark is going back to the North," Jarred tells Lenora as the other girls play together in the water.

"Apparently," Lenora tells him, "Cass wanted to make Sansa's last days here memorable."

"I doubt the King would let this happen since he was so inclined to join their houses together," Jarred tells her.

"Well, this is a time for fun, so," Lenora sums up.

"Then why you're not there with them," Jarred asked her.

Lenora looks to him, "If I go there, I will never hear the end of it from Cersei. Especially my father."

Jarred looks at her, confused, "Your father is miles away on the other side of the realm."

"Yes, but Cersei can write to him," Lenora argues, "She's always trying to find any fault in me."

"Cass never cared about their thoughts," Jarred tells her.

"But I'm not Cass," Lenora counters, although sometimes she wished she was. Nothing stopped Cass from doing what she liked, and Lenora wished she had that luxury, but she didn't. All because she was a Lannister. It would be wrong if her father ever heard of her doing this.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Cass called, "Why don't you join in? The water's fine."

Jarred, who seems to be avoiding the Princess's gaze, said, "As your sworn shield, I have to stay alert if anything happens."

Cass looks at him, confused. Ever since they returned from her father's hunt, he barely looks the princess in the eye, and she has a good idea why. Deciding to find out later, Cass turns to Lenora, "Are you not coming, Lenora?"

"I don't think it would be prudent of me to do so," Lenora tells her.

"Oh, come on," Ema said, "It's not bad to have a little fun."

"True," Lenora agrees reluctantly, "But the queen,"

"Is not here," Cass cuts her off, "Come on in. Just for a little while." Lenora thought about it; a few minutes in the water wouldn't hurt. So, she took off her slippers and slowly walked in the water, careful not to get too wet from the knees up. Seeing she was still reluctant, Cass said, "Oh, come on. It's just water." She then splashed a bit on Lenora, who shrieked from the cold water.

"It's so cold," Lenora exclaims.

"Then I guess you would hate this," Cass jokes as she splashes some more water on her, causing the noble lady to shriek some more, causing their friends to laugh. The Lannister lady then splashed water on Cass, which got all the girls to splash water at each other and run around to avoid it.

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Ned Stark was in the Tower of the Hand's chambers, carefully examining the lineage records of noble families, specifically House Baratheon. He had just made a shocking discovery and was still trying to process it. According to his findings, Princess Cassana was the only legitimate child of King Robert Baratheon, while Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen were not. Jon Arryn had begun investigating Robert's illegitimate children before his untimely death, and Ned had picked up the trail where Jon left off. Varys had informed Ned that Jon and Stannis had been working together on the case and that they had discovered the Queen had a secret lover.

However, they only knew who it was when Sansa revealed that Joffrey was a golden lion, not a stag like Robert. Ned then observed the striking resemblance between Jaime and Cersei and the younger children's looks toward Lannister. Everything finally clicked into place - Jaime was the true father of Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, while Cassana, who has the black hair and blue eyes of House Baratheon, was Cersei's only child with Robert. Jon Arryn had likely been killed before he could reveal the truth, making Ned's discovery all the more dangerous.

Hearing a knock at the door, Ned closes the book and quickly hides it under his desk, "Come."

The door opens, revealing it to be Hellen, "I heard you thinking about leaving King's Landing."

"I was," Ned tells her, "Although I now believe something must be done here."

"And Littlefinger is helping you," Hellen guesses, already knowing the answer.

"Lord Baelish has been working with good intentions," Ned tells her.

Hellen shakes her head, "Ned, I warned you. He is not to be trusted. He only looks out for himself. He's not an ally."

"And the spider is," Ned asks her, causing Hellen to go still, "Lord Varys was heard speaking to someone about you and your husband. It seemed you were working with one another."

"About what," Hellen asked him seriously.

Ned sees that the noble lady became stiff right when he said those words. As if he caught her in some act, "About Robert's bastards, planning something about killing someone."

"Who told you this," Hellen asked curtly.

Arya told Ned about this. She didn't say many words, since she heard someone talking, but didn't see them. However, she listened to them talk about Hellen and her husband, Jonathor. Lord Baelish also told Ned that Hellen and Varys had been speaking with each other quite often, but he doesn't think he should say that not to Hellen, "It matters not. Is it true?"

"Ned, whatever you've heard, is not what you think," Hellen warns him.

"Then tell me what it is," Ned tells her.

"Ned, it might not be in your best interest to know everything in the court," Hellen said as she walked up to the desk and leaned closely to Ned, "In fact, it might be in your best interest for you and the girls to leave the capital and return to Winterfell."

"And why is that," Ned asked her, now getting suspicious of her behavior.

"Just trust me on this," Hellen begs him, "You have been a good friend since we were young and a brother to Robert. That is why I am telling you, take your daughters, leave the capital, and go home." Hellen then walks out of the room, leaving Ned sitting on his desk, realizing that Hellen probably knows more than he thinks. She may even know the truth about Cersei's children.

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Hellen walks quickly to Varys's chambers and shuts the door closed when she sees he is there.

"We need to get Ned out of the capital," Hellen tells him.

"Why is that, my lady," Varys asked her, surprised by her presence in his room.

"He's been working with Littlefinger," Hellen tells him, "I tried to warn him that he's dangerous, but he won't believe me. He also knows that you and I have been speaking with one another frequently."

Varys starts to think as he tells her, "He knows about the children. Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen."

Hellen's eyes widen, "When? How?"

"Not long ago," Varys explains, "Pycelle gave him the book about House lineage and must have compared the children to Cassana. He knows now who the father is. Just as we suspected."

"Did he tell Robert," Hellen asked.

"Not yet," Varys tells her, "But he has told the Queen."

Hellen's eyes widen, "And she hasn't killed him yet. But she will. All the more reason to get Ned out of the city. Everything is not in place yet; we're not ready."

"I'm afraid that is impossible," Varys tells her, "If Littlefinger has indeed got his claws on Stark, no doubt the wolf will stay unless..."

"Unless what," Hellen asked him.

"Unless it is for the sake of his daughters," Varys tells her as a plan formed in his mind, causing Hellen to look at him suspiciously.

0000000000

After cleaning up and getting dry from the fun at the Mud Gate, Cass walks to her room with Jarred. She notices he's been acting weird since he came with her to the hunt with her father. He can hardly look her in the eye, and she knows what it's about. As they come to the bedroom, before going in, Cass turns to Jarred, "Jarred. I want to talk to you about something private."

Jarred, looking at her head tilting toward the room as a way of saying she wanted him inside, had no choice but to obey. So he did, then Cass closed the door and walked through the room to sit on a couch as Jarred stood in front of her, still not looking at her. Wanting him to look at her, Cass softly pleads, "Jarred, look at me." Jarred obeyed her sworn shield as he slowly looked at her. "Is this about what my father said during the hunt? About your experience with women?" Jarred stayed quiet as Cass continued, "You hardly looked at me for a week now since then."

"I mean no disrespect, princess," Jarred said softly.

"We need to talk about this," Cass assures him as she gently pats the cushion beside her, urging Jarred to sit. Knowing Cass could order him to do so, Jarred unbuckled his scabbard, with his sword still inside, and gently leaned it on the couch before taking his place next to his royal cousin, who said, "Jarred, what happened between us was a year ago."

"Doesn't mean it was right," Jarred softly admits as his hands started fidgeting, "Not to mention it was treason."

"It was just two young people who merely wanted to explore and experiment," Cass reasoned, "Nothing more."

Jarred counters, "But if anyone found out, it would have cost me my head."

"But no one did," Cass reminds him gently, "And that's all that matters. Besides, you must admit it was nice." She smiles at him, "You were very good for your first time."

Jarred bows his head in embarrassment, "And yes, you were…good too."

Cass chuckles, "Well, it was probably why I made you my sworn shield. We knew each other a bit well before that. And then more than a bit afterward."

Jarred tried hard not to smile since she was right. The knight and princess did lie with one another a year ago- multiple times. Only after a pregnancy scare did they agree to end things before they went down a path of no return and decided never to speak about it. Although, Jarred couldn't help but feel regret after all that. "I just felt like I was taking advantage of you,"

"You were not," Cass assures him, "I wanted to as much as you did."

"Yes, but you are the princess, and I'm a knight," Jarred tells her, "You were only six and ten at the time while I was twenty years of age. Not to mention we're cousins."

"My mother's parents were first cousins like us, but that didn't stop anyone from their marriage. And girls had been forced to lie with men far older than that," Cass reminds him, "Jarred, you have to let this go."

"I just felt like I lost my honor as a knight when we," Jarred trailed off as he didn't want to speak of it.

"Your honor," Cass tilts her head in confusion, "Is that why you are joining the Kingsguard?"

Jarred looks at her, then down at the floor, "I just thought it might restore it. Besides, I have no place in politics like Steffon does so,"

"That's why your planning on taking the white cloak," Cass realized, "Just to ease your guilt." She then puts her hand on him, "Jarred, you have nothing to feel guilty for. It happened, it passed, and we moved on. That's all that matters."

Jarred looks at her, knowing she is right, as he is tired of feeling guilty. "I'm just glad your parents didn't know about it, or,"

"They would have your head," Cass jokes as the two laughed together, "Although I doubt your father would let that happen."

"No, he wouldn't," Jarred smiles at her, stroking her cheek, "But I am glad we stayed close."

Cass nods as she gently kisses his cheek. The two cousins have known each other all their lives, growing up together. They were always close before and after their sexual encounter. Now they are close friends and hope nothing will change that. Suddenly, the door opens, revealing it to be Lady Hellen. Jarred and Cass immediately moved a few inches away from each other when she opened the door, not to give away what they were discussing. Noticing their strange demeanor, Hellen asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Cass tells her, "We were just discussing Jarred's lessons with Arya."

Not sure whether to believe her, Hellen waves it off as she is here for something more important, "Cass, it's your father." The way her aunt said it gave a worried look to Cass, wondering if something happened to her father.

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Robert Baratheon lies in bed, bloodied, and wrapped in a bandaged cloth. In his bed chambers are his wife Cersei, his sister Hellen, his nephew Jarred, Ser Barristan, and Master Pycelle. Ser Barristan said a boar struck the king, leaving him gravely injured. As the king lay in his bed, his two eldest children, Cass and Joffrey, stayed close to their father, while Myrcella and Tommen were too young to see this.

"I should have spent more time with you, shown you how to be a man," Robert said heavily. Joffrey looked in disbelief. His father had been a great warrior and king all his life; now, he was a dying old man. But what hurt most were Robert's words. Robert practically said that Joffrey was not a man, which caused Cass to be angry, but it was not the time to do anything about it. "I was never meant to be a father." Robert then said as Ned Stark quickly entered the room. Seeing his friend, Robert tells his eldest children, "Go on. You don't want to see this."

Jeffrey heard his father but remained frozen while his sister tried to help him. "Joffrey, come on," Cass tells him softly, trying to get him to leave, which he does reluctantly as the two siblings leave the room.

"Jarred. Go make sure they're ok," Hellen softly tells her son, who obeyed, following his cousins.

"My fault," Robert said, "Too much wine, missed my thrust. It stinks. It stinks like death. Don't think I can't smell it. I paid the bastard back, Ned, "he laughed while his friend sat on the bed next to him, "I drove my knife right through his brain. You ask them if I didn't. Ask them! I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the Kingdoms ever saw. And I want everyone to taste the boar that got me. Now leave us, the lot of you. I need to talk to Ned."

Cersei begins to say, "Robert, my sweet..."

"Out," Robert bellowed, "all of you!"

Everyone obeyed Robert's command as they left the room and closed the door.

"I'm surprised you came quickly," Hellen tells Cersei, "I figured you were the last person to care."

Cersei glares at Hellen, "He is my husband and the father of my children."

Hellen hums, although Cersei looks at her suspiciously at how she did it as if Hellen knew something, which causes Cersei to grow tense. She then walks away while Hellen stays with Pycelle, Varys, and Ser Barristan, waiting to see what Robert wants from Ned. After a few minutes, Ned emerges, shaken with a paper in his hand.

"How is he," Hellen asked Ned.

"Still in pain," Ned tells her before looking to Pycelle, "Give him milk of the poppy."

While the others stay outside, Pycelle enters the room to do as he commands.

"He was reeling from the wine," Barristan confessed, "He commanded us to step aside, but I failed him."

"You didn't fail him, Barristan," Hellen assures him while gently putting her hand on his arm to give comfort, "You were doing what he commanded you to do. Robert always liked his wine, and no one would take it away."

Ned agrees, "No man could have protected him from himself."

Varys asked, "I wonder, Ser Barristan, who gave the king this wine?"

Barristan answered, "His squire, from the king's skin."

"His squire," Ned asked, "The Lannister boy?"

"Lancel," Hellen said, "He's Kevan Lannister's son."

"Such a dutiful boy to make sure his Grace did not lack refreshment," Varys shakes his head with pity, "I do hope the poor lad does not blame himself."

Ned, deciding not to think about it, begins to walk away, "His Grace has had a change of heart concerning Daenerys Targaryen," he then turns to Varys, "Whatever arrangements you made, unmake them. At once."

Varys then looks uneasy, "I'm afraid those birds have flown. The girl is likely dead already."

Seeing that he was too late, Ned could only shake his head with anger and disappointment, knowing that an innocent girl and her child were about to be killed, and he could do nothing about it. As he walks away, Hellen and Varys give each other a knowing look as the assassin they sent wasn't going to kill Daenerys but to allow her to feign illness so it would look like she was just feeling unwell but remained unharmed. Her and her child.

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Areon and Drogo were sparring outside of Vaes Dothrak. Since the city demanded no weapons, the two had to leave it to keep going with Aron's practice. It has been some time since Viserys died, and Areon felt free. For most of his life, he was afraid of what Viserys would do to him if he stepped out of line, and now he's gone. He's never coming back. Words couldn't describe Areon's relief now that he won't longer suffer Viserys's abuse. Since his death, Areon has spent most of his time with Dany and Drogo. He is learning about the Dothraki way, its culture, and the language, as he's almost fluent now. Drogo has been teaching Areon how to dodge attacks from his opponent, which Areon learned quickly. Drogo swung his sword at Areon, who arched his back to avoid the swing, only to return and put his sword to Drogo's neck.

Since Areon was still learning, Drogo decided to go easy on him before getting to the hard part of fighting, and so far, he has been exceeding at a fast rate, "You learn quickly."

"I have a good teacher," Areon panted as he took the sword away from Drogo's neck.

Drogo chuckles, "Your brother never taught you?"

"No," Areon tells him, "I don't think he knew how to fight properly. I don't want to talk about him." Drogo nods in understanding since the two brothers were never close from what he saw. Areon then asked, "How's my sister and the child?"

"Doing well," Drogo answered, "The child will grow soon. Soon the Stallion Who Mounts the World will be born. We spoke much about you."

Areon looks at Drogo with surprise, "About what?"

"The Iron Chair," Drogo tells him.

Areon needed clarification as to why they were talking about some iron chair. It was a couple of seconds until he realized what Drogo meant, "The Iron Throne."

"Iron Throne," Drogo repeated since there wasn't a Dothraki word for the throne.

"What did she say," Areon asked him.

"That since your brother is now dead, your father's chair is now yours," Drogo explains as Areon takes that information in.

"And what do you think of it," Areon asked, wanting to know what Drogo thought.

After staying quiet for a moment, Drogo walks up to Areon and puts his hand on the young man's shoulder, saying, "A Khal doesn't need an iron chair. Only a horse."

Areon drifts off as he contemplates what Drogo said. In their culture, a king or Khal needs a horse to lead, but things in Westeros differ. Despite his personal feelings for Viserys, he was the eldest male heir of House Targaryen, meaning he should have the Iron Throne, but now that Viserys is dead, Areon is next in line. Making him the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms was a problem. A king or Khal needs a horse to lead, but things in Westeros differ. Despite his personal feelings for Viserys, he was the eldest male heir of House Targaryen, meaning he should have the Iron Throne, but now that Viserys is dead, Areon is next in line. Making him the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms was a problem.

According to Viserys, House Targaryen has been overthrown by House Baratheon, Stark, Arryn, and Tully. So in truth, Areon is the heir to nothing unless he raises an army to take it back, but he is still determining if he wants that. He never considered being king. He never even thought Viserys would successfully take back the Iron Throne; it was just something he heard about and waved off as nothing. What Areon wanted was to be safe and have a home. That's all he ever wanted. Now he has a choice: to go forward with his dead brother's plan or maybe stay with the Dothraki and live a simple life. He didn't know what to do. After a few more hours of training, Drogo and Areon returned to Vaes Dothrak. Areon met with Dany, who wanted to go to the city's marketplace to see what they had. He decided to go with her. Many things were for sale in the market, exotic goods all around, with many people buying and selling. Areon walked close to Dany while Ser Jorah was with them.

Deciding to talk about what she was conversing with Drogo, Areon asked Dany, "Did you talk with Drogo about the Iron Throne?"

"Yes," Dany tells him, "I was just wondering if he was going to take us there."

"I thought we figured out that wasn't going to happen," Areon tells her.

"But Areon, you are now the rightful heir to the Iron Throne," Dany tries to persuade him, "The very thing we have been trying to get for as long as we could remember."

"I know, I know, but," Areon reluctantly tells her, "I'm not sure if I want it."

Dany listened to her brother and understood what he was saying, but she was curious enough to say, "But if you had the option to take it with no issue if it was handed to you, would you take it?"

Areon thought about it, "Maybe. But we can't do that without the Dothraki being so reluctant."

Ser Jorah tells them, "The Dothraki do things in their own time, for their reasons. Have patience, my prince. We will go home, my prince. I promise you."

"I believe it's now Your Grace," Dany tells him, "Since he is now the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms." Jorah started to chuckle at it, which made Dany and Areon confused,

"What's so funny," Areon asked him.

"Forgive me," Jorah apologized, "but your ancestor Aegon the Conqueror didn't seize six of the kingdoms because they were his right. He had no right to them. He seized them because he could."

"And because he had dragons," Dany reminded him.

"Ah well, having a few dragons makes things easier," Jorah said wistfully.

Hearing his tone, Dany accused, "You don't believe it."

"Have you ever seen a dragon, Khaleesi," Jorah asked, "I believe what my eyes and ears report."

"Well, maybe you should have a little more faith than that," Areon tells him, "I didn't trust Viserys in many things, but he did say that they had dragon skulls in the throne room during our father's reign."

"Perhaps," Jorah agreed to disagree, "As for the rest, It was 300 years ago. Who knows what really happened? Now if you'll pardon me, I'll seek out the merchant Captain and see if he has any letters for me."

"We'll come with you," Dany insisted.

"No, don't trouble yourself," Jorah waves off, "Enjoy the market. I'll rejoin you soon enough."

"Are you sure," Areon asked.

"I'm sure," Jorah tells them as he leaves them.

Areon looks at him suspiciously, "Do you think something is wrong about Ser Jorah?"

"What do you mean," Dany asked as they continued walking through the market.

Areon tells her, "It just seems odd that he has to go somewhere in a hurry. When we heard you got pregnant, he said he had to go somewhere even though it meant getting left behind by the Khalasar."

"Well, it doesn't mean anything," Dany said, "Maybe there was something he needed. He's been nothing but kind to us."

"I'm just not sure if we can trust him," Areon gently explains to her, "Remember, Dany, we are the last Targaryens, and Robert Baratheon sees us as a threat. He might even send someone to kill us."

Dany looks surprised, "You think Ser Jorah is an assassin?"

"I'm just saying there's no harm in being too careful," Areon said as they walked through the market to see what they might like.

As they walked, they heard a wine merchant. "Virzetha gizikhven!" he shouted. "Mra qora! Mra qora! Sweet reds! I have sweet reds from Lys, Volantis, and the Arbor! Tyrosh pear brandy! Andalish sours! I have them! I have them!" Interested in what he has, Dany walks up to the merchant, who says, "A taste for the Khaleesi? I have a sweet red from Dorne, my lady. One taste, and you'll name your first child after me."
Dany places her hand on her pregnant belly, "My son already has his name, but I'll try your summer wine."

"Do you think it's a good idea," Areon said, unsure if drinking wine was best for a pregnant mother.

Dany insisted, "Just a taste of something from our homeland."

The wine merchant then looks at Dany and Areon intensely, "My Lady, my lord, you are from Westeros."

"Yes, we were," Areon tells him, "Long ago."

Doreah, one of Dany's maids, then proclaimed, "You have the honor of addressing Areon of the House Targaryen, the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms, and his sister Daenerys, the Khaleesi of the riding men.

"Princess," the merchant said to Dany, then bowing to Areon, "Your Grace."

Not used to having anyone bow to him, an uncomfortable Areon insisted, "That's unnecessary."

"I'd still like to taste that wine," Dany told the merchant.

The merchant looks at her while throwing the wine to the ground, "That? Dornish swill. Not worthy of a princess. I have a dry red from the Arbor. Nectar of the Gods. Let me give you a cask. Uh... a gift to the rightful King."

"You honor us, Ser," Dany smiled, although Areon was becoming uncomfortable with all of this.

"There's no need for that, really," Areon tries to say.

The merchant, however, insisted, "It is, Your Grace. Only the best for the rightful King."

"Areon, there's no harm in taking just one case," Dany smiled, trying to encourage her brother to take it. Not wanting to be rude, Areon slowly nods as the merchant hands Rakharo the casket of wine.

"You know there are many in your homeland that pray for your return, my King," the merchant tells him.

"Is that so," Areon asked, unsure if this was true, especially when Jorah said as long as they're left alone, the common people don't care about the nobility.

"Oh, yes," the merchant urged, "Many have been praying for the Targaryens to return. As much as I have."

"We hope to repay your kindness someday," Dany told him.

Suddenly, Jorah came up to them, "Rakharo. Put down the cask."

Dany looks at him, "Is something wrong?

"I have a thirst," Jorah tells her before eyeing the merchant suspiciously, "Open it."

"The wine is for the King and Khaleesi," the merchant said nervously, which Areon noticed, "It's not for the likes of you."

"Open it," Jorah demanded.

The wine merchant seemed reluctant to open the cask, which Areon saw very strange. Wanting to know why, Areon said, "He said open it."

Seeing that Areon demanded it, the wine merchant reluctantly obeys and opens the cask as Jorah says, Pour."

The merchant said, "It would be a crime to drink a rich wine without at least giving it time to breathe."

Areon then said, "Do as he says."

The merchant bowed his head, although he started to tremble, "As the King commands." Then merchant pours the wine into a cup and hands it to Ser Jorah.

"Sweet, isn't it? Can you smell the fruit, Ser? Taste it, My Lord," The merchant insisted, "Tell me that that is not the finest wine that has ever touched your tongue."

Jorah was about to drink but then said, "You first."

"Me? I'm afraid I am not worthy of the vintage," the merchant tries to avoid, making Areon deeply suspicious of him, "Besides, it is a poor wine merchant who would drink up his wares."

"Drink it," Areon orders as the merchant looks at him, trembling. He then slowly takes the cup, then looks at Jorah, Dany, and Areon innocently while making a toasting gesture. As his lips touch his cup, he drops it and tries to flee.

Areon immediately gets close to Dany in a protective stance, "Stop him!"

Rakharo started chasing him while Jorah and Areon stayed close to Dany. Seeing that the merchant was running in another direction and Rakharo was about to lose him, Areon immediately ran in one direction of the market. He saw the merchant running up to him while looking to the back. Not seeing the Targaryen, the merchant turned to face him, and the Targaryen jumped on him from his side, punching him to the ground. Rakharo catches up with them and grabs the merchant while Areon gets up, breathing heavily as Jorah and Dany reach him.

"Are you alright," Dany worries as Areon nods to her before Jorah takes them both to safety.

0000000000

Ned Stark was walking down the hallway of the Red Keep with Stark guards following them for protection. While Robert was still alive and breathing in his bed, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before his death. Even Robert knew it. As Ned was walking, he saw Hellen walking in his direction. They haven't spoken to each other alone since their last encounter, but Hellen wanted to know a few things, "Ned."

"My lady," Ned addresses her.

"Is Robert still alive," Hellen asked.

"At the moment, yes," Ned tells her.

"What made Robert change his mind about Daenerys Targaryen," Hellen asked, wanting to know what Robert said to Ned privately.

"I suppose it was an epiphany of some sort," Ned guessed as he wondered why Robert had changed his mind.

"I suppose we'll never know," Hellen sighed, although she was glad that killing the child was over. At the moment, Varys sent a vile that would only feign illness to Daenerys, not kill her or her child. "But I am glad he changed his mind."

"I found it very curious that you sided with me on this matter," Ned tells her honestly, still suspicious of her, "As a Baratheon and sister to the King, I figured you would support having the Targaryens killed, considering the history between the families."

"Yes, we have a complicated history," Hellen admits, "But the only guilty Targaryens are dead. Viserys, Areon and Daenerys Targaryen, did nothing wrong but to be born in it. Besides, our families were close once. Let us not forget that our grandmother was Princess Rhaelle Targaryen, daughter of King Aegon V, making the three our cousins."

"I have forgotten that," Ned recalls, "And that bloodline gave Robert a claim to the throne."

"Yes," Hellen said, "Besides, I was close to Queen Rhaella before she passed."

"As her lady in waiting," Ned guessed.

"It was more than that. We were close friends," Hellen reminisces, her old friend and queen, "She protected me when King Aerys was about to execute me when the Rebellion started."

"Surprising that your brothers don't see it that way," Ned tells her.

"Robert only wants them all dead because of Rhaegar Targaryen," Hellen said, "Stannis believes the Targaryen's time has ended, and Renly doesn't care about them," she then sees her youngest brother coming up to them, "Speaking of."

"Lord Stark, a moment," Renly asked Ned while eyeing the Northern guards, "Alone if you will. Although I'm sure my sister would like to hear what I must say."

Ned and Hellen look at each other confusingly before the Northern lord gives orders to his men who leave them.

"He named you Protector of the Realm," Renly asked.

Ned answers him, "He did."

"Cersei won't care," Renly concluded, "Give me an hour, and I can put a hundred swords at your command."

"A hundred swords," Hellen questioned what her younger brother was saying.

Ned, also confused, asked, "What should I do with a hundred swords?"

"To strike," Renly exclaimed, "Tonight while the castle sleeps."

"Why would Ned do that," Hellen asked.

"We must get Joffrey away from his mother and into our custody," Renly explains, "Protector of the Realm or no, he who holds the King holds the Kingdom. Every moment we delay gives Cersei another moment to prepare. By the time Robert dies, it will be too late for all of us. You know that better than anyone, sister."

"Yes, I suppose that's true," Hellen admits reluctantly, "But Renly, you do know how this would look. More importantly, what would Lord Tywin do? There's already tension between the Starks and the Lannisters. This could make things worse, not better."

Ned agrees, then asks, "And what about Stannis?"

"Saving the Seven Kingdoms from Cersei and delivering them to Stannis," Renly questions, "You have odd notions about protecting the realm."

"Stannis is your older brother," Ned reminds him.

"This isn't about the bloody line of succession," Renly exclaims, "That didn't matter when you rebelled against the Mad King. It shouldn't matter now. What's best for the Kingdoms? What's best for the people we rule? We all know what Stannis is. He inspires no love or loyalty. He's not a King. I am."

Ned and Hellen then looked at Renly, who had a confident look. Hellen agreed with what Renly was saying until he said the ending part. "What do you mean you are?"

Seeing he lost his sister's support, Renly quickly recovers, "Simply making a statement."

"A statement," Hellen questions, "Renly, what you just suggested is treason."

"Is it," Renly asked her, bewildering Hellen by what he what saying.

"Stannis is a commander," Ned reminds them, "He's led men into war twice. He destroyed the Greyjoy fleet."

"Yes, he's a good soldier," Renly agrees, "Everyone knows that. So was Robert. Tell me something: Do you still believe good soldiers make good kings? Do you think our brother would be a good king, Hellen?"

Hellen and Ned stayed still while contemplating this question. Indeed, Robert was not a true King as all he did was drink, hunt, and whored his cares away, and he did not govern the realm. However, Ned ended the conversation, "I will not dishonor Robert's last hours by shedding blood in his halls and dragging frightened children from their beds."

He then walks away, leaving the Baratheon siblings behind. Hellen looks at Renly with a glare from what she just heard from him. She then suddenly grabs his arm, forcing him to follow her. Not wanting this to be open to the public, she decided to have it in her private chambers, where she dragged him inside and made sure the door was locked, "Where did this thinking come from?"

"What do you mean," Renly asked innocently.

"I mean, you never take this much of an interest in politics," Hellen tells him, "And now you are saying you are a king while Stannis is not."

"Because it's true, sister. Robert was never suited as king, and neither is Stannis, and you know I am right," Renly tells her, "I could be a better king than them."

"You have no claim to the Iron Throne," Hellen reminds him.

"Neither did the Targaryens," Renly shot back, "And yet they ruled the realm for centuries. Robert didn't have a claim, yet he became King."

"You are the third-born son. No lord in the realm would support you because of that," Hellen warns him.

"Unless I have enough powerful lords at my side," Renly suggested, "Your husband, for instance."

Hellen turns pale at what he asked her, "You are excepting me and Jonathor to support your claim to the throne?"

"The Tyrells seemed to be quite interested," Renly tells her.

Hellen's eyes then widen at this revelation, "Of course. The Tyrells of Highgarden are responsible for this. Did they fill your head with all this nonsense?"

"Nonsense? I prefer it as counsel. Why the oldest son, and not the best-fitted," Renly countered, "The crown will suit me, as it never suited Robert and would not suit Stannis."

"They counseled you on this," Hellen chuckles sarcastically, "Like how they counseled you to try to get Robert to cast Cersei aside so he could take Margaery Tyrell as queen by convincing him he looks like Lyanna Stark. Yes, I know about it. Robert complained about how much you and Loras were comparing Margaery to Lyanna. Considering how obvious it was, you really thought you could make that happen." Renly's eyes widen at what she just said, never expecting her to know that. "Even so, what about Joffrey," Hellen argues. She knows the truth about Cersei's children, as does Stannis, but no one else in the realm knows.

"What about Joffrey," Renly asked, "Joffrey is a monster, and you know that. And do you honestly believe Stannis would be a good king?"

Hellen couldn't help but agree with him. She doesn't believe Stannis would be a good king because he inspires no love or loyalty to the realm. He is a good military man, but she always thought he would fail in governance and politics. "If you become king, what are your plans for him, Joffrey, and the others? What about Cassana," Hellen challenges him.

"If they swear loyalty to me, then I would spare them," Renly tells her.

Hellen arches her brow, "And if they don't?"

Renly doesn't say anything as he walks out of the room, leaving his sister with a terrified look as if she never expected her brother to do this, confirming her thoughts of her brothers' inability to the realm. Now she fears what will happen, how she and Varys can go about their plans, and what her husband will do now.

0000000000

Jorah, Dany, and Areon made it back to the large hut while the merchant, who was, in reality, an assassin, was tied to a pole, waiting for punishment.

Dany asks Jorah, "What will they do to him?

"When the Khalasar rides, he'll be leashed to a saddle, forced to run behind the horses for as long as he can," Jorah tells her.

Dany asked, "And when he falls?"

Jorah looks to the assassin, whimpering as he hears what will happen to him, "I saw a man last nine miles once."

"This was King Robert's work, isn't it," Areon deduced, "He still wants us dead. He wants me dead because I am a threat to him as long as I breathe, and he'll never stop until that happens, will he?"

"No, he won't," Jorah tells him, "Even if you ride to the darkest Asshai, his assassins will follow you. If you sailed all the way to the Basilisk Isles, his spies would tell him. He will never abandon the hunt."

"Because we are Targaryens," Areon deduced, "The last Targaryens. And I'm the last male heir of House Targaryen."

"And another on the way," Jorah gestures to Dany's pregnant belly, "the child will have Targaryen blood with 40,000 riders behind him."

"He will not have my son," Dany exclaims nervously while protectively putting her hand on her stomach.

"He will not have you either, Khaleesi," Jorah assures her.

Areon looks at Jorah and sees how protective he is of his sister. Making him think that he might have been wrong about Jorah. "Thank you for protecting us, Ser Jorah. Truly."

Jorah bows his head, "Of course. My King."

Khal Drogo enters the tent with a couple of his men. He walks up to the scared assassin, staring at him as the prisoner whimpers. Afterward, he walks towards Daenerys, putting his hands on her, worryingly asking, "Moon of my life. Are you hurt?"

Daenerys gently shakes her head, assuring him she is alright. Khal Drogo kisses Daenerys's forehead and looks over to Jorah, "Jorah the Andal, I heard what you did. Choose any horse you wish; it is yours. I make this gift to you. And I have heard that it was you who captured the killer, brother," he tells Areon, putting his hand on his shoulder, "I will pledge a gift to you." Drogo then begins to walk around the hut as he proclaims a vow, "I will give you the iron chair that your father sat upon. I will give you the Seven Kingdoms." As he makes this vow, all the other Dothraki in the hut begins to cheer as Areon looks at Drogo with wide eyes at what the great Khal says. Drogo continues to speak to Areon while circling to his men, "I, Drogo, will do this. I will take my Khalasar west to where the world ends and ride wooden horses across the black salt water as no Khal has done before. I will kill the men in iron suits and tear down their stone houses. I will rape their women, take their children as slaves, and bring their broken gods back to Vaes Dothrak. This, I vow. I, Drogo, son of Bharbo. I swear before the Mother of Mountains as the stars look down in witness!" The Dothraki men shouted and cheered as their Khal made this vow, pounding at his chest, "As the stars look down in witness!"

The entire Khalasar in the hunt were yelling and cheering as Areon stood frozen, unable to believe the words he had just heard. Khal Drogo and his army of fierce Dothraki warriors will ride with him to Westeros to claim his rightful place on the Iron Throne. Areon's heart swelled with uncertainty. He would be happy and thankful that Drogo would do this; the promise of destroying houses, killing men, and raping and enslaving women and children gave him pause. Still, he couldn't say anything as he looked to the Khal, who gave him a nod of fierce determination, then to Dany, who gave an encouraging smile, and Jorah's silent nod made him feel like a true king. As they rode out of Vaes Dothrak the following day, Drogo and Areon were riding black horses side by side as Dany and Jorah were right behind them. Just as Jorah predicted, the wine merchant leashes to one of the horse's saddles, naked, covered with dirt, and struggling to move on.

0000000000

In King's Landing, Ned Stark receives unsettling news. Robert Baratheon is dead, and now Joffrey is King. When the messenger tells him his presence is required in the Throne Room, Ned comes with his guards and Stark men, where Littlefinger, Varys, and Hellen await him.

"All is accomplished," Littlefinger tells him, "The City Watch is yours."

Hellen gives a confused look, "What is he talking about?"

"I will explain it all in time," Ned tells her before asking, "Is Lord Renly joining us?"

"No, he's not," Hellen answered begrudgingly, "He and Ser Loras left the city."

"What," Ned asked with surprise.

"He rode through the old gate an hour before dawn with Ser Loras Tyrell and some 50 retainers," Varys reported, "Last seen galloping South in some haste."

"The Tyrells have a hand in that," Hellen mutters.

"What do you mean," Ned asked.

"Let's just say the Tyrells have been whispering in Renly's ear for some time now," Hellen said as she looked at Varys as they both knew about Loras and Renly.

Not having the time to deal with this, they all walk to the Throne Room right up to the doors where Janos Slynt and the Gold Cloaks await Ned.

"We stand behind you, Lord Stark," Janos tells the Northern Lord.

As the grand doors open, all enter, seeing Joffrey Baratheon sitting on the Iron Throne with his mother by his right. His sword shield, Ser Gregor Clegane, on his left as an attendant, proclaims, "All hail his Grace, Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister, the first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

"I command the council to make all necessary arrangements for my coronation," Joffrey commands them, "I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councilors."

Ned didn't pay any attention to Joffrey but looked to Ser Barristan instead, holding out the letter that held Robert's last words, "Ser Barristan, I believe no man here could ever question your honor."

Barristan comes forward to take the letter, "King Robert's seal. Unbroken." He opened the letter to read the contents of it, "Lord Eddard Stark is herein named Protector of the Realm, to rule as Regent until the heir come of age."

Cersei, hearing this, gets up from her chair, "May I see that letter, Ser Barristan?" Barristan did as she commanded. Cersei reads the letter and then scoffs while tearing the letter, "Protector of the realm. Is this meant to be your shield, Lord Stark? A piece of paper?"

"Those were the King's words," a shocked Barristan said.

"We have a new King now," Cersei proclaims before looking to Ned, "Lord Eddard, when we last spoke, you offered me some counsel. Allow me to return the courtesy. Bend the knee, My Lord. Bend the knee and swear loyalty to my son, and we shall allow you to live out your days in the gray waste you call home."

Ned shakes his head, "Your son has no claim to the throne."

"Liar," Joffrey shouted.

Cersei said, "You condemn yourself with your own mouth, Lord Stark. Ser Barristan, seize this traitor."

"Ser Barristan is a good man, a loyal man. Do him no harm," Ned orders his men as Varys, Hellen, and Littlefinger begin to walk to the side as if something is about to happen.

"You think he stands alone," Cersei questions as if Ned were mad.

Wanting all of this to be over and done with, Joffrey bellows, "Kill him! Kill all of them; I command it!"

"Commander! Take the Queen and her children into custody. Escort them back to the royal apartments and keep them there, under guard." Ned proclaims as Varys, Littlefinger, and Hellen slowly get out of the way as if they knew what was coming next.

"Men of the Watch," Janos exclaims as the Gold Cloaks draw their swords.

Ned orders, "I want no bloodshed. Tell your men to lay down their swords. No one needs to die."

Suddenly, someone yells, "Now!" The Gold Cloaks attack the Stark men, stabbing them in the back and slitting their throats. Completely caught off guard by this, Ned suddenly felt a knife up to his neck with a voice, sounding like Littlefinger, saying, "I did warn you not to trust me."


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