278 AC – King's Landing, CrownLands – Seat of Power: Aerys II Targaryen

It has been almost 7 months since the Fires of Duskendale and the safe return of King Aerys. Peace had returned to the realm, and many were now more aware than ever of the destructive power hiding behind the Crown.

Yet, peace did not seem to fully return in the Red Keep. Ever since his return, Aerys had changed and it was starting to become more noticeable. At first, he did not want anyone to touch him, resulting in his nails and hair growing longer while the time between baths was also increased.

Then, he would stay inside his chambers for hours on end and only walk around the Red Keep with the full presence of his King's Guard. Similarly, he refused to see Tywin or even Visenya without all 7 of his loyal Guards surrounding him.

There was this mistrust in his violet eyes, only replaced by sadistic anger whenever he burnt a traitor or someone guilty of a crime. Even his relationship with his son, Rhaegar, had started to become more and more distant.

The boy had just closed his 19th name-day and felt the sudden change in his father's character more than ever. Even Viserys, who had barely reached his 2nd name day seemed to suffer at the behaviour change of his father.

On a usual good day in King's landing; Rhaegar was taking a stroll in the gardens of the Red Keep with his aunt. Visenya had her arm around his elbow and the two of them were walking slowly, enjoying the good weather while discussing some more personal things.

"What do you think is going on with Father?" Rhaegar asked his steps in sync with hers.

Visenya let a silent quick sigh as she kept looking forward. "Your father passed away a lot while in Duskendale. Sometimes such things tend to affect her, especially if they have been harmful enough. He just needs time to adjust back to normal" she explained.

Although, her words were not reassuring enough and she knew it. She had seen how her older brother was slowly changing, becoming worse than he once was. Such behaviour was not temporary and she knew it. Sooner or later, it would only get worse but she did not feel like being honest with Rhaegar yet.

He was already trying to handle the sudden cold shoulder from his father and he was young. He had time in front of him to learn more, observe on his own and take the proper actions when the time would come.

"I still think it was wrong of him to ignore the advice of the Lorherd Hand," the young man said, earning the attention of his aunt. "I mean, if he had listened and never gone to Duskendale; none of this would have happened"

The female Targaryen nodded faintly with her head. "That is true but the past cannot be changed, Rhaegar. Every action has a reaction following it, the same goes for consequences"

"Well, when I become King I will not ignore any of his advice or yours for that matter" his words made her lift an eyebrow and turn her head to look at him as he stood a quarter head taller than her. He saw her reaction and smirked. "I mean, if Lord Lannister will accept being my Hand when I become King. I don't think there is anyone better at this job than him. Of course, Auntie, you will also be part of my small council; maybe Master of Arms"

His words amused her and she did not hide it. "Listen to you, already making plans ahead. When the time comes, Rhaegar, I will gladly be part of your small council. Although, I am afraid you will have to ask Lord Lannister himself if he would like to continue to be the Hand"

He gave her with charming toothy grin as he looked forward again. "I will ask him when it's time. I already think some people will not approve but I can see he is an experienced man. Sure, he can be a little cruel sometimes"

Visenya tapped her fingers gently on his upper arm and hummed faintly as she listened to him. "He has the experience and the mind to make it all work out. As for cruelty, Rhaegar, do not be so quick to discard it. Sometimes, a little bit of cruelty might be necessary to pass a message and secure a stable future"

"Like the Rains of Castamere? Or now the Fires of Duskendale?" he asked, clearly having done his research on the subject before approaching her.

"Yes, one could say that. They might sound like silly songs to you, now, but to many are a reminder not to chase their luck. This is often how a dynasty lasts and peace remains, through respect and fear. One cannot have the first and expect a smooth ruling without using the other" she explained to him, showing wisdom beyond her looking years.

Many by now have forgotten that Visenya was at the proper age of 8 and 20, having seen war as a child and having participated in combat. Sure, she did not fight a full-scale war but only because she knew how to win it before it could even begin.

She had the personal experience and also the knowledge from all the time she spent studying or learning from Tywin. She saw how things worked, both the good and the bad ways of it and knew what she had to do to handle them; not caring whether her hands would be stained with mud or blood.

"Sometimes you make me wish to write a song for you, Auntie," Rhaegar said, changing the brooding subject to a better one.

"A song?"

"Or a poem about your accomplishments. I find it unfair that you get no credit after all the hard work you have done. I respect Lord Lannister and I know he is a brilliant man but I can see you are his equal and yet no one else sees it" he confessed.

She gently squeezed her fingers around his upper arm, offering some passive comfort. "Do not ruin your good mood with my situation, Rhaegar. I do not do it for the glory or the recognition. I care for my family and I want to secure a good future for them"

"Either way, I will write you something and perform it just for you...maybe the soldiers as well. I know they have respect for you, the King's Guard as well. I am sure they would enjoy a nice song for the next time we march into battle or siege"

A small chuckle was barely heard, coming straight from the cold-hearted princess. Sometimes, her nephew seemed to have ways of amusing her more than anyone else. She did not argue with any of his last words, deciding to just let the romantic music prodigy nephew of hers just be.

As they took a turn, they noticed Tywin walking their way. He had his hands by his sides, his back straight and he walked as if he was the true King of the place. A small smile graced Visenya's lips upon seeing him, something that Rhaegar took notice of.

As the three of them exchanged pleasantries and small talk, they were aware that all this time someone had been spying on them.

Aerys was on his balcony, overlooking the gardens. His nails had grown longer, his beard and hair as well while his body had become thinner. He gripped the railing with force and he glared burning daggers at his son and sister when he spotted them walking into the gardens.

When he saw Tywin approach them and discuss with them, he saw red and he felt his stomach turning the ugly way. Voices in his head that had started during his imprisonment were loud in his voice, sometimes too loud.

Yet at that time, he could hear it clearly. His own voice echoed in his mind telling him what he already knew but had chosen to try and ignore all those years.

They are plotting against you

Tywin is behind all of this. He plans to put Rhaegar on the throne

Yes, because he knows he will be easier to control than us.

Visenya is working with him. She must have planned it all along

She was always jealous of our power. She even dared to take it while we were prisoners

As this raging storm of growing paranoia was settling in his head, one thing became evident. Tywin Lannister had to go or Aerys dared to lose the throne for good.

The year 278 did not seem that it was meant to be a quiet one.

Aerys wished to control Rhaegar's future and prevent Tywin from forming any alliance with houses that benefited him. To ensure this would not happen, the King sent the only person he truly trusted more than anyone else; his cousin Steffon.

He was meant to go to Volantis to find a bride "of noble birth from an old Valyrian bloodline" and then once his dear cousin had returned, he would be named his new Hand of the King.

Before he left, Steffon had informed Visenya of her brother's plans to get rid of Tywin's power; knowing very well that it was more of a personal vendetta than anything else. In addition, Steffon did not wish to remain in King's Landing or take up all that responsibility.

He wished to return back to his wife and three children, to watch them grow as he taught them how to handle a sword. Visenya understood his wishes and promised to help him once he would have returned with the bride; if he would be able to find her that was.

Yet, the Gods seemed to have a different plan in mind. A toss of coin one would call it with one side ending Steffon's life and the other keeping it. In the end, the primer came to be and that would be the first big crack in Aerys' shifting mentality.

Steffon travelled with his wife Cassana, and despite his efforts; he did not manage to find what Aerys was looking for. Instead, he had found a very funny fool, whom he intended to bring back home to entertain his sons.

However, during the return journey, their ship was caught in a severe storm. Within sight of Robert and Stannis, who were standing on the parapets of Storm's End, the Windproud was smashed on the rocks and sank in Shipbreaker Bay. Steffon, Cassana, and hundreds of sailors drowned; the only survivor being the fool, Patchface, who washed up ashore three days later.

The news had shaken the world, many Lords knowing Steffon paid their respects to his three children. Visenya had even made the trip to Storm's End for the funeral, being one of the closest with the Baratheon Lord.

She paid her respects and promised the boys that she would handle the arrangements, to ensure Storm's End had help if they needed it while the eldest; Robert would learn how to be a proper Lord of his house.

Visenya had lost a few people close to her, although she never truly bonded enough to be heartbroken by their loss. It was not in her to let control of her emotions to the point of crying, something proven since she was a child who barely shed a tear.

Yet, the loss of her cousin and ally was felt within her heart. He was an honourable family man, who only wished to be with his own people and yet got dragged into the schemes of the Royal Court.

The trip back to King's Landing had Visenya in deep thought, as Steffon's last words before his departure were repeated in her mind,

"Aerys plans to make me his new Hand upon my return. I do not know what Tywin has done to piss him off like that but you know must know I do not want this position"

Now that Steffon was dead, Aerys had lost Tywin's replacement but that did not mean whatever beef he had with the Lion was gone. Instead, Visenya feared of what might come next with her brother's paranoia growing.

A plan came in her mind and it was perhaps the wildest she had ever thought of it. She would have never imagined herself to even think of such an option but the dangers were growing and she could not bear to lose the only man she wished to have by her side.