Chapter 13: A New Player

Summary:

Elia must play the game to make her plan come to fruition. Tywin is called to attend an emergency meeting with startling revelations.

Notes:

The last chapter caused some controversy. Some aspects were a mistake on our part, and we have done our best to start correcting that here without editing the mistake out of a published chapter. Furthermore, Xyn would like to apologize for being a little short in responding to comments on the previous chapter.

The controversial aspect was over a minor plot device and we had been discussing it in a long thread by then, but that's really no excuse.

Nevertheless, we feel that the controversy has ultimately made the direction of the story somewhat better, so we hope you stick with us and continue to give us a chance to handle this well. We hope you enjoy the latest chapter!

Chapter Text

Elia III

Chambers of Elia Rhaegar

Elia's eyes were fixed on the Dornish red within the cup she was holding, a small smile on her lips as she thought about everything that happened today. She had met Lord Eddard Stark, and a plan had formed in her mind. At first it really had just been a plan to make her best friend happy.

During the dinner with his parents, Elia had realized that Lord Eddard was the chess piece that had been missing in the plan she and Doran had made. So long they had searched for it, and now Balerion had found it for them; they would finally be able to put their plan to put Rhaenys on the throne into motion. With a smile she made a mental note to make sure that the black kitten would get a special treat tomorrow.

Still, she also knew that her own plan had a fault — her promises. She had been in no position to make them — especially the promise of Rhaenys becoming queen. It surprised her that neither Lord nor Lady Stark had told her that it was impossible, that Viserys would come first — and she was lucky that Rickard probably believed she had spoken with her husband about the plan first.

She hadn't, but she would now.

She emptied the cup in one gulp before placing it onto the table, her eyes falling on an old leather-bound book laying next to it. One of her fingers gently traced the golden letters on the cover — "Songs and Prophecies of Westeros" — before she lifted the book from the table and approached the door that connected her room to the room of her husband.

Her hand knocked gently at the door before she opened it and saw her husband sitting at his desk with a book in front of him, probably the latest one that he had found about prophecies.

"Rhaegar," she said in a soft tone while approaching the desk. "I came to say I'm sorry; I thought about your words and realized I was wrong," the soft tone of her voice became regretful, sad about the fact that she had failed him. "You were right all along: prophecies are important, they will actually show us how to save Westeros," and finally her husband looked up, blinking twice before a small smile came to his lips.

"Oh Elia," her husband said with his melancholic voice. "I knew that someday you would understand me, and you would realize that I only want to save Westeros and all its people,"he continued as he closed the book in front of him.

"I'm sorry Rhaegar, for not immediately believing in you," she mumbled and looked down at the ground. "But after our fight I took one of the books you had put into my bags and started to read it," with these words she actually looked up and raised the book, so he could see the title.

"Oh, that's my favorite one," her husband answered while the smile on his lips got even bigger.

"I actually came upon 'The Song of Ice and Fire' in this book," she continued and walked closer to the table. "It's such a fascinating prophecy, I can't tell you how often I've read it since I discovered this book, I simply couldn't get it out of my mind," she said as she placed the book on his table and opened it on the right page. "And each time I thought about your words," she added as she pushed the book towards him.

"It's a very interesting prophecy," her husband said while his eyes moved over the text and Elia moved behind him. "But I don't know how we could ever make this come true, a union of Ice and Fire," a low sigh escaped him and Elia placed her hands on his shoulders.

"I know what you mean," she agreed with a sigh, her thumbs gently drawing circles between his shoulder blades — she had learned early in their marriage that this made him relax. "The Starks are still sour about the Pact of Ice and Fire that was never fulfilled," she added in a low tone.

"Yes," Rhaegar sighed. "They would probably not even listen to an offer," another sigh escaped his lips as he put his head into his hands, looking at the text in the book.

"Well, I actually had dinner with Rickard Stark and his wife; they seemed very nice, and are interested in alliances with the south," she said. Her husband quickly looked up at her, exactly as she'd expected.

"You had dinner with them? Why?" Rhaegar asked in a surprised tone and Elia nodded.

"Well, I ran into their second son today, Lord Eddard," Elia began slowly and kept moving her thumbs with slight pressure. "We talked for a bit, and my impression was that he was a good and very honorable man; nobody that I asked said a bad word about him," she finished, sighing as she changed the position of her hands a bit, her thumbs now closer to his neck.

"But there is no princess even close to his age Elia," Rhaegar answered with a sigh, not seeing how a smirk came to her lips.

"I know Rhaegar, but Ashara seemed to be quite taken with him," she said in a calm voice. "That is why I invited his parents for dinner. Ashara's mother asked me to find a suitable husband for her, and I think that Lord Eddard might be just the right one," her husband only nodded.

"Wait, you said he is a second son right?" Rhaegar asked after a moment.

"Yes, he is Lord Rickard's second son," Elia confirmed.

"Well, a second son often only gets a small keep, so maybe he would agree to come to King's Landing and live there with Ashara," her husband said in a thoughtful tone.

"I'm sure Ashara could talk him into it, but he would probably want to spend some time with her in the North first," she replied.

"They could spend two years in the North, but then come to King's Landing, maybe they will already have a son by then…" Rhaegar said with more spirit in his voice.

"Rhaegar," Elia said and stopped the massage. "You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?" she asked in a very surprised tone before her husband stood up and turned to her.

"It depends on what you're thinking I'm thinking," Rhaegar said with a light laugh and took her hands. "Because I'm thinking that we offer the Starks more than just a marriage between Lord Eddard and Ashara," he finished. Her husband's voice was not melancholic for once, but cheerful, as if he had just solved all the problems of Westeros.

"Rhaenys?" Elia asked in shock and Rhaegar nodded with a smirk.

"Yes," Rhaegar confirmed. "Besides Ashara, we will offer them the betrothal of Rhaenys to the first born son of Lord Eddard and Ashara," the smirk stayed on his lips as he squeezed Elia's hand. "The winters in the North are hard and long; with this betrothal they will gain the support of my house — and we will be able to get food from all the parts of Westeros that we can send to them."

"And we would fulfill the Pact of Ice and Fire," Elia added and tried to sound amazed by the plan her husband had just come up with. Now Rhaegar's eyes got wide for a moment before he nodded.

"Exactly, we will fulfill the vow my family gave them so many years ago," he confirmed with another nod. "It will show them that we still are thankful for their role in the Dance of the Dragons, and that we respect them," Rhaegar sounded so sure about this, and Elia had to hold back a smirk, biting her own tongue, which made her eyes go wide from the sudden pain.

"But Rhaegar," she said and he looked at her questingly. "What if Lord Rickard denies it, knowing there is a risk of your brother becoming king if you should…" she trailed off, looking down as if she was ashamed of even thinking about this.

"You're right," her husband said with a low sigh. "That is an issue," he mumbled.

"Maybe you could write something down that would declare Rhaenys queen in the case that you have no male heir and your father has passed already?" she asked. She slowly looked up, only mumbling the words, which had the desired effect. Rhaegar's eyes had gone wide before he smiled and nodded.

"That is brilliant Elia," she felt how he gently kissed her forehead before he let go of her hands and sat down at the desk again. He pulled out a sheet of parchment, a pot of ink, and a quill. "Arthur should be outside, please tell him to come in," Rhaegar said, his hand already moving over the parchment with the quill.

"Sure," she said as she leaned down and placed a kiss on his cheek, using the moment to look at the parchment he was just scribbling his last will down upon, putting it down on paper that Rhaenys would be queen if he should die as king without male heirs.

Elia walked to the door, her feelings mixed. Viserys would probably challenge Rhaenys's claim, but with this single marriage she would gain the North, the Stormlands — she was sure Robert Baratheon would gain more followers than Connington in due time — and probably also the Vale as allies in the civil war this could potentially cause. Elia needed these allies to protect herself and her daughter, and that required the promise of a consortship; Elia personally wanted Rhaenys nowhere near that accursed chair.

She paused to compose herself before she opened the door. "Arthur, Rhaegar asked for you," she informed the Kingsguard who stood outside. The man only nodded and followed her inside before closing the door behind him.

"Crown Prince Rhaegar," Arthur greeted her husband with a bow as he shortly looked up.

"Arthur, I need your service as a loyal and trusted friend today," Rhaegar said as he finished another sentence before finally looking up again. "I need the following message spread through all of Harrenhal; by morning nearly everyone shall know about it," Rhaegar said and waited for a nod from Arthur.

"Many years ago House Targaryen and House Stark made the Pact of Ice and Fire. While House Stark fulfilled their part, House Targaryen didn't, until today. I, Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, decided that it is long past time to show House Stark that we're thankful for their loyalty during the Dance of Dragons, and through all the years that have passed until the present day. With these thoughts, I wish to honor the pact that our Houses made long ago, and I offer the hand of my daughter — and heir until I have a son — Princess Rhaenys Targaryen to the first born son of Lord Eddard Stark should he accept the betrothal to Lady Ashara Dayne. As a show of my trust in House Stark, they shall also gain the support of my house during the long and hard winters they suffer."

Rhaegar was looking at Arthur who looked back before he repeated the words.

"Perfect, now go and ensure that everyone knows," again Arthur nodded before turning around and leaving the room, his white cloak billowing after him.

"This worked better than I expected,"Elia thought to herself as she walked back to Rhaegar and sat down next to him to write down the contract for the betrothal between Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Ashara Dayne, as well as for the betrothal between their first son and Rhaenys.

Tywin II

Harrenhal

Tywin had been more than surprised when he'd found a slip of parchment on his private desk after the dinner with Lord Eddard was over. More than once he had questioned the guards if anyone had been allowed entry to his tent, and each time they had vowed that no one had been allowed entry.

It was clear that it had been delivered by a crannogman — it carried the sigil of the council after all—but that was also what had stolen his sleep the previous night. He had never expected that a situation would arise that caused the need for a meeting right under the eyes of the dragons.

Before the sun had even risen he had left his tent through the back, wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled deep over his face, and nothing fancy that could glint in the light of the moon or of the rising sun. No risk could be taken here at Harrenhal: too many loyalists were here — even though he was sure that most of them were actually loyal to Rhaegar rather than Aerys.

He hadn't even felt as nervous when he'd resigned as Aerys's hand as he did today; his nerves were on edge, and every little noise nearly caused him to turn around."Stop it, you would notice if someone was following you. Those are just the normal sounds of the night,"Tywin thought angrily at himself, knowing that if someone was actually following him that looking around would make them even more suspicious than a lone stranger walking into the forest.

When Tywin finally reached the clearing he saw two more hooded figures standing close to one another. He slowly approached them, but before he could even say a word the tallest of them raised his hand — Tywin understood and was silent. He didn't know how long they had been standing there until a figure who wore a dark green cloak appeared in front of them.

"The area is secure; we will keep anyone from getting too close," the man said before disappearing into the woods again.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice. We all know how much risk this meeting brings, but believe me it was necessary," Rickard Stark said next to him and Tywin saw how Jon nodded; he slowly nodded too. "Last night I was invited for dinner with Princess Elia," the man continued, and this immediately piqued Tywin's interest — never before had he heard about the princess inviting someone to dinner. "As you both can surely assume, it was not just out of friendship. The princess had an offer for me and House Stark that she wanted to present to me and my wife," he finished. That was what Tywin had already assumed, the question was: what was the offer the princess had made to the head of House Stark?

"If you called a meeting because of that offer it must have been very special," Jon said what Tywin thought.

"Princess Elia informed me that Lady Dayne had requested that she arrange a suitable match for her daughter," Rickard continued and Tywin sighed.

"And she thinks that Lord Eddard and Ashara would make a perfect match, correct?" If Tywin hadn't been sure of the answer he wouldn't have asked; it was the only plausible and urgent reason for such a meeting.

"If that's true then you could have simply declined the offer from her; House Dayne clearly would bring no advantage for House Stark," Jon intervened, and Tywin bit his tongue. It was moments like this one when it was hard not to slap his forehead and give an exhausted sigh. Jon Arryn was an intelligent man, but situations like this made Tywin reconsider — it should have been clear that more came with the offer, or Rickard wouldn't have called the meeting.

"Correct Tywin; false Jon," Rickard said with a sigh. "I declined the princess's offer, but she told me she was prepared for that," Tywin had always thought Elia to be a bright woman, and these words from Rickard only confirmed this thought; her offer would showhowintelligent. "She then told me that with Ashara my House would gain the support of House Martell and through them Dorne," Rickard raised a hand and a smirk appeared on Tywin's face; so Rickard anticipated that Jon was about to say something again. "Additionally, the support of House Targaryen and the Crownlands would be gained through her, bringing the North very valuable sources of food during our long and hard winters," if Tywin was honest he would have already agreed to this offer were he in Rickard's position — but then their plan would help House Stark even more.

"But the princess is sickly; if she should pass that support would be lost. And Dorne doesn't produce enough of the food you need during winter," Jon pointed out, and Tywin had to agree with it; in moments like these the true intelligence of Jon Arryn showed through. Tywin was just about to agree with Jon, but something in the back of his mind told him to wait — that this was not all.

"That's very true Jon, and it's the reason why princess Elia informed me that the first born son of Ned and Ashara would be betrothed to Princess Rhaenys, ensuring the support even after Princess Elia's death," he finished. Tywin was speechless.

"The Targaryens would finally fulfill the Pact of Ice and Fire they made with Cregan Stark; the North would get a princess, and that would probably ensure them more than two generations of support,"Tywin bit his lip this time, just in time to hold back a sigh."I knew that Princess Elia was intelligent, but this is even more intelligent than I thought. She basically offered the North all they could dream of, and all that through a single marriage,"Tywin's mind raced.

"That's… a lot," Jon said after a moment of silence, and Tywin decided that it would be enough to only listen with half an ear. "I mean, you would gain a lot of support just with the marriage of Ned," Jon added after a moment.

"If I decline this offer the princess would think me a fool, too stupid for the good of my family and house," Rickard replied with a sigh.

"Not just that, she would get suspicious," Tywin added after a moment, still in his thoughts. "You and your House would gain so much with that marriage," and slowly a thought pushed to the front of his mind.

"If the princess and the crown prince had no more children… that would basically mean that a Stark would have a claim on the throne after a few years, the children of Rhaenys being half Stark,"Tywin thought, his eyes widening when he realized that."That means the Starks could gain everything without a war while I and my house would gain nothing,"in these moments it was hard for Tywin to stay cool and collected."But what if…"

"There is one issue with the offer," Rickard suddenly interfered before Tywin could even open his mouth. "The princess said that her daughter would sit on the iron throne, but — as we all know — that isn't the case. According to the great council of 136 AC, each male from the Targaryen line comes before a female in the line of succession." Rickard was silent for a moment.

"Prince Viserys would come before Princess Rhaenys then," Jon said.

"Correct, and with the way the princess said it… I fear that it would be the beginning of a civil war," Rickard added with a sigh. "I'm not even sure if the princess had talked about this offer with Prince Rhaegar first."

That had been an interesting piece of information; Tywin had just settled on an answer and now this.

"I think that we've just found another player of the game," Tywin said and his eyes moved from Rickard to Jon, noticing how both hoods had turned slightly to give him their full attention. "Princess Elia clearly has her own plans; she is playing the Game of Thrones without many people realizing it. To be honest with the both of you," Tywin made sure he still had their attention. "I think that Princess Elia is a very skilled player of the game, and she will get her husband to support her offer. The king is a different matter, and she may or may not be able to get Aerys' support," a sigh followed his words and the other two stayed silent.

"You will accept the offer, and Eddard will marry Ashara Dayne; if you decline, Princess Elia would get suspicious, and she wouldn't be the only one, especially since as far as the public knows Eddard isn't betrothed, and you were basically offered all you could ever want," Tywin finished. In the end Tywin had stayed with his decision from earlier. The risk with this new player was too high; they couldn't risk a failure out of pride now.

"But what about our plan?" Jon asked, just as Tywin had expected. "What about the betrothal between Eddard and Cersei? You both signed a contract," a smirk came to Tywin's face again.

"We will stick with our plan; there will be a rebellion whenever House Targaryen inevitably gives us a justification, and Eddard will be placed on the throne," Tywin raised his hand to signal he had more to say. "But Rickard will honor our contract too. Eddard will marry my daughter Cersei."

"You want him to marry both Lady Ashara and your daughter?" It was clear that Jon was shocked by Tywin's plan.

"Well, some of the Kings of Winter had two or more wives, it is not unheard of in the North, and the old gods never punished them for it," finally Rickard was speaking and Tywin directly gave him his full attention. "But you do know this could mean that Ashara gives birth to a son before your daughter, making the boy Ned's heir?"

"I know Rickard," Tywin answered, knowing that the other two men were watching him."It's a risk that can be taken care of, not in the open but in the shadows,"came to his mind."Stop it you greedy fool,"Tywin directly scolded himself in his mind."You saw how much Joanna and Cersei already adore Eddard; if you act against him,"Tywin swallowed, hoping no one noticed it,"they would both turn against you. Nobody would keep Eddard and Rickard from hunting you down, punishing and ruining everything you've worked so hard for,"this time a sigh escaped his lips."Cersei will be Queen, one of my grandchildren might become king, or will at the very least be very high in the line of succession and a loved and trusted sibling,"and with that he had made a decision. "It's a risk, but I think it's a risk worth taking for a better future for Westeros, not to mention a better future for our children and grandchildren," he finished, and Tywin meant those words; he would not risk this new alliance and the promised peace out of greed.

"Well, you two would outvote me if I protested," Jon said with a sigh. "And I have to admit that Tywin is right; we need to make sure the tyranny ends, that is more important than who is the mother of the heir. This is for Westeros, for a better future for our houses," another sigh left Jon's lips. "I agree with you, Rickard should accept the offer. Ned will marry Lady Ashara, but will also honor the betrothal contract and make Lady Cersei his wife too."

"I agree as well, I will accept the offer and let Ned marry lady Ashara. The contract with Tywin will be honored, and Ned will also marry Lady Cersei," with these words from Rickard the tension finally left Tywin's body. They would stick to their plan: he only had the extra task of trying to make sure that his grandchild would sit on the throne when the time had come.

"Then I think we can end the meeting and head back to our tents," Rickard said and shortly looked up. "The old gods also seem to agree with us, granting us the cover of darkness for our journey back," Tywin saw Jon nod, and then he nodded too.

Without another word each lord walked in a different direction, Tywin choosing a different path back to his tent. Maybe he would be able to get a few more hours of sleep.

Tywin was shaken awake rather forcefully; it felt as if he had not even gotten an hour of sleep, and he really wanted to shout at the person who dared to wake him — until he looked into the furious eyes of his wife.

"Joanna?" He asked, still sleepy.

"Don't you dare 'Joanna' me, Tywin Lannister," his wife growled out.

"What happened?" He just sighed and shook his head, not understanding what was going on.

"What happened?" His wife asked with a mad glint in her eyes. "Nothing important, only everyone in Harrenhal talking about the gracious offer Prince Rhaegar made to House Stark."

Tywin looked confused, he only knew about Princess Elia talking with Rickard.

"He offered the Starks the support of House Targaryen during the winters of the North, and to honor the pact of Ice and Fire, betrothing his daughter — who is his heir until he has a son — to the first born son of Lord Eddard," it seemed as if his wife's eyes got even more furious when she stopped at this point, and Tywin knew what would come next. "The only thing the Starks need to do is accept the betrothal of Lord Eddard to Lady Ashara Dayne," with that she threw clothes at him. "You get dressed now, and we'll go to the Starks; you told me that you and Rickard have a contract: I want to know how this rumor can even be out there," and Tywin knew better than to argue with his wife then, getting dressed to leave with her just like she wished. The two of them rode in Joanna's wheelhouse, and for once Tywin didn't protest as he was absolutely exhausted. He reflected on the situation as they rode to the camp of House Stark.

"By the Seven, now it really isn't possible for Rickard to decline,"he thought as he silently sat next to his fuming wife."Thank the Seven we already agreed upon him accepting the offer last night,"he had to hold back a sigh."I knew you were intelligent Elia, but to so quickly get your husband involved and agreeing to it, even publicly announcing it… absolutely brilliant,"he thought as the banners of the Stark Camp came into view.