Chapter 8; Wolves and dragons

Dragonstone, second moon of 284 BC

hree months after the dragons' resurgence, the gloomy island was now full of life. Given Rhaegar's decision to stay on the island for a certain time, the island had become the political center of Westeros, with the added fact of the return of the dragons. Faced with such special news, many were already drawing up their strategies for the future, since it was only a matter of a few years before the power of the Trageryans would once again be like that before the dance of dragons. Unfortunately for Lord Frey, this meant the transfer of the small council, including Lord Tywin, to the island. However, that was certainly inevitable, but without the lion in the capital he took the opportunity to have his son Aenys appointed commander of the city guard, and his son Waldron castellan of the red fortress, that way when they eventually returned to the capital, I would have a good power base. The only asset that Lord Walder truly had was the king's trust and recent prestige, which was good to intimidate Lord Tywin, but it was evident that the almost infinite gold of the West would sooner or later make him lose a lot of ground. It was no wonder, if Tywin had ordered the murder of Elia Martell's children, just so that his daughter would be queen, what wouldn't that man do so that his grandchildren would be dragon riders? so maybe you should think about how to get rid of it. At least he thought about all that while he saw Jaime Lannister still despondent over the loss of Queen Rhaella. He was a soul in pain, he didn't say anything to anyone, and no one asked him, although no one paid much attention to when his attention was directed to Prince Aegon and his dragon, but above all to King Rhaegar, who enjoyed being the center of attention, while he caressed Verys, who had grown and was now larger than an adult pig, and was already beginning to shoot small flames of blue fire. As predicted, the dragons were growing at an adequate rate, and would soon be able to hunt their own prey, since it would help improve their combat capabilities. But then Lord Frey went to visit the lion's firstborn, whom he had persuaded to be released from his vows. He was in his chambers, and received him almost reluctantly, but he had drunk, and he was crestfallen. "Sir Jaime, how are you?" he asked her kindly. "I'm fine, Lord Frey," the young lion responded in a somber tone. "You still miss the queen," he told her, shaking his head. Jaime Lannister frowned. "I was his… sworn shield of his," he replied. "I understand, I was also very fond of him. "Queen Rhaella was a very good woman, and she had suffered a lot because of the mad king," he told her. "I am glad that at least her last months were happy." "Yes… they were," the young lion told him without hiding his bitterness. "What do you want, my lord?" "I came to see you young Sir, you have me very worried and I would like to entrust you with a mission for the kingdom." That caught the Lannister's attention a bit.

"What is it about?"

"The Ironborn refuse to abandon Bear Island, among other areas of the North, claiming that it is theirs because of their loyalty to the throne," said Lord Frey with some mockery. "In King's Landing, there is a force of four thousand men." , plus five hundred men from my house who would go to reinforce the hosts of the lord commander of the royal guard, I had thought about you leading that force."

"I accept," he responded without thinking. He needed to get out of there as soon as possible, and he had no desire to return to the rock.

"Excellent," Lord Frey thanked him, "this afternoon a ship leaves for the capital, along with another envoy."

"I'll take it right away" I also wanted a few adventures. He was so disappointed at having joined the royal guard, that he finally got some action.

"Well, I won't bother you anymore," he said, turning around. "And being Jaime... time can heal the pains of love," he said, closing the door, while the young lion was surprised.

It was evident that this boy had fallen in love with the queen, and by having someone in her life who was not an incestuous psychopath, it was very likely that she also loved him or felt something similar. Although it was true that Jaime Lannister had been in love with his sister, Lord Frey was sure that such infatuation was nothing more than despair over the death of his mother Joana, to whom he surely felt very strongly. nearby. Cersei and Jaime were twins, so leaving aside such an incident as the one before Joana died, since it had to be taken into account that they did not know what they were doing, the loss of his mother would have thrown him into the arms of his sister, who knew how to manipulate him, and it is most likely that Jaime, instead of love for Cersei, felt a mixture of desperation and obsession, unconsciously seeing her as a memory of his mother. Queen Rhaella and Joana Lannister were practically the same age, both with a reputation for being good women and both married to extremely horrible men, so such a crush was not surprising. The only thing Lord Frey regretted, apart from the inevitable death of the queen, was how angry Rhaegar and Tywin would have been when they saw the two of them secretly marrying. But having Jaime away from his father suited him, especially if he was surrounded by men from his house. This way the old lion would think twice before any false step, because the North at that time was dangerous.

But speaking of Northern problems, he now had to meet with Eddard Stark. The guardian of the North had been brought along with his wife and his son, by direct orders of Lord Frey, and King Rhaegar had entrusted him with that matter, so he had to resolve it in the best way possible. He was surrounded by his guards to his personal office, in the stone drum tower. There he stood, with the usual long, stoic countenance of him, the eldest of Lord Rickard's sons.

After being captured, he had been taken to the crossroads, where Lord Frey had ordered that he be given treatment commensurate with his position, both himself and his wife and son. So they were well taken care of. Ned Stark had some of his brother's drive, but he was calmer and more sensible, knowing what could happen to his family.

"Lord Stark, I am glad to see you again," said Lord Walder, taking a seat in his chair. "Although it is a pity that we have never had the chance to speak."

"Lord Walder…" said the guardian of the North in a cold tone, although he accepted the seat offered to him by the new guardian of the Riverlands.

Then a cupbearer brought them some wine, although neither of them touched a cup.

"I hope my children have treated you according to your position."

"Sir Stevron is an honorable man," he replied.

Lord Frey nodded, and then produced a crude papyrus map of the continent.

"I'm glad," he replied, "Because the North needs its guardian again."

That slightly surprised Ned Stark, who thought that he was going to suffer a worse fate than his father or his brother.

"Don't worry, King Rhaegar pardons you and the other lords of the North," he replied. "What happened can't happen again... never," he told her.

Ned Stark's face hardened.

"What Aerys did to my father and brother…" he said grimly.

"Your brother appeared in the capital, and in the red fortress itself, demanding the head of the crown prince, with more evidence than a simple rumor. For less Tywin Lannister exterminated Houses Reyne and Tarbeck. Furthermore, he presented himself to a paranoid madman. What I do regret was the death of your father. Lord Rickard was a man you could trust with your own life. All this happened because of your brother, the insane king and your drunk friend... tell me, do you know who the new lord of Stormland is? "He is your nephew, the child of rape."

"I don't believe that story!" roared Lord Stark. He knew Robert, he had many defects, but he was not that kind of man.

"You don't have all the information," Lord Frey replied, "tell me, do you know who the knight of the smiling tree was?"

"No, what does that have to do with it?" Lord Stark inquired.

"She was your sister," Lord Frey revealed, "Lady Lyana disguised herself so she could participate in the jousts. "I didn't know her, but I saw her from afar, and even though she was a lady, she was fiercer than many men."

That left the silent wolf speechless.

"For your information, Lady Lyana was not convinced of marrying Robert Baratheon, she heard things about his dissolute life, and she who was going to marry him, wanted to hear them all" she paused to assert her future statement "That same night in the one who ran away with the king, you were with your father and brother, but Robert was drunk, very drunk. Lady Whent testifies that she did not see anyone more drunk than him in the entire tournament. But he was also surrounded by whores, I don't know how many but it was no secret, and your sister went into Robert's store to get to know him better, and the truth is that she knew him, she knew him too well, more than she ever should have. acquaintance. She rebuked him, and the very drunk man, mistaking her for one of her whores, raped her. When your sister was able to leave, she was disgusted and ashamed, but also lost, she wanted to run away from everything and everyone. At that time the prince was leaving with his entourage to go on a trip to Oldtown, when she joined them. He took pity on her, and sheltered her, while the mad king burned her father and her brother, and even legitimized the son of her worst enemy as lord of Stormland. Now he was free, Lord Stark, now there are dragons, and there are pardons. Tell me, what then is your truth?"

Ned Stark was silent. He was too shocked by the revelations to reply.

"You and your wife will take a boat back to King's Landing. There you will leave with the reinforcement of the royal troops against the ironborn," Lord Frey told him, handing him a letter with the royal seal. "This is a letter for the lord commander of the royal guard. With it the castle and your brother Benjen are freed. Once you reach the crossing my son Stevron will free the rest of the northern lords and you can return to your home."

"As you say," Lord Stark acknowledged without any objection.

"I have not finished," he replied firmly, "your son Robb will remain in Dragonstone as the king's ward, eventually becoming his squire, and later a knight. In return, Prince Viserys will be your pupil and both he and his dragon will accompany you."

That really surprised Lord Stark.

"The north is being granted a tax exemption for the next ten years for its reconstruction," added Lord Frey, "and I suggest that before you say anything, do not tempt your luck."

"As you say, my lord," acknowledged the unarmed guardian of the North.

Now he just had to convince the king. But he knew it was for the best, Viserys was still a scared child, and Lord Stark's severity could correct his father's madness. And if that boy had any chance to free himself from the madness of his family, it was this one. Furthermore, there was no doubt that a life like the one he led in Essos had transformed him into human misery.

Now he just had to convince the king. Who was sitting in his honorary chair at the painted table.

"And good?" asked the king.

"Your Majesty, the problem of the North has already been solved," said Lord Frey. "And if you allow me, I have also anticipated two other problems."

That caught Rhaegar's attention.

"Which is it?"

"I find it necessary to send Prince Viserys to the North as Lord Stark's ward, of course with the firstborn of the Guardian of the North as your own ward," he said softly.

Then there was an awkward silence for the king to process the information. But it was obvious that he was not happy at all.

"Along with his dragon?" he asked coldly.

You care more about a dragon than your mother or your brother. Lord Frey thought but he lowered his head.

"That's right," he told her. "It will be the first line of defense."

That calmed him down a bit.

"The first line of defense?" he asked intrigued.

"Yeah. Against the white walkers" he responded in a solemn tone "Now I have no doubt that they will return… not today or tomorrow, not in a year, not in ten, but they will appear again with the winter" he warned her.

Prophecy was the king's weak point. Which gave him permission to continue.

"Winterfell has hot springs that can keep a dragon safe, and there is terrain and hunting there for the dragon to develop, it is not Montedragón, but it will allow us to know how dragons develop in adverse climates, and to know if they can be more resistant. On the other hand, it will be our first line of combat, in case the wall falls, the dragon and the northerners will buy us time until both you, your children and the royal army gather all their forces and save the entire population. humanity" Lord Frey put special emphasis on humanity, to shore up the king's ego "And if you allow me, in this way you will also get rid of having Tywin Lannister as a relative, you are married, your son is a baby, but not A union between Prince Viserys and Lady Cersei is so far-fetched. I have no doubt that he will try something to bring about that union. He would not have a grandson on the iron throne, but he would have a grandson as a dragon rider... in fact I fear for the queen's life. She cannot give you any more children, and if anything happens to her, I understand Lady Cersei will soon be coming to Dragonstone as one of the queen's ladies. I wouldn't be surprised at all if she tried to get as close to you as possible, perhaps to seduce you, get pregnant, and then the queen suffers an unfortunate accident and Lord Tywin demands that you repair the honor of her daughter by taking her as his wife.

Rhaegar was quiet and thinking for a moment. But then he had a smile, almost imperceptible, but Lord Frey saw it.

"You are right, Lord Frey," Rhaegar conceded. "Please take care of the matter of my brother."

"I can have you leave with Lord Stark and Sir Jaime in the carrack I prepared for them."

"Perfect, prepare his things," Rhaegar said, pondering his ideas.

"Do you want to say goodbye to him?" Lord Frey asked him.

"No. I'm busy. But be informed of the development of the dragon" he told her while looking at the map of his domain.

"As you order, your majesty," Lord Frey said with a bow. But when he was going to leave the room, Rhaegar's voice paralyzed him for a moment.

"Ah, Lord Frey… thank you for your efforts," he said with a kind smile.

Lord Frey said nothing and simply gave him another bow, this one deeper to which Rhaegar nodded pleased.

Lord Stark, Sir Jaime, and a disconsolate Viserys, along with a golden dragon already the size of a wild boar, left the island of Dragonstone. But that fact was overshadowed by a tragedy. Well, Queen Elia Martell had died that same night after falling down the stone stairs, and she was found with her neck broken shortly after by one of her guards, causing a great commotion throughout the fortress.