Whispers In The Wind: The First Song
If you haven't noticed, I'm just jumping from important event to important event. Eventually it will settle down and less time will pass between chapters but until then, here you go.
Chapter Three
King Aerys Targaryen
King's Landing, 277 AC
Purple eyes scanned the crowd gathered in the great hall. It was supposed to be a time of celebration, his eldest children were to be married soon but alas happiness and peace was but an illusion. One of his lords thought it wise to go against the crown.
"Your grace." His Hand appeared at the bottom of the throne.
"What is it, Tywin? Has that fool Lord Darklyn come to his senses?"
"Not in the slightest, he has requested you come to Duskendale so things can be sorted out."
Aerys quirked an eyebrow, "Then I shall, but there will be no discussions, I will show Duskendale what happens when you defy the crown."
"I would advise against going in any capacity, your grace. Lord Darklyn already feels he has enough power to defy the crown and demand a charter, giving in to his request would only further empower him. Not to mention the potential danger."
"Bah," Aerys waved the Lannister off, "This is something I must do. If I do nothing I lose respect and others might get the same idea. No, I must show that House Targaryen is still strong."
There had been whispers of House Targaryen no longer being the blood of the dragon after the recent failed hatchings. Westeros had kneeled to the dragons and those of the blood of the dragon, if they felt that the powers that be no longer held power, then what was to stop them from rebelling.
"It is not wise, your grace. Lord Darklyn only wants more power and we've denied him that. A man who is denied the power he desires becomes dangerous and desperate."
"What would you do if you were Lord Darklyn?" Aerys asked with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"I would cease this madness. I am loyal to his grace, it is by your will that I live and serve."
Aerys smiled, the answer satisfied him but still he felt that it was not entirely true. He had known Tywin for most of his life and he knew for a fact he was a prideful man. Tywin lived and served as Tywin wanted but he would stay loyal or else he would be looked at as an oathbreaker and traitor and he would never let the Lannister name fall so low again.
"Then serve me by arranging my transport to Duskendale."
Like the good servant he was, Tywin nodded and left to fulfill his duties.
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The great Lord Lannister stood just outside his tent. His emerald eyes glistened in the sun, the small golden flecks danced in the sunlight. He released a deep breath as he made way to the front of the camp.
Lord Commander Gerold Hightower already stood with a group of soldiers.
"Has there been any activity?" He asked, looking at the high walls of Duskendale.
Ser Gerold grunted, "None at all. What is our next move? It has been half a year. I fear for the king's health."
"We give them one last chance, if they refuse it then we storm the castle and take the king."
"Is that wise, Lord Hand? Lord Darklyn said he would kill the king if we attempted any kind of assault."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Tywin said no more to the lead knight, "Sound the horn."
A man holding a small horn blew into it, signaling for an audience with the Lord of Duskendale. It didn't take long before Lord Denys Darklyn stood on the battlements looking down on the siege camp.
"Have you come to your senses, Lord Lannister?"
Tywin fought the urge to scoff, it seemed Lord Darklyn hadn't come to his senses.
"I give you until nightfall to stop this madness. Open your gates and return the king."
"I only want what I deserve. Give me the charter and the king is yours."
"Nightfall. That is your deadline."
With that Tywin turned and walked back to his tent. The men of the camp gave him queer looks. From their perspective Tywin hadn't tried very hard, nor had he the entire siege but Tywin did not have the average mind. He never did anything for no reason.
"So we are to assault, Lord Hand?" See Gerold asked, appearing next to the hand.
"No. Lord Darklyn will be in our hands long before nightfall."
Gerold knew he would get no more from the king's second so he left, hoping that the man knew what he was doing.
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The sun was nearing its final descent when the gates of the port city opened. Lord Darklyn was being led by a group of guardsmen and behind them was the king who looked worse for wear. He was dressed in rags, his dark gold hair was long and unkempt, same for his beard, his nails looked more like curled claws than human nails. Even from afar Tywin could see the dull, lost look in his old friend's eyes. It was the same look he had when they rescued him from the clutches of the Blackfyres.
"Get the king to safety and make sure he's tended to." Tywin commanded while his eyes never left the Darklyn Lord.
"Burn, burn, make them burrrn! Dracarys! Dracarys!" The king shrieked as he was being taken away.
"Transport him back to the city and seize the town."
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King's Landing was abuzz, the king had been returned to his seat of power but he had yet to be seen so the streets of King's Landing were talking. Some say the king had gone mad and murdered anyone with Darklyn and Hillard blood; sans Lady Darklyn who seemingly disappeared in the madness that occurred during the sacking of Duskendale and then set fire to the Dun Fort during his daring escape. Others say it was Lord Tywin who gave the orders. Then there were those few who spoke of dragons. Not many knew the truth of it. Aerys awoke and demanded fire and blood and so went the Houses Darklyn and Hollard. He had wanted to burn the entirety of Duskendale but Tywin had not allowed it, the port town was still very much a profitable piece of the kingdom. He hadn't the energy to argue with Tywin then but he was sure that was the reason for his current summons. Pushing open the door, Tywin steeled himself.
"Sit." Aerys commanded.
Despite not being in captivity anymore, Aerys still very much looked the part. His hair was still long and unruly, his nails were a bit shorter but still longer than the norm. But what worried Tywin was the look in his eyes, they darted around the room as if he was expecting something or someone to appear out of the shadows.
"I assume you want me to thank you for saving my life?"
"No, your grace. I was only doing my duty."
The king scoffed, "Of course, the ever so dutiful Tywin. Always doing his duty and never for his own gain."
The Lord of Casterly Rock remained still, even as his liege insinuated a selfishness he never knew.
"Tell me, why do you care so little for me, your oldest, closest friend, your king, hmm? I've done nothing but be good to you."
"And I've done all I can to do right by you and the throne, your grace. Everything I do is to better the Iron Throne."
This set the king off as he rose, throwing everything off of his desk as he did. His dark purple eyes burned as they bore into the Lord of Casterly Rock.
"Then why," He snarled, getting in Tywin's face,"Have you gone against me at every turn?"
Even as the heated breath of his king crashed against his face, Tywin remained calm, which only seemed to anger Aerys more.
"Your grace, I do not understand."
"Do not play me for a fool Tywin. We have known each other far too long. You are an intelligent man. It wasn't until that savage got his claws in you that you started to show any kind of disloyalty. You even sent your boy to join that gallivanting troop of traitors."
"My business with Rickard is purely for the future of my house, not in spite of you, your grace and as for your lengthy stay in the cells of Duskendale, I did advise against going to meet with Lord Darklyn."
Aerys remained in Tywin's face, staring into his eyes. The silence was palpable until a howl of laughter cut through the air.
Aerys placed a hand on Tywin's shoulder, "Rise my friend."
And so Tywin did, the king pulled him into a hug.
"I should have listened to you, old friend. I didn't and I paid for it. I will heed your wise counsel next time."
"I advise you to get something in your stomach and get some rest. I will hold court for you with the crown prince at my side."
"Thank you, ever the loyal friend. I will find a way to repay you. I will be in my chambers if I'm needed."
Tywin nodded and watched as his king left. He released a small breath. Aerys had begun to break again. It wouldn't be long before the nightmares started again.
"Payne, make sure these letters are sent off immediately."
The knight of House Payne nodded, leaving to make sure his duties were fulfilled sooner rather than later.
The throne room was alive and full of people waiting to take his precious time. The prince was silent as he stood to his right, he was always a quiet boy but ever since his sister left after their wedding was postponed he had been even quieter. It would be a long day.
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The lands surrounding Riverrun were some of the most fertile in the whole of Westeros. Night was coming fast and all the field workers were going back to their homes after a long day of work. It was these times she liked best, the fields were empty, the sun was setting and a cool-but not cold wind was blowing.
"But eventually the cold winds will blow everyday."
The Starks would be arriving soon to take her north. She would be Lady of the North and a Stark, no longer a Tully. It had been discussed and decided, without her knowledge, that she would go to Winterfell to learn from Lady Stark. She and Brandon had been exchanging letters the last few years and she learned how odd the north was and how misunderstood the people were, at least through her betrothed's eyes. She still had her own misgivings but soon she would see with her own eyes.
"My lady, we should head back now. The air is getting chilly and the day is growing darker."
Catelyn Tully looked back at her sworn sword with a small smile. They went through this almost every day. Though she never strayed far from her father's keep. Taking a look into the sky she saw that the sun had indeed begun its final descent of the day. As usual the trip back was uneventful but there was a surprise waiting for her as she arrived back at Riverrun. A large group of men headed by two very large men. Her heart jumped as she saw the sigil of House Stark flying above them.
"It seems my lady's betrothed has come to meet her." Catelyn could hear the mirth in the knight's voice.
Her heart continued to pound in her chest as she neared the group of men. She could feel her cheeks burn as she spotted the Stark direwolf on the chest of one of the leading men. His dark brown hair was shorn at the sides with a long braid going down the middle of his head to the back. Strange symbols were painted on the shaved sides of his head.
'Strange', she thought to herself. Her attention quickly shifted to the rest of his body.
Even with the typical Stark features long, she could see his Valyrian ancestry in his looks, especially his eyes. He was assuredly one of the most handsomest men in the realm. But his frame is where his northern blood truly showed, he was tall, taller than her uncle and wider as well, his muscles showed even behind his leather and furs.
They still hadn't seen her, so she brought her horse to a halt and hid in the shadow of a great oak tree. Her curious eyes watched as the group of men continued talking.
"They say your little lady has grown into quite the beauty." A man with midnight black hair and deep blue eyes said with a smirk.
Looking at the black stag on his doublet she knew that was the heir to Storm's End. He was even bigger than Brandon, though not by much.
"I've not seen her since the betrothal feast and that was years ago, I'm sure she's only gotten more beautiful." Brandon replied, his words sending ripples through her chest.
"She's a redhead, if I remember correctly."
Brandon turned his head, "Yeah, so?"
"You must have a thing for redheads. Remember Little Red, from that inn around Blackhaven?"
A blade of pain punctured her heart as a smile crept onto Brandon's face. The words that came out of his mouth next sent the blade through her heart.
"Of course I do, I gave her seven days and seven nights in the name of her gods."
She didn't care about anyone or anything as she rode away from the man who she thought she loved with tears streaming down her face.
"Lady Catelyn!" The Riverlander knight chased after the auburn haired lady but not before sending a piercing glare at the heir of Winterfell.
Brandon cursed after realizing his future wife had heard their conversation. He let his face fall into his hands. After a moment he lifted his head and gave his closest friend a pointed stare, who in turn gave a booming laugh while shrugging his shoulders.
"You do know Lyanna will try to kill you once I tell her that you have a bastard. Father has told me she's gotten better with her dagger."
"She might and it will only make me love her more."
"I should go get her. Shouldn't I?" His question was aimed at those closest to him.
"Aye, you should." A man with rustic brown hair and a large beard said.
The next to speak up was a man with silver, almost white hair and deep purple eyes.
"Maybe get to know her and let her get to know you, the real you."
Brandon nodded before taking off on his snow-white northern charger. Despite its massive frame it easily passed her pursuing protector and caught up with the smaller pony.
"Lady Catelyn." Brandon called but he was ignored as she kept her same speed.
The heir sighed, he knew how stubborn a hurt, angry young woman could be. Snapping his reins he silently commanded his horse go faster. Eital's massive form blocked the way forcing the fleeing lady to stop before she and her horse crashed into their very much larger counterparts. She still refused to acknowledge him, keeping her head turned opposite of him.
"She doesn't want to talk to you." Ser Ryger spat as he caught up.
Brandon gave the man a cool smile, a predatory glint shining in his light grey eyes.
"This is between my betrothed and I. She is safe with me and no longer has any use for you."
"I will not leave my lady with a foolish boy."
"A boy that is both taller and stronger than you, not to mention has taken more lives than you."
Catelyn, seeing the rising tensions between the two men decided against her best judgment and sent her sworn shield away.
"It is okay, Ser Ryger, we are still close to Riverrun."
"It is my duty to watch over you but if it's your wish I will make myself scarce. If you need me just call my name."
The bastard knight sent Brandon one last glare before trotting off.
"Protective, isn't he?" Brandon asked, chuckling.
He was met with cold silence.
"I know you feel betrayed, most would in this situation. But I assure you it is not what you think. I know here in the south you are raised with certain views and values but I am not the perfect prince you learn of in the tales your septa tell you."
The first born daughter of Riverrun responded by unmounting her horse and walking into the forest.
Brandon sighed and did the same to chase after her, it wouldn't do well if he let something happen to her.
"How long are you going to keep this up?"
He was still met with silence. Aggravation was already starting to rise in his mind but this was to be his future wife whether he liked it or not and the key to the North's relationship with the Riverlands so he would do what he needed to.
"You must think of me as some monster, a common man, a liar and a lustful beast. If so I implore to throw out of your mind anything that has been told to you about me. The truth is we don't know each other outside of our letters. We had no choice in this decision but that doesn't mean we have no choice in the relationship we have. Two years we've been promised to each other and we've only been given the barest of details. So let us get to know each other and then we decide what we think of each other. I'm sure they told you of my fabled good looks, peerless skill with weapons and my fondness of animals."
He saw the corners of her mouth tug, she was fighting the urge to smile. Seeing that he got the reaction he wanted, Brandon continued.
"They were right to tell you that. I am a good looking man, my blade may not be peerless but there aren't many that can match it and I do love animals, they are much better than people but that is not all I am. I am a loving brother, a dutiful son, a great friend and a fierce lover."
Catelyn flinched at his last words, though she couldn't stop her cheeks from turning crimson. She turned her tear filled blue eyes at the man who was to be her husband.
"You admit that so easily to me. Do I mean so little to you?"
Brandon nearly flinched at the amount of pain in her voice.
"I am only telling you the truth. My lady I am a man of hunger, for battle, for food, for women and I am a man that gets what he wants. As for how much you mean to me, we are strangers but I prefer that change. We are to be married and I do not want it to be loveless and cold as winter beyond the wall."
"How can we have a loving marriage if you can't keep to one bed? What if you already have bastards running about? How can I love a man that doesn't love me back?"
At this point Catelyn was near her breaking point with rivers of tears rushing down her face. He heard the hooves before he heard the voice.
"Lady Catelyn!" Ser Ryger's voice cut through the air.
Catelyn moved to leave but Brandon took hold of her arm. Surprisingly she glared at the man but Brandon sent a stern look of his own that instantly chilled Catelyn's rage. He released her arm and took a step back.
"You can leave now and possibly doom us to a long and cold marriage or you can stay and we can start something great."
Catelyn stood motionless for what, to her, seemed like forever before reaching her hand out, meeting his.
"Come on, I know somewhere we can talk."
They walked a short distance before they came to a small river crossing. He could see the foundation of an old, ruined ringfort lost in the dense trees.
"It is my favorite place to come to when I want to be alone. Not even Ser Ryger knows about it so we'll be alone long enough for us to talk."
"Do you still want to marry me?" Brandon asked, getting straight to the point.
"Y-yes, no, I honestly don't know at this point. I thought I knew you but now I know I don't."
"You asked me how could you love someone who doesn't love you back and that is something I ask myself about you."
This took Catelyn by surprise, causing her to look at Brandon with wide eyes.
"But I do love you."
The tall northern heir raised an eyebrow, "Do you truly or do you love the idea of what I am?"
Once again Catelyn could not form an answer.
"I know you have your fears as do I but we must put them out or else they will eat us from the inside."
"I am afraid you'll never love me. I'm afraid you'll never keep to my bed. I'm afraid I'll just be forgotten and used as a broodmare. I'm afraid you might have bastards and they might try and usurp our children. I'm afraid to leave home and go so far away."
Brandon took the time to take in and process all the information he was just given. Placing a hand on top of hers, he gave an understanding smile.
"There is a chance I may not love you but that is a chance in every marriage. As for keeping to our marriage bed, I cannot say for sure but if I do come to truly love you, you will be all I need and want. You'll never be forgotten and used just for children, that is the southerner in you talking. Northern women are essential to a household. If I have any bastards, as I may already have some, I will love them like any trueborn children we will have but they will know their place. I hope you will love them as well, as they will be part of the pack and any disrespect will not be tolerated. Winterfell will be your new home once we are married, I and everyone else will do what we can to make it so but you should know there will be no southern conversion happening, not on the grounds of Winterfell. You may keep to your seven but outside of our walls. I keep the Old God's, as do my family and most of the North and so will our children but they can learn of your gods. We are First Men, you and I and it will stay that way."
Catelyn gave him a silent stare, her mind studying every word said to her.
He was right, most noble marriages were arranged and love was rare. If she wanted him to love her then she would have to be a woman worthy of that love and she knew the northerners were different, even letting their women fight.
'Gods, I'll never be a warrior but I can be the best Lady of Winterfell.'
She was a bit shocked that he admitted that he could possibly have bastards. Something like that could end a betrothal but she knew her father wouldn't, only a fool would break a betrothal with the Starks. Thoughts of betrayal plagued her mind but she would do her best not to hold any ill will against those possible children. It wasn't their fault their father was an animal. He outright told her she wouldn't be allowed to worship her gods on the grounds of Winterfell and their kids wouldn't know the seven as she did, it troubled her but somehow it didn't anger her as she thought it would.
"You are different than I thought, both good and bad. I still have my fears but maybe they are only that of a childish girl, maybe the woman I become will not have such fears."
Brandon flashed a grin, "Maybe not, but remember this my lady, I will do anything for those that I love but you must earn my love, just as I must earn yours."
"I will do my best to do that, my Lord. You've been promised to me and so you will be mine and only mine. I'll make sure I become a woman that can ensure that."
Brandon looked slightly taken aback by his betrothed's claim but soon a smile formed on his face.
"We shall see, my lady. I shall do my best to become a man worthy of you."
Catelyn was silenced by her thoughts. On one hand she felt foolish for letting herself have the thoughts of a naive little girl, on the other she had known that her perception of him was too good to be true. She was broken out of her thoughts by a piercing screech. A massive raven that was the color of obsidian landed on Brandon's bracer. His face scrunched up before he frowned.
"Your father has sent a search party after us. We must get back before the whole of the Riverlands is looking for us. Shall we?"
Despite the recent happenings his smile still sent tingles down to her womanhood. They rode back in silence that only ended once they were spotted.
"It's them, Lady Catelyn and Lord Brandon!" A sentry called out.
As they strode through the gates of Riverrun they were met by the lord of the castle and Brandon's own grandfather.
"Where in the seven's name have you two been?" A slightly red Hoster Tully asked.
Rodrik gave Brandon a pointed look that told him everything he needed to know.
"My apologies, Lord Tully, I decided it was time I got to know the woman I've been promised to. I should have gotten your permission but I can be impulsive at times."
The words flowed out of his mouth easy enough but he added a bow to add to the effect. If word had gotten back to the Lord of Riverrun he didn't show any sign of it.
"I'm glad you've taken an active interest in my daughter but she is not yet your wife so yes, next time I would like to have given my permission. But enough of that, come I'm sure you are tired, Riverrun's hospitality is yours. Your friends have already been shown to their rooms, I can have someone show you to yours."
"No," Rodrik spoke before Brandon could accept, "I'll show him. Have a goodnight, Lord Hoster, Lady Catelyn."
"You as well, Lord Rodrik, Lord Brandon. Come now Cat, I believe we need to talk."
And cut! I tried to dive deep into the characters in this chapter. I planted a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter, hopefully it turns out like intended. I found it kind of hard to do so with this writing. I switched POVs multiple times this chapter. Sometimes I find it hard to keep it focused on one person the entire time, at least if I want to write a decent length. If I like the way it feels I'll probably write the rest of the story like that, the next chapter will be set during our favorite tourney which will be different but wild nonetheless.