Winds of Change
Chapter 9: The Council's Conclusion, Prologue's End
AN: Hello again all. I know it's a surprise to have another chapter so soon but the Council wasn't finished and it's very important. This chapter however marks the end of the prologue as such the next chapter will start the real story. Also as always thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Anyway here's the new chapter.
Start Now:
It took nearly a week to get through just the first part of the council. The Citadel had been founded during the Age of Heroes but had in time been corrupted from the inside. It started with jealously, as most things did, a lords second son, smarter than his elder brother had been banished from his home after his brother took on the lordship. He had gone to Oldtown and studied to become a maester, by the time he died at 70 a smaller secret sect had been formed within the Citadel with the goal of ruling the lands behind the scenes, they called themselves the Order of the Enlightened. Over time this sect had grown in numbers, power and influence with its senior most members known becoming the first Archmaesters, and while this group did not always consist of members of this group they always had the majority and as such firm control.
Lower ranked members of this group were sent out and worked alongside the nobility and kings slowly gaining both their trust and influence. This had been true everywhere but the North, the blood of the Starks Kings was powerful and bonded as they were with their direwolves and other beast it had been impossible for them to gain access to the North. It was not until Aegon's Conquest that they got access to the Lords of the North and they'd worked double time to weaken the strength of House Stark. One of the things the members of this sect were most against was magic, due once again to jealousy as not just anyone could learn it. You either had the potential to learn it or you didn't, this they had discovered at the Citadels founding when sorcerers had come and informed them of not just how rigorous and strict such training was but also how rare of a gift it was to be able to wield magic.
Magic was however passed down in the blood and these sorcerers speculated that in time an entire continents populace could be magical. That had been an affront to the group who unable to wield magic decided no one else should have it as well, not even future descendants of their own families. This had been especially true for those who had been banished from their homes like the groups founder had. Then oaths had come to into play and they made a new move. They had found a like-minded group amongst a people who had come from south of the Silver Sea and settled in the Axe of northern Essos. This group had come across a similar ideology however chose a different course as instead of knowledge they sought control through religion, theirs being the Faith of Seven.
Thus a partnership had struck and together the two groups initiated what became known as the Andal Invasion. By this time the maesters were in full control of what information came in and out of Westeros and as such had held back numerous advancements from becoming known to Westeros and its First Men occupants. As such the Invasion was a slaughter of the First Men who were working with far lesser quality weapons and ship designs. The First Men who survived the Invasion had either been driven back to the North or taken positions that were unable to be breached. Regardless the end result was just as the Citadel wanted fresh blood now controlled the majority of Westeros and none of them had magic in their blood.
Together the maesters and the Faith had taken full control of the vast majority of the continent having the ears of the men in charge, both due to knowledge and religion. All of this had been threatened by the coming of the Valyrians led by the Targaryens, Aegon, Rhaenys and Visenya all of whom carried not just magic in their blood but rode dragons. So hatched a new plan, one that would weaken the Targaryens and eventually dispose of them. They started by causing a rift to form between the sisters leaving Aegon stuck in the middle and subtly nudging the people to side with Rhaenys, the less threatening of the two.
When Rhaenys grew pregnant they began slowly poisoning her and while both she and the baby Prince Aenys lived the poison weakened them greatly. Aenys was sickly with a weak constitution while Rhaenys never fully recovered. Even three years later her strength had still not fully recovered and after the maesters recovered her body they knew it was because she was still being poisoned. After the death of Rhaenys in Dorne they sowed further distrust between the already distant pair. Despite the distance that had built between the sisters Visenya raised her nephew as if he was her own child, even stopping her own attempts at falling pregnant to focus on the sickly Aenys. Aegon knowing the sacrifice his sister was making was touched and they reconciled both in grief and in raising Aenys.
When the boy turned four and bonded to his dragon his health quickly improved, the magic in his blood being boosted and strong enough to render the poison in his blood worthless. Not long later Visenya fell pregnant and fearing more powerful children the Grand Maester and High Septon worked tirelessly behind the scenes put distance between them once more. Years later after the death of Aegon, Visenya attempts to the succession dispute with the betrothal of her son Maegor with Aenys's daughter Rhaena were blocked by the High Septon who suggested his niece for Maegor's bride.
Maegor untrusting of the septons and the maesters instead married Alys Harroway which the two groups used to their advantage successfully getting the realm to turn against Aegon's stronger son and leaving Aenys with no choice but to exile him. Following that the Faith and the Maesters played a hand in every hardship or disaster that befell House Targaryen. Hearing all of this had answered many questions that the gathered lords had about House Targaryen.
The rest of the week was taken up by speaking on how the maesters and the faith had manipulated the rest of the seven kingdoms and their people with each day covering a different kingdom and its houses. None were spared the meddling of the two groups though the maesters proved to be the most hands on by far. Poison it seemed was their favorite weapon which they used with pregnant women. Princess Lyarra Stark and Princess Kiera Martel had not been the only ones as Lady Joanna Lannister had been poisoned as well as had a number of other ladies.
In Joanna's case it had resulted in both her death and Tyrion Lannister being born a dwarf. They'd also been behind the deaths of Lord Steffon Baratheon and his wife Cassana, and like they had with Tywin Lannister had used their deaths to turn Robert into their pawn. Both of Jon Arryn's wives had been poisoned and died due to it as had his first-born daughter with his first wife. The same could be said for every house both major or minor that had held their position for a considerable length of time. There had been serious discussion of shutting down the Citadel and disbanding the maesters, unfortunately they were far too deeply entrenched in the running of things and would need to be maintained.
By the end a massive blow had been dealt to both the maesters and the faith. Rickard Stark seeing this had made the rounds and invited multiple families to send their children North if they wished them educated well as both boys and girls would be accepted. He warned them however that no septa would ever be accepted in the North, he'd already sent word that the few in White Harbor were to be immediately banished. Those who had been guest at Lyanna's wedding such as Olenna Tyrell had immediately accepted such an invitation while others stated they would think on it. As it was an open invitation all of them had time. Another to immediately accept had been Randal Tarly, after the revelations he would not trust the maesters with his children.
His reflection on all that they'd learned was broken by a knock on the door of his borrowed rooms which soon opened to admit his brother Brandon. Many had been irate to learn that the cause of the Rebellion had been him faking his death. It had forced his father to reveal that he had known of the plan but had also stated something had gone wrong as the message that had been sent out hadn't been the one previously arranged. It had soon been revealed that the original message had never been sent, it had been found in the maesters quarters written by Rhaegar's hand.
The message that went out however had been one the maester had written up himself at the instruction of the Citadel. His father had also spoken out stating that he had not been the first to call his banners and had only done so when his allies had done so on his behalf, Robert had been the one to call his banners first and Jon Arryn had done so soon after. His mother however had not been pleased and had let Brandon know it with a silent glare before they had gotten into a private area where she had proceeded to lay into him.
"You ready?" questioned Brandon
"As I can be, I just want this entire thing over with. I'm ready to go home." Said Eddard with a sigh,
"Aye, as am I, I'd like to see Ashara and Alara soon. I imagine you wish to see the birth of your own child as well." Said Brandon.
Alara Stark was Brandon's daughter. She'd been born just prior to the war and Brandon had only gotten to spend a short time with her before being sent on this mission. The baby was had definitely inherited the Stark features somewhat as she had the grey eyes of the Starks. As both of her parents had dark hair it couldn't be said who she had inherited that from. Lyanna and Elia had both been there for the birth of the baby before they had finally left for Dragonstone. As for him he'd married Catelyn and Winterfell's godswood a ceremony that while smaller than Lyanna's had been well attended and he knew thanks to his mother that she was near her due date now.
"Aye, hopefully this moves along quickly I truly do not wish to miss it." Said Eddard
"How do you think things will go for the Kingslayer?" questioned Brandon.
"I'm unsure, with Tywin dead the Lannister name doesn't hold the threat it once did, but they are still one of the richer more powerful houses. At least we know we'll get the truth out of him." Said Eddard getting a nod from his brother.
During the reveal of the conspiracy by the maesters and the faith Jiraiya had revealed that he had laid down runes not only to project their voices but that also compelled the truth. Sasuke, Temari and Brandon had stated they worked as they had come with no intention to reveal their part in the events of Oldtown yet had done so anyway. Still they were all now revered as heroes, Temari had been offered plenty of marriage options only to reveal she was married and was only there for a favor. She would be on the first ship out as she missed her kids and hadn't had sex in months.
Many had blushed at her praising especially the women who looked scandalized. She had stunned them further after seeing the response stating sex could be for more than just having children and any woman whose man had never made her have an orgasm was truly missing out. Many of the men in attendance had been quietly shamed judging by they looks the received from the ladies in attendance. When she had mentioned that she'd been rendered unable to walk several times those looks had turned outright hostile. One lady had outright told her husband she wanted to be fucked like that and the castle had rang with the voices of those trying to satisfy their women for the next few nights.
"Well let's get this over with." Said Ned as the two brothers left his room with his direwolf Maverick at their side.
Lyanna took in a deep breath letting the Northern air feel her lungs and let it out with a smile as she disembarked from the wheelhouse in Winterfell. She was heavy with child and in all honesty should not have been doing as much moving around as she had been. That said she was determined to have her baby in Winterfell, Elia and Rhaenys were with her and they traveled with a very heavily armed escort. The Dornish ships had been met by a fleet of Northern ships that had escorted them from just outside of the reach to White Harbor. Apparently they had been in the area already and had taken out some Ironborn ships that had attacked Oldtown. Initially Elia had wanted her baby to be born on Dragonstone but had caved to Rhaenys desire to be there for the birth of both of her brothers. Upon being seen to by one of the healers that travelled with the ships she was informed in no uncertain terms that they would not let her leave Winterfell until after the baby was born as she could easily have an early birth.
From White Harbor they had been accompanied by the same escort to Winterfell and as she turned her attention to her surroundings she smiled upon being greeted by the sight of Benjen, Tsunade, Maester Aemon, Catelyn and Ashara. The formalities were over with quickly and soon the three of them were greeted with hugs from everyone especially little Rhaenys who smiled the entire time.
"Where are father and mother?" Questioned Lyanna once the rest of those who'd come to greet them were away.
"King Landing. Lord Hightower called a Great Council after the attack on Oldtown. Apparently something massive was learned and needed to be shared in person with every head of every noble house." Said Benjen with Lyanna and Elia sharing a look that did not go unnoticed.
The group traded idle chatter until the three girls were settled in their married quarters. As a married woman Lyanna's things had been moved from the children's quarters to this far larger space which had both a sitting room and a bedroom. They were also surprised to see that Elia's things from Dragonstone were already present as well. They soon learned that Queen Rhaella had basically cleaned the place out of all of their personal effects and had sent them to Winterfell. There was very little left on Dragonstone, only what she needed to live there for a short time as once she had her baby she would be leaving with Viserys.
"What are you two hiding?" questioned Tsunade now sure they were in private.
"We don't know the details but Rhaegar told us there was a mission taking place in the Citadel and the Starry Sept. He said that Brandon would be sent in under disguise and I shouldn't worry if I heard anything about him." Said Lyanna.
"Good. He knew enough at least to not cause you any undue stress with his scheming." Said Tsunade
"So Brandon's death?" questioned Catelyn.
"Faked" said Ashara.
"You knew?" questioned Benjen his tone showing his hurt.
"Your father told me, after the news came out. My initial reaction needed to be real but he didn't want me to worry." Said Ashara though they all could tell she was not happy about it.
"Any ideas uncle?" questioned Elia turning to Aemon.
"Unfortunately no, I was never trusted at the Citadel which is why they shipped me to the Nights Watch. Of course that only raised the suspicion of my family. I believe that is the true reason why Brynden was sent with me, they feared it was an assassination attempt." Revealed the eldest of the Targaryens.
"So Lyanna, have you come up with a name yet?" questioned Ashara, one of the few present who knew about their previous lives and that Lyanna's son desired a new name.
"Aye, the three of us spoke often about it. Visenya for a girl and if it's a boy like we all believe he'll be called Jonaerion." Said Lyanna.
"A hybrid name." mused the maester.
"Yes. After Jon Stark, one of the old Kings of Winter and the original founder of the Fangs of Fenrir." Said Lyanna.
'Jon Stark was a very well-respected man amongst the men who were Stark Kings. It's a good strong name that sees heavy use in the North to this day amongst many houses. It also allows him to hold on to his original name and Stark heritage' Mused Tsunade
"The second part of his name comes from Aerion Targaryen, the father of Aegon I." said Lyanna.
"What about you Elia?" questioned Ashara.
"Well we had a list. Rhaenys likes Aegon for a boy and Naelyria for a girl." Said Elia
"That's sweet you let her pick." Said Catelyn.
"What about you Cat?" questioned Lyanna.
"Eddard said Robert or Robb for a boy and I was thinking Breana for a girl." Said Catelyn
"Why Robert?" questioned Ashara frowning.
"Robert Stark, known better as Robb Stark was a King of Winter. He's known as the Unifier as he's the one who united the North. He brokered many of the alliances that are upheld to this day ending blood feuds along the way, most often through marriage." Said Aemon
"His reign was amongst the most peaceful in our history." Said Lyanna.
"Well at least it wasn't in honor of that beast Baratheon." Said Ashara with a huff.
The lords and ladies had gathered once again this time for the trial of Jaime Lannister. Unlike the first day Eddard noticed that many of the smallfolk had gathered as well, after what had been revealed that day and those following he didn't blame them. He'd heard tale that many of the smallfolk no longer resented them their lives and were thankful for their lower stature as it allowed them to miss the eyes of the maesters as they weren't considered important by them. With the exposure of the faith however he was expecting another population boom for the North in the coming months from those who no longer trusted the septons and septas.
Soon enough Jaime Lannister was led onto the field where he was placed into a chair and tied to it. Oddly enough he didn't put up a fight and instead looked resigned as if already knowing his fate was decided before he appeared. In truth he didn't have any positive feelings toward the former Lannister heir and was really only there to learn his reasoning for killing Aerys. He knew the same held true for Oberyn and Doran as well as neither had any love or respect for Lannisters as a whole.
On the field with Jaime were the Great Lords of the Seven Kingdoms. His father Prince Rickard, Jon Arryn for the Vale, Robert for the Stormlands, Mace Tyrell for the Reach, Kevan Lannister for the Westerlands, Hoster Tully for the Riverlands and the surprise of the group Prince Doran Martel of Dorne. That was a huge surprise and was seen pretty much as a silent announcement that Princess Kierra intended to step down soon. Only one other person was on the field and that was the royal scribe.
"Let's get this over with. I'm sure I'm not the only one with a pressing need to get home." Said Lord Arryn
This was a sentiment many others agreed with, there was sure to be plenty more dead maesters in the future. Already the Grand Maester had been executed for making Aerys worse by drugging him instead of helping him recover from the horrors of Duskendale.
"Jaime Lannister you are accused of treason. Betraying your Kingsguard oaths and murdering your king. Do you contest this?" questioned Prince Doran.
"What's the point. You've all made up your minds already." Said Jaime shocking everyone including himself judging by the look on his face.
"It seems you were not informed that while in this place you will be compelled to tell the truth." Said Jon Arryn.
"Why do you believe our minds to have been made up already?" questioned Hoster Tully.
"Have they not, the guards you placed on my cell say otherwise. Have I not already been gifted the moniker of Kingslayer? Is it not already spoken that I only took the position to aid my father when he rebelled?" retorted Jaime.
"Now is the time to speak in defense of your actions, give truth to what is known." Said Kevan Lannister stopping his nephew short.
"Let's start simply, why did you truthfully accept the offer to join the Kingsguard?" questioned Prince Doran
"Because I'd make a horrible lord." Said Jaime surprising many.
"If it was just House Lannister, in time I'd have been able to handle that, but all of the Westerlands. That would suit me ill, I know where my talents lie and that is a role I cannot take. We only just recovered from the last ill-suited person to hold the title and look at all that father had to do to make up for that. House Lannister only just got its respect back; I'll not be the one to see it destroyed again." Said Jaime causing Kevan to grimace along with many others.
The boy had enough pride and loyalty to his house that he would not see its reputation tarnished, even by himself. Such a thing surprised many in attendance and from her place Olenna Tyrell had to fight to hide a grimace at the sight of her own son.
"So the Kingsguard offered you a noble means of escape." Mused Jon Arryn.
"Exactly, I gave up my claim to the title and its lands." Said Jaime.
"Why then did you cut down your king?" questioned Mace Tyrell
"I had no choice. I warned him not to open the gates for my father but he didn't listen. When the sacking began and it was clear we would lose he ordered the pyromancers to light the wildfire stashes beneath city. It's why he sent his entire family away. 'If the traitors want this damned place so much let them have it, they can reign over the ashes'."
There was a stunned horrified silence amongst those gathered. Faces had gone deathly pale at this newly revealed fact.
"I cut down the pyromancers first. I thought that would be the end of it but Aerys was determined to see it done. He screamed they would all burn if he had to do it himself, when he tried to run I reacted on instinct. 100,000 people he was willing to sacrifice if it meant the destruction of the rats and pigeons if he had to. Before I even realized it he was dead, I just stayed there." Finished Jaime
"Were those his exact words rats and pigeons?" questioned Rickard getting questioning looks thrown his way.
"Yes." Said Jaime causing Rickard to slouch in his seat.
"What is it?" questioned Jon Arryn.
"Those are code words. It's how a select few of us referred to the maesters and the faith without outright saying it. The maesters we call grey rats and septons, septas and their ilk we called pigeons." Said Rickard.
"Why did you not mention the wildfire earlier?" questioned Kevan Lannister.
"I doubted anyone would believe me. Besides doesn't that stuff die out if left alone long enough?" returned and questioned Jaime.
"Lord Jiraiya, you've studied the wildfire, what can you tell us?" questioned Rickard.
Frowning the white haired man stood from his seat. The place was silent as he walked onto the field until he stood before them within the area marked with the currently active runes.
"He's right, the original wildfire would die out after too long sitting idle. According to what we've been able to learn this new stuff is different. Within the last few years the pyromancers figured out how to change that, they made it more potent as a result. Before it was just like regular fire only green. Now its more like a poison in that it can spread and will eat through anything it comes into contact with outside of its container. Finally instead dying with age it grows more volatile. Just as wine gets better with age, this stuff gets more dangerous. Depending on how much we're talking about in another 20 years it could have taken out all of Kings Landing from something like a minor earthquake." Explained Jiraiya further horrifying everyone including Jaime
"I-I didn't know." Muttered Jaime horrified yet the quiet words were still heard by everyone.
"It's alright. You're a kid and were put in an impossible situation. You did the best you could with what you knew at the time." Said Jiraiya
"We need to get this shit taken care of." Said Hoster Tully
"Jiraiya." Said Rickard
"Well take over the pyromancers guild. Hopefully there are clues left about were the stashes were hidden, otherwise we'd have to check the entire city." Said Jiraiya
"There are caves beneath the city. One of the entrances is in the Red Keep." Said Jaime surprising them.
"You knew about the caves?" questioned Mace
"Queen Visenya had an entrance to them made during the keeps construction. Each Kingsguard knight is taught the path through them in case the city falls and the royal family needs to be evacuated." Said Jaime
"How big are these caves?" questioned Jon Arryn.
"Massive. Ser Barristan told me no one actually knows how big they are, only that they are big enough that a wrong path can get you lost. Anyone trying to pursue us would get lost in the labyrinth if we were far enough ahead and careful.
"Oi your up gaki!" called Jiraiya causing Sasuke to sigh before standing up and shooting him a glare
"Hey don't look at me like that. I don't care how old you are or how many kids you have, I've known your ass since you were in the cradle, hell I knew your parents since before they were old enough to even think of having kids. You'll always be brat to me got it gaki." Said Jiraiya laughing.
"Seriously Jiraiya." Said Rickard massaging the bridge of his nose.
"Take the levity when you can get it, otherwise you'll age before your time. You don't get my age and look this good for no reason." Said Jiraiya
"Excuse me for saying but you don't look that old at all, I'd say early 40's at most." Said Jon Arryn.
"Thanks for the complement, I'm 73. Unfortunately I've found your people age quicker than you should. If you'd been allowed to evolve naturally you'd age more gracefully." Said Jiraiya stunning many.
"You mean if we had magic?" questioned Lord Tully getting Jiraiya to snort.
"Hell no, on its own magic does nothing to slow aging. Hell I've seen people age faster because they were messing around with it in ways they shouldn't. I'm talking about genetics, the building blocks on what make people, people. Magic helps certainly but for my people it's a combination of enhanced genetics and self care that slows our aging." Said Jiraiya.
"As fascinating as this is can we please focus on the situation at hand?" questioned Prince Doran.
"Calm down, I'm just waiting on Sasuke and Temari. If you want to move things along however young Mr. Lannister is still here." Said Jiraiya causing several of the lords to focus on him.
It took nearly 10 weeks until they had located and disposed of all of the wildfire. They had found a heap of it in the tunnels under the city beneath the Great Sept of Balor. According to the calculations they found it would be enough to destroy the sept and only the sept while ensuring everyone there died. There had been other small stashes found as well, all of them near smaller septs or places the devout flocked to. To dispose of them Sasuke had revealed a technique of his own, one that allowed him to summon and control eerie black flames. The fire he commanded had eaten the wildfire easily and he'd then dismissed them as it they had never been there. As for Jaimie Lannister in light of all that he had revealed and the actions he'd taken in a time of crisis he'd gotten off lightly. The oaths he'd taken to the king clashed with those he'd taken to protect the innocent and he'd chosen the innocent over a king everyone knew was mad.
As such instead of being executed or sentenced to the wall, he was instead sentenced to remain with the Kingsguard, which most people saw as a reward even if it was phrased as a punishment. The name Kingslayer had also stuck on him, however it was seen in a more heroic light by the people instead of mocking. Finally the nobles came together for one final meeting were they were allowed to air any final grievances before they were all allowed to leave for home. Of course what should have been an easy meeting gave them one final problem.
"…we will send ships out to retrieve Prince Rhaegar and he can take his place as king." Said Rickard Stark addressing the crowd.
"Why?" questioned Robert Baratheon for the first time in these meetings.
"Excuse me?" questioned Rickard his eyes narrowed.
"We rebelled, we won. Why should we surrender the throne to another dragon?" Said Robert.
"The Rebellion was never about the throne. Removing Aerys, aye even Rhaegar knew that needed to be done but it was never for us to seize it for ourselves." Said Rickard
"Rhaegar is a fucking coward!" exclaimed Robert hotly standing to his feet.
"He knew what a mad cunt his father was and did nothing! Instead he fled leaving his wives behind in his escape!" Said Robert.
"Rhaegar did not flee, nor did he do nothing. The Tourney of Harrenhal was meant to host a great council amongst the great lords. Rhaegar's plans were leaked, and Aerys learned of it and showed up when he initially he was slated to stay in Kings Landing." Said Prince Doran calmly
"Honestly what is all this fuss for. There is a clear line of succession and no fault in Rhaegar. Even if the argument is that he is currently far away he was never disowned. Furthermore his wives as you put it are still in Westeros both of whom were pregnant when he left and should thus give birth soon. There is also the fact that Princess Rhaenys is still in Westeros, Queen Rhaella is easily reached on Dragonstone and the Twins are only in Volantis on business." Said Mace Tyrell surprising many with his take on the situation, Robert however spat on the ground.
"Dragonspawn the lot of them!" exclaimed Robert causing several eyes to widen.
"Do you forget your own heritage. Your grandmother was a Targaryen and you only hold the Stormlands because Aegon I gifted it to his brother, instead of one of the older houses already there." Said Rickard Stark his tone cold.
"If Rhaegar wants the throne so badly he can come claim it with steel." Said Robert.
"You do not want to go down this route Robert." Said Prince Doran.
"The throne is mine. I did not fight that fucking war to kneel beneath another mad dragon." Said Robert.
"Sure you want to fight. You ran from Tarly, you'll not escape me." Said Rickard standing to his feet.
"Let's everyone calm down." Said Jon Arryn from his position.
"As distastefully as he put it Lord Stark let us not forget Robert has a point. I understand your daughter is married to Rhaegar but as Robert stated he left. I say let him stay gone, Robert will be king and though your grandchild will not inherit the crown as you hoped they can take the Stark name and you can wash your hands of the entire situation." Said Jon.
"I see now. This was always the end game for the two of you, but you'll get no further help or cooperation from me. House Stark made an agreement with House Targaryen, not an upstart house like the Baratheon's or House Arryn." Said Rickard.
"Prince Doran, Dorne never submitted to House Targaryen talk sense into him." Said Jon.
"Your greed has already betrayed you. Do remember it is my nieces inheritance you are trying to usurp." Said Doran.
"Lord Tully?" questioned Jon.
"In principle I agree with you Rickard. However after all that House Targaryen has suffered in Westeros its clear they were never truly accepted. Them remaining in control will only offer more of the same. I say a compromise Robert takes the throne, we try new leadership and House Targaryen returns to their ancestral home on Dragonstone to recover." Said Hoster
"Look at him Hoster, you know it won't end well." Said Rickard.
"I don't know how it will end. What I do know is House Targaryen is down to four adults, one of whom is in the wind and two are in Volantis. Queen Rhaella won't be allowed to reign on her own and if Rhaegar cannot be reached in time or the Twins refuse to take the throne they'll move on Viserys who's just a boy or worse the babies two of which haven't been born yet." Said Hoster causing Richard to frown.
"Let Robert have the crown and avoid all of the drama." Said Hoster
"The Westerlands will back House Baratheon." Said Keven quietly stating it was four on so far two.
Before anymore could be said a figure ran out towards the field only to be stopped by Jiraiya. They talked quietly and urgently before handing him a few stacks of parchment. Stone faced Jiraiya walked onto the field catching the attention of everyone even the bickering lords. Before they could speak he glared cowing all of them to silence and held up the parchment.
"A rider arrived from Winterfell carrying a message and another just arrived by pigeon as did a messenger from Dragonstone. I will read them as they were dated." Said Jiraiya getting nods all around and a glare from Robert.
"It is my pleasure to announce on this 7th day of the 12th month of 283rd year after the conquest Princess Lyanna of Houses Stark and Targaryen has given birth to Prince Jonaerion Targaryen, heir to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and pending Prince of Dragonstone upon Rhaegar's ascension as King. Signed Maester Aemon." Stated Jiraiya getting a stunned silence from everyone before moving to the next message
"It is my pleasure to announce Queen Rhaella of House Targaryen has given birth on this 12th day of the 1st month of the 284th year after the conquest to Princess Daenerys Targaryen. Signed Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard." Stated Jiraiya.
"Apparently a storm raged on the day Princess Daenerys was born that only let up after 10 days passed. Which is why we are only just getting the letter." Said Jiraiya having been informed so by the messenger he spoke to. Finally he held up the last piece of parchment.
"It is my pleasure to announce on this 15th day of the 1st month of the 284th year after the conquest Princess Elia of Houses Martel and Targaryen has given birth to Prince Aegon Targaryen heir secondary of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Prince of Summerhall pending Rhaegar's ascension as King. Signed Maester Aemon." Said Jiraiya reading the last message.
"Congratulations Robert the Usurper, you have just stolen the inheritance of 3 newborns and a three-year-old. I hope you are proud of yourself." Said Prince Doran his tone scornful.
"Indeed Robert, you can have your crown, but you won't have the North." Said Rickard producing a piece of parchment of his own and handing it over to Mace Tyrell who saw the seal of the three headed dragon on it which he proceeded to open.
"Prince Rickard, in the event of my death and the usurpation of the throne by my houses enemies I, Aerys Targaryen, King of the Seven Kingdoms relinquish any control of the North and rule of the First Men and return it to House Stark. The pact of Ice and Fire called for a daughter of House Targaryen to marry a son of House Stark, as this never occurred I return the Crown of Winter to House Stark and name you Rickard Stark, King of the North and the First Men to rule independently of the rest of Westeros. Signed Aerys Targaryen, King of the Seven Kingdoms. It's dated two days before Kings Landing was stormed." Said Lord Mace in shock passing the letter over.
"Yes it was handed to me upon my arrival by one of the Queens handmaidens." Said Rickard.
"My mother received a similar letter" said Prince Doran producing said letter and handing it to Kevan Lannister who opened it.
"It's the same, returning Dorne to the sovereign rule of House Martel independent of the rest of Westeros. Dated two days prior to Aerys's death." Said Kevan Lannister with narrowed eyes.
"I did warn you to not go down this route. From henceforth Dorne shall have nothing to do with your kingdoms and will not acknowledge you." Said Prince Doran before he stood from his seat and walked away.
"Until such time as Elbert Arryn rules the Vale, the North will have no business with you and your account with our bank will be locked. We will do no business in Kings Landing or with the Iron Throne." Said Rickard before he to stood and walked away.
Such was the power and respect held for Rickard Stark that when he left the whole of the Northern lords followed him. Much was the same with Princess Kierra who after linking her arm with that of her son walked out with her people following. Robert Baratheon may be crowned king, but it would only be to 5 kingdoms and the iron islands and as such he was king only to the Andals. Neither Rickard Stark or Kierra Martel would ever set foot in Kings Landing again or the collections of kingdoms soon to be known as central Westeros.
AN: That's it the chapters over. I made up that bit about Robert Stark but anyone can feel free to use it. Jon Stark however created the Wolf Den, I just created more he was known for. Anyway next chapter may take awhile so be warned. Thanks for reading and please review. Till next time, LATER.