I don't own Game of Thrones.
Chapter 5
Kingslandings
Queen Contessa Baratheon is spending time with her children at the tearoom. She is teaching her eldest children to play cards or rather gamble. While her youngest ones are playing on the floors and being watched by wetnurses plus Septa Martha.
Edward, Tessie (Contessa Baratheon), and George sitting at the table with their lady mother. You are probably wondering what happened at Storms Ends. Well…
Flashback Storms Ends…
Contessa was walking to the halls for a small break. As she was walking down, she heard shouting and yelling.
'Wonder what is going on?' Contessa walked where she could hear the voice grow louder and louder. No doubt whatever is going on, the King is angry again.
Ser Barristan Selmy and her brother Ser Jaime Lannister are standing guard by the door.
"My queen," Ser Barristan bowed his head.
"Ser Barristan," Contessa spoke. She turned to her brother, "Brother."
Ser Jaime nodded as was expected.
For years, Contessa wished to mend the bonds, but she only spoke a few words to Jaime. He seemed to reply to some if not all. She even had suspicions that Jaime was still writing letters to Cersei. No doubt reporting everything she wanted to know about her position as queen. Contessa had to remind Jaime of his place before his older sister.
However, Tyrion's letter is full of pleas to make up with each other as he hates when both of his beloved loved ones are fighting.
Contessa would never make Tyrion choose between them. For his sake, she will be cordial if not familiar to mend their sibling bonds.
More yelling and shouting are becoming more outrageous. Hearing a familiar third person might be Ned Stark playing the peacemaker again.
"The king will not be attending this evening," Contessa commented to Ser Barristan. Ser Barristan nodded and replied, "Yes, my queen. He is having 'discussions." He wince at the sound he heard of broken cups hit by the wall. "With his lord Hand, Lord Jon Arryn and Lord Satrk are having a private as of late."
Queen Contessa nodded and said, "Then I shall send for drinks and food to be sent here with the maids. Good night Sers."
Ser Barristan bowed in gratitude. Queen Contessa nodded and walked to her chambers. She sat down by the fireplace as she would be knitting more things. She has known this routine for many years, it seemed the only hobby she could afford to keep since becoming, a wife, mother, and queen.
Her maids are there tending to their work in her chambers as the queen knitted a new baby blanket since Cassana keeps ruining it with her teeth again.
Knock, knock.
She heard a knocking. The maids stopped as the head maid there looked to the queen.
Contessa orders, "Go see who it is."
The older maid nodded and went to the door. Words are exchanged and mutters are given.
The older maid, Tabitha greeted her queen. "Your majesty, Lord Lannister wished to speak with you."
She paused her knitting as she looked at her in question.
The maid answered, "Tis, your lord father."
Contessa gasped a little. She doesn't know what to say. It has been years since the last time the twins were born. She had a feeling this day was coming, but she hoped it would be when her son became a man and king. Perhaps, the Gods are weary of waiting for her to speak with her father.
She nodded to do it. Tabitha curtsy and went to let Lord Lannister in. The other young maids are worried for their queen. Worse, her father wasn't any other man. He was the Lion of Casterly Rock who ended the Tarbeck and Reyne rebellion by ending their lines.
It is only natural to be weary of him.
Lord Tywin Lannister entered the chambers. He still has his golden hair with a few greys that are coming in. He still dressed himself in Lannister gold and red. The years have not been kind to him. You may not know this, but he did wish that Contessa would send letters to him like she used when she was a little girl.
Back when Joanna was alive.
Tywin looked at his daughter and then the other maids, "Leave us." He commanded. The maids hesitated to leave their queen however, their mistress eased them.
"Go wait at the door, I will let you in once this is done to finish your work."
They all curtsy and left quickly in hopes that would speed up this private affair.
Tywin took a seat as Contessa put her knitting utensils back into the basket to finish later.
"You are here to discuss what you have witnessed." There is no need to beat around bushes.
"Yes," He did not deny that. He noticed how easily Contessa could wrap the king around her finger while Jon Arryn could be the problem.
"There is no reason to…"
"My daughter, for all the sharpness in your mind. I know I did not recall raising blind fool." Tywin spoke as he looked at her. "Jon Arryn is the problem. I suggest you get him on our side."
She was about to protest but he cut her off.
"You know it. I know it. He sees you as a threat." Tywin lectured her. "If you believed you could make peace with him, then you are a fool. He doesn't want peace with you. He will try to make the king remember him as a father figure. He will try to cast you out of any counsel towards your marriage, children, and kingdom. You must fuel that fire."
"How do I do that?"
"I will tell you what my grandmother once said to my mother." Tywin leaned and said, "A lioness never lets adversity dull her fire; she uses it to fuel her strength."
He stood from his seat and made his daughter look at him with his hands. He gently touched her face and said, "You must fuel your strength to fight."
That was probably the only fatherly advice and affection she had been given in years. Contessa sighed and she had a feeling that she must fight now.
"I am afraid that would be impossible. Of making Jon Arryn our ally, I mean." Contessa spoke honestly. "I had dismissed his wife already as a lady in waiting. She is a reckless, impulsive, vain cruel girl. She mocked me claiming that I wouldn't dare hit her just because she was lord hand's wife. Instead, I told Robert, that I rather dismiss her as she refused to attend to me in her duties. I gave her something worse, being permanently dismissed her privately which I said, 'Be grateful, I didn't do this in public where the courtiers mock you."
He raised her eyebrow surprised at her. She handles her privately instead of publicly. To him, it is a good call to dismiss Lady Arryn, but perhaps that is not the reason why Jon Arryn would argue against the queen. He sat down to hear more of this.
"He doesn't seem to care if Lady Arryn is dismissed by this position, but he still holds a grudge against me for marrying the king."
Ah, it looks like his daughter isn't the blind fool he thought she might be. Tywin gleamed and said, "We need something in return to keep him under our power."
Contessa looked at her father. Does her father believe she is stupid? She knows that he has been making suitable cousins and nieces to play the role in order to seduce power from every suitor under his will.
"I doubt the king would like to have a Lannister girl under the old Falcon's care."
"Hmph," He smirked. "No, I believed his nephew, Ser Elbert, is it? Is he still the heir to his uncle?"
"You want a Lannister marriage with Ser Elbert." Contessa believed her father lost his wits. Elbert is a dear friend to her. As he was always sweet and kind. He is just like a knight in the stories. She does write to him from time to time. Since his uncle is at Kingslandings as his position is by the king's side, Ser Elbert has been lord of Vale in the absence of his uncle. Thou, she has been hearing that he refused to wed and has a nursey of illegitimate children. Contessa smiled and would send gifts to his children as a token of her affection. Since after all, Contessa championed her husband bastards.
A boy named Gendry Waters had recently been added since his mother was dead and his aunt begged the audience to see the king. She asked them many questions as she looked at the boy who inherited his father's black hair and blue eyes. She asked them, "Who is his mother? What year was he born? etc."
"That is my hope." He leaned back as they looked at the fireplace. It would be an easy connection for Lannister has been eyeing Vale for many years. Cersei is still refusing to wed despite his orders.
Contessa looked at the fire thinking. Would Jon Arryn try to get rid of her? Or will she have to force to get rid of him?
Though, she isn't blind. She knew Jon Arryn already disapproved of her raising Robert's two know bastards in the same nursery as her children.
But could she, do it?
Make herself a player to keep herself safe and empowered.
But what about her children?
Will she use them as a means to keep herself safe and their lives will be on her terms as she sees fit?
Contessa then questioned her father, "What about a royal marriage instead?"
She looked at her father. They looked at each other surprised by her own face. Tywin slowly nodded his approval of her.
It seemed they reached an understanding.
Jon Arryn must be kept checked.
Contessa looked at her beloved children. She wonders how she can handle this. However, she knew someday they would have to betroth their children to marry wealth, status, and protection. She gave up on finding that dream to marry for duty to protect herself. Thou, they grew to love one another in time.
Knock, knock.
She turned as Lady Selyse entered the room. "My queen."
Contessa smiled and stood, "Sister."
"It seemed they are waiting for you at the small council." She sighed as she had a feeling. But it is now than never.
"Alright," Contessa stood and kissed her children goodbye. "Be good now. I will be back."
Contessa walked to the halls as many courtiers and nobles bowed and some spoke, "My queen."
She enters the room where her husband and other councils will have their meeting. She looked at everyone as they began their daily reports.
Contessa held her pendent necklace as she was thinking how to approach this.
Murmurs and echoes of the small council are in the background.
"The Iron Islands seemed to be at a predictable argument." Contessa heard of Master Varys reports.
"The Iron Islands?" Contessa questioned the spider.
"Yes, my queen," He bowed a bit. "The Greyjoy's brothers are arguing whether to make a new stage of their lands."
The Irons Islands was once a great house during the time of Heroes. They boast that they came from the Grey King from Legends. Thou, for years they worshiped the Drowned God and raided their neighbors' lands for the iron price.
Contessa recalled Lord Quellon Greyjoy who was the wisest of all the Greyjoys. As a child, she remembers Lord Quellon as a kind older man who helped reach for that red apple that was ripe for taking and they shared that apple. Perhaps, he never had a daughter and only had sons. She used to love to hear the man speak like he was a prophet of sorts. He wanted to change their ways and learn to adapt to better finance and lands to help their colonies.
She recalled her lady mother Joanna spoke with Tywin about a possible marriage between Contessa and one of Lord Quellon's sons. It seemed like Lord Quellon had taken a liken to Contessa and she is the daughter of a wealthy and powerful Lord of the West.
"Is there any way to contact the Greyjoys?" Contessa questioned her husband judging by her deadpanned look. He didn't even pay attention as he was gulping down the wine.
Robert sighed and looked around as they all stared at him.
"Uh," "The Greyjoys, my love." She helps her husband. He quickly nodded at his wife's statement.
"Right, what about them?" He looked at Jon Arryn who sighed. "They are having conflicts among themselves."
"Ah, we could just leave them be." Robert waved them off. Contessa withheld her sighs, and she questioned Varys, "What of Lord Quellon Greyjoy? What does he say about this?"
Varys nodded and understood the queen's worried look. "My birds said, that despite no signs of Lord Quellon's health to decline nor abdicated his position. His sons, on the other hand, wanted to know who the next Lord of Pyke would be. Lord Quellon spoke nothing and seemed to be waiting patiently."
Jon Arryn spoke, "The law said that only the first-born male heir."
Contessa counters it, "But Andal's law suggested that a female can inherit their father's position and heir to his lands."
The small council heard the queen which made sense as she too studied laws and history. "Yet it seemed that Lord Quellon is concerned about his sons returning to the old ways although he has been making good progress with the rest of the seven kingdoms. I have heard from the docks they are entering merchants' trades and making their wares. There is a small chance that his sons won't be as loyal to our king despite Lord Quellon supporting us during the rebellion. I believed we should see his opinions over the fate of his lands and people."
"I agree, with the queen." Stannis Baratheon spoke and continued, "Ser Davos, my onion knight has been noticing that they are building new ships at the Iron Islands."
"Ships?" Young Renly Baratheon Master of Laws questioned his brother.
"Warships to be exact." The Master of Ships confirmed what he feared.
"Could it be under orders of Lord Quellon?" Grandmaster Pycelle questioned him.
Varys shook his head in denial.
"Tis not, Lord Quellon. As the queen said, Lord Quellon had been making good progress in creating his island's proper people. Why did he even reform many of their laws? So why on earth would he do this? I will tell you, my lords, my birds said it was his eldest son, Balon Greyjoy. It is he who wants to go back to their old ways."
Robert grabbed his hand into a fist.
"Keep a lookout." He ordered the Spider to whom he bowed his head.
She looked at Jon Arryn and believed it was now more than never.
"If that is all, let us break council." King Robert stood no doubt eager to get out of this stuffy business.
Queen Contessa took the chance. "Please, your grace. My Lords, I wish to propose something important today." She looked at the Lord's and her husband. Robert arched his eyebrow at her. It seemed new that she proposed something important.
Seven hells, he can't recall she proposed something to the council unless she questioned the lords and input her opinions. Judging by her it must mean something that important.
"Very well, let us hear what the queen has to say." Robert sat back down as the others followed.
Queen Contessa sighed in relief and looked at Jon Arryn. She must do this. Even if it means sacrificing the possibility of finding love in the future for her daughter.
"I have felt Lord Arryn, a strife between us lately." The council looked at the queen and Lord's hand. "And for any offense and dispute, we may or may not have. I apologized."
Stannis leaned forward as he observed them. Few others are curious about where she is going for this.
"But we are loyal to our beloved king here." She placed her hand onto his shoulder which he covered with his. "And that loyalty is the reason why we mustn't fight over it. And long before that, you were a great mentor who saw his ward grow up to be more than a lord of Storms End. You made him a king beyond your expectations."
Jon Arryn looked at the queen with a blank expressions.
"Therefore, I believed we should be united instead. Your nephew, Ser Elbert has been good to Vale and learned a great deal from you. Our son, Edward will inherit the iron throne after Robert for many years to come. So, I proposed to reward your loyalties by proposing my daughter Princess Contessa of House of Baratheon to be wife to your nephew Sir Elbert Arryn until she is of age."
Baelish looked intrigued and suspicious. It is a good move on the queen's part to ensure loyalty to a royal marriage. But bad business to let it continue, he must tell Lysa about it.
Stannis and Renly are speechless. Already planning to wed their niece to Vale's heir despite there being no sign of Jon Arryn having a son anytime soon. Very risky move indeed.
Varys is an enigma about it, but he is pleased that the queen is playing the game now.
Grandmaster Pycelle smiled. He has no doubt this will further the progress of his lord from the west. Tis a good honor to have.
Ser Barristan and Ser Jamie are shocked and skeptical.
King Robert on the other hand smiled. "Yes! Great idea!" He stood and ran to hug his foster father.
"Jon, you must be pleased by this. We can finally be a true family. United, strong!" He laughed himself with jest. He is eager to bond the blood between them. His daughter is the future lady of Vale and princess of Seven Kingdoms.
Jon Arryn isn't sure about it. On one hand, they only had one Arryn queen who married into a royal family Targaryen centuries ago. Second, this could ease Jon's stress over Elbert's marriage instead of having bedwarmers once in a while.
Maybe he was too hard on the queen. But by gods, Vale does need stability when it comes to him not having an heir with his third wife, Lysa Tully.
Jon sighed and said, "I shall write to my nephew to come to Kingslandings and make paper out of it."
Queen Contessa smiled and nodded.
It was the first step for Queen Contessa to play the game.
When Elbert Arryn came to Kingslanding on the order of his uncle and the King to make a paper of this proposal. They had to scratch out a few details and make arrangements for it. The courtiers heard that Princess Contessa Baratheon is now in an arranged marriage with Jon Arryn's only male heir, Ser Elbert Arryn.
News of this arrangement is spread around the kingdom.
They hashed out the details.
The dowries, lands, and comfortable living arrangements for the betrothed couple once Contessa is of age. They agreed that she would marry Ser Elbert at age seventeen at the promised no beddings or another bastard being born.
The queen explained to her firstborn daughter that she is now engaged to Ser Elbert once she is older. Tessie is young and probably doesn't understand what it means yet, but one thing she knows is that she will leave her family someday once she is married. The queen calmed down her daughter as she could tell how scary it sounded to her daughter, but she assured her that all would be well.
For now, the princess must study and learn Vale before she lives there. Even Robert told his daughter stories about his time in Vale minus his bachelor life.
During that time, Queen Contessa has been writing more to gather allies even making deals with her father to find potential girls to bring forth from Westland among their bannermen's as playmates to her daughter Contessa as future ladies in waiting for her daughter.
Everyone had noticed that she was bringing a few courtiers from the West to come to court. Not to overflow with Lannisters mind you but gathering potentials among them.
Everyone had noticed that the queen seemed to talk to her father again. Many doubted, but few wondered whether they reached an understanding with each other.
Thou, Contessa summoned an old friend to a private meeting.
Hour of the bat…
At night, the queen waited to see her old friend. Sandor Clegane is by her side for the night as the King is off doing whatever he wants.
Contessa is writing more letters and seeing what to offer to their allies. She was about to write a new parchment for Lord Quellon Greyjoy.
Knock, knock.
"Sandor," The Hound nodded and went to get the door.
Revealing, tall, elegant, dignified, and handsome, ebon skin, and sandalwood-colored eyes. Chataya, the lady who owned a brothel that remained in service of the queen and provided the king's needs.
"My queen," She kneeled gently before her.
"Lady Chataya, how lovely to see you again." She gestured for her to sit.
The woman from Summer Isle is quite exotic.
"What service does the queen wish for me to supply the King's pleasure?"
Contessa smiled and said, "Actually, it's more than that. I have been hearing disturbing rumors going around."
"Rumors?" Chataya curiously questioned her friend.
"I require your special skills." The queen leaned a bit as she looked Chataya straight in the eye. "I believe you can tell me."
This is what she brought her old friend. If there is anyone she can trust. It is Chataya who rescued her and Princess Rhaenys from the siege.
She is required to need her service.
Chataya's playful face dropped into a serious look. "I have heard from my little birds. From the west."
Contessa waited as she poured wine into their cups and gave one to Chataya and herself. The prostitute thanked the queen as Chataya took a sip and continued, "There have been sightings. Odd sightings, mind you."
"Sightings?"
Chataya sighed and swirled her wine around her cup. "Targaryen colors are flying in the air. I hear this one is the true prince."
'Prince?'
Contessa looked at her curiously.
Chataya gave a grim expression and answered, "He said he is the real Rhaegar Targaryen."
Bonk!
Contessa dropped her cup in shock. Sandor quickly went gently to her side and placed her on the chair.
Another one?
Why?
How can anyone believe this?
"Yes, a prince. He is being cared for by the House of Crakehall under your sister's orders."
"Cersei?" Contessa questioned her. Chataya nodded and sipped more wine. Why would Cersei, her sister order the House of Crakehall to host and protect this 'Prince'?
"Does my father know this?" Will he betray her again?
"No, it seemed like your sister feigned a slight illness and wished to remain in the House of Crakehall for the time being. Thou, they said your father is suspicious of Cersei lately."
Contessa poured more wine for Sandor too. He thanked his queen and gulped loudly as he drank.
Sandor input his opinion, "A fuckin' imposter."
"I admit that despite my birds seeing this, Rhaegar Targaryen. His looks and features are too similar. Small chances if I see him in person, I too would be convinced if I were a fool." Chataya spoke and drank up.
Chataya wonders if that is true. She remembered like it was yesterday when she first came to Kingslandings, she saw the prince from afar and he was a handsome fellow, but she did feel odd about him.
It confirmed that he threw his kingdom into anarchy.
She rubbed her forehead to try to get a clear head from this.
"Thank you, Chataya," She spoke and looked at her old friend. She nodded to her queen and stood to leave, but Contessa said, "Wait."
"I want you to keep your eyes and ears. Keep a lookout. And find out if this where this Targaryen came from."
Chataya bowed and went to the secret passage.
Contessa looked solemn. She worked so hard and now this came a rumor of a rise of a true Targaryen.
"Sandor." He looked at the queen and kneeled before her in eye contact.
"Tell, how fast can you get on your horse to Casterly Rock?"
Casterly Rock
Tyrion Lannister looked out his window where he watched this land where his family ruled with an iron fist.
He felt more alone.
Despite this, he has Uncle Gerion and Genna keeping his company. Tyrion wasn't forgotten. Not by his sister, the queen.
Flashback
Tyrion wrote a letter to plead with his sister to help him. The cottage is on the hill away from people who knew his father. The rapid knocking came as he quickly saw who it was.
Contessa is dressed like a peasant boy with Sandor Clegane dressed in a dirty poncho.
Tyrion quickly let her and Sandor in.
"Tyrion," Contessa kneeled and hugged her baby brother. The poor boy was barely eighteen and did the unthinkable.
He got married to a common girl.
Her name is Tysha.
Tyrion is scared Tysha is having their baby any minute now. Contessa, who recently had a stillborn daughter was recovering in Westland's to tend herself. The King did not know if she had given birth to a stillborn daughter.
She came to help her sister-in-law deliver their baby.
It took all morning until a girl was born. But at such a price, Tysha died giving birth to their daughter.
Contessa cried in sadness. Her brother lost his wife and the child will never know her mother. But also, she cried for her stillborn baby girl.
Why?
Why must they be punished for trying to be happy?
Tyrion in desperation got the plan.
"Sister, father, and Cersei will harm my daughter. You must protect her." Tyrion begged her. She is the only person he could count on. If their father found out about this, he could kill his grandchild. Contessa in her mind knew the plan.
"Tyrion, she will get her protection." She looked at him in the eye. "She will gain a royal privilege as I am her mother. You understand me?"
Tyrion silently shed tears. He knew what his sister was saying. His daughter will never know him as her father nor realize who her mother is.
Contessa questioned, "Brother, what is the girl's name?"
Tyrion could think only one, "Her name is…"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
He snapped out of his memories.
He heard his father shouting in the halls. Curiosity got him in trouble before, but he knew this was something big. Tyrion waddled to his door and looked at the commotion.
Tywin is furious as he glares at his loyal bannermen Adam Marbrand when he tells him the news.
"Care to repeat that?" The old lion hissed as he looked like he was ready to kill the man.
"Lady Cersei accepted a marriage proposal." Adam dreaded to add, "To man name Prince Rhaegar Targaryen."
Adam first saw this man to whom Cersei introduced him when he first came to Crakehall. However, this 'Rhaegar' is no doubt acting like a savior. Something about him doesn't seem right. Cersei gave her explanation that King Robert is a usurper and Rhaegar is the true king of the seven kingdoms. Cersei claims that she is the true queen of the seven kingdoms since they are married, and she will bear him a son.
Lord Marbrand dreaded this outcome. Contessa won't stay silent over this. People may not know this, but Contessa hated Prince Rhaegar for his actions. She wasn't the only one, since everyone hated how he dismissed Elia Martell during the tourney at Harrenhal.
Contessa values the sanity of marriage for better or worse.
And judging by Lord Lannister, he was in a similar state over duty.
Tywin felt his pulse rising.
What the hell is his daughter thinking?
"Send word to Crakehall and tell them to cease this folly." Tywin ordered then added, "Tell that wretched daughter of mine, Cersei, that she must present herself to me over this imposter. Not later nor a year. Now!"
Tyrion quickly closed the door and quickly wrote a letter to his sister, the queen. Writing as fast as he could over this news.
Back at Kingslandings… around the afternoon…
"Dear sister, I write to you that our sister Cersei had married to this 'Rhaegar Targaryen.' Will there be another war? Sister, I am afraid that we will be enemies. I don't want that. Please come to Casterly Rock and save us. Save us now."
-Your ever-devoted brother Tyrion.
Contessa read the letter from her brother Tyrion. She is shocked. But then again, she shouldn't be surprised. Cersei had always dreamt of being queen and Rhaegar Targaryen.
Now her sister had disgraced herself with an imposter and their marriage wouldn't be real. Their children will be declared bastards to the realm.
What in the name of seventh was Cersei thinking?
What can she do about it?
Contessa looked at the laughter in the gardens.
Her children looked so carefree. They are happy that their cousins are here to stay at Kingslandings. Lord Stannis brought his daughters, Eleni and Maris while being watched by Septa Martha and Lady Selyse holding baby Contessa. Lord Renly is enjoying their little picnic as he feeds Joanna cakes despite it could ruin her meal. Robert is enjoying this peace despite drinking more wine than ever.
Contessa looked saddened and weary. Worse is that she wasn't sure if she could do it. She was diagnosed that she was pregnant again.
Though, she felt strange with this one in her womb. In her heart, she feels that this one is a boy. Looking back at the letter from Tyrion made her resolve. She will talk to the king over what to do with this conspiracy over this imposter.
'I believe it is time to shed away my doe fur and become a lioness.'
Contessa wrote a letter to Casterly Rock.
"I have been neglecting my homeland. I believe it is time to go home."
Reviews are welcome.
Yes, I made Lord Quellon Greyjoy still alive and wanted him to play the role of the scene. Also, a mysterious scene and agreement between Tyrion and Contessa during his short marriage to Tysha.
The next chapter, is Civil War of the Greyjoys, The Westlands in trouble, Fight like women, and birth of the Lionheart.