Hadrian, Harry, Targaryen cursed as he rode his poor horse as hard as he dared, the hoof beats hammering through his aching body, the miles being eaten up as fast as possible as he raced forward, 2 of the Kingsguard racing behind him, trying to keep up but ultimately failing.
He cursed under his breath, he cursed in his head, as he had done for the last couple of months. He cursed the family that he had been reborn into, and the problems that came with that, his mad father and his mother who just turned a blind eye to everything going on around them for love of their mad father.
He cursed his damned older brother and the prophecy that he was obsessed with, that had led him to run headfirst into his feelings for Lyanna Stark. He cursed Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark for their stupid actions and for not thinking through the consequences of them, and not explaining things properly. His normally intelligent brother turned stupid with love.
He cursed them both for the hurt that Elia, his dear sister in law, was feeling right now, and the danger that they had placed not only her, but Hadrian's niece and nephew, in. For risking bringing down the anger of the Martells upon them.
He cursed that it was left to him to try and fix things while Rhaegar returned from wherever he was stashing away Lyanna, neither of them having thought about what could happen as a reaction to their actions, especially when 'the mad king' was involved.
"Halt!" The Stark banners were clear ahead of Hadrian and the guard was immediately prepared and alert when he saw the silver blonde hair and purple eyes that could only mean that Hadrian was Targaryen.
Panting Hadrian drew his horse to a stop, his body screaming at him from his forced ride to try and reach the Starks as far away from Kings Landing as possible. He heard the horses whining behind him of his Kingsguard, the men hurrying their horses on as Hadrian jumped down from his own steed.
He watched the Stark men hurrying through the camp towards him, their guard had no doubt summoned them the moment they realised a horseman was racing towards them.
Rickard and Brandon Stark were dressed in black fur cloaks, their dark black hair like onyx, their eyes slate grey and intense as they stared at him confused, and clearly looking for the trick in him appearing in front of them, in him coming to them.
"Prince Hadrian," Rickard frowned at him, glancing behind him as the Kingsguard threw themselves from their steeds and hurried to his side, Lewyn shooting him a dirty look before straightening his features and turning to look at the Starks.
The anger was clear in both their faces as they looked at Hadrian, both of them clearly furious even as they were clearly confused as to why Hadrian was here.
"Lord Stark, Heir Stark," Hadrian nodded his head. "I know why you are coming to Kings Landing, I am here to talk with you about what is happening, if I could have a little of your time?" He managed to keep a balance of both requesting and commanding as a royal of Westeros.
The Starks were proud people, they were known for their pride and their honour, and they were one of the oldest families of Westeros, their ancestor had been wise enough to bend the knee to Hadrian's ancestor Aegon the Conqueror, and though he had taken a lot of mocking for the action, he had saved the lives of thousands of his men. A Stark blade was one of the few that were not a part of the Iron Throne.
Hadrian hoped that the current generation of Starks were as intelligent, barring his new sister in law of course.
"My Prince," Rickard bowed his head in respect. "My tent is this way,"
Hadrian made his way through the small grouping of Northern Lords, the Banner-men of Lord Stark, who had gathered to see what was happening. They were too noble to start gossiping in front of him, but he had no doubt the moment he was inside the tent with the Starks, they would be like the fishwives at the harbour of Kings Landing.
He stepped inside the tent of Lord Stark and gratefully took the seat that he was motioned towards, sinking into the seat and only just holding back a groan as his sore and battered body relaxed into the chair.
"Water, Prince Hadrian?" Lord Stark asked politely.
"Yes please, and if you have some food as well it would be greatly appreciated, for me and my men," Hadrian smiled at Lord Stark.
"Of course," The Lord motioned to his squire who hurried to get some food while Brandon poured three goblets of water. He and his father shared a look when Prince Hadrian drained his goblet, only just managing to hold in some form of poise and manners, but only just. Brandon quickly refilled the goblet, getting an appreciative nod from the young Prince before he half drained that as well.
"Thank you," Hadrian nodded to the squire who placed food in front of him, absently starting to eat and so missed the looks that Rickard and Brandon Stark exchanged, and the wide eyes of the squire.
They had heard that Prince Hadrian was polite and decent to everyone, including the servants and the workers of the castle. He and Rhaegar were known for being loved by the common folk, and a lot of that was to do with the genuine care and respect that they had for people, not taking them or their position for granted. Seeing it, realising that it was by no means for their benefit, was something unexpected.
"My Prince, I will not do either of us the disservice of pretending not to know why you are here, or that you do not know why we are heading to King Landing, may I ask what has brought you to ride so hard and fast to meet us and obviously try and stop us?" Rickard asked once the Prince had devoured half his plate.
They watched a pinched expression cross the Prince's face as he sat back with a small sigh and looked at them. "Can I be blunt and honest with you Lord Stark without you taking offence?" Hadrian asked them.
"Ok," Rickard raised his eyebrow wondering what in the name of the Old Gods was about to come from the Prince's mouth. He and Brandon took their seats opposite the Prince and watched him gather his thoughts before his Targaryen purple eyes locked on them as he shoved his windswept silver blonde hair out his face.
"I am here to try and fix and prevent a bigger mess that had been caused by my brother and your daughter's foolish actions," Hadrian said. And watched anger flare through the Stark men.
"Your brother kidnapped Lyanna!" Rickard barked.
"He did no such thing. She ran away with him. They married six months ago and Lyanna is around 5 months with child as far as we know. She had no desire to marry Robert Baratheon, she thinks him a brute and stupid. She and Rhaegar met at the Tourney at Harrenhal and fell in love there, they have been meeting with each other since and they married. When they realised that Lyanna was with child, and you were planning her marriage to Robert soon, instead of trying to explain and talk things through, they decided that hiding Lyanna away until the babe was born was the right thing to do, and now we are in this mess," Hadrian threw up his hands.
"They are married?" Rickard frowned.
"Here," Hadrian said gently, placing a piece of parchment onto the table in front of them. It was a Maesters note of marriage.
"They married in the ways of the old gods?" Brandon frowned.
"Rhaegar loves Lyanna, for the mistakes that they have made, he does truly love her and she him. She wanted to marry in your way and so they did," Hadrian nodded.
"Princess Elia?" Rickard frowned confused.
"Knew nothing about it. She is still his wife also, I believe my brother hopes to have both her and Lyanna to wife as our ancestors did. The damned prophecy that people say contains to him hangs over his head, and he allows it to put pressure on him. To fulfil the prophecy he needs to have more children and Elia could not bear him anymore without risking her life and that of the babe. He loves and respects Elia, but he is IN love with Lyanna,"
"And Lyanna loves him?" Rickard frowned deeply.
"She never wanted to marry Robert father," Brandon spoke up, a small frown on his face.
"You knew?"
"We spoke of it, I was going to talk to you about it, to try and get you to change your mind, to find a way around it without offending the Baratheons. But then something changed and she did not seem as distressed by it, about six months ago," Brandon said dryly. "She was worried about your reaction and Ned's to her not wanting to marry Robert, and she was worried that you would make her marry him anyway,"
"And it seems that she fell in love with Prince Rhaegar instead," Rickard rubbed his forehead.
"They have made a fine mess of things," Hadrian said mock-cheerfully.
"And why could you not wait to explain this in Kings Landing?" Rickard frowned.
"My father is utterly and totally mad," Hadrian said to the point, shocking the Starks, and the Kingsguard from the way they shuffled behind their Prince.
"Prince Hadrian," Lewyn muttered.
"I promised a frank conversation, and the actions of my brother and your daughter have exasperated things to a point where I am concerned how things are going to now go, not to mention the reaction of Baratheon when he realises that Lyanna has chosen another man over him. He is not exactly a thinker, but he is a fighter, and we have been forced into a situation between a rock and a hard place,"
"And you are looking for us to help?" Rickard snorted.
"Our families are now bound together whether you like it or not. Your daughter is due to birth your first grandchild in a few short months, and she is now princess of this realm. Should Rhaegar fall and be defeated, what do you think will happen to your daughter and her child?" Hadrian held his hands out.
"It seems as though we have no choice," Rickard narrowed his eyes.
"Lord Stark, I do not want to force you over a barrel, nor do I wish to dishonour you," Hadrian rubbed his face and they realised how tired the young Prince was.
"No, I do not believe that you do. We are being unfair to you. My sister and your brother have made a mess, and you have been left to clean it up and face our ire at what has happened," Brandon said and was greeted with shocked purple eyes in response, the Prince clearly not having expected that. Rickard looked at his son for a second before he inclined his head in agreement.
"My father...Rhaegar and I have known that we are going to have to overthrow him. It has been a matter of when and not if. He is mad, completely mad, and he is either going to destroy our house, the country or both. I fear for what he will do most days. And now with this...I had to hide Elia and my niece and nephew away before I left Kings Landing,"
"You are going to have to overthrow him now, now that this mess has been made," Rickard sighed. He was sworn to the Head of House Targaryen, talk of overthrowing a King was not something taken lightly. But the madness of the King was well known and feared. It seemed that the madness was worse than they had heard of though.
"Yes. I believe he will kill Rhaegar, Lyanna, Elia and their children for this," Hadrian's mouth thinned, and they both realised that the young man was only ten and seven, he was still so young.
"And so we are now looking to make a alliance and overthrow him, get Rhaegar...my sister and princess Elia onto the throne before your father can have them killed, and anyone else can cause a rebellion against either the King or your brother," Brandon hummed, his father and Hadrian turning to look at him.
"The bonds between our families are not enough?" Hadrian frowned.
"It is something that we will need to discuss. Overthrowing a King is no small thing, and it will be our banner-men that you will mainly rely upon to win. I will talk things through with my heir. I will see you are given a tent and some water to bathe in, we can break fast tomorrow and then talk things through," Rickard stood.
"Of course," Hadrian stood.
"Prince Hadrian, thank you for coming to find us and tell us what is going on, I truly appreciate your honesty and the risk you took coming here to try and repair the damage that your brother and my daughter have made," Rickard held his hand out to the Prince.
"Thank you Lord Stark," Hadrian smiled. He glanced at Brandon Stark before turning and leaving the tent with Rickard's squire who had orders to see the Prince and his guard to a tent and make sure that they were comfortable.
He waited a few beats, making sure that the Prince and his men were far enough away, and giving himself time to get his head around everything that had happened, everything that he had been told. And then he turned to his eldest son with a raised eyebrow and an expectant look.
"Out with it boy," He huffed.
"I want him," Brandon shrugged, making his father gawp at him.
"What is it with my children apparently wanting Targaryen Princes that they should not want?!" Rickard hissed throwing up his hands.
"I know that you were thinking of marrying me off to Catelyn Tully, but another marriage between us and House Targaryen can be a real benefit to seal our Houses together and ensure that the alliance we make with them is solid. A bond like that between us and the throne can only benefit us, and make sure that Tywin Lannister does not sweep in and marry his daughter to Hadrian and wiggle his way into power that way,"
"Very wise son, and well thought out. Except for the fact that you are my heir, and will inherit Winterfell and need heirs of your own," Rickard frowned.
"True, so marry Ned to Catelyn, and we will agree that their eldest child will be my heir," Brandon shrugged.
"You want the Prince so much that you would give up chances of heirs of your own inheriting Winterfell?" Rickard frowned.
"I watched him a lot at Harrenhal, I have wanted him since then. Seeing him today, and how loyal he is, I want him more. We could have taken him hostage or killed him believing his brother had kidnapped and raped Lyanna. He risked a lot to come here to protect the two of them, but also us, he was clearly worried about what his father would do to us if we had made it to Kings Landing. He was exhausted from riding to us as fast as he could," Brandon said softly. "As long as a Stark sits in Winterfell it does not matter to me if it is my child or Ned's,"
"You children are trying to turn me grey early I swear," Rickard sighed, rubbing his face.
"Is that a yes?" Brandon smiled.
"I will put it to the Prince," Rickard groaned. His daughter and his son. "What the hell was in the water at Harrenhal!"
Hadrian finished his breakfast and sat back in his seat, clearly waiting for Rickard to make his requests. He was looking a little better this morning, though still tired and worried about where things would go.
He had been up late into the night talking through possible requests that the Starks could make with Barristan and Lewyn before they had given into their exhaustion.
He had been pleasantly surprised by how interesting it was talking to the Starks this morning. They had purposefully kept things away from Rhaegar, Lyanna and what was to come. Instead they had talked mainly about Winterfell and the North, Brandon telling him what it was like growing up there, and more about his home.
They were pleasant to talk to, and they were refreshingly blunt, not flattering or creeping in the manner of most of the Lords and Ladies in the South that Hadrian had gotten used to spending his time with. They were more rough and hard, more of the earth. It was a pleasant breakfast despite everything hanging over his head.
But now it was to business.
"The Starks will support and back Prince Rhaegar in overthrowing his father, and assist him in taking the throne, we will summon the banner-men of the North to us now and make sure that it is clear that the North is behind the Prince, we will also use our alliances with those in the Western Lands and the River Lands to get their backing as well," Rickard listed making Hadrian sit up a little. "We will also do everything that we can to control Robert Baratheon and stop him from trying to cause trouble, my friendship with Jon Arryn should help with that, though I will make a suggestion that Jon is considered for Hand of the King to help nip down on any type of rebellion from that side of Westeros,"
"And in return?" Hadrian narrowed his purple eyes.
"We would ask that Lyanna's first son is fostered for a time to Winterfell so that he may understand where his mother comes from, that the Starks are respected and remembered as the family of...one of the Queens of Westeros. That my son, Benjen Stark is taken on as one of Rhaegar's Kingsguard. And your hand in marriage," Rickard listed.
"My hand...you have no other daughters that I am aware of Lord Stark," Hadrian frowned confusedly at the request.
"I do not, you would be marrying my eldest son, Brandon," Rickard waved to where his son had been impressively quiet, aware that the eyes of the Kingsguard were glued onto him.
"I am afraid that I will not put myself in a marriage where an affair will be needed Lord Stark," Hadrian tilted his head proudly, anger clear on his face.
"An affair will not be needed," Brandon waved him off and blazing purple eyes snapped onto him.
"And are one of us suddenly going to be able to bear children? You are the heir to Winterfell! You need heirs!" Hadrian hissed.
"Eddard will be married to Catelyn Tully, their first born son will be my heir, if they can not have children then Lyanna's children will inherit," Brandon leant forward. "An affair is not something that I will be guilty of Prince, should you wish it I will swear that in front of the Old Gods,"
"Brandon!" Rickard frowned at his impulsive son.
"Why? There are easier ways to assure that you are prominent in alliance to the crown and secure your place outside of Lyanna," Hadrian frowned.
"Because we…"
"Because I want you," Brandon interrupted his father who simply pinched his nose and stood.
"Mayhap we should step to the other side of the tent and give them a moment considering my son is determined to talk for himself," Rickard motioned to Lewyn and Barristan who were looking a little bemused at the way things had gone.
At Hadrian's nod they stood and went with the Lord, stepping behind the thin divide of canvas separating off the tent that gave the illusion of privacy, all four men aware of the light blush dusting Hadrian's cheeks, Brandon the most as he stood and moved around the table to sit next to Hadrian.
"You want me?" Hadrian asked, turning to look at the Eldest Stark. Lyanna was free and she gave off the feeling of being uncontrollable, like the wind. Brandon's nickname suited him 'The Wild Wolf' for that is how he felt, wild and uncontrollable, dangerous and deadly. The way he watched Hadrian made the young Prince flush darker.
"Yes. I saw you at Harrenhal, I watched you pretty much the whole time. You are different,"
"The witchborn Targaryen," Hadrian sneered a little at the nickname that he had been given.
"You are aware that I am of the North right?" Brandon snorted.
"Meaning?" Hadrian frowned as he was blindsided again by the Stark Heir.
"Magic and its kind are accepted and respected in the North, it is of the Old Ways and of the Old Gods. There has been talk for thousands of years of those that have been given the gifts of the Children of the Forest, Wargs and Witches, those gifted with the sight and with powers that can not be explained. The Stark family have been known for birthing plenty of them over the years," Brandon shrugged. "That is not what I meant by different,"
"What did you mean then?" Hadrian asked, and for the first time he looked open and touchable to Brandon, he was younger, and he did not seem to be aware of the open, hopeful expression that he was giving Brandon.
"You are clever and fierce but caring and gentle, you are kind to people that many far less powerful than you would think below them. You are beautiful and delicate and as dangerous and deadly as the dragons on your sigil. I wanted you before, seeing what you will do to protect your brother and my sister despite the trouble that they have caused made me want you more. I think that you would be the perfect Northern consort, and more than that I think that you and I could love each other and have a good marriage, enough that I would willingly forsake heirs of my own to have you,"
"And what people will say of you marrying a man?"
"We both know that it is accepted as long as provisions are put into place for heirs. I do not mind the company of women, but I prefer the company of men. I saw the way you looked back at me at Harrenhal, I think that mayhap you feel the same?" Brandon dared to reach out and cup Hadrian's cheek, breathing out a sigh of relief when Hadrian not only allowed the touch but leant into it a little.
Hadrian stared at the other man, his brain clearly spinning as he took in all the options, and weighed up the truth of Brandon's words.
"I am known for going after what I want, and for knowing what I want. Though not apparently as much as my sister," Brandon snorted and was gifted from a light chuckle from Hadrian in return. "I think that you and I could make each other happy,"
"I have always wanted children of my own, even though women have no appeal to me. Though they will not inherit, perhaps adoption could be a consideration for us?" Hadrian gave a little and allowed the other to know he was interested. The smirk Brandon gave him made him narrow his eyes in warning.
"I would definitely not be opposed to that, I have never really agreed with how a lot of bastards are treated simply because their parents couldn't keep it in their pants. Perhaps we could repair some of the damage that our siblings have done by fostering or adopting some of the Martell bastards as well," Brandon offered.
"You would really take a vow in front of your gods that you would not have any affairs?" Hadrian frowned a little.
"You seem concerned about affairs, can I ask why?" Brandon held his hand up when Hadrian's eyes narrowed and anger crossed his features, but mainly defensiveness. "I am asking only out of wanting to understand you more, I want to understand your feelings going into this marriage to try and make sure that you are happy with me. This seems to be a big thing for you,"
"You are presuming that I am going to say yes," Hadrian looked down at the table, running his finger distractedly over the wood.
"Are you not going to? It makes sense politically, and I think personally as well," Brandon shuffled closer to Hadrian, daring to grip his chin and turn him to look at him. This close, nearly nose to nose Brandon could see that Hadrian's beautiful purple eyes had slithers of green through them, almost like an amethyst veined with emeralds.
"All the problems that have been caused with my family through affairs are well known. Even before his madness my father constantly had affairs and cheated on my mother who he claimed to love with all his heart. She has become like a ghost, drifting through the Red Keep, heart broken but still she loves him and turns a blind eye to everything that he has done and still does,"
"And how are you feeling about Rhaegar?" Brandon asked gently, moving his grip from Hadrian's chin to take his hand in his. It was rougher than he expected, clearly Hadrian was not a stranger to hard work, though it had nothing on the callouses and rough spots on his own hands.
Hadrian looked down at their joined hands, bringing up his free hand to stroke his fingers down the back of Brandon's. "I love Rhaegar, and I always will, and I will always, always support him. But I think part of me will not forgive him for this, for what he has done to Elia. I was the one that had to tell her and explain what was going on, he has broken her heart. I don't blame your sister though, beyond not telling any of you what was going on and the risks that came with what could have happened with you thinking Rhaegar had kidnapped her,"
"I blame her, she knew what she was doing, and she must know that Princess Elia was not aware of what was happening between her and Rhaegar," Brandon snorted.
"Starks are known for their loyalty to their partners," Hadrian bit his lip, his eyes still on their joined hands.
"Yes they are. We take after the wolf on our sigil, we bond with our chosen one for life, even if that chosen one is one that is chosen for us," Brandon grinned when Hadrian looked at him with a snort for his word play. "Affairs are not something you need to worry about from me Hadrian, and I will swear before my gods that I will take not mistresses or cheat on you if that will make you feel better going into this marriage,"
"It would, I do not want to offend you or your family but…"
"I understand, after everything that you have seen, everything that has happened, I understand. You will be enough for me though my beautiful dragon," Brandon smiled.
"I accept your terms then," Hadrian smiled a little shyly at his wolf who smiled a little more predatorily at him.
"Yes?" Brandon asked leaning even closer, watching Hadrian's breath catch. "Hadrian?"
"Those close to me call me Harry," Hadrian said breathlessly before burying his fingers into the furs of Brandon's cloak and tugged his betrothed forward to press their lips together. Brandon let out a wild, happy laugh against his lips before wrapping his arm around Hadrian, Harry's, waist and pressed harder into the kiss, determined to make sure that their first kiss was the best.
"Well, I guess we have an answer," Rickard said a little amused, having come around at the lack of voices with the Kingsguard to make sure that everything was ok.
Hadrian flushed darkly but the elder Stark just walked over and gripped his shoulder, and then Brandon's before sitting at the table.
"We have some plans to make then," He said solemnly.
"Yes we do," Hadrian nodded, but he kept hold of Brandon's hand as he turned back to the table.
"Harry?" Rhaegar's eyes widened as his brother reached him on his favourite mare, Rickard and Brandon Stark waiting a little bit away, and a whole hoard of Northern men, their banners snapping proudly over their heads, all banner-men of House Stark and many other Houses visible in their sigils.
"I have made an alliance, they will help you take the throne, however to take the throne we need you there to claim it," Hadrian's eyes were hard and he was clearly furious with Rhaegar, but he was also clearly not going to call him on it in front of everyone.
"Goodbrother, I hope you are ready to ride, we have gotten word that Tywin Lannister is trying to make a move with Robert Baratheon," Brandon said trotting his horse to Hadrian's side. Rhaegar raised an eyebrow when Brandon's hand reached over and rested briefly on Hadrian's thigh.
"What…"
"Now is not the time, get yourself ready to ride," Hadrian snapped, turning his horse and trotting back to Rickard.
"Your brother has been through a lot, and done a lot, to try and fix the mistakes that you and my sister have caused, you have a lot to thank him for. But that is to be discussed when you are on the throne, and we have dealt with your father and Tywin Lannister," Brandon said, his grey eyes dark like a storm before he turned to rejoin his father and Hadrian.
The ride to Kings Landing was long, fast and uncomfortable. Hadrian was very clearly not happy with him, as he had known he would not be, and he was making sure to keep a Stark between them, even though he made sure not to allow the men to pick up on any animosity between them.
He had known that his brother would not approve of his choices, he and Elia were particularly close, and he knew that Hadrian did not agree with affairs, and particularly would hate him for breaking Elia's heart. His feelings for Lyanna were too strong though, and he had not been able to prevent himself from falling in love with her, even as he still held love in his heart for Elia.
He knew that he was taking advantage of his position in life to claim two wives, and he did not know if Elia would still want to remain married to him, or at least in his life. But he had made his choices.
And now it seemed that Hadrian had had to face the consequences for those choices. He had clearly risked himself going to the Starks to explain the truth to them and convince them that Rhaegar had not harmed Lyanna and that they had married going by the greeting Brandon had given him. He had also brought Rhaegar an army to help them overthrow their father, something that they had known was going to have to happen, and something that he had realised too late he had exasperated with his marriage and begetting a child with Lyanna.
To protect both his wives and all his children from his father, and from their families reactions to his marriage of Lyanna, he had to be seated on the throne. Hadrian had ensured that that would happen by somehow bringing the Northmen to him.
He snuck a glance at his brother as they got themselves ready to march into the Capital, and instead was met with a glare from Brandon who had been placing himself between he and Hadrian for most of the ride here.
"The Lannisters have not arrived yet," Rhaegar said, facing the city and focusing on what needed to be done now. "We will ride into the city, make sure that the Targaryen banners are displayed, the people will let us through,"
He felt a little annoyed when Brandon and more importantly Rickard turned to Hadrian for confirmation that the people really would let them through, Rickard was his goodfather whether he liked it or not, and they were here to support him becoming King, it should be he that they were looking to and not his brother. No matter that Hadrian had clearly had more guts than he had to face the Starks in the wake of Lyanna's pregnancy.
As he had hoped the people just let them through, the Targaryen soldiers guarding the gates and the city clearly knew what was happening, they couldn't not with the fact he was marching through the gates and through the city with a Northern army at his back, but everyone in the city were aware that the King was not in his right mind, and everyone lived in fear of him since word had trickled down from the Red Keep about the King's obsession with Wild Fire and with burning people with it. They were all aware that they were living in a tinderbox with a spark right in the centre of them that could, and would light them all on fire happily, and laugh while they all burned.
Indeed most of them joined the marching army so that it was quite the impressive force that marched into the Keep, the Palace guards simply stepping aside and allowing them to pass when they saw them, but more importantly their two princes at their head.
In the end it was depressingly quick and easy.
Rhaegar and Hadrian faced the Kingsguard and their father side by side in the throne room, their father as ever not far from the Iron Throne, and he was spitting with fire and fury as he realised what they were doing, screaming and shrieking for the Kingsguard to kill them, to kill his sons, his heirs.
The Kingsguard were clearly lost in what to do, struggling when faced with their vows and their honour, and doing what was right, doing what they knew needed to be done.
They stood in a half circle around the throne looking at their Princes standing tall and proud in front of them, while their King shrieked for wildfire and death like the madman he was, his hair and beard were long and matted, his skin filthy and his stink detectable from him feet away. His nails were several inches long, curled and yellowed, his skin was covered with festering, infected cuts from the Iron Throne.
Rhaegar and Hadrian tilted their chins and met the eyes of every single one of the Kingsguard, not reaching for their own blades, simply standing there, patient and waiting, silent and still in comparison to their father.
Rickard and Brandon along with other Lords of the land watched with held breath as their Princes stood as unmoving as old oak trees against the wind, their power and poise, their control and regal bearing impressive and awe inspiring as they stood there with steady, expectant patience, making no demands, making no threats, just waiting.
"We will not fight with you," Oswell Whent told Rhaegar and Hadrian, Aerys cackling and shrieking taunts and ideas of how to kill his sons. Rhaegar and Hadrian did not move, did not twitch, said nothing. "But we will raise no blade against you either," He finished.
Rhaegar nodded and strode forward, drawing his blade. Brandon stepped up next to Hadrian, Rickard on his other side, but Hadrian did not take his eyes from the scene in front of them as Rhaegar passed between the statues that the Kingsguard had become and strode up the steps of towards the Iron Throne and their father.
The blow was quick and deadly, dealt with purpose and without hesitation.
They had discussed this, he and Rhaegar, they had talked about the fact that there could be no risk of someone gathering an army under their father's name to challenge Rhaegar once they performed their coup, and they could not risk someone managing to put him back onto the throne.
He would slaughter them both, Elia, Rhaenys, Aegon, Lyanna and the baby, he would slaughter Viserys and their mother and the babe she was carrying to make sure that he could not be overthrown by his children again. And he would soak Westeros in flames and fear until someone stopped him.
They were Targaryen, and they had the steel inside of them of Aegon the Conqueror when needed. They would not allow their House to fall, and they would not allow their Throne to be lost because of their Father's madness. There was no healing him, there was no helping him.
They had both agreed that there was only one thing that was to be done once they made their move. After all, many people put their dogs down when they had rabies.
Hadrian's purple eyes did not blink or look away as Rhaegar swung his sword and decapitated their Father, his body falling down the dais and hitting the floor with a sickening crunch. He watched as his brother sheathed his bloody sword and turned, meeting his eyes with his own near identical purple ones.
No matter what disagreements were between them, no matter the difficult conversations that were to be had, Hadrian would always support his brother.
"Long live the King!" Hadrian called out into the stunned silence of the hall, dropping onto one knee in front of his brother.
"Long live the King!" Brandon and Rickard called following him to the knee, and the Lords all followed until they were all bowing to Rhaegar, no longer a Prince but a King.
Gracefully Rhaegar sat on the Iron Throne, and took a deep breath.
"There is much to be done, and not enough time to do it in. I thank each and every one of you for doing what is best for this country and more importantly its people. It will not be forgotten, and I will not let any of you down for the trust with which you have granted me your blades," Rhaegar declared.
Hadrian smiled a little as he got to his feet along with the other Lords as applause filled the throne room, cheers and praises being called out for the new King. One that he knew was going to be loved.
"What?" Rhaegar asked stunned.
"I am marrying Brandon," Hadrian repeated, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrow at his brother.
"But...you do not like affairs, I…" Rhaegar stammered.
"Eddard is going to marry one of the Tully girls, his eldest son will become Brandon's Heir and eventually Lord of Winterfell. Brandon has promised an oath in front of his gods that he will take no other to lover, and we discussed adopting some children of our own," Hadrian shrugged.
"I…"
"Which brings me to one of my demands for having dragged your sorry, stupid arse out of the fire and managed to turn around the sodding mess you left behind you!" Hadrian snapped.
"You can't speak t…"
"I doubt your pretty new wife would love you half as much if our Father had burnt her father and brother alive when they came here demanding to know what you were thinking 'kidnapping' their daughter and to request he make you free her!" Hadrian narrowed his eyes. "Or would her love do much for you if you had Robert Baratheon's war hammer between your eyes!"
"What is it you want?" Rhaegar grimaced.
"When Tywin arrives here and agrees to talk terms, you will agree to release Jamie, only if he fosters Tyrion to me until I chose to return him," Hadrian demanded.
"Harry…"
"You and I both know Tyrion is our brother, as we both know Lady Lannister was not willing when father took her to bed. As Tywin is very much aware as well, you will propose the swap to him, his heir for his bastard,"
"Harry! You should not be airing our family secrets in front of others!" Rhaegar glanced to where the Starks were standing open mouthed at the news.
"But brother, they are family now, twice over," Hadrian scowled at him.
"He is a Dwarf Hadrian, you are Prince, the King's brother you can not…"
"Pardon?" Hadrian asked coldly, narrowing his eyes on Rhaegar.
"Harry be fair, he…"
"Is our brother, and I will have him!" Hadrian slammed his hand down onto the table.
"And what does your future husband have to say about raising a dwarf bastard?" Rhaegar stood in fury.
"I don't rightly care, I have my own mind and I have my own will, just because I am marrying him to save your arse does not mean that I am being passed off like a piece of furniture and will bow and scrape and submit to his every will. I am of the dragon as much as you are Rhaegar, and I will have my will on this!" Hadrian thundered before spinning on his heel and storming out the room.
Brandon found him an hour later in a small, hidden part of the gardens of Kings Landing, fury still written across those beautiful features.
"I am glad that you have no intention of bending to my will and submitting to my every order, I like the fire in you," Brandon said sitting down next him Hadrian and startling him slightly, clearly he had been lost in thought.
"I am sorry," Hadrian sighed.
"For what?" Brandon asked mid grimace as he peeled off his wool tunic, his Northern clothes definitely not suited for the South.
"The way I spoke about you, saying that I did not care what you thought. I do care, and I want us to talk about things and agree on things, to have a balanced marriage. It is just Tyrion I…"
"You want to try and give him a better life, make sure that he has one and is brought up with some love and care?" Brandon said softly.
"It is not his fault what our father did, any more than Rhaegar and I are to blame. But Tywin does blame him, he blames him for existing, he blames him for Lady Lannister dying in childbirth, birthing a son that is not his, and a dwarf at that. I can not leave my brother, an innocent babe to that fate. Just because he is a dwarf does not mean he is lesser,"
"I understand Harry, and I agree. I am sure that I will come to love him as much as you clearly do, and any other children we adopt. I was right about you, you have a kind and gentle heart," Brandon said softly reaching out to take Hadrian's hand.
"I always intended to insist that Rhaegar allow me to take Tyrion, I did not predict or intend you coming along," Hadrian smiled a little closing his fingers around Brandon's.
"I hope I keep surprising you," Brandon grinned.
"I am sure you will," Hadrian snorted amused.
"I think you will like the North," Brandon sighed looking out over the garden. "We don't have gardens like this, but Winterfell has the glass gardens, it is a building of glass that is heated by the hot springs that run under it, we grow fruit and vegetables there. It is beautiful, especially on a cold winter day when it is snowing and you are inside it, warm and watching the snow come down,"
"It sounds beautiful. I have always wanted to come and visit the North, Winterfell especially. I grew up reading about the different cities in Westeros, reading about Winterfell and the different cities in the North always excited me, they were so different to the South, I have wanted to visit them for a long time," Hadrian admitted, leaning just a little against Brandon as tiredness started kicking in.
"Are you ok?" Brandon asked softly, untangling their fingers, but before Hadrian could protest he wrapped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him a little closer.
"I'm tired. It has been a long few years, and the last couple of weeks have been exhausting. I am sad about my father, I know he was mad, and I know it had to be done, but I do remember the man he was when I was a child before the madness kicked in, the man he was before his kidnapping and being kept as a hostage. I sometimes think that it would have been better if he had died there instead of coming back to us. It is also a relief knowing that he is not going to hurt us or anyone else anymore,"
"It is understandable that you are going to be feeling a lot of emotions about it, at the end of the day he was your father, but he has been making your life hell. It is more than ok to feel both sad and relieved," Brandon comforted him, pressing a kiss to his temple.
"Can you stay here with me, for a little while?" Hadrian asked quietly, soaking up the comfort from Brandon like a Dragon soaking up heat from the sun.
"I am not going anywhere," Brandon promised, just pulling Hadrian closer as they watched the sun starting to set, tears falling from purple eyes unheeded.
Rhaegar paused halfway down the corridor as Brandon's distinct figure came towards him, what was of more interest to him was his brother wrapped up in Brandon's cloak and being carried in the Northerner's arms, fast asleep.
"Is he ok?" Rhaegar asked his goodbrother quietly once he was close enough.
"He is just tired and a little emotional," Brandon reassured him.
"Does he regret our father? That I killed him," Rhaegar asked hesitantly.
"No, he still knows it was the best thing to do," Brandon managed to smile a little at his new King and brother.
"You care for him," Rhaegar stated seeing the way Brandon was holding his brother.
"I do, and I care more and more every day that I spend with him," Brandon nodded.
"He has a skill of doing that, the difference being you are the first one that I have seen him looking back at," Rhaegar's purple eyes looked away from his younger brother's face and looked at Brandon in challenge.
"I have no intention of hurting him, I have promised I will take a vow in front of my gods that I will not cheat on him, and I intend to make sure that he is happy," Brandon said firmly.
"Good. He deserves to be happy," Rhaegar looked down at Hadrian again.
"You both do. You just need to remember to make sure that it is not at the sake of others happiness," Brandon said holding Hadrian closer. "This could have worked out a lot worse for him,"
"I know," Rhaegar sighed. "I know how difficult that I made things for everyone else, and how foolish my actions were,"
"And my sister's, you are not alone in the choices that you made, she made them right there with you, you alone should not take the blame for the poor choices that were made. You need to make better ones from here on out,"
Rhaegar bowed his head, a flash of anger crossing his face at being called out, but guilt and understanding took precedence.
"I need to get him to his bed," Brandon nodded at Hadrian in his arms.
"Of course here," Rhaegar led him a little further down the corridor and opened the door to Hadrian's bedroom, allowing Brandon passed to put him down on his bed. "Ah, you are not married yet," He caught Brandon's hands with an amused look when they went to untie Hadrian's shirt.
"Spoilt sport, I was just hoping for a sneak peak," Brandon chuckled lowly.
"You can have a sneak peak on your wedding night. Good evening Ser Brandon," Rhaegar smirked.
"My King," Brandon chuckled bowing and stepping back.
He watched from the doorway as Rhaegar fetched Hadrian's sleep shirt and returned to his side, brushing his hair from his face tenderly. He stepped back when Rhaegar reached for Hadrian's shirt and shut the door behind himself.
The brother loved each other, and more than that, they needed each other. The marriage to Lyanna and the actions around it had caused a fracture in their relationship, but they still loved each other, and they would be ok.
"I will remain," Elia tilted her chin up proudly when Rhaegar's shoulders relaxed and he opened his mouth. "I am staying for my children, and so that war is not risked upon a country that is already shaken by what has happened to it. Do not however think that I forgive you for this Rhaegar, you have broken my heart,"
"Elia…" Rhaegar started to say but Elia threw her hand up, cutting him off.
"I will stay here long enough to ensure that people do not think that there is anything wrong between us, I will even tell people, particularly my family that I knew about this and agreed to it. I will however leave with Harry when he goes North with Rhaenys and Aegon, for his wedding and see where my...fellow queen comes from. You will give me this time, and I will take my children with me," Elia demanded.
"They are heirs to the throne Elia," Rhaegar grimaced.
"Your new wife is providing you with a spare," Elia arched her eyebrow. "I am sure you can work on making sure that there are some extras as well while I am gone, you have gotten a good head start on siring children behind my back,"
"Rhaegar," Hadrian caught his brother's arm when he went to argue, Brandon and Rickard standing awkwardly to the side.
"Hadrian my children…"
"Rhaegar you made a choice, it has consequences, you have humiliated and hurt Elia, she is asking you for time to get her head around everything. She is not divorcing you, she is not leaving you, I think asking you for a little time and to be able to take her beloved children with her is the least that you can do after everything that you have put her through. You left her and the children here with father and risked their lives so that you could get Lyanna and take her to safety, do you think that you really have the right to argue with Elia about the safety of her taking them after that?" Hadrian frowned.
"She and the children will be with us, we will keep them safe and show them the North, Rhaenys is to be your heir, seeing her whole Kingdom will be good for her, and they will be with family," Rickard added uncomfortably.
"I think I should take Viserys with me as well for a time, foster him to Winterfell and to Rickard, he listened too closely to the poison father spewed, and mother has coddled him to try and make up for everything that has happened around him. She has the baby to focus on, and I worry about Viserys and his mind, getting away from Kings Landing for a while will hopefully do him good," Hadrian frowned a little.
"So I am just to allow half my family to head North then?" Rhaegar snapped.
"Yes you are. Harry is right, you made choices Rhaegar, these are the consequences of them!" Elia hissed before turning and leaving.
"You are not the person to go after her right now Rhaegar," Hadrian's face did have a hint of sympathy in amongst the accusation before he turned to hurry after his sister in law.
"We will keep them safe," Rickard assured Rhaegar as the new King slumped down into his seat. "They are family, Elia is our daughter, your children now our grandchildren, we will make sure that they are cared for and kept safe,"
"She could have demanded a lot worse, allowing her time, hopefully will allow her to accept the situation as much as she can. She clearly loves you still or she would have been headed back to Dorne demanding war for the humiliation you and Lyanna have set upon her," Brandon shrugged when Rhaegar and Rickard looked around at him. "I am just stating facts,"
"Being with Harry is probably what is best for her," Rhaegar sighed.
"It is known that even the Conqueror had problems with his marriage to his two sisters, loving one more than the other with jealously and hurt clear in their relationship," Brandon commented.
"I think Elia will spend a fair amount of time in North with you and more importantly Harry for the rest of her life," Rhaegar said a little numbly realising finally that he would never have Elia's heart and love the way that he had.
"As I said, she and the children are family, family are always welcome at Winterfell," Rickard shrugged elegantly.
"What is this?" Hadrian looked up at Brandon who laughed and kissed his forehead.
"It is a gift," Brandon said sitting down next to his betrothed.
"What for," Large purple eyes shot with green turned to him curiously.
"Because I wanted to, because you are my betrothed and I care for you," Brandon smiled a little gentler, tucking some of Hadrian's silver blond hair behind his ear.
"Oh," Hadrian blinked at him before looking down at the large box in his lap, a delightful red flush covering his pale cheeks.
"Open it," Brandon kissed his cheek.
"Oh Brandon…" Hadrian gasped upon opening the box and seeing what was inside. Sweeping his hand through the soft white fur he reached in and tugged out the brilliant white fur cloak lined with Targaryen red.
"The North gets cold and you will need one, it is traditional for the men of my house to wear black cloaks, but white with red is much more suited to you I think," Brandon smiled.
"It is beautiful, thank you,"
"I know that you are having suitable clothes made up for yourself, Tyrion, Viserys and Elia and the children, but I wanted to be the one to buy you this. A cloak is an important thing to Northerners," Brandon shrugged.
"Thank you," Hadrian leant over and kissed him chastely on the lips, grinning at the happy smile on his betrothed's face.
"The Lannisters are here!" The shout from the walls had them pulling apart and sobering up within a second, the bells in the city ringing in warning.
Looking to each other they nodded and stood, hurrying off to deal with this new problem.
"Prince Rhaegar, thank you for seeing us without…" Tywin Lannister's clearly well thought out, smooth and no doubt silver words were cut off by Robert Baratheon's bellow.
"I demand you give her back now you bastard!"
"It is King Rhaegar actually," Hadrian stepped into place at the foot of his brother's throne, looking the most regal and courtly that Brandon had ever seen. Covered in silks and fine fabrics, his white cloak bore the red Targaryen sigil proudly, a simple golden circlet rested on his brow. He was a Prince, absolutely.
"What?" Tywin's eyes narrowed.
"King Rhaegar. Our father is dead, my brother has claimed his birthright. You are speaking to the King, and you will remember that much when you address him," Hadrian warned.
"We were not aware, my apologies I…"
"I don't care what you are, Lyanna is mine! She loves me and I love her and you stole her and raped her like the dog you are!"
"Lord Tywin, I suggest you restrain this...man before he says something that even you can not talk your way out of, you are after all in an alliance with him, are you not?" Hadrian tilted his head.
Tywin had a brilliant mind and a brilliant political understanding of the way that the Game of Thrones was played, he had after all survived as Aerys' Hand for a long time. He had miscalculated with Robert thinking that the Mad King would be sitting on the throne still and not his popular, young, sane son.
He was recalculating as they spoke.
"Not an alliance, more that we arrived together and came to see what was going on. I was concerned for my son and for the country that I assisted in ruling for so long," Tywin smiled while Robert spun to look at him open mouthed.
"Robert Baratheon, you are addressing you King and you will remember as much. You are here without friend, without ally and with a small army while you are surrounded by the army of the North, the Kingsguard and the Targaryen army. You would do well to remember your place!" Hadrian narrowed his eyes at the young man.
"Lyanna went with Rhaegar willingly, because they are married and she is pregnant with his child. They are in love," Rickard said gently but firmly to the young man.
"No!" Robert shook his head, stunned to see Lyanna's father and brother here, on Rhaegar's side clearly.
"Yes, she did not love you Robert, she just did not want to offend your house or yourself and did not know how to tell us," Brandon nodded.
"No she loves me! She is my beloved," Robert stamped his foot.
"She loved Rhaegar, you love her unrequited I am afraid, and I am sorry for that, but…"
"No! He took her! He stole her and he raped her! And you are all blind fools to think otherwise! I will kill you for stealing her from me!" Robert bellowed drawing his axe and racing at Rhaegar.
Brandon drew his sword along with his father, hurrying forward along with the Kingsguard, his heart thundering when he realised that Hadrian was standing in Robert's way and that the Prince has annoyed Robert with the words that he had spoken.
As Robert raised his axe with a mighty bellow to hit Hadrian, the Prince raised his hand and with a small wave of his hand, Robert was lifted from his feet and sent ten feet back, hitting the floor with a painful thump that seemed to stun him, and probably broke his arm.
"Take him to the black cells, send word to Stannis Baratheon of what occurred here and the actions of his brother," Rhaegar spoke softly. The guard grabbed Robert and dragged him from the throne room.
"The witchborn," Rickard huffed an amused sound as he and Brandon reached Hadrian. The young man looked at them with a blank face, but his eyes were worried about their reaction to his display of magic. Rickard grasped his shoulder and said loudly into the room. "I am glad to see you are ok,"
"May I congratulate you on your advancement My King, and swear the loyalty of House Lannister to your reign, however I may assist you, I am at your service," Tywin bowed.
"I have an offer for you Lord Tywin. I am to choose my Kingsguard as is traditional," Rhaegar looked at the Lord and saw the flicker of hope on his face. "My brother Hadrian wishes to foster your youngest child Tyrion, perhaps an exchange can be made, Tyrion for your heir, even though I am quite sure that he could be one of the finest Kingsguard,"
Tywin's eyes narrowed, fury crossing his features as he took in the threat in amongst the compliment. And even though he did not want his bastard son, he did not want the Targaryens to have him either.
But he wanted, and needed, his heir back.
"Perhaps another agreement?" Tywin said pleasantly.
"Oh?" Rhaegar tilted his head.
"Prince Hadrian could come to Casterly Rock to raise and care for...my youngest child should he marry my daughter Cercei. A fine match I am sure you will agree, and confirming my loyalty to your House and your rule by tying our Houses together,"
"I am afraid that Prince Hadrian's hand has already been claimed Lord Tywin, I do sincerely apologise, you are right that it would have been a wonderful match," Rhaegar said with incredibly convincing regret in his voice.
"May I ask to whom he is to be married?" Tywin narrowed his eyes, his great mind no doubt spinning to try and work out who had claimed the young Prince.
"Brandon Stark,"
"A man!" Tywin frowned.
"Yes, I have no inclination for women, and my not producing heirs ensures that the line of Targaryens stays with Rhaegar. It ties our Houses together with the North, an acknowledgement of our new bond with North," Hadrian nodded.
"I see," Tywin's mouth tightened.
"Hadrian," Rhaegar shifted on his throne when Hadrian moved down the steps towards the furious Lord, but his brother ignored him until he came to stop in front of the Lord Lannister, looking up into furious, wounded green eyes that had been through too much recently.
"Lord Tywin, the disservice that my House, my father, has done to you has not been forgotten, and it will not be ignored either. Your years of service, hard work and care for this country are also well remembered. This is a new time, and a fresh start, and I know that my brother would far rather work with you than against you, and make amends as much as can be done for the hurt that has been inflicted upon you. Rhaegar is married and can not marry your daughter, I have been agreed to marriage to the Starks in agreement for their support to claim the throne. I beg of you do not do something rash in this perceived slight that was made out of necessity in a difficult moment," Hadrian said softly so no one else could hear.
"Oh, and what do you propose?" Tywin asked cooly.
"My mother is to give birth soon, and Viserys is young and unbetrothed, the first born of Jamie will marry either Viserys if it is a girl, or the babe if it is a boy as the seers believe Mother is carrying a girl. You have a tie to the royal family,"
"And I shall be bought off, placated and set aside?" Tywin frowned gripping Hadrian's arm and leaning into him, towering over the smaller, slighter Prince. Hadrian held his hand up to halt the guard from coming towards them, not looking away from angry green eyes.
"None of that is happening. You are powerful and influential, you know it and we would be foolish not to know it, and foolish we are not. This country has been fractured and it lays on a knife edge of falling into Civil war, a war that would not be profitable for yourself, and would be devastating for the country you have worked so hard to keep together. Rhaegar needs you and your advice, that is undisputed, but ties need to be made elsewhere as well to stop everything falling to pieces," Hadrian watched emotion versus cleverness flicker through those green eyes.
"I will not be Hand,"
"No you won't, you know that he can't make you Hand, there needs to be a balance. But a seat on his council and the chance to ensure your family. The endless mine of gold under Casterly Rock it seems is not so endless, your political power and maintaining the respect and influence you have is even more important now. Tying your family to ours, even if it is not Rhaegar or myself that you marry your child or grandchild to, you will still be bound to our family the way the Baratheons and Martells are, dragons long remember those who are loyal to us,"
"Very smart young Prince," Tywin's face and smile were handsome and he knew it.
"Rhaegar is King, we have the support of the North and Dorne, the Riverlands and the Reach. You can fight against us, but who are you going to fight with? Robert Baratheon and man who thinks with his dick and his hammer and has no brains. Rhaegar and I have a lot of respect for you Tywin, and we want to be allies, not enemies, and being allies would be the best thing for you and for ensuring the future of your House," Hadrian met his cat green eyes unshaken, the hand on his arm gentling.
"Your father started off kind, noble, loved, generous," Tywin said softly so that none around could hear them. Hadrian lowered his eyes as he took in what Tywin was saying, his concern. "I would have allowed your father to be killed at Duskendale when he was taken prisoner, I thought it better he was killed there,"
"It would have been the best thing to happen, and should something like that happen in the future, I won't hesitate to act quickly and efficiently," Hadrian answered looking back up, desperately fighting not to turn to look at his brother, brushing dangerously close to treason with his words.
"Hmm, and my….youngest son?" Tywin frowned.
"I understand why you can not love him, and I understand your feelings towards him. I do not doubt that he would be cared for and that you would not physically harm him. But Tyrion is not at fault for what happened, that lies purely and completely upon my father," Hadrian said gently.
"I should have protected her," Tywin frowned.
"I loved Lady Lannister, she was kind and impressive, she stood up for what was right and did not allow others to push her around because of her gender. You did protect her, and you did everything that you could to keep her safe, you are not at fault in any way for what happened. My father and his madness are the only ones to blame," Hadrian shook his head.
"And you want to raise him?" Tywin shifted.
"Yes, he is my brother, family is important to me," Hadrian nodded.
"I hope...in the future...with time perhaps I can look upon him and see my Joanna, see that she left me another part of herself when she passed into the arms of the stranger," Tywin looked distant for a moment, his grief still clear in his eyes, fresh and raw, though his face did not move. And then he released Hadrian's arm and straightened. "Very well, I will foster my son Tyrion into the care of Prince Hadrian Targaryen and accept the marriage proposal between our Houses to bind our alliance together,"
"Wonderful," Rhaegar nodded to Tywin, his eyes narrowed between his brother and the Lord. Everyone had been straining to try and hear the hushed and intense conversation between the two of them, and none of them had been able to make out a word of it.
Rhaegar narrowed his eyes onto his brother who looked right back at him unconcerned, he had no doubt that Harry had used his powers to ensure that they were not overheard.
"Tywin Lannister is a powerful Lord," Brandon said in greeting to Hadrian, his betrothed blinking at him as he looked up from the book he was reading bemused. He was sitting curled up on the window seat of the family rooms of the royal family in the Red Keep, his favourite spot to look out over the gardens while reading.
They had been in the Capital for three weeks now and things were moving along nicely. Lyanna was due to them any day, and things were settling down as his brother took control of the Council and the Country and started fixing the things that their father had damaged so badly, started smoothing out the offended, hurt and angry Lords and Ladies. He was starting his rule as he meant to go on, and the poor of the country were already singing the praises of Rhaegar as their lives were improved just a little already, with real hope filling their hearts for their futures.
Hadrian had been busy helping him, working hard to lighten to load on his brother and try to make sure that the violent change over of power worked and went well for his brother, making sure that his rule was settled and entrenched before he would have to head North with his new family.
The Starks had been helping, and they had been impressive, giving Rhaegar assistance and knowledge that they had been lacking for years in helping to understand the North, and helping Rhaegar make the right choices that would work best for crown and country without offending or upsetting the North, Also advising him on the best way to apologise and sooth the damage done by their Father with the Northern Lords and Ladies.
It had been interesting and fun getting to work with the two Starks, and while he was growing rapidly fond of Rickard who had stepped into the father role easily and with care when he realised how desperate for someone like that in their life the elder Targaryen brothers were, particularly Hadrian, with Brandon he was falling in love with the Northern Heir.
"I suppose," Hadrian tilted his head.
"You and he seem to be working well together,"
"We are,"
"You seem to like working with him,"
"I do," Hadrian looked up at Brandon, his grey eyes flashing and snapping like a storm as he came to a stop standing over Hadrian looking out unseeingly over the garden. "Are you jealous?"
"Yes," Brandon answered honestly.
"I love that," Hadrian smiled softly placing down his book and leaning further against the wall behind him so he could look up better at his betrothed.
"Sorry?"
"That you're so honest, you don't lie or hide things, or try to sugar coat them, you just say it," Hadrian reached out and took Brandon's hand in his, examining the larger hand for a moment before he linked their fingers together.
"Good?" Brandon said a little confused at how the conversation was going, his anger leaking out of him like water in a hole filled bucket.
"Tywin is impressive to work with, and I enjoy spending time with him. But I much prefer spending time with you," Hadrian soothed. "I tire after a little while of battling and spending time with Tywin, it never feels like I have long enough with you, and I wish for more hours when we have to part,"
"Soon we won't need to part," Brandon smiled a little, his worry eased.
"I find myself looking forward to it more and more," Hadrian grinned tugging his betrothed in demand until he bent and pressed their lips together sweetly. "How are you feeling about Lyanna getting here?" he asked once Brandon had settled on the window seat with him.
He felt concern when Brandon sighed loudly and wrapped his arm around Hadrian's shoulders and drew him closer. His Northern betrothed rested his head against the wall behind them and gazed out the window at the gardens below.
"I have mixed feelings really, she is my sister and I love her, and I am happy that she has found a marriage of love. But..the way that she went about it, the consequences that it could have caused, not only for us, but for you and the whole country, that is just something else and I want to shake her," Brandon frowned before turning to look back at Hadrian. "I am also aware that we will be heading back North, and the times that I will see her will be considerably less, and I do not want to leave here being angry with her,"
"At least we have the moral high ground with our siblings being able to state that our marriage was done right and for political reasons," Hadrian snorted, shuffling a little down on the window seat so that he could rest his head onto Brandon's strong shoulder comfortably.
"I am a political reason am I?" Brandon asked sounding completely amused.
"Utterly yes, your dashing good lucks, charm and kissing has nothing to do with it," Hadrian said dryly drawing the chuckle from his betrothed that he had been looking for.
"Our son will be here in a few days as well," Brandon stated making Hadrian snap his head around to look at him with intent purple eyes.
"Our son?" Hadrian asked softly.
"Tyrion is to be ours, we will raise him together, our first son," Brandon nodded firmly, and was gifted with a bright and happy smile from his love.
"Tyrion will soon be in our arms, Mother is due to give birth soon though she is still withdrawn from Rhaegar and I from the choice we made with father, and that we are planning on taking Viserys with us. And Lyanna is due to birth her and Rhaegar's first child. Three babies,"
"Three dragons, two sets of three," Brandon hummed.
"Two sets?" Hadrian shifted a little so he was still resting on Brandon's shoulder but so that he could also see him, carefully and cautiously throwing his leg over Brandon's legs. When his betrothed simply wrapped his arms more securely around Hadrian, the Targaryen felt a sense a happiness flash through him, for a warrior to allow such an action showed trust.
"Three new baby Targaryens, and three children for Rhaegar,"
"Hopefully that will appease his bloody prophecy," Hadrian sighed.
"I truly feel for Elia," Brandon squeezed Hadrian closer to himself. "I promise I will never put you through that Harry, the moment we reached Winterfell I will take you to the Gods Wood and swear my oath,"
"I think we're going to be very happy together Brandon Stark," Hadrian sighed contently.
"I think so too, Hadrian Stark," Brandon grinned when Hadrian raised an eyebrow at him before he gave in and smiled back, raising himself up to press his lips to Brandon's, humming happily into the kiss as his Stark cupped the back of his blond head and pressed deeper into the kiss that tasted of promise and a future together, side by side.