Chapter 20: Grand Council
KINGS LANDING - 8th Month of 277 – Week 4 – day 7 – After midday.
The group that rode through the gates of Kings Landing were travel worn, and tired. They had not slept and had ridden as fast as they could to be in Kings Landing in time. As they rode through the streets, Karlyn looked around and noted that there was no rejoicing. She reined in at a crossroads and the others followed suit.
"What is wrong?" Jaime asked curiously.
"The king would have been rescued by now correct?"
"Yes."
"So no sign of joy is in the streets."
"Maybe word has not reached here yet. Or maybe they are keeping it quiet until he can return in glory?" Brandon said. "Come, we need to get to the Red Keep."
They moved off. And when they arrived at the Red Keep, they went straight to Maegor's holdfast.
Maegor's Holdfast was a massive square fortress inside the heart of the Red Keep. The castle-within-a-castle was situated behind walls twelve feet thick and a dry moat lined with iron spikes. Maegor's Holdfast included the royal apartments, and the king's bedchamber contains a canopied bed and twin hearths. The holdfast also contained the Queen's Ballroom. And was currently where the queen was being held.
Karlyn dismounted and with the rest, left their horses in the hands of several stable lads.
A man in a white cloak stepped forth.
"Ser Jonothor" Cersei stated, drawing herself up. "We come with a missive from the Crown prince for Her Grace, the Queen."
"The Queen is not permitted visitors by order of the King, Lady Cersei." Ser Jonothor replied.
Karlyn stepped forth. "We are not here for a social call, Ser Knight. We are here to deliver a missive." She drew the scroll from her cloak.
Jonothor glowered at Karlyn but dared not say a nasty word to either of the two girls as they were both children of noble houses, paramount houses no less. Emboldened Cersei began up the stairs, with Karlyn and their siblings behind her. He gave way because he had no other choice.
They entered the hall and Cersei paused. Of them all, only she and Jaime had been in this part of the holdfast before, and she had been a bit younger then. But she took her bearings and led the group down a hall and then another. Short time later they stood before the door to the Queens apartments.
Before the door stood a white cloaked Kingsguard. Cersei gave the Knight a winning smile. "Ser Gerold" She said. "We bring a missive for the Queen from the Crown Prince"
Karlyn, Cersei and Lyanna all curtseyed to the Knight, while their brothers bowed.
"The Queen is within. One of you may enter." Ser Gerold Hightower, known as the White Bull, was the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He had been Lord Commander since 259AC.
Cersei stepped back. Karlyn was the one who carried the missive.
Taking a breath, Karlyn stepped up to the door and Ser Gerold announced her to the fragile queen within. And when Karlyn stepped into the room, the Kingsguard followed her into the room, and Karlyn could see that another Kingsguard stood guard over the Queen and the young infant child who slept in a cradle to the side.
Karlyn curtseyed low to the Queen. "Your Grace" She said holding out the scroll to the Queen. "From his Grace Prince Rhaegar at Duskendale."
"Ah yes, We received a raven this morning stating that the King was rescued but naught else." The Queens soft voice was, Karlyn realised, very lyrical. The queen took the papers and Karlyn curtseyed again and backed towards the door. "Where are you going Lady Karlyn?"
"Your Grace? I have delivered the missive, my siblings and the Lannister's wait without and I would leave you to read it in private."
"Prince Lewyn, please invite our guests in."
"Your Grace.."
"Now!" She said firmly as she opened the Scroll.
The knight did so and soon, Jaime, Brandon, Eddard, Cersei and Lyanna were all paying their respects to the queen, and Ser Gerold was behind them watching carefully.
The queen accepted their greetings and waved them all to sit while she read her son's words. Once done, she looked up. "Ser Gerold, summon the court chamberlain. And the castle steward."
Puzzled the Knight nodded and left to do so.
Rhaella looked at the group before her. "I thank you all for your service and assistance in bringing this missive to me. Chambers will be prepared for you all, I am sure the King and your families will arrive within the next few days. My son, has... called for a Great Council."
The group exchanged looks and the Queen noted that not one of them spoke against it. A Great Council was a council of Westerosi nobles gathered to resolve contentious issues. In Westerosi history, there have been at least two Great Councils to decide the succession to the Iron Throne, while a third decided the regents of an under-aged king. And now it looked like a fourth would be brought forth.
KINGS LANDING - 9th Month of 277 – Week 1 – day 3
The Wheelhouse that carried the ailing king rolled laboriously into Kings Landing. Surrounded by house guards and the three Kingsguard, it rolled through the Dragon Gate. Crowds of Small folk and the lower classes gathered along the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of the King.
What they saw was the wheelhouse with its curtains drawn and silence from within. Crown Prince Rhaegar rode at the front of the vanguard, the Lords Paramount of the North, Westerlands, Reach, Stormlands, Iron Islands and Vale rode right behind him, with Prince Doran of Dorne, the current Heir. A keen eye would have noted the only Lord Paramount missing was that of the Lord Paramount of the Trident – The Tully family.
But the crowd still cheered as the group entered Kings Landing. They had rescued the king, brought him back to Kings Landing. People were happy.
At the end of the Vanguard, three carts trailed. In them, were the chained figures of house Darklyn. Having lost his hostage, Lord Denys had no other option than to surrender at once. He bent the knee and begged for mercy, but the King demanded his head and all his family's, had ranted and raved about it for hours before a maester had drugged him back to sleep. Prince Rhaegar had stayed his own hand and brought them back to Kings Landing for trial. And he, unlike his father, was disinclined to kill children because of the parent's crimes.
Lord Denys Darklyn, his wife Serala and his three brothers, their wives and young children were in the one cart. His sister and her husband Ser Jon Hollard were in another with their only son, along with other members of the Hollard family, who were seized after the defiance, despite their not being in Duskendale at the time. And Robin Hollard, was chained along with other members of the Darklyn household guard in the third cart. It was rumoured that young Robin Hollard had pulled the Kings beard.
Watching the procession as it entered the Red Keep, Karlyn stood silent in the shadows with Jaime and Cersei. There was not much more they could say or do, things would now run their courses. The King was placed on a litter and carried to his chambers, and prince Rhaegar followed to speak with his mother the Queen. Exchanging looks, the three in the shadows headed for the Tower of the Hand, where they had, along with the Stark Siblings been staying. Lord Tywin and Lord Rickard would want to hear about the situation in Kings Landing, they knew. The winds of change swept the streets of the Landing, and they knew it would not stop there.
KINGS LANDING - 9th Month of 277 – Week 4 – day 7
Weeks of preparation had ended and before the walls of the Red Keep a massive Tent City had sprung, housing the numerous entourages of the many lords of Westeros who, after the defiance of Duskendale, had travelled to Kings Landing for the Great Council. Before that, would be the trial of the Darklyn family. The heads of the family, and their wives had spent weeks in the Black cells, awaiting trial. The children had been held in the squat half round tower next to the Traitors Walk.
With the King sick, Rhaegar would preside over the trials. He also flatly refused to sit on the Iron throne, instead had it shrouded in a cloak of Targaryen colours, and presided from a wooden Carver he had placed at the foot of the steps leading to the throne.
Arranged on either side of his chair, he had other chairs placed. One for each of the Lords Paramount of the Seven Kingdoms. From left to right, it went: Lord Rickard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn, Lord Luthor Tyrell, Lord Tywin Lannister, Prince Rhaegar, Lord Steffon Baratheon, Prince Doran Martell, and Ser Brynden Tully, Regent for Lord Edmure Tully, and Lord Quellon Greyjoy from the Iron Islands.
The court gathered in the throne Room. Families of the Lords Paramount were granted places in the upper galleries. For once, Karlyn sat with her siblings and not the Lannisters. Whispers abounded that there was a rift, but both Jaime and Karlyn knew better.
Once the court was settled, Prince Rhaegar looked at the Hand of the King who stood. "Bring forth the prisoners"
Lord Denys Darklyn was led in first followed by his wife Lady Serala Darklyn. Then behind him, his three brothers and their wives and several children under the age of 10.
Then came the Hollards. And the household guards of houses Darklyn and Hollard. The Prisoners were forced to kneel.
"Let Lord Denys be brought forth!" Tywin announced.
The now former lord of Duskendale was dragged to his feet and made to stand before the Crown Prince and the Lords Paramount.
"Lord Denys, you are charged with High Treason, assaulting the King's person and Kidnap. How do you plead?" Prince Rhaegar stated, his tone cold.
"Guilty, Your Grace." Lord Denys stated as best he could. He was pale, and had lost a lot of weight in the past few weeks. And even though he had been bathed before being brought forth, it was clear the time in the cells had done its worst.
"Let Lady Serala Darklyn, be brought forth" Tywin called.
"Lady Serala, you are charged with High Treason, assaulting the King's person and Kidnap. How do you plead?" Prince Rhaegar stated, his tone cold.
The Lady, once a beauty, raised her head and let her gaze focus on the Prince. "Not Guilty Your Grace" She said. "My husband did this. I am, as all ladies are, subject to his will and desire. I did not wish harm to the King."
Her words caused uproar, from the court and from the prisoners behind her. Her husband stared at her in complete shock. He obviously did not think she would throw him to the dragons like that.
The Lords Paramount exchanged soft words and glances.
"Your Grace!" A voice came from the group.
Rhaegar frowned at the man. It was the Steward of Duskendale. "Ser Hollard."
The man pushed himself to his feet. "If it pleases your Grace, may I speak?"
Rhaegar nodded.
"Nothing can excuse what happened. No matter what we say, the fact that Lord Darklyn and his wife kidnapped the King and held him for months condemns us all. My wife and I did not live in the Dun Fort, as you know, your men found us in our home with our son. I am Steward of Duskendale, but Lord Darklyn took control of its defences and planned this with his wife. None of us could stop him."
"But you were the one who sent the raven" Lord Arryn stated. Murmurs ran through the court.
"Yes My Lord. I sent the Raven to the Prince and the King warning them of my Good-brother's plans when I knew of them. But it was too late, the King arrived the next day and was taken hostage." Jon Hollard said sadly. "I know that does not excuse us. We did not attempt to free the King, which said, what could we have done? Denys threatened us all. And waited until the last minute to tell us. His plan from start to finish, with his lady wife's" and here he all but spat at Serala. "Assistance. You have doomed us all!"
Behind him, heads nodded in agreement. Children cowered into their parents and grown men had tears on their faces.
In the Gallery of the Starks, Karlyn watched it all carefully. Watched the court.
"It seems wrong that they will be punished for Lord Denys's crime" Lyanna said softly from her left.
"We shall see what happens." Karlyn mused. She agreed but knew many in the court wanted blood. Well she was sure there would be sufficient blood by the weeks end to glut them.
One by one, each of the prisoners were brought forth, and all pled the same as Ser Jon Hollard, that they were victims of Lord Denys and his wife's ambitions. All but one.
Rolland Hollard, a young and brash youth glared at the Prince and the Lords before him. "Yes, it was their idea." He confirmed. "But I enjoyed seeing that crazy man locked up. You know he squealed like a pig when I pulled his beard! No dragon that!" And with that he sealed his own fate.
The Lords and Prince retired for several hours with the small council to debate the fates. And when they returned, the verdicts and punishment were announced.
"Lord Denys Darklyn, you, and your wife are found guilty and will be executed, by beheading tomorrow morning. Your Title and Lands are Stripped, and given to House Rykker" The court were rather silent at that.
Denys said nothing, but a soft sob escaped him. His wife however glared defiantly and said nothing. "Take the prisoners to the Black cells." Rhaegar ordered and the former Lord and Lady of Duskendale were led away.
Lord Denys's three brothers and their families were banished from Westeros and were not to set foot on Westeros on pain of death. Their claims to the Dun Fort and Duskendale were stripped and their names taken from them. No longer were their considered Darklyns, they were now Waters'. They were escorted from the hall immediately and were not permitted to hear the rest of the sentences.
Rolland Hollard was convicted and sentenced to death, to be done that very day, but unlike Lord Denys and his wife, Rollad's death would not be by beheading. His fate was to be tied to a spit and roasted over an open fire like a pig "Let's hear you squeal" Rhaegar had said icily. He was dragged off to his execution.
The Darklyn household guards were sent to the Wall. And were led away.
"Ser Jon Hollard, Lady Cerse Hollard" Rhaegar stated. Their case had been the hardest to discuss, they were innocent of the crime of conspiracy, and had been held from doing something by her brother. "We have discussed your case. House Hollard was not active in the Defiance of Duskendale, they were tainted by the marriage to the Darklyns. It is our decision thus, that your son will be taken as Ward by Jon Arryn in the Vale, when he is 8 name days, and you will retire to Hollard Castle and remain there for the rest of your life."
Ser Jon and Lady Cerse bowed deeply and their chains were struck. "Your Grace is wise" Ser Jon said. His son, clung to him, as the child was only 5 name days, they now had time with him.
"House Hollard and all their retainers are free of all charges." Lord Tywin announced, his tone flat. He had argued against clemency, but knew that this won Rhaegar more than destroying both families. "This court is over, with the thanks of Prince Rhaegar."
The Hollard's left the court swiftly, and were surrounded by their family members. They, Karlyn later learned, left the Capital that very evening.
Lyanna stood to leave as the Court below began to empty, but Karlyn shook her head. "Wait" She said softly. "Watch and Wait."
Curious Lyanna compiled and sat back down. Brandon frowned from the other side of Karlyn. "Why?" he asked in a matching low tone.
"Because," Ned said from behind them, "The court may be over but none of the Lords Paramount or the Prince are leaving."
Brandon noted this, as did Lyanna.
Their siblings were better versed in the southeron Courts, though Ned hated being in Kings Landing. And he had spent the past few weeks in the camps outside rather in the Red Keep with his siblings. It should also be noted that he avoided Robert Baratheon, who sat almost opposite them in another Gallery.
On the main floor of the Great Hall, the Lords Paramount and Ser Brynden sat and waited for the Prince to speak.
"In two days, the Great Council convenes." Rhaegar said. "Lord Tywin and I have discussed the situation. We wish the grand Council to ratify my regency as my father is ill. I beseech you all to speak with your banner-men and discuss this." Rhaegar did not attempt to bribe or sway them. He merely stated his situation. The Lords all stood, bowed and left the Prince with mummers of "Your Grace"
In the Galleries, their families, also took their leave, quietly slipping from their chairs and vanishing into the halls of the Keep.
KINGS LANDING - 10th Month of 277 – Week 1 – day 7
The Council had debated and yelled at each other for almost 3 days, but they were all aware that it was for show. It was announced that Prince Rhaegar would rule as Regent Prince, and be advised by his father's small council. The King was being sent to Dragonstone to recover. The Queen, was to stay in Kings Landing with Prince Viserys. Though there was rumour that she would eventually go to Dragonstone to see her husband.
Karlyn sat quietly in a small solar in the Tower of the Hand, listening with half an ear as Cersei chatted with her ladies and her mother. Karlyn was done with Sewing. She was tired of playing the Lady here in Kings Landing. Silently she placed her sewing in her basket and stood, smoothed her skirts. Her sister and brothers had left the day before. She slipped from the room, idly noting that the Wolf Guard fell in behind her as she did so. Ordered by her father and Lord Tywin after the kidnapping, she knew it had been increased. She had to admit feeling suffocated in Kings Landing. And she missed the Rock. It had become a home to her. So different from the North, yet, home.
She rounded a corner and almost collided with Prince Rhaegar and Lord Tywin. She dropped into the deep regulation curtsey.
"Lady Karlyn."
"Your Grace, My Lord Hand." Her greeting was proper,
"Where are you headed Karlyn?" Asked Tywin.
"I was going to go for a walk in the gardens My Lord. I need some fresh air."
He nodded. "Yes, I guess after the past few months, being locked in a tower would be different."
She curtseyed again as they moved past her with two Kingsguard behind them. "Oh Karlyn, we will be dining with Prince Rhaegar tonight, please make sure Jaime and Tyrion are aware."
"Of course my Lord."
KINGS LANDING - 10th Month of 277 – Week 2 – day 1
It was announced in the Great Hall the Next morning.
[[Prince Rhaegar is to wed Lady Cersei Lannister, on the 4th day of the 11th Month of 277.]]
Karlyn, had to hide her smirk as she stood in the gallery beside Lady Joanna and listened as it was announced. Lord Tywin had won. His daughter would become Queen. She watched Cersei, resplendent in Red and Gold, stand beside the Crown Prince Regent, and had to admit, they made a good looking couple. A Lioness and A Dragon. And she knew he could have chosen worse. At least Cersei would never bore him.
Authors Notes and review Replies
To Guest M – thank you for your words, though I am unable to reply to you directly as you used a Guest Log in. As you would see, the migration was slowed after a few weeks, when the King chose to change things. And I have plans for the Mad King, I need him to be alive. For now. If he dies, Dany cannot be born ;)
Xenocanaan – I hope this meets with your expectations
Guest: 350 miles equals 101.38 Leagues according to Google.