Chapter 25 – History Begins, yet troubles lurk
War Rages – 280-282 – Westeros
For two years, battles raged across Westeros. Robert Baratheon's army roamed the Crownlands and the Riverlands. Meanwhile, the armies of the Westerlands, North, and Reach fought off sporadic skirmishes. Dorne watched in silence from the borders. Though they did send emissaries to Prince Rhaegar's army, stating their loyalty and towards the end, they sent a token force to help Rhaegar's supporters.
With the King sitting in Kings Landing, Robert tried hard to maintain the Kings' throne. But it was not working well. For every battle he won, he lost 2 others. While the battles raged, the world kept turning.
Robert's wife Lyssa Tully gave birth to their first-born child, Stephon Baratheon, black of hair and blue of eyes, in the 4th month of 281. His mother, Lady Cassandra, was found dead two months later in the tower room where he had secluded her.
Mace Tyrell's wife gave birth to their third child in the 2nd month of 282. They named him Loras. Mace then marched towards Storms End to attempt to block Robert's supply lines at the urging of Lord Tywin Lannister.
Eddard Stark, now Heir to the north, returned to Riverrun and married Catelyn Tully at his father's urging. The lady was sent to Winterfell where she was met by her Good Sister Lyanna Stark and Good Brother Benjen Starck. She would spend a few months getting to know Winterfell while awaiting her husband to be. They marry in early 282AC, by a Septon from White Harbor.
And then King Aerys fled from Kings Landing in the 8th Month 282 as his son, Prince Rhaegar marched on Kings Landing, having split Robert's forces a month earlier, sending Robert scurrying back to Storms End. King Aerys fled to Dragonstone with his wife and young son.
Under orders from Prince Rhaegar, Lord Tyrell allowed Lord Robert Baratheon passage to his keep and withdrew the majority of his forces, leaving only a token force to maintain the blockade.
Kings Landing, 10th Month, 282, week 2, Day 7
Rickard looked at his youngest daughter as ladies flitted around her. His eldest daughter, standing there with him, had given orders that her sister's gown be perfect. Rickard looked at Karlyn. "It's a beautiful dress Karlyn,"
Karlyn put her hand on her pregnant belly with a smile. "Well, the North is marrying the South. We should make them weep and shut down the whispers of the northern heathens"
Rickard nodded. "Is this the correct path Karlyn?" He was feeling his age. His eldest son gone, and his family split across the kingdoms.
His eldest daughter looked up at him. "Only the gods know truly Father." she said softly. "Only the gods know."
Lyanna waved the ladies away and walked over to her father and sister. She looked at them. "What is going on?" she asked in a low voice, remembering that Karlyn had told her to always speak in low tones.
Rickard smiled and shook his head. "Nothing, you look wonderful Lyanna. You look so much like your mother"
Lyanna looked at him surprised.
"Karlyn" Rickard said with a smile.
Karlyn pulled a box from the folds of her skirt. She handed it to her father, who took it, opened it and presented it to Lyanna. Her mouth dropped open. It was a tiara of white diamonds and gold entwined with blue sapphires.
"Based on the crowns of the queens of the north of old." Karlyn said with a smile. "Father had it commissioned with Rhaegar's consent." She waved to Mira "Mira.." She smiled as her maid walked over and gently steered the now stunned Lyanna to sit so, she could place the lovely crown in her hair.
Hours later, Rickard stepped from the carriage and turned to help Lyanna out of it. The smallfolk cheered as they saw her walking with her father up the steps to the Great Sept.
As they walked Rickard thought about those not here. Brandon and Barbery, dead and remembered. Eddard and Catelyn were in Winterfell, Eddard having gone back to secure their lands and hunt down the bandits who had killed Brandon. Benjen was already in the Sept with Karlyn and her family, the only family from the Stark side, able to make it to the wedding.
Karlyn was the strength of their family in the south. She had done well, Rickard considered. Married to the heir to the Westerlands, an heir, his grandson Tristan, and now pregnant with her next child. Though it is whispered it could be more than one. Not that Karlyn would breathe a word of her own suspicions.
He and Lyanna moved to the doors and two Kings guard stood there, and they opened the doors and Rickard led his youngest daughter into the Sept, to marry the Prince Regent. As they did so, Spirit, Lyanna's Direwolf, slipped past them and all but pranced down the aisle to the soft laughter of the Stark Contingent as Spirit joined Ivory and Scout at the front of the Sept.
Rickard noted that the Septon looked very pale but the man dared not comment and he was inwardly glad he had left Eyron and the two parents, Torran and Lyra, back at Winterfell with Eddard and Eddard's wolf Dorren.
Hours later, he watched as his daughter danced with her new husband before the assembled court. Beside him, at the table of honor, his daughter's good Mother Joanna watches wistfully. Tywin was sitting on her other side, and Jaime and Karlyn were on Tywin's other side. He turns to Joanna and Tywin. "A new start." he said gravely.
The wolves were slinking around begging treats from willing and even in the case of one young lord from the Vale, unwilling, hands.
Joanna nodded. "Yes." She had long come to terms with her daughter's passing and with both Jaime and Karlyn staying close to her it was a comfort. "The crown will prosper now…" Though it was unspoken about the King sitting on Dragonstone in exile.
Tywin looked at Rickard. They exchanged a look. That morning, a raven had arrived, stating that the King was constantly 'visiting' the queen. And that the guards were unable to stop him. The Kings guard was removed from Dragonstone by the leader of the guard a short time after the King fled there. They had tried and yet failed to bring the Queen and Prince with them but the King was under a hard watch.
As the evening wound to a close, Rhaegar and Lyanna slipped away. Their departure was only witnessed by the Kings Guard and the hidden gaze of a spider in the walls.
Varys had not been captured when Rhaegar took the capital back, instead he stayed in the shadows, the secret tunnels watching, waiting and listening.
Kings Landing, 1st Month, 283, week 4, Day 5
Princess Lyanna stood in the hallway outside the room where her sister was now laboring. She watched the faces of the men around her. Her father sat his head in his hands on a chair just down the hall from the door. Tywin stood stoically watching his son, the father of the child being born who was standing facing the door like a statue. She studied her father closely, a memory of Karlyn holding her close as Benjen was born and their father pacing the halls of Winterfell. She knew why she was focusing on her father, it was better than focusing on the cries from within the chamber where Karlyn was. Beside her, sat her direwolf Spirit. She knew Ivory was inside with Karlyn, just where she had been when her sister had birthed Tristan.
The door opened and a maid scurried out carrying a bucket of towels and after a brief curtsey the maid vanished down the hall towards the servant's wing.
The door closed behind her, lowering the volume which had risen when it had opened. Lyanna took a breath and headed for the door. Her sister was in hurting and she was within and she should be there.
But a hand stopped her. She looked up at her husband, "Rhaegar" she said her tone questioning yet also annoyed.
"Leave it." He advised softly. "Mira and Lady Joanna are handling it."
Lyanna bit her lip. Neither of them had said their news, wanting her sister to get through the birthing bed before they spoke on the fact that there would be an heir to the throne. She leaned onto his side as the hours passed. A servant brought food not that Jaime partook, despite his father's urging.
Then after a long day and night as dawn hit the roofs of Kings Landing, Lady Joanna exited the room, looking weary, yet in her arms she carried two small bundles. She beamed a tired smile at Jaime. "Jaime," She announced. "Twins, a boy and a girl."
Jaime stepped up, looked at the two babes in his mother's arms and then passed her to the room. "Karlyn?" he asked, his voice sounding hoarse.
"She is fine, tired, the Maester is looking after her, she will be okay." Joanna replied softly. She stepped to the side as Tywin and Rickard moved to see their new Grandchildren.
Jaime moved past his mother and into the room, ignoring the people behind them. Lyanna and Rhaegar moved to See their new Good Nephew and Neice before stepping off to the side to let the family have their moment. Tywin moved to their side and said "With your leave, Your Grace I would like to send Ravens to announce their birth,"
"Of Course, Lord Tywin. Do you have names?" Rhaegar asked of his hand.
Tywin shook his head. "No, I am sure though that Jaime and Karlyn will announce them soon."
Rhaegar nodded and watched the older man go. He knew the loss of Cersei had hit the Lannister's hard, even Karlyn had seemed upset.
Kings Landing, 2nd Month, 283, week 1, Day 2
Days after the birth of the new Lannister twins, now named Cerion and Kyra, it was announced that Princess Lyanna was expecting an heir to the throne. From Dragonstone, came a raven announcing that the Queen was also expecting. The realm, those who supported the house Targaryen were in alt. But at Storms End, Robert Baratheon stewed. Rhaegar had yet to deal with his rebellious cousin, though as Tywin advised, as Robert had the King's dispensation, it would be hard to tar him with a traitor's brush. For now, the Tyrell army surrounded Storms End, allowing only food through on order of the Prince Regent.
Dragonstone, 3rd Month, 283, week 2, Day 4
Queen Rhaella slowly rose from the bed where she had spent the night. She was only a few months pregnant, not that her 'beloved' husband cared. She looked as her maid entered the chamber carrying a bowl of water to wash her face.
"Oh yer Grace, I have hot water coming from the kitchens for you." Her maid, who had been with her since childhood, bustled around Rhaella, fussing as was her want. Rhaella allowed it and was soon ushered into the small bathing room next to her bedchamber and was subsequently bathing in short order. As she rested in the warm water, she looked at the ceiling, she knew it as well as the one above her own bed. It was soothing to let her mind drift. As she was getting out and her maid was wrapping her in a towel there was a knock at her door. Frowning she nodded at her maid who after making sure the Queen was wrapped and sitting on a chair, headed into the main room to answer the door. She returned moments later with a scroll of parchment. She handed it to the Queen.
She unrolled it as her maid began to brush her white hair. She read it slowly.
Your Grace,
His Grace the King is ill. The Maester does not believe he will see the night, it is very grave.
Steward Harlm
She placed it on the small table beside her and then after a moment of thought she said "My court Gown Lisie."
"Yes Yer Grace" the maid bobbed and hurried to get the grown. And then a short while later the Queen left her chambers, dressed in black sable and red silk. She strode down the halls to the main throne room of Dragonstone. Around her servants bowed and curtseyed yet none would speak of why, the Queen who never left her rooms, had left. If her husband died, then she would be free.
She entered the throne room and looked around. "Where is my son?" she asked after her youngest son, Viserys.
"With his tutor Your Grace" the Steward replied moving forward.
"Harlm" Rhaella said "Prepare a ship. Once my husband has passed and is cremated as tradition, Viserys and I return to Kings Landing to Crown Rhaegar."
The steward nodded.
"Send for Varys" She ordered as well as she walked out a side door to the garden beyond.
When the spider arrived a while later, he found the Queen sitting in the sunlight her youngest son at her side. He bowed. "Your Grace, horrible news about His Grace the King."
She inclined her head. "Yes, my Husbands illness is most distressing." But she didn't show it outwardly. "I have ordered the pyre be prepared for him. I have also ordered a ship prepared. However, while my son and I will return to Kings Landing, I doubt my son and good daughter will accept your presence."
Varys gave a small smile. "Indeed, your grace. But I have served you and the King faithfully."
"While true, I did not support my husband's move to usurp Rhaegar's throne with Robert." Rhaella replied. "Thus, you will not be returning with us. A ship has been prepared to take you to Essos."
"Your Grace?"
"Banishment Varys. That is the sentence my son would apply to you. Better than the alternative I am sure you will agree." Rhaella snapped her fingers. "Escort Varys to his chambers and see that he packs and then escort him off the island."
Varys knew better than to argue. He bowed his bald head and allowed the men that appeared around him to escort him from Dragonstone. As he walked to the small ship, he promised he would be back. And then they would see.
At dusk, a servant came to the garden where the Queen and her son supped in the twilight. "Your Grace, the King, he has passed." The servant said timidly.
Rhaella stood. "Thank you. Instruct the Maester to prepare the King for Cremation." The servant nodded and hurried out.
As night fell, the King's body was laid on the prepared Pyre and Rhaella lit the fire herself, watching as the flames caught and soon, it was fully ablaze.
"Thus King Aerys, second of his name, passes to the hands of the Gods." She announced and then she turned and walked away, taking Visery's hand as she did so. Neither looked back.
Kings Landing, 4th Month, 283, week 1, Day 2
Rhaegar looked on as a ship sailed into the harbor in Kings Landing. It bore the Royal standard. He knew that aboard it, his mother and younger brother. His father was dead. He was now King. Proclaimed throughout the Seven Kingdoms. As the ship docked he watched and waited surrounded by 4 Kings Guard in their white cloaks.
Queen Rhaella led Viserys , 6 name days old now, down the ramp, helped by a servant to steady her descent. She swept up to Rhaegar and with a bright smile, she curtseyed. "My Son,"
"Mother" He grabbed her in a hug then moved to embrace his little brother. "Brother. Welcome to Kings Landing, You are both very welcome here."
He then led them to the waiting wheelhouse and they made their way to the Red Keep.
Storms End -6th Month, 283, week 4, Day 4
Sairsa Baratheon, black of hair and green of eyes, came into the world as a storm whipped up around Storms End but it was not a storm of weather, but a storm of politics. Her father, was enraged and yelling at his steward who had informed him that his brother Stannis had left Westeros and had before his departure, taken to wife, a young woman of the Reach. Not however the match Robert had tried to orchestrate. No Florent for Stanis. No, he had married Lady Ophilia Merryweather, the youngest daughter of the Current Lord Owen Merryweather.
It enraged Robert that this match was done, and he knew who had orchestrated it. Karlyn Stark Lannister and Orlena Tyrell.
So as her father raged, her mother, Lysa Tully labored and gave birth to her second child, Sairsa. Robert upon seeing his newborn daughter, proclaimed her beautiful and his precious jewel, and she joined her brother Stephon as the pride of the Baratheon family. Robert sends out word of her birth and then begs for Crown dispensation to remove the Tyrell Garrison outside his walls. No response comes from Kings Landing. So he summoned his banner men to feast his daughters birth and plotted his revenge.
Kings Landing -7th Month, 283, week 2, Day 4
"The Crown is pleased to announce the birth of Jaehaerys Targaryen, son of King Rhaegar and Queen Lyanna."
The news spread far and wide as the Realm celebrated the birth of the heir to the throne. But unbeknownst to the King and Queen, who were closeted with their son, something was brewing, the storm was coming.
Kings Landing - 9th Month, 283, week 1, Day 2
Karlyn, not a week before had watched as the Lannister army had marched from Kings Landing heading for the Riverlands to take on the force that Robert Baratheon had brought to the shores of Westeros. But whatever had happened, it had not stopped Robert. War was at the walls of Kings Landing. She stood now, in the throne room watching Rhaegar as he spoke with his generals. Jaime beside him.
At the end, Rhaegar dismissed the men, asking that Jaime and Karlyn remain.
Once they were alone, Rhaegar moved off to the side and waved them to him. When they joined him, he handed them a scroll. Karlyn unrolled it.
I, King Rhaegar, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, do hereby state my final will and testament.
I name my wife as Regent to our son, until his 17th name day, and I name my Good brother Jaime Lannister and his wife Karlyn Stark-Lannister as their advisors and guardians until his 17th Name Day. I name Jaime Lannister as hand to the King for my son. To my son, Jaehaerys, I leave the 7 kingdoms to rule and guard against all who would challenge the safety of the realm.
King Rhaegar, First of His Name.
It was affixed with his royal seal.
Karlyn raised her gaze to her Good-brother. "Your grace.."
He shook his head. "My life could easily end this week. I am going out to meet Robert and he will not stop if he kills me. You will need to get Lyanna and Jaehaerys to safety." He handed her a solid key. "The Treasury Key to Kings Landing Treasury. Take what is needed, get them out." He looked at Jaime. "I know you said you had a safe place planned just in case."
Jaime nodded. "Yes. But.. it may not come to it.."
"I believe it will" Rhaegar was honest. "And should it happen, you will need to be prepared."
Karlyn looked at the scroll and then handed it to Jaime. "I will go start." She said softly.
"There are two ships at the harbor." Rhaegar said "Purchased by myself. Their captains will help." He gave her the names of the ships. "Good Luck Sister."
Karlyn blinked back tears. "Good Luck Brother." She impulsively kissed Rhaegar's cheek and then with a brisk swish of skirts, she headed out.
Jaime spoke with Rhaegar for a short while later, knowing that the next day, his Good Brother would march out to face Robert and while Jaime prayed for Victory, he knew better than to expect it.
Rhaegar looked at Jaime. "I sent ravens, stating that if Robert wins, Your father, and Lord Stark are to bend the knee."
Kings Landing - 9th Month, 283, week 1, Day 4
The ships were prepared. One was already on its way to Braavos, with two people selected by Karlyn to prepare the manse for the family's arrival. Her children, Tristan, Cerion and Kyra were on that ship with Stannis Baratheon and his wife Ophilia. Now, Karlyn and Jaime boarded the second vessel with Lyanna and Jaehaerys and Mira. Their belongings were already stowed and they had took as much of the treasury as they could. Leaving barely anything for the Usurper to have. Jewels, and antiques were all stripped and sent to safety in the West and North over the past few days.
At the gates, the battle raged, but it was a distraction as Lords and Ladies fled the Red Keep and Kings Landing after the death of King Rhaegar.
Robert had defiled the Kings' body by chopping his head off and placing it on a pike and held it at the head of his vanguard as they marched onto Kings Landing. It had joined the head of another Lord Paramount, Lord Rickard Stark's, whose men had been with the King in the battle.
This of course would lead to a bigger rift between the North and Robert. Karlyn had cursed Robert when she had heard of her father's death even as she shoved her emotions down, they could not afford for her to become weighed down just yet, and Lyanna had cried and screamed curses at the deaths of her husband and father but then she had shut down. And now did everything in silence.
Robert had approached the walls, the evening before demanded "The heads of the infant Prince Jaehaerys, Prince Viserys and Queen Rhaella, magnanimously allowing Lyanna to 'join the silent sisters'"
The response had been a hogshead of human waste.
As the ship, slipped from its berth, Jaime and Karlyn stared back at Kings Landing as the invading army began to sack it. Jaime put an arm around his wife. "We will come back one day." He vowed
Dragonstone, 9th Month, 283, week 2, Day 4
The Storm raged on Dragonstone, wind, rain and more beat at the castle on the cliffs. They had escaped Kings Landing only to pause at Dragonstone to collect Rhaella but found the Queen in labor. She had gone into labor at sunset as the storm hit Dragonstone. Shortly before their arrival. With their Ships anchored in the sheltered harbor protected as best it could be from the storm, the Lannister's had come ashore in rain and wind.
Karlyn and Jaime had a hushed conversation while maids and midwifes ran around the Queen, trying to ease her labor. "We cannot sail with her in this condition." Karlyn said softly. "But the longer we delay, the closer Robert gets, And if he gets here, he will kill Rhaella, Viserys, Lyanna, Jaehaerys and the new born babe, and us as well."
Jaime nodded. "Our ship will sail at first light, she has to be ready to move Karlyn."
Karlyn bit her lip. "Take Vis onto the ship, pack everything we can. The treasury, raid it as best we can" She suggested.
On the ship Lyanna was sitting motionless in the corner of the cabin, her eyes vacant, staring at nothing. Mira moved around her, cradling Jaehaerys, but Lyanna seemed unaware of the bustle around her.
Jaime nodded and headed off to gather whatever they could to maintain the Targaryen's history
As he did so, he came upon the Steward who was carrying a box. "Lord Jaime." He said interrupting the Lord who was giving orders to pack everything. "This was put aside for King Rhaegar but.." He held it out.
Jaime looked at the box, and opened it and stared. "Dragon eggs?" He asked.
"Yes My Lord."
Inside the box was 6 dragon eggs. Jaime closed the box. "Put it on the ship. We dare not leave these here for the Usurper."
As dawn broke on the 5th day of the second week in the 9th month of 283, Queen Rhaella was delivered of a small baby girl.
The servants didn't hesitate, the Queen was bathed and changed into warm clothes and carried by litter to the boat that would take her and her infant daughter to the ship. And at not 2 hours past dawn, the ship had drawn anchor and was sailing away from Dragonstone.
The servants that remained returned to their homes in the small towns that were scattered around Dragonstone to await the arrival of the Usurpers people.
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