Duskendale, The Crownlands...Several Months Later...
The first year of Haeron's reign was unsettled, after the chaos of Aerys everyone was waiting with baited breath to see what the new king would bring. So far the signs pointed to a new era of peace and prosperity as the new plants and other commodities were being brought in.
The town of Duskendale like Kings Landing was a hive of activity as work to build the new shipyard was underway, slipways and frames going constructed and workshops with some elements of the Braavosi shipyards that would let it build more ships faster than any other in Westeros.
Davos Seaworth from the windows of the Dun Fort looked on with amazement, the new shipyard and the town below him...all his now he thought with disbelief at how high his family had risen. They had gone from Flea's Bottom scum to the ranks of the nobility with a castle and lands of their own, even a seat on the Small Council he thought with awe that his life could change so much. He had sailed to the edge of the known world and beyond it, seen things that honestly belonged in dreams or nightmares and yet this was the thing that he had the hardest time coming to terms with.
His wife and sons likewise were finding it hard to believe, he had knights in his service. A maester to teach his sons and maids to tend to their home and cook food for them. They were now living a life of comfort, far from the dire days of starvation that he had known in his own youth.
He knew the great responsibility that came with this, making sure law was upheld, that the town and castle was maintained and so much more. He was not looking forward to that and would at least at first be needing a lot of help from his wife and the maester to get a handle of this...especially with their new son he thought with a smile. He now had four sons; Dale, Allard, Matthos and Maric, their new born he thought with pride. Four healthy and smart sons of which he was very proud. He would enjoy teaching them to sail when they were old enough and they would not be forced in smuggling like him Davos swore to himself, they would be good sailors who would have all of the advantages that he had never had. He would not spoil them he thought with determination, he would be firm but fair he swore to himself.
It was a new beginning for them, a good new start and he intended to make the most of it.
Red Keep, Kings Landing...
Vaena Belaerys was working on her future plans as she sat in her rooms, planning to spread the word and interest in her herbal tea and other medicines, all based on the herbs that she had picked up in Yi Ti. They needed a farm to grow them and Harmony had given her some land for one.
It was close enough to Kings Landing that she could oversee it and live in the city, it was perfect and she would enjoy spreading it to Westeros and hopefully Essos. The herbal tea was good for the health and also for pregnant women especially so it would be a useful remedy to morning sickness.
But her jewellery house was what was taking shape first she thought with a smile of excitement, securing suppliers was relatively easy with the backing of the Iron Throne she thought with amusement but soon it would not be needed as her work too off on its own. It might sound arrogant but she knew how good her work was and soon others would too.
On top of that she had made her own contribution to the people of Kings Landing, a public house where health concerns of the common people could be addressed. The Faith in a move to cement their own influence in the city had agreed to fund it and to operate it with the help of the maesters, it would serve as an extension to the Citadel, teaching the healing arts although she would have a few suggestions of her own to add.
She was not stupid, she knew it was going to be an uphill struggle, getting them to not only accept new ideas but also that they came from a woman...it was going to be extremely difficult she knew that. She would need to start slowly and with much proof of their effectiveness before they would ever be truly accepted.
But that was far from the only problem that she was faced with, Vaena thought with misery. Given her position as a close personal friend to the new queens and having a dragon in her own right, many houses were now seeking to marry her into their own ranks. She had many offers being sent her way and it was so frustrating it made her want to scream.
She sighed at that, building your own path was a struggle regardless of who you were and yet she as a woman and one of colour at that she would face an even harder challenge than others. Whatever support she had to begin with...it would be harsh she realised with a worried feeling in her gut.
But warm hands gently placed themselves on her shoulders and carefully rubbed them to ease her stress and worries. The sensation was truly bliss as the tension disappeared from her body, becoming totally relaxed as it happened.
"You are very good at that." Vaena said with an hum of pleasure at the feelings he was creating in her.
Jacys smiled as he kept massaging her shoulders, the feel of her smooth and warm skin like silk under his fingers as he did so.
"Its my pleasure. You need to take time to yourself." Jacys said with a warm supportive smile, his new relationship with her was a great source of joy to him. A second son of a minor family in service to House Velaryon he had never thought he would find a woman that would be interested in him and yet he had managed to some how attract the attention of such a beautiful and intelligent woman as Vaena. He honestly was blown away by how smart she was and what she saw in him was a great mystery to Jacys.
She had even brought him to the heights of power in Westeros, the Red Keep itself.
And she had a dragon that was now nearly large enough to ride!
He honestly had never imagined even seeing a dragon let alone courting a woman that could ride one.
- x -
Elsewhere in the Red Keep there was a soul that was suffering more and more each day.
Lyanna Stark sat alone in her room, her belly now swollen with a child that honestly she had begun to hate. Her isolation was nothing new, at Winterfell she had always been a loner and loved to ride the hills alone even if her family kept telling her not to as it was too dangerous for a woman alone. But back then she had still been loved by her family, had a few friends and the familiar sights of Winterfell and the North to comfort her.
Here, she had nothing, she did not even get to wear breeches or clothes she liked and was forced to wear dresses.
Lyanna no longer cried, she had long run out of tears and even if she had any left there was no-one left to cry too. She was alone and isolated in the Red Keep, no-one visited her and she was carefully watched everywhere she went by the Royal Guard. Even Rhaegar when he was not being punished by his older brother did not bother to come and see her, he had gotten what he wanted from her for the moment. He would only demand her presence in his bed when she had given birth to her current child she thought with a shudder of revulsion at ever sharing a bed with him again.
He had ruined her life she thought with disgust and anger, wanting to scream and had to grab a pillow and yell into it to try and release her feelings. It didn't help much but it was all that she had at the moment.
Her anger clashed with her misery or added to it she wouldn't really be able to understand exactly how it had happened but soon she collapsed on her bed and was screaming out in misery, her face screwed up and red as fresh tears began to fall. Her life completely in pieces and with no hope of it getting any better, in the moment it was more than she could cope with.
The guards outside her room heard her cries and were not sure just what to do, they were merely there to watch and protect her. Comforting a crying pregnant young woman was something that none of them had any real experience with but thankfully they were not the only one to hear her distressed cries.
Elia Martell was on her way to join Rhaella in the garden for an afternoon of playing with the younger children of House Targaryen when she heard the noise Lyanna was making. Hearing it she sighed as she had known this was coming, she changed her path to go to Lyanna's rooms and the guards let her pass without interruption, grateful that she was going to deal with this so they would not have too.
Seeing the pregnant Lyanna having a complete break down on the bed was heart breaking for Elia, she was strong but everyone had their weaknesses she thought sadly. For Lyanna it was having not only her freedom curtailed but the fact that her family hated her now or certainly was keeping her at a distance while not having any true companionship. She knew the misery of not having family around her, she was lucky to have her uncle but the fact she did not see her brothers except on rare occasions was a great source of misery for her.
Lyanna did not even have that.
She sat down on the bed and put her hand gently on the girl's brow, pushing her soft brown hair out of the way so she could look her in the eyes. Seeing her momentarily broke Lyanna from her misery as Elia smiled.
"It might not seem like it now but believe me, things will get better. Rather than get lost in what you haven't got any more, try to see this as an opportunity to build something new here. In time your family will forgive you, it might take a long time but they will come around." Elia reassured Lyanna who looked at her with red and water filled eyes, desperately asking in search of hope.
"Really?" The tiny and scared voice was brittle but there was a sliver of hope in it and Elia smiled before telling her.
"Yes, but you need to keep yourself healthy. That babe inside you will need you to be strong, whatever happens it will be your family. In time that child will be a dragon rider and someone will need to teach him to be a noble Northern Dragon." Elia told her with a slightly stern voice to make sure that she would take better care of her own health and that of the babe inside her. It would do her no good to get this worked up and upset time and time again, she would speak to the king and see if she could be given something that would ease her pain or at least be less isolated. She for the moment though contented herself with gently brushing the younger girl's hair to try and comfort her with a warm and friendly smile.
- x -
Skies above Kings Landing...
Kara flew joyfully in the air, its natural environment but it was not alone.
Aurora, now larger flew alongside but on the back of Sylvie rode Harmony, Selene likewise carried Evelyn and Arrax carried Vaena as the five dragons played in the skies above the city.
The cries the dragons made were of joy as they danced through the air, they were loud enough that the people of the city below could hear them. They were still scared of the enormous beasts, who wouldn't be especially as they were right above their heads but it was in its own way magical...they could see the majestic way they flew through the sky and in some ways it even made them feel safer strangely.
After all who would dare attack a city guarded by dragons?
On the backs of their dragons Harmony, Evelyn and Vaena found the thrill of flight running through them like blood. It made them feel more alive than they had ever felt before, bonded with their dragons it was almost like they could feel what they were feeling, The wind moving around them, lifting the wings.
In short, like nothing that they had ever felt before.
They yelled out in joy as they danced through the skies for the first time on their dragons' backs. It was the ultimate freedom and a joy that few would ever know. One day they would fly with their children and their dragons, Rhaella would fly with her children too if she were not pregnant at the moment. She had wanted so much to fly on Aurora and she would and love every moment of it, even Grace would one day fly with them in the great sky.
Vaena was whooping with the thrill of the moment, distracted from her own problems for the moment. Better yet she was enjoying a moment with her best friends for what she hoped would be many days in the future.
- x -
Some time later back at the Red Keep though Haeron was reading through the many letters and documents that came with running a kingdom as large as Westeros and with the merchant guild as large as the one he operated.
It was a lot of work and he would delegate what he could to others but there was only so much power you could surrender before you started losing control. He would need to choose those people with great care he decided and magic contracts would be a blessing in that regard.
The fact he had inherited a deeply unsettled realm which was still on the edge of civil war if the wrong circumstances occurred stuck with him, things had managed to calm down for the moment but who knew what they might be facing in the future he thought and it would take a lot of work to keep things that way.
Haeron sighed as the words of his ancestor Aegon the Conqueror that no king should ever sit easy on a throne seemed strangely meaningful at that moment. Taking a crown was one thing he thought to himself with resignation, keeping it was a whole different story.
Especially as he and Harmony were now expecting their second child he thought with a small smile at the unexpected joy. They hadn't been trying but it had happened regardless he thought with a sense of joy, not able to see any bad things about this situation. He loved his children and he could not regret having another one.
If it was a girl though, Haeron thought with sudden determination she would not be marrying anyone in their own family. A shudder of revulsion running through him at the practice of Targaryen incest, how his family had managed to survive all this time with the continuous marrying brothers and sisters, cousins and otherwise was a great mystery to him. The odd outsider had been a blessing in that respect he concluded and decided hence forth that a new rule would be established in regards to future marriages, from now on no marriage was permitted if the two people in question were closer than a first cousin.
It might seem excessive but if his family was going to cast off the inbreeding issues that they had been plagued with for centuries now it was something they needed to do.
The door to his rooms opened to admit Elia who came in with a warm smile on her face, Haeron smiled when he saw her as he deeply respected her and was quite happy to keep her as part of his family.
"Your grace." Elia said calmly.
"Hello Elia, I hope you are having a good day. How is Rhaenys?" Haeron asked with openness, wondering just why she was here and if it had something to do with his niece.
"Rhaenys is doing well. She is a bright little girl or so the maester tells me." Elia said with a proud look in her eyes at the true light of her life before she did get to the point of her visit. "I was wondering if you might be willing to plant a real Weirwood Tree in the Godswood?"
The request was so random that it honestly shocked him into silence for a moment, in nearly three hundred years no one had ever requested such a thing. There were hardly any worshippers of the Old Gods outside of the North with a small number in the Riverlands and the Vale, so it seemed pointless to have one.
"Any particular reason why?" Haeron asked with confusion.
"For Lyanna Stark, the poor girl is crumbling Haeron...her family have disowned her and Rhaegar is never there. She needs something familiar." Elia said with an almost pleading voice, her own worries for the young girl.
Haeron was surprised at the request, it seemed excessive but at the same time he understood the reasoning. The girl might have been foolish but did she deserve to be treated so harshly? He questioned himself with some shame at being so hard on her. Lyanna had paid for her mistakes and would continue to do so, her family for now at least wanted nothing to do with her and she was carrying a child. Rhaegar was of no help to her and only Elia seemed to have any time for her now.
Would it be so bad to show her some mercy? He considered with some of his old compassion coming through. He pondered before finally saying.
"Very well, I will ask for a sapling to be sent from the North to plant in the Red Keep's Godswood." Haeron offered and Elia smiled with gratitude and nodded.
"Thank you Haeron, I honestly think it will mean the world to her." Elia told him and he nodded, hoping that was true.
- x -
When Lyanna heard later that day that a real Weirwood was being ordered for the Red Keep she smiled for the first time in weeks. The fact that she would have a real actual Godswood to pray in was the best news that she had received ever since Rhaegar had come into her life. She smiled at Elia and genuinely told her.
"Thank you."
Elia smiled at her sister-wife who at last would have a small part of home with her, something that she would love to have for herself but there was no real way of doing that she thought sadly.
Platinum Mine, The North...
Lord Rickard Stark was for the first time finally seeing the platinum mine for himself, his men had replaced the dangerous and rotten old support beams so they could dare enter the deep caverns but slowly the mine was being stabilised.
He made his way carefully down the narrow passages and natural caves, seeing for himself the platinum ore in the walls and how deep they actually went. His eyes widened as he saw how deep it was and it would certainly be more than enough for his purposes.
He reached out and touched the cold walls with his gloved hands, the contact even through the gloves seemed strangely euphoric as if this were a monumental event.
He would be able to do a lot with this great boon he thought with a smile coming to his lips, Moat Cailin and Castle Greenwood would be rebuilt and made holdings for his houses...ones that he could hand down to his family.
The timing of this was excellent as the wedding of his eldest son Brandon was to take place to Catelyn Tully and Benjen was set to marry Lady Jonelle Cerwyn when she came of age...not to mention Ned marrying Ashara Dayne...House Stark was going to be not only well connected but more powerful than ever.
He had given the Reeds control of the new product, rice which would earn a lot of coin in the future. He knew they had their loyalty and he would secure that with the rice. The lands of Moat Cailin would be important as a defence point against the south should the need arise and could defend the growing lands.
Castle Greenwood would be useful in helping fortifying their east coast and he was considering his options, which one he would give to which son he had not decided yet but it would be an increase in the strength of House Stark.
- x -
Winterfell, The North...A Week Later...
Lord Hoster Tully sat on the saddle of his horse as he looked at the bleak and desolate lands of the North, the cold wind made him shiver despite his furs. His frail body feeling like it was going to fall from his mount, but he did not allow himself to do it. Staying on the horse with sheer will to not let his men or especially his arrogant brother see him fail at anything.
Brynden at his side to his annoyance did notice, he did not seem to have any problem dealing with the cold Hoster thought with anger at his oh so strong younger brother. He didn't get cold, he thought with disgust.
He kept on going, the sight of the large if grim looking Winterfell in the distance. He had not imagined it would look this bleak but it represented a strong ally for him and the chance for his grandchildren to rule over two kingdoms he thought with pride.
They and the wheelhouse which contained his daughter Catelyn rode onwards, finally arriving at the sturdy looking gate and riding through it. Lord Rickard and his two sons that were home at this point Brandon and Benjen stood with the rest of the household to greet them. Hoster was somewhat annoyed that it was not a bigger spectacle but Lord Rickard stepped forward to greet him with a cold and stern nod.
"Lord Tully welcome to Winterfell. Rooms have been prepared for you and your party." Lord Rickard said calmly and Hoster as he dismounted from his horse.
"Good Lord Stark, I would expect nothing less." Lord Hoster said, his bad mood choosing his words rather than any sense of politeness or even respect. Lord Stark visibly clenched his jaw at the slight as did the rest of the Starks and their household but thankfully a welcome distraction appeared as Catelyn emerged from her wheelhouse.
The girl had just become of legal age to marry, sixteen years of age she was a stunning beauty in her own right. Her long red hair was what people noticed about her first but that was only one of her charms. She had smooth fair skin with deep blue eyes like sapphires, along with a womanly figure that was curved and yet slim.
Brandon immediately smirked, knowing he was going to enjoy his wedding night. Catelyn was looking at the grim and somewhat scary sights of Winterfell around her and then at Brandon who she thought with handsome she thought with a blush coming to her face, still she was somewhat scared at the intense stare he was giving her and more so at how he was devouring her body with his eyes.
- x -
Next Day...
Rickard and Hoster had not wanted to waste any more time and had the two of them wed that day although a brief feast had been allowed. Catelyn had been dreaming about her wedding for years and the rushed ceremony did not match up with what she had been hoping for.
Nor did the wedding night, sex was something that she had been always taught was solely for the purpose of making children. So discovering that Brandon was not only experienced but had a considerable appetite she thought feeling like her body had been put through forced march from Castle Black to Sunspear she thought with complete shock.
Brandon had not understanding of her own lack of experience, far from it as he demanded from her without much care.
The positions he had made her do she thought with guilt and discomfort clawing at her from the inside, things that she had never even imagined in her most filthy and unholy thoughts. He had put her on her knees and hands, mounting her almost like a wolf would and taking her passionately from behind, slapping her arse which still stung even now she thought with humiliation at the way she had been treated.
She had hoped that it might be over and done with then but instead Brandon had proven himself to be very enthusiastic and pressed onward all night.
The pleasure he had managed to rouse in her felt...wrong she thought with guilt at it. It had not been born of love...no it was pure lust and it was not right...she felt dirty.
The positions he had insisted on, she honestly had never imagined and she did not like it. She just needed to get up and went to the door as Brandon slept without a care in the world. She pulled on a robe nearby to preserve what was left of her dignity and opened the door, she caught sight of a maid that was nearby and she called out as she peered out from the doorway.
"I need a bath, arrange it." Catelyn called out quickly and the maid looked over at her with surprise before realising it was Brandon Stark's new wife and the future Lady of Winterfell. While she was a southerner she knew it would be a bad move to not do as she said so she rushed off to see to her request.
"A bath, that sounds like it could be..fun." Brandon said from the bed having woken up just now, making her shiver with uncertainty and discomfort. His tone was teasing, lust filled and she slowly turned back to look at him with dread.
"I meant..." She said slowly but lost her voice as she saw the dark look of lust in his eyes and she bit her lip as he got up, completely naked and with his cock swinging around. The thought of getting back on that bed with him made her feel scared and in desperate need of something to say she blurted out a request that she had been hoping to ask for later.
"I would like a sept to pray at."
The silence and sudden tenseness instantly let her know that she had made an error, his eyes narrowed dangerously before he yelled at her.
"SILENCE WOMAN! YOU DARE THINK THE SEVEN IS WELCOME HERE?! NOW BACK IN BED!" He demanded and the sudden rage scared her so much that she did not hesitate to do as she told her and shed her robe to nervously get back on the bed and he forced her down as his resumed their lovemaking although his rage made Brandon even more forceful, meaning it was all that Catelyn could do not to let her tears fall.
Starfall, Dorne...
The heat of Dorne was something that Ned had not been prepared for, he had known to expect it but the reality was so different he thought as he wiped the sweat from his brow. But it was made easier by the sea breeze that came in from the ocean that the castle bordered on.
The beauty of the place was incredible to his eyes, it was simply incredible with white stone and great design. The legends of this place, that the rock that had fallen from the sky from which Dawn had been made and that where they had raised their castle.
He smiled as he looked out at the amazing views before taking off his tunic leaving him bare chested as the heat of the day made it impracticable, he drew his sword a bastard sword and faced off against Ser Ryon Sand, the old Master at Arms who had taught Ser Arthur Dayne. The grizzled old knight was a harsh taskmaster but Ned would take every bruise and hit as the man knew how to wield a sword.
Already his skill had been improving in leaps and bounds since he came here and he was grateful for that. The fact Ashara was watching made him work a lot harder to make sure he did not disappoint her.
Her smile was enough to make all of this worthwhile he thought with his heart singing. He had never felt so strongly for a woman as he did for Ashara nor had he thought a woman could be as smart or as beautiful and still be willing to have a second son like him.
He would spend the rest of his life making sure that she did not regret it he thought swearing a vow to himself. He would do anything he had too to make sure that she had a good life, that she would wake up every day as happy as he was to be with her.
Highgarden, the Reach...281 AC...
Now nearly a year into the reign of Haeron the First the realm breathed a collective sigh of relief, despite all the worries about civil war and beasts tearing the realm apart it had not happened and at last they felt calm and normalcy return.
But at Highgarden, there was only confusion.
"NOT AGAIN!" Mace Tyrell's voice cried out in frustration as his wife had given birth to another girl!
Ever since he had returned to Highgarden he had been trying to have more children with his wife, eager to try and secure one of their children to the royal family...fortunately the future of Highgarden was already secure with his two sons Willas and Garlan, but he wanted more so despite his horrid looks which meant he had to wear a mask for his wife to even let him share a bed with her, he had been pushing for more sons to wed to increase his power. Perhaps due to the firm and decisive queens putting him in his place.
But it was not going as he had hoped, despite his wife's reluctance to share his bed they had managed to conceive a child. Unfortunately it was a daughter! He thought who had been named Taena, she looked like she was going to be a beauty and he had thought this not too bad, having a daughter was good for potentially making a future queen. But he had wanted more so he had instantly pressed his wife again, despite her pleas he had not relented and they had soon been expecting their fourth child.
Who had just been born he thought with annoyance...a girl. His wife had been happy and his mother even more so calling her Margaery. A sweet and beautiful child who Olenna had immediately declared would be a great student of hers one day.
But it was not the only issue, due to his frustration at his wife not willing to share his bed and the horrible warts that covered his face he had begun sleeping with any whore who would take his coin. Something that was hard to find despite the gold he offered.
Three in the last year and each of them had also given birth to girls, he had sent them to the Faith straight away. But the fact was that he had not been able to father another son! He thought with anger and disappointment, it was as if the gods themselves had cursed him and he could almost hear the Reach and the rest of Westeros sniggering at him behind his back.
Olenna merely shook her head with dismay as she witnessed his downfall, he had brought this on himself she thought although she at least had the comfort of having two new students to pass down her ways too. Someone who could watch over House Tyrell when she was gone, she could feel in her bones that one of the new daughters would be a perfect student for her.
Casterly Rock, The Westerlands...
Highgarden was not the only castle in Westeros that was welcoming a child that day...Casterly Rock was now having a new arrival of its own.
Alicys was giving birth to her first child.
Jaime was pacing outside the room as she cried out from the effort feeling awful the longer this went on as he knew she was suffering in there and he was not allowed in. It seemed to go on forever as the night went on, like it would never end much to his own guilt and self-disgust for making her go through this.
Tywin was not there, he was in his solar working despite his first grandchild being born tonight. Tyrion was working on developing the trade routes to the far east while Maylee was busy with Tybolt and Marei. So he was alone while only made Jaime feel worse as he had no one to talk to about the terrifying fact that he was about to become a father.
When at last, the cries of pain were broken with a tiny voice of child his breath caught in his throat. He was unable to contain himself any longer and burst into the room, he saw Alicys laying on the bed looking exhausted but in her arms was a babe. Jaime did not even notice the Maester or midwives as he walked over and sat next to Alicys who looked exhausted but overjoyed as they looked down at the tiny babe in her arms.
"A little girl." Alicys said with tear filled eyes but the largest smile on her face as she stared down at their daughter. "Our little girl."
"Beautiful." Jaime said with tears in his own eyes as he was overwhelmed by the moment and what it meant to him. His daughter...their child he thought with a torrent of emotion running through him. The first of which was protectiveness, he had never felt so fiercely in how he needed to protect his little girl. Awe and joy at her finally being here was closely behind it though not to mention fear at having a child to care for and that would depend on him and her.
He and Alicys were staring at their little girl, not sure what else to say in the moment as Jaime took his wife in his arms as she still held their child. They were both lost in the moment and just stayed together in the most important moment of their lives.
Jaime kissed her forehead while made Alicys lean in lovingly closer to his embrace, the little girl in her arms looked around with curiosity and giggled as she looked up at them. They beamed at her as she reached out to them with her tiny little hands and they let her grab their fingers before gently stroking her brow.
They stayed like that for a long time, long after the maester and midwives left. They just stayed together in the moment, only after the light of dawn began to creep over the horizon did they finally speak.
"She needs a name." Alicys said with slightly tired and dazed voice and Jaime nodded in agreement. Alicys thought for a moment before making a suggestion.
"How about Amara?" Alicys suggested with a careful voice. "It was my grandmother's name, she was a woman of great beauty and grace but also incredible cunning and intelligence."
"Amara, it suits her." Jaime agreed, partly to keep her happy but also because it liked wanting something more elaborate and special for his own child.
"A unique name, for a girl that will one day be a queen." A voice said from the doorway and they looked up to see Tywin standing there with the same cold calm look on his face as he was presented with his first grandchild. He considered the little girl and walked in to study her more closely, Alicys and Jaime honestly feeling worried that he would criticise or hurt their daughter with his planning. "Haeron agreed that your first daughter would wed his son Aemon, so when they come of age she will marry into the royal family."
The fact that their daughter had already been tied to someone else before she was even born deeply shocked and unsettled them both even if it was Haeron's son. They did not like that this decision had been taken for them without any words of warning or consideration, but they did not argue as they knew against Tywin would not do any good.
Amara meanwhile caught sight of Tywin and studied him with confusion before crying out in joy and hold out her arms to him, begging to be picked up. The sight made Alicys and Jaime freeze in worry but Tywin just walked over and carefully picked up the little girl and held her with great care in his arms. Amara smiled up at him and her green eyes shone with happiness, Tywin carefully looked down at the little girl and then smiled warmly at the little girl and even let her hold his finger which made Jaime and Alicys look on in astonishment.
"She is a beautiful girl, she will be special." Tywin declared with certainty before carefully handing her back to Alicys who took her quickly although seeing Tywin be that gentle and loving towards his granddaughter was deeply shocking and somewhat unsettling. He was the cold and stern Lord of the Rock, seeing him seem almost human was something that was deeply confusing but it was not over yet.
"Well done." Tywin said to them both with pride which almost made them blink in surprise before he told them with some happiness. "Word from Kings Landing has arrived, Marei has been legitimised so she will henceforth carry the Lannister name. So we have much to celebrate." Tywin told them with some pride in his voice before telling them with genuine care. "Make sure you get some rest, you are going to need it." He told them knowingly before walking out of the room which made the two of them look at each other in confused silence, not sure if they were dealing with the same man that they had known before tonight.
Kings Landing, the Crownlands...
The city was alive with activity as the construction work continued, many new houses were already finished along with a couple of smaller septs for the people of the city to worship at along with the new Great Sept. The Great Sept was the pride of the city, unlike any that had gone before. With the aid of the dragon riders they had built each smaller temple (each devoted to a single member of the Seven who are One) in a seven pointed star so that only the gods or dragon riders could see them. A central temple was made for any services or events that would be held there which was a little more grand but also inside was a memorial to all those lost in the days of Aerys, a statue of a man, woman and child with a brass plaque.
At the same time the new bazaar and royal exchange were taking shape as well albeit more slowly as their purpose was spread to others. The idea of someone making sure that deals was enforced was in some ways insulting to personal honour but also reassuring for those that had worries about making deals with certain parties.
Inside the Red Keep the atmosphere could not be more different to how it had been under the last king, there was a calm and almost joyous ambiance as the oppressive fear that had once haunted the corridors and halls was chased away.
Rhaella was now heavy with her latest and hopefully last child, she stroked her belly and felt the familiar fear rising inside her. While fortunately only two of her children had inherited the madness from their father compared to the other four she still worried that this child would also lose themselves in the madness as so many of their ancestors had before them. It made her frown heavily with worry as she could not help but see the child son or daughter acting just as their father had done.
She stroked her belly and said.
"You aren't going to be like that, will you?" She asked as if the babe could answer, feeling it inside her and hoping that it would not be. The damage of madness that haunted their family had caused so much harm across the centuries, nearly brought the realm to its knees and their family to edge of extinction more than once.
Rhaegar and Viserys, they were both in the grip of it already she thought with sadness at her sons becoming this way. Rhaegar was not like his father in the way that he was paranoia and violent but instead he was absolutely obsessed with these ancient myths to the exclusion of all else. He believed that they were not only real but were actually happening right at this moment and he would be the one to make them happen. He had abandoned his wife and daughter, lied and tricked an young girl into marrying him illegally and getting her pregnant and nearly drive all of Westeros into civil war.
Viserys on the other hand was getting worse the older he got she thought with deep concern for her youngest son. He was exactly like his father although it was currently in the way he was so entitled, despite being a prince she had never spoiled him keen to avoid this exact behaviour but it seemed ingrained in him from seemingly nowhere. That he was a prince and deserved everything, that he was a dragon!
Where had this come from she thought with depression? She hoped that he might improve with time but if anything he was staying exactly the same, she could only hope that he did not get any worse.
But despite her worries for her new babe and two of her existing sons, she had never been happier.
Rhaella smiled again as she thought on her children who weren't mad; Haeron, Shaena, Daeron and Elaena. About her grandchildren; Aemon, Jasen and Rhaenys. They were the true lights of her life, all that hope and potential in them and how smart and strong they were. Haeron had settled well into the role of king and had two strong sons already with a third child on the way. Shaena and Daeron were doing so well in their lessons and Elaena was already so bright and lovable.
Her three grandchildren meanwhile were so energetic and adorable that she couldn't help but giggle as she thought of them. Aemon was just like his father, so serious and responsible whenever his younger brother or Rhaenys acted up or did something that might be dangerous then he would stop them. Jasen meanwhile was a daring and adventurous boy so unlike his brother and yet the two of them were always playing together, their bond of brotherhood so clear from an early age. They also were so protective of Rhaenys, treating their little cousin like a sister. Rhaenys would be a very guarded princess she thought with a smirk with the two of them watching over her. She was the opposite of them in some ways though Rhaella thought with joy at her beautiful granddaughter, she was an imaginative little girl, always dreaming up adventures she and her cousins would go on and loved to spend time with the rest of her family.
It was a delight for her to spend time with them and made everything she had gone through worthwhile.
- x -
In the new Royal Guard Academy, another freshly completed building was already training its first students. Experienced men trained the boys in the arts of combat like swordplay, riding, spear fighting and other things.
For the moment boys were the only ones accepted which while sexist suited the guard for the moment, the training was hard and brutal so many did not complete it but the ones that did were highly skilled warriors who were trained to be loyal and made secure by magical contracts that they signed the moment they joined the guard.
The first class stood to attention as the king himself inspected them, all garbed in the dragon-hide and steel armour, armed with swords and daggers as standard while some also carried spears, hammers and axes as their personal specialised weapons...something that was permitted as long as they were competent with the standard arms.
Haeron was proud of his men, they looked extremely professional and having seen them train he knew they were able to back it up properly.
They were now twenty strong, more than enough to guard the entire royal family and slowly would be expanded as more classes were taken. Service was expected for life but if you wanted to leave you could with permission from the king. It was designed this way to encourage loyalty and true devotion rather than simply naming men and keeping them chained to you for life.
Haeron stood alongside Ser Lewyn Martell, the Royal Guard Commander watching the men drill with proud smiles and confidence that they would do their job well. Haeron's brow creased as he was still annoyed that he was still stuck with the Kingsguard such as it was. They unfortunately were skilled men and he needed that for now but they would be the last he thought with satisfaction and always watched.
Haeron went to his horse and accompanied by Ser Lewyn and Ser Barristan even if he hated the old man he was a skilled fighter.
They rode back to the Red Keep and Haeron smiled as he saw Kara flying overhead, his dragon was enjoying their morning flight. He had set up a farm nearby which used potions Harmony had created to create livestock to feed the dragons at the rate that would be required.
His smile grew larger as he thought about Jaime's new child, honestly he was feeling very excited for the younger man as he knew how much he was going to be tested and yet how his life could be filled with so much joy. That fact his son would one day be married to that little girl made him frown a little as he was still uncomfortable with arranged marriages. He knew it was a good marriage and one that could make his son's rule secure but at the same time he did not like that his son was not choosing his own partner.
Either way though he would send a gift for the new child, Haeron decided with his smile returning to its full brightness. He would send a blanket of Valyrian silk which was more rare than Valyrian steel, the colony they had now set up in the crypts below the Red Keep was beginning to settle in and multiply but it would still be some time before they were ready to produce silk at a regular pace.
It would certainly be a valuable commodity when they could produce enough to sell he thought with satisfaction.
- x -
Back in the Red Keep, Lyanna Stark who was now very pregnant and coming closer to her birthing date sat in the Godswood tending to the young Weirwood Tree. It was her only real solace she thought with sadness, pushing the soil most securely around its base before gently watering it. It was growing at a impressive rate, far quicker than she would have thought and would soon be thick and large enough that she could carve a face into it. She had no idea that Evelyn had been using magic to help speed up its growth, partly to see if the trees had any magical use or potential.
Rhaegar was barely there, he had retreated to his rooms and just read books, his researches as he called them she thought with disgust at his selfishness and sheer lack of sense. He never left the castle, he was effectively under house arrest and only allowed out a few hours a day to exercise in the yard under heavy guard.
She sighed as apart from Elia who honestly she was astonished by her kindness and generosity, she had no one here Lyanna thought sadly. The maids would not talk to her and nor would most of the other servants, let alone the nobles that visited or lived in the castle. No letters to her family had been responded too, not from her father or from Brandon. There was no point in reaching out to Benjen she thought as her father would not let him respond even if he wanted too she thought sadly, her heart feeling like it was going to be ripped from her chest as she realised that her family had completely disowned her. Ned was the only one that she hadn't reached out too yet and to be honest she was scared too, if he too ignored her or worse wrote back with anger she did not know if her heart could take it she thought with distress but not having anyone from her family willing to speak to her was tearing her apart anyway.
She longed to go out into the city but that was barred for her she thought sadly.
She had not ridden anything in months even if she knew or rather had been told she couldn't due to the child in her belly. Her hands going to to the swell were her babe was growing and she did smile, her own hatred of her child had dissipated quickly when she had been able to think more clearly. Her child was the only person that she was hoping would ever really love her, hoping that her babe could feel her love for them even if they were yet to be born.
She got up with difficulty, Ser Gerold Hightower helping her to her feet looking annoyed at the lowly post he now had. He had not taken his demotion from Lord Commander well she thought with some mirth but the fact he still had a position here was impressive enough given King Haeron's disdain for the Kingsguard. The new Royal Guard was impressive she thought with awe, their training was brutal, far harder than any that she had seen before but it was to create the best fighters in the world.
She slowly made her way back to her rooms, cursing her condition momentarily as it made her so slow but it was a price she had to pay she thought sadly. The old knight was stoic as he helped her which had become their pattern every day but today would break from that routine.
As they slowly climbed the stairs to her rooms Lyanna felt pain grip her middle and she collapsed, nearly falling down but thankfully Ser Gerold managed to catch her.
"It's time." She said with a breathless whisper which made Ser Gerold still for a moment before he called out.
"We need midwives and the maester!" He said loudly and a small group of servants went to get help when they heard his words. The old man helped her up the stairs to her rooms which was an achievement in itself. The bed was a great relief for her as she lay down and tried to breath as the contractions continued.
A group of midwives accompanied by Grandmaester Horus soon arrived but Lady Vaena was with them, the dark skinned woman had delivered both Aemon and Jasen and there had been no problems at all. Horus spoke to the foreign woman with confused suspicion.
"I assure you my lady I am quite capable of helping a woman give birth." Horus told her which made Vaena raise an eyebrow.
"How many babes have you delivered?" She asked simply and Horus seemed shocked at the question but could not admit that it would be his first time he actually helped in deliver a babe. So he said nothing which made Vaena smirk slightly before she told him simply.
"I thought so, now watch and learn." Vaena said as she came over to Lyanna and told her patient. "Alright Lyanna, now you and I are going to breathe our way through this. Take it one step at a time."
Lyanna, scared about giving birth as she knew what happened to women when they gave birth especially the first time asked her.
"Have you done this before?" Lyanna asked and Vaena told her with kind reassuring eyes.
"Of course, who do you think delivered Prince Aemon and Prince Jasen?" She said with a smile before helping her prepare. "This is going to a long struggle but we will get there."
Lyanna nodded and kept breathing as her labour began, it was more painful than anything that she had ever experienced before and she was screaming in pain as it continued, she pushed with all her might and it just seemed to keep on going forever.
Vaena was concerned although she did not tell Lyanna this but she noticed her body wasn't really ready for birth and there were some real problems that she had to carefully deal with otherwise she would bleed out. It took hours and hours of effort but at last, a cry rang out.
The small babe was not loud as he began to breathe, it was a small sound almost soundless but it was there. Vaena smiled and gently washed and then wrapped the babe in a warm blanket before passing him to the pale and exhausted Lyanna who took the babe with a warm and dazed smile.
"A boy." Vaena said with a smile, seeing the tender moment and taking a great deal of pleasure in the deep joy of the moment. "You'll be weak for awhile and need to take care of yourself so you recover. I will help you there." Vaena told her and Lyanna barely heard her as she looked down at her son.
He was perfect she thought with a warm and gentle smile, rubbing a finger over his soft skin and his dark grey eyes were intense for a newborn but she instantly fell in love with him. Whatever else happened she had her son, something that honestly gave her hope again that she had something to live for. Even if her family never talked to her again she had her son she thought with pride knowing he was going to be something special.
"What are you going to name him?" Vaena said warmly as she looked at the mother and son bonding. Lyanna knew his 'father' curse him she thought with nothing but disgust at Rhaegar would want him to have a Valyrian name but she refused to let that happen. Instead she would give him a Northern name Lyanna thought with determination, discarding many of the more common names like Brandon or Rickard...instead she thought with her decision made she would give him a more obscure choice.
"Jon." She said with a pride, choosing to name her son after the ancient King of Winter that had fought raiders like the Ibbenese, Valyrians and Andals from the White Knife and built the castle of Wolf's Den. It was a proud name that was lost among others but still he had made a great contribution to the North in his time. So he would be her son's namesake.
"Interesting choice. After King Jon Stark, King of Winter I suppose." A voice said from the door which made them all look up in surprise as Haeron appeared at the doorway, his face calm and smiling slightly which was surprising as he came in, looking at the babe in Lyanna's arms. The intimidating presence of the king made Lyanna feel deeply scared but his warm tone made her blink in surprise.
"Indeed your grace." Lyanna said with a breathless whisper, he was always cold with her but he looked down at the babe with surprising kindness.
"May I?" Haeron asked politely, not demanding but asking. Lyanna was nervous but carefully handed the babe over, the little boy was so small in the tall and imposing uncle's arms who looked strangely at home with the tiny boy in his arms. Looking down at him with tenderness as Jon's small eyes looked at him with curiosity he asked the boy. "Well Jon, what will you be I wonder? But I hope you will be a better man than your father." Haeron said before handing the boy back to his mother who gratefully took him back and then Haeron made a gesture that no one expected.
"There was a tradition in our family once, now it is time to revive it. This will be his." Haeron said before producing a dragon egg from inside his long coat.
The sight of it made Lyanna and Vaena along with the Grandmaester and midwives present all blink in surprise before he put it down. It was a deep shade of green with bronze flecks along its scales, it was one of the three eggs they had recovered from Asshai but he had decided to give it to Jon so one day he could ride a dragon.
He would not allow Rhaegar to get a dragon though he thought with anger, he would remain under house arrest at the Red Keep for the immediate future but if he put even the smallest toe out of line then he would need to consider a harsher punishment. But Jon was not his father and hopefully would never be, he was his nephew and so he would be treated with the love and respect that deserved.
"I understand you have been struggling with the distance from your family." Haeron told Lyanna not needing his magic to know that. "But know this, that boy is a member of my family as are you. You are not alone, Lyanna." Haeron told her knowing what it was to be alone in the world from his early life as Harry and not wishing that misery on anyone.
Lyanna's eyes immediately watered with his words and she held her son closer to her who snuggled into her to seek her comfort. The words meant a lot as she had been so lonely and the idea that the Targaryen family was finally starting to accept her was more of a comfort than she had thought possible.
Vaena's eyes slightly watered too at the moment, understanding the pain of being separated from your family as she missed her own greatly, she was thinking of either travelling to Volantis or having them visit. She had written a few letters to them and they had written a few back but it was not the same. Still she thought with a smile she had managed to make a life of her own here.
- x -
Later that Week...
It seemed almost like fate but only a couple of days later Rhaella went into labour herself.
Again Vaena was there to help along with Grandmaester Horus and the midwives only this time having seen the skill that Vaena possessed in the healing arts Horus was far more willing to let her be involved and even learn from her.
He was interested in the techniques that she used, ones that helped the mother not bleed out or get an infection. Things that he had never heard of before and yet were not only fascinating but highly effective.
Rhaella struggled, really struggled as she was far from a young woman any more but she had the comfort and security of knowing that her children and grandchildren would be protected and provided for regardless of what happened to her so she could concentrate on getting through this.
A storm raged that night out in the Narrow Sea and Blackwater Bay, people were nervous as they looked out over the water. It was a violent storm, one worse than any in living memory and any ship caught out there would be extremely lucky to survive.
Rhaella cried out in pain, Vaena and Horus worked through the night while Haeron held her hand. He was ready with his magic if it was needed but thankfully as the storm finally broke, they brought his youngest sister into the world.
She was nothing like Jon Haeron thought as the tiny little girl screamed out with a pair of lungs on her. Horus carefully cleaned her while Vanea helped Rhaella, gently wrapping the little girl in a blanket before handing her to the Dowager Queen who looked at the tiny babe with adoration. All her worries about the child forgotten as she looked down on the innocent and beautiful babe in her arms.
Haeron smiled too, looking at his youngest sister with adoration. She was a beauty or would be when she grew up he thought with certainty. Rhaella turned to him as he dismissed the others, giving Vaena and Horus a grateful nod which they returned before he turned to his mother.
"Daenerys." Rhaella said with pride as she gently rubbed her finger over the girl's head, who thankfully stopped crying as her mother's skin touched hers.
"Princess Daenerys Targaryen." Haeron said with pride, she was young enough to be his daughter but he would gladly watch over his little sister. He produced a dragon egg to keep close to her. It was one of the other eggs from the Asshai Temple, the black one with scarlet ripples and swirls on its scales.
"Thank you Haeron." His mother said quietly as she lay there with her new babe in her arms, her eldest son putting a hand to reassure her on her shoulder, just enjoying the moment and hoping that the future would hold more promise than danger.
- x -
A Couple of Days Later...
Lyanna was holding her child as she sat in the garden, making sure that her little son was in the shade and cool, she did not allow a wet nurse to tend to him and instead who feed him herself. She did not want any other woman really caring for her son as he gave her life meaning and was her only real joy in life.
Rhaegar had for the moment forgotten about her but she did not think it would last, he wanted another child she thought with disgust at having to be with him like that again but she thought with a sigh if she refused he would just go off and find another woman. His obsession with having a third child would not be swayed she thought with anger.
Why he was so consumed by such things did not make any real sense to her, she could only guess it was his form of the madness that came from the inbreeding in House Targaryen.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a servant approaching with a letter in hand, she turned to look and the servant bowed to her and offered the letter to her.
"Your grace." The man said politely. "This message arrived for you."
"I see." Lyanna said with confusion at just who might be writing to her before turning the letter over and seeing the wax symbol of a sword and falling star. While she had never been that interested in her other studies as a girl she knew that was the symbol of House Dayne. She blinked as she tried to understand why anyone from House Dayne would be writing to her?
That was when she remembered the deal that had been struck between House Dayne and House Stark, gasping as she realised.
"Ned!" She said with a breathless whisper as she tore the letter open quickly and read the contents with eager and excited eyes.
My Dearest Sister,
I hope you have recovered from the birth of your son. The news that you have brought him into the world has just reached us here in Starfall and I was both relieved and delighted to hear that you are well and that I am now the proud uncle to your boy.
I know that our father and eldest brother have disowned you but know sister that I will not, I know Rhaegar lied and tricked you and that you never meant to cause any harm. I feel you have been punished enough.
I do not know if our father and brother will lift your exile but if you are able then I will be happy to meet you either at the Red Keep or at Starfall. I would like to see that you are well and meet my nephew if you will permit it.
If you are open to continuing a correspondence with me then I hope that you will reply to this letter, if not I will completely understand and honour your wishes.
Take care of yourself my beloved sister,
Ned.
Tears came to her eyes, joy filling her up as at last a member of her family had acknowledged her! Ned forgave her and wanted to still see her and her son! She was so happy that she honestly felt she would burst and told her son excitedly.
"We have someone in my family that cares!" She said with a beaming smile as she pressed a kiss to Jon's forehead, her son looked up at her in confusion but her smile made him smile too feeling her happiness and love.
She had no idea but Elia was looking on from nearby, smiling warmly as the younger woman finally caught a break.
Elsewhere in the Red Keep though, two Targaryens were finally getting their dragons.
Shaena and Daeron were eagerly looking at the two eggs that they had been given, sitting the middle of the room. They were nervous as it was a day that they had been dreaming about for so long and at last it was finally happening.
Kara was sitting there with Haeron as he stood next to his younger brother and sister, they were so excited that he couldn't help but smile at how happy they were. He knew he was giving them a great burden as well as a gift at the same time but it was what they wanted and he honestly felt they were ready for it.
Haeron put a hand on their shoulders and turned to his dragon and said the word.
"Dracarys."
Kara did not hesitate and reared back before opening its enormous mouth, blasting a powerful stream of flame onto the eggs. The heat and light filled up the area and they were forced to avert their eyes as it continued, filling their ears with a thunderous roar.
This carried on for some time before at last Kara relented and stop breathing fire, the three Targaryens all opened their eyes and looked at the spot where the two eggs had been just a moment before and there in their place were two small dragon hatchlings.
One was pure white with golden claws and scales around its eyes and mouth not to mention along the edge of its tiny wings.
The second was a purple in colour for the most part except red on its wings.
They chirped in that adorable way baby dragons did, Shaera and Daeron looking at the tiny dragons with complete astonishment and adoration. Barely able to contain themselves they looked up to Haeron who nodded to let them approach.
They did not wait any longer and ran over to their two little dragons who looked up at them with smiling mouths as the two young Targaryens lifted them gently into their arms and held them closely. The two dragons cooed in joy at their closeness especially as Shaena and Daeron gently petted them.
Haeron stood back and smiled in warmth at the moment, leaning back against Kara who gently rubbed its large head against him. He rubbed behind the dragon's ears which made it shiver in joy.
In so many years there had been no dragons he thought with sadness that these magnificent creatures had been gone for so long. Then a single dragon had returned he thought as he made a fuss of his own dragon and now there were eight of them he thought with a smile.
In the future he could hope that there would even more of them. Elaena, Aemon, Jasen, Rhaenys, Jon and Daenerys along with all the children that would hopefully come in the future who would ride dragons themselves and take their numbers to heights unseen since before the Dance of the Dragons.
That was his hope.
However as he brought his two siblings to see the rest of their family with the new dragons in hand, he saw Viserys in the corner screaming and wailing like a banshee over not having a dragon and would not stop until he had one.
While eventually he tired himself out Haeron watched with concern, Viserys despite their best efforts continued to act like a spoiled child. They would need to keep an eye on him.
Storm's End, the Stormlands...
The frequent bad weather around the capital of the Stormlands was as bad as ever today, it seemed to match the mood of Robert Baratheon. Like the gods were mocking him and his failures.
He sat in the bed of his room, the whores all around him accompanied by many casks of alcohol. He was filthy but rarely washed, his beard once trimmed and neat now resembled a twisted bird's nest.
Robert did not care at all about his appearance, he did not care for much of anything as he rotted away here. His father, his mothers and his brothers had left him alone after he rebuffed any attempt to try and get him to do anything more productive.
Fighting was the only time that they could get him to do anything else was fighting in the yard, there he fought like a wild beast and did not care who he hurt or how badly he hurt them or even killed them if his rage was bad enough.
He did not care about anything any more and no one had a clue just how to help, so they just hoped for a miracle to lure him from his apathy.
Kings Landing, the Crownlands...
A new man had come to Kings Landing, bringing coin to build a grand new establishment that he had gained in Gulltown. He had realised that with all of the construction work going on there was a real market for whores there. Men with money to spend and a need for relaxation...the perfect environment for him to get his foothold here.
The House of Silk and Honey was a much grander whorehouse than the other more simple ones in the city, one that could cater to all manner of clients and bring him the coin he needed to establish a true power base here. The girls were not even paid for their services but he had ensured they were cowed enough to never say a word, he controlled their world and they would do as he said.
Petyr Baelish knew that he could never win by traditional means so he would find other ways to fuck them, he thought with a sneer of triumph. He had used his connections in Gulltown to make links with slavers over in Essos for fresh Westerosi...commodities. Also a group of individuals seemed to want to expand their interests in Westeros which he was only too happy to aid them with in exchange for their coin.
He would do anything to make himself a man of power and influence and nothing would stand in his way.