King's Landing 300 AC.
Daemon.
With Varys he had stayed outside when the shadows did their work, with Littlefinger though he didn't leave. He wished to see the man suffer, after what they had done to Aegon he wanted them all to suffer. Standing there as the shadows moved forward Daemon enjoyed the look of fear on Littlefinger's face, and when the whip hit him he relished his screams.
Over and over the whip struck home and Daemon wondered what it looked like in Littlefinger's mind, was the skin peeling, the flesh coming off the bones. Was his blood pooling on the ground beneath his feet, given the screams coming from the man he imagined it was. To Daemon mere minutes had passed when Littlefinger began to cry, to beg, to try and find him with his eyes, but he knew that to the man himself it was longer.
"Are you ready to speak, to tell me what I wish to know?" he said stepping forward.
"I can't he'll kill me, please, I don't know anything." Littlefinger begged and Daemon stepped back as the next shadow stepped forward, the blade being held in front of Littlefinger's eyes.
After a few minutes, he heard the sounds from Littlefinger as he lost control of his bladder, the wet drops hitting the floor, a few minutes later and it was his bowels that he lost control of, Daemon doing his best not to wretch at the smell. The screams went on and on and the shadows changed place, the next one beginning his work. Littlefinger passed out and Daemon woke him by dousing him with water, he passed out again and this time Daemon slapped him awake.
"You speak and all this ends, you don't and this is as good as it gets and trust me you'll look back fondly on what came before." he said and Littlefinger nodded, ready to speak.
"I'll talk, please, please, I'll talk." he said and Daemon looked to the shadows who retreated to the corner for now, their work not yet done.
"Aegon, who else was involved?" he asked.
"Varys, myself, Naharis, Illyrio, Illyrio Mopatis is the one you want." Littlefinger said shakily and Daemon moved to grab a mug of water and held it to his lips.
"Him I got, who else?".
"No one, I don't know anyone else, it was just us." Littlefinger said drinking the water greedily.
"I want more names, who else is in your group, the others who are they?".
"Please.." Littlefinger pleaded and Daemon moved away as the whip came and missed Littlefinger by a couple of inches.
"Hoat, Vargo Hoat." Littlefinger said.
"More." Daemon shouted.
"Yezzan zo Qaggaz, Hizdahr zo Loraq, they're all I know, I swear. Please don't hurt me anymore.".
"How many of the cities in Essos are you involved with?" he asked.
"All of them, I don't, I..only dealt with those I've said, I swear it." Littlefinger cried.
"Why you? Why did they come to you?".
"My family made good connections both here and in Essos, I rose some and befriended others, the Tully's, Jon Arryn." he said.
"My uncle Brandon, did they put you up to it?" Daemon asked angrily.
"No, but they welcomed it and it made me rise amongst them." he said.
"Yet still, these people you speak of are far more powerful than you, I've seen them work and they would treat a man of your means as a servant and no more." Daemon said dismissively "Yet you rose far too high, how?".
"Jon Arryn." Petyr said.
"What about him?".
"I had him killed." Petyr said.
"Just you?".
"Just me.".
"What is your plan Lord Baelish, what did you intend would happen?" Daemon asked.
"The Vale, I would turn it to my side, use it against your family and be ready when the time came.".
"How?".
"Lysa would fall and then my son would be lord. I'd use him to control the Vale and await the invasion.".
"Robert is your son?" he asked surprised.
"He is, that's why I had Harry killed.".
"What else can you tell me, are there more of you here?".
"I do not know, Varys was the only one I knew of.".
"Tomorrow you will confess in front of the crown and Lady Lysa, do as you're told and I'll send you back to Essos, do not and.." he moved to the side so the whip hit Littlefinger hard.
"I'll talk, but please don't send me back, anywhere but there.".
"I'll speak to the king, Lie tomorrow and my friends return." he said and Littlefinger nodded almost looking relieved.
He walked from the cell and called to his men, the unsullied standing to attention, a dozen of them he had ready to stand guard and he knew they'd let no one past them.
"No one goes in, no one, he has water in there and you have his and your own food, don't accept any from anyone else unless it's Grey Worm himself." he said and Yellow Cat nodded.
"This one will do as you say my prince.".
"I know you will, I'll be back for him later." he said nodding before walking away.
He walked down the cellblock and up the stairs, across the traitor's walk and back into the Red Keep itself, passing by guards posted at every entrance. Heading towards the royal apartments he was tempted to go and see Aegon and Elia first, but instead walked straight to the King's solar. Inside he found the King and Lord Tywin and he nodded before taking a seat.
"Is he still alive?" the king asked.
"He is your grace, he'll confess publicly on the morrow." he said.
"He cannot be seen to have been tortured my prince, should it look like he was coerced." Lord Tywin said.
"It won't, Lady Melisandre will give him a draught which will restore him temporarily to himself and he'll tell it all." he said.
"Which is?" the king asked.
"That he and Lord Varys along with Illyrio Mopatis, Vargo Hoat, and Daario Naharis arranged the attacks on me, Rhaenys and Aegon, that they're responsible for the deaths of Joffrey, Harry, Gerold and for what was done to Aegon." he said.
"Why?" the king asked.
"What?" he said confused.
"Why did Baelish take part in this, what did he hope to gain?".
"There is a group of important men in Essos, rich men, powerful men, men who seek more of everything, men who serve a false god." he said.
"Daemon." the king said shaking his head.
"My god is true, theirs is not, but it doesn't matter if you believe or not, the truth is that they do and so they seek to use us, to use our blood to help their god.".
"I don't truly understand any of this my prince, but I understand men and if they felt it would gain them power then I can believe they would go to any lengths." Lord Tywin said and Daemon nodded.
"There are other things you need to know. Jon Arryn didn't die naturally, Littlefinger killed him and he planned to kill Lady Lysa too. Oh and Robert Arryn is not Jon Arryn's son, he's Littlefinger's." he said.
"This is a problem." Lord Tywin said.
"Figure out what it is you wish to do about it, Littlefinger will say what I want him to say, anything I want him to say." Daemon said with a smirk "Politically I leave it to you, just let me know before he speaks in front of court tomorrow." he said as he got up to leave.
"Daemon, what did you promise him?" the king asked.
"I promised to set him free." he said and both Tywin and the king looked at him "And I will, free from this world at least." he said as he walked from the room.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Ned.
It was far earlier when Daemon came back to the Manse than he had expected, but just seeing him walk in unharmed made Ned breathe a huge sigh of relief. Even seeing him earlier had not fully made his fear of the loss of more family go away, that his nephew was distracted and worried didn't help either. Now though he almost strolled in, a smile on his face and all he was short of doing was whistling.
"You seem happy my prince." he said as he met him halfway across the courtyard.
"Please uncle, Daemon, at least when we're alone." his nephew said and he chuckled as he nodded at him.
"Very well Daemon, can we speak?" he asked and Daemon directed him to the small garden at the side of the Manse.
"What's on your mind uncle?".
"You are well, no ill effects?" he asked feeling foolish when he did so.
"No, it seems I've recovered well from being dead." Daemon japed before laughing, Ned finding himself laughing with him.
"Gods, I needed that." he said when he stopped.
"Me too. I am well though uncle, I swear it, I feel as good as I was before, better even." Daemon said.
"I'm sorry about your brother." he said.
"He lives uncle, as much as it pains me what he's gone through, Aegon lives and with life comes hope." Daemon said.
"It does, these deals Daemon, from Lord Tywin, my bannermen consider them a blessing and I do too, but I don't wish to take advantage." he said.
"Advantage? I don't understand uncle?.".
"Of you, of who you are and how this is because of that.".
"Does Lord Tywin seem to you a man who'd just give something away uncle?".
"No, that's my point Daemon, I don't want you to be obligated by something I've done." he said looking to his nephew.
"You are family, soon Lord Tywin will be too, that's the only obligation I feel. So no uncle, don't think taking this deal obligates me in any way. Lord Tywin may seek my favor but this isn't how he'd gain it, though I am grateful that he's seen the error of the south's ways.".
"Daemon, your father." he said after a few moments.
"Is sitting inside this manse right now, Thoros is more a father to me than Rhaegar ever was, or ever will be. I was raised by my grandmother, uncle, by Thoros and by Lady Melisandre, never by Rhaegar, he may be my blood but he's not my father." Daemon said and stood up "Come let's eat.".
He understood how Daemon felt, though he seemed more settled in his view than he had expected, more comfortable with it. Honestly, he had expected his nephew to be conflicted, torn more, but whether he had dealt with it a long time ago, or it was a more recent thing, he seemed content. Ned however was not and he knew when he spoke to Rhaegar he'd not be able to let sleeping dogs lie, their own issues went too deep for that.
Dinner that night was pleasant and Daemon was called out early the next morning, his nephew telling him that he needed to speak to someone at the Red Keep and that they'd all be asked to attend court later that day. It was Rhaella who told him some of what had happened as they made their way to the Red Keep, Ned trying his best to rein in his natural instinct to find and gut the man.
He saw Lysa and the Blackfish standing together and walked over to say his greetings to the man, and to the woman who though she was his goodsister had shown none of her family's word when Cat traveled to seek her help. Despite this, he was polite and respectful, even when Lysa begged him to free Petyr from the dragons.
"They took him, no doubt they've tortured him and I and my boy are next, you must come to our aid Ned, we are family after all." Lysa said and Ned gritted his teeth and looked to the Blackfish who rolled his eyes.
"We should wait until we find out the truth of things Lysa, see if we're being worried over nothing." the Blackfish said and Ned nodded.
It didn't take long, the King and Hand arrived first followed by Princess Rhaenys, Princess Daenerys, Prince Viserys and Queen Rhaella, the Kingsguard surrounding the royal family. Queen Elia was notable in her absence as was Prince Aegon and Daemon himself. Though as Ned looked around the room it was clear that no one else was, he could see his own lords, the lords of the reach including the Tyrells, the Lannisters and their lords and the Dornish including Princess Arianne all standing waiting.
"Bring in Lord Baelish." Rhaegar said and Ned watched as the Blackfish had to almost restrain Lysa.
Littlefinger walked in with Daemon and six of Daemon's unsullied guards, his nephew nodding at him and the Blackfish before looking to his own people and then his family. They walked to the middle of the floor and then at a nod from Daemon his men moved quickly. Lyn Corbray never had even got a chance to remove his famous sword, the man finding himself on the floor and being carried out in the blink of an eye. Lysa began to scream and the Blackfish stepped forward before Ned saw Daemon, and then Rhaella motion to his gooduncle to stay where he was.
"Forgive me your grace, my lords and ladies, but all shall soon be made clear as to why Ser Lyn was removed so hastily." Daemon said and the room hushed "Lord Baelish has come to confess his crimes, your grace.".
"No, no, Petyr is innocent, it's you, it's him the black dragon, he's plotting against me." Lysa cried out and Daemon just looked to her and shook his head.
"Lord Baelish, could you please inform his grace and the Lords and Ladies present of Ser Lyn's orders?" Daemon said.
"He was to kill Lady Lysa my prince, she was to die while we were here in King's Landing." Littlefinger said to gasps and groans.
"Why my lord?".
"So I could control the Vale through Lord Robert and so the Vale would blame the crown for another death.".
"Another death my lord?" Daemon asked.
"Ser Harrold Hardyng my prince." Littlefinger said.
"And was the crown responsible for his death?" Daemon asked as he looked around the room.
"No my prince, Lord Varys, and I were responsible.".
"I don't understand my lord, what gain would Ser Harrold's death bring you." Daemon asked and Ned was beginning to think his nephew took lessons from a mummer given the way he looked at Littlefinger.
"Ser Harrold was next in line to the Vale, should anything happen to Lord Robert then it would be he and not I who controlled the lords." Littlefinger said.
"So my brother's kidnapping?".
"Was a way to make the attack seem more one on the royal family than on Harrold himself my prince.".
"That attack on me and my sister?".
"The same." Littlefinger said.
"Is there anything else you need to tell us, my lord?" Daemon asked.
"I had Jon Arryn killed my prince, so I could wed Lady Lysa and take control of the Vale."
"No, Petyr, you're lying, tell them you're lying, you love me and you wished to be with me." Lysa cried out.
"I never loved you, I never even liked you and would have seen you dea…" Petyr said though the punch from the Blackfish stopped his words.
"Ser Brynden, one more outburst like that and you'll spend the night in the dungeons." Rhaegar said and the Blackfish stepped back and held his niece who looked on confusedly.
"Is he knocked out?" Lord Tywin said and Daemon made a show of checking on him before nodding.
"Your Grace, My Lords, and Ladies, you've heard the words from his own lips, murder, an attack on the crown. I call for Lord Petyr Baelish to be sentenced to death, is there any who object?" Daemon said to silence "Your Grace?".
"It is the order of the crown that Lord Petyr Baelish be executed, do it however you wish my son, but do it far from my presence." Rhaegar said.
Ned watched as Baelish was carried from the room by Daemon's guards, Lysa in turn being helped out by the Blackfish. He turned to go to speak to Rhaella or to Daemon's men only to be met by Ser Arthur who looked him up and down and smiled.
"His grace wishes to speak to you, Lord Stark.".
"Now?".
"Now." Arthur said and turned, Ned following after him as he led him out of the Throne Room and down the corridor to the King's rooms.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Rhaegar.
He and Tywin had spoken after Daemon had left, trying to figure out the best possible way to deal with this. Both of them agreeing that they couldn't allow the truth to out, Rhaegar himself not even sure of what the truth truly was. Tywin actually seemed more certain of what Daemon had said being true than he did, and that was despite him coming to the realization that Daemon was indeed the promised prince.
The war he'd always known was coming, though it was something he could never have comprehended. Gods, priests, dragons, what they had done to Aegon and what his mother told him about Essos, it was beyond him. Yet looking back through the paperwork, through the discarded clues that had forced him into such a narrow line of thinking, he had found out the truth. It only reinforced just how much he had failed his son and his love, and he more than anything wished to wallow in that failure, but he could not.
Aegon needed him, Elia needed him, and the realm needed him, and so it was with that mindset that he and Tywin had come up with a different story, an alternative set of facts. Varys and Baelish would be the bad guys, their ambition being the root of everything and his family would instead of being the true targets, be portrayed as just getting caught up in the fire.
" This is what you wish?" Daemon asked them both.
" It's for the best my prince, should the truth get out then some would panic, others may see it as an opportunity to call for the removal of your family." Tywin said.
" And Lady Lysa?".
" To remove her would cause too much of an issue and if Baelish keeps his mouth shut regarding Robert's parentage then it's for the best." he had said.
" The boy won't make it to adulthood my prince, Marwyn assures me of that and better he dies of natural causes than is seen to be usurped." Tywin said.
" He's not being usurped though is he, he's not the heir." Daemon said and he noticed how his son looked to him.
" It's better this way son." he said though Daemon barely acknowledged it.
" If you say so, I have one request." Daemon said.
" Which is?".
" When you order his execution you order it done elsewhere, that you do not wish to see it." Daemon said.
" Why?" Tywin asked looking to him and then Daemon.
" He belongs to me and to my god." Daemon said and so he nodded and watched his son walk from the room.
" You two need to speak together your grace." Tywin said.
" I know.".
Sham though it was the trial went the way Daemon said it would, Baelish speaking every word they wished him to and he wondered just how exactly Daemon was able to get him to agree. Still it was done and though he wished to see Baelish lose his head, he'd settle for knowing the man would suffer and given the look on Daemon's face, he had no doubt that he would.
Seeing Eddard Stark there in the room, the lord having come south for the first time in seven and ten years, he knew there was another ghost he needed to exorcise. So he sent Arthur to speak to him and sat in his room waiting, alone with his thoughts, troubled as they were. He had lost his heir, gained another, and now had two sons who didn't speak to him. Daemon by choice and Aegon out of sheer fear, were it not for Rhaenys, he'd have been abandoned by all his children and as Eddard Stark walked in, he felt he deserved to be.
"Lord Stark." he said as the Eddard bowed slightly.
"Your grace.".
"I believe we have some matters to discuss." he said and watched as Eddard almost growled at him.
"That we do your grace.".
"Rhaegar." he said.
"Your grace. Eddard snapped back.
Rhaegar sighed, he had known it would be one of those conversations and yet he had hoped for something different, that Daemon's return would have at least made some of the enmity between them dissipate. Clearly it had not and so he tried to think of what if anything could, Eddard though not allowing him the time to do so.
"You think Daemon's return excuses your actions, that my nephew despite the little you've done for him, that who he is and how he's grown without you, absolves you in some way?" Eddard said, and Rhaegar gulped, wondering if the man could see into his mind.
"I do not, nor do I wish absolution, I know what I did Lord Stark, I know the demons I face, I do not need you to remind me of them.".
"You need someone to, you claimed to love my sister and you treated her son as if he was beneath you, an afterthought. You allowed him to grow up unloved and had his grandmother not taken him from you god's knows what it would have done to him. Even after she did you forced him back here, why?.".
"I was misguided." he said shaking his head.
"You think that an excuse?" Eddard said angrily "I would have gladly taken him North, but you, that fool of a Hand of yours, those fucking vipers, all of you wished him to suffer."
"We did." he said resignedly.
"And now what, now you need him, the unwanted son who became far better than his father, a better man, a better prince and a better king. You wish to know what to do to make it up to him, to seek forgiveness?".
"There is no forgiveness for what I've done Lord Stark, even I hold no hope for that.".
"Then why am I here?".
"For understanding, to try and make you understand." He said looking to him.
"I have no wish to understand you, my sister made the biggest mistake of her life by believing in you, trusting you. It cost her, her life and it caused her son more pain than a boy should have to face. You may wear the crown and I may be forced to swear an oath to you, but my king you are not. My king is a far better man than you could ever hope to be." Eddard said standing up.
As Eddard turned to walk from the room, he couldn't help himself and needed to know.
"Did he visit her when he was in Winterfell?" he asked and the look on Eddard's face when he turned his head, was one he'd not seen since the throne room many years earlier.
"He did." was all he heard as Eddard walked from the room.
He sat silently for some time before standing up and walking from the room, passing by Aegon's room he could hear Elia inside singing to their son, could hear the softness of Aegon's voice and what sounded like a child's. Thinking nothing of it he walked with Arthur behind him, where he was going he had no idea but he needed the noises in his head to stop.
The voices though refused to cease, his mother's, Elia, Daemon, and mainly Lyanna's, all of them telling him what he had done wrong. He found himself walking among the statues and paintings, looking at those who had come before him. Kings good and bad, cruel and kind, kings the realm looked up to and kings they scorned. One day his painting would hang there and he knew now what they'd say of him.
"King Rhaegar Targaryen, father of King Daemon." he said so softly that even Arthur couldn't hear, that would be all he was remembered for and he knew now what he had to do.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Elia.
Rhaenys had come and sat with her brother, Egg was happy it seemed to see her, not so much to see his father but Daemon explained it was that he was a man and not which man that Aegon took issue with. Even when Thoros or Marwyn came, her son would react by almost panicking, only Daemon was able to get close other than herself or other women.
Being told she had a grandchild she had never seen had thrown her for a loop, her first instinct to berate her son for keeping this information from her. Daemon allowing her to take her frustrations out on him and not Aegon, her son was in no shape to understand why she'd be angry with him. When Daemon told her that he'd have the girl brought to her, she wished it done quickly, even forgoing seeing Baelish suffer in order to meet her granddaughter sooner.
It was Thoros though and not Daemon who brought the girl and her mother to her, the red priest who explained that Elia's mother needed to be sure the girl would meet no harm. Elia felt a bit put out by this and then did not, understanding all too well why a mother would fear her child may fall to harm. If there was any doubt she was Aegon's or that she was her blood, then it was removed the moment she saw her.
Elia had her son's hair and her eyes, the narrowness of them, and the color matching her own almost perfectly. She was tall for her age and she looked well-nourished and clean, her mother too seemed far healthier than she had feared. When the girl saw Aegon lying there she moved close to him, reaching out her small hand and touching his hair.
"Look mama, like mine." Elia said and she found herself smiling at the girl.
"Forgive me your grace." the girl's mother said.
"That's quite alright, I'm sorry but Thoros never told me your name?".
"Marla, your grace.".
"Call me Elia please." she said with a smile and the little girl looked to her.
"You Elia too?" the girl asked and she nodded reaching out to touch the girl's hair.
"I am, you have beautiful hair Elia." she said to the girl and her smile almost stopped her heart, it was her son's though she'd not seen it as true in many a year.
"Is like his, he seepy? The child said moving to Egg.
"He's tired, have you eaten little one?" she asked.
"No, not hungry.".
Elia though sent a servant to bring something for them to eat, some warm porridge and some desert, the girl may not be hungry and may have already eaten and yet it seemed as if she wished to do anything she could for her. By the time the food had arrived, she was in love with her granddaughter, completely, totally, unreservedly in love with her. Her mannerisms, her way of speaking, how she moved her hair over her shoulder, how she sighed when it fell back over the other side, all of it just pulling at her heartstrings.
Asking Marla if she could have some time alone with her and the woman looking at her before nodding reluctantly. Elia then got up and whispered in her ear, telling her that she wasn't trying to steal her away, that she just wished to see her. She watched as Marla said she would be back in a little while and as Elia looked from her to her mother before nodding.
"Ah, good here's the food." she said a few moments later when the servant arrived.
"Not hungry." Elia said shaking her head before she saw the piece of pie "What's that?" she said moving closer.
"Want to try some with me?" she asked and the girl nodded.
The pie was strawberry and the girl seemed to adore it, eating three full spoonfuls before she was satisfied. When Elia went to pick her up and put her on her lap she was happy to see that her granddaughter allowed her to do so. Happier still when she turned to see Egg looking at them both, the little girl's smile making her even more beautiful and Egg starting at her with a confused look on his face.
"Elia?" her son said and for a moment she was going to answer him.
"Hello Mr Egg." the girl said catching her by surprise.
"Where's your mother Elia?" Egg asked.
"Gone work, sing Egg?" her granddaughter asked.
"Do you want a song little one?" she asked and the girl nodded.
She was surprised when Egg started to sing, the words to Alysanne not even something she knew that he remembered. It was the one song that could get him to sleep when he was a boy, no other song had ever seemed to work and she had tears in her eyes as she began to sing along. Her granddaughter seemed to enjoy it though, her little hands while not clapping as such, did come together more than once and she smiled through it all.
When her mother came back to collect her Elia was sad to see her go, she made sure that they had all they needed and that guards not only escorted them home but stayed somewhat on watch too. Egg rolled over on his side and faced the wall and when she moved to him she found he was crying silently, the tears dripping onto the sheets and her son just allowing them to pool.
"She's a wonderful girl son." she said softly.
"I, I..could have given her more." he said.
"She's happy Egg, things don't make you happy, had she more than maybe she wouldn't have been, but you have the chance to do more for her now, for her and her mother.".
"I don't know what to do, what can I give them?" he said softly.
"We'll think on it together son, she's my blood too." she said and reached out to stroke his cheek.
He slept peacefully that night and the next day even got up and walked with her to break his fast. While he shrunk every time he heard a noise or a guard moved, he at least seemed to be getting somewhat better. Rhaenys was shocked to see him but hid it well, as did Rhaegar, and they all ate together, Egg eating only a little but some was better than none.
She had decided that Marla and Elia needed to be brought to the Red Keep, they needed to be safe and her granddaughter could not be brought up in Flea Bottom. So she asked Rhaenys to spend time with her brother today and arranged to be taken to her granddaughter's house. She would give the girl everything she could and Rhaegar would give her a name, their name, no matter what the consequences were politically.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
The Blackfish.
He wasn't a fool and there were things clearly left unsaid in the throne room, Lysa at first demanded they mount a rescue for Petyr with even the man's words not enough to convince her of the truth. Instead she blamed the prince, the king, the queen, everyone but the man responsible. It was Daemon himself who brought her to see Littlefinger and then and only then did she accept his words as true.
For him though he knew there was more going on and so he asked to speak to Daemon as soon as the prince was able. He was surprised he didn't have too long to wait and when one of the prince's men came to him, Brynden followed him eagerly to the Manse where the prince and his men stayed. Arriving at the manse he found Ser Bonifer waiting for him and was taken into a room where Daemon and Queen Rhaella were sitting already waiting for him.
"Ser Brynden." Daemon said.
"My prince, my queen." he said and took the offered seat though he declined the wine.
"You have questions Brynden, ask them." Rhaella said directly and to the point.
"While some may buy that mummery, there was things you left out, I'd like to know of them." he said.
"No." Daemon said simply before holding his hand up when he got ready to argue the point with him "I'll tell you only what concerns you.".
"That's all I want to know my prince." he said looking to him.
"Robert Arryn is not Jon Arryn's son." Daemon said and Brynden was the only one shocked by the news.
"Baelish?" he asked.
"Baelish." Rhaella said.
"Your nephew has not long to live Ser Brynden, his illness will not get any better and soon Lysa will no longer be in power in the Vale. My grandmother suggests Lord Royce, I'd like your view?" Daemon said.
"Robert cannot be saved?" he asked and saw Daemon shake his head "Then Lord Royce is the only choice." he said a moment later.
"Lysa will more than likely return to Riverrun, should she seek to stay on in the Vale as lady the crown will not take kindly to it." Rhaella said and he looked to her and nodded his agreement.
"Which brings us to the Riverlands themselves, you and my grandmother have a long-standing arrangement, one I wasn't aware of until recently but one I will seek to honor." Daemon said.
"I thank you my prince.".
"My uncle should arrive back very soon, when he does we can go over the details but as my grandmother has told you, it cannot be Lord Edmure. He can stay as acting Lord of Riverrun with the keep going to Bran when he comes of age, but you Ser Brynden, you will act as my cousin's guardian and mentor until then." Daemon said.
"Gladly my prince.".
"Ser Brynden, should I call the banners at any time, they all must come, I seek your word on this." Daemon said.
"You have it, my prince."
"What of Lord Raymun?" Ser Bonifer asked.
"Let me deal with him, he'll keep his lands and I'll reward him another way." Daemon said.
"A seat on the small council?" Rhaella asked.
"Perhaps." Daemon said as if he was considering it, Brynden finding himself unable to read the boy's expression.
He stayed around until Ned arrived, happy to speak to him and find out how Cat and the children were doing, Rhaella allowing the three of them to have this discussion alone. Ned seemed surprised to find out what it was they had agreed to, looking to Daemon and then to him to see if they were jesting.
"You would place Bran as Lord Paramount of the Trident?" Ned asked looking to Daemon.
"I need a lord I can trust and Lord Raymun while good and true is not suitable to be Lord Paramount, Lord Edmure is not suitable nor acceptable. House Tully's part in the rebellion is not forgiven uncle, nor is it forgotten. But Hoster is dead and his house has suffered enough." Daemon said.
"Bran isn't ready, Daemon.".
"Ser Brynden will guide him, act his guardian, he will have yours and the crown's support and a dragon to call upon if needed." Daemon said.
"He will need a bride Ned." Brynden said.
"I had not even begun to look for one." Ned said.
"Eleanor Mooton." Daemon said surprising them both.
"Not one of Jonos's girls?" he asked testing the prince.
"And start him off by making enemies of the Blackwoods, I may have arrived back in Westeros at night Ser Brynden but it wasn't last night." Daemon said and Brynden found himself chuckling.
"It's either a Mooton or a Frey and I'd prefer to reward a house which sided with my own." Daemon said.
"The girl is older, Daemon.".
"A year or two uncle, a maiden still and unmatched so far. Do I have your consent to have Ser Bonifer make the offer?" Daemon asked.
"Aye, you do." Ned said and Brynden found the weight of the past ten years seem to fall from his shoulders.
It wasn't the restoration of his house and yet it was, or at least as close as it ever would be, they'd rise again and he had lived up to their words. When Ned heard about Lysa and the truth of Robert he was shocked and it was only Daemon explaining the reason why it hadn't been made public, that had Ned standing down. His nephew showing a far greater grasp of politics than Ned did, though Daemon did say that the king and Lord Tywin had made the decision.
"Though my grandmother told me what they'd do beforehand." Daemon said and Brynden smirked at that, Rhaella was steps ahead of everyone already.
"Was it your grandmother's idea for Eleanor as a match, Daemon?" Ned asked.
"We spoke before Ser Brynden came and she agreed with me but it was Rhaenys's idea.".
"Your sister?" Brynden asked.
"My Hand." Daemon said and Brynden looked to Ned who smiled.
"You are taking the crown?" Ned asked with a smile on his face.
"I am the heir and I cannot run from my responsibilities, I don't' want it, I'll freely admit that to you both. The weight I already carry is heavy enough, but I have no choice, I must do my duty." Daemon said and he watched as Ned reached out and touched his nephew's shoulder.
"You have my support, now and always my king." Ned said.
"Aye, mine too your grace." he said a moment later.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Myrcella.
Daemon despite being busy had come back to her more than once, each night before he went back to his Manse he came and visited and sat with her for a while. They talked, they kissed, they talked some more, though usually, it ended up in kissing once again. When he asked her to make the arrangements for their wedding, she at first thought he was being a typical man, her mother telling her that her father had done the same.
However it was Rhaenys who had explained it best of all, Myrcella knew he was busy with Aegon and other things, but Rhaenys had told her that he wished her to be happy. More so than he wished it for himself, he wanted the day to be for her, down to Myrcella picking even what Daemon would wear. When she had brought it up with him, he had blushed adorably, then kissed her to try and distract her from speaking on it.
"Daemon, stop." she said laughing as he pushed him away.
"No, stopping is bad, I think we should never stop." he said smirking and she slapped him shaking her head at him.
"I, the wedding Daemon, do you truly not wish to be involved?" she asked.
"No, there are parts I'm really looking forward to." he said moving over to whisper of the night they'd share together in her ear, this time it was her turn to blush.
"Daemon." she said in mock outrage.
"Cella." he said matching her tone before looking at her he reached out and took her offered hand "I want to spend all my time with you, planning our wedding and yet, honestly, truly, I have no desire to go against whatever you want. For me the only thing I wish for is that it's you I marry." he said and she kissed his cheek softly.
"Very well, I'll accept that as a good answer." she said rolling her eyes and making him laugh.
Over the next few days, she was surprised when first Rhaenys along with Allyria and then Margaery arrived to help her plan things out. She and Daemon's sister were becoming firm friends and Allyria too was someone she enjoyed spending time with. With Margaery she wasn't sure how she felt truly, she had befriended her a little in order to further Tommen's crush, something which was coming along well.
But her mother had told her to be wary, that even with Rhaenys and Willas being wed, Lady Olenna may still seek to have Margaery replace her. So despite it seeming as if Margaery had no interest in Daemon and each time she had seen her with Tommen, they looked true. A small bit of doubt remained in her head not allowing her to fully trust or like the other girl.
"Did Lady Melisandre tell you what the ceremony entails?" Rhaenys asked as the dressmaker took her measurements.
"She did, that's why the dress doesn't flow as much, we need to jump over a fire." Myrcella said.
"A fire?" Margaery asked.
"It's a test of faith." Myrcella said and saw Margaery nod.
"Are you sure you don't want to be married in the Sept?" Allyria asked.
"Daemon isn't a follower of the seven, they're not who brought him back." Myrcella said and Rhaenys nodded.
"Is it just the ceremony that's different or is the feast afterward different also?" Margaery asked and Myrcella smiled and decided to tease her.
"No, just the ceremony, you'll still get to dance with my brother Margaery." she said and smiled even more at the little giggle that came from Margaery.
"Good." Margaery said and Allyria nodded happily, news that Lord Beric was coming having cheered her up, Rhaenys had confided to her.
They spent most of the day being fitted and the dressmaker confirmed the final fittings for a week's time. Then all four girls had lunch before heading back to the Red Keep. Rhaenys, Allyria, and Margaery were all staying there while she was just visiting her grandfather before she went back to the manse. The small doubt she'd had over Margaery was almost completely gone now, meeting Tommen and her uncle Jaime as they reached the Red Keep, made it totally disappear though.
"Ladies, Cella." Tommen said when he saw them
"So I'm not a lady then?" she teased and before he could get flustered she saw Margaery while not glare at her, look at her with annoyance "You're so easy brother." she said a moment later and he kissed her cheek.
They spoke for a moment before Rhaenys and Allyria said their goodbyes, her uncle then offering to accompany her to see her grandfather while Tommen offered to escort Margaery to her rooms. As they were walking her uncle asked her if she was happy with her dress and how the other arrangements had been going, Myrcella telling him she was and that everything was in hand.
"I'll let you and father speak alone Cella, I'll wait out here.".
"Uncle?".
"I'm sure he'll have some grandfatherly advice he wises to impart and I so hate being sent from the room like an errant child." her uncle said with a roll of his eyes which made her giggle.
She found her grandfather and other uncle sitting at the desk, Tyrion giving her a warm smile when she entered, her grandfather as always much more reserved.
"How was your day, dear niece?" Tyrion asked.
"It was good uncle, everything went well." she said with a smile.
"You need no help with the arrangements?" her grandfather asked.
"I've spoken to Lady Melisandre and to Thoros, both have talked me through my part and the dress will be ready, mother is taking care of the feast and celebration and so all we need now is for the day to arrive." she said.
"I believe all is set in that regard. Have you spent time with the prince?" her grandfather asked.
"I have grandfather, Daemon comes to speak to me almost every night, and if not then during the day. We've not spent time away from his or our manse though since our ride, but I understand the reasons for it." she said.
"I believe that will change on the morrow Myrcella." her grandfather said and she looked to him worriedly thinking that Daemon may be going away again.
"I think what father means Cella is that the things which have kept Daemon so busy as of late are to be resolved this evening." her uncle said to her relief.
"Indeed, Tyrion give me a moment with Myrcella alone." her grandfather said and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing, her uncle Jaime's words still fresh in her mind.
After Tyrion left her grandfather looked at her, his face much different than it had been when she had come in. he seemed happier, more content, and far more relaxed.
"You aren't worried about the ceremony, it holds no fear for you?" he asked concernedly.
"No grandfather, Lady Melisandre declared that it's more a symbolic thing than anything else, a test of fate and worthiness which she says I've already passed." she said and saw the small smirk which briefly appeared on his face.
"Of course you have." he said as he looked at her "I, this, it's what you want?" he asked even though he'd done so more than once.
"It is grandfather, Daemon, you like him don't you?" she asked.
"I do, I very much do Myrcella, but even did I not, it's not I who is to marry him is it?" her grandfather said his smile bigger now and she laughed as she realized he was making a jape.
"No, it's not." she said.
"You understand with what happened to Aegon, it's not a princess you'll be Myrcella, you're marrying the future king.".
"I know grandfather and I'm ready for that also.".
"I know you are, now go and speak to your mother, no doubt she'll be eager to know more about your day." he said and she stood up and walked over to him kissing him on the cheek before turning to leave.
"I'll see you at dinner grandfather." she said.
"You will." he replied before speaking as she moved to open the door "I'm proud of you Myrcella, very proud." he said.
She was walking down the corridor with her uncle when she saw Daemon and Ghost along with Thoros and some of their guards walking towards her. Daemon's face lighting up when he saw her and his pace quickening.
"Cella, Ser Jaime.".
"My prince." her uncle said while she just called him by his name, the smile on his face even bigger as he kissed her cheek.
"We were just visiting grandfather, I'd not expected you to be here." she said.
"There's something I need to take care of, someone who needs to pay for his crimes." he said and her uncle looked to them.
"Littlefinger?" Jaime asked.
"Littlefinger." Daemon confirmed before he leaned in to whisper in her ear "Once I deal with this I can give you the time you deserve, but you'll have to forgive me for tonight.".
"Of course, I'll see you on the morrow?" she asked softly.
"How about a ride?" he asked and she nodded eagerly.
"Good, I'll call Lyanax." he said when he kissed her quickly and stepped away.
"Daemon, Daemon." she called after him as he walked from her, the smile on his face not letting her know if he was japing or serious.
As her uncle brought her back to their manse though she found herself hoping he was not, the idea of a flight on the dragon something she was surprisingly eager about.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Littlefinger.
He looked down on his body, the marks still clear and the pain still fresh in his mind, those things had destroyed him. What they were? How the prince could control them? and where they came from? Were questions he couldn't answer. All his resolve and bravado had left him as soon as he saw them behind Prince Daemon and even more so when they began to attack.
Power, prestige, privilege, the woman he loved, he was promised it all for joining his god's plan, and more than any of that, he would be protected. Yet where was his god when he needed him most? Where were the warnings not to come here? He could have stayed in the Vale and worked from there, was it hubris on his part or had his god sacrificed him? He wasn't sure which but he had been left to his own devices and t was up to his own wit to save him.
So he had done what Daemon asked both to save his life and to stop the pain. When he'd stood in the Throne Room he'd gone with the script the prince had given him, spoke only of the things he'd told him to, the warnings for what would happen to him should he not were well heeded by him. It had surprised him though that anyone believed him, that people didn't complain over how badly he'd been treated.
Were they blind? Or was it that they were so scared of the dragon that they cared not that he'd been whipped, cut, mutilated and then forced to tell a tale. Whatever the reason it didn't matter, he had done as he'd been told and it would save his life, from the dragons at least. He only hoped that wherever Daemon sent him was a place his own god couldn't find him, and that in the end Daemon won.
"Lord Baelish." he heard the voice as the prince stepped into the cell.
"Prince Daemon." he said and looked hopefully at the prince, wondering where he'd be sent.
"I want to thank you Lord Baelish for living up to our agreement." Daemon said.
"You left me with no choice Prince Daemon, I just hope you'll live up to it also.".
"Oh, I will Lord Baelish, I promised to send you somewhere your god can't touch you and I intend to do just that." Daemon said moving closer to him "Give my regards to Lord Varys when you get there." he said as Petyr saw them over his shoulder once more.
"No, No, I did what you asked, please my prince, please." he cried out as Daemon stepped back into the shadows.
"You think after what was done to my brother you'd be allowed to live? You really are a fool Lord Baelish. My god has questions for you, you'll be meeting him soon." Daemon said as the whip came flying towards Petyr's head.
Many years earlier when he'd joined with the others they would sit around and make their plans, mocking the red god and his followers. None of them knew of Prince Daemon of the time, the tale that the red god would have a champion to stand against them barely registering, so focussed were they on the gains they would make. More than once he would jape over what the red priests would say. As he looked down on the marks on his body he found he japed no more, the night was dark and full of shadows indeed.
He had barely gotten used to the whip when the knife came out, each part of his body it pierced making him scream out in sheer agony. On and on it went and he found to his horror that despite the pain or the terror, he couldn't turn away, couldn't close his eyes and he never passed out. They wished him awake to experience all of this and so awake he remained.
Awake when he was stabbed, when he was cut, when they began to take parts of him, his hands, his feet, his genitals, he was awake through it all and he screamed himself hoarse. Finally, when he felt he could suffer no more he saw Daemon move towards him, he looked to see daylight shine from the window and never thought to think where the window had come from.
"All of this is just a prelude Lord Baelish, soon you'll look back on it with fondness, happiness even, you'll think back to the pain you felt here and wish for it, long for it. My god has granted me many boons, gifted me many favors, guess what he's granted me in regards to you?" Daemon whispered.
"I..I.." he tried to speak, the words barely being able to be formed.
"Eternity Lord Baelish, an eternity of pain, a reward to his chosen, farewell Lord Baelish, it's time to die." Daemon said as he stepped back.
If he expected it to not hurt he was wrong the blows coming as one, arrows, spear, sword and knife, all of them hitting his body at the same time and then there was darkness and the pain was gone. He looked down on his body stunned to see there were no marks, no cuts, and everything was as it had been, he began to laugh, waiting to see the light, the nightmare now over.
The light came quickly enough, but it wasn't any light he'd ever known before. The room burned and covered everything though for now he was left alone, and then he saw him move towards him.
"We have much to discuss Lord Baelish, my brother has told you things that even you don't know, but we have time to find out what there are, a lot of time. Here Lord Baelish we have eternity." R'hllor said and as the flames swept over his body and the pain began, Petyr screamed once more.