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284 AC
In the Red Keep, in my own room, I quietly drink my Arbor Gold while watching the harbor and the city. It tastes like acid, burning wherever it touches my tongue. Still, it is insignificant compared to the pain I feel. Today, a raven arrived from Starfall. It brought news of Lyanna's and her son's death from Ned. Robert had shouted and sworn revenge. As if he had the right to do so, as if he hadn't slept with a different whore every night while Lyanna was missing and in pain, as if he had been in love with her. All the servants in the castle were walking on tiptoes. Just then, my door opened silently and Jonal entered.
Artos: "How did the northern lords receive the news?"
Jonal: 'Anger and sadness. Your sister was well-loved in the north."
Artos: 'Tell the lords to prepare. I want to leave this cursed city as soon as possible."
Jonal: 'When shall we leave?"
Artos: 'As soon as Ned arrives."
Jonal nodded silently. Then he gave me another piece of news. "We have received word from Lady Alyana. She set sail after the great storm and plans to come here."
The good news lifted my spirits a little. Arbor Gold didn't seem so bad anymore.
Realizing I had no further orders, Jonal left the room silently, as always. My most trusted commander. Quiet, calm, and reliable, like a mountain, always there. As Jonal left, I began to hum an old northern lullaby. A dirge for Lyanna.
Be quiet now, my dear, close your eyes,
Under the winter sky.
Snowflakes fall like a lullaby,
Soft and slow, the cold wind sighs.
Blue roses bloom where dreams begin,
In gardens covered in snow.
Each leaf sings a song in a very soft voice,
About love and peace in the moonlit snow.
Sleep, my dear, and drift away,
Pass the stars and go far from the day.
Blue roses are protecting you,
In the silent silver sky.
.....,...............
10 days later
I am waiting for Alyana's ship to dock at Kings Landing harbor. Behind me, the northern lords who are still in the city are waiting with me. They wanted to see the future Lady of Winterfell. When they first heard that I had married someone from Essos a few days ago, they were quite grumpy. Especially the lords who had wanted to marry their daughters to me were not pleased by the news. After learning about Alyana's origins and that she still worshipped the old gods, they accepted the news a bit better. Still, they would have preferred me to marry a true northern lord. As the ship drew closer, I could see Aly more clearly. Her hair was left loose. They flowed freely in the wind. She was wearing a blue dress that she wore when she wanted to look impressive. She always said that her bright blue eyes made her look impressive. I thought she was always impressive, but what really shocked me was her belly. Even from here, it was quite obvious that she was quite swollen. There was only one explanation for how she could have gained so much weight in just a few months, and when I realized it, my brain short-circuited for a moment. She's pregnant, she's pregnant, she's pregnant, by the old gods. As the ship approached the pier and a plank was extended, my brain started working again.
The next moment, I found myself on the planks that were supposed to serve as a bridge, not even properly steady. I rushed past the planks like a storm and approached Aly. As I hugged her tightly, she hugged me back.
When I finally let go and looked at her more closely, I was even more impressed. Her unique blue eyes had always drawn me to her.
I asked in a playful tone, "Is there something you need to tell me?"
She replied in the same playful tone, 'I don't know."
Almost begging, I said, 'Please, Aly, tell me it's what I hope it is."
Aly said, "All right, I'll tell you. I'm pregnant."
And at that moment, I burst out laughing. When she finally came to her senses, the bridge to the pier was completely secure.
Artos said, "Let's get off the ship. The lords are waiting for you."
When we finally got off the ship, it was interesting to see the lords watching us as if we were exotic animals. I had probably broken every rule of protocol just a moment ago.
Artos said, "My lords, I would like to introduce you to Lady Alyana Stark, née Rosestark. The future Lady of Winterfell and the North."
A whisper spread among the lords. Some of them were looking at Alyana's belly. Then I continued. "And she came to me with undoubtedly good news. She is carrying my first child. We have been in mourning for a long time, first losing my father and brother, then my sister. Still, a child is always worth celebrating. Therefore, I command that there be no mourning today. Today is a day of celebration, and tomorrow we will return to mourning."
Cheers were heard from the northern lords and men. Whatever you say, the northerners knew how to celebrate.
The slogans "Stark," "Winterfell," and "North" began to echo throughout the harbor. Again, accompanied by this procession, we returned to the red castle.
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Tywin Lannister's point of view
I was listening to the report Kevan was giving me. He was interested in the information he had received from our spies (unfortunately, their numbers had dwindled significantly after the war) and our soldiers about the latest situation at the Red Keep. There wasn't much important information. I already knew everything that mattered. At that moment, there was only one important thing. Who would Robert Baratheon marry? With the news of Lyanna Stark's death, Robert Baratheon needed a new wife. There were not many suitable candidates in the realm. The other lords Paramount either did not have daughters of the right age or they were already married. Ah, I am sure Hoster Tully regrets his decision. If he had not been so greedy, one of his daughters could have become queen. In fact, considering that he joined the alliance long before I did, I could have said with certainty that one of his daughters would have become queen. Now, the only suitable candidate was my daughter, and thus the house Lannister would finally take its rightful place, and my grandchildren would sit on the Iron Throne. All I had to do now was convince Robert. Just then, a voice from outside signaled Kevan to stop. Walking to the window, I could easily see a group celebrating in one of the many gardens of the red castle. Who were these people celebrating while dark clouds swirled around the castle? Looking more closely, I could see that they were northerners. Considering that Lord Stark was mourning the death of his sister, I couldn't help but wonder which northern lord was foolish enough to do such a thing.
Kevan asked, "What's going on outside?"
"A group of northerners, I think they're celebrating something."
Kevan asked with a strange look on his face, "How did Lord Stark allow this?"
I turned to Kevan and continued. "Go and find out what's going on."
Before Kevan could even get up, Gerion entered with his usual impatience and tactlessness.
Gerion "Let me tell you something you don't know."
"Are the northerners celebrating?"
He looked surprised for a moment, but then composed himself and sat down comfortably in another chair.
Kevan said, "Well, brother, if you know the reason for the celebration, would you enlighten us?"
Gerion said, "I'm sure you know that Lady Stark was supposed to arrive in King's Landing today."
This was something we knew. It was also something that excited many people. Everyone was curious about the new Lady Stark.
Gerion continued, "Well, Lord Stark and a bunch of northern lords gathered at the port to wait for her, and they were met with a big surprise. Apparently, Lady Stark is pregnant. When Lord Stark heard this, he was so happy that he decided to suspend the mourning for one night, until tomorrow morning."
So, a child—yes, this was news worth celebrating for any lord. We couldn't ignore it, especially considering the new alliance forming between the Stark and Lannister houses. "Kevan, you, Gerion, and Jaime, go into the city immediately and find a suitable gift for Lord Stark. It should be valuable and expensive, but not too flashy."
It will probably be a small dinner, not one of the usual grand celebrations, just the lords coming together to eat, drink a little, and talk before dispersing. Anything more would not be appropriate.
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284 AC
Dorne, Sunspear
Doran was trying to read and make sense of the letters in front of him. Unfortunately, Oberyn, who was hyperactively running around the room, didn't seem to care much about his efforts.
Oberyn said, "Well, what's going on? What do the news say? How are Elia and the children?"
Doran replied, 'They are fine, but Uncle Lewyn was killed in battle."
Oberyn asked, 'Where are Elia and the children? Did they manage to escape the city? How did Uncle Lewyn die? Who killed him?"
Oberyn fired off question after question without even pausing to breathe. The news of the defeat at the Trident had reached Sunspear first. Before he could even comprehend what was happening, word came that King's Landing had been taken by rebel forces. Everything was chaotic. The messages from my spy network in the city and the news from King Baratheon had arrived almost simultaneously.
Doran: "King Baratheon wants us to kneel before him. Elia and the children are being held hostage. Uncle Lewyn was killed in single combat by a knight from the Vale named Lyn Corbray."
Oberyn asked, "How did all this happen? How did the city fall so quickly? How did we lose Trident?"
I began to tell him about Artos Stark and his achievements. I told him how the man had come from nothing years ago, how he had captured the city with only five thousand men, and most importantly, how he had rescued Elia and her children. I told him everything I knew.
Oberyn said, "I don't know whether I should curse Artos Stark or embrace him. What are you going to do?"
Doran said, "I will kneel, at least for now. In the meantime, you will go north. Artos Stark has written that he will accept a group of Dornish servants. You will accompany them and make sure that Elia's living conditions are adequate. Also, talk to Artos Stark. Try to understand him. What are his intentions? Find out why he is protecting them when he should hate the Targaryens."
Oberyn: "Do you think we have a chance of forming an alliance with him in the future?"
Doran: "In the game of thrones, there are no eternal friends or enemies. We'll see."