Secrets, Prophecies, and Hidden Things

Dawn slowly made its fragmented entrance into the chamber of the Small Council, casting light upon the stone walls with its maps, tapestries, and assorted finery. The entire room was given a faint glow by the kiss of a waking sun. It would have been a beautiful sight to admire, if only its regal occupant wasn’t so preoccupied.

The King stared out the window, watching his city slowly wake from slumber. He hadn’t slept much – barely at all, in fact, between horrific nightmares, concern for Viserys, and trying to find ways to combat the treacherous plots against him.

What made matters worse in the small hours of the night was when Aerys learned that his eldest son, Rhaegar, was nowhere to be found in the Red Keep. No one had a clue where the young man had gone, or what errand beckoned to him at such a late hour. Aerys ordered the guards on watch to have Rhaegar come to him the moment any of them saw so much hide or hair of the prince.

Aerys’s eyes narrowed into slits as he muttered to himself. “What errand... what plot do you hide from me this time? Whatever it is I will find it!”

Rhaegar left Summer hall in the early hours of morning before the sun even rose. He had a uneventful, quiet and peaceful ride back to the red keep, nothing but the cold morning air. Now he was nearing Kingslanding as the sun rose on the horizon. He rode through the main street of the City.

The city guard that were on watch that morning noted the Prince, this wasn't the first time he would leave the city on his own though that didn't stop a few of them from sharing a glance considering their orders from the king. As much as they respected the prince, they feared the Mad king more. So they sent a message through to there commander that the Prince was back in the city.

The Commander traveled to the steps of the Red Keep and approached The Kingsguard "The King ordered word on the Prince? He was riding through the streets of the city, not a few minutes ago." The city guard said breathlessly thankful at least he didn't have to approach the King himself. The Kingsguard himself nodded "Very well, thank you return to your post" he said and with that he turn on his boot and marched into the Red Keep and entered the Hall where the Mad King stood.

"Prince Rhaegar has been seen your grace, He is back in the city seen on his horse.." the Guard stated, truthfully he was nervous since one could never tell if he was bringing in bad news or good news and Gods help a barer of bad news in the Kings court.
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Rhaegar had gone to the castle stables and returned his horse, leaving his White Mare in the care of the stable boy. "Thank you Galen.. She ran well, ensure she is fed and has water" the prince spoke softly to the younger boy.

The stable boy Galen smiled up at the Prince "Of course your Grace" he said with a bow before leading mare away.

Rhaegar sighed and started walking back towards the keep, wanting nothing more then to go to his libary and read for a while. His hopes for reading however died as a palace guard was headed right for him. "Glad to see you returned safely your grace.. Ah your father has been asking for you" the guard said hopeful Rhaegar took the hint and agreed to go to his father.

The Prince nodded, "Very well, Thank you guardsman" he said with a respectful nod of his head before heading to the Hall in the Red Keep where his father no doubt was.

Aerys turned his head at the sound of another. Although he had two of his Kingsguard with him, it was always prudent to observe even the smallest of noises for danger. When a third Kingsguard spoke, Aerys thought a prayer of thanks to the Seven; finally, someone he didn’t mind seeing in his midst that was loyal to him in every shape and form. The men who had sworn their loyalty and their lives, lest they all rot in seven fiery hells for their betrayal...

Thin lips pressed themselves into a straight line. “Good. I require you to remain here with your brothers-in-service a little while longer. Three swords are better than two should he arrive with untrusted company.” Without waiting for confirmation or reply Aerys turned his gaze from the window and sat down... only to stand up again. His feet threatened to pace in order to soothe the restlessness within.

The few minutes it took between the Kingsguard’s report and Rhaegar’s arrival to the Hall felt like an eternity to Aerys. Such a paradox only served to worsen his mood. At the sight of familiar blond hair the King settled slightly, but the dragon within continued to stir with discontent. “Where in the name of the Seven have you been?”

As Rhaegar had walked up the steps of the keep he anticipated his father wouldn't be happy to see him. His father's madness was getting deeper by the day and there were fewer and fewer people he trusted. It saddened him that he was not on that list anymore. As he entered the hall and came face to face with his father he had a sinking feeling it wasn't asking out of concern for his safety. The prince knelt before his father before answering.

"I rode to Summer Hall Father, I often go there to write music" he answered and he stood from the kneel calmly and in stark contrast to his father as if it was a perfectly normal thing for him.. which it was, it was something he was known for even.

"The ride was uneventful, both there and back and I managed to write quite a lot. Though I am sorry my absence disturbed you Father" he said in a regretful tone. He wasn't sure how his father would react to him. What he said was the truth, he left out the part about his fire visions but telling him about those would only make the situation worse. He could only imagine how his father would react to hearing how he would die.. he was already paraniod enough. Hearing his worst fears validated might just push him over the edge.

"Is there something you need Father?" he asked wondering if there was another reason his father wanted him other then to find out about his trips to Summer Hall.

Aerys watched his son kneel before him, one eyebrow still holding fast while the other twitched upwards in the briefest of moments. Purple eyes darted sideways as Rhaegar explained and stood, then settled on the youth once again. “The only songs in Summer Hall are the screams of those long-dead and the dregs that fear camping in that haunted ruin,” he scoffed. Aerys knew his son’s passion for music well; in the past he enjoyed watching his son learn and compose his own melodies. Years ago the king would even ask his son to play something, be it for a group of people or in private. It was one of the very few things that brought joy to both Aerys and Rhaella. Aerys didn’t have the same talent for music as his son.

“Tell me you didn’t go there by yourself?!” he shouted. On Rhaegar’s previous excursions Aerys was confident that his son was capable of dispatching any trouble that dared to try anything. Now, after the loss of so many sons, the six torturous moons at Duskendale, and with visions of betrayal and treachery everywhere, Aerys knew there was no such thing as being too careful. “These are dangerous times... my enemies could have used you against me, had they overwhelmed you.” Aerys turned away from Rhaegar in a storm of anger. He gave the prince no clues as to whether it was expected to follow his steps or stay put. The king’s violet eyes gazed at the nearest dragon’s skull hung on the wall. “Unless my suspicions are confirmed and you are among them...”

“From now on I don’t want you traveling outside the city without at least one person I may be able to trust. A Kingsguard, perhaps... or someone else that has proven their loyalty to me.”

Rhaegar hardly even flinched as his father yelled at him about going beyond the city on his own, and remained silent. He supposed it wasn't the wisest thing to do, anything could happen after all. But his father's paranoia was making him think the worst. The Crownlands were patrolled heavily, Lord Tywin made sure of that, while there was a chance he might run into a little trouble it wasn't near what his father thought.

"We are not at war with anyone Father, What enemies should I be aware of?" he asked with a element of calm. Perhaps it was futile to try and reason with his fathers Madness, but maybe it would help if he gave him a window to it. Gave him a clue as to how his madness made any sense to the King himself.

He sighed when his father accused him of being one of his enemies, "When have I hurt you father? Why is it you think I am against you?" he said a part of him wishing to know when he had caused his fathers faiths in him to shatter.. After a moment he considered his fathers order for him never to leave the city without a escort. That wasn't as bad as one might think it was, he was friends with half the Kingsguard, he grew up and trained in sword-fighting with many of them. If that was his fathers wish he didn't need to protest. "As you wish father.. whomever you wish" he said kneeling to the ground once again.

“What enemies?” Aerys echoed. He stared at his son with nothing short of pure incredulity. “My enemies are those who would conspire, scheme, and plot against me! Anyone who would seek to overturn Targaryen rule! Do you not remember the Defiance of Duskendale; the pretenses set in place that nearly led to my death were it not for Ser Barristan Selmy?! He – he was the true hero of that day! Not Tywin Lannister... I refuse to consider my son suffering the same fate as I had during those dark times.”

The king went quiet at his son’s questions. Fingernails that grew longer every week gently pulled a tapestry back into place. Thin fingers curled into a fist to cup their owner’s bearded chin in thought.  His lips moved, but no sounds were heard. “Tywin plays you as his puppet, as he has tried to do with me. And he does it gladly...”

Aerys glanced to Rhaegar at hearing the younger man kneel again. “Get up, get up... you’re a prince, not a peasant,” he said, impatiently gesturing for his son to rise. The king sighed and discreetly attempted to banish the exhaustion of insomnia from his eyes. “When do you next plan to ride from the city?”

Yes he remembered the Defiance of Duskendale, differently then his father. it was one Lord reaching for power beyond his reach. His father was told it was unwise to meet with him, he refused. If he had listened to Tywin to begin with he wouldn't have needed to be rescued. Of course there was no telling his father that.

"Yes Father I remember the incident, as I recall all members of the Duskendale house were executed for their crime, and no problems since then.. But who else should I beware of?" he asked curious as to who else was at the top of his fathers list.

He knew Tywin Lannister ever since he was born, he respected Lord Tywin for his work, despite what his father thought, he had done his job as Hand well, he played the game well. However beyond being civil to the Lannister, Rhaegar rarely talked about anything important with Tywin. It was a dangerous thing to do considering the relationship between him and Areys right now. Regardless no one would be making a puppet of him. He said nothing to that comment, merely locking his eyes on his father. He could handle Tywin, unlike his father who was so easy to manipulate.

"Not sure I have ever seen Tywin do anything gladly father" he said as a simple innocent remark since his father seemed to think he was easily played as a puppet of a lord.

Rhaegar rose from his kneel "You are still my king Father" he said softly as his fathers tried to brush off how tired he looked. "I have no plan to leave the city as of now father, there is a tournament in the city that I must attend in the coming days" he said assuming his father would be staying in the Red Keep, so it was his duty to attend the gathering in his fathers stead.

Aerys nodded and his features grew dark at remembering those awful times; recalling good and well the prolonged torture and deaths of each and every person involved in the incident. “A generously swift execution, as I remember it...” he muttered. In a snap his face changed: eyebrows rose, betraying many a wrinkle upon his forehead, and then settled themselves in firm knots above his eyes. The King’s mood switched from murderous nostalgia to disbelief. “Who else?! Open your eyes and observe them, boy... they’re everywhere I turn!” he said, and made a sweeping gesture at the empty hall. “The men at court that report failure... surely those failures are sabotages against me! Probably set up by Tywin if I were to put a wager on it, but perhaps the conspiracy runs deeper that I’ve been led to believe... All one need do is observe those at court to deduce the betrayers, schemers, and traitors among us!”

Had such a remark about the Hand of the King come from little Viserys, Aerys would have been certain of its innocence. From Rhaegar, however... his son had had dealings with the Lord of House Lannister, albeit only in the professional sense insofar as he was aware. Aerys laughed – genuinely laughed – at the remark. “You don’t know him as well as I once had... His gladness is peculiar; hidden from all like some dark secret.”

Aerys turned away from Rhaegar at mention of the tournament and wandered over to the window. The city was much more awake now, and one could hear the beginnings of another busy day in town even at this distance. The King sighed. “Very well. Your brother and I will not be attending...” It felt like years since he had been to a tournament that did not contain some sort of incident. The tourney to honor Viserys’s health upon entering this world was marred by the audacious request of Tywin. Before that... Aerys couldn’t remember when the tournament prior to that had been held. Aerys missed the excitement and magnificence of such events more than he cared to admit, but he didn’t dare risk his or his young son’s safety for frivolity.

The king was so involved in his thoughts he didn’t even notice the single teardrop that trickled out from the corner of his eye.

Rhargar took a breath and observed his father as he ranted about the traitors in his court all of them headed by his own Hand Tywin Lannister. What was sad about all of this was it all might be true now, The prince couldn't be sure but his fathers advancing madness was becoming common knowledge his subjects feared him more then anything now. Not a fear that kept them in line, a fear that made seek other options. So it could be reasonable his father was picking up on that fear yet not fully realizing the truth. The Prince said nothing to the rant, there was no convincing his father otherwise.

He blinked hearing the king laugh at his comment, a real laugh not one that was driven with madness or resentment. But one of nostalgia of an old memory.. Perhaps the Lannister did have something under that steely sharp look of his, but it was long since berried.

"I suppose Lord Tywins pleasure is one secret I have no desire to find" he replied truthfully. Getting to know Lord Tywin had been his fathers past and look at their relationship now. It was not something he needed to pursue. He respected Tywin perhaps more then anyone knew, but he wasn't a friend that much he was certain.

Rhaegar watched as his fathers mood changed again his tone sounded sad yet almost sane it was difficult to describe. It was almost like a bit of his old father was still there and he was heart broken at the life he now led. "If that is your wish Father.." He replied quietly standing behind him. He wondered for a moment how his younger brother was doing. He had scarcely seen the young boy quite some time, likely cause of his fathers trust in him.

"How is Viserys?" He asked carefully knowing of the risk such a simple innocent question could be taken by his father the wrong way but perhaps there was a chance a lucidity that he might get a clear answer. "It has been sometime since I have seen him.. probably grown a lot since then" he said curiously as he stood beside his father now looking at the city.

Aerys was quiet. Just how many of the conspirators and betrayers were there, down in the city proper? How did it compare to those who were taking up residence in his very castle? Were there dozens, hundreds... thousands? Aerys couldn’t be certain, but he was certain that they were both within and without... and that they must all be dealt with the moment they made themselves known, whenever possible.

He could feel his son’s eyes on him, watching. The Kingsguard were also observing them, as per his orders. It was both unnerving and a reassurance to know that someone other than the Seven were watching over what went on. “Yes, of course it is...” Aerys replied. He scratched away what remained of the teardrop on his cheek with a long, yellowing thumbnail.

The question of Viserys caused Aerys to turn and set a single violet eye on his son again. There was a caution in the younger man’s voice that the king picked up on, but could see no reason for it on Rhaegar’s face. Aerys thought a moment on what he could say about the boy. “Viserys is well. Perhaps bored of his guards, and even less fond of the servant girl in charge of his care... but he is safe and healthy, and that is all that matters. Grandmaester Pycelle is optimistic the boy will thrive.” A small and bittersweet smile stretched the king’s lips at the thought of his youngest son... though thoughts of his other sons that did not survive quickly followed.

“You may see your brother when he wakes, if that is your wish. I only demand no one be alone with him, for the sake of his safety.”

Rhaegar was glad to hear his brother was doing well, Viserys was probably one of the few beings alive who brought any joy to his father now at all. The boy was still very young, he supposed a father who had such trouble with their child's mortality he couldn't blame him for being over protective. "Of course father, guards will remain in sight at all times.." he said bowing his head.

He was not sure if he would see his brother today, perhaps he would, see with his own eyes how the toddler is doing under constant eyes of his guards and nanny.

"Is there anything else you wished of me Father? I was going to head to the library for a little while before going to the city for the tournament" he said in his ever calm voice as per his usual. He wondered if there was more his wanted of him now that he had assurances he wouldn't leave the city anytime soon alone anyway.

Aerys nodded at his son’s reassurances. “Anyone who would bring harm to this family or our right to rule will find themselves a slow and cruel death...”

He watched the city with a small frown on his face. The threat of betrayers and conspirators still bothered him, but the cost of having found little sleep through the night was beginning to take its toll. With his people watching the tournament there would be little need or want to assemble court. Aerys considered that perhaps it would be an opportune time to catch up on the rest he was unable to seek... on the other hand, it would also be just the opportunity needed for an assassin or the like to steal into the castle and wreak havoc.

He glanced at Rhaegar, and shook his head. “Nothing I recall, for the time being. Go now and do as you wish...” Aerys replied, his voice flat and irritable from lack of sleep.