Lord

Kingslanding

They had been standing at court, with five hundred odd people, watching as the King proceeded with his daily activates of scolding tax collectors and making a show of embarrassing Rhaegar, threatening others and taunting the court with his repeated words of treason and betrayal ... and the price they'd pay if ever it was committed.

"He'll be extra vigilant today," Rhaegar told Arianne as they were getting dressed. They had spent a week away from everyone else in their guest house, and as much as they both enjoyed the time away, it was time to focus on their duties at hand. "Reminding me I no longer have an heir and spare."

Arianne rolled her eyes, Rhaegar had told her of what Arthur had whispered to him. He was asking to leave for a short time and say his farewells to Elia, who had the perfect timing of leaving on their wedding day with Ashara, Oberyn and Merida. Taking Aegon and Rhaenys with her, as if the King wasn't known to be the Mad King. "Don't cut their line in haste," Arianne said sarcastically, waiting for Nymella to hand her shoes.

"I will do it soon, she knows that she left me no choice. The children are property of the crown-,"

"Your marriage was annulled, the children stopped being the property of the crown then," Arianne said, her face turning sour. She was sick of talking of children that were not hers. "A three-headed dragon cannot come from different mothers." Arianne knew exactly what she was doing saying those words to him, stirring something that she knew shouldn't have been stirred.

Rhaegar's ears perked at her words. He wasn't sure if she was using her manipulative words to make him feel worse about the situation or trying to get him to shut up about it. He ignored her words. "I'm having breakfast with Julian today." With that, he was out the door.

"Fantastic," Arianne muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Hey, what's the matter with you?" Penelope asked, watching as the squires who had come to dress Rhaegar followed him out of the room.

"He won't stop mentioning Aegon and Rhaenys."

"They are his children Arianne, I'm sure he misses them."

"He wasn't missing them when he agreed to marry me," Arianne huffed.

"Stop it," Nymella said, shaking Arianne from her sour words. "You might curse yourself with those negative words."

Just when Arianne thought the arduous event would end and she could finally get back to catching up with Ned, Brandon and Lyanna, Aerys called forward a Stark.

"Lord Paramount Stark, present yourself," Aerys proclaimed, edging himself close to the edge of the Iron Throne.

Rhaegar felt his stomach churn. He was in fact not at breakfast with Julian but Rickard, who had called for him.

"Your father is unhappy with me and I know he might send me to the Wall for betraying him," Rickard began.

Rhaegar hung his head in shame, unsure of what to say to the man that knowingly attended the wedding knowing the wrath of Aerys was after him. "Why did you come?"

"Because he would have called me either way, this way I saw my daughter, even if she is just in name, married. I wish I could say the same for Lyanna and Ned but, this is the best I could get and I'm not sorry for it."

"Lord Stark-," Rhaegar began.

Rickard held his hand up. "You must tell Brandon to marry Lyanna to Robert. The North needs the Stormlands, especially now with a young wolf at its helm. Tell him to not do anything that will upset the King, he is hot-blooded, Brandon is. Ned is to marry whomever he pleases, or if an alliance is found that will do as well. Perhaps one with the Reach. And tell them all I am sorry I couldn't see their children. But stress this to Brandon, watch your steps and don't do anything in the heat of the moment. He has a wife and a child to think of now, as well as the North in it's entirety." Rickard had to convince himself that Brandon was ready to take the reigns, but deep down he did not know if he was. Brandon was impulsive, quick-tempered and carried out acts when angry he wouldn't usually do. Those traits would quickly see him with many enemies and he hoped with age and council Brandon would realise to control it.

Rhaegar sighed once more. "I will tell them; will you ride to the North as he tells you?"

"He will imprison me I'm sure. Your grace ... I refuse to have a song made of my house. The Starks are to survive this, I'm asking you as your servant."

Rhaegar knew that Rickard was referring to the Reigns of Castamere, the song awarded to the now extinct house of Castamere. He stood up and patted Rickard's shoulder, "I will assure that Brandon doesn't do anything he will regret."

Rickard stepped forward from the crowd, nodding to Arianne in reassurance as she sent a quizzical look towards Aerys.

"Lord Stark, you along with my wife have betrayed me in the greatest way possible. Not only are you said to be conspiring against me to bring me from the throne, but you also kept my own daughter from me ... without my knowledge," Aerys began, playing with a sword end on the throne.

Arianne shook her head, "no he was just following what the Queen asked of him, that is-,"

"Hush my Princess, let your father speak," Aerys tutted. "Therefore, I choose to be gracious and strip you of your titles and lands, handing it to your son Lord Brandon Stark. You are to join the Night's Watch and live out your days there."

"I will not," Rickard spoke up, he felt his heartbeat in his throat and the cries of his children were heard around him. The rest of the court was silent. Rickard could not let his eyes flicker to the dragon heads that stood next to the King. And then to the helmed Kingsguard, their golden armour and white capes contrasting the darkroom. He might have told Rhaegar he would go to the Wall, but there was no way that he a Lord Paramount would be dishonoured in such a way.

"Silence your pigs," Aerys scowled, glaring at Brandon, Ned and Lyanna, who closed their mouths. "Are you refusing my demands?"

"I am asking to challenge them," Rickard responded. "I have never conspired against you and was merely following what the Queen asked of me. I did not know Arianne was your daughter." Rickard was glad Rhaella had chosen not to attend court today, she would have had herself killed in the process.

Arianne felt like shouting out at the King, but the hand on her wrist belonging to Rhaegar prevented her from doing anything.

"Who is your fighter then?"

"Myself, representing House Stark," Rickard proudly responded.

Aerys let out a deranged laugh, "and mine is Wildfire, representing House Targaryen."

Brandon felt the world around him collapse, his breath shaky as he closed his eyes in dread. He knew as well from the looks of those standing next to Aerys, from Rhaegar to the Kingsguard, they knew was what coming up. "Father, the Wall. Benjen is there."

"Brandon for once hold your tongue," Rickard retorted, not turning to around to face him. He nodded to the King approvingly and watched as the King waved his finger.

There was a commotion for a while, servants working to prepare the room for what was to follow. How was he to contend against fire? Rickard was unsure of what he would do as he was given chainmail, a helm and armour. He looked around, waiting to be handed a sword, or even a bucket of water at least. But instead, a large wooden pole was brought in.

"What is the meaning of this?" Rickard asked, pointing to the pole that was being positioned behind him.

"Fight the fire Stark, show us your true strength," Aerys laughed, sitting back in his seat comfortably. "Show us that Northern might!"

This time, his children did not refrain from making their protests heard. "If you know what is good for you, you will quieten down!" Rickard bellowed. He had not anticipated dying today, but if the gods wished for him to leave the world than that is what he would give them. He held his hands up as he was tied to the pole.

"Free yourself from those restraints and you will not burn," Aerys said.

"A bow and arrow," Rhaegar whispered to someone behind him. There was a flash and the servant was out from the room.

Rickard knew all too well was being made an example of and that it would be impossible for him to get out in time. His hands were above his head and feet were also tied. The only thing he could think about was his armour, he would roast in it. It was too late now, all that was left to do was burn. A thick liquid was poured over him, and at his feet, and a candle was set on the floor. Rickard blinked, trying to get a better sight.

He wanted to shout that he loved his children but knew Rhaegar would deliver the message better and it was better to die with honour. The candle was lit, and the room fell completely silent as the crowd behind him watched the flames make their way to Rickard.

"We've learnt our lesson, make it stop!" Lyanna shouted out, pushing past her brothers and standing near her father's burning body. Rickard let out a grunt, wanting to tell her to stop but could not speak anymore, the fire felt like it was swallowing him whole and it burnt every inch of his skin. A melting sensation and the pain from his skin sticking to his armour was unbearable.

Arianne stood frozen, watching as her foster father withered around and burnt. She heard the panting servant returning behind her, bow and arrow in hand. Rhaegar went to take it from his hands but Arianne snatched it away. She was taken back to Winterfell, where Rickard had taught her how to shoot a bow and arrow. She had almost hit Brandon who had made a show of catching the target.

She heard herself cry as she drew it.

"No, keep it by your nose and follow your aim," Rickard said, directing a ten-year-old Arianne's body back to the target. "We'll focus on a moving target another time." He said, shouting at Brandon and telling him to stop being childish. "Draw,"

Arianne placed the arrow by her nose.

"Breathe out."

"Arianne! Over here! Catch me, catch me!" Brandon's shouts infiltered her ears as she pointed to her target.

His voice mingling with his older version, that was currently crying out for his father. She let out a shaky breath, Rickard's grey eyes staring into her own. Aerys was far too busy enjoying the sight of watching another burn to be focused on her movements.

"And shoot."

She let go of the arrow, watching it fly and hit Rickard in the neck. Killing him instantly.

"Good girl, now go get Brandon and beat him bloody!" Rickard laughed, watching as she chased after her eldest brother.

She felt all that was good in her world leave her grasp, watching as Rickard's lifeless body burnt in front of her. Lyanna stepped back, staring between Arianne and her speechless brothers and running out of the throne room.

"Who was that!?" Aerys demanded. "Who dares defy my punishment!?"

"Me," Arianne responded, throwing the bow down onto the floor. "Will you burn me as well?"

Aerys watched as she left the room, Rhaegar hot on her heels. "And so the betrayals have begun I see," he tutted. "Well, my fun has been ruined. Leave me all of you. The Starks are to leave Kingslanding at once, take yourself and your Northern party and get out of my home. I pronounce Lord Brandon Stark as Lord Paramount of the North. One more mishap from you and I will burn your entire linage. Babe and all," Aerys said, directing his words to Brandon. Aerys had no intention of letting Brandon keep Winterfell for long though. He might have been Mad but he was not stupid, killing all the Stark's now would just cause an uprising in the North. No, it was best to send a message ... they would not betray him again knowing what the consequences were.

...

"Brandon!" Ned called out, racing after his brother. Lyanna had left the Throne Room too early for them to catch up with her, "Brandon!" He repeated, turning his older brother around.

"We have to kill them all," Brandon muttered, wiping his eyes dry. He was not even angered by the death of his father, he was angered by his own silence. He hadn't even offered himself to save him. It was a bastard, a foster, that had given him a mercy kill. "That ... that bitch," Brandon spat out, holding his head in his hands. "Has ruined our lives. Fuck the Targaryens, fuck this cursed crown." He heard running, looking out to the courtyard adjacent. It was Arianne, followed by Rhaegar and a Kingsguard he could not make out. "I'm going to cut down every last one of them."

"No, Brandon we have to go back to Winterfell now. Before the King changes his mind and kills us all," Ned said, watching after Arianne. There would be time to mourn on the way home, there would be time to mourn at home. Ned knew they were unsafe in Kings Landing now, he knew that no one spoke up against the King. He knew true terror.

Brandon wiped his nose, grabbing onto Ned's head with one hand and placing his forehead on Ned's. "Why aren't you crying? Cry for our father Ned."

"I can't," Ned muttered, he was never one to show his emotions and this was no exception. Of course, he was terrified, saddened, scared and feeling very much so alone, but he could not let himself cry.

"Then be angry!" Brandon shouted, slapping him across the head.

"I am angry!" He hit his brother back, "but there is a time to let that anger out, and a time to keep it inside."

"I will kill them, I will kill them all," Brandon repeated, walking away from Ned. He had to find Lyannna, and then his wife, he had to take his father's body, he had to go home. He had to go back to Winterfell. The first thing he would do was dump the whore Lilia from his home, the second would be to start planning.