Chapter 18

- King's Landing - Several Moons Later -

Varys had missed nothing between his departure from Essos to his return to Westeros and King's Landing, which he found was oddly disappointing. Nothing had changed at all in the time he had left. The schemers were still scheming. The poor were getting even more poorer. The rich were richer. King Robert drank wine, hunted boars, and lay with whores with several of them birth bastards. Cersei secretly fucked her brother or cousin or one of her uncles. "Prince" Joffrey was being Joffrey while he tormented people and loved how to come up with new ways to do it.

Nothing new.

"Enjoy your time back in the old lands of home?" asked Lord Baelish with his usual oily smile as he walked over to his fellow Small Council member.

"I did actually. Nostalgia reminds us where we came from as well as to not forget what we currently have since it can be taken away if one is not careful," commented Varys, as the two walked through the castle.

"How true. I find myself sometimes wishing to visit Riverrun if not the Vale from time to time to remind myself just how far I have come since that small frail boy years ago," said Lord Baelish though he only told a partial truth.

He was more in favor of a certain red haired, blue eyes woman, who had the unfortunate fate of marrying a barbarian from the North in an arranged marriage when there. Oh how Petyr missed those days when he was near her. The smell of her hair when nearby, the wonderful sound of her laughter, the way she walked, and the commanding way the Tully in his dreams acted.

His Cat. His wonderful, beautiful, and loving Cat.

"And to think, many believe you don't have any feelings outside of greed and lust. How disappointed they will be to know they were wrong about you," commented Varys with Petyr smirking since many people were wrong about him.

Many thought him a greedy coin grabbing sinful flesh peddler. But he Littlefinger was so much more then that. He was ambitious, smart, cunning, and played the Game of Thrones in a way no one else could. And as a result, the man went from being a poor boy with a scar on his torso and nothing to his name to one of the most influential men in the Seven Kingdoms.

Running brothels and running the Crown's finances having nothing to do with it. They were just the perks that came from having such wonderful skills.

"I heard some interesting rumors about Essos and I wanted to know if they are part of the reason you went there to see one of our 'little birds' as you call them," remarked Petyr, as he was curious if the rumors were true.

Unlike the Master of Whispers, Petyr had to rely on second and third hand information from men and women who were in his brothels all throughout Westeros. He had some "associates" in Essos who provided information from time to time, but mostly rumors. Varys had spies in nearly every major place in the known world so he didn't get mere rumors. When the Spider told you something, it was usually true, and the information was without question reliable.

"And what rumors do you wish confirmed Lord Baelish?" asked Varys after stopping to address the man fully.

"That the Targaryen Princess is alive and well. That she did not perish at the hands of a Dothraki Khal," answered Lord Baelish while Varys remained as calm as ever.

"The rumor is indeed true. The Targaryen Princess lives. Carefully protected by Lord Connington and Lord Dooku of House Tyranus," said Varys with Petyr's smile now increasing a bit.

"Interesting. I find this strange man and a strange House to be interesting. One, we have no record of ever existing within Westeros. Add that this man wears a mask to hide his identity makes one wonder just who he is underneath it," commented Petyr with Varys shrugging.

"I suppose that is a mystery, but who can say? Not I. Nor my little birds. And they have tried to get close to see if the young man has ever walked around without it. Sadly, their efforts have all resulted in failure. Do you have any theories or ideas on who it is behind such a thing my Lord?" asked Varys while making it seem like he wanted to know what the Master of Coin thought on the issue.

"All I can do is suspect my Lord. For all we know, it could be Viserys hiding himself. Or maybe a mummer pretending to be a Targaryen in order to marry the Princess," offered Lord Baelish the Master of Whispers thinking it over.

"Such theories are possible my Lord. Unfortunately, no one can truly know who he really is until that intimidating mask is removed from the man's head," replied Varys with Petyr nodding.

"What is the King's stance on this situation? And the Lord Hand?" asked Petyr while they began walking again.

"Oh the usual my Lord. Find them. Kill them. Make sure they don't die quick and clean if possible. His Grace has made it clear that the dragon must die. No exceptions," replied Varys with Petyr nodding since that had been the command of the ranting Baratheon each time the dragon spawn were mentioned.

"And the Lord Hand?" asked Petyr while Varys shrugged some more.

"He agrees with his Grace on the issue. It is one of the few things they agree on. Though it is curious how the Hand is more afraid of House Targaryen and the King is angered by it," replied Varys with Petyr smirking.

"Lord Arryn probably fears the wrath of House Targaryen on those who rebelled and will seek revenge, if allowed to return to full strength. As for his Grace, I believe he is angry due to...personal reasons," replied Petyr with Varys nodding.

"Ah yes. The same story we have all heard many times before now. I'm sure we will hear it several times once more prior to this whole affair comes to an end," commented Varys with a sigh since he had heard the same song and dance from Robert Baratheon.

A dance he would be glad came to an end when Aegon took the Iron Throne.

But first, he would need to prepare various people. People who were the head of certain Houses still loyal to House Targaryen. And not just them, but the smallfolk too. Say what you will about the Targaryens, they were (for the most part) good to the people they ruled over. Rheagar would have brought his House the support of all the people on a level not seen since the days of old if not for Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon spreading that cruel lie for a story of Lyanna Stark being kidnapped and raped by Rheagar. How they spread the rumors to the people in order to make them believe the Prince had become just like his insane Father.

The Gods had given these men what they wanted, but made sure there was a contingency in place should what they see displease them. The return of the Targaryens was a sign of that they were in fact displeased with what was happening and seeking to counter it.