Chapter 20: Royal Schemes

"It's been a long time since we've had the chance to go on a walk like this." Jae smiled as he strolled through the Godswood, Daenerys on his arm. Dany wore a white silk dress, her silver-gold hair falling to her shoulders freely, and coupled with her golden tiara, it created an ethereal presence.

"But of course, you've been too busy trying to save the world," Daenerys replied, plucking a flower as she went.

Jae snorted in amusement. "Doesn't seem like such a good excuse anymore."

"Indeed." Dany nodded with a haughty look she once so proudly wore and now mocked. "How dare you try to survive instead of catering to my every need."

Jae laughed, feeling some weight dissipate for the first time in days. "Your heart is quite cold for someone who's so fond of fire, you know."

Dany laughed, hitting him on the arm. "Did you hear the news from Dragonstone? About my beloved brother?"

"What?" Jae asked. He'd been wondering how Viserys would react to the latest developments.

She seemed to read where his mind had taken him. "Oh, it's nothing for you to worry about, I assure you."

"Alright, but tell me anyway."

"He's called the Lords to Dragonstone, you see. Wanted to declare himself King and invade King's Landing," she said, laughing all the while.

"I take it, it didn't go well?" Jae asked, smiling at her delight.

"No, it did not. The Lords came, the Lords threw him in the dungeon, the Lords asked Aegon what he wants to do with him," Dany explained.

Oh, if only he could have seen Viserys' reaction to being humiliated like that. His screams of indignation had to have shattered a couple of windows.

The two of them laughed like little children, joint in the hatred of the man who'd tormented them both. "He's always had delusions of grandeur."

"Yes, it seems to be spreading these days," she said but her smile disappeared when she heard her own words. "I'm sorry, Jae, I didn't me—"

"To remind me there's to be a war?" Jae asked with a sad smile. "Worry not. I haven't forgotten."

She nodded, biting her lip. "Do—Do you think you'll win? I know we've won a tilt or two. I'm asking about the whole Tourney."

"Do I—" He hadn't considered it. All his plans were geared up toward eventual victory, but he hadn't thought about it in those terms. "Yes... I will." He had to force himself to say it.

"I think you will," Dany said with a nod, as though she thought it self-evident.

"Why?" he asked, a smile blossoming on his face at her blatant disregard for all the obstacles in his way.

"I'm not sure. But I think you were born for this. I think I've always known it, since the day you set me down and told me I better watch how I behaved before I got us all killed." She giggled at the memory of it.

He did not know what to tell her. "Thank you, Dany."

"You're very welcome. But I think I could help you some more," she said, looking up to him and Jae saw a weight in her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"You'll have to forge alliances to win this war. The best way to do it is through marriage."

"So wha—"

"Whatever you say, Jae, whomever you need me to marry. I'll do it. I'll even seduce them if that's what it takes," she said, licking her lips and winking to showcase her ability.

"Dany, you're not some pawn to be—"

"But I am." She interrupted him again. "Only fools and liars would pretend I'm not. I want to do my part."

"Hopefully it will not come to that." But I know it will and I hate myself for it.

She gave him a frank look, not accepting his little fairy tale in the slightest. "Choose someone from the Riverlands or the Vale. I don't care if he's an idiot, I'll learn to manage him."

It seems she's been paying attention. "I'll try my best."

"I do have one condition, though." A mischievous look entered her eyes, one Jae remembered from their childhood.

"And what's that?"

Dany leaned closer and whispered, "I want you to be the one who takes my maidenhead."

Jae's eyebrows shot up, a thousand words creating a congestion in his throat. "Dany…"

"What?" she asked. "I'm a grown woman, you know." She took a step back as though to showcase it. "And I can't stand the thought of that rose having you all to herself."

Jae couldn't help but chuckle. "Dany, you can't just—"

"Yes, I can. It's the only way you were ever going to notice I'm not a little girl anymore." The corner of her lips twitched. "And I can see it's working."

"I—" the sound of bells ringing interrupted him. He looked around and saw a page running through the halls at the edge of the Godswood. "Come," he said, pulling Dany with him.

"What's happened?" he asked when they entered the Keep and a young squire scurried by.

"The Ironborn, Your Grace! They've burned Lannisport! The King's called a session of Court."

"Lannisport?" Daenerys breathed, looking up at him. "Did you expect this?"

Expect them to rebel or do me the favor of making Lord Tywin look like a fool? "Not entirely," he told her. "Come."

And together they made their way to the Throne Room, encountering countless nobles who wanted to learn what had happened on the way.

Rumors already ran rampant, he could tell by listening to some of the conversations of the nobles as they entered the Throne Room. Apparently, an armada of a thousand ships had taken Lannisport and marched on Casterly Rock. Another claimed the northerners had done it, though no one considered that the North didn't have a fleet. Those whispers were accompanied by glances at Jae.

Aegon walked into the Throne Room and all the whispering came to an end. He carried himself differently, the doubt that had plagued him the entire time Jae knew him had disappeared. An altogether different adversary. The rest of the Small Council followed him and Jae saw Lord Tyrion staring at him, inclining his head in acknowledgment. Jae returned the greeting.

Aegon did not climb the stairs of the Iron Throne. He stopped before the Iron Throne instead and faced the crowd. Hands behind his back, a calm look on his face, his demeanor served to calm all those present on its own. At least I don't have a fool parading around as my brother.

"As I'm sure you have heard, the Ironborn have launched a savage, unprovoked attack upon Lannisport. Most of the fleet has been burned and judging by early reports, so has the majority of the city." The Court erupted in a flurry of whispers at his pronouncement.

"Unity!" Aegon raised his voice, putting an end to them. "Unity is what our Realm needs in this grave hour if we are to combat this grave threat to all of us. To that end, We are pleased to announce that Lady Cersei Lannister's betrothal to Ser Edmure Tully of Riverrun." Jae didn't spot the man until all eyes turned to him as he bowed to Aegon. That's one way to buy your freedom. "And the betrothal of Lady Margaery to the Heir of Casterly Rock, Joffrey Lannister."

Jae hadn't met the boy himself, having arrived at the capital only days earlier, but guessed him to be a preening little shit at first sight.

His eyes found Lady Olenna to discover her staring at him, a challenge in her eyes. So that's your play, dearest Grandmother. An alliance of the Reach, the Westerlands and the Riverlands had to potential to undo all of his plans. They had the might to repel any and all attacks from his rebels. The way Dany squeezed his arm only proved it.

"The Ironborn think us weak! The Ironborn think they can return to their ways of plundering and raping through these lands. But together we shall show them the strength of Westeros and drive those foul raiders back to those desolate rocks they call home!"

The Court erupted in cheers, all of them applauding their bold, charismatic young King.

Jae stood at the back of the room, thinking, Well, you've made your move. I suppose it's my turn now.

Only Aegon and Tywin had barely begun because the next couple of days brought nothing but bad news for Jaehaerys. He learned the expiration dates of marital alliances the hard way. He always expected the Riverlands would be divided but didn't think the Tullys would end up on the wrong side of the struggle. Lord Tully did not even fight Tywin's obvious attempt to take control of his lands, eagerly accepting the betrothal to the widowed Cersei Lannister. His old friends, the Hawicks and the Motoons along with every other House who did not fear the Ironborn took Jae's side. They did not declare war, but they made it clear they had no intentions of going to war on the side of the Lannisters. Not worth much. If I can't get them help, their little act of defiance will be squashed in due time.

The other blow came when Lord Royce and the rest of the Vale Lords left the capital to return home. Lord Tywin released them. Or mayhaps Aegon did. He's not a puppet any longer. Lord Royce had told him before leaving that "Lord Arryn has confessed he'd been deceived and ordered all his vassals to heed the orders of the Crown."

Lord Royce clearly had difficulty believing it, as had the rest of the Vale Lords, and that way laid opportunity, but these honorable men would obey the commands they were given in spite of their doubts.

But the biggest blow, the one Jae feared might end up costing him his head, came from the North. Aegon had summoned him to his chambers and told him with a straight face and not a hint of gloating that a King Beyond the Wall by the name of Mance Rayder had attacked Castle Black and the northern army gathered around Winterfell marched to repel him.

They didn't send him to the chopping block, but Jae knew they'd begun preparing for that very eventuality. The war might very well end by the time Ned Stark took care of the wildlings and the North on its own would not be able to mount a successful rebellion against the Crown.

He wanted to run. Wanted to get into the secret passageways and run before they took his head. He'd long been playing a dangerous game, but he feared he'd gone too far, risked too much. He wanted to go North, help the Starks get rid of the Wildlings and then march back south to take his Throne.

That way lies only defeat and if I'm going to lose, I might as well do it properly. He couldn't escape, he had to roll the dice. Too many allies would be lost if he went North, too many. I thought I was done before the trial, I'll survive once more.

I have to stir up some trouble, no way around it. I have to become the shark who'll sabotage peace. But first, he had to know what in the world happened. What would make Lord Arryn recant his statements? And if he did not, how did Tywin make the Lords of the Vale believe it? And where the fuck did this King Beyond the Wall come from? Who should he blame for his emergence? Varys? Tywin?

If you've ever wondered how Kings end up mad, you know now.

Much to his chagrin, the little spy network he had in place in the Red Keep had been undone. He knew it after the fourth spy sang the same tale of a regretful Lord Arryn begging forgiveness. Another one of Aegon's moves, has to be. It forced him to resort once more to methods he thought he left behind.

He crawled through the secret passageways straight to the Small Council chamber, to listen to the conversations of the ruling Lords of the Realm as though he was one-and-ten once more. I thought becoming King would mean leaving the indignities behind.

He sat there for hours, waiting for the meeting of the Small Council to begin. They had neglected to inform him of their new schedule. At last, as his legs grew numb and his back began to ache, Aegon walked into the chamber, the rest of his Small Council walking behind him. They took their seats as Jae watched them through the tiny crack in the wall.

"I call this session of the Small Council to order," Aegon started, looking to Lord Tywin. "What is the situation up North?"

"The Starks have found themselves in a heap of trouble, Your Grace. An army of a hundred thousand sits at their doorstep. They shan't be bothering us anytime soon," Lord Tywin said.

"Your Grace should consider executing Prince Jaehaerys. He no longer serves any purpose as a hostage. The war in the south will be over by the time Lord Stark deals with those savages if he deals with them at all," Pycelle counseled.

"And yet," Lord Tyrion spoke up. "If I know my histories, the Starks have been dealing with Kings Beyond the Wall for centuries, and rather successfully too."

"It does not matter," Lord Velaryon said. "Grand Maester Pycelle is correct. If the war in the south is over by the time they deal with the wildlings, it will be too late for them."

"Then hold him hostage until then. If the war will indeed be over, Prince Jaehaerys will serve as a way to pacify the North. Execute him and Lord Stark might consider what benefits there are to be found in serving the Crown in the first place. Do not forget – he's lost three family members to Targaryens in the past twenty years. It would unwise to add another one."

"Lord Tyrion speaks truly," Aegon spoke up. "We cannot resort to violence if we have the chance, and indeed the excuse, to resort to other measures. And besides, we must win the war in the south if we are to isolate Lord Stark."

"Neutralize him, then," Oberyn spoke up. "Marry him to some wench of proper standing who does not bring an army with her maidenhead."

"Of course, that would mean getting rid of him later would become much more... complicated," Lord Tywin commented.

They both looked to Aegon who stared back. "How go the other theaters of war, my Lords?" he asked, dismissing their suggestion. It wouldn't have mattered even if he agreed with it. Jae would have gone along and claimed later he'd been forced to wed at swordpoint. Every septon in the land would declare the marriage null and void. Aegon has to know the same.

"The Vale of Arryn is on our side, Your Grace," Lord Tywin spoke up again. "This... Baelish fellow has his claws dug deep into Lady Lysa. With Lord Arryn's apparent confession, the Lords of the Vale follow them. They won't be joining the Starks in their rebellion."

"And what does he ask in return?"

"Permission to marry Lady Lysa after the war, once Arryn dies of... unfortunate complications, Your Grace," Lord Tywin said, and Jae could hear the pleasure in his voice. Whoever this Baelish is, he's taken the gamble of a lifetime.

"Granted," Aegon replied without hesitation. He certainly has the stomach of a King. "And the Riverlands?"

"Prince Jaehaerys has made many friends over the years, Your Grace, which is why some have decided not to cooperate with us against the Ironborn threat. Lord Mooton being foremost among them. The boy is controlled by his mother," Lord Tywin explained.

He watched Aegon nod and look up at the ceiling in thought. When he regarded them next, Jae knew he'd chosen a course of action. "My decision is simple, my Lords. We have watched things unfold from the capital for long enough. Lord Tywin –" The strength of his command strong enough to make even the Old Lion sit up to attention. "—you will go west and you will take charge of defense against the Ironborn threat."

"Your Grace, I've already sent Ser Kevan to attend to this—"

"The Riverlords have not accepted Lady Cersei's marriage to Ser Edmure for the protection of Ser Kevan, capable as he might be. They've accepted it because of you. You shall go and you shall remind the realm of the benefits of an alliance with the Crown. If the Ironborn should attack in the Riverlands next, they shall be grateful for the marriage. If they shall attack in the Reach, they will know why they've betrothed Lady Margaery to your grandson." Tywin went to speak up, but Aegon beat him to it. "Meanwhile I will take the force of the Crownlands to launch an attack against all those who defy our will in the Riverlands and bring them to their knees. Uncle, you shall go to Dorne to marshall the Dornish army."

A moment of silence followed his pronouncement before his Council members nodded in agreement. "And what of Prince Jaehaerys, Your Grace? What is to become of him?" Pycelle asked.

Yes, what is to become of me?

"Prince Jaehaerys is to remain in the capital," Aegon said, voice resolute.

"To leave the Prince here, alone, Your Grace?" Pycellle pressed on. Tywin must've given him quite the set of instructions. "Who knows what he might do? It is unwise to underestimate that man, Your Grace."

"Which is why I shall name Lord Tyrion acting Hand. He's proven himself more than capable, given that it was his idea to turn the Vale Lords, not to mention his plans for the Storm Lords." What's that? Tell me more about the Storm Lords! "I am sure he'll manage to control my little brother."

"You honor me, Your Grace." Lord Tyrion bowed his head in gratitude.

God, Aegon is even better than I thought. The move calmed Tywin because it kept Lannister control of the capital but at the same time placed a very capable man in Jae's path. Lord Tyrion presented quite the intellectual obstacle, everyone with a shred of common sense agreed. Especially if he's the one who cooked up my Vale problem.

And who knows what Aegon might do with the opportunity that Lord Tywin's absence from the capital would buy him. He's navigating these waters, he means to get out from under the yoke of all of them. But he also gave Jae some space to maneuver. He silently thanked the Gods for Aegon's common sense when crawling back to his chambers. Any other King would have executed him on the spot and dealt with the consequences later. Such as the secession of the North. Aegon looked resolved to retain the unity of the Seven Kingdoms and a good thing, too, since it kept Jae alive.

A day later, he stood in the courtyard of the Red Keep, watching as Aegon prepared to depart. Lord Tywin had already left earlier in the morning. Prince Oberyn as well, but Aegon meant to have the entire Court present to watch him gallantly ride off to war.

It all proved to be a popular decision, highlighted by the ever-growing number of nasty looks aimed Jae's way. Aegon steadily built a picture of a noble King, riding out to rid the land of traitors, while Jae came off as the scheming, back-stabbing younger brother who hid away in King's Landing to plot his treason. Very good indeed.

Aegon said his goodbyes to the Royal family, dressed in magnificent black plate armor, golden dragons adorning his chest and his shoulders. Looks like those paintings of the Young Dragon. Another canny move.

He stopped by Jae last. "Keep watch over our city while I'm gone, won't you?" Aegon asked.

"Of course, Your Grace." The two shook hands and Jae leaned closer. "Don't get killed."

Aegon huffed in laughter and nodded, walking away to mount his horse. Jae watched him ride out of the Keep to the cheers of the nobles, the household guard following him. Part of the army of the Crownlands had gathered outside the city while the majority of it would join the army while they marched.

Jae knew the issue of the Kingsguard had been a matter of intense discussion on the Small Council. They could not allow Kingsguard knights loyal to Jaehaerys to accompany Aegon on his campaign but could not let him go without any Kingsguard knights either. They long represented a major symbol of the Crown's power and legitimacy.

So they sent Prince Llewyn and the newly-appointed Kingsguard Ser Balon Swann with Aegon, while Ser Jaime, Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell, Ser Gerold, and Ser Barristan remained in the capital. Why Jaime did not go with his father and what it meant about his loyalty Jae did not know, though he expected to learn in due time.

Jae suspected Balon Swann's induction had something to do with the play Lord Tyrion meant to execute in the Stormlands. The Swanns are the second most powerful House and long have they lusted after Storm's End. But Jae didn't know if they had the pull to bring other Houses to their side, to mount an effective rebellion against the Baratheons.

"Your Grace." Lord Tyrion interrupted Jae's thoughts. "Glorious day, wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed I would, my Lord Hand." Jae inclined his head. "My compliments on your position."

"Your Grace flatters me. I am but a lowly servant while the King and my Lord father are off to war," Lord Tyrion said, those mismatched eyes observing Jae closely. For all the despisal and revilement Lord Tyrion suffered from others, Jae's instincts screamed of a good man. There are many good men and most of them seem intent on killing me.

"Regardless, I am certain you shall do a good job in their absence, my Lord Hand," Jae said.

He nodded. Clearly, the time for compliments had come to an end. "Will you walk with me, Your Grace?" Tyrion gestured towards the battlements.

"But of course." Together they climbed the stairs that led to the Red Keep's outer-most wall, the city of King's Landing sprawling beneath. "Tell me, Prince Jaehaerys, what is your opinion regarding trial-by-combat?"

"The practice or whether or not Gods guide the hands of champions?" Jae asked, very interested in where the conversation led.

"The latter."

Jae hummed. "Well, I've had many fights with your noble brother and lost most of them. Somehow I doubt the outcome would be any different if next time we fought the High Septon asked the Warrior to guide my hand in my stead."

Tyrion chuckled, nodding. "Indeed, Your Grace. But do you believe combat to be a way of settling matters?"

Ah, it dawned on Jae. Lord Tyrion referred to a notion Jaehaerys never particularly liked. Though he had no small amount of confidence in his martial skills, he always considered himself a politician first and a warrior second. That's why Jae did not favor the idea of battle resolving all issues.

Goes against my very nature, thinking I should accept a lost battle as a sign of the Gods when I know there are still so many moves I can make. His feelings mattered little, however. The Realm subscribed to the notion and so he had no choice but to do the same, though many had come up with reasons to ignore it over the years. The Blackfyres said Bloodraven's black magic won the battle, not the Gods disapproval of them. It's what allowed those bastards to mount five rebellions.

"I do, my Lord Hand. Why do you ask?"

"I know I don't have to tell you that the fortunes of your supporters have taken a downturn lately," Tyrion explained. "And though this war looks to be going against you, I would not wish for you to be executed should King Aegon's forces prevail. The damage done to the Crown's relations with the North would become irreparable."

Jae nodded. "You're asking if I'll accept defeat, so you can ship me North without having to worry about future rebellions."

"I am, Your Grace."

Are you so certain of victory, my Lord Hand? He could not blame him. For a few moments after the devastating chain of bad news, he thought so himself. Before he remembered a willingness to get your hands dirty can solve even the toughest problems.

"Do you believe your Father will allow that?"

"I believe... my Father won't be in a position to object, should such a situation arise." Lord Tyrion looked up at him, his words holding a thousand interpretations.

Did Aegon turn Tyrion? Are they working together? How in the Seven Hells did he manage that? Aegon's presumption of having what it takes to become a great King looked more plausible with each passing day.

"I see." Jaehaerys nodded. "But you need not worry about these matters, my Lord Hand. Throughout history, such measures have been reserved for noble Ladies and I won't be so uninvolved in this war that such an option will even be on the table by the time it ends, I assure you."

"Am I to become the latest victim of Prince Jaehaerys' famous wit?" Lord Tyrion asked with a wry smile.

"I am unaware of any such fame, my Lord Hand."

"Ah, sometimes I forget you've spent your entire life in the Red Keep. You do not hear what they say in the other Kingdoms."

"I suppose you shall be the one to tell me?" Jae asked, masking his question as a joke to hide his honest curiosity.

"Not at all, though I applaud your attempt, Your Grace." They reached the end of the walkway and Tyrion turned to him, bowed, and walked away without another word. Jae watched him go with a smile.