The Red Keep II

(Rhaegon's POV)

"There is a certain feeling in the air when so many dragons are gathered in one place." I heard the irritating voice of Jaime Lannister behind me

I was in the gardens of the Red Keep, admiring one of the newly sculpted fountains that my Uncle commissioned quite recently. It was that of Arraxes, his dragon, extending his wings and roaring in the air as the water sprouted from his mouth. 

The Golden Lion so casually approached me as I turned around to meet him, "Ser Jaime." I said, "To what do I owe the pleasure?" 

"Oh me?" He said with a smirk, "I'm here doing my duty, guarding the Princess." 

As he said that, I saw a glimpse of white hair; Princess Helaena running past him as she laughed joyfully. She ran past me and towards the fountain, a bright smile on her face, she was holding what looked like a half-eaten lemon cake. 

"Oh, Princess." I said with surprise, "Are you supposed to be eating? We're supposed to have dinner in an hour." 

She looked at me, her bright eyes piercing through me, "Yes." She said simply

She was such a bright little light, the four-year-old princess. I never imagined that she'd so casually run around the Red Keep with just a simple Kingsguard. Well, then again, it is Ser Jaime. Everyone knows that he's one of the greatest swordsmen the Realm has to offer, on par with Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur. 

Well, everyone will bet on Ser Arthur over anyone when it comes down to it. But if anyone can defend a princess, it would be Ser Jaime....at least I hope so. 

Ser Jaime looked down at the princess with a smile, "Princess, Ser Rhaegon would like to give you a ride." He said

Helaena looked at me, "Yes? Give me!" She said as she offered her arms to me

I sighed, "Okay." I said as I turned around and crouched down, "Get on me, Princess, I will give you a ride." 

I felt as she climbed atop me and grabbed ahold, "Yay!" She yelled brightly

"Soon, you'll ride your dragon like this." I said as I stood up, holding her by her legs, "You've grown a lot, Helaena." 

"Hehe." She giggled

"I hear you and the King had another private meeting." Ser Jaime said

I looked at him as I felt Helaena's fingers on my hair, "I did." I said, "What of it?" 

"I'm more than curious to know what you spoke about." He said

"Yea, I'd wager you would be." I said as I walked past him, "That is between the King and I." 

I heard the clanking of his armor as he began to follow me Helaena giggled, "Between us, Ser Rhaegon." He said, "There are a lot of things being spoken behind the King's back. It worries me that so many secrets are being spread.....as a Kingsguard, it is my duty to find out any of His Grace's threats.....and eliminate them." 

"Hm." I said as I stopped, "You're an unique case, Ser Jaime. The Golden Lion, son of the Mighty Tywin, and Knight of The Kingsguard.....you don't just serve His Grace, you serve Her Grace and the Lord Hand, do you?" 

He smiled, "My Sister is the Queen. I am her sworn protector and by extension, her daughters' as well." He said, "Is that a problem?"

"Oh, no." I said, "That's not my point. My point is that I'm not so sure if our motives align with each other. You may serve the King yes, but as long as your Father is Hand, well, I doubt you can be trusted." 

His expression hardened, "I am sworn to the Crown, you know that." He said, "I am sworn protector of the princesses. No harm will ever come to them, I have made an oath. They are my nieces, I love them like they are my own. What are you saying?" 

"There's an infamous incident about a certain failure of yours." I said, "Although, I can't really say you're at fault for that. But such a smudge on your white cloak can be hard to get rid of." 

He scowled, "Listen boy..." He said seriously, "I fought...tooth and nail during that night...cut down more men than you've ever imagined...all to protect your Grandmother, Your Mother, and the King's late wife and children...all while you were still in Princess Shaena's belly." 

I nodded, "That you did." I said, "And I respect you for that, Ser Jaime. It's a good thing there hasn't been a situation of that level, right? Nothing to worry about." 

"I want off." I heard Helaena say

I nodded and crouched down, feeling as she got off and slapping my back. 

"Whoa." I said with a chuckle, "Calm down, Princess." 

"Boring ride." She huffed as she walked over to Ser Jaime and pulled on his cloak, "Uncle, let's go." 

I straightened up, "The Princess's speech has matured, hasn't it?" I said with a smile

"Indeed." He said as he reached down to hold her hand, "Let us go, Princess." 

I then watched as they began to walk away. 

After a few moments they left, I sighed, "You're gonna just stand there like a creep?" I said turning to my left, "Come on out, Varys." 

From behind a pillar's shadow, the Master of Whispers emerged, his hands in his sleeves as always. 

He bowed slightly, "Ser Rhaegon." He said as he gave me a slight smile, "It is good to have you again." 

I nodded, "It is good to be greeted by you this time, Milord." I said, "What became of you on my last visit?" 

He walked over, "Various things to deal with, I regret." He said, "There were a lot of whispers when you last came." 

I gave him a serious look, "I know." I said, "And I'm assuming you told Myrcella of a certain one?" 

He nodded, "Yes, the Princess and I have been going on walks recently..." He said, "She's becoming rather....attentive of what everyone says nowadays....becoming fond of my presence and our talks." 

"Talks, huh?" I said, "What talks?" 

"That is between her and I, I am afraid." He said as he looked at me, "But I am here to relay a certain whisper, Ser Rhaegon. About what you've discovered in the North." 

I frowned, "What?" 

He walked closer to me as he hunched his head, "After you hastily left during your Aunt's engagement feast, Prince Viserys became aware of the vastly spread rumor..." He said in a hushed tone, "The one about his impending demise. He's sent word and will arrive in King's Landing in a few days. I am afraid that some lords of the Reach have not taken this news well and will act." 

I looked at him, "What did you say?" 

"I only imagine that the King will have to do something about it." He said, "Viserys is and has always been a rash and impatient man. But Rhaegar can be the only one to reign him in. Whatever happens when he's here, I advise you're not present. You can be more fuel to the fire that is Viserys Targaryen." 

I sighed, "Just my luck." I said

"Mayhaps the trip to Dorne can not come any quicker?" He said with a shrug

"How do you know about that?" I asked him

"I hear the whispers, Ser." He said with a slight bow, "Nevertheless, I want you to know that as far as the Princess is concerned, whatever whispers we share, it is between us. You can trust me." 

"Unfortunately, I can." I said as I nodded, "Thank you, Lord Varys." 

He then walked past me without saying a word. 

Just my damn luck. This wasn't good, Viserys would want heads rolling for this. 

Only conflict will arise from this. 

********************************************************

"Ah." Uncle Rhaegar said as he stood up from his seat, "Look at this sight, I can only state how overjoyed I am to see this!" 

He raised his cup in the air as he smiled. 

It was nightfall and we were in the dining hall where I was strongarmed to attend by my Father. I was probably going to sneak out and ride Morghul across the Blackwater and hunt some seafood. But he caught me and told me to attend.

At the head of the table, Uncle Rhaegar sat, of course, he was King. To his right, Queen Cersei sat as the three Princesses sat next to her; Naerys, Myrcella, and Helaena in that order. Lord Tywin sat at the far end next to Helaena as the young girl constantly pulled on her grandfather's shirt. 

To the King's left, my Mother sat with her family next to her; Father, Myself, and Monica in that order. Uncle Renly was going to attend but had some business to deal with. 

There was nobody on the other side of the table, as that seat was usually reserved for Viserys who was not here. 

Coincidentally, I was seated in front of Myrcella, who gave me some smiles every time we locked eyes. 

"Your Grace, I am glad you've brought out the good wine for this dinner, hehe!" Father said as he raised his cup 

Uncle chuckled, "Robert, please. Tonight, we have dinner as Family, not as Royalty or Nobility." He said, "No need to address me as your King." 

"It feels wrong to refer you so casually." Father said as he sipped from his cup, "But I know someone who would be dying to do that." 

He glanced at Tywin, who didn't say a word, merely stared at Father while he allowed Helaena to pull on his shirt's sleeve. 

"Husband, please." Mother said, "Lord Tywin is your late Father's good friend, show him some respect." 

"Sure sure." Father grumbled

Uncle, who was still standing, cleared his throat, "I would like to propose a toast." He said, "I know things have been a bit...shaky....all things considered. Several.....incidents occurred. But I just want to say that I am overjoyed to have you all here, my beloved Family. My wife, and my daughters whom I adore. My loyal Hand and advisor...My sister, my friend, my nephew, and my niece.....All of you, I am glad that you are here. I would hope my Brother and youngest Sister would be here as well, but who am I to ask for too much, right?" 

Aunt Cersei reached and grabbed his hand, "My love, we are happy to be here as well." She said softly

Uncle nodded, "To Us." He said as he raised the cup, "To Family." 

I raised my cup and nodded, "To Family." I said with a slight smile

"Aye, to Family." Father said with a chuckle

I then drank from my cup as I noticed Myrcella doing the same, giving me a look that began to make me nervous. It made me think of our moment atop Morghul, on that night. We had kissed and she had confessed her love to me. 

It felt odd, thinking about that...now of all times. 

I felt a set of cold eyes laid on me and I quickly glanced to see Tywin looking at me as he drank from his cup. It was as if he was studying my demeanor. I am sure that he of all people, who's been quiet the whole time, has noticed Myrcella and I exchanging glances. 

Has he suspected anything? He's no idiot, he's probably deduced something happened between us. 

Uncle Rhaegar then set down, "Good." He said as he broke my train of thought, "Now that we're here, I want to say a few more things. First, my beloved Monica. I am overjoyed to tell you that on the Morrow, You will be able to visit the Dragonpit! Of course, you'll be in mine and your Mother's company but maybe you'll get to claim a dragon!" 

I looked to my side and saw as Monica's eyes lit up, "Really?!" 

Mother chuckled, "Of course, my dear." She said, "It is about time you get some exposure to dragonriding." 

"Myrcella, my dear." Uncle continued, "You will join us as well. Mayhaps something good can come out of this for you. Rhaegon, will you be there?" 

I felt all eyes on me after he said that. 

"Uhm..." I said as I took a bit off a quail, "I.....was I not going to....you know....Dorne?" 

Uncle chuckled, "We haven't received a response yet." He said, "There is still time." 

I noticed Aunt Cersei's eyes as she looked at me, giving me a slight smile, "Do you not wish to spend time with your cousin, Rhaegon?" She asked

I looked down as I chewed, trying to think of a response to get me out of this. 

"Rhaegon only wishes to do as he please." Mother said with a chuckle, "He already went through the dragonkeepers' lectures, he finds them boring." 

"Hehe." Father said, "I was thinking of going hunting in the Kingswood tomorrow. Shall you join me, Your Grace? After taking the girls to the pit?" 

"Of course." Uncle Rhaegar said, "Only if Rhaegon is present with us there." 

Father patted my shoulder, "He'll be there." He said before looking at me, "You'll be there and at the Kingswood with us. Without your Dragon. A proper hunt with nothing but a couple of spears....." 

"Had my fair share of Boar Hunting already...." I muttered as Myrcella looked at me

"Ha!" Father laughed, "That big one Ned wrote me about? Please, that's nearly not enough to get me a fill. It'll be fun. Tywin, you joining?" 

"If His Grace desires it so, then I see why not." I heard Tywin say

"It is decided." Uncle Rhaegar said, "This is good, planning adventures as Family. I know we have impending conflicts, but for a couple of days, we should enjoy ourselves." 

I picked my cup up as I felt a servant passing by with a jug of wine, "More please...." I softly called as I moved it to her

She stopped, "Yes, Ser." She said as she poured the wine into the cup

After she did so, I pulled it back to me, "Thank you." I nodded before drinking more from it

I heard Mother clear her throat and standing up, "Since we are all here and having a pleasant time." She said, "I find it appropriate to make an important announcement." 

I didn't react to this and kept drinking from the cup, still feeling Myrcella's gaze on me. It was as if she caught something was off about the Dorne comment I made and it made me nervous. 

"What is it, love?" I heard Father ask

"I....." I heard her say, "To put it simply, I am with child." 

I choked on the wine and spat some of it, "W-W-What?!" I exclaimed

Some of the wine spilled on the plate in front of me and most of it got all over my shirt. I then felt as a servant immediately rushed to me and began to clean me with some napkins. 

I ignored her and looked to my right seeing that Father had stood up, laughing. 

"You're serious?!" Father said with an overjoyed tone, "That is amazing!!" 

I looked at Mother with my jaw dropped, "Seriously?" I said, 

"That's....great....."