The negotiations went well enough. Rhaegar showed himself to be a shrewd and capable diplomat. With minor revisions, he agreed to everything. All that remained was to wait for Lord Tywin's arrival so that the balance would tip in our favor, and then the Great Council could begin.
And then it all went to ruin. King Aerys Targaryen, after four years of seclusion within the Red Keep, decided to attend the tournant. That put an end to any hope of a peaceful transition. A forcible solution was out of the question. The loyalists and the opposition would be roughly equal in strength. Any battle would be a bloodbath, and the country would drown in a civil war that could not be permitted after such a brutal winter.
When Aerys made his entrance and appointed the heir of Casterly Rock to the Kingsguard, he removed the West from the board in a single stroke. And so we resolved simply to enjoy the tournant.
It was the grandest tournant I had witnessed in all my years, and I enjoyed it without reservation. Having my friends and wards beside made it twice as good. On the fifth day it was over. The Prince won the final joust, unhorsing Barristan Selmy. It left with a asure of peace about what lay ahead. A favorable throw of the coin, it seed. Rhaegar was a capable diplomat and a warrior. He would bring the kingdom to prosperity, my house would gain a royal marriage, and we had strong ties to the other Great Houses. All of it pointed toward stability.
The Prince took up the garland and rode toward his wife to na her the queen of love and beauty. He approached, and then he rode past Elia Martell. Beneath the astonished eyes of everyone present, he placed the garland on Lyanna Stark. Why? She was betrothed to Robert, and he had a wife and child. It was inappropriate at best, and at worst sothing closer to an insult.
Later, when the excitent died down and the lords began making their way back to their own lands, I rode for the Eyrie together with Robert and Ned to mark my na day. My mood was black. The failure of the Great Council, Axel's illness, and the Prince's spectacle left little occasion for celebration. But Rob and Ned did their best to lift my spirits regardless.
We reached the Eyrie in remarkable ti, and my first thought was to look in on Axel. Maester Bart assured that my son was fighting the illness and should wake before long. The troubling part was that his left eye had turned the color of molten gold, and the veins around it had swollen. In all likelihood Axel had gone blind in that eye, for it showed no response to light whatsoever.
Disturbing news arrived by raven: it was said that the Prince had abducted Lyanna Stark, though I did not believe it. To clarify matters, Brandon Stark rode for King's Landing with a company of n. He was not the most asured of diplomats, but he had four kingdoms behind him, and that ought to have been enough to keep the King from acting rashly.
It appeared either that the madness had seized the King completely, or that Brandon had spoken too sharply again, but the entire party was thrown into the dungeons like common criminals, and their fathers were summoned to court to answer before the King.
I turned my attention to the na day preparations: inviting the lords, arranging the seating, selecting the dishes. Unfortunately Lord Robar and Ser Kyle were unable to co. They had been called to the capital. A pity. Axel was fond of his grandfather and uncle. Though to my mind the Royces spoiled him rather too generously as it was.
While I was occupied with all of this, sothing terrible happened. On black wings ca black news.
...
To Lord Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount of the Vale, and Warden of the East.
On charges of treason against the Crown, Lord Rickard Stark was condemned to trial by combat and burned for his cris. His son Brandon Stark was executed alongside him, as were Lord Jonos Mallister, Ser Elbert Arryn, Lord Robar Royce, Ser Kyle Royce, Waymar and Ethan Glover. His Grace demands that Lord Arryn fulfill his duty and surrender the traitors Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon for just judgnt. He is given one turn of the moon to comply. In the hope that this treachery has not infected you or your heir.
Lord Owen rryweather, Lord of Longtable and Hand of the King.
...
War. Jon felt a shudder move through him. He read the letter through again, hoping that his eyes had betrayed him, that Aerys could not truly have committed such a madness. The letter did not change.
He sent a servant to fetch Robert and Eddard.
Jon tried to collect himself and steady his nerve. He drew a breath, let it out, and brought his thoughts into order. When his wards arrived, he recounted the contents of the letter.
Do they truly expect to obey this? They demand the heads of my wards, and in the sa breath they threaten my heir. As if I am nothing at all, Jon thought, with a fury he did not let reach his face.
Eddard and Robert were shouting sothing at each other, but Jon did not hear them.
I will do what must be done.
"Maester Bart, send word to all my vassals. Their liege lord is calling the banners. War is upon us."
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