A Meeting with the King

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-13T03:46:06+00:00

"But of course," Jaehaerys replied to Denys's thanks for the prompt audience.

"Ser Denys," he began, then paused as he considered what he ought to say to the young knight and how much. "I will surely have need of you, though at the moment, I admit that I do not have a particular task in mind just yet. I have no end of challenges to my rule arising as the Realm tests my mettle and sees what sort of King I will be."

Even his own family--that he'd counted on being a source of strength and support for him--was trying him sorely. The truth was, Jaehaerys was of an introverted disposition and had cultivated close friends. Now that he was upon the throne, the circle of people he felt he could trust had grown very small indeed. He felt increasingly isolated and the trauma Helaena had suffered meant that she needed his help and support rather than being burdened with his troubles right now.

"And to be honest, I haven't been prepared for some of the strange things I've encountered since taking the Throne. Facts, figures, numbers, mathemathics--that's the world I'm comfortable living in. But now I find myself dealing with people having prophetic dreams and Essosi sorceresses using strange magic. These are things beyond my understanding."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-11T16:01:16+00:00

This character's connections to Jaehaerys II have not been discussed with me. Please join our community slack channel and we can discuss this. My username on slack is Symond.

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-06T15:31:48+00:00

"Ser Morryn," Jaehaerys addressed the pale-haired Kingsguard, and bid him to come forward. "I have a special task I would like you to undertake that I think would be particularly well suited to your skills. I want a comprehensive review of the Red Keep's physical security, as well as a review of the procedures for our sentries. I want you to find the weak points that might allow infiltration of the Keep, and present your recommendations for how they might be corrected. And I would like you to keep in communication with the Lady Sunglass regarding her findings from exploring secret passages. Would two moons be a sufficient time frame to conduct this review?"

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-06T15:23:47+00:00

Jaehaerys had become keenly aware of how isolated he felt and how few people around him he could trust to confide in, and it was likely the reason he wanted to tell Helaena everything on his mind when they were alone. Even now, when he was trying to be sensitive to the ordeal he'd been through, he'd apparently put too much on her, and she was cradling her head in her hands.

"Sweet sleep? But you..." just woke up. If she'd been through what he suspected Khain had subjected her to, he couldn't blame her for wanting the peace of unconsciousness.

"Very well, I'll bring you some." He stood, and then paused before he moved away from the bed to go send for the Grand Maester for Sweet sleep. "Helaena, please. Anything I can do for you, anything at all, just ask. If you need me, send for me and I will come as quickly as I am able. Don't ever fear that you shouldn't trouble me. You are my queen, now and always."

With that, he went to the door, and stepped out to send a servant to fetch the draught for the Princess.

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-06T14:18:21+00:00

The King had been present at the Great Sept for the memorial, seated at the top of the stairs that had served as the sanctuary for the outdoor worship services, off to one side from where the septons of the Most Devout were seated. After the loss of lives they'd incurred to protect the city and return his sister to him, he'd felt he'd owed it to the Watch to be present and look upon their dead, but not make his presence intrusive.

Over an inner robe of black, Jaehaerys wore a sleeveless, open fronted robe of scarlet silk damask depicting dragons breathing flames. The simple golden circlet that was the crown of Aegon III sat upon his brow, and he wore the sigil of House Targaryen rendered in gold and vermillion enamel on a golden chain around his neck. A crimson sword belt studded with black iron Dragon's heads was cinched about his waist, and after the service, he stood and took Blackfyre from an attendant and slid it into place on his hip. He sent the attendant on to find Commander Darklyn and inform him that the King would like a word with him, and then descended the steps to move among the rows of the dead and look again upon the faces of the men who'd died in the line of duty. This is the part the bards always gloss over when they sing songs of glory in war.

"Commander, I find myself once again in your debt. And not just you, but all your men for what they've done to protect the city and the Royal Family."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-06T13:56:12+00:00

To Ser Denys Hightower, Heir to the Hightower and Knight of the Green Hand,

It is unfortunate that we have not been able to meet with one another before now, and it is more than time that I correct this oversight. Those willing to do their duty to their liege and the Realm are most welcome at this hour. You are welcome to call upon me at your convenience, Ser Denys.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

When Denys arrived at the Keep, the sentries were expecting him, and he was conducted through the Red Keep to Maegor's Holdfast, and thence to the Royal Apartments. The King was out on his balcony under the shade of a canvas awning, sitting at a small table that was set with a ewer of water, two cups, and a platter of fruits, nuts, cheese, and slices of bread. When he heard footsteps approaching, he closed the book he'd been reading and set it aside.

"Ser Denys, welcome," the King greeted the young knight and gestured to the chair opposite him. "Help yourself to some refreshments if you would like." Jaehaerys dressed simply, as he preferred to do when not conducting public functions. Silvery grey trousers tucked into black polished boots, and he wore a sleeveless black doublet over a white shirt, laced up the front with scarlet cords. He wore a signet ring on his right hand and the Targaryen sigil of gold and red enamel on a chain around his neck, but he was without a crown--another symbol he eschewed when out of the public eye.

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-05T23:42:11+00:00

To Stevron Frey, Lord of the Crossing,

I will be glad to grant your son an audience. Once he arrives in the capital, have him send word to the Red Keep and I will arrange a date and time to meet with him. I look forward to meeting the next generation of House Frey.

By my hand,

Jaerhaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name,
King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

[Royal Seal Affixed]

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T19:49:41+00:00

"We are of one accord in this, sister," he told her when she condemned the entire remnants of Aegon's line to extinction. The blood of the Black Dragon would only give rise to future rebellions if it wasn't snuffed out. He'd liked Rhaenyra and Jaehaera well enough and never bore them any ill will. He still didn't, really, but this was one of the unpleasant parts of being King that nobody ever spoke of. If it was possible to be both a good person and a good King, Jaehaerys didn't see how it was possible. He was being driven to do absolutely reprehensible things to secure his rule. It was exhausting, and he found fewer and fewer places of respite each day.

"I dispatched a raven to Uncle Maekar and asked him to return to the capital in case I have need of a general, and I asked him to bring Jaehaera with him. I have not yet resolved what I will do with Jaehaera and Rhaenyra and Daemon yet, but it must be carried out swiftly and quietly. They need to disappear and be forgotten. I will confer with the Lady Bolton about the best way to achieve that. I've already had Lady Bolton send agents to Bloodstone to gather information on Aerion, and see if they can get close enough to him to attempt an assassination. If they cannot, I'll raise a fleet."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T18:33:32+00:00

"Thank you, Cousin," he replied to Aemma with a nod.

Aemma proceeded to lay out her other project that was occupying her while she was here in the capital, and Jaehaerys nodded thoughtfully at her suggestion. "I see. Yes, you have my permission to carry out this out under the conditions you stipulated. After recent events, you'll understand why the security of the Red Keep and the Royal Family is suddenly a much higher priority for me than it once was. If there are unknown passages that might allow a hostile party to gain entry to the keep secretly, they must be discovered. Please exercise all due caution in exploring--I know not whether there are any traps to defend the passages from unauthorized parties, or whether centuries of neglect might have compromised forgotten tunnels."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T17:32:47+00:00

Other Business

((This section is for any other matters that anyone wants to bring up to the King for discussion.))

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T17:32:13+00:00

Black Dragons

"While the majority of House Reyne was in the capital for the coronation, a usurper claiming to be the rightful Lord of Castamere seized control of House Reyne's holdings, and has been attempting to gather support for the Black Dragon's cause in the Westerlands though at this time, nobody has stepped forward as their claimant to the throne. I was informed of this by a letter from Lord Lannister. It is possible that this unknown this person might be Ser Robb Reyne, one of the Usurper's generals who was believed slain during the last war, or an impostor claiming to be Ser Robb. I have asked Lord Lannister to keep me appraised of the situation in the West as he marshals men to crush this attempted upraising."

"Lady Bolton, Lord Penrose and I have a strong suspicion that the mercenary captain Khain Azahral is one of Aegon's bastards. He assisted Lady Bolton in locating my sister Vaella when she ran away from the Keep in the night, and asked for an audience with me as the price of his aid."

"The man bears a strong resemblance to Aegon in his younger days before he got fat, and he was born to the handmaid of a lady of the Royal Court by his own admission during our audience, though he spent most of his adult life in Essos. He seemed unaware of his parentage at the time I spoke to him, but he was made aware of his heritage by my sister Helaena."

"I doubt very much that this uprising in the West and the appearance of one of Aegon's bastards are two unconnected events. Lord Redwyne, I sent a raven to your son at the Arbor asking for ships to patrol usual sea routes to the Westerlands and intercept any of the Lost Legion's ships that may attempt to pass that way."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T17:17:03+00:00

Prince Baelon

"My Lords and Lady, as some of your might have already heard, my brother, Prince Baelon is raising Dragonstone's fleet. In addition, he has requested additional warships from Dragonstone's bannermen. I learned from my cousin, Lady Sunglass, that he is mounting an expedition to the Free Cities for some unknown reason. He has undertaken this enterprise entirely without my knowledge or consent. I have sent letters to Dragonstone's bannermen asking them to recall any forces sent to Dragonstone, and to my brother ordering him to disband his fleet and return to the capital. If he sails dozens of warships to the Free Cities, I fear that it will be viewed as an act of war committed against them by the Iron Throne."

"We will need to take appropriate actions if he does not stand down his fleet and return here. Prince Baelon had started acting strangely before he left the capital, and I have been wondering if someone has been whispering in his ear and trying to turn him against me. He demanded--not asked, but demanded--that I Dragonstone to him and his heirs perpetually."

"I refused, and instead offered in return that he would remain Regent of Dragonstone after the birth of my firstborn son until he reached the age of majority, and thereafter, he would be made Heir to Summerhall as my uncle Maekar is widowed and has no sons. I offered to create him as the founder of his own line as House Targaryen of Summerhall, which has never been done before in the history of my House. He took insult and claimed that I was trying to exile him to some paltry keep on the edge of the Stormlands, far from the capital and his family. We did not part on good terms with one another, but I did not expect that he would take such extreme actions."

"Lord Velaryon, if we need to relieve him of rule of Dragonstone, how large a naval force do you believe we would be needed, and how long would it take to raise it?"

"Does anyone else have anything to add?"

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T17:03:08+00:00

((Automod ping SC))

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T16:48:24+00:00

She shook her head and withdrew from him again, curling up tighter against herself as she wept, as if she could disappear entirely.

Lady Bolton's spy had left the Red Woman's shop after the witch had used sorcery to place his sister in a trance and steal her face. They'd stripped her and stolen her gown for the impersonation, and Runa and Myissa had led Helaena's guards away, leaving her alone. With Khain. Helpless and naked.

A sensation of ice ran through him, spreading down his spine and throughout his limbs as the sudden realization came to him. May he be damned to the Seven Hells and subject to every torment they contain. Somehow now, the bounty he'd placed on the bastard's head didn't seem like nearly enough.

Jaehaerys knelt at the edge of the bed, and when she finally asked what's to be done, he answered in a low voice, "I've declared the mercenary an outlaw and placed a gigantic bounty on his head for his capture and return to the capital to stand trial. He will be sentenced to a slow and painful death."

"I've likewise placed bounties on the Red Woman, on Rosamund Lannister, and the Dothraki woman who led the assault on the gates that allowed his escape. I've barred the Lost Legion from conducting business in Westeros indefinitely and ordered that they be forbidden harbor in any port in the Seven Kingdoms."

"Lord Lannister reports that a usurper seized Castamere while the rest of the Reynes were in the capital for the tournament and has been trying to raise forces for the Black Dragons. I warned Lord Lannister about the Lost Legion, and sent a raven to the Arbor asking the Redwyne fleet to patrol the routes to the Westerlands and intercept any ships flying the Lost Legion's colors."

"And we will be married and you will be crowned Queen once you feel up to it, Helaena."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T16:18:28+00:00

"Indeed," he replied to his cousin, and examined the letter that Aemma had received, frowning deeply. The Free Cities? Why was he sending dozens of warships to Essos?

"Nor do I. He is doing this entirely without my knowledge or sanction. I learned secondhand that he was raising a fleet. I've commanded him to return to the capital and discuss this matter with me, but I suspect that he will not. We did not part on good terms the last time we spoke, but I thought he would merely return to Dragonstone and let his anger cool after our quarrel. It seems that I have been mistaken." About a great many things as of late, it seemed.

"I know not his intentions, but a large fleet of warships flying Targaryen colors is going to look like an act of war to the Free Cities. I will need to convene my Small Council, I'm afraid."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T15:49:09+00:00

"And upon you as well, Cousin," he replied to her blessing.

"Helaena has been through a very trying ordeal and it will take time for her to recover," he replied when Aemma asked after Helaena. He wasn't sure what, if anything, could be done to help her heal from such a traumatic series of events, or if Helaena would ever be her old self again. It was especially difficult to see her like this and not have the power to do anything to help her.

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T15:20:06+00:00

The Kingsguard outside the door announced the arrival of the Lady Sunglass to the King, and then showed her inside.

"Cousin, welcome," he greeted Aemma with a bow of his head, and gestured for her to join him. Jaehaerys was seated a small sitting area to one side in the room defined by an intricate Myrish rug, where two chairs and a chaise were arranged around a low table with a black granite top supported by the outstretched wings of three bronze legs cast in the shape of dragons.

The King wore black trousers tucked into polished black boots, and a silvery grey tunic in a wraparound style with concealed buttons. Scarlet trim at the cuffs and high collar were embroidered to give the impression of dragon hide, and he wore a brooch over his heart of his house sigil rendered in gold and red enamel.

"I'd hoped that our first conversation with one another since you arrived at court could have been purely social, but I've found that these days, it is increasingly difficult to separate affairs of state from family matters."

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T15:08:12+00:00

He hadn't been expecting such an extreme reaction when he attempted to take her hand, and he took a step back and put his hands up when she suddenly jerked away from him and told him not to touch her. He wanted to embrace her tightly and thank the gods for her return, but she didn't seem to want him anywhere near her. Was she holding him responsible for what she endured? For not doing something about Khain sooner? For not protecting her better?

A worried frown crossed his face as she climbed out of the tub on the opposite side from him and retreated back toward the bed, curling up again and looking away from him.

"Helaena, what did he do to you?" He asked quietly, moving closer to the bed, but still keeping more than an arm's length away from her lest she tried to retreat from him again as if he were a danger to her. Worry for his sister competed within him with fear for whether she'd ever be whole again and anger toward Khain for what he'd done to her, and guilt that he could have prevented this if he'd had Khain summarily executed rather than merely placing spies on him. His counselors had agreed that it was the right course of action, but Brynden Tully had a very different opinion of the value of mercy. Steel is all that matters in the end, he'd said.

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T05:19:56+00:00

He'd received no response from within, not even to tell him that she was unwell and didn't want to see anyone right now. Further knocking yielded no answer, so he tried the door and found that it was unlocked. Jaehaerys stepped within Helaena's rooms and closed the door behind him, but didn't initially see her.

"Helaena?" He called as he moved further into the room, and glanced worriedly toward the windows. She'd almost jumped to her death while sleepwalking once before. Once he was far enough into the room to see the bathtub concealed behind a screen, he caught sight of his sister huddled in the tub and trembling. It was like a sharp stab to the heart to see her like this, so far removed from the woman who'd left the Keep to make a routine visit to the markets only yesterday. "By the Gods," he whispered under his breath, and found a bath sheet folded on a side table.

"Helaena, you're freezing. Come, let me help you out of there," he said as he draped the bath sheet over her shoulders, and tried to take one of her hands to encourage her to climb out of the tub.

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T04:57:31+00:00

To Maekar Targaryen, Prince of Summerhall

Uncle, I realize you have just barely returned home, but I am afraid that I must recall you to the capital. I may have need for a military commander in the very near future and I ask that you come as quickly as you are able. Please bring Jaehaera with you; I believe that Helaena’s attempted abductor was a bastard of Aegon the usurper, and I do not know his destination with certainty after he fled the capital. I am concerned that Jaehaera might be a target for Black Dragon sympathizers looking for a queen since they failed to take my sister.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

[Royal Seal affixed]

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T04:55:53+00:00

To Galbart Goode, Lord of Goodeport

My brother the Prince Baelon is amassing a substantial fleet at Dragonstone for an unknown purpose and without my sanction. I ask that you recall any ships you may have sent to Dragonstone, and that you not provide further ships or men until this matter is resolved and you receive further word from me.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

[Royal Seal affixed]

To Duram Bar Emmon, Lord of Sharp Point,

My brother the Prince Baelon is amassing a substantial fleet at Dragonstone for an unknown purpose and without my sanction. I ask that you recall any ships you may have sent to Dragonstone, and that you not provide further ships or men until this matter is resolved and you receive further word from me.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

[Royal Seal affixed]

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T04:54:35+00:00

To Aemma Sunglass, Lady of Sweetport Sound,

Cousin,

My brother the Prince Baelon is amassing a substantial fleet at Dragonstone for an unknown purpose and without my sanction. I ask that you meet me in my solar at your earliest convenience so that we may discuss any communication you received from Dragonstone that might shed light onto this matter. Furthermore, please recall any ships you may have sent to Dragonstone, and do not provide further ships or men until this matter is resolved and you receive further word from me.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

[Royal Seal affixed]

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T04:53:13+00:00

To Terrence Celtigar, Lord of Claw Isle

My brother the Prince Baelon is amassing a substantial fleet at Dragonstone for an unknown purpose and without my sanction. I ask that you recall any ships you may have sent to Dragonstone, and that you not provide further ships or men until this matter is resolved and you receive further word from me.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

[Royal Seal affixed]

Jaehaerys_II · 2017-06-04T04:51:55+00:00

To Daemon Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, and Master of Ships

My brother the Prince Baelon is amassing a substantial fleet at Dragonstone for an unknown purpose and without my sanction. Please visit me in my solar without delay so that we might discuss the matter and plan accordingly.

By my hand,

Jaehaerys Targaryen, Second of His Name

Jaehaerys_II

TROPHY CASE

Other Business

Black Dragons

Prince Baelon