The Black Star
Lord Aelyr Dayne, Starfall
“Dawn, my lord Dayne.” Ser Eddard Stark held the great sword out to him with a tired expression and with a bit of apprehension.
'He thinks I would use it to kill him,' Lord Aelyr Dayne thought while clenching his jaw, glancing at the assembled men in front of him. 'As if I would sully our ancestral blade with the blood of this Oathbreaker.' Of course, Aelyr did concede that his reputation was probably a factor in things. He didn't earn the name Black Star just because he was born with dark hair unlike his siblings. Not to mention that he now lost both of his siblings and good father to these people.
Aelyr grasped Dawn by the middle with one hand and handed it to one of his guards, “You know where that goes.” He murmured then dismissed the man with a wave. Aelyr turned to his wife and took the pot she was holding from her. He removed the lid covering it and plucked one of the rolls of bread from it.
“Your salted bread,” Aelyr took a bite from the piece he took and held out the pot to Eddard. Aelyr almost rolled his eyes as the younger man still hesitated. “If I wanted any of you dead, I wouldn't have let you into my home. I would have let you roast in the heat.”
His words had meant to be reassuring but his tone had been flat, bordering on harsh. The men in front of tensed and he sighed.
“I assume we have a lot to discuss,” He said directly to Lord Rickard. “Your men can eat with mine near the armory. And the babe you brought could use some shade.” He nodded at the woman holding an infant. He didn't bother to mention the Maester.
How did this band of rebels come across a woman and a babe? Why bring them here? There was nothing remarkable about...his eyes narrowed as he got a good look at the babe's eyes and hair. 'Oh Rhaegar, you mad bastard.'
“If you're not going to come in, then please state whatever business you have left and leave peacefully.”
Eddard Stark took the pot and a piece of bread and bit into it. He handed it to one of the others and it was passed around. Lord Rickard Stark came up to him with a chest after he had taken his bread.
“Ser Arthur's bones.” He said quietly
“You have my thanks,” Aelyr said flatly, taking the chest from the Northmen. He moved to hand the chest to one of the guards but he paused and turned back, “Which one of you slayed my brother?”
“It was I,” Lord Stark answered. “He fought with honor.”
'Did you?' Aelyr thought with anger though he kept such thoughts from showing on his face. 'At least Stark had the balls to face me, I can give him that much.'
His wife, Princess Leona, had watched everything silently but no one could deny that she was angry and above all, grieving, “Where are my father's bones?” She demanded harshly.
“His grace King Robert will have them sent here with the utmost care.” Ser Barristan replied quietly, looking at her with pity. Leona looked at him as if he were a bug that she wanted to squash.
“I'll believe it when I see it, Oathbreaker.” She snapped at him before turning to her husband. “I will take my leave husband. The stench of treachery is rife in the air and it overwhelms me.”
She left before Aelyr could respond, one of the guards following behind. Aelyr gave no outward reaction, he just handed the chest in his hands to another guard.
“Take it to Maester Jargar, tell him to prepare my brother's place in the crypt.” Now wasn't the time to grieve, now was the time for business. “This way, my lords,” Aelyr called over his shoulder and started walking towards Orion's Shield, the dining area of Starfall, named after his ancestor Orion Dayne.
Aelyr cut into his meat before eying Eddard Stark who sat silently by his father. The meal was awkward by any standard but Aelyr couldn't bring himself to care.
“She loved you,” He said suddenly to the future Warden of the North. “Ashara, I mean. Did you feel the same?”
“I did,” Ned admitted quietly and then even quieter. “I still do. And I am sorry to hear that she passed.”
Lord Rickard gave his son a small look of sympathy. The others at the table said nothing but Ser Barristan had a gimlet look in his eye. Aelyr snorted derisively.
“You have a funny way of showing it, Ser Stark.” Aelyr put his cutlery down and narrowed his eyes. “My sister gave everything to you. Her soul, her love...her body. You promised to make her your wife but you didn't. You had one of the brightest stars to ever exist and you settled for a damn fish.”
“Whatever grievances you have with me, I would ask you to leave my wife out of it,” Ned Stark stared at him with tired and sad eyes but he spoke firmly.
“You are in my home, at my expense, Ser, I'll speak however I like.” Aelyr spat back before he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I will not make any harsh demands of you, but you will pay for what you have done.”
“Talk of payment should be made to me, I am his father and the lord of his house.” Rickard Stark reminded him calmly.
“But you shouldn't be made to pay for the stupidity of your son, Lord Stark,” Came the cool counter from Aelyr. “And I already swore to my sister that her son would know his father.”
“I-I have a son,” Eddard sputtered in shock.
“A healthy one, his name is Jonothor although he answers to Jon all the same.” He turned to Rickard. “How many bastard grandchildren does that make for you, Lord Rickard. Two? Three?” His eyes drifted to the babe being held protectively by the lone woman amongst them.
“I only have two bastard grandchildren. Markus by my son Brandon and now Jonothor,” Lord Rickard's face became rather pinched. Whether it was because of what he said or what he hadn't said, Aelyr wasn't sure.
“Then this one is true borne,” Aelyr's eyes flickered between the babe and the Warden of the North. “Those two selfish fools got married.” It wasn't a question and he did not expect an answer.
He snorted, “Rhaegar made sure that his precious she wolf was protected but couldn't be bothered to do the same for his first wife and their children. Disgusting.” He muttered and leaned back into his chair. He stared at Eddard for a few moments.
“She looks like you Ser,” Aelyr reached for his cup as he decided to give them a way out in case they didn't have one. “There is no trace of my sister in her but hopefully she will be just as beautiful. Congratulations on your children, Jonothor and Lyarra, Ser Eddard of house Stark.”
He raised his cup in salute to the surprise of them all except the Crannog lord, Howland Reed. Aelyr was angry at the mistreatment of his sister and his wife's cousin Elia, but he didn't want this babe to suffer for the mistakes of her parents. He would see her live as happily as she could and should she wish to claim the throne, he would help her if only to avenge all the lives lost.
He would get the full story later but for now, this would be enough.
The others raised their cups and he received two cautious but grateful looks. Don't thank me just yet, He thought.
“There are demands I have, of course.” Aelyr continued after everyone drank from their cups.
“Name them.”
“Both my niece and nephew will be treated respectfully. I do not expect you to treat them better than the rest of your grandchildren but they will not be cast aside like dirty rags.”
“Granted,” Rickard Stark seemed impressed that Aelyr already adopted the facade so easily. Aelyr was a bit nervous about the others but considering they didn't seem to be surprised about the babes origins, they must have sworn to keep it quiet.
“I expect Jonothor to return to Dorne when he is a man grown,” This next part would be a hard sell to his wife but he would see his nephew be given what he needed. “Whether he is a member of the Hersir or not is irrelevant. He will be given High Hermitage all the same.”
“Is that wise,” Eddard asked him with a frown. “That castle usually belonged to a Dayne.”
“And it will, even if his name is anything but Dayne.” Don't make this anymore difficult you fool. The castle was supposed to be given to his son Lewyn and his wife would raise all kinds of hell over this. “It is big enough for Jonothor and whatever friends he makes should he feel the need to bring them. Big enough to support a family even.”
The reception from the two Starks was mixed at best. They probably thought to keep him in the North and give him land there. That would have been acceptable but Aelyr wanted him here where he could be watched. He was the last piece of his sister and Aelyr wouldn't part from him easily.
“I expect a good match for Lyarra and as much protection as possible. Whether she comes here is up to her entirely. I have nothing to give her other than my support and love.”
The space between the lines were easily read but hopefully he left it ambiguous enough in his declarations.
“Is that all, Lord Dayne?”
“As far as demands go, yes. There is still one more thing however.” Aelyr turned to the guard near the door. “Bring my nephew and the gift my sister left for lord Stark and his son.” The guard nodded his head and left.
The others stared at him in confusion but he merely sipped his juice. When the guard returned with what was requested both Rickard Stark and his son shot to their feet, their chairs were launched away from them and crashed to the floor. The sudden noise scared the babe who made his displeasure known.
“What is the meaning of this?” Rickard Stark demanded when he stared at the man holding whom he presumed was his other grandson.
The person lifted his chin, and the rope burns there were more visible. His face was scarred but his grey eyes shone brightly.
“Hello father,” Brandon Stark rasped, bouncing their shared nephew to calm him. “I am happy to see you.”
Unknown to them all, Princess Leona had heard the entire thing from her hiding spot. She grit her teeth to keep from speaking but she silently vowed that all these traitors would pay, especially her husband.