(Third Person POV)
"Your Grace, did I hear you correctly?" Lord Tywin Lannister stepped forth, "You want to...what?"
They were in the Small Council Room, having discussed many things. It had been around a week or so since the attack on the Red Keep. Aerys Targaryen was enraged about the implication that someone had orchestrated the attempt on his life and put a halt to any marriage discussion that the Noble Houses had come for.
Aerys was sitting on his chair, "You heard me." He said seriously, "I want to legitimize Ellion Rivers."
The Lords who were summoned looked at each other with a bit of surprise, uneasy about the entire thing.
Steffon Baratheon cleared his throat, "The Rivers boy, hm?" He said, "Are you certain of this decision, Your Grace? Make no mistake, we are not against it. But after Knighting him not too long ago at the Tourney of Lannisport, many would think that legitimizing him would be too much."
"Legitimizing a bastard who does not deserve it would prove to be a wrong choice." Tywin said, "If I may speak, Your Grace. I do not recommend doing such a thing."
Aerys narrowed his eyes, "He not only proved himself to be a capable fighter, he stepped forward to defend my home when all of you imbeciles were absent from the Red Keep." He said, a bit of contempt in his tone, "Ellion does in fact deserve it. And last I checked, Tywin, you are not the Hand of The King."
Tywin's face hardened, "I see." He said, "With respect, why would you tell this to us."
Leyton Hightower was stroking his beard, "I suppose His Grace would like something from us."
"You're correct." Aerys said while crossing his arms, "Each of you will provide an offering to Ser Ellion."
Lord Leyton raised an eyebrow, "An offering?"
"Did I fucking stutter?" Aerys scowled, "Because you lot were absent, the Red Keep was attacked! Especially you, Steffon! I can understand Leyton and Tywin, they were hunting down the outlaws in the Kingswood, but I do not recall telling them to do that. So, because Ellion handled the situation while my vassal Lords were gone, I will have each house make him an offering. Gold, jewelry, horses, I do not give a fuck. I will legitimize him and grant him lands while you give him something worth the trouble."
Tywin cleared his throat, "But, Your Grace...." He started, "This is-"
"Are you going to defy my order, Tywin?" Aerys leaned forward, "Is that what this is?"
Tywin shook his head, "No." He said, "Of course not."
"Be fortunate that I am not commanding for any of you to hand over your daughter's hand to Ellion." Aerys said, "Well, not like Steffon has a daughter to offer. But you have one, Tywin. She's young, but in a few years, she can be a potent bride. Leyton has many daughters, does he not?"
Leyton looked at him, "Your Grace, one of my daughters is promised to Mace Tyrell." He said, "And-"
"That doesn't matter to me." Aerys said, "If I were to give her hand to Ellion, would you do anything about it?"
Leyton shook his head, "No, Your Grace."
"Here is my Declaration." Aerys said, grabbing a parchment and began to write, "I am to Legitimize Ellion Rivers due to his actions in defending the Red Keep. I am also to send a raven to every House in the Riverlands, demanding the father of Ellion to step forth and claim him."
"Very well." Steffon said, "We are not opposed to this, Your Grace."
"Mayhaps you aren't." Aerys said, "But I know Tywin is. The reason you all came here is to provide marriage proposals for my son, Rhaegar. Tywin, do you truly think I will have your Cersei marry my Heir? You are mistaken. Rhaegar has shown interest in Princess Elia Martell."
Tywin looked at him, "A Dornish?" He said, "Your Grace, that is-"
"What? Ridiculous?" Aerys asked, "My Grandfather's mother was a Dayne; she was Dornish. And His Grandmother was a Martell. It is not too ridiculous to consider, do not start any shite."
"Princess Elia Martell?" Leyton Hightower asked, "It may be true that House Targaryen and House Martell have some history of intermarriages, but the Houses currently will not accept that. There might be some backlash regarding that. I mean, with both actions."
"I do not care." Aerys said, finishing up writing, "I will legitimize Ellion and declare Princess Elia as my son's betrothed. So do me a favor and do as I fucking say."
Tywin's face hardened, "Very well."
"There will be changes, I hope you lot are prepared." Aerys said,
"Be sure to accept them."
*******************
"Legitimized?" Ellion said as he was sitting down on a chair in his chambers, "The King said that?"
Rhaegar had walked in to relay the information he had received. He found Ellion simply in his chambers, sitting down and doing nothing. The Prince found this to be odd, since Ellion was almost always in the training yard, working on his skills.
The Prince nodded, "Yes." He said, "That is what His Grace said."
There was no reaction on Ellion's face, he simply sat there and leaned on his arm.
"Huh." He said, "How about that."
Rhaegar raised an eyebrow, "That is all the reaction I get from you?" He said, "This is good news."
"Oh no." Ellion said, "I agree. I think that is great news, I just didn't think that the King would legitimize me so soon."
"So soon?" Rhaegar asked, "You've planned for him to legitimize you?"
"Well, I was going to ask him to do so after I won some great battle or did some big deed." Ellion said, "But I suppose that he can do what he wants."
"Another step completed. All I need to do is keep waiting and go along with any of this." Ellion thought to himself, "Everything is going according to plan, a bit too smoothly."
"Well, he's going to announce it officially." Rhaegar said, "He will also send word to the Riverlands and command your Father or his House to claim you. Do you know who would that be?"
Ellion shrugged, "Not really." He said, "I don't know my parents, I was an orphan bastard, that is all."
"Hm...." Rhaegar said, "Well, it would be best if you figure that out."
Ellion nodded, "Alright." He said,
"I'll figure it out."