The rumors reached the Red Keep long before Rickard Stark and Rhaella Targaryen ever did.
By the time their procession entered King's Landing through the city gates, at least six different versions of the story were already spreading through taverns, markets, and noble manors alike.
One tale claimed the Queen Mother had been kidnapped by Lord Stark. Another insisted she had secretly married and eloped with Lord Stark. That version remained surprisingly popular.
Inside the Red Keep, however, rumors held little value.
The royal court dealt in facts.
The royal family already knew Rhaella was pregnant. Rhaegar knew. Elia knew. Aegon and Rheanys knew.
What none of them knew was the identity of the father.
That revelation arrived with a breathless messenger who burst into the throne room and immediately dropped to one knee.
"Your Grace, Lord Rickard Stark and Queen Mother have arrived."
The announcement earned little reaction.
Then the messenger continued.
"They are holding hands."
Several eyebrows rose.
Interesting, perhaps, but hardly shocking.
Then the man swallowed nervously.
"And apparently they are married."
The throne room exploded.
"What?"
"Married?"
"When?"
The poor messenger looked utterly bewildered by the reaction.
Even the Kingsguard appeared stunned.
Prince Aegon blinked several times before looking up at his father.
"Grandmother married Lord Stark?"
Beside him, Princess Rhaenys immediately brightened.
"Oh, that's romantic."
Jon Connington buried his face in his hands.
Tywin Lannister stared into the distance with the expression of a man reconsidering every assumption he had made about the future.
The Hand of the King suddenly looked very tired.
As for Rhaegar, he simply sighed.
Of all the possibilities male he had considered about his mother's pregnancy, this had never once crossed his mind.
The great doors of the throne room opened moments later.
Lord Rickard Stark entered first.
The Lord of Winterfell walked with the same steady confidence he had carried all his life. Behind him came Rhaella Targaryen, followed closely by Viserys and Daenerys.
The moment the Queen Mother entered the hall, every eye immediately drifted toward her stomach.
There was no hiding it anymore. The pregnancy was obvious.
Whispers spread throughout the court like wildfire.
Rickard ignored every single one of them.
The old Stark walked directly toward the Iron Throne and stopped before it. Then, in front of the entire court, he lowered himself to one knee.
"My king."
Seated upon the Iron Throne, Rhaegar studied him carefully before speaking.
"Rise, Lord Stark."
Rickard obeyed.
Beside him, Rhaella remained standing. No one found that unusual. She was the king's mother. No one expected her to kneel before her own son.
For several moments, the hall remained silent.
Finally, Rhaegar rubbed his forehead.
"Would you care to explain?"
Rickard nodded once.
"Aye."
His voice was calm and steady.
"I married Rhaella."
This time the court erupted entirely.
Several lords nearly choked.
One elderly noblewoman actually dropped her fan.
Tywin Lannister, surprisingly, looked impressed.
Rickard continued before anyone could interrupt.
"I did not know she carried my child until recently."
Beside him, Rhaella rolled her eyes.
Several people nearby noticed as well.
The reaction drew a few amused smiles.
"But once I learned the truth," Rickard continued, his voice becoming firmer, "there was only one honorable choice."
That statement silenced many critics before they could speak.
No one in the Seven Kingdoms doubted Rickard Stark's honor.
Not his allies.
Not his rivals.
Not even his enemies.
"I married her," he said simply. Then he turned slightly toward Rhaella. "And I am very happy with my marriage."
For the first time since entering the throne room, Rhaella smiled. Not the polite smile expected of royalty.
A bright smile.
That single expression answered more questions than any speech ever could.
Rhaegar watched her quietly before finally asking the one question that truly mattered.
"Are you happy?"
The question surprised nearly everyone.
Rhaella answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Rhaegar studied her for another moment before slowly nodding.
Then he rose from the Iron Throne.
The entire hall fell silent.
"As King of the Seven Kingdoms," he announced, "I recognize and approve the marriage between Lord Rickard Stark and my mother, Rhaella Stark."
A collective breath escaped the court.
The matter was settled.
The king himself approved.
And once the king had spoken, there was very little anyone else could say.
A faint smile appeared on Rhaegar's face.
"You should have sent a letter."
For the first time all afternoon, Rickard actually looked embarrassed.
"It happened rather quickly."
Laughter spread through the hall.
Even Rhaegar chuckled.
"I assume the Queen of Narnia had something to do with this."
"Very involved," Viserys answered immediately.
That explanation required no further details.
Rhaegar descended from the Iron Throne and approached them. To the surprise of many nobles, he embraced his mother first.
"I am glad you are well."
Rhaella's expression softened.
"And I am glad you finally stopped worrying."
Then Rhaegar turned to Rickard.
"Welcome to the family."
The old Stark visibly relaxed.
After that, the formal atmosphere quickly dissolved.
Viserys and Daenerys immediately rushed toward their nephew and neice.
Aegon practically launched himself at Viserys.
"You came back!"
"Did you bring gifts?"
Viserys laughed.
"Of course."
That answer earned immediate approval.
Nearby, Rhaenys wrapped Daenerys in a tight hug.
"You stayed away forever."
"It wasn't forever."
"It felt like forever."
Elia watched the reunion with a smile. For a brief moment, her family felt complete again.
Before everyone could leave, however, Rhaegar gestured toward several waiting servants.
"Bring the gifts."
Large chests were carried into the throne room.
Rickard raised an eyebrow.
"What is this?"
"A wedding gift."
When the chests were opened, gold gleamed throughout the hall.
Thousands of golden dragons.
Fine silks.
Jewelry.
Rare cloth imported from distant lands.
Enough wealth to impress even powerful noble houses.
Rhaella looked horrified.
"Rhaegar."
"It is done."
"You don't need—"
"You are my mother."
That ended the discussion immediately.
Even Rickard knew better than to interfere.
Eventually the royal family departed for their private gathering.
The Small Council remained behind.
The moment the doors closed, Jon Connington pointed accusingly at Rhaegar.
"You knew!"
Rhaegar sighed.
"You knew the Queen Mother was pregnant."
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell us."
"No."
The council looked deeply offended.
"It is a family matter."
That single statement killed the argument instantly.
The Small Council governed the realm.
It did not govern the king's mother's marriage.
One by one, the complaints faded.
Elsewhere in the Red Keep, preparations were already being made for a much smaller gathering.
The family gathering was far more relaxed than the formal court audience.
Well, family and a few people who had become family over the years.
The private dining hall of the Red Keep had been prepared carefully for the occasion. Long tables were covered with roasted boar, fresh fish, honeyed vegetables, fruits from Dorne, wine from the Arbor, and enough desserts to satisfy even the most spoiled prince. Rhaegar sat near the head of the table beside Elia, while Rhaella sat close to Rickard Stark. Viserys and Daenerys took one side, with Rhaenys and Aegon across from them.
The Kingsguard remained inside the hall as well, though none of them sat at the table. Arthur Dayne stood near one wall, calm and watchful as ever. Gerold Hightower remained close to the entrance, and Lewyn Martell stayed near the windows. Officially, they were guards. In truth, after so many years, they felt more like uncles who happened to carry swords.
The atmosphere became even livelier when Ellaria Sand entered.
Oberyn Martell immediately stood.
He did not care that the king was seated only a short distance away. He did not care that children were present. He did not care that half the room turned to look at him. The Prince of Dorne crossed the hall in long strides, wrapped Ellaria in his arms, and kissed her with enough passion to make several people look away.
Daenerys made a disgusted face.
"Ugh."
Viserys nearly choked on his wine.
Rhaegar sighed heavily. "Oberyn."
Oberyn finally pulled back just enough to look at him. "What?"
"You have children in this room."
"They know what kissing is."
Ellaria laughed openly, and Oberyn grinned as though he considered the entire matter a compliment. Before returning to his seat, he leaned close and whispered something into Ellaria's ear that made her laugh again.
Arthur Dayne looked toward the ceiling.
"Seven save us."
Even Lewyn Martell was struggling not to smile.
While the adults recovered from Oberyn's entrance, Aegon discovered a far more important issue. The young prince looked around the hall, searching the faces at the table with growing confusion.
"Where are my cousins?"
Daenerys turned toward him. "Which cousins?"
"Obara," Aegon said immediately. "Tyene and Nymeria."
The disappointment in his voice was genuine enough to soften several expressions around the table. Aegon had clearly been expecting a much larger reunion.
Ellaria smiled gently. "They stayed in Narnia."
"Why?"
"School."
Aegon stared at her.
"So they couldn't come because of school?"
"Yes."
The little prince looked horrified. "What kind of punishment is that?"
Laughter erupted around the table. Even Rhaella could not stop herself from smiling. Rhaenys, however, looked genuinely curious.
"What is school?"
Daenerys immediately sat up straighter, pleased to know something her niece did not.
"You sit in classrooms."
"Horrible," Aegon muttered.
"You learn reading."
"Worse."
"You learn history."
"Terrible."
"And mathematics."
Aegon looked as if someone had described torture.
Even Rickard Stark, who had spent most of his life surrounded by solemn northern halls, found himself chuckling into his cup.
Before long, the conversation naturally shifted toward Narnia. Rhaegar listened with visible interest as Viserys and Daenerys described the schools, temples, harbor, and strange customs of Telmar. Even after all he had heard from letters and reports, the place still sounded less like a kingdom and more like something from an old tale.
Rickard eventually shook his head.
"You know what surprises me most?"
Elia looked toward him. "What?"
"How quickly everything happened." The old lord glanced at Rhaella with a faintly helpless expression. "When Lyanna sent that letter, I thought someone had died."
"Instead, I arrived and found myself planning a wedding."
That earned another round of laughter.
Rickard took a long drink before continuing. "The strange part is that none of my sons know."
Rhaegar blinked. "What?"
Rickard nodded solemnly. "Eddard doesn't know. Benjen doesn't know. Brandon doesn't know."
For a moment, Rhaegar simply stared at him.
Then the king nearly laughed. "You married and forgot to tell your children?"
"I was busy," Rickard replied.
That answer only made the laughter worse. Rhaella covered her face with one hand, though her shoulders shook with amusement.
"Your sons are going to be furious," she said.
"They'll survive."
Rickard sounded completely confident.
The conversation eventually turned toward the future, and with it came the first serious disagreement of the evening. Rhaegar wanted his mother to remain in King's Landing until after the birth. He made his argument calmly at first, but everyone at the table could hear the worry beneath it.
"You shouldn't travel," he said. "The North is far away."
"I will be fine," Rhaella replied.
"You are carrying a child."
"And?"
"And you should rest."
Rickard finally intervened, his voice respectful but firm.
"My king."
Rhaegar looked toward him.
"I appreciate your concern," Rickard said. "Truly. But she is my wife now."
Rickard did not raise his voice, but something in his tone made everyone listen.
"My bannermen must meet her. The North must know. Winterfell is her home now."
Rhaella was no longer merely the Queen Mother of Westeros. She was Lady Stark now, wife of the Lord of Winterfell, and the child she carried would be of both Targaryen and Stark blood.
At last, Rhaegar sighed.
"Very well."
That seemed to settle the matter.
A sudden fluttering sound interrupted the meal.
Every head turned toward the open window as an owl flew into the hall. In Narnia, such a thing might have drawn little attention. In King's Landing, however, an owl calmly flying into a royal family dinner was strange enough to silence the room.
The bird crossed the hall and landed directly in front of Rickard Stark.
Rickard carefully removed the letter tied to the owl's leg and unfolded the parchment. He read it once.
Then his eyes widened.
He read it again.
By then, everyone at the table had noticed his expression.
Rhaegar leaned forward. "Who sent it?"
Rickard looked up slowly.
"Harry."
Even the Kingsguard became interested.
Elia placed her cup down. "What does he say?"
Rickard stared at the parchment for another moment, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and horror. Finally, he lowered the letter.
"The King of Narnia has decided to give up his claim on the Iron Islands."
The dining hall went silent.
"What?"
Rickard nodded as though he could barely believe it himself. "That is what it says."
Rhaegar extended his hand. "Give me that."
Rickard passed over the letter, and Rhaegar quickly read it. His expression changed almost immediately.
The room waited.
Elia finally asked, "What else does it say?"
Rhaegar looked up, then back down at the parchment. He read the sentence again, as if hoping the words might change.
"It says that as a wedding gift..."
Everyone leaned forward.
"...the Iron Islands will belong to the child of Rickard Stark and Rhaella Targaryen."
The room exploded.
"What?"
"The entire Iron Islands?"
Rhaegar continued reading aloud, still visibly stunned. "Commander Jorund will continue ruling the islands. He will restore order, govern the territory, and hold the islands in trust until the child reaches fifteen years of age. At that time, rulership will be handed over."
This time the silence lasted longer.
Even Oberyn looked speechless.
"That is a wedding gift?"
Lewyn Martell laughed under his breath. "I suddenly feel very poor."
Arthur Dayne shook his head. "Only Harry Gryffindor would give away an island kingdom as a wedding present."
Rhaella looked completely overwhelmed. Rickard was not much better. The old lord slowly sat down, still staring at the letter now in Rhaegar's hand.
"I knew my good-son was generous," he muttered. "But this?"
He rubbed his forehead.
"This is madness."
Rhaegar remained quiet, but inside his thoughts were moving quickly.
The Iron Islands would not return to the Greyjoys. They would not fall into the hands of the Harlaws, the Goodbrothers, or some ambitious lord waiting for opportunity. They would belong to his blood. His future half-brother or half-sister.
A child of Stark and Targaryen.
For the first time since the Iron Islands crisis began, Rhaegar felt as though the disaster might somehow resolve in a way that strengthened the realm instead of tearing it apart.
The feast continued long into the night, though no matter what topic came afterward, conversation always returned to the same astonishing truth.
A wedding had happened in Narnia.
And somewhere in Narnia, Harry Gryffindor had apparently decided that gifting an entire kingdom was a perfectly reasonable wedding present.
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