Frozen Flames: The Saga of the Ice Dragon (Completed)

Jae hurried through the hallways of the Red Keep. Ser Jaime walked behind him and as they turned a corner, Daenerys fell into step next to him, looking radiant in her azure dress.

"What do you have?" Jae asked.

"Sand. Ser Daemon Sand. He's the one you want," Daenerys said.

Over the past couple of days, he'd found his time stretched thin and so he had to turn to Daenerys to do some of the legwork. As it turned out, Daenerys had been preparing the day Jae came asking for help. "How'd you know?"

"I made sure to… test every one of them," Daenerys replied, a wicked smile gracing her lips.

Jae looked at her and wondered how many Dornishman turned into dreamers when Daenerys' violet eyes landed on them. "Anything else?"

"No." She shook her head, her silver curls bouncing. "No one's doing anything unusual. No one's asking any questions we wouldn't expect."

"The Lannisters?"

Daenerys snorted. "Cersei's tried to buy off a couple of servants. I made sure she succeeded."

"And what's she curious about?"

"Aegon and his… habits."

As it happened, Jae was curious about those too, not that he came any closer to figuring it out than Cersei. "That's not surprising." They approached the Red Keep gates and saw the crowd of nobles standing out front. "Anything else?"

"Tywin Lannister's brought a sizeable retinue with him. Almost two hundred men, maybe more."

"That's fine. Lannisters like to show off."

They slowed their pace as they stepped through the gates. "I thought the same, yes."

The entire Court stood arrayed in the courtyard of the Red Keep, prepared to welcome the Tullys and the Starks. Most nobles did not seem very happy about it. Treacherous cunts did not warrant such a grand reception in their minds and it didn't help Aegon had decided to attend this time as well.

Jae made his way through the crowd to stand by Aegon's side, Daenerys right behind him. He was keenly aware of all the looks aimed his way. The spectacle had begun and the crescendo fast approached. He liked to think he had a good idea of where all the major players stood – Arryn wanted justice, Baratheon wanted revenge and Tywin wanted his granddaughter to become Queen.

The only one who wouldn't get at least a portion of what he wanted would be Tywin, but that did not worry Jae. For all that people hailed him as a great military commander and brilliant politician, Tywin liked to hold all the cards before he made a move. He would not take major risks and jeopardize his legacy by cooking up a plot. If he were that type of a man, he'd have conspired against Aerys when he refused to marry Rhaegar to Cersei or he'd have joined Robert Baratheon in his rebellion.

But Tywin did neither because Tywin was smart enough to know that taking control of the Court wasn't the same as taking control of the Realm.

Jae had to keep those cards Lord Tywin wanted out of the Old Lion's hands. Baratheon had to be appeased, Arryn mollified. He did not worry about the Starks – his Uncle would never rebel as long as Jae lived, that much he could count on. And the Tullys alone don't mean much.

They heard the sound of hoofbeats in the distance and the gates of the Red Keep creaked open. Riders poured through, carrying the banners of the Starks and the Tullys, the grey direwolf flapping in the wind. The men he'd been waiting for followed closely after them.

The appearances of the riders confused him for a few moments, but he remember Robb Stark supposedly took after his mother. It explained why he looked so similar to Edmure Tully. Eddard Stark himself was a grim man, looking about the Red Keep with hooded eyes, examining the gathered party until his eyes settled on Jae. He had a large forehead and a sullen face, his rat-colored hair pulled back in a ponytail. He wore boiled leather like the rest of his party and had a short-cropped beard.

They all dismounted and approached Aegon, Lord Stark leading the way. Robb Stark walked right behind him, Edmure Tully at his side. Together, they all went down on one knee. The eyes of the Court turned to Aegon. Everyone must've wondered what he would do now that the biggest force behind the Rebellion stood before him, Robert Baratheon notwithstanding.

Connington had hated the man, and believed him to be the cause of Rhaegar's death on the Trident. Even after Baratheon fell, Eddard Stark continued the fight and with his northern wolves behind him, he pushed the Royal forces to the breaking point. It took the combined efforts of Ser Jonothor Darry and Prince Rhaegar to beat Stark to his knees, a feat that ultimately cost both men their lives.

"Rise, my Lords," Aegon said in a solemn voice. "Welcome to King's Landing."

The three men got back to their feet and bowed their heads. "A pleasure to be here, Your Grace."

"I'd like you to meet my sister, the Princess Rhaenys." The three of them bowed to her. "And of course, your nephew, the Prince Jaehaerys."

"It is good to meet you at last, Lord Stark," Jae said, his hands a bit clammy. He wiped them on the back of his trousers as he nodded to Robb Stark and Lord Edmure.

The stone mask on Lord Stark's face cracked and a smile shone through. "It is good to see you again, my Prince. It has been too long."

"It has indeed, my Lord," Jae replied, watching Aegon from the corner of his eye.

"Chambers have been prepared for you and your men, my Lords," Aegon spoke up. "I'm sure you're anxious to reunite with your nephew."

Lord Stark bowed his head and Aegon left the courtyard, his Kingsguard in tow. The rest of the Court, apart from those with ties to the Tullys and the Starks, quickly made themselves scarce as well.

Lord Stark stepped closer, placing his heavy hand on Jae's shoulder. "You look just like your mother, lad"

Jae smiled. "Lord Arryn seems to think I look much like you, my Lord."

A light chuckle escaped the lips of this cold Lord. "I suppose that's true." He turned back and gestured for his Heir to approach. "This is my son and Heir, Robb. The rest of my family has stayed behind in Winterfell."

A bit odd if not entirely unexpected. Though come to think of it, none of the former rebels brought anyone but their Heirs to the capital. A sign of caution, perhaps, and not entirely unwarranted either.

Jae shook hands with Robb Stark, this Tully-looking wolf with a faint auburn stubble on his cheeks. "A pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, Your Grace." Robb had a firm handshake and did not have trouble meeting Jae's eyes. Good signs both. The two shared a respectful nod.

"I was hoping we could have a conversation in private, Your Grace," Lord Stark said and made a show of looking around the courtyard.

"Of course, Lord Stark, follow me." Lord Stark looked back at his men and Jae added, "Do not worry, the servants will have your men settled in."

Lord Stark nodded and followed him, Robb Stark right behind. Edmure Tully was not invited to come along and so was left standing in the courtyard like a fool before he quickly walked away as if he had somewhere urgent to be.

Jae took them to his own chambers and they settled on the balcony. Jae had a steward bring them some wine. After they'd all been served a cup, Jae said, "What did you want to discuss, my Lord?"

Lord Stark ignored the cup of wine in front of him. "Please, Your Grace, you may call me Uncle Ned if you like. There's no need for such formality between family."

Jae blinked. It did not seem as though the man wanted to take advantage of the familial relationship. "Uncle Ned it is. And please, call me Jaehaerys. I imagine you wish to talk about the trade restrictions on the North?"

"Not at all." Lord Stark shook his head. "King Aegon will lift them or he will not. I have more important concerns."

Jae, however, couldn't think of a single matter that could be more important. Except if something had happened to his family? "And what would that be?"

"I would like you to know I shall do everything in my power to convince King Aegon to release you so that you may travel back to Winterfell with us, to live in the home of your mother."

"Why would you do that?" Jae asked with a frown.

Eddard exchanged a look with Robb. "Don't you want to come live in the North?" Robb Stark asked.

Do I? It had never seemed like a realistic possibility and so Jae had never considered it. "Can't say I do."

"You can't mean to tell me you want to live in this snake pit of a city!" Lord Stark said.

Jae eyed him carefully. He had a feeling what the matter was. "That's my Uncle speaking."

"I am your Uncle!" Jae expected some anger but his Uncle only sounded sad.

"You are," Jae replied in a softer tone. "But your duty to me as my Uncle cannot come before your duty to the Realm as the Lord of the North."

"I'm not about to allow politics to keep me away from my nephew!" Ned said, anger brewing in those cold grey eyes.

"You should." Jae did not even blink. "I'm your only ally in the capital since neither Stannis Baratheon nor Jon Arryn curry any sort of favor from the Crown. I'm the only one who can make sure your people don't become collateral damage in the courtly games."

They both stared at him, mulling over his words. Clearly, they disagreed, or at least Eddard did, but could not think of an argument to overcome his reasoning. "You're my family, Jaehaerys, I just want you to be safe."

"I understand that. And I appreciate it, truly, I do. But I have to stay in the capital; there are too many people hell-bent on causing chaos for me to be comfortable in leaving."

"You're a boy of four-and-ten, Jaehaerys." Lord Stark leaned forward. "It's not your fault this city's drowning in greed and ambition."

"Not my fault, no, but it is my responsibility," Jae said. "Only those who wish to ignore the hard truths claim otherwise. Like it or not, I am an important pawn in the game. If I were to go North with you, it would open the gates for all those who court chaos to scheme their way right into another civil war. And being in the North would mean I'd have no chance of stopping them."

"And how exactly would that happen?" Robb asked.

This one has no idea what men in the capital are capable of. "Oh, let me think... perhaps there'd be an attempt on the King's life. It would be foiled, of course, but the breadcrumbs would lead straight to me. The King would have no choice since he'd fear coming off as weak in front of his subjects. So he'd send a raven to Winterfell, demanding I be brought to the capital at once for trial. But your father wouldn't acquiesce, believing the King was hoping to get rid of me. And ta-daa, you've got yourself a war."

Robb's eye went wide and he looked to his father as though hoping the older man would tell him such a thing could never happen.

Jae aimed to drive home his point. "We are standing on a knife-edge right now. All it takes is one error and there will be a war and make no mistake, the list of men who thirst for one is extensive."

"All the more reason to get you out of King's Landing!" Eddard growled, clenching his fists on the table.

"I am not running!" Jae raised his voice for the first time. "If you attempt to go behind my back, I assure you, you will fail, Uncle. I will stay right where I am and do my utmost to stabilize the realm. And if everything should go wrong—" He shrugged. "—I have contingencies in place to ensure no one will be taking my head anytime soon."

Eddard went to open his mouth but Robb put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Lord Eddard sagged back in his chair. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Jae smiled. He liked this one. "Yes, there is, actually. I need you to publicly accept me staying in the capital as a hostage. I am not one, not really, and everyone knows it. But still, it would be useful if the King could say that I am."

"Why?" Robb asked, while his father looked on in outrage.

"It's a good bargaining chip. If the King can claim he has the North under control through me, he can lift all trade restrictions without having it said he's going too easy on the former rebels."

He doubted Lord Eddard would go along with it, and it seemed Robb doubted it as well, for he spoke up before his father could get the chance. "And how would we go about doing that?"

"You are to request I go back North with you and you are to be refused."

"That's all?"

Jae nodded.

"You can't expect me to go along with this!" Eddard said. "To stand before my people and tell them I put politics ahead of family."

"Why not?" Jae asked, genuinely confused. "It is a sure sign of a good Lord."

"That is not the way of the North, Your Grace," Robb said. "You are beloved of our people. They would ride to war for you any day."

Jae did not know that. Why would they love him? He'd never been to the North and he doubted being the son of Lyanna Stark would get him far considering how many Northmen died during the Rebellion. These two had already shown him more affection than he expected.

Jae sipped his wine. "Then tell them it was my choice. As much as I appreciate their support," Jae said. "I do not want anyone to ride to war for me. Not now, not ever."

Even Eddard Stark looked to understand that. Jae could see ghosts dancing in his eyes. "I promised. I promised Lyanna I would protect you and I failed time and time again. You cannot make me fail again."

"You have not failed. I am here, alive and well, am I not?"

"Because you grew up too fast and learned to take care of yourself." Eddard looked like a man in mourning. He turned his eyes out over the bay and took a tired breath.

Jae would have liked nothing better than to grow up in Winterfell, spar with Robb, and go hunting in that Wolfswood he'd read so much about. But those days were gone and running off to the North wouldn't achieve anything. He would not pine for his lost childhood.

"The method of how we got here is irrelevant. You want to protect me? Help me put the realm to rights and I shall be able to visit Winterfell whenever I like." He smiled at the thought of it. He would very much like that.

Eddard stared at him and Jae knew he was coming to grips not only with this decision but also with all the past decisions that brought them to this point. A smile full of memories and grief appeared. "I suppose I should have known no son of Lyanna would be told what to do."

"Yes, perhaps you should have." Jae chuckled, pouring them both another cup of wine. "Now that that's settled, I demand stories. Anything you know, everything you remember."

And a weight lifted of Eddard's shoulders as he eagerly recounted stories of his childhood at Winterfell, eyes far away and voice full of warmth and melancholy.

An hour later, Jaehaerys exited his chambers, Uncle Eddard and Robb having left a bit earlier. He had another move to make before the evening's feast.

He walked through the halls of the Keep, Ser Jaime right behind him. He did not comment on Ser Jaime being quieter than usual. He assumed it had something to do with the arrival of his family or the general amount of people milling about the Keep that kept him on his toes. Jae did wonder about some of the strange looks he sent his way throughout the day, though.

Still, he didn't have the time to go pulling on that particular thread. He had a date.

He knocked on the door. They had taken the longer route to their destination and made sure no one had seen where they'd gone. The doors creaked open to reveal a very surprised-looking knight.

"Hello, Ser Daemon." Jae's smile was razor-sharp. "May I come in?"

"Uh, yes, yes, of course, Your Grace." Ser Daemon stepped aside and opened the doors wide. He and Jaime stepped inside, which seemed to surprise the Dornish knight.

"Can't have Ser Jaime standing outside, these Kingsguard knights are like flagpoles when it comes to announcing the presence of royals," Jae said with a wry smile. The chambers were modest enough, with a spartan bed, a desk, and a table by the small window with two chairs.

"Of course," Ser Daemon replied, gesturing for them to take a seat. He regained his bearing with impressive speed. It furthered Jae's belief Daenerys had chosen the right man. Ser Daemon was ambitious – he wouldn't have asked for Arianne's hand in marriage if he was not – and a deadly swordsman. A head taller than Jae, he had a slim frame and handsome features. No doubt it was the sharp jawline that attracted Arianne to him at first.

"Now, you must be wondering what exactly I am doing in your chambers, hmm?"

"To be honest, Your Grace, I had been expecting you would come to threaten or extort me for a long time."

Oi, check out the balls on Ser Daemon! Yes, Daenerys definitely picked the right one. Jae turned to Ser Jaime and said, "Would you look at that? We're not dealing with an idiot for once."

"Thank the Gods, Your Grace, I've been getting tired of listening to you try to talk some sense into idiots." Ser Jaime leaned against the wall, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword.

"But I've done nothing you could use, Your Grace, nothing you can hold over my head... meaning no disrespect, of course."

Men find themselves in such amusing positions when they think they've out-witted an opponent but can't show their smugness because the opponent in question is a Prince. A bit unfair to them, to be honest.

And Ser Daemon was right. Jae had nothing on him. His spies had come up short. Dany had come short in that regard as well. But she helped give Jae an idea of the man he was dealing with.

"You're quite right, Ser, I have nothing on you. But you're a smart man. Just as you expected I might try to extort you, you expected I might try to do some other things," Jae said.

"Whatever do you mean, Your Grace?" The sly look in his eyes told Jae all he had to know.

He leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs. It's what Maester Alwyn always did before he began to lecture.

"You know, when I was studying the histories, I had learned many things. About the many Kings, and their many friends. But those friends..." He shook his head. "Such fascinating characters. Some were genuine. Some thought their proximity to the King made them royals in their own right and then there were some who understood that their access to the King was a commodity and so would have to be very careful in who they parlayed with." He allowed a pause. "Which kind of friend are you, Ser Daemon?"

He knew the answer, but could he get Ser Daemon to say it out loud? Did he have to balls to say it? Jae wagered he did. This man had the balls to ask Prince Doran for his permission to marry Arianne. He wanted more than his lot in life.

"I like to think I would make sure only the best advice could reach the King through me," Daemon said.

"Oh, well said, Ser, well said." Jae nodded in approval. "And would you consider me to be a good source of advice?"

"I would, Your Grace." Ser Daemon seemed attentive to every twitch of Jae's body, looking for clues to what might come next. 

"And you know what? I would consider you to be an excellent Commander of the City Watch. Would you agree with this assessment?"

Now Ser Daemon had a hard time keeping himself from smiling.

Jae said, "Then I have some propositions you will pass on to the King. And you will make sure they cut through the noise those other idiots make, is that understood?"

Daemon bowed his head. "Yes, Your Grace."

"Good, very good. When the time comes to pick the members of his Small Council, I'm sure the King will be thrilled at the thought of his good friend commanding the Gold Cloaks. Who better, huh?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

Jae gave Ser Daemon a dubious look, just so the man wouldn't get too comfortable, and walked out of his chambers without another word.

We shall see.