The Silent Knight

-10-

"I want Rose Stark on my counsel." Marisia states as we sit around the counsel table.

"The North is its own your grace, she would be leaving her independent kingdom." Her hand states.

Jon II Arryn is an older gentleman who has served the last two kings. He has served them well. He has become family to Marisia and the Targaryens.

"Simply asking won't hurt." Marisia says playing with the ends of her hair.

"I will send a raven immediately your grace." He says.

"There are other important matters to discuss I presume." She says looking around at the men who seat her counsel.

"Your marital status to my son your grace." Leon Lannister says.

I shift my eyes down to Marisia as I stand next to her. She stiffens, uncomfortable to the topic at hand. She doesn't say a word, expressing for him to further explain.

"I believe it is best you search out your other options, there are various suitors from other great houses that you could seek out." Jon interrupts before Leon can speak. I watch as Leon turns to him as if he has just killed his own child.

"If my son isn't worthy enough Sir Arryn I suggest asking why he was sent a proposal the night of the kings death." Leon says back causing Jon to sit back in his chair. Marisia stands abruptly. Their eyes shoot towards the Queen in fear.

"I am to marry your son, but you are to leave my counsel." Everyone stares at her in shock.

"But your grace, I-." She cuts him off quickly.

"The men around this table are men I have known my whole life, men I can trust with my life. You were brought onto this counsel shortly before my father's passing and I won't allow you to use his death to parade your son." She says sternly.

He sits for a moment and looks around before standing up. I move closer towards him to ensure he doesn't act out and harm the queen. He nods in her direction.

"I apologize for my arrogance your grace, it was unintentional. Please forgive me." He says softly as he turns to leave I signal for one of my Queens Guard to escort him out of Kings Landing.

As the door shuts everyone grows quiet. I take my place back next to Marisia. She sits down slowly, staring at the table in front of her.

"I believe that was a fair decision your grace." Jon says reassuring Marisia of her decision.

"My father shared word with me of the Lannisters deceitfulness before his passing. There was a reason he was brought into this counsel and I want to know why." She says looking around at the men.

They all look at each other, their eyes meeting anywhere else but hers.

"There has been some talk surrounding your friendship with your knight your grace." Sir Timothy says looking between Marisia and I.

I stare down at her as she looks up at me calmly.

"You believe I haven't heard of this rumor myself?" She asks astonishingly.

"Maddox and I have been very close since we were children along with Rose Stark. I am to marry Matthias Lannister. I am having trouble finding the answer to my original question. I am also unaware of how a war could be caused by some petty rumor." She states straightening her back.

"That wasn't all your grace. The Lannisters have grown tired of being pushed out of the spotlight due to their hunger for enrichment and power. You may think it's just a rumor but it is at a much larger scale than you realize. You cannot bear a child with Maddox Knight, welding no heir to the Iron Throne. If anyone were to legitimatize your relationship, houses would retract their loyalty to your Queenship. Lannisters would be the first to gain any houses they could in order to start a war against House Targaryen." Sir Timothy states clearly.

She scoffs at his words. Although this is something we have known all too well. This was something we have always known. Something that could tear our world apart.

"Do you really believe any house would be stupid enough to start a war with a dragon?" She states.

"History has its way of repeating itself your grace, it has been peaceful for a hundred years. Any small crack they can find in terms of secrecy will eventually cause a spill. It is important that you tread carefully along this subject. Dragons or not there will be tremendous casualties on both sides." Jon says as he looks up at me and back down to Marisia.

I stand still, staring at the door ahead of me. Wishing I could pick her up and run away.

"I am marrying is his son." She says matter-of-factly.

"Yes but your decision has raised some questionable eyebrows your grace." Sir Robert says.

"It shouldn't have. Every interaction I've had with Matthias Lannister has been quite pleasant and seen by many throughout social interactions." She states firmly.

I then think back to the battle and her celebration ceremony. How she would laugh at his letter and place her hand on his arm.

"Have these interactions been deliberate, calculated some might say?" Robert says challenging her purposefully.

"No I chose him because I love him. The raven sent on the night of my father's passing wasn't the first Sir Robert. We have been communicating quite frequently." I furrowed my brow at her words.

How long has she known about the Lannisters intentions? Has her and her father had more than one conversation of this matter before his passing?

I think for a moment before realizing that she didn't know. She chose him before knowing of his family's scheme. She has been protecting us since the beginning.

"Right your grace but you have sent frequent letters to many other suitors of other houses." The eunuch speaks out and says.

"Well I chose him. Do I have speculation to believe my own counsel believes in this rumor as well?" She asks. They all look at each other quickly before Jon answers.

"We have all known you since you were born. We swore to your father that we would protect you in terms of duty. Our advice is to be careful. Once you marry, things will start fall back into place your grace." He says nodding his head.

Marisia smiles at Jon while grabbing his hand, giving it a tight squeeze before letting go.

"Very well. I believe it's time for supper." She says while standing patting the bottom of her gown.

They all stand in unison as I hold out my arm for her to take. She takes it quickly as we head to the dining hall.

All I can seem to think about on the way there is how real our situation feels. I can't help but think about what would happen if our love caused a war. Do I continue this fight and cost the woman I love her status? Her duty? Her legacy?