A Battle of Blood.

53

139 AC

K I N G ' S  L A N D I N G

      Lady Lyanna stood at the courtyard of the Red Keep, her heart racing with excitement. The news of her younger brother Ser Corwin Baratheon’s arrival had reached her by raven just a day after the young princes were sent away from King’s Landing. She hadn’t seen her brother in years, and the thought of finally reuniting with him after such a long separation filled her with joy.

It was a rare moment of lightness for Lyanna, whose days had been clouded with the recent political strife and her own strained relationship with Prince Aemond. But today, none of that mattered. Today, her brother was coming.

A large smile spread across her face as Ser Corwin entered the gates of the Red Keep on horseback. He looked every bit the Baratheon lord—tall, with broad shoulders, his medium-length dark brown hair tousled by the wind, and his narrow hazel eyes bearing the resemblance of their mother, Lady Alysanne.

At twenty-four, he was still unmarried, but his charm and good looks often caused whispers wherever he went. From afar, Corwin smiled at his older sister, his expression softening at the sight of her waiting so eagerly for him.

He dismounted from his horse with the grace of a trained knight, his armor gleaming with the proud stag sigil of House Baratheon. As he approached, he bent to kiss Lyanna’s hand, and she felt a surge of warmth.

“Lyanna,” Corwin said, his voice full of affection, “it’s been too long. How are you, dear sister?”

“I’m well, Corwin, or as well as one can be these days,” Lyanna replied, beaming at him. “Tell me, how was your journey? I hope the weather wasn’t too unkind.”

Corwin gave a rueful smile. “Slippery roads, as always. It seems the rain in King’s Landing never ceases. But I made it in one piece, and that’s what matters.” He glanced around the courtyard. “And my nephews and nieces? I imagine they’ve grown so much since I last saw them.”

“They’re attending their customs at the moment, but you’ll meet them soon enough,” Lyanna said with a fond smile. “I can’t wait for them to see their uncle again. They’ve heard so much about you.”

There was a brief, comfortable silence as they simply smiled at one another, both absorbing the moment. It had been years since they’d stood together like this, and the joy of reunion was palpable.

Corwin broke the silence with a chuckle. “You’ve changed, sister. You’ve become even more beautiful, and I imagine you’re more formidable than ever. A mother, a lady, and a Targaryen’s wife. I’m proud of you.”

Lyanna blushed slightly, though her smile widened. “Come,” she said, “let me show you to your chambers. You must be exhausted from your journey.”

As they entered the Red Keep and ascended the grand staircase, Lyanna noticed the curious gazes of the court following them. It wasn’t unusual, given Ser Corwin’s status as the heir to House Baratheon, but it amused her nonetheless.

Corwin, less accustomed to the attention, leaned toward his sister and whispered, “Why are they staring?”

Lyanna giggled softly, her amusement clear. “Because you’re the unusual knight here, dear brother. And also, the young maidens of the court can’t seem to take their eyes off you. I suppose they think you’re quite a catch.”

Corwin blushed slightly at that, his embarrassment clear despite his confident demeanor. “I don’t know how you manage all this attention, sister.”

Lyanna laughed again, enjoying the lighthearted banter with her brother. It reminded her of when they were younger, playing in the halls of Storm’s End, before the weight of duty had settled on either of their shoulders.

As they reached Corwin’s chamber, however, the mood shifted. Standing in the doorway, his back straight and hands clasped behind him, was Prince Aemond. His tall, lean figure cast a long shadow, and the cold smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips was as familiar as it was unsettling.

Lyanna’s smile faltered, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Aemond? What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice cautious.

Aemond’s smirk deepened as he turned his gaze toward his wife. “Do not worry, dear wife,” he said in his characteristically cold tone. “I’m merely here to greet your brother. No harm will come to him, I assure you.”

He extended a hand and clapped it on Corwin’s shoulder in a gesture that seemed both welcoming and slightly possessive. “Ser Corwin, welcome to King’s Landing,” Aemond said, his voice laced with a mixture of civility and an underlying edge. “I trust your journey was safe.”

Corwin smiled politely, though the tension was unmistakable. “Thank you, my Prince. It’s a pleasure to see you as well.”

Aemond’s single eye, sharp and calculating, shifted back to Lyanna. “May your brother’s presence here bring you the joy you’ve been missing as of late,” he added, the words clearly meant for Lyanna more than for Corwin.

Lyanna stiffened at the implication, her frustration with her husband bubbling beneath the surface. “Aemond,” she said, her voice tight.

Aemond lingered for a moment, his cold gaze flickering between them before he nodded curtly. “Very well.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving an icy silence in his wake.

Corwin, sensing the tension between his sister and her husband, gently placed a hand on Lyanna’s arm. “Don’t let him upset you, sister,” he said softly. “I’m here now, and we can forget about all the courtly politics for a while.”

Lyanna smiled, grateful for her brother’s presence. “Thank you, Corwin. Let’s sit down. There’s so much to catch up on.”

They sat together on the couch, the earlier tension dissolving as they began to talk. Lyanna asked about his time in Oldtown, and Corwin recounted his experiences with a spark of enthusiasm.

“Oldtown is a city of wonders,” he said, his hazel eyes lighting up. “There’s knowledge there unlike anywhere else in Westeros. I had the privilege of squiring for Lord Ormund Hightower, the Queen Dowager’s nephew. We became quite close—sharing stories of our lives, exchanging ideas and I relished every moment of it.”

Lyanna listened intently, her smile growing as she heard the joy in her brother’s voice. They laughed together, reminiscing about their childhood at Storm’s End, about the days when life had been simpler. It was a rare, precious moment, one that Lyanna had longed for in the years since their paths had taken them in different directions.

Their conversation was interrupted, however, when one of the Queen Dowager’s handmaidens entered the room. She bowed respectfully and addressed Lyanna. “My lady, the Queen Dowager requests Ser Corwin’s presence for dinner this evening. She wishes to host him in honor of his visit.”

Lyanna’s smile faltered slightly. It was unusual for Queen Alicent to take such an interest in her brother’s visit. “Thank you,” she said, dismissing the handmaiden. Turning to Corwin, she asked, “Are you comfortable attending? I find it odd that she’s taken such interest.”

Corwin, however, seemed excited by the invitation. “It’s an honor,” he said with a grin. “I’d be delighted to attend.”

Lyanna smiled, though a flicker of concern lingered in her eyes. “Very well,” she said. “Let’s just hope the evening goes smoothly.”

And so, the stage was set for a dinner that would surely prove to be more than just a casual gathering. The court had its eyes on Ser Corwin Baratheon, and the game of politics continued to turn, with Queen Alicent at its center.

To be continued...