One Step At A Time

With Lyanna dead and Elia exiled to Dorne, a bitter hole had swallowed Rhaegar. His Visenya was not born, instead, it was another son Jaehaerys. His son was the spitting image of his mother, her grey eyes, black hair, it was too much to bear. His Kingsguard had buried her in the sands of Dorne, a mistake Rhaegar would see corrected. Arthur Dayne, Gerold Hightower, and Oswell Whent had since returned to Kingslanding though Rhaegar had sent Hightower and Whent to Dragonstone to protect his mother, brother, sons, and daughter. As he lay in the bath he ran his hands through his long silver hair, his calloused hands curling into fists as he kept down the agony and sadness. His mother had offered to take all his children to Dragonstone for their safekeeping, an offer he could not refuse, knowing that some rebel supporters were still active in the Riverlands, though most had submitted and had to offer a hostage to the crown and surrender a certain amount of wealth.

Lord Stannis Baratheon now held control of the Lordship and Paramountcy of Storms End, Rhaegar had decided that since Stannis took no part in the conflict, other than holding off one of the longest sieges ever recorded, his lands should remain with him. Additionally, he was his second cousin as much as he was Roberts, perhaps they could get along where Robert and he had failed. Though that was not all he had to pay, Renly, the youngest Baratheon brother was to be sent to the Reach under Lord Tyrell's protection in the event of possible aggression from the Stormlands. Jon Arryn had returned to the Eyrie, with his latest heir dead after the Battle of the Bells, Arryn was charged with paying an indemnity to the crown which would help support the realms debts that the conflict had caused. Additionally, other Vale houses had to submit either their heirs or sons to the crownlands or other loyal houses as respective guests. Lord Hoster Tully had his young son Edmure squiring in the Westerlands under Kevan Lannister, Tywin's younger brother, and active regent for the Lordship of Casterly Rock. Lastly, Lord Eddard Stark, had returned to the North after the news of his sister's ****, also offering to pay some of the crown's finances for the rebellion and with Lyanna's son kept under Rhaegar's influence. Rhaegar safely assumed the new Lord of Winterfell and his Warden in the North would not fight against him. Even if Jaehaerys did not stop Eddard then the arrival of his new son Robb Stark would. The promise of allowing Eddard and Catelyn Stark to keep their son in exchange for promises made in a Sept and Weirwood grove over the promise the North would not rebel against the Iron Throne.

Rhaegar had appointed Lord Tywin Lannister back to his position as Hand of the King, a position that Rhaegar knew Tywin would excel at. Tywin's daughter Cersei Lannister was also in the capital and had approached him numerous times after his celebration over the rebellion. Her emerald green eyes had almost enticed him into asking for her hand. When he kissed her hand greeting her, she had squeezed it softly making Rhaegar wish he could have taken her right there and then. It had been some time since Rhaegar had been with a woman since he always had to be so delicate with Elia and Lyanna. Cersei's long golden hair too was in curls that fell down her back and she proudly wore the colors of house Lannister red and gold, though her red Myrish dresses most days made many a Lord or Knight turn their heads to look at her as they lay on her near-perfect form. Which definitely had an effect on Rhaegar as he found himself watching her more and more often. In exchange for Tywin's position and a large amount of war spoils going to House Lannister. Jamie Lannister was exiled to the Wall for life, a necessary event he had told Lord Tywin. To which Tywin had reluctantly agreed.

Monford Velaryon the new Lord of Driftmark had been appointed the Master of Ships, after his father's **** in the Battle of Gulltown attempting to resupply the loyalists there. Monford was young, charismatic and shared the Valyrian traits that Rhagar had, except his eyes were more blue than purple. He had spoken with Rhaegar briefly about rebuilding the Royal Fleet and expanding the Dockyards on Dragonstone, Kingslanding, and Driftmark. His sister had also accompanied him, the beauty of Laena Velaryon, with long silver hair, with streaks of gold and sea-green eyes, high cheekbones, and a beautiful jawline. Her clothing was mainly Myrish silk green and blue dresses with low cut tops which Rhaegar struggled not to look at when they were introduced. He still remembered kissing her hand and the girl biting her bottom lip softly as he rose to turn and talk to her brother.

Mace Tyrell was also in the capital, supplying the Loyalist army with food and feast until things settled down. Rhaegar had appointed him as Master of Coin to appease the Lord who, by the influence of Randyll Tarly had sent forces to assist Rhaegar at the Ruby Ford. Mace Tyrell had also brought his two sisters Janna and Mina Tyrell, the two were fair and wore green and gold matching their house's sigil, their breasts seemed small through the clothing though both had womanly figures that swayed as they walked. They could almost be mistaken as twins, though Janna had dimples and Mina was slightly taller. Though both were shorter than Rhaegar They both had the same dark brown hair Lyanna had and their eyes were a beautiful honey-colored and the two never stopped being together. They had soft, warm skin when Rhaegar had last touched their hands to kiss them in turn when they were introduced.

Varys remained as Master of Whisperers, revealing new insights as to the funding of Roberts Rebellion, ships laden with gold from Essos had supposedly come to the Eyrie after the Rebel's had captured Gulltown and Lord Darry and Lord Mooten were working together to kill outlaw Knights and the few Lords that refused to submit before they could reach the sea and possibly sail to Essos.

Jon Connington after his failure of the Battle of the Bells, had been given back the land Robert Baratheon had stripped from him and given the position of advisor to the King. A position he was grateful for though felt slighted that he should get the position of Master of War. Though Rhaegar had sent a raven to Hoster Tully, requesting that his brother Brynden Tully come and take a seat on the small council as Master of War. From seeing his attempt to outflank and clever tricks on their way to the final battle at the Ruby Ford, Rhaegar knew he had need of such a man, whether for the possible future as predicted in prophecies or to help keep Hoster Tully in line.

The title of Master of Laws was offered to Oberyn Martell as a response to the slight Rhaegar had given the Dornish, but also as a sign of his respect for his allies. He knew Oberyn may be out to spy on his small council and report to his brother, the real long term threat of the two brothers. Though for now, Rhaegar needed peace and Oberyn had surprisingly accepted, before the revelation of Lyanna, though he made no effort to resign his post. Though he was first escorting Elia back to Dorne before taking up residence in the Red Keep.

The office of Grand Maester, had need of replacement since the **** of Pycelle under mysterious circumstances when his father had died and the conclave of Maesters had met to choose a new Grand Maester. Rhaegar had heard of a rising star or oddity amongst the maesters, a man by the name of Marywn the Mage that he would ask for inquiries from Varys about and could help possibly influence.

As Rhaegar washed him he wrapped a towel around his waist looking over his new Kingdom, outside the city had a foul odor, whether from the soldiers or the populace, Rhaegar would have to fix soon, not only for aesthetics but also for economics. More ships would be willing to come to Kingslanding when the place didn't smell awful. As he dried himself off there was a knock at the door and Ser Arthur Dayne entered, Dawn strapped to his back, head to toe in white.

"Your Grace... Rhaegar, the small council has been summoned as you have asked, they have questions concerning your rebuilding of Summerhall and the status of you being unmarried. They believe a wedding would ensure more stability." he heard Arthur, allowing himself a bit of a smile at the last part.

"You know the importance of Summerhall Arthur, that place holds great meaning to me, but also this talk of marriage means nothing until I can better understand the prophecies that should have happened with Lyanna. I have been married now twice. The third time I will make sure for it to deliver my prophecy. I will not make the same mistake with Elia and Lyanna.." said Rhaegar looking at the long scar down his chest that Robert Baratheons War Hammer had barely missed. As his fingers touched it he winced, the wound had begun healing but there was a long way to go.