Chamber of the Painted Table

[Aerys]

The Chamber of the Painted Table is a great round room, located in Dragonstone's central keep the Stone Drum with walls of black stone and four narrow windows that looked out to the four points of the compass.

In the midst of chamber is a huge table of carved wood fashioned at the behest of Aegon Targaryen before the Conquest. The painted table is more than fifty feet long, perhaps half that wide at its widest, but less than four feet across at its narrowest. Aegon's carpenters had shaped it after the land of Westeros, its surface painted with the Seven Kingdoms as they then were; rivers, mountains, castles, cities, lakes, and forests are all marked.

The single chair in the room is the Prince of Dragonstone's seat, raised up and sitting precisely where Dragonstone is located off the coast of Westeros.

Audiences with the Prince, both public and private, are always conducted in the Chamber of the Painted Table.

When the Prince is seated, two fully armed guards, drawn from his most loyal and able retainers, stand nearby.

Two further guards always stand inside the great oaken door entrance to the Chamber. Another two guards always stand outside. Unless the Prince himself is in attendance, very rarely are other people ever admitted to the Chamber.

[Aerys]

Steffen Lannister is shown into the Chamber, where Rhaegar Velaryon is sitting in the seat of the Prince of Dragonstone.

Rhaegar smiles.

"Greetings goodfather. Welcome to Dragonstone."

A seat is produced for Steffen by one of the guards and he is invited to sit.

[Quenton Baratheon]

"Truly," Ser Steffen says with a bow, "It has been too long." His face takes on a morose look. "Might I first offer my condolences on the loss of Prince Avery. I have considered what I have heard on the matter, and I am sickened by what I percieve to be barbarism on the part of the crown. To call Prince Avery a traitor as he rides to the realm's aid in it's time of need... it beggars belief." He shook his head sadly.

"So I come here now to serve you in whatever way I can, even if it is only counsel that I can offer. I am afraid I cannot at the moment provide additional troops, which I realise would have been more useful. This is not an impossibility for the future however. How goes the campaign? I was delighted to hear of your victory at Storm's End..."

Steffen takes the seat.

[Aerys]

Rhaegar inclined his head in acknowledgment of Steffen's words.

"Your presence and counsel will be most welcome. I know Alessa will be delighted to see her father. We are expecting our second child soon, a brother or sister for young Monterys. Monterys will finally get to meet his grandfather. He still asks where uncle Avery is."

A look of disgust mixed with anger and grief passed across the young lord's face.

"I thank you for the condolences. Prince Avery was treacherously taken and murdered, goodfather, on the orders of his own nephew, Rickon the Treacherous....Rickon the Kinslayer..."

His lip curled in contempt, as the King's name fell from his lips.

"I can only hope that one day Avery will be avenged. "

A look of satisfaction flitted across Rhaegar's face.

"Indeed it has begun. Avery's murder has already cost the Crown the services of at least 6,000 men in the war with the invaders from the west. The Stormlander fleet was one of the main threats to Dragonstone, at least in the short term. It's now at the bottom of Shipbreaker Bay. Sinking the fleet has only bought us some time...no more."

He studied the man sitting in front of him. He knew Alessa's father was no fool. Quickly he gave the disposition of Dragonstone's forces and defences.

"Goodfather, if you love your daughter and grandchildren, I would require your wise counsel now. You know our situation, what would you advise?"

[Quenton Baratheon]

"The time that has been bought by the heroism out on Shipbreaker bay may well prove vital my lord," Steffen mused. "For in my eyes, the number of men you have assembled here simply will not hold out against the force of the crown - albeit weakened by the western invasion." He thought for a second, framing his words.

"Although we are few where we are currently positioned, we must remember that we are not alone in our sentiments. A few decades back, the Targaryen Kings ruled the land, and there are many, including some very powerful people, who remember those days fondly. Myself included." He smiled thinly, remembering the beauty of Princess Daena. "Your daughter, your wife, your unborn child - they all have Targaryen blood within them my Lord, the blood of ancient kings, finer blood than that of the Baratheons. As far as I can see, you owe no further debt to house Baratheon. It would seem that Avery were the voice of honour and reason in a pit of snakes, the last of his kind. My counsel therefore is this - we move to support the return of a Targaryen King."

[Aerys]

Rhaegar leaned back in the Princes' chair, his tapering fingers curling around the goblet of wine that was placed beside him. He sipped the wine briefly, before gesturing to one of the guards to fill another goblet for Steffen.

"The same thought has occurred to me Steffen. My ships flew the Targaryen banner in Shipbreakers Bay and they shall continue to do so."

Rhaegar stared into space, his hand resting on his chin and murmured softly, almost to himself.

"I too have Targaryen blood. Before Aerys the Second, the Velaryons married thrice with the Targaryens. My mother was a Targaryen. I bear a Targaryen royal name, as does my brother Viserys and my cousin Aerys. My children are of Targaryen blood on both sides."

He turned his gaze back to Steffen.

"You are right goodfather. I owe the Baratheons nothing after their betrayal of Avery. I agree. We must move to support a Targaryen king."

He smote his left fist into the palm of other hand.

"But as you say we do not have enough men, nor ships. Without such, the defences of Dragonstone, despite their strength, cannot resist a concerted attack by the Crown."

He leaned forward. his eyes searching Steffen's face.

"In your opinion, is there enough Targaryen support throughout the realm and can we harness it? More importantly can it be done soon?"

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffen sighed, looking doubtful

"There is certainly Targaryen support abroad, Bravos would rise for a Targaryen king, having long sheltered the exiled Royal Family there," He paused and shook his head.

"Other than that, of the Lords I know who would endorse a Targaryen return... most are at war already, fighting for the Baratheons - although one must remember that the war at present is about more than being loyal to one's bannerlord, one's king - this war is about maintaining Westerosi independence, something even a Targaryen King could not do without. Therefore my lord, even should we muster forces to fight the Baratheons, we must still fight a war on two fronts.

He thought for a second or two more, before blurting out one word. "Dorne." He said. "Dorne is a hotbed of anti-Baratheon sentiment, although a weakened one at that. Perhaps there are Dornish Lords we could call to our aid? At present, I see little hope in calling on other Westerosi lords for aid when they are otherwise indisposed..."

Steffen frowned at the apparent poor situation.

[Aerys]

Rhaegar took another sip of his wine.

"The immediate priority goodfather must be the shoring up of Dragonstone's defences, or else we are finished before it begins. At present, the Free Cities appear to be our best chance of gaining more men and ships. As you say, there are Targaryen exiles in Braavos. We must have a rallying point for all those still supporting Taragaryen rule."

He thought for a moment.

"I must remain here goodfather, but I would ask you to go to Braavos to bring back our king, to seek the Sealord's support and to raise more troops and ships for our cause. I will send one of my most trusted men Ser Godry Farring as well as a body of 50 men, under your command, to accompany you."

Rhaegar rose from his chair and circled the Painted Table. He stopped opposite the representation of Dorne and looked back at where he had so recently sat. Where Dragonstone was. It was so far away.

He looked over at Steffen.

"You are Alessa's father and as such I feel I can trust you to take the appropriate steps that will secure her and our children's safety, as well as assist the possible return of the Targaryens. Braavos first and then Dorne."

He paused...

"And should our King prove reluctant or doubt my support, then I offer him this....."

Rhaegar hesitated.

"My sister Aelinor is sixteen and of marriageable age. The Velaryons have married Targaryen kings before. I offer her to the Targaryen in marriage."

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffen nodded firmly at the man's request.

"I shall do this my lord, I shall return our rightful King to Westerosi soil. With the King back in Westeros, we shall be aided greatly in seeing the uprising of many of his long-silenced supporters. Were conditions right, I imagine much of the Westerlands would rise, having remained the staunchest supporter of Targaryen rule when conflicts have arisen in the past. I have the houses Sarsfield and Farman in my pocket, a small starting point I know - particularly as they may well have already been decimated, however with the turning of these families, I am sure more could be persuaded to follow. There are members of my own family who would rise for a Targaryen king, should he return. Bringing him back will serve as a statement of intention - he is here, chose to side with him or not.

The trick will be convincing people that we have a serious chance of winning a war with the Baratheons. And yet only convincing people to side with us will allow us to win, this is the problem. I believe we must strike with any force that the Sealord can provide us, not at the Baratheons directly, at these Western invaders. We must send some of them back, win a battle, state that we are protecting the realm. Then men will join us.

The Riverlands is an occupied territory. If we liberate it, something which the crown has been unable to do... we shall most likely win their support. You must remember that they rose previously against King Rickon, for the usurper Horas Blackwood. There is a precedent there - and presumably some very ill will. What is to stop them rising for a rightful Targaryen king when he comes to pull them out of the shit?"

He swallowed before continuing. "These are the main areas I can see us targetting. With the might of Braavos, the Riverlands, some of Dorne and half of the Westerlands, a Targaryen king would swoop to victory..."

[Aerys]

Rhaegar's eyes glittered.

He misliked the thought of fighting those who were fighting against Rickon Baratheon and Benfry Smith. However Rhaegar knew he had to be careful not to let his hatred of Rickon and Benfry Smith to overwhelm his good sense, and he could see the political wisdom of his father-in-law's advice.

"Very well" he acknowledged. "It shall be as you advise. The Sealord will be your first port of call to seek his support, to find troops to augment our existing forces and to bring our King back to Westeros.

"When do you wish to leave? Time is of the essence. Ser Godry Farring and the fifty men I will send with you can be ready to sail for Braavos in two days."

[Quenton Baratheon]

"Then in two days I shall leave," Steffen replied. "The sooner the better. I shall be taking Ser Walter and the two other men I brought with me, however, could I request that I leave the Lady Lysa Farman as a guest here? I am sure you will prove a most gracious host."

[Aerys]

Rhaegar replied.

"Most certainly. You can be assured that the Lady Lysa will be treated with all honor in your absence."

He raised his goblet.

"Let us drink to the success of our venture goodfather. For if it does not succeed, our prospects are bleak."

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffen raised his glass also.

"To success," he agreed solemnly, clinking Rhaegar's goblet. "And also, to knowing that even if we should fail, our motives were true and right and good. To honour."

[Aerys]

//////

Despite the heavy guard placed upon him since he was admitted into Dragonstone Citadel, Daniel Lannister is treated with all courtesy.

He is shown into the Chamber, where Rhaegar Velaryon is, as per usual, sitting in the seat of the Prince of Dragonstone.

"Welcome Ser Daniel." said Rhaegar. The Velaryon thoughtfully perused the man standing before him. Many of the Lannisters had been sympathetic towards the Targaryens, but they were often a family divided. It was difficult to determine the motives of this Lannister. At least Steffen had a familial tie to Dragonstone. This one did not.

With some amusement he remarked.

"The Lannisters appear to have developed a sudden liking for Dragonstone. Is it because a Lannister is now the Lady of Dragonstone?"

The smile disappeared from his face and he paused, a vein in his temple visibly throbbing. It's no good. The Velaryon cannot even bring himself to utter the hated Rickon's name. Finally he asks.

"What brings you to see the enemy of the boy you acknowledge as King?"

[Ser Aemon Tully]

" I acknowledge him no longer", Daniel said still kneeling, " I have come here to aiding the return of the dragon." Daniel then stands and continues. " Rickon is a boy, a kinslayer,and the Targaryens had the crown first, they are the rightful kings." Daniel then moves toward the part of the table that is Casterly rock and Lannisport. Pulling the chair back he asks, "May I?"