Actions

Work Header

Rating:
Archive Warning:
Categories:
Fandoms:
Relationships:
Characters:
Additional Tags:
Language:
English
Series:
Part 3 of poppy seeds
Stats:
Published:
2024-08-19
Updated:
2024-09-30
Words:
2,745
Chapters:
2/?
Comments:
53
Kudos:
43
Bookmarks:
5
Hits:
2,438

the happy endings

Summary:

elia prepares for her son's wedding day, spends a little time with him, and muses on the past.

Notes:

to any rhaegar/lyanna stans, do not read this if you do not like it or if you don't like the ending they got.

small au series where elia and rhaenys DO live, robert is still a regent and father figure to aegon, but elia is his main influence. rhaegar dies in canon way, jaime slays aerys but robert finds him + they manage to save the royal family in time.

jon snow is stillborn/born dead. i know, i'm sorry. but lyanna wanted a crown for the child, she felt as if that child was her and everyone else's saviour - only for her hopes to be dashed.

elia marries jaime (he and cersei are a bit older), and they have one daughter (aelinor). 🫶 they're happy together!!

robert and ashara also have a nice relationship, elia threatened to neuter robert if he cheated publicly/humiliated ash. they have the baratheon queen from the main series, floris. a mutual made some art of her for me, but ao3's photo system is weird asf lmao

this is rlly short and v bad, but, bleh

Chapter 1: sun king and his doe queen

Chapter Text

Her sweet boy. Her only son. How proud he made her, how he was an amazing king and man.

She couldn't ask for better, nor would she ever want that. For all the fears of him spiralling into madness, or raping and kidnapping young maidens, he proved them all wrong.

And what a Targaryen... no, more Martell or even Baratheon he was. Better than a Jaehaerys or Daeron, he would be the most beloved monarch to rule. She would make sure of that - no matter what.

Robert Baratheon, the other regents and kind lords, Ashara and herself... they had made the very best boy - no, man now - and ruler. She was forever grateful for Robert saving her and her children, for him insisting on a regency for her son rather than seizing the throne, for being her son's father in truth.

 

In a way, she was glad he slew Rhaegar.

 

Perhaps, if she was any other princess or lady, she would have wed Robert. But he wished to marry Ashara - he never quite said why, even with the rumours of her being 'dishonoured' by Brandon or Ned Stark he did not back down. He even gave up his lands to his brother Stannis - the two brothers were close and respected eachother, no matter how Stannis grinded his teeth and how Robert huffed and puffed in his company. (Even after the ruinous events with Rhaegar and Lyanna, Robert was still close to Eddard. The slip of a girl, Lyanna, had been banished on the pain of permanent imprisonment if she ever stepped foot beyond the Neck. She had thrown it all away for a callous prince, believing that *she* was pregnant with the true heir to the throne. Instead, the girl who saw Elia as infertile and weak, gave birth to a stillborn son and was left barren. A fitting end, Oberyn had quipped. Cruel... but wasn't Lyanna cruel too - not caring for anyone but herself, Rhaegar and the 'saviour' in her womb?)

 

Her daughters - Rhaenys, and Aelinor Lannister (her daughter with Jaime, their only child and his confirmed heiress) were also her pride and joy, but alas, this day was for her son and his soon to be wife, Floris.

Floris was tall, standing at five feet and ten inches compared to her soon to be husband's six feet and one inches, with the heterochromia seen only in two Targaryens (Alyssa and Shiera), being a dreamer to boot. She was beautiful, in the same way Ashara was, albeit hers was a more soft and shy one. She was charitable, cared for the smallfolk in a genuine manner (unlike Margaery Tyrell, whom Mace had tried pushing as Aegon's wife - the girl was smart and pretty to be sure, but something in her made Elia think of the wolf whelp).

 

She was glad to have her best friend and soulmate's child become her own child in a way. Nobody was better suited for Aegon than his dear Floris.

Here she was, attending to Aegon before the ceremony. She stood on her tiptoes, adjusting the circlet on his head and felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"You look so handsome, my boy. A true king, all that a monarch should be." She couldn't help the tears escaping her eyes.

"Oh, mother! Why are you crying? This is a happy day, or atleast I hoped." Her boy was so sweet, always picking up on other's emotions and attempting to comfort them as best as he could - or atleast soothing them with questions and words.

"These are tears of joy, my dearest boy. Your grandfather - Maegor, that is - would... be so proud of you, as would my own mother Loreza." How she wished her parents were here to see her, her daughters and her son. Their union had finally brought peace and stability to the realm, as would the marriage of a future heir to a Blackfyre prince or princess.

"I hope so mother, I truly do. I hope my lady grandmother is also proud of me. Sometimes... I'm scared she blames me." Aegon was always so formal and respectful of the dowager queen Rhaella, to the point where it seemed severe.

"Blame you? Never. No negative thoughts today, nor tomorrow, nor again. Do you want Floris to interrogate you when she notices your melancholy?" Floris could read his emotions and actions as if he were an open book, and he could never bottle those thoughts up. She was glad he opened up to the women and some men in his life.

 

After the wedding, and other ceremonies were over... she wanted to create a meeting between Aegon and Rhaella. For Rhaella to tell him about everything, about how she would never blame him - for any of it. She had said much of the same to Elia, when the death of Rhaegar first came out.

 

Elia had been weeping, whether out of exhaustion or joy - she did not know. Maybe both. Her head had been resting on Rhaella's lap, Rhaella stroking her hair in an attempt to soothe her. (Loreza had done much of the same for Rhaella, and Rhaella was the closest thing of a mother to her now...).

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, my queen. If he had just... married the Stark girl, or if I tried harder... then your son would still be here..." she knew now, that no matter how she or the rest of Rhaegar's family tried - it would never be enough. Rhaella was left to believe she was a terrible mother, Elia was left to believe she was a terrible wife, Viserys was left to believe he was a terrible brother and her children... they still believed it was their fault.

"It isn't your fault, Elia. No matter what you did, no matter what I did - he would've done this anyways. There was a madness within him, and I shall forever regret that. I cannot, however, regret the fact that it gave me a good young lady to call my daughter, and two beautiful grandchildren." Rhaella took turns between crying/needing comfort and showing barely any emotions - when she said this, her eyes and expression were vacant.

 

(It was true. Even if Rhaegar married Cersei, she was too young for repeated pregnancies. He would've taken the closest woman to her and make her his mistress, if not, then the mother of his bastards. If he was foolish enough to kidnap daughters of the greatest lords, she wondered what Tywin would have done if his golden daughter married the prince instead.)

All Rhaegar got was a stillborn son and caused the disgrace of his family. Not to mention the lives cost because of him, especially her own father.

Perhaps he didn't directly kill her father, Lord Rickard and Brandon Stark - but they were deceased, thanks to him. Maegor had always been diplomatic, and championed the cause of the two Stark men - none of them knowing that the wolf 'maiden' went willingly.

Perhaps Lyanna didn't kill her father, or her own and her brother - but she was held just as responsible. Elia was never one for holding grudges, but knowing the woman had gambled for false promises and words - only to lose everything... it made her glad. If it had been Elia and her children, dead or discarded, would Lyanna have cared, or taken pity on them?

She didn't think so.

Aegon nodded at her words, immediately returning to his jovial and cheerful state. "You're right as always, mother. Just like Floris and Aunt Ashara."

Even when the mood was somber before, he never ceased to make her laugh. "Us women usually are right, most of the time. Do you wish for myself, and your sisters to accompany you to the sept?"

He, like a gentleman, held his arm out for her - she linked it in. "You don't even have to ask, mother. I'm sure Aunt Ash and Robert are with my bride now, so I'd rather not be lonely and bored on the way there."

 

Oh, how lucky she was to have been blessed with a son like him!

Chapter 2: lynesse and tyrion

Summary:

had there ever been a more mismatched couple? by the public eye, perhaps not - but floris believes them to be soulmates. just like she and aegon.

Notes:

originally... tyrion was gonna marry brienne. but i have other plans for her, a platonic relationship - galladon survives, so no pressure on her for heirs or marriage.

i wanted to show more of lynesse, that she's more than "wah wah she hurt baby jorah, jorah is sooooo innocent and babygirl". sure, she loves riches and whatever - that doesn't mean she deserves harm or rape. so many fanfic writers write rape porn, murder porn, or torture porn of these characters - ESPECIALLY catelyn, lynesse, elia, or even joanna lannister.

"who was lynesse's first husband?" not jorah :) jorah is icky, so no thanks. old lord beesbury (arianne's 'suitor') was succeeded by a nephew, so i kinda used that. in exchange for companionship, lynesse gets some sort of freedom. as a lady dowager, she has no need to marry again but ye.

so sorry for lack of updates. been very sick again, no motivation... yeah.

Chapter Text

Lynesse Hightower and Tyrion Lannister. The beautiful, widowed and witty lady and the man who was despised by most in the realm. Meaning, of course, those who saw him as a cariacture or believed the vile rumours about him.

 

Never was a couple so different, and yet so similar. Lynesse was tall, beautiful, and was highly intelligent and educated - like all of Leyton Hightower's daughters - although she had been widowed for quite a while now. She conceived no child (or pregnancy) during her marriage, and many whispered that she was 'barren' or that she was being punished.

 

Those people, of course, forgot that Lynesse was more of a nurse than a wife during her marriage. She married for comfort and for a match that befitted her station, Lord Ben Beesbury's ailing and childless son. At the time of their marriage, he had been in his sixties, and despite prior marriages he never had any children of his own.

 

He was, by all accounts, however, very kind and charitable. Lynesse had confided to her that the two had never slept together, they tried at first, but the man could not go through with it. Instead, it was a companionship and a marriage most would wish for.

 

Humfrey Beesbury was the only son of Ben, and Ben's only wife (Victaria Roxton? Or a lady from another house, Floris could not remember). Upon his father's and his own death, their lordship passed to a nephew/cousin.

 

As the dowager lady, Lynesse was given grants and a higher, respectable position. And now, Floris decided that the lady would be allowed to keep those benefits.

 

As Lynesse was the chief lady within her entrouage, the matter of her marriage mattered to her quite a bit. As a friend, as an 'employer', and because etiquette demanded it of her.

 

She took an active interest in all of her ladies, their (potential) betrothals and marriages, and their lives. She knew a few did not wish to marry, nor have children or they perhaps... wished for a man with the same, but also different orientation. As in, they either liked both sexes or only the same.

 

She knew being half-Dornish and the rumours surrounding her mother made her far more vulnerable, or people would use those things to vindicate her. Lord Mace Tyrell was at the helm of such things, although whether or not he was being encouraged by his mother or truly meant it she knew not, but he was always readily pushing Margaery towards Aegon, Viserys, her cousin Joffrey and even the Blackfyres!

 

Yet, despite it all, she embraced her Dornish side. As did Aegon, his sisters, her own lady mother (Ashara). Even her lord father made an effort to learn of the history and customs! The great Robert Baratheon, respecting other cultures and people? It shocked many, although it mostly had a positive influence.

 

And so she was here, dining in private with Tyrion and Lynesse. They probably thought her silence was that of disapproval or disappointment, when in reality she was proud. Although a bit worried.

 

"My lord, Tyrion, what are your intentions for my lovely Lynesse? She's my finest lady-in-waiting and I do not wish to lose her." She knew they were good, but she had to discover that for herself.

 

"Ah... my queen... I..." he was shocked, but recovered quickly and a determined look appeared on his face. "I have only the best intentions for Lynesse, I... love her. I know I am not worthy, and if you do not wish for us to marry, I understand."

 

Floris arched an eyebrow, biting down the urge to laugh as Lynesse pinched Tyrion's ear, telling him that SHE was not infact worthy of HIM. It... was sweet. "Neither of you are unworthy, believe me. I know both sides of intentions are well and for your happiness. It's... just... I don't wish to lose Lynesse. Nor does Aegon wish to lose his uncle, my lord."

 

Aegon loved his (step)father, his relatives and Tyrion just as much as his birth family. Her own father was the main male figure in his life, but Jaime and Tyrion were a close second.

 

"I'm sure the both of you know, that despite the Blackfyre loyalists being given their lands and honours back, that they're not content. And... I'm not doubting your father's loyalties, Lynesse, but your sister is married to one of the main claimants." She sighed, before continuing. "The Blackfyres themselves have no wish for the throne, not when the lines will unite with my children and either a daughter or son of theirs."

 

Tyrion furrowed his brows, looking somewhat concerned. "I see your point, especially as my cousin Margot Lannister, is married to the troublesome Peake. She truly is Tywin's daughter, unlike Cersei - I have a feeling she's conspiring to have her daughter marry Viserys, a Blackfyre..."

 

He shifted then, sighing, his face becoming even more grave. She told him to continue, and to not hold back. Even for how she saw him as an uncle, he was still formal.

 

"I have no part in this, just that I have thought of what she may do and what she may want. Cersei is the same, except she actually voices it and writes letters - hence why the dowager princess banished her from court - whereas Margot is... sneaky, to put it nicely. I suspect she wishes to have her eldest daughter, Ceryse, to become either a mistress... or queen." Floris knew this, long before this conversation had started. Her dreams, her parents picking up on subtle hints, she would be more worried if Margot Lannister had no motives or intentions.

 

"If I may, Floris - my queen... my father has no part in this. He is content that one of his descendants will one day become queen consort, he is ambitious but sensible." Lynesse was fierce in her defense of her family, something that Floris found she had in common with the lady. "Nor do the main Lannisters plot in this, most definitely not Ty - ah, Tyrion." (With an exception to Cersei) was left unsaid.

 

"Alright."

 

"Your grace?"

 

"I agree to your request, although I have a few things I wish to ask in return." As she finished her tea, she offered to refill her two guest's cups as well. No need for servants or maids for such minor things.

 

"And they are?" "Yes?" Tyrion and Lynesse spoke in unison, before staring at eachother and laughing. So in sync, and so in love...

 

"First, that Lynesse remains by my side - as mentioned, I have no wish to lose such a lady. Second, that you, Tyrion, stay on as an advisor for Egg and myself. However, the two of you may travel wherever you wish - within reason, of course. Egg wishes to visit all areas within his realm every few years, especially Dorne and the West." (Aegon's councillors did not like this, insisting that an assassination attempt may occur or that he could not possibly rule from so many places.)

 

"A king must be seen by his people, must hear his people, and must meet his people. Assassinations may occur - that is true - but I'll have the very best knights, lords and ladies with me. If anything were to happen, then it is the seven's will and my sister shall rule after me - or any children I have with my dear Floris." Aegon had declared upon hearing the feeble protests and pleas of the councillors, even her own father had been against it. Ultimately, they conceded though not without hesitation.

 

"Is that all? I was expecting you to ask me to destroy the entirety of the Peakes." Tyrion joked.

 

"As appealing as that may be, killing one Peake makes their family tree grow two more heads. Just like the hydras in mythos." Lynesse quipped back, Floris couldn't help but snort at this.

 

"Yes. That is all. I'll take on the cost of a dowry or wedding gifts that must be exchanged, for now... just enjoy eachother. Just, please, nowhere around septons - I have them screeching in my ears everyday, they're all I hear!" (The septons did not like that Floris championed the smallfolk women and children, nor did they like that Aegon was pushing for acceptance of those of different religions, or the converts and their descendants.)

 

Truly, Floris was blessed with her friends and family.

Series this work belongs to: