Eleventh Month of 281 A.L. Duskendale

King Rhaegar I Targaryen

The war had been costly for all involved, the Riverlands were a mess, the Vale was rudderless, the crownlands and Stormlands were going through a shortage of food. All in all Rhaegar was often left questioning whether or not the war had actually been worth it. He was kept awake at night with the screams of dying men, women and children haunting his every thought and waking breath, he could not sleep and nothing the maester did could cure him of this hell his nights had become. Not even Elia could make him feel better and he was loath to ask her to help him when she was so frail and her health was taking a beating during the winter, Rhaenys seemed to be the only thing providing him with relief, her joyfulness and playfulness bringing a smile to both her parents faces. There was a need for a male heir but Rhaegar was still too haunted by ghosts to try anything. That they were living not in King's Landing which had been burned to smithereens by his father and that there was nothing left of the city that had been built by the dragon, and that they were now living in the Dun Fort and Duskendale itself due to House Rykker had died out during the war was only adding to some of his problems.

Once they had managed to settle things at Duskendale, Rhaegar had held court where he had named his small council and Kingsguard. He had named Tywin Lannister as his hand, simply because he knew the man would accept no other position and as far as he was concerned it was better to have the devil you knew than one you didn't, master of ships was given to Paxter Redwyne, master of laws given to Lord Rickard Stark, master of coin was given to Jon Connington a man Rhaegar knew and trusted, as master of whispers Rhaegar named Lord Leyton Hightower, and for Grand Maester the citadel had named Gormon Tyrell to the role. As for the Kingsguard with most of his father's Kingsguard having died during the war, Rhaegar had needed replacements to join Lord Commander Lewyn Martell, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan Selmy, and so he had named Ser Lyle Crakehall, Ser Garth Hightower, Ser Willam Darry and finally Ser Harwyn Plumm. Good men all of them and Rhaegar thought they would continue the honour the Kingsguard had established. Once that had been established, Rhaegar had been crowned King and Elia Queen at the Starry Sept so as to ensure that there was some sort of officialdom there once more. The lords who had fought for Aerys had been pardoned and some had been allowed to retain their positions and status, but there was one thorny issue, and that was the Baratheons.

"Your Grace, the Baratheons have a very strong claim to the throne through their grandmother Rhaelle. It would not do allow them to keep their titles as Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and suggest that they can still hold some measure of power in realm. As others might grow dissatisfied with your reign and seek to crown Stannis. They still remember how he fought during the Tarly invasion." Lord Tywin said his voice even.

"The Baratheons did their duty to whom they thought was their rightful king. I see no reason to punish them even further. They have lost a father, a mother and now a brother in service to my family. They should be rewarded for their loyalty not stripped of a title they have held since the conquest." Rhaegar replied evenly.

"Stannis Baratheon is a man with a strict sense of honour. Now that his grace sits the throne he will not attempt to do anything that could be viewed as treason. That is not the type of person he is, nor shall he listen to those who would seek to end the King's reign on the throne. He will stay true to the King and the Targaryens." Jon said.

Lord Leyton spoke then. "Well there have been reports that some of the Stormlords mean to see the man removed and his younger brother named Lord of Storm's End. I agree with Lord Tywin Your Grace, better to remove the Lord Paramountship of the Stormlands from the Baratheons and give it to someone you respect and believe will stay true no matter what."

Rhaegar thought about this for a moment and then looked at Jon and said. "Very well then in that case I believe that Jon should do well as Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. From now House Connington shall be overlords of the Stormlands. Maester Gormon I want this written into a royal decree and any who question it should come here to present why it should not be as it is."

The lords nodded their agreement and then Lord Tywin spoke. "Lord Connington shall need some support against those who would want the Baratheons. I suggest that we unite the Rock and the Roost once more. If you would consent my lord I would see my daughter wed to you."

Jon looked quite surprised but he merely nodded and then the matter was settled. Rhaegar then turned his attention towards other matters. "Now that that is settled there is another pressing matter that we must discuss. Trade with the free cities was quite slow during the war and as such we must needs see it reintroduced on a scale that would be best for encouraging trade in the long term. Therefore I believe that it might be best if the throne takes over the rights for now with regards to Pentos and Myr as well as Lys."

At this Lord Rickard spoke up. "That would be unwise Your Grace. We fought a war to remove a tyrant from the throne; you do not want the people believing you to be like your father now would you? If not then perhaps it might be better to delegate the trading contracts out to those who stood by you through thick and thin."

Rhaegar looked at Jon who merely said. "Lord Stark does have the right of it Your Grace. The throne currently stands on shaky ground, we cannot alienate our allies by claiming a monopoly over all the best trading contracts."

Rhaegar sighed and then said. "Very well then we shall need to discuss this on a much more detailed basis later on." And so the council meeting went on for sometime, in which Rhaegar had to give more away to his allies than he felt comfortable with, and he wondered if perhaps this had all been a mistake, his power was already feeling constricted.