First Meetings (Will fix title later)
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thelionandthesun[ There were certain things that she'd always known would be expected of her. She was to see to her duties and put the kingdom and its people first, always. In times of trouble, should her parents be unable, the burden of leadership would fall to Rapunzel, as the sole heir. Learning about their neighboring kingdoms and countries, their customs, their royalty and leadership, and how to maintain diplomatic relations... Things that were typical of any royal family.
In fact, the one area in which Rapunzel's royal life was atypical was with regards to suitors. While there was no shortage of those who would vie for her hand (for the princess was said to be of youthful beauty both inside and out) her father, King Edmund, had refused nearly all of them. NO one was considered good enough and it didn't matter how sweet the offered pot. It hadn't taken long for him to develop a reputation of being overly protective over his "little girl". Some neighboring kingdoms began to speculate that princess Rapunzel would remain an unwed queen, a spinster. Some speculated that perhaps the princess was of weak constitution and that was why the king insistently kept her close. What those outside of a select few within the kingdom didn't know, however, was that the princess carried a special spark that warranted the king's concerns.
The princess of Corona had been blessed from before birth. In a world where magic and curses were as real as men and their wars it should come as no surprise that things such as magical healing flowers and cursed moon stones exist. When queen Arianna took ill in the late stages of her pregnancy the king ordered a search for the rumored plant, which legend said was to have fallen within their kingdom's borders. When the enchanted plant was made into a broth for the queen to consume that power passed on to her unborn child. It took only ONE failed kidnapping attempt for the king to realize that Rapunzel would be in danger of being exploited should anyone ever learn the truth, and so the princess was doomed from infancy to lead an extremely sheltered life, more so than that of many other royals her age.
What, then, changed king Edmund's mind...
Publicly: With war on everyone's doorstep alliances were being struck, loyalties tested, supplies gathered, and soldiers drafted in every kingdom. War had yet to reach Corona's borders on such a large scale and with the long Summer's end on the horizon the dangers were beginning to mount. She was a small kingdom. It was large in wealth and culture but it wanted for men to defend its borders against large invading forces. Should the worst come to pass and the other kingdoms turn their eyes on their lands they would need aide to defend.
The reason mattered less to Rapunzel than the end result. She had yet to know the horrors and hardships of any war, never mind one of such scale. Besides that, she'd been born into a position of privilege, and while she could easily be considered a woman for the people, visiting with their subjects and walking among them, she'd never personally know their daily struggles. If her marriage to the crown prince of Westeros would prevent her people's suffering then she would see to this duty just as she had the others before it. Still, she couldn't help a reasonable amount of trepidation...
Jaime Lannister, a man known for his dashing good looks, his family's reputation, and his skill. She knew all of this, but she knew remarkably little about what he was actually like. Her hand maid, Cassandra, did what she could to alleviate the princesses worries, but she couldn't really offer much in way of insight.
Aside from her myriad responsibilities and the expectations that came with the crown, she was happy. She wanted for nothing. Her parents allowed her to pursue her passions and interests (within reason) and all in all it could be said that she led a charmed life. How much of that would change once she was wed? Would he find her company enjoyable? Would they get along? Would it matter to him?
Her father, while stern, was also a caring man. The queen, openly loving and supportive towards her daughter, was a free spirit like her, yet she carried herself with the dignity and poise of her station, and Rapunzel was expected to do the same. She couldn't help but wonder what new expectations she'd need to learn to meet with this marriage...?
There wasn't even much time to ponder over it In the days following the news and the announcement of her betrothal, in the hours between preparations for his visit, extended lessons on the cultures and customs of Westeros, and her pre-existing responsibilities. The days flew by, even with how long the sun hung in the sky, until finally the day that he would arrive was upon them.
So it was that Rapunzel stood between her parents, all nervous and excited anticipation, ready to greet the prince. That morning she and Cassandra made doubly, triply sure that there were no lingering smudges of paint on her person or her clothes. She was wearing a dress in purples with traces of gold in the design and patterns of the fabric. Her hair, nearly touching the ground even when bound, rested down the length of her back, tied up in bushels like golden spun silk.
As the procession came into view Rapunzel's grip on her own hands tightened imperceptibly. With a deep breath in and back out she felt a soft of calm acceptance come over her then, and she put on her most welcoming smile. ]
In fact, the one area in which Rapunzel's royal life was atypical was with regards to suitors. While there was no shortage of those who would vie for her hand (for the princess was said to be of youthful beauty both inside and out) her father, King Edmund, had refused nearly all of them. NO one was considered good enough and it didn't matter how sweet the offered pot. It hadn't taken long for him to develop a reputation of being overly protective over his "little girl". Some neighboring kingdoms began to speculate that princess Rapunzel would remain an unwed queen, a spinster. Some speculated that perhaps the princess was of weak constitution and that was why the king insistently kept her close. What those outside of a select few within the kingdom didn't know, however, was that the princess carried a special spark that warranted the king's concerns.
The princess of Corona had been blessed from before birth. In a world where magic and curses were as real as men and their wars it should come as no surprise that things such as magical healing flowers and cursed moon stones exist. When queen Arianna took ill in the late stages of her pregnancy the king ordered a search for the rumored plant, which legend said was to have fallen within their kingdom's borders. When the enchanted plant was made into a broth for the queen to consume that power passed on to her unborn child. It took only ONE failed kidnapping attempt for the king to realize that Rapunzel would be in danger of being exploited should anyone ever learn the truth, and so the princess was doomed from infancy to lead an extremely sheltered life, more so than that of many other royals her age.
What, then, changed king Edmund's mind...
Publicly: With war on everyone's doorstep alliances were being struck, loyalties tested, supplies gathered, and soldiers drafted in every kingdom. War had yet to reach Corona's borders on such a large scale and with the long Summer's end on the horizon the dangers were beginning to mount. She was a small kingdom. It was large in wealth and culture but it wanted for men to defend its borders against large invading forces. Should the worst come to pass and the other kingdoms turn their eyes on their lands they would need aide to defend.
The reason mattered less to Rapunzel than the end result. She had yet to know the horrors and hardships of any war, never mind one of such scale. Besides that, she'd been born into a position of privilege, and while she could easily be considered a woman for the people, visiting with their subjects and walking among them, she'd never personally know their daily struggles. If her marriage to the crown prince of Westeros would prevent her people's suffering then she would see to this duty just as she had the others before it. Still, she couldn't help a reasonable amount of trepidation...
Jaime Lannister, a man known for his dashing good looks, his family's reputation, and his skill. She knew all of this, but she knew remarkably little about what he was actually like. Her hand maid, Cassandra, did what she could to alleviate the princesses worries, but she couldn't really offer much in way of insight.
Aside from her myriad responsibilities and the expectations that came with the crown, she was happy. She wanted for nothing. Her parents allowed her to pursue her passions and interests (within reason) and all in all it could be said that she led a charmed life. How much of that would change once she was wed? Would he find her company enjoyable? Would they get along? Would it matter to him?
Her father, while stern, was also a caring man. The queen, openly loving and supportive towards her daughter, was a free spirit like her, yet she carried herself with the dignity and poise of her station, and Rapunzel was expected to do the same. She couldn't help but wonder what new expectations she'd need to learn to meet with this marriage...?
There wasn't even much time to ponder over it In the days following the news and the announcement of her betrothal, in the hours between preparations for his visit, extended lessons on the cultures and customs of Westeros, and her pre-existing responsibilities. The days flew by, even with how long the sun hung in the sky, until finally the day that he would arrive was upon them.
So it was that Rapunzel stood between her parents, all nervous and excited anticipation, ready to greet the prince. That morning she and Cassandra made doubly, triply sure that there were no lingering smudges of paint on her person or her clothes. She was wearing a dress in purples with traces of gold in the design and patterns of the fabric. Her hair, nearly touching the ground even when bound, rested down the length of her back, tied up in bushels like golden spun silk.
As the procession came into view Rapunzel's grip on her own hands tightened imperceptibly. With a deep breath in and back out she felt a soft of calm acceptance come over her then, and she put on her most welcoming smile. ]
exposition dump :,)
Date: 2020-03-15 09:43 pm (UTC)And for a time, he had been able to live that life. The thrill of battle, the clash of bright steal under a hot sun, that was what he lived for. Even joining the Kingsguard veered a bit too closely to political play and pomp and circumstance, but Cersei had begged and pleaded for him to join, and the fact that it annoyed his father was a nice bonus. A life protecting King Aerys was not the sort of knighthood he had envisioned for himself, but there were times now where he almost wished he could have that back.
If only he had known what his father had truly been planning, he might not have plunged his sword into Aerys in the first place. Maybe.
From 'Kingslayer' to 'Prince' in almost the blink of an eye. It was supposed to have been Robert's rebellion, and yet Tywin Lannister had managed to be the one to come out with the crown. How very like his father. Though he would be behest to admit it, his father made a surprisingly good king. He brought the Starks and the Baratheons to heel with a swiftness, and to his own shock, very little violence. At least, less violence than he might have expected from his father.
In one swift motion, Twyin had been able to erase Kingslayer from Jaime's life, and then, erase Kingsguard as well. Jaime supposed he shouldn't be surprised- Tywin would never allow Tyrion to be heir to his throne, and if anyone could release a member of the Kingsguard from his sacred oath, it would be the King himself, wouldn't it.
That was all it took, a word, a wave, a bit of ink to parchment, and Jaime Lannister, knight of the Kingsguard, was no more. Now he was Jaime of House Lannister, First of His Name, Prince of the Andals and the First Men- and the title stretched further. He hated every word of it.
Now his days were tiresome meetings with the small council to talk debt and coin, and whisper of a coming winter. He found he had no taste for it, and not entirely much skill. While his father seemed to hold mastery over every axis of the political spectrum, it quickly became apparent that the gift was not hereditary. His father was not cruel in his Kingship, no, Jaime would instead describe it as cold. Precise. Measured. And the same would be expected of him in time. In the years following his father's ascent to the throne, Jaime at least tried to take his duties seriously, up and at attention in every meeting and audience chamber.
Lately, he had become a bit more of a prince errant , much to his father's distaste. He never did anything to disgrace the family name- that would be even to his own displeasure- but slipping away from courtly duties in search of something a bit more exhilarating was becoming quite the habit.
It made him wonder if this entire arrangement was meant to be a punishment. Tywin insisted, of course, that this was important political strategy, and Jaime had little to reason to doubt that it was true- but it could both things. While Robert’s Rebellion was now long past, there were other stirrings of war outside of Westeros, and the kingdom itself was still in its own recovery from its civil war.
And so the match was made. Jaime hadn’t even realized the extent his father was communicating with outside kingdoms until now.
The journey there had been long, but ultimately, uneventful. It mostly involved his father cooly reminding him how important this was for Westeros and what was expected of him. Jaime wasn’t quite sure how he felt about this, beside the obvious. He had little taste for being a prince, and were it not for his father’s reign he wouldn’t be able to be wed in the first place. Oh, how things change.
He supposed it would go the same as most marriages arranged for political power did- loveless, cold, adulterous. Maybe he was fine with that- he couldn’t quite say. He hoped at least this Princess wouldn’t be some capricious slip of a thing.
As they entered the Kingdom of Corona, he took a moment to lean from the carriage window and take it in. He was immediately struck by just how different it seemed than Westeros. A Kingdom more acquainted with art than war was completely foreign to him, and it seemed practically idyllic in comparison to his own home. Strange indeed.
He emerged as their footmen proclaimed their arrival, cringing at the ‘Prince Jaime Lannister, first of his-’ Oh did he really need to say the entire thing? He was dressed in Lannister finery, rich red silks emblazoned with a golden lion across his chest. How he itched for a sword at his side.
When his gaze settled on Rapunzel, he couldn’t help but smile, though it was not because his was immediately enamored by her beauty or stature. Gold of hair. Of course, father.
While his father strode over to greet the King and Queen, Jaime wasted little time in approaching the Princess herself, bowing courteously in front of her. ]
Your Highness. [ He gave her the best smile he could muster. ] It is a pleasure to meet you.