The host of the Vale

[Adamat]

Armies

Main host 9500 LI 4750 HI 4750 AS 2625 LC 2625 HC Lady Jeyne Arryn, Aemma Rivers, Ander Royce of Gates of the Moon, Harrold Templeton Personal retinue: 100 HI, 100 HC Arryn, 50 HI 50 HC Corbray Total: 24050 troops Home defense 1000 LI 500 HI 500 AS Ser Joffrey Arryn, knight of the Bloody Gate Personal retinue: 25 HI, 25 HC Total: 2050 troops

Commanders

Jeyne Arryn, +3 Charisma, +2 assassination, +1 survival Aemma Rivers, +2 charisma, +2 survival, +1 personal combat, +1 battles Joffrey Arryn, +3 battles, +2 survival, +2 personal combat, +1 to rout rolls against this character Ander Royce, +2 duels, +2 charisma, +1 battles Harrold Templeton, +4 duel, +3 survival, -1 battles Benedict Corbray, +1 Battle, +1 Personal Combat, +1 Survival

[Trot]

Royce of the Gates of the Moon
Commander
Ser Willam Royce
age 16
Sociable +1 charisma -2% income
+3 duels (+2 skills +1 Lamentation)
+2 charisma
+1 battles

Men
100 Light Infantry
50 Archers
50 Men at Arms
25 Light Cavalry
25 Heavy Cavalry

ooc not sure if already included in your numbers or not

[Pinkerton]

The Host of Ninestars

Ser Harrold Templeton, +4 duel, +3 survival, -1 battles

400 Light Infantry
200 Archers
200 Men-at-Arms
100 Light Cavalry
100 Knights

OoC: Exactly same situation as Trot, they should be with you but I dunno if you counted them.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lord Benedict Corbray

+1 Battle, +1 Personal Combat, +1 Survival

Retinue of House Corbray: 100 men
50 Knights (Heavy Cavalry)
50 Men-at-Arms (Heavy Infantry)

(I know my men have been calculated into the composition)

[Oznerol]

"Here we are, sound the horns, prepare for the landing!"

The many seals approached the nearest beach, flanked by large white cliffs, their tops covered in pine trees. The banners fluttered in the wings, depicting sea horses, dragons and all the varied coat of arms from the Vale, ranging from bells to heart-carrying ravens. The large barges transporting horses were sent forward, while boats carried men to the shore. It was a complicated operation, overseen from the flagship, a three-decked ship, Queen Rhaenys, commanded by none other but Corlys himself. Lady Arryn had been offered passage in the said ship and Corlys himself captained the small boat that carried the Maid of the Vale to Crackclaw. It took many hours and the sun was well past noon when everyone was on land, the fleet chained nearby. Tents were raised, including large silken pavillions, trenches and letrines were dug and a small palisade put in place by diligent workers.

When the sun was setting a deafening roar broke the skies in half. And it wasn't alone, shrieking and roaring set the whole camp in alarm, many leathern wings covering the land in shadow. Lucerys' young beast answered the shrieks and raised to the sky, mounted by the young prince. Soon it was apparent who had arrived: a large and overfed yellow dragon, slow and ferocious, a bloody beast of fearsome repute, the scarlet mount of Rhaenys, a pale silvery shadow and two young and nimble lizards. When the yellow dragon landed before the largest tent, quartered arms were raised: Targaryen sharing room with Velaryon and Arryn. The Queen had taken possession of her pavillion and army. She had arrived, acompanied by Rhaenys, Daemon, Joffrey, Jacaerys and the newest addition to the files of dragonriders, Addam of Hull, who had carried his younger brother, Alyn, on the saddle. The dragons themselves cleared a large track of terrain, burning the very forest to make some sort of lair. Caraxes and its rider soon left, heading East, to a destination only known to the queen herself. But, when she sat for supper, she was surrounded by none but five fellow dragonriders, as Lucerys had joined her mother as soon as she landed. Six dragons slept and feasted with cattle while the Blacks were being summoned to their queen's presence, to dully pay homage to their liege, wine and venison carried to feed the attending lords and ladies. At the dais sat the Queen, acompanied by her eldest sons, Lord and Lady Velaryon and their newfound grandson. A seat was reserved for Lady Arryn, next to the Queen's throne.

[Adamat]

The Lords of the Vale assembled, one after another standing solemnly before their queen in slowly growing ranks while, in the background, the fighting men soldiered on, erecting great pavilions and campfires. High Lords were flanked by their bannermen, a multitude of coloured banners proudly fluttering in the gentle wind. Knights in armour, Lords in fine livery, banner-bearers with their warhorns and long lances. They seemed at ease, chatting along merrily with their compatriots, until they were hushed one by one from the back ranks to the front. Slowly, a corridor opened up, ushered on by knights on mighty warhorses clad in blue. Through the gap in the line of noble Valemen rode the Maiden of the Vale on a slender horse, white as snow. As she passed her brothers in arms, they took a knee, their eyes averted to the ground. As she approached the dais she halted her steed, and dismounted with the help of a rather imposing knight with a greatsword slung across his back, who quickly retreated into the ranks of the Lords. Finally, the Lady Jeyne lifted her dress some, before slowly taking a knee in the green grass of the Crownlands.

"Queen Rhaenyra of the Iron Throne," a woman's voice carried the words over the field. "House Arryn lends the strength of the Vale to the will of Her Grace. We will not falter. We are prepared to fight, shed blood, and die for your righteous cause. The Seven surely stand with us, and we fear not the Stranger, for we know the Mother protects us." She paused for a moment, before ending her short speech. "As High As Honor," she stated calmly before rising, and mounting the steps to the dais. A knight carrying a banner nearly as large as the Queen's own followed on, and as the Lady Paramount of the Vale took her seat, he took up a position behind her, proudly displaying the falcon on blue. "My Queen, my cousin," she spoke to the Targaryen sat beside her. "I submit the power of the Vale to you. Their might is equalled only by your dragons. A mighty display of force, I must say."

[Oznerol]

The Lords of the Vale assembled, one after another standing solemnly before their queen in slowly growing ranks while, in the background, the fighting men soldiered on, erecting great pavilions and campfires. High Lords were flanked by their bannermen, a multitude of coloured banners proudly fluttering in the gentle wind. Knights in armour, Lords in fine livery, banner-bearers with their warhorns and long lances. They seemed at ease, chatting along merrily with their compatriots, until they were hushed one by one from the back ranks to the front. Slowly, a corridor opened up, ushered on by knights on mighty warhorses clad in blue. Through the gap in the line of noble Valemen rode the Maiden of the Vale on a slender horse, white as snow. As she passed her brothers in arms, they took a knee, their eyes averted to the ground. As she approached the dais she halted her steed, and dismounted with the help of a rather imposing knight with a greatsword slung across his back, who quickly retreated into the ranks of the Lords. Finally, the Lady Jeyne lifted her dress some, before slowly taking a knee in the green grass of the Crownlands.

"Queen Rhaenyra of the Iron Throne," a woman's voice carried the words over the field. "House Arryn lends the strength of the Vale to the will of Her Grace. We will not falter. We are prepared to fight, shed blood, and die for your righteous cause. The Seven surely stand with us, and we fear not the Stranger, for we know the Mother protects us." She paused for a moment, before ending her short speech. "As High As Honor," she stated calmly before rising, and mounting the steps to the dais. A knight carrying a banner nearly as large as the Queen's own followed on, and as the Lady Paramount of the Vale took her seat, he took up a position behind her, proudly displaying the falcon on blue. "My Queen, my cousin," she spoke to the Targaryen sat beside her. "I submit the power of the Vale to you. Their might is equalled only by your dragons. A mighty display of force, I must say."

Rhaenyra was wearing a chestplate, while her legs were covered by scales, the arms covered in good plate, inlaid with golden filigree. Her head was bared, for the warhelm was held by a squire and the sword by another, both belonging to proud families. She wears a simple, unadorned band of gold around her temples.

"We rejoice in your arrival, my mighty cousin"

Said the queen.

"The Seven light our way, undoubtedly"

The queen's hand, clad in an ornate gauntlet, gestured towards the dragons, who could be glanced nearby.

"The migth of our host is undeniable, and soon, we shall have more men ready to serve us"

[Adamat]

Later that day, the Knight of Ninestars seeks out Lady Arryn. He claims to have something important to tell her.

The Knight of Ninestars was admitted to the Arryn pavilion quickly. It had been decorated such that it looked more like a Lord's hall than a war council, with artwork and coloured candles and an expensive table, but Jeyne had never been one for warfare. She had others, like the guest that had just walked in, to busy them with such mundane and barbaric things on her behalf. "Ser Templeton, please take a seat," she said, looking up from a thick book with depictions of dragons in it. "What is this matter of such great import that it cannot wait for the morrow? I intend to hold a war council, and expect my commanders to be up early."

Rhaenyra was wearing a chestplate, while her legs were covered by scales, the arms covered in good plate, inlaid with golden filigree. Her head was bared, for the warhelm was held by a squire and the sword by another, both belonging to proud families. She wears a simple, unadorned band of gold around her temples.

"We rejoice in your arrival, my mighty cousin"

Said the queen.

"The Seven light our way, undoubtedly"

The queen's hand, clad in an ornate gauntlet, gestured towards the dragons, who could be glanced nearby.

"The migth of our host is undeniable, and soon, we shall have more men ready to serve us"

The Maiden of the Vale smiled. "That is good to hear. Pray tell me, who will be joining us, then?" She hadn't heard of any great lords declaring for Rhaenyra, but then again she'd refrained from sending out letters to the realm herself. One does not taunt a dragon without taking precautions, even if the dragon is a pretender.

[Oznerol]

The Maiden of the Vale smiled. "That is good to hear. Pray tell me, who will be joining us, then?" She hadn't heard of any great lords declaring for Rhaenyra, but then again she'd refrained from sending out letters to the realm herself. One does not taunt a dragon without taking precautions, even if the dragon is a pretender.

"Surely, Lady Darklyn, she has always been close to us"

Said Rhaenyra.

"She commands much strenght. I've also sent men to the Riverlands; my husband is pretty convincing"

She gestured to the world outside the pabillion.

"The clawmen better yield or burn. And Lady Tyrell's support could be at hand, but ravens and quills aren't as fast as one could desire"

[Pinkerton]

The Knight of Ninestars was admitted to the Arryn pavilion quickly. It had been decorated such that it looked more like a Lord's hall than a war council, with artwork and coloured candles and an expensive table, but Jeyne had never been one for warfare. She had others, like the guest that had just walked in, to busy them with such mundane and barbaric things on her behalf. "Ser Templeton, please take a seat," she said, looking up from a thick book with depictions of dragons in it. "What is this matter of such great import that it cannot wait for the morrow? I intend to hold a war council, and expect my commanders to be up early."

Templeton, who is now being called Harry the Hotspur by his men, is surprised to find that Lady Arryn's tent looked better than the main hall of his own castle.

"Wanted to talk to you before, actually, my lady." He takes a sit

"Tell your cousin back at the Eyre to be careful. Royce is gathering support to reinstate Arnold's child as your heir. He approached me and I told him to sod off, but I am not so sure the other Lords did the same."

[Adamat]

"Surely, Lady Darklyn, she has always been close to us"

Said Rhaenyra.

"She commands much strenght. I've also sent men to the Riverlands; my husband is pretty convincing"

She gestured to the world outside the pabillion.

"The clawmen better yield or burn. And Lady Tyrell's support could be at hand, but ravens and quills aren't as fast as one could desire"

"It is a sad state of affairs indeed, if greed is all that governs a Kingdom," Jeyne mused. "But, I suppose that is the way the world works. Everyone wants something. Swaying Tyrell to our cause might well end the war without more bloodshed, however. With winter approaching, your cousin Aegon can scarcely afford to stand up to the considerable numbers of Reachmen, not to mention the Reach's reputation as a great breadbasket. Still, we should march hard and fast, and make it clear that there can be no resistance to your cause." she held up her cup, and waited for a servant to fill it. "I wish I knew more of war, but alas, I find that I have little talent for it. Have you decided yet when we move? If you so desire, I will have my commanders, leal Lords all, convene to draft a plan."

Templeton, who is now being called Harry the Hotspur by his men, is surprised to find that Lady Arryn's tent looked better than the main hall of his own castle.

"Wanted to talk to you before, actually, my lady." He takes a sit

"Tell your cousin back at the Eyre to be careful. Royce is gathering support to reinstate Arnold's child as your heir. He approached me and I told him to sod off, but I am not so sure the other Lords did the same."

The Maiden got up and paced around some, her expression betraying some irritation on her part. "That would explain why the banners of Hunter and Royce never joined us," she said. "I wonder if Steward Ander was right, he proposed that my dear cousin might have sought refuge with his cousins at Runestone. I will send a raven to Ser Joffrey at the Bloody Gate to keep his wits about him, but for now we cannot afford to deal with this situation. I believe the cause to which we have committed ourselves will not allow us to divide our strength, now that things have been set in motion." She paused. "I thank you for this information, Ser. If ever it appeared to you that I doubted your ability or loyalty, rest assured that they were never cause for suspicion on my part. As ever, your consel is invaluable, and I will reward you in time. But for now, I ask of you to steel your men for the battles ahead."

[Pinkerton]

Later that day, the Knight of Ninestars seeks out Lady Arryn. He claims to have something important to tell her.

[Adamat]

Jeyne couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the request. Templeton was a renowned hothead, but in her experience he tended to cool down rather quickly if not provoked any further. She wondered what Royce had done to antagonise the Knight of Ninestars so. "I pray it doesn't come that far, Ser, but you have my word," she answered. "And congratulations on your recent marriage, Ser. I will ask the Mother that you return to a son that can match your temperament when this campaign is over, and we return to our lands victorious."

[Barry Goldwater]

Rhaenys Targaryen was present, standing atop the dais alongside her husband. She was still wearing her armor, burnished steel and gleaming copper all, over her riding leathers, arms folded and eyes watchful as the Lady Arryn came forth and Queen Rhaenyra went on down to greet her. While they exchanged words about the strength of the army and their next moves, she leaned in to ask Corlys in a whisper, "So, dear...you never told me I had some more grandsons. Bastard grandsons, at that."

[Oznerol]

Rhaenys Targaryen was present, standing atop the dais alongside her husband. She was still wearing her armor, burnished steel and gleaming copper all, over her riding leathers, arms folded and eyes watchful as the Lady Arryn came forth and Queen Rhaenyra went on down to greet her. While they exchanged words about the strength of the army and their next moves, she leaned in to ask Corlys in a whisper, "So, dear...you never told me I had some more grandsons. Bastard grandsons, at that."

Corlys almost choked on the venison pie served moments before.

*cough*

"Eh"

He sips wine twice.

"I thought you wouldn't approve. Least so Rhaenyra. They're good boys, I assure you, and you see? Addam is riding Seasmoke!"

Corlys avoids his wife's gaze. Addam was nearby, in one of the minor tabbles, but closer to the dais than any common bastard. He makes eye contact with Lord Velaryon and raises his cup, Corlys does the same, saluting his grandson. Liliac eyes, silvery hair, aquiline nose and some funny ears, prominent, something he tried to conceal with his silvery mane.

[Barry Goldwater]

Corlys almost choked on the venison pie served moments before.

*cough*

"Eh"

He sips wine twice.

"I thought you wouldn't approve. Least so Rhaenyra. They're good boys, I assure you, and you see? Addam is riding Seasmoke!"

Corlys avoids his wife's gaze. Addam was nearby, in one of the minor tabbles, but closer to the dais than any common bastard. He makes eye contact with Lord Velaryon and raises his cup, Corlys does the same, saluting his grandson. Liliac eyes, silvery hair, aquiline nose and some funny ears, prominent, something he tried to conceal with his silvery mane.

"Careful Corlys, there's no need to rush through the venison. And come now - I could never turn away my own blood, even if they are not trueborn." Rhaenys' decision to omit calling the newly-turned-up bastards her grandsons a second time was not unintentional. "How old is he? The one riding Laenor's dragon now, Seasmoke. He looks to be about Jace's age to me...Laenor must have invested a lot of effort in hiding them and their mother, if they remained hidden this long after the first prince's birth." That Laenor really was the boys' father and hid them out of fear for the wrath of Rhaenyra, then carrying their own first son in her womb, was certainly the story she wanted to believe over the possible alternative. Her own dark purple eyes followed Corlys' to the elder of the pair as they exchanged a salute.

[Oznerol]

"Careful Corlys, there's no need to rush through the venison. And come now - I could never turn away my own blood, even if they are not trueborn." Rhaenys' decision to omit calling the newly-turned-up bastards her grandsons a second time was not unintentional. "How old is he? The one riding Laenor's dragon now, Seasmoke. He looks to be about Jace's age to me...Laenor must have invested a lot of effort in hiding them and their mother, if they remained hidden this long after the first prince's birth." That Laenor really was the boys' father and hid them out of fear for the wrath of Rhaenyra, then carrying their own first son in her womb, was certainly the story she wanted to believe over the possible alternative. Her own dark purple eyes followed Corlys' to the elder of the pair as they exchanged a salute.

"He is sixteen. Older than Jace. He was born several months prior"

Granted Corlys.

"Laenor did nothing else, to be fair. I believe he was drunk, partying at Hull; he could very well have spent his whole income that night, at least I had to pay off half a dozen moneylenders. Joffrey Lonmouth and him had quarrelled, and bitterly so. I believe he bedded her out of spite and jealousy, a lowborn maiden that could not and would not deny her Lord's son a night together. Laenor was fair, nimble and of royal blood, it would have seemed like a fairy tale to a barely fifteen years old girl... far from the truth, I think our son returned Marilda to her father's home as soon he could, with a small pouch of silver"

He talked in whispers, while he smiled and sipped to the gathered audience, who didn't know the conversation that was transpiring.

"Nine months later, this girl arrived to my door. And the boy looked at me with those eyes, and the ears... it reminded me of when Laenor was a babe, I simply could not shut my door and my purse to her"

Now, he was nervous again.

"However, Gods know that what happened later was a moment of weakness, a sin of the flesh. Marilda, teary, felt abandoned, alone, despised by Laenor, who had laughed at her and kicked both her and her son of High Tide a week before"

He sips, twice.

"Joffrey died soon afterwards and Laenor, well, basically forgot about Marilda... and the child. You know how he was, he simply didn't care"

Corlys was basically pouring his soul in words, bitterly so.

"But... I did. I took care of them both and..."

He sighed.

"Alyn is mine own son. And the shame of my own sin made me hide them both"

Lord Velaryon stiffened his back, awaiting his wife's likely outburst. He looked seriously remorseful, for some would say to lay with your son's woman was incest, at the very least. The boys were at the same time brothers and uncle and nephew.

[Barry Goldwater]

Rhaenys listened with a stony expression as her husband told his tale, her arms crossed over her chest. So, her sneaking suspicions were half-right in the end, and one of the bastards was not Laenor's but rather Corlys'. The admission awakened some of the Baratheon anger in her bones, and though she tried hard to keep a straight face so as to not breach decorum, her cheeks took on a red hue and her nostrils flared. By the end she could not keep herself from scowling, and restraining herself from exploding was proving a greater challenge here than it was in Highgarden when Lady Tyrell repeated the rumors about her grandsons. I mustn't cause a scene, she thought frantically as she clenched her knuckles under the table and tried to swallow down as much of her mounting fury as she could despite its bitter taste, Nor must I slap him. Besides causing a scene, given his age and condition, I'd probably end up killing him. How fortunate for Corlys that he divulged his secret in a setting where she could not allow herself to erupt. A strategist even now.

So instead of raging like a dragon, Rhaenys unclenched her balled-up fists, closed her eyes and breathed out. "I must admit, Corlys, I am as disappointed as I am angry." She finally uttered through gritted teeth, her eyes focusing solely on him. "Disappointed that my husband slept around behind my back, with one of our son's throw-away lovers no less. And even more disappointed that he was not willing to admit to it until...how long as has it been? Fourteen or fifteen years later, I'm guessing, if this Marilda came to you so soon after the first of the pair was born." Somehow, the knowledge that Corlys had cheated on her cut less deeply, angered her less than the knowledge that he pulled wool over her eyes in this matter for over a decade.

Men were men with men's needs, to be sure, but after such a long marriage and the joy of raising two children into adulthood, Rhaenys had allowed herself to think her man was different. That if he was ever the sort of fellow who'd sleep around, he at least put those habits behind him after wedding her and fathering children with her. "And here I thought we were beyond keeping secrets from one another, at least after Laena was born and we came to truly know and appreciate one another as husband and wife." She continued, her words still shaking with restrained fury. She didn't even know whether she'd have forgiven him, if he had confessed his unfaithfulness to her right away, but she felt the grudge she bore then may have been less severe than the one that was beginning to grow with this confession after over a decade of deceit and silence.

"Are there any others?" The old princess asked, simply, finally, in a low whisper. You had best be completely honest now, her glare and frown commanded silently. No more secrets, truly. She was well beyond tears too, indeed so much time had already passed and so many things had changed that she felt - nay, knew, with all the finality and maturity of someone in the elder years of their life, that there was little she could do about the bastards themselves now, in a war where they needed every possible dragonrider on hand as she had told Rhaenyra back on Dragonstone. But if she was going to even think about moving forward, she needed to know she could trust Corlys as her husband once again.

[Oznerol]

Corlys closed eyes for a moment as well, trying to digest the truth he had so well concealed for many years. He knew both the lie and the act would anger Rhaenys beyond imagination, and after their children had died, he simply could not stomach the idea of hurting his wife more than she already was. He thought lies were a more acceptable truth and, leaving his wife in the dark, a necessary precaution to preserve their marriage. He had erred, for Corlys knew he was wrong, he should have repented and confessed, and the boys would have grown in High Tide, Velaryons to the bone. But, maybe, that had been for the best, they had been fostered among commoners, traders, sailors and merchants, they were honorable, loyal, witty, resourceful. Maybe, had they been raised in his court they could have become spoiled brats, good for nothings. But, that only the Gods knew.

"I kept the secret. I was wrong to do as much and I sincerely apologize, Rhaenys. I shouldn't have, but I'm weaker than you always were and I feared what the world could say or do"

He looked at Addam. The young man was feasting in the company of a dozen lordlings from the Vale, including a Hardying, a Waynwood and a Tollet, that much Corlys could tell from their heraldic devices. Alyn was nearby, and certainly he looked the spitting image of younger Sea Snake, despite they were not the same and Marilda's blood was in his. And he was speaking, or more accurately, flirting, with one of the maidservants.

"There are none other, I swear on the Old Gods and the New. If there have been other women they bore no fruit of their union, of they are far too removed from Westeros to ever be considered, and they were bed during my many travels, when both myself and the world were younger"

He openned both hands and placed them on the tabble, looking at his wife. Corlys felt his wife's pain and in turn, inflicted pain upon himself, for not being loyal and faithful to a wife so devoted.

"Marilda is the only one I've cheated you with, I swear. And she is not to trouble you, she won't ever cause any trouble to us, I beg not to seek retribution, for the boys' sakes"

The first peer of the realm couldn't beg, or at least shouldn't. But there's nothing one can do with a woman as Rhaenys but beg.

"My years on this earthly realm are counted, Rhaenys, I don't wish to be apart from you. Let us put the past behind us, no matter how storied or painful. I give you my heart, you can do with it as you please, but I beg you forgiveness"

[Barry Goldwater]

Corlys closed eyes for a moment as well, trying to digest the truth he had so well concealed for many years. He knew both the lie and the act would anger Rhaenys beyond imagination, and after their children had died, he simply could not stomach the idea of hurting his wife more than she already was. He thought lies were a more acceptable truth and, leaving his wife in the dark, a necessary precaution to preserve their marriage. He had erred, for Corlys knew he was wrong, he should have repented and confessed, and the boys would have grown in High Tide, Velaryons to the bone. But, maybe, that had been for the best, they had been fostered among commoners, traders, sailors and merchants, they were honorable, loyal, witty, resourceful. Maybe, had they been raised in his court they could have become spoiled brats, good for nothings. But, that only the Gods knew.

"I kept the secret. I was wrong to do as much and I sincerely apologize, Rhaenys. I shouldn't have, but I'm weaker than you always were and I feared what the world could say or do"

He looked at Addam. The young man was feasting in the company of a dozen lordlings from the Vale, including a Hardying, a Waynwood and a Tollet, that much Corlys could tell from their heraldic devices. Alyn was nearby, and certainly he looked the spitting image of younger Sea Snake, despite they were not the same and Marilda's blood was in his. And he was speaking, or more accurately, flirting, with one of the maidservants.

"There are none other, I swear on the Old Gods and the New. If there have been other women they bore no fruit of their union, of they are far too removed from Westeros to ever be considered, and they were bed during my many travels, when both myself and the world were younger"

He openned both hands and placed them on the tabble, looking at his wife. Corlys felt his wife's pain and in turn, inflicted pain upon himself, for not being loyal and faithful to a wife so devoted.

"Marilda is the only one I've cheated you with, I swear. And she is not to trouble you, she won't ever cause any trouble to us, I beg not to seek retribution, for the boys' sakes"

The first peer of the realm couldn't beg, or at least shouldn't. But there's nothing one can do with a woman as Rhaenys but beg.

"My years on this earthly realm are counted, Rhaenys, I don't wish to be apart from you. Let us put the past behind us, no matter how storied or painful. I give you my heart, you can do with it as you please, but I beg you forgiveness"

Rhaenys' anger softened slightly at the sight of her husband's full confession and pleading. Still, it was hard to swallow the insult, particularly when it had aged like a sour wine. She sipped a cup, of real wine at that, and took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves, tearing her eyes away from Corlys to look at her own lined hands before returning them to his older face, lips set in a grimace.

"I...I need to think, Corlys. I appreciate that you have finally come clean, so let me be honest with you in turn: I cannot say I forgive you in full and mean it, not yet." For the first time in decades the voice of the Queen That Never Was shook, not just with fury but with grief, and she sounded close to tears, though her eyes remained clear and focused. The weathered lines in her own face deepened with sorrow, making her seem a moment to truly look her age. "But I will not forget that we have had more good times than bad. And that our vows are until death do us part." She placed a hand on his, with more tenderness than she was known for. "For the sake of our grandchildren and in memory of how far we have come, I am willing to try again. But if this is to go anywhere, if we are to go anywhere, then we must start with honesty."

She took another breath, and steadied her voice. "You will understand, I hope, if I cannot take you simply at your word at this moment, and engage in my own inquiries when we return to Dragonstone. If what you swear to be true, proves to be true, that what you have told me is indeed a sign of turning over a new leaf and laying down a new foundation of honesty for our marriage...then, yes, we can begin anew indeed."

"As for the baseborn ones and their mother." Rhaenys stole a glance at Addam once more. At least that one was Laenor's, bearable enough. She dared not look for his brother, not knowing how she'd react at this time, before she could compose and prepare herself to look on living evidence of her own husband's faithfulness. "I will not pursue retribution. They have committed no crime, I trust, save to be baseborn. And I know the elder of the two rides Laenor's dragon now, and that we need more dragons than ever before. If nothing else, the Great Councils have taught me how to set aside my personal concerns for the good of the realm." She took another sip of wine, but when she swallowed she could taste nothing but misery and spite.