The two princes and the two children of House Baratheon were surrounded by servants who waited on them hand and foot. They ate well and drank well every day.
But no matter how skilled the castle cooks were, the food never tasted as good as something you caught yourself.
After awakening his cheat ability and becoming a true "HP-bar warrior," Rhaegar began behaving far more boldly.
He dived into the lake, climbed trees, scaled walls, dragging the other four children along with him. Together they terrorized everything that moved around Harrenhal.
Before long, animals in the surrounding fields nearly vanished.
Wild grass grew unchecked, and swarms of mosquitoes filled the air.
Time passed.
News eventually arrived from the south: the war against Dorne had ended in victory after only half a year.
The Dornish had invaded the Stormlands by land. Because they crossed mountains, they could not transport heavy scorpions or siege engines.
At the end of 61 AC, the main forces of the Seven Kingdoms and the Dornish met within the Red Mountains.
Just as both armies formed ranks and prepared to clash-
King Jaehaerys suddenly appeared above the battlefield, riding Vermithor, the Bronze Fury.
Archers fired desperately into the sky.
Their arrows struck Vermithor's scales and failed to leave even a white scratch.
Dragonfire soon rained down upon the fleeing Dornish.
The flames ignited their camps scattered across the hills and set the forests ablaze.
The fire burned for an entire day before finally dying out.
The self-proclaimed Vulture King and Ser Borys Baratheon were both captured.
Nobles convicted of capital crimes had certain rights.
They could renounce everything and join the Night's Watch at the Wall.
Or they could demand a trial by combat according to the laws of the Faith of the Seven.
If they survived the duel, the gods were believed to have proven their innocence.
Lord Rogar Baratheon, Lord of the Stormlands, ordered the Vulture King's chains removed.
He handed the man a shield and spear and promised him freedom if he could kill Rogar in single combat.
The man who called himself the second Vulture King proved to be a fraud.
Rogar killed him easily with a single sword strike.
Rogar and the traitor Borys were brothers.
To spare Rogar the curse of kinslaying, King Jaehaerys stepped forward himself to face Borys in a duel.
The fight lasted only two moves.
Jaehaerys stabbed him with Blackfyre and cut off his head.
"Strange," said Grover Tully, holding a letter atop the gatehouse of Harrenhal.
"The Vulture King only led fewer than a thousand bandits and raiders. Why does the king call this the Third Dornish War?"
He looked down at Rhaegar expectantly.
"…Huh?" Rhaegar stared at him.
Why are you asking a kid?
Seeing Grover's sincere expression, Rhaegar still didn't feel like entertaining him.
"The king must have his reasons," he answered casually.
Grover Tully was barely a teenager. With his limited experience he had no idea how to court a woman in her thirties like Rhaena.
No matter whether Rhaegar's answer was correct, Grover would praise him anyway.
He only wanted an excuse to get closer to Rhaena.
In truth, the war had sounded far more impressive than it actually was.
Not a single Dornish noble had taken part.
What Jaehaerys needed was military glory to strengthen his royal authority.
Once news of victory in the "Third Dornish War" spread, the nobles who had once supported Maegor and opposed him hurried to send gifts to the Red Keep.
Rhaegar had already developed certain financial dealings with Grover and didn't want to involve himself in political discussions.
"You're very clever!" Grover said brightly.
"I bought a beautiful vase yesterday. Could you help deliver it to Rhaena?"
At his feet stood a green vase.
Rhaegar shrugged.
"The Baratheon siblings are leaving for King's Landing today. I have to see them off. No time."
Grover pulled out a coin and held it between two fingers.
"One silver stag."
Rhaegar didn't even reach for it.
"Aemon and Baelon are leaving today too," he said regretfully.
Grover grimaced.
After thinking for a moment he put away the silver stag and produced another coin.
It bore Jaehaerys's portrait on one side and three dragon heads on the other.
"One silver moon."
"You must praise me in front of Rhaena, and make her thank me publicly."
Rhaegar snatched the coin and slipped it into his pocket.
"When Rhaegar takes money, the job gets done. If it fails, I'll return it."
Becoming a lovesick fool really did lower a man's intelligence.
A silver moon equaled seven silver stags—enough to buy a decent iron sword.
Rhaegar grinned.
"So, red-haired handsome, when are you going back to Riverrun?"
Grover laughed happily.
"During the wheat harvest this year."
Hearing Rhaegar's tone become friendlier pleased him greatly.
Rhaena was not a young unmarried girl.
Her parents were long dead, and as a widow she alone decided whether to marry again.
Grover had pursued her for more than half a year without the slightest progress.
Recently, the money he paid Rhaegar for errands had grown increasingly stingy.
The two of them descended the gate tower.
Rhaegar carried the vase into the castle to find Rhaena.
Grover walked toward the princes, chatting casually while keeping his eyes fixed on the castle gate.
Soon Rhaena emerged, with Rhaegar beside her.
Grover straightened his clothing and stepped proudly into the center of the courtyard.
Everyone already knew he was courting Rhaena.
When it seemed she intended to speak with him, all eyes turned toward them.
"Thank you very much for your help, Lord Grover," Rhaena said calmly.
Her gaze remained sharp and distant.
Except when dealing with Rhaegar and the children, she looked at almost everyone that way.
"I…" Grover blushed bright red, so delighted he could barely speak.
He actually liked that fierce look in her eyes.
"You are returning to Riverrun tonight."
"I wish you a safe journey."
With that, Rhaena walked away to join the princes.
Grover stood alone in the courtyard.
Had he not been the Lord of the Riverlands, someone might have whistled or laughed.
A breeze stirred his red hair.
It took him a long time to realize what had just happened.
Yes… Rhaena had publicly thanked him.
But why did it suddenly mean he had to leave tonight?
Departure from Harrenhal
Knights and soldiers hurried to pack their gear.
The princes' luggage had already been loaded onto wagons.
The escort would return to King's Landing by road.
The bewildered Lord of Riverrun departed as well.
Hundreds of people filled the courtyard.
For the first time in decades, Harrenhal felt lively.
Aemon, Baelon, and the Baratheon siblings gathered outside the castle with Rhaena.
They waited for Queen Alysanne's dragon to arrive.
King Jaehaerys was still in the south commanding the army.
Without urgent reason he had to return with his troops.
So transporting the children had been left to two dragonriding ladies.
Rhaegar waved the four children over and had them sit on the grass.
"Boremund, Jocelyn, Aemon, Baelon, listen."
"The lands of Harrenhal were granted long ago to northern lords. Only the area within three kilometers around us truly belongs to Harrenhal."
He pointed across the fields.
"Within five hundred meters of the walls we'll keep grass."
"But everywhere else…"
"I'm going to plant pear trees."
"The two lords of Harrenhal have already agreed. With water from the Gods Eye, irrigation won't be a problem."
"In seven years, you'll all be eating pears grown here."
"Great! Then send a few carts to the Red Keep!"
"As long as they're sweeter than pears from the Reach."
The children agreed pears were delicious.
But they had little sense of what seven years really meant.
Rhaegar continued.
"We must buy seeds from the Reach."
"And hire farmers who understand orchards."
"That costs money."
He spread his hands.
"If Rhaena pays for everything, she'll sell the pears later."
"But if we provide most of the money…"
"Then most of the pears will belong to us."
"We have to pay?" Aemon asked.
He had never used money in his life.
"We don't have any," Boremund admitted.
Children had no allowance. Their wealth belonged to their households.
"No problem," Rhaegar said.
He had them remove the family badges pinned to their chests.
He tore off the gold buttons from their coats.
Even Jocelyn's necklace ended up in his hands.
All of them were made of pure gold.
"I'll beat you next time!" Boremund shouted as he climbed onto Dreamfyre's saddle.
He had never once defeated Rhaegar in their contests.
Aemon stood beside his mother.
"When Baelon and I can ride dragons, we'll come find you."
"Don't forget our pears!" Baelon added nervously.
Two dragon "flights" took off from Harrenhal.
They carried three slightly disheveled boys and Jocelyn back home.
"I'm not cheating children," Rhaegar muttered.
In truth, the pear orchard was meant for Rhaena.
With a pocket heavy with gold, he walked alone back toward the castle.
The soldiers and servants from Riverrun and the royal escort had all departed.
Once again, Harrenhal returned to silence.
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