(Erlend Mudd, Dragonstone)
His body had finally adjusted to the ritual. While it wasn't severely affected thanks to his adaptability, getting used to the changes both in his magic and physique took a while.
Alongside these changes, he had been settling in rather nicely with the Targaryen family. Developing a comfortable routine with them.
Rhaenys had been thrilled, having been largely isolated within the red keep alongside her mother due to Aery's distaste for anything not 'Valyrian' enough. Ironic, considering Rhaenys had three remarkable bloodlines that made her worth more than the inbred mental case.
Erlend cherished his time with both the younger Targaryens, reminding so much of his little siblings in his past life. While their being wards to him benefited him, it didn't change the fact that he'd come to view them as his own daughters.
It certainly helped that his and Elia's relationship had only deepened since that night, and Rhaenys was likely to become his daughter-in-law in the future thanks to the decision he'd made.
A sad smile pulled at his lips as he recalled his former family, while his old life had been largely regulated into the backdrop, the feelings and emotions he had remained, even if they were somewhat muted.
Like all families, they had argued among themselves, fought over silly things, and got irritated at each other's actions. Hell, he dreaded when his parents would force him to watch over the younger ones as they went for a night out.
Trying to keep them out of trouble was an absolute nightmare.
Regardless of past frustrations, he did miss them and hoped they had gotten over his death. Though one would argue that it would be pretty traumatic for his little brothers to see their older sibling keel over dead.
Oh well, he was sure his parents could handle it, they did have two more older children after all. Indeed, his parents were quite active, if the number of kids they'd had was any indication.
"A Raven?" Rhaella prompted, Erlend frowned at the parchment in his hands, the words it carried were less than pleasant.
An attempt had been made on the borders of the Riverlands, Erlend had been less than enthused by it. Already he had to deal with that old hag's maneuvering and now her enemies decided that was enough justification to mess with him.
"The Footly's for whatever reason thought they could threaten my lands," he told her, the dryness in his tone was palpable. "Rumors had been abound of my supposed support for the Tyrells...."
"So they thought to strike first, while you were away from the Riverlands," She finished. Rhaella frowned at the implications, her eyes staring thoughtfully at the parchment.
As far as most lords were concerned, Erlend was currently visiting the various destroyed settlements within the Vale.
The stream of refugees from these settlements had been guided towards Harrenhal since all the bandits and deserters were taken care of. Which indicated that he was moving them toward his lands for a fresh new start.
No one outside of the General Staff and his inner circle was aware of his presence in Dragonstone. Hell, most Westerosi didn't even know that Dragonstone had been taken, having assumed that it was too heavily guarded by the royal fleet, which would have made it costly to take the Island.
They assumed that with Erlend and to a lesser degree Lorimas being busy in the Vale, the Riverlands would be underprepared for a strike from the reach.
The rumors of him siding with the Tyrells were no doubt planted by Olenna to sow confusion and worry in her enemy's ranks. They likely decided to strike while they could, lest they be surrounded and outflanked.
Unfortunately for them, his Banners had long since been prepared for an attack from any foolhardy lords southwards, hence not only were the Footly forces repelled, they were laid waste to and immediately forced into retreat.
Duncan Strong had not stopped there, having proceeded to march towards Tumbleton and placed it under siege.
Ravens had been sent his way giving him a full report on the matter, alongside a letter from Duncan, seeking further instructions.
Erlend had always intended to invade the Reach, it was the key to his conquest of Westeros after all. But, he hadn't expected them to hand him a casus belli so fast.
Taking the Riverlands was justified through his blood claims. He'd inherited the Vale and had the support of its major houses. The Crownlands were rather obvious, considering the 'enmity' he held for the Targaryens, thanks to the death of his uncle and cousins.
A War of Conquest was all good and all, but it would cause him too much of a headache and cost him a lot of gold to subdue all of them without using his magic. While a few 'natural' disasters here and then wouldn't go amiss, too many of them would be quite suspicious.
One tsunami and the occasional tornado made sense, several of them would undoubtedly be the work of sorcery, especially if his own lands were untouched.
What's more, gold was needed to bring the Riverlands and on a smaller scale the Vale up to his standards. Ruining them with natural disasters just so it wouldn't look suspicious was just plain retarded.
He wasn't going to make the same mistake as Aegon and give away some of the most fertile and well-positioned territories in the seven kingdoms to a lord who barely held any control over them and whose loyalty was shaky at best.
The Riverlands would become the backbone of his empire, and he damn well was going to make sure it stayed under his control. Marrying Catelyn was just one way he intended to do so and would prevent the Tully sisters from being used against him in the future.
The same geography that made it so vulnerable, also made it both economically and strategically significant with it being at the center of Westeros.
To truly make use of the Riverlands and bring out its full potential, stability, and gold were required, something that Erlend could provide easily. But it also needed him to force the rest of the kingdoms excluding the Reach and the Iron Islands to submit to him willingly.
Dorne would be taken care of by Elia and Rhaenys, even if Doran hesitated, Oberyn could be relied on to convince the rest of the Dornish Lords to submit, forcing Doran to follow suit. Not to mention, he and Elia had alright signed a contract betrothing his future son to Rhaenys which should pacify any of the remaining royalists and legitimize his reign.
The Stormlands like the North would be subdued by a mix of logic and emotions, starvation, and love for his family would ensure Stannis made a wise decision. Not to mention Erlend had already filled the main hall of Harrenhal with compulsion runes, so both kingdom's nobility would be more open to his suggestions.
Just because he wasn't willing to use magic openly, didn't mean he had any qualms about doing it subtly. He was cautious, not a dumbass and it wasn't like it was the first time he'd been subtly using his powers, he'd consistently manipulated the environment around him during battles to ensure the odds were always stacked in his favor.
Everything he'd done so far was justified, he saw no reason to rock the boat any further. Let others do it, if they wanted to hand him the opportunities, who was he not to take it? It would be rather rude after all.
Then came the other parchment, a raven sent by the Tyrells, Erlend didn't spare it a glance, fully aware of the game the flowers were playing. It was quite presumptuous of them to assume he'd accept an alliance, just because the Florents decided to fuck around and find out.
Erlend didn't like being used, and while he respected the Tyrells as a House, he did not appreciate Olenna's actions in any shape or form.
Whatever ethics and morals he had maintained from his past life only extended to those he considered family, they did not apply to opportunistic snakes.
After a few minutes of pondering, he tossed aside the parchments, choosing to spend his time on more worthwhile matters, Rhaella quickly following suit behind him.
…
As he made his way toward Aegon's Garden, he appreciated the comfortable silence between him and Rhaella.
Unlike Elia who exuded this warm yet seductive aura, Rhaella held a more regal one, like a gentle fairy who held an otherworldly charm.
Sat within the Garden was Elia, who was holding little Dany in her arms, while she watched Rhaenys chase around her kitten Balerion.
Honestly, Erlend was surprised it survived the burning, having been picked up by Denys Strong of all people and sent to Dragonstone shortly after.
Around Elia, were her surviving handmaidens, all discussing with each other or cooing at Dany.
As he came closer, Erlend couldn't help but smile at the scene in front of him. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, immediately getting the attention of the woman.
The handmaidens all rose and bowed down to him, before making their excuses and quickly leaving.
Elia simply rolled her eyes at his appearance. "What took you so long, Love?"
Moving closer to her, Erlend chose to wrap her around his arms and gave her a soft kiss in response.
Dany for her part wiggled at being squeezed by the two lovers. While Rhaenys just gave a disgusted look at their action.
"Papa," She complained, her mouth curled in disgust, "Not in front of me!"
Ignoring the unimpressed look the little girl sent him, he extracted himself from the embrace and proceeded to pick Rhaenys up.
"Are you ready little dragon," he teased.
"Yes!," she yelled excitedly, quickly changing her expression as she squealed in delight at Erlend rolling in circles while holding her.
Elia for her part merely watched contented at the actions of her lover, as he doted on her daughter or should she say their daughter.
Rhaenys had taken to Erlend far quicker than anyone expected, it was like Rhaeger had become an afterthought. She wondered what Rhaegers face would look like at that revelation.
"Look Mama, I'm flying, like Vhager!" Rhaenys yelled in delight.
"Yes, I can see that sweety," Elia said, letting Rhaella take Daenerys from her hands as she wiggled in excitement at the sight of her mother.
"I hope she hasn't been any trouble," She asked Elia, a soft smile on her face as she likewise watched the pair.
"No trouble," she told Rhaella. "She was an absolute angel."
Little Dany gurgled in protest, perhaps dissatisfied at the idea of her being considered anything but an angel. The baby could be very active and incredibly demanding.
Only in the arms of the three adults present did the dragon princess calm herself, though that didn't stop her from staring at everything in wonder.
Rhaella delved deeply into her thoughts, an odd look in her eyes as she remembered her childhood. This reminded her so much of her father and the times he would spend with her when she was younger, while her mother watched over them.
Elia for her part simply watched, wanting this scene to last for as long as it could.