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### **Chapter 31: Flames of Betrayal**
#### **Nightfall Over King's Landing**
The city of King's Landing was a sleeping giant, cloaked in the stillness of night, but underneath its quiet exterior, fear and paranoia ran rampant. The streets were lined with whispering shadows as the common folk braced for what they knew was coming—the storm of war. Above them, nestled atop Aegon's Hill, the Red Keep loomed ominously, its crimson towers lit faintly by torches that danced like dying embers.
In the labyrinthine tunnels beneath the Red Keep, Steve Rogers and Ser Barristan Selmy moved like ghosts. Their infiltration had begun hours before, using hidden passages that Barristan had once patrolled during his decades of service to the Kingsguard. The weight of their mission pressed heavily on them—they weren't just fighting for the rebellion; they were fighting to save lives, to prevent catastrophe.
Steve's face was calm but focused, his twin shields secured tightly to his back as he scanned the dimly lit passageways. "We need to move quickly," he said in a low voice. "If Aerys gives the command, it's over. The wildfire will destroy everything."
Barristan nodded, his expression grim. "We'll split up soon. I'll find Rhaegar and his family. You take the throne room. The king won't go down easily, even if he's out of his mind."
"Understood," Steve replied. He paused for a moment, placing a hand on Barristan's shoulder. "You've made some hard choices to get here, Selmy. I'm counting on you to see this through."
Barristan met his gaze, the weight of his own loyalty and honor reflected in his weathered face. "And I'm counting on you to make it worth the cost."
With that, they parted ways, each heading toward their respective destinies.
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#### **The Throne Room Showdown**
Steve emerged from the shadows into the grand, cold expanse of the throne room. It was eerily quiet, save for the faint crackle of wildfire torches that lined the walls. At the far end of the hall, Aerys Targaryen sat slumped on the Iron Throne, a thin, deranged figure dwarfed by the jagged metal spires that surrounded him. His sunken eyes gleamed with madness, and his lips moved in a frenzied mutter. "Burn them all," he whispered, the words like a curse carried on the wind. "Burn them all."
Jaime Lannister stood at the foot of the throne, his golden armor catching the eerie green glow of the wildfire. His sword was half-drawn, his hand trembling as he stared at the man he had sworn to protect. His face was a storm of emotions—disgust, fear, and the heavy burden of his honor. He turned his head slightly at the sound of Steve's footsteps.
"Captain," Jaime said, his voice tight. "You shouldn't be here."
"And you shouldn't have to do this, Jaime," Steve replied, his tone steady but firm. He stepped closer, his gaze shifting between Jaime and Aerys. "This isn't your fight. Let me carry this burden."
Jaime's eyes narrowed, his frustration boiling over. "You don't understand. He's going to burn the city. Men, women, children—he'll destroy them all just to spite Robert. If I don't stop him, who will?"
"I will," Steve said simply, stepping between Jaime and the throne. "You're better than this. Killing your own king will haunt you forever. Let me take that choice away from you."
Aerys, oblivious to their conversation, suddenly erupted into manic laughter. "Burn them all! Do you hear me? Light the pyres! Let the flames cleanse this wretched city!"
Steve turned to face the Mad King, his shields raised. "This ends now, Aerys. No one else has to die."
Aerys sneered, his bony hands gripping the armrests of the throne. "You think you can stop me, Captain? You think you can silence a dragon?"
Before Steve could respond, Aerys shouted for his guards. "Kill him! Kill the traitor!"
The Gold Cloaks at the edges of the room hesitated, their loyalty wavering as they exchanged glances. Even they could see the king's madness, and Steve's reputation had reached even their ears. Sensing their hesitation, Steve seized the moment, stepping forward with calm authority.
"Stand down," he commanded, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Your king is beyond reason, but you don't have to follow him into ruin."
One by one, the guards lowered their weapons, stepping aside. Aerys's face contorted in rage as he realized his power was slipping away. He rose from the throne with a scream, lunging at Steve with a dagger he had hidden beneath his robes.
Steve sidestepped the attack with ease, his shield coming up to deflect the blade. With a single, decisive motion, he struck Aerys with the edge of his shield, knocking the king to the ground. Aerys glared up at him, his face twisted with defiance.
"Do it," Aerys spat, blood dripping from his lips. "Kill me, and you'll be no better than the rest."
For a moment, Steve hesitated, his moral compass pulling him in two directions. Then, with grim resolve, he delivered the final blow, ending the Mad King's reign. The room fell silent, save for the distant hum of the wildfire hidden beneath the city.
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#### **Securing the Targaryen Line**
Meanwhile, Barristan Selmy navigated the winding corridors of the Red Keep, his sword drawn as he moved with purpose. He reached the royal quarters, where Rhaegar Targaryen stood guard over his wife, Elia Martell, and their children, Aegon and Rhaenys. The prince's once-proud demeanor was now marked by exhaustion and despair.
"Barristan," Rhaegar said, relief washing over his face. "What news?"
"The king is dead," Barristan replied, his voice low. "The city is in chaos. You need to leave—now."
Elia clutched her children tightly, her eyes filled with fear. "And where will we go? The rebellion will hunt us to the ends of the earth."
"Viserys and Daenerys have already been smuggled to the Free Cities," Barristan said. "You'll join them. It's the only way to keep your family safe."
Rhaegar hesitated, his gaze lingering on the Iron Throne's distant silhouette visible through the window. "And what of the realm? What of my duty?"
"Your duty now is to your family," Barristan said firmly. "Westeros will survive, but only if you do."
With a heavy heart, Rhaegar nodded. "Then let us go."
Barristan led the family through secret passages to a waiting ship. To cover their escape, he set fire to decoy bodies, ensuring that anyone searching for the Targaryens would find only ashes.
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#### **The Arrival of the Rebel Army**
As dawn broke, Robert Baratheon's army approached the gates of King's Landing, their banners rippling in the morning breeze. Tywin Lannister's forces were already stationed outside the city, their banners of gold and red stark against the pale sky. But the gates remained closed, the guards refusing to open them under Steve's orders.
Eddard Stark rode alongside Robert, his expression cautious. "It seems someone has already secured the city."
Robert grunted, his warhammer resting across his saddle. "If they've handed me the throne on a silver platter, I'll drink to their health. If not…"
The gates creaked open slowly, and Steve Rogers emerged, flanked by Jaime Lannister. The sight of the two figures—one a rebel hero, the other a Lannister knight—sent ripples of confusion and curiosity through the gathered armies.
"The city is secure," Steve called out, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Aerys is dead. The wildfire has been neutralized. King's Landing is safe."
Robert dismounted, striding forward with an incredulous look. "You've saved me the trouble, Captain. I'll owe you a drink—or ten."
Steve smiled faintly. "Just doing what needed to be done."
Jaime stood beside him, his golden armor shining in the sunlight. Though his expression was guarded, there was a newfound respect in his eyes. For the first time in his life, he was hailed as a hero, his role in saving King's Landing eclipsing the whispers of treachery.
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#### **A New Era**
Inside the Red Keep, Robert claimed the Iron Throne, his massive frame towering over the twisted spires of the seat of power. Tywin Lannister entered the throne room, his face unreadable as he observed the proceedings.
"You're late, Lord Tywin," Robert said, a smirk playing at his lips. "But don't worry—I've handled the hard part."
Tywin inclined his head, his voice smooth as silk. "It seems you've found capable allies, Your Grace."
Eddard, standing beside Steve, watched the scene with a mix of relief and unease. "We've won the war," he said quietly. "But the