3 Aigre

Year 278 AC, Westeros, Planetos.

The Eyrie stands as a marvel of architecture and natural defense, often hailed as the greatest of all castles in Westeros. Perched atop the Giant's Lance, the highest peak in the Mountains of the Moon, it rises several thousand feet above the valley floor, presenting a sight of awe and wonder.

The castle itself is a testament to the might of House Arryn, one of the oldest lines of Andal nobility. Despite its size being smaller compared to other Great Houses' seats, the Eyrie's impregnability is legendary. Its seven slim, white towers, constructed of fine white stone, are clustered tightly together, capable of holding up to five hundred men. The Eyrie lacks certain facilities like stables and smithies, but its granary is as large as those found in much larger castles, ensuring ample provisions during a siege.

The Eyrie's defenses are near insurmountable due to its unique location. The only approach is a narrow, treacherous path, guarded by three waycastles—Stone, Snow, and Sky—which any invading force must conquer sequentially. The ascent is so perilous that attackers would be vulnerable to even the smallest defending force.

Moreover, the Eyrie is virtually impossible to besiege effectively. The harsh mountain terrain makes it difficult for an army to encamp for extended periods, and the castle can easily be resupplied from the air by a basket and winch system, which no siege engines can reach.

In winter, the castle becomes uninhabitable due to the extreme cold, and the Arryns retreat to the Gates of the Moon at the mountain's base, further complicating any potential siege efforts.

Within this formidable castle built for warfare, a chamber full of elegance and solitude, adorned with fine tapestries and the softest of linens, reflects the high status of its occupant - the castle's lady, Rowena Arryn.

Lady Rowena Arryn, the second wife of Jon Arryn, the Lord of the Eyrie and head of House Arryn, is a respected noblewoman known for her grace and dignity. Jon, a nobleman celebrated for his wisdom and prudence, served as the Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon and played a crucial role during Robert's Rebellion. His personal life, however, was marked by tragedy; his first marriage to Jeyne Royce ended with her death in childbirth, their daughter stillborn. Lady Rowena Arryn, Jon's second wife and cousin, is currently awaiting the delivery of their first child after years of attempts at a successful pregnancy.

The atmosphere of the birthing chamber was warm, with a large bed piled with cushions for the lady's comfort. The room, bathed in the golden glow of oil lamps, was filled with the soft murmurs of maids and the gentle rustle of silk. Herbs like lavender and chamomile were strewn about to soothe and calm the atmosphere by perfuming it with a sweet smell, a feeble attempt to mask the underlying scent of blood and fluids that childbirth often brought in these times.

Jon Arryn held her arms while midwives and female servants attended to her needs, offering support and wisdom passed down through generations. In this setting, we find Lady Rowena Arryn in the throes of labor. Despite the best efforts of the midwives, the childbirth is fraught with difficulty.

In the flickering candlelight of the birthing chamber of the Eyrie, Lady Rowena Arryn lay exhausted, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. The maids fluttered around her like anxious sparrows, their faces etched with concern. Jon Arryn stood by her side, his hand clasping hers, a silent pillar of strength.

As the maid delivered the silent newborn, another maid, her hands trembling slightly, leaned over to check the babe's vital signs.

Maid: "My lady, the child… he does not cry."

Lady Rowena, her face pale but her eyes alight with a mother's fierce love, tried to rise, her voice a whisper of urgency.

Lady Rowena: "Bring him to me, let me see him."

The maid, with utmost care, lifted the infant and held him close, searching for any sign of distress. To her amazement, the child was not only alive but seemed to be observing the room with an unusual attentiveness.

Maid: (Wide-eyed) "He's… he's very much alive, my lady. His eyes… they're open, and he's… watching us."

A soft murmur of disbelief spread through the chamber as the maid walked over to Lady Rowena, placing the newborn in her outstretched arms.

Lady Rowena: "Oh, my sweet boy, there you are. You're here, and you're perfect."

The child, upon being cradled by his mother, seemed to acknowledge her presence with a giggle.

Lady Rowena: (With a weak smile) "Jon, our son… he's so beautiful."

Jon Arryn: (Tears brimming in his eyes) "Aye, my love. He has your grace. He shall be a great lord one day."

Maid 1: "My lady, you must rest now. You've done so well."

Lady Rowena: "His name… Altair. After the stars… to guide him when I cannot."

Jon Arryn: "Altair… It suits him, my love. He will know of you, of your courage."

Maid 2: (Whispering to another maid) "The gods are cruel to take her from us so soon."

Jon Arryn: "Rowena, my heart, you must rest now. The maesters say you need strength."

Lady Rowena: (With a faint smile) "I have all the strength I need right here." (She gazes down at Altair) "Our son… he will be strong, won't he, Jon?"

Jon Arryn: "He will be the mightiest of us all. He has the blood of the eagle in his veins."

Lady Rowena: "Promise me, Jon… promise me you'll raise him to be strong, just… a true Knight of the Vale."

Jon Arryn: "I swear it, my love. He will know honor and chivalry."

As her strength waned, Lady Rowena's voice became but a whisper, each word a precious drop of her remaining life.

Lady Rowena: "He has your eyes, Jon… the eyes that first saw into my soul."

Jon Arryn: "And he has your looks, my love. That same charm that warmed my heart."

Lady Rowena: "Keep him safe… from the game… from the throne…"

As the maids prepared a tonic, hoping against hope to revive their lady, Jon Arryn cradled the newborn Altair in his arms, presenting him to Rowena. She took her son, her touch as gentle as a feather, and looked upon him with a love that defied mortality.

Lady Rowena: "Promise me, Jon… Promise me you'll protect him."

Jon Arryn: "I swear it. On my honor, he will be safe. He will be loved."

As if still unsure of his promise, she repeated.

Lady Rowena: "Promise me, Jon… Promise me you'll protect him."

Jon Arryn: "He will be safe. I will shield him from the storms. Our son will be so powerful to soar above the chaos, untouched."

With her final breaths, Lady Rowena bestowed upon her son a mother's blessing, her words a gentle caress to both father and child.

Lady Rowena: "Altair… my little eaglet… may you soar above the winds of destiny, carrying your name to distant shores."

And with that, she placed the child into Jon's arms, her eyes closing with a serene grace, leaving the world of the living, leaving behind a name bestowed with love that would echo through the ages.