@illfatedpartners
Aerys wanted nothing to do with the Baratheon child. If he had gotten his way, Renly Baratheon would have gone the way of either of his brothers. But Rhaella had pleaded with her husband to allow the child to live, to live at the Red Keep. She had used every argument she could think off and had finally softened up her husband enough to allow the boy to live in King’s Landing. She had told him he was of an age with Viserys, they could be friends, Viserys would be a good influence on him. He could be a bargaining chip to keep his older brother Stannis in check. Did he really want to be seen as the King that burned a 6-year-old? He had no Targaryen blood on his hands. He was simply too young to suffer for the mistakes of his brothers.
So when the carriage rolled into the courtyard of the Red Keep, it was just Rhaella and her Ladies in Waiting that were there to welcome the boy. The door to the carriage opened and one of the guards lifted the child from inside the carriage, placing him on the ground before the Queen, who curtsied before the child, he Ladies in Waiting following suit.
“The Lord Renly Baratheon of Storm’s End!”
Rhaella stepped forward and inclined her head. “Lord Renly,” she said, smiling kindly. “It is an honor to have you at the Red Keep. I hope you will be able to make it your home.” She just hoped she could shield the child from Aerys’ outbursts, knowing it was much easier to use Renly as a scapegoat for all kinds of things now that he was at the Keep. But she trusted none but herself with keeping the child safe. He was a traitor’s brother after all, and not all would look kindly upon such a thing.
“We shall have your things brought to your chambers immediately. Would you wish to eat something? Or rest? I can only imagine the journey having been tiresome.” She spoke to him like he was just another adult, knowing that Viserys always loved being talked to like a grown-up. It was probably their age. “Or would you prefer to be shown around first?”