#Oswell Whent

[jonsnowunemploymentera]

Ned's Tower of Joy dream is an interesting case study on how GRRM employs the three part revelation strategy. Because Ned's questioning of the kings guard and their subsequent answers basically falls into:

Q: Why are the kingsguard at the Tower of Joy? They could be anywhere else but they're here? Why??

A: They are there to fulfill their duty to the king.

See, Ned asks them three questions that get to the heart of revealing why the kingsguard are present where Lyanna (and Jon, per RLJ) are. Because if the kingsguard's primary duty is to protect the king, and if each set of question and answer reaffirms that the KG at the tower were doing their duty, then we can discern that Rhaegar's son is the king at that moment in time. Each question and answer reveals more information than the last, which falls into the three part strategy as observed by GRRM's editor, Anne Groell.

[...] I’ve realized his three-fold revelation strategy, I see it in play almost every time. The first, subtle hint for the really astute readers, followed later by the more blatant hint for the less attentive, followed by just spelling it out for everyone else. It’s a brilliant strategy, and highly effective.

How this strategy plays into the ToJ dream is that GRRM starts with

planting a little seed of doubt by questioning the kingsguard's whereabouts

then he follows up with bringing to attention the fact that they have not yet sworn fealty to the new king

then finally spelling it out that their presence here rather than elsewhere signifies that the king is close at hand - in the very tower where this confrontation is taking place

For the astute observer who has figured out that R+L=J, this is a very important piece of information regarding Jon's status at the time. Because he has so far been introduced to us as Ned Stark's bastard. But now, this sequence of information plays into the larger theme of Jon being presented as a hidden king.

So let's take a more detailed look at how this plays out in the dream once Ned confronts the ghosts of the kingsguard.

P.S: Ok, I lied. Ned actually asks them four questions. But four is not so nice a number as three so whatever. The point remains.

Q1: Three other kingsguard were fighting with the crown prince at the Trident. Yet these three remained. Why?

A1: Their duty was not to go to the Trident but to remain at the ToJ

“I looked for you on the Trident,” Ned said to them. “We were not there,” Ser Gerold answered. “Woe to the Usurper if we had been,” said Ser Oswell.

This first set means to establish a timeline. We know that Rhaegar was last at the tower (well, that is before he went to Kings Landing and then to the Trident). Rhaegar even took three other kingsguard to battle with him: Jonothor Darry, Barristan Selmy, and Lewyn Martell.

These three kings guard at the ToJ should have gone with Rhaegar because after all, it's their duty to fight for the king and his cause. But they were left at the TOJ. And we can assume that this was per Rhaegar's orders as GRRM himself confirms that if Rhaegar told them to stay at the tower, then they would've had little power to disobey him.

But Rhaegar died at the Trident. So why did they choose to remain? And even though this conversation is happening within a feverish dream (thus opening up the possibility that these words were not the actual ones that were exchanged in real history), it still seems that by the time Ned got to the tower the kingsguard already knew of Rhaegar's demise.

So why did they remain?

Q2: Jaime Lannister, a member of the kingsguard, was in King's Landing slaying their king. Why were these three not there to avenge Aerys? Isn't their primary duty to protect the king?

A2: Aerys is dead, but the kingsguard still has to do their duty which is to remain at the tower.

“When King’s Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered where you were.” “Far away,” Ser Gerold said, “or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells.”

Once again, the language used here suggests that they knew of their king's demise. They did not go with Rhaegar to the Trident, and then Rhaegar died. Who knows how fast information travels, but these three still chose to remain at the tower despite his death. Afterwards, they did not make an effort to find Aerys, nor did they make an effort to go and avenge him once he was dead. They swore an oath to remain at the tower, and that is exactly what they did.

But with Rhaegar dead and with Aerys dead, they're now running out of excuses to remain at the tower. Though they may be fiercely loyal to the vows they swore to their prince, they also have a primary duty to obey their king and they could've performed that elsewhere. Especially now that there's a new king in town...

Q3: Ok, their king is dead and the entire realm now swears fealty to a new king. All the knights, honorable and dishonorable, have bent the knee. But what about them? Why are they here?

A3: They have a duty to remain at the tower. A duty they fulfill as members of the kingsguard, and one that cannot be transferred easily.

“I came down on Storm’s End to lift the siege,” Ned told them, “and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.” “Our knees do not bend easily,” said Ser Arthur Dayne.

What's interesting about this is that they seemingly reject Robert as their king. It's a reaffirmation of their first answer to Ned's first question. "Woe to the Usurper if we had been [at the Trident]”. So Robert is not their king. But the primary duty of the kingsguard is to serve the king. Their behavior so far gives the impression that they are fulfilling it. But it's rather strange, isn't it. Who are they fulfilling their duty to if not Robert?

And Ned knows this. If they reject Robert as their king, who else is there to support? Rhaegar is long dead. Aerys was slain by their own sworn brother. And Rhaegar's son and heir met his end at the hand of Gregor Clegane. Their duty is sworn to the Targaryen line, but it has been snuffed out. So why are they here?

But Ned asks a final question that is, in a way, a nail in the coffin. It answers the question: they serve the king but which one?

Q4: Fine! Robert is not their king. And Rhaegar, Aerys, and Aegon are dead. Well...there is Viserys, who would have been Aerys' heir after Rhaegar. He's not dead. So why are they not with him?

A4: They do not go to Viserys because their duty as kingsguard(!) is not with him.

“Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him.” “Ser Willem is a good man and true,” said Ser Oswell. “But not of the Kingsguard,” Ser Gerold pointed out. “The Kingsguard does not flee.” “Then or now,” said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm. “We swore a vow,” explained old Ser Gerold.

This is the final revelation and it answers the key question in all of this. The kingsguard performed their duty by guarding their king at the Tower of Joy. They are not serving Aerys by remaining there. And they are also not doing Viserys, who is currently at Dragonstone, any favors. Whatever vow they swore as kingsguard relates to the ToJ. And we know (per RLJ) that the two people at the tower are Lyanna Stark and Jon Snow, Rhaegar's last surviving son and heir.

We're given two key pieces of information with the last two sets of question and answer in regards to the kingsguards performing their duty by guarding Jon at the tower. First when Arthur Dayne says that, "our knees do not bend easily". Of course, they do not bend for Robert the usurper as we already know...

...But, the start of the dream features a very important detail.

Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his blade with a whetstone. 

Ser Oswell has already bent the knee. And he means to fight for the king he has sworn a vow to since he is preparing his sword.

Then we have Ser Gerold 'pointing out' (thus bringing attention to) the fact that though Prince Viserys and Queen Rhaella are still alive and under the protection of a good knight, they are not under the protection of kingsguard. The kings guard does not flee - they stand their ground and fight for their king. And this is again asserted by Ser Gerold who reminds Ned that “we swore a vow.”

So we have a three four part revelation that the last stand at the ToJ involved protecting little Jon who, at that time, was recognized as king by the three knights.

This doesn't end here. Jaime's ASOS dream also has him confront ghosts of the pasts and the question of oaths comes up, as it did in Ned's dream. The two dreams intersect when the topic of the kingsguard's duty comes up. And we see that as it was in Ned's dream, the three knights at the ToJ were fulfilling their primary oaths to protect (and die) for their king.

“I swore an oath to keep him safe,” [Brienne] said to Rhaegar’s shade. “I swore a holy oath.” “We all swore oaths,” said Ser Arthur Dayne, so sadly. [...] “He was your king,” said Darry. “You swore to keep him safe,” said Whent. “And the children, them as well,” said Prince Lewyn. [...] “I never thought he’d hurt them.” Jaime’s sword was burning less brightly now. “I was with the king …” “Killing the king,” said Ser Arthur. “Cutting his throat,” said Prince Lewyn. “The king you had sworn to die for,” said the White Bull.

Once again, we have the affirmation that the kingsguard swear vows to protect their king even if it leads to their deaths. And as we know, all these kingsguard died during Robert's Rebellion. Three died at the Trident with Rhaegar, fighting for their king's cause. So why are the other three who were at the ToJ lumped with them?

Of course, this is Jaime's conscious. And his relationship with Dayne, Hightower, and Whent is very different from Ned's. But the point remains that as the narrative suggests, they too died for their king. They fulfilled their oaths to completion. But the king they died for was not Aerys or Aegon or Viserys. Their king was a tiny babe - Jon Snow.

Though this feverish dream is part of a much larger reveal (that is R+L=J), Ned’s conversation with the three kingsguard plays into one of the key motifs in Jon Snow’s arc - that is his identity as the king. Not a king. But THE king.

What makes the three part revelation so interesting in this passage is that not everyone has figured R+L=J out. But to the astute observer, this key passage is just another piece of important evidence that plays into the hidden prince trope that RLJ falls under. And not only that, it yet another instance of Jon being recognized as the true king by the narrative.

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

Summerhall by Fran Vegas

created for the 10th anniversary of The World of Ice & Fire

I’ve seen confusion about the “canon” nature of the artwork, despite our initial post indicating that this is a wholly unofficial series of commissions, for a wholly unofficial anniversary celebration. That said, of course, we direct the artists to the books, and in the cases of dragons we felt free to give them the colors that George had indicated to us for The Rise of the Dragon, which we couldn’t find a way to share in all cases. But this piece of art, by the terrific Fran Vegas, is different. The location is one that has been referenced, and glimpsed once in official art (in The World of Ice and Fire in fact): Summerhall. But the scene… well, we admit, that is what some fans call “headcanon”. We just love the idea of the image, and feeling free to see it rendered by a capable artist, we asked for it. —Elio Garcia

[latte125]

everyone starting a war because they think rhaegar kidnapped lyanna:

*meanwhile at the tower of joy*

gerold: if you were arrested, what would be the charges?

oswell: carrying drugs with me

rhaegar: theft

lyanna: being too iconic

arthur: actually I think it would be treason for all of us

[gotham-at-nightfall]

The Tower of Joy

By UrukkiSaki

[stannis-the-freaking-mannis]

asoiaf character bracelets ii!!

(i fucked up a few)

[beyondmistland]

I'm incredibly curious - what do you think Barristan Selmy thought when Ned returned to King's Landing with news of the deaths of Arthur Dayne, Oswell Whent and Gerold Hightower, them having refused to recognize Robert's claim?

That they died a death worthy of the Kingsguard. Might have envied them that too.

Thanks for the question, anon

[ladystoneboobs]

@atopvisenyashill, oh, i don't blame you for the slip-up, just thought if we're trying to get into prince of melancholy mystery's head best to know when he was alive and when he was dead.

personally, i think any rhaelya wedding was more likely at her initiative, not his. being a wife instead of a mistress is the only sure way to escape an unwanted marriage, whether with robert or anyone else her father tried to give her to, possibly someone even worse. a lady known to be "soiled" can still be married off (eg, lysa tully, delena florent & ami frey), but there's less precendant for bigamy involving two husbands, forcing the wife to take a 2nd man. the practice of targ polygamy with 1 man and multiple wives may have died out but that's still a real precendent. (idt elia wouldve welcomed sharing her husband just bc she was dornish, and i hate that fandom assumption, but also idt it's unforgivable for lyanna to think something like that or want to believe the arrangement could work. she was a 15/16yo feeling desperate and her great judgment of character was only proven with people she'd actually met. who knows what, if anything, rhaegar told her about elia.)

the idea that the kg were only doing what they had to save baby king from kinslaying is frustrating not just bc they were escalating the conflict with every word looking for a fight while ned clearly was not, not just bc they couldve and shouldve known the risk of kinslaying by just talking to lyanna, but also bc yeah they shoulve just fled with infant and wet nurse if that were the case. why even risk ned killing them all and getting his hands on rhaegar's last child, as did happen, despite these legendary knights killing most of his men? if the baby's welfare was their top concern, either make him a king in exile, or try to assess ned's actual intentions toward his nephew. staying glued to the toj really is just asking for an ~honorable~ death above all. even if arthur had killed ned and howland, he couldn't stay there at his post forever just bc "kg do not flee" (false, somebody hadn't studied his white book covering the dance). sooner or later robert would find out and come with more than 6 other men, and then lyanna's baby really would be in danger. so, c'mon, like, what's the endgame for a living baby targ king there? ik i'm not buying they couldn't move yet while lyanna was still alive/dying, confined to her bed, not just bc their own words show no concern for her but bc they'd already proven with rhaella that duty to a king overrides duty to any of his female relations. if they really cared about saving rhaegar/lyanna's son rather than just dying for rhaegar, then they should have tried to actually live for that royal baby, not just kill in his name during a glorious last stand.

[drawitblargit]

AGoT, Eddard X

[izzymrdb]

Fanfic Rec

I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS STORY ENOUGH!

Robert's Rebellion AU where Rhaegar wins? Fuck yes. The Old Kingsguard having to reclaim the meaning of honor? Oh yes. Jaime still killing Aerys and addressing his trauma? Hello~ sailor. Worldbuilding and magic in the neglected area of the kingsguard? Marry me. Just!!! Read it!!!

[cynicalclassicist]

This makes as much sense as any for a Whent family tree!

So I’ve been thinking a lot about House Whent based on conversations with @racefortheironthrone on his upcoming “Bran II” CBC. House Whent is confusing, because we have a good number of House members but not a lot of information on how they all fit together. Nevertheless, I decided to create a proposed (emphasis on proposed) Whent family tree to use as a working model for future meta thoughts/fics. I mean, this is as much fic as it is meta anyway - actually, probably more so - so take that for what it’s worth. 

So, here’s the family tree I came up with. It’s built on basically four, I think reasonable assumptions:

There were three successive Whent rulers of Harrenhal after the Lothstons. This assumption is supported by the career of Ben Blackthumb, whom Gendry reports “[s]mithed for Lady Whent and her father before her and his father before him, and even for Lord Lothston who held Harrenhal before the Whents”. I also think it not impossible that over a period of roughly seven decades (from the time Maekar I gave it to the former landed knight House Whent sometime in the 220s - and probably later in the decade, to have Ben still around to smith - to the death of Shella in ~300 AC), there would have been just three rulers. 

Shella was a Whent by birth and Lady of Harrenhal in her own right. Again, Ben Blackthumb’s history with Harrenhal, specifically citing the father and grandfather of Lady Whent, strongly indicates that this is the case. It also explains why Shella continued to hold Harrenhal in her own right in the main series, despite having a husband styled “Lord Walter”. Speaking of which …

Shella was married to Walter to keep Harrenhal with House Whent. It is a sad but true fact of the series that in Westeros, a woman who wishes to rule in her own right has a far more difficult time asserting her right to do so than a male counterpart. This would have been no less true of Lady Shella, who was not only the heiress of a House whose lordly honors went back only two generations, but had succeeded after the last Lady of Harrenhal, Danelle Lothston, had supposedly gone mad and turned to the black arts. If Shella married her cousin Walter - the most senior male descendant of First Lord Whent - not only would these potentially competing claims be combined, but Harrenhal would stay in firmly Whent hands. This in turn explains why Walter is styled “Lord Walter” in various sources: although he ruled in right of his wife, Walter enjoyed the benefit of being a highborn man in a highborn man’s world, and I think patriarchal Westerosi society would have simply assumed that he would be running the affairs of Harrenhal. (I sense a parallel to, say, the Hayfords calling little Ermesande’s husband “our lord Tyrek”.) 

Minisa Whent was Shella’s sister. There is no direct evidence for this, but their children seem to have been very roughly of an age (all four of Shella’s sons were knights in 281 AC, while the “fair maid” seems to have been around or just under Lysa’s age), and I think it fits nicely with Hoster’s marital ambitions. By marrying the younger sister of the heiress to Harrenhal, Hoster Tully could not only establish close ties with his greatest vassal family, but also put himself in a perfect position to snatch up Harrenhal if Shella proved as bad a ruling lady as Danelle.

As for Sarya and Wynafrei, I think it makes sense for them to be of the same generation (technically, I think Oswell was older than Sarya, but for some reason the family tree put her as older and I didn’t feel like it was so essential a point to delete everyone of that line and redo it). Both seem to have married their Frey spouses in the 270s (Alyssa Blackwood, the wife immediately preceding Sarya, died sometime after 269 AC, while Bethany Rosby, the wife immediately after Sarya, gave birth to her first child with Walder in 278 AC; Danwell, meanwhile, was born sometime between 252 and 261 AC, so the 270s seem a likely era for him to wed), and I like to think that perhaps the Whents made it a double wedding. If Danwell, only the eighth son of Lord Walder, were to have a bride of House Whent - a new lordly House, but not too new by the 270s, and certainly far greater than the Freys - then perhaps the Whents insisted that Walder make Sarya Lady of the Crossing.

I think this family tree also nicely explains Ser Oswell joining the Kingsguard. As the younger son of a junior branch of House Whent, with his brother and sister-in-law/cousin producing four male heirs who would presumably have sons of their own, Ser Oswell’s dynastic prospects were probably not terribly high. As kin by marriage to the Tullys, however, and a grandson of Lord Whent, Ser Oswell had more than suitable credentials for a white cloak. 

Again, this is as guesswork as anything. But until we get more information, I’m sticking with it.

[visenyaism]

How do you think being a Whent and growing up in Harrenhal might’ve informed Oswell Whent’s life as a Kingsguard?

going straight from harrenhal to the aerys administration red keep…never got the chance to find out hallways arent supposed to scream

[stannis-the-freaking-mannis]

aerys ii’s kingsguard 💅💅 also i wrote that gerold hightower is gerold dayne😭 (darkstar core🗡️🥀🚬⛓️)

[katshuya]

I really wish people would talk more about this.

I don't trust George at all, but at least we know that Arthur was described in two fever dreams one before he died and one after he died as very sad.

We can only hope they actually blamed themselves or regretted even a little.

Thier vows are very twisted and unrealistic as their actions no matter what Rhaegar saw in his supposed dreams or Lyanna the supposed greenseer.

Accountability

Jaime Lannister saw the kingsguards of old through rose color perceptive. The kingsguards under King Aerys the Second were better fighters, but better men is highly doubtful. Jaime believed the actions of beating a little girl like Boros Blount and the others did to Sansa would have never occurred with the honorable kingsguard of old. I wouldn’t bet on that being true.

Sure, Arthur Dayne had shown concern for the smallfolk once, but sadly people change. It’s known Jonothor Darry told Jaime to ignore the queen’s screams. He claimed that went against their oath. In truth, it didn’t. In Dance of the Dragons, the kingsguards interfere to break up a quarrel between royal family members. Aemon the Dragonknight fought in a tourney against the king’s wishes, yet he was lauded for it. They made an oath to obey the king and keep his secrets. Nowhere is there anything that states they can’t prevent the king from causing harm to his queen. Actually, real life queens such as Queen Charlotte lived separately from King George when he became mad and abusive. There is a fallacy when it comes to kings being able to do anything (if this were true, Aegon the 4 would have gotten rid of his son Daeron and his wife). Yes, some have broken the rules, but they still have nobles backing them. No noble would have backed a king torturing his wife.

Also please consider this, is a noble greater than a royal? No. If the king got away with hurting his wife by the kingsguards, would they really have disobeyed him for a mere noble girl? No. Then again, they didn’t stop him when King Aerys 2 unjustly had Rickard Stark killed. More likely, it wasn’t their oath which prevented them from action, it was simply easier to abdicate. Think about Ser Barristan. Which is easier to be silent about Aerys’ atrocities or admit that he stood by like a coward and did nothing?

As readers, we are in the dark about how many kingsguards or even if the crown prince knew about the king abusing his queen. This is known. Once you start allowing a bad thing to go on, it becomes easier to allow more bad things to occur. The king might have been mad, but they allowed their white cloaks to turn red.

Imagine what would have happened if they didn’t allow this to occur. Robert’s war might have never happened. The two Starks would have never been horribly murdered. Viserys and Daenaerys lives would have been better. Oddly enough, Jaime would have been a better man for it. He had been unknowingly influenced by it since he admired the kingsguard. As he stood by and did nothing to help the queen, he also stood by and did nothing to help Tyrion’s wife. Jaime was the favored son and a skilled fighter. Perhaps, he wouldn’t have lied and stood by as his father exacted a hideous punishment if he never learnt the so-called honorable behavior of the old kingsguards.

[beyondmistland]

How would you rate Ser Balon Swann and Ser Arys Oakheart, relative to the Kingsguard of the Mad King? Better, worse, or on par?

Worse. The Mad King's Kingsguard were all exemplary warriors. Arys strikes me as average and Balon is specifically noted to be "good with a lance, better with a morningstar, and exceptional with a bow" (emphasis mine). As actual human beings though Arys and Balon get brownie points for at least having pangs of conscience.

Thanks for the question, anon

[swordsandarms]

"Why did Rhaegar leave a whole THREE Kingsguards with Lyanna? Why did he leave Jaime, A CHILD, to PROTECT his family? Why wasn't Arthur, a DORNISH man, with Elia?"

These or other individual questions about the Kingsguards during the Rebellion era keep coming up every now and then. Usually, it concerns questioning Rhaegar's motivations, sometimes even Jaime's morality or culpability, as well as the morality of said Kingsguards.

But I was having a conversation with some fans and it comes down to the same issue: no one considers the Targaryen politics at the time, and fragment these circumstances in shallow bits and pieces, naturally, coming down to "there's no good explanation for this!"

Everyone hates that these two Targaryen men have genuine character complexity, especially in rapport with eachother: Rhaegar and Aerys.

Let's go over the Kingsguard at the end of Aerys' reign, and actually consider allegiance and what the mean, and how those would actually easily explain a lot-

Jon Darry, Darry cousin: unclear loyalty, when it comes down to the Aerys-Rhaegar conflict. Darrys are without a doubt Targaryen men, but we don't know if and who they would choose. Darrys are most of all connected with Viserys and Rhaella, who are very sheltered from the rest of the world all the same. Darrys might have been sideline in the Aerys-Rhaegar conflict by such default then, and eventually Jon would be sent to the Trident anyway. But then again, unquestionable loyalty to House Targaryen sounds like a traditionalist approach.

Arthur Dayne: Rhaegar's man without a doubt. His oldest and closest friend.

Oswell Whent: Rhaegar's man. He's with him at the Tower and rumours are his family conspired alongside him to get the Lords at Harrenhal to stage Aerys' usurpation.

Gerold Hightower, Comander: King's (Aerys') man. The scene at the King's doors is often brought up in discussions about the ethics of the KG. But it actually also unveils a key political information within the Aerys-Rhaegar factions. Whether it's a matter of adhering to the status quo only, or personal allegiance to Aerys as well, the message is clear: even when it's between two royals, it's the King he will stand by, no matter what, even when he's not in the right (and if his son tries to usurp him, then technically he is).

Barristan Selmy: Barristan undergoes a character development during the main series in which he finally questions unquestionable allegiance to a King no matter their morality. A past Barristan, however, would then resemble a Ser Gerold, and be in the King's (Aerys) service before anything by virtue of duty. Notably, he would later reflect that Rhaegar did not find him fit to be in his confidence, and these expectations are probably why.

Lewyn Martell: Easily Elia's and Rhaegar's man, and Dornish. Noted as being in his confidence.

Jaime Lannister: One that causes a lot of controversy. A lot of back and forth discussion as to what expectations Rhaegar had of Jaime (and whether Jaime himself fulfilled them). The answer can actually be seen easily by:

1. Looking at it with the awareness that there was a faction divide existed in the KG in between Aerys and Rhaegar, as it was building up to a conflict and hence-

2. Reading their last conversation with that in mind

The day had been windy when he said farewell to Rhaegar, in the yard of the Red Keep. The prince had donned his night-black armor, with the three-headed dragon picked out in rubies on his breastplate. “Your Grace,” Jaime had pleaded, “let Darry stay to guard the king this once, or Ser Barristan. Their cloaks are as white as mine."

Prince Rhaegar shook his head. “My royal sire fears your father more than he does our cousin Robert. He wants you close, so Lord Tywin cannot harm him. I dare not take that crutch away from him at such an hour.”

Jaime’s anger had risen up in his throat. “I am not a crutch. I am a knight of the Kingsguard.”

“Then guard the king,” Ser Jon Darry snapped at him. “When you donned that cloak, you promised to obey.”

Rhaegar had put his hand on Jaime’s shoulder. “When this battle’s done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but … well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken. We shall talk when I return.”

For one, Jaime is the last KG left in King's Landing, and one to be kept close to Aerys himself. And Rhaegar is taking him into his confidence before he leaves - he is pretty much talking treason, hinting at usurpation upon his return.

Why did he leave Jaime, A CHILD, to PROTECT his family?

First of all, he doesn't leave Jaime himself in that post. As seen above, Aerys calls the shots. We know from the Ice and Fire "history book" that he sent Lewyn away from Elia as well for being Dornish (while before he was stationed with her and the kids on Dragonstone in Rhaegar's absence) and he commands Jaime to stay. As it appears, he also sends Darry and Selmy with him (with Selmy being a traditionalist at the time, it may even be to keep an eye on Rhaegar).

Rhaegar doesn't have a choice of whom to ask to look out for Elia and the children, no matter which KG would've been in town. He makes that clear. And as to expectations he has of the only one left and whom he can have a word with, while Jaime is, yes, by all means considered a grown man in their society AND a capable soldier who's well trained and already been in combat, he's not asking for Jaime to stand between his family and an army or anything.

There's not meant to be an army. That's meant to be Rhaegar's job to prevent. He's going out to battle. He's meant to give Robert a honorable single combat, prove himself as strong and fair - unlike the mockery of a "trial by combat" Aerys gave Rickard. Hence prove himself unlike his father first of all, probably give his explanations about Lyanna, and also make it clear he's against Aerys' actions and wanting to give the justice by deposing him.

No, Rhaegar isn't irresponsible, dumping that burden on younger Jaime. He does the responsible thing of taking all that upon himself. What does he expect of Jaime? As read above, he does not put Jaime in the mindset of a fighting machine that's supposed to save his family from anything unrealistic. He puts him in the mindset of someone who would be his man and oppose Aerys when the time comes - he's meant to be the one threat to his family when the chips fall down and he is taking the throne.

Whatever reading Rhaegar did of Jaime, he thought he could say those words to him (that would've been dangerous if he were wrong), that Jaime would have it in him to turn against Aerys (again not some ridiculous expectation - a frail man). And Rhaegar is clearly not dumb. He was right in his perception, wasn't he? (Is this where Jon Snow gets his amazing perceptive skills - "little his eyes do not see").

Why wasn't Arthur, a DORNISH man, with Elia?

Why would he be allowed to? We've already established Aerys calls the shots. And among them there's one KG specifically being sent away because he's Dornish and hence loyal to Elia (and Rhaegar). If Lewyn couldn't be there, why would Arthur?

Why did Rhaegar leave a whole THREE Kingsguards with Lyanna?

That is something I couldn't understand for a long time, too. Not only the specific number, but the fact that clearly Rhaegar can't just do whatever he wants with the Kingsguard. Why was this allowed?

It doesn't make sense until you go back to the Aerys-Rhaegar allegiance divide above. The three are Gerold (most loyal Aerys appears to have) and Arthur and Oswell (most loyal Rhaegar appears to have).

Gerold came from King's Landing to take Rhaegar. Oswell and Arthur would have already been with him. Either-

1. Gerold was sent with the order to stay behind with Lyanna. Aerys already took hold of Elia and the kids to control Dorne (and Rhaegar) and would have her in the hands of his most obedient man, too. Rhaegar cannot let that happen, as he plans to turn against Aerys while he's away. If he can't send Gerold away, he makes the compromise of leaving two of his own. One only would have been uncertain odds, but if Gerold eventually acts up when things unravel, he's outnumbered. Arthur and Oswell can do what they have to do and they are in an isolated location and can lie about it later to protect their honor.

2. Gerold wasn't meant to stay behind. But since Rhaegar is decided to depose Aerys, removing him from Aerys is an opportunity. Aerys/Gerold can be lured with the illusion of having a hold on Lyanna. Rhaegar had to leave someone (trustworthy) with her regardless but compromises his own numbers for the same reasoning above, if it means removing a barrier from between him and Aerys. Aerys would be blindsided in allowing in from that same perspective: Rhaegar is made to leave crucial allies behind.

[drawitblargit]

“They were seven, facing three. In the dream as it had been in life. Yet these were no ordinary three. They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dome at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword Dawn poked up over his right shoulder. Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his blade with a whetstone. Across his white-enameled helm, the black bat of his House spread its wings. Between them stood fierce old Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.”

AGoT, Eddard X