Angel Eyes

Well, the books haven't shown the downsides of being a scheming psychopath (read: Littlefinger).

Granted, some of GRRM's plot points are because he takes issue with how they're portrayed in other works, namely Gandalf's death and resurrection which is why you have all these characters coming back but not themselves (Beric, Lady Stoneheart, wights).

Well, Quentyn's story is one long subversion of The Hero's Journey for example.

Tywin would have been the inside-man to Aerys?

Well @Curled Finger, my thought process is that in Lady Stoneheart's mind, Jaime has already broken his word to her since Brienne now wields one of the swords made from Ice. She's not likely to grant clemency now.

At least the show made it funny when plot armor was applied (Tyrion gets conked on the head and sleeps through the Battle of the Green Fork)...

Well, let's take it from a starting point being the War of the Ninepenny Kings: This war brings several figures from the Great Houses of Westeros together: Tywin Lannister had served as cupbearer to Aegon V, where he met Prince Aerys and his cousin Steffon. Tywin's brothers Kevan and Tygett (who was all of 10 years old) also served in the war. Hoster and Brynden Tully also serve, the former meets and befriends Lord Baelish (Petyr's father) and Brynden earns his knighthood. Jon Arryn is acquainted with Rickard Stark and Steffon Baratheon. Quellon Greyjoy brings a contingent of longships. No word on Luthor Tyrell as Mace would have been too young at the time (3-4 years old). Now how do they fit together as the years go by: Tywin, Kevan, and Tygett purge the Reynes and Tarbecks in 262 AC. Tywin becomes Hand of the King to Aerys after Castamere (262 AC). 270 AC: Tywin and Aerys begin to have a falling-out; Aerys refuses to appoint Tywin's brother Tygett as a master-at-arms and instead appoints Ser Willem Darry. Rickard and Steffon each send one of their sons to foster with Jon Arryn at the Eyrie in 271 AC; Rickard sends his second son Eddard, Steffon sends his eldest son Robert. 272 AC: Tywin and Aerys quarrel after remarks made about Tywin's wife Joanna, whom Aerys lusted for. Joanna dies the next year giving birth to her second son Tyrion. 276 AC: Rickard's eldest son Brandon is betrothed to Hoster's elder daughter Catelyn. Brandon is 14, Catelyn 11 or 12. Viserys Targaryen born, Aerys turns down Tywin suggesting a betrothal between Cersei and Rhaegar. After 276 AC: Petyr Baelish is fostered in Riverrun (assumption made on Ned and Robert's ages). 278 AC: Steffon and Cassana Baratheon drown off the coast of the Stormlands after failed attempt to find bride for Rhaegar. Before 280 AC: Robert Baratheon is betrothed to Lyanna Stark; by this point Robert has sired Mya Stone. 280 AC: Elia Martell marries Rhaegar Targaryen. 281 AC: Tourney at Harrenhal; Aerys II names Tywin's eldest son Jaime to the Kingsguard, breaking off negotiations to betroth Jaime to Hoster's younger daughter Lysa. Rhaegar crowns Lyanna, souring relations between Houses Targaryen, Martell, and Baratheon. 282 AC: Betrothal of Brandon and Catelyn announced, Petyr challenges Brandon and is nearly killed. This looks to be how things were stacking up before Rhaegar disappears with Lyanna Stark: Rhaegar is married to Elia Martell, two children Robert Baratheon betrothed to Lyanna Stark; Robert has one child sired illegitimately Brandon Stark and Catelyn Tully

Still, the Kingsguard would be counted on in military matters as commanders, as shown at the Battle of the Trident where Prince Lewyn Martell led the Dornishmen and even with Gerold himself during the War of the Ninepenny Kings when he took command of the combined Westerosi forces after Ormund Baratheon was killed.

Maybe Emilia didn't like spending as much time in the makeup chair?...

True; Gerold Hightower is a definite enigma for me. I can't imagine, as part of a family steeped in the Faith, how he took Rickard's execution. Also with the Tower of Joy business; Gerold goes back to retrieve Rhaegar but then trades places with him... for what reason?

I wonder how that rumor never got to the North.

Given that the Targaryens no longer practice polygamy, would this mean Rhaegar annulled his marriage to Elia as in the show... which would explain why there was only one Kingsguard with Elia and her children, who subsequently "failed" to protect them?

As I've said in other threads I wouldn't be surprised if GRRM pulls the rug out from under us.

Doesn't the epilogue for ADWD end with Kevan's POV of getting poked full of holes?

Well if Rhaegar annulled his marriage to Elia that would piss Aegon off immensely.