Game of Thrones: Long and Sharp
Lann Reyne is the sole surviving member of House Reyne after they rebelled against Casterly Rock during the year of 261 AC. He was born during the massacre of his home and spared Tywins wroth because of his young age, to be raised a Lannister in all but name. This is the tale of his adventures and those of his children as they play the Game of Thrones and attempt to rebuild and gain vengeance against the Lannisters. Feedback is appreciated.
Chapter 1: Prologue Old, rich, and powerful, the Reynes had prospered greatly from Lord Tytos's misrule. Roger Reyne, the Red Lion, was widely feared for his skill at arms; many considered him the deadliest sword in the westerlands. His brother, Ser Reynard, was as charming and cunning as Roger was swift and strong. Time passed and in 261AC a young Tywin Lannister sent a raven to Castamere and Tarbeck Hall, demanding that Roger and Reynard Reyne and Lord and Lady Tarbeck present themselves at Casterly Rock "to answer for your crimes."
"The son is not his father." Reynard spoke
"He's still a boy." Lord Roger replied, tossing the boys letter aside.
Reynard shook his head for a moment, "I assume we're not going to Casterly?" He knew the answer well enough, his brother would never take orders from a cub like Tywin Lannister no matter how different the boy was compared to his father.
"The boy calls us to Casterly and we'll go to Casterly, but not alone." Roger smiled.
The Reynes and Tarbecks chose difinance instead, as Ser Tywin surely knew they would. Both houses rose up in open revolt, renouncing their fealty to Casterly Rock. So Tywin Lannister called his banners. He did not seek his father's leave, nor even inform him of his intent, but rode forth himself with five hundred knights and three thousand men-at-arms and crossbowmen behind him. House Tarbeck was the first to feel Ser Tywin's wroth.
"Call the banners you fool!" Lord Tarbeck commanded
"It's too late m'lord, the enemy are already here..." A young man replied, nothing but a common guardsmen, scared out of his wits. "We cannot stop them!"
The Lannister host descended so quickly that Lord Tarbeck's vassals and supporters had no time to gather. "Then we ride out and meet them!" Foolishly his lordship rode forth to meet Ser Tywins host with only household knights beside him. In a short and brutal battle, the Tarbecks were broken and butchered. Lord Tarbeck and his sons were beheaded, together with his nephews and cousins, his daughters's husbands, and any man who displayed the seven-pointed blue-and-silver star upon his shield or surcoat to boast of Tarbeck blood. And when the Lannister host resumed it's march to Tarbeck Hall, the heads of Lord Tarbeck and his sons went before them, impaled on spears.
"Ellyn..." Lord Roger spoke as rage filled him. The Red Lion arrived in time to see Tarbeck Hall in flames. Two thousand men rode beside him, all he had been able to gather in the short time available. Tywin Lannister had three times his strength. "We attack. Fast and swift, before they can prepare." Lord Reyne hoped that surprise might carry the day, he commanded his trumpets to sound the attack and charged headlong into Tywin's camp. After the first shock, the Lannisters recovered quickly and their numbers soon began to tell. Lord Reyne had no choice but to wheel and flee, leaving near haft his men dead upon the field. He escaped, but not before taking a crossbow bolt between the shoulders, punching his backplate. The Red Lion rode on, only to fall from hos horse less than haft a league farther on; he was carried back to Castamere.
The Lannister host arrived at Castamere three days later. Like Casterly Rock, the seat of House Reyne had begun as a mine. Rich veins of gold and silver had made the Reynes near as wealthy as the Lannisters during the Age of Heros. It was in those deep chambers that the Reynes retreated now. Feverish and weak from loss of blood, the Red Lion was in no fit state to lead so Ser Reynard assumed command as the less headstrong but more cunning of the brothers, he knew he did not have the numbers to hold the castle walls, so he abandoned the surface entirely to the foe and fell back beneath the earth. Once all his folk were safe inside the tunnels, Ser Reynard sent word to Ser Tywin above, offering terms. Tywin did not honor him with a reply. Insted he commanded that the mines be sealed and once that was done he turned his attention to the small, swift stream that fed the crystalline blue pool beside the castle from witch Castamere took its name. It took less than a day to dam the stream and only two to divert it to the nearest mine entrance.
Tywin ordered a final sweep of the castle, expecting to find nothing. To his surprise however Ser Reynard had left behind his wife, who's screams of labor could be heard echoing in the halls; no doubt Ser Reynard either thought Tywin wouldn't harm a pregnant woman or it was simply too dangerous to move her with the child on the way. "The gods do have terrible timing" Tywin thought to himself as he entered the room and drew his blade, the line of Reyne would end with this child...
"Tywin!" Tygett Lannister stared at his elder brother
"I thought i told you to stay with the men?" Tywin was unfazed by his brothers presence
"You did." Tygett's hand moved slowly upon his sword. "Now i'm here, stopping you from this madness. You cannot kill a newborn for the sins of its family."
"Its a boy!" Tywin pointed at the child and it's mother
"He's innocent!" Tygett would not back down, not this time. "Father would never-"
"Father is a fool!" Tywin paused, "If we let this child live one day he will grow claws, and what then my dear brother? What happens when he grows up into a lion?"
"He'll grow up a Lannister!" Tygett knew his brother spoke the truth, but he couldn't kill a newborn child simply because he may or may not seek vengeance against his old family, a family he'd never know or love. "He'll be one of us." he thought to himself and sheathed his blade.
The room was silent. "The mother must die. She would poison it against us." It was not a question, Tywin moved across the room, grabbed the child with one hand and slit the thought of it's mother with the other. She didn't cry nor fight, perhaps out of bravery or the understanding that her son would live, it mattered not, the child would be a Lannister in all but name and would never rise against it's new family.
Chapter 2: The Kingswood Brotherhood "FOR THE KING!" Arthur Dayne reared his horse and signaled the assault. They had 100 or so mounted knights split up into three sections each led by a member of the King's Guard. Their enemy numbered around 200 if reports could be believed, but whatever the number they'd be untrained commoners and ill equipped to stand against armored knights. At Dayne's signal the charge began, taking the outlaw camp completely by surprise.
"There can be no bravery without fear." Lann thought to himself before adding his voice to the charge. "FOR THE KING!"
He heard a faint scream as his horse trampled over a bedroll, no doubt killing or crippling the poor bastard laying inside. Lann's eyes widened at the realization but the moment was cut short of a volley of arrows, a few striking his raised shield while the others stuck the horse, causing it to buck Lann off onto the cold forest floor below.
"Aaaarrrrhhh!" An outlaw screamed as he charged Lann with what could only be described as a very worn iron sword.
The rush, the excitement, the fear. All these things and more passed into Lann's heart and out through every motion of his blade, but the moment he drew his sword deep into the chest of his first kill was the moment the reality of true battle revealed itself to him, replacing the rush with dread and the excitement with sorrow. This was not a game.
"Reyne!" Tygett's call snapped him back into focus, removing his blade from the outlaws chest. "To me lad!"
The battle raged on around him with the initial shock of killing his first man soon beginning to wear off after the third or forth kill, using the techniques taught to him by his mentor Tygett to best many an untrained outlaw, he eventually came across a young man he knew to be Jaime Lannister; they'd sparred on occasion until Lord Tywin got wind and forbade Reyne from wielding arms against his heir. Jaime acknowledged him for a split second before returning to Ser Barristan's side were he engaged with a man that was clearly touched in the head, smiling constantly as he clashed with Arthur Dayne.
Lann cursed as an arrow shot past him, forcing him to raise his shield and charge the archer. Lann's archer was a bloody good shot but in the kingswood and surrounded by enemies at close range, the mans bow quickly became a disadvantage when Lann closed the gap between them. "bloodu archers." Lann spoke aloud to himself and got back to feet after having tackled the man to the ground, making quick work of him. Lann took a moment to catch his breath and survey the battle and from all accounts it seemed to be going well enough, the outlaws were clearly no match for an organized force, yet alone one lead by the Kingsguard.
"I'd prefer your sword." The smiling madman from earlier was taunting Ser Arthur Dayne, a foolish mistake in Lann's book.
"Then you shall have it." Arthur Dayne moved in for the kill. Lann stood by, admiring Dayne as he made short work of the madman known as the Smiling Knight.
Tygett walked up beside him, sword painted red with blood. "You could take him."
"Arthur?" Lann highly doubted that. "I could hold for awhile perhaps, but i doubt i'd live to tell the tale."
"Your a solid swordsmen lad, add a little self confidence and you'd be unstoppable." Tygett was only haft joking.
The battle was won with the Outlaw leadership slain, all that remained was to round up and finish off the stragglers, not to mention find Elia's handmaidens that were still captives of the Brotherhood. Lann lead the search through the eastern most camp where he noticed voices coming from the biggest tent that held the banner of House Toyne.
"Your mine bitc-" An outlaws threat, interrupted by a sword through the back of his skull.
Lann tossed the lifeless body aside and offered his free hand to the lady, no doubt one of Princess Elia's handmaidens that had been captured by the Brotherhood, otherwise known as the only reason King Aerys suddenly decided to do anything about the outlaws. "My lady." Lann forced a smile in an attempt to comfort her, "Your safe now."
"Thank you Ser." She forced a smile in return, clearly putting on a brave face.
Lann blushed, "I'm no knight my lady."
"No?" She raised an eyebrow, "Are knights not sworn to protect all women and the innocent? Your more a knight than some knights i have seen."
This was likely the first time Lann had ever gotten a compliment from somebody that was not Tygett. "You honor me my lady, may i know your name?"
"Ashara Dayne" She replied with pride and in that moment Lann felt himself blushing as he stared into her violet eyes.
"Reyne!" he barely recognized Tygett under the blood and muck.
"My lord?" Lann replied, the Dayne girl still standing beside him.
"Kneel." Tygett spoke and began reciting the words. "In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave." Tygett's sword moved from Lann's right shoulder to his left. "In the name of the Father I charge you to be just." Right shoulder. "In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent." The left. "In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women..."
Lann rose a knight. "See?" Ashara smiled, "You are a Knight."
The battle was decisive with merely a handful of deaths on their side, mainly from those arches that Lann was beginning to truly despise. The outlaws numbers were decimated as per King Aerys orders, very few were taken captive or shown mercy. A rather small feast was held in celebration of the victory against the Brotherhood.
"No man's gold was from them,
nor any maiden's hand.
Oh, the brothers of the Kingswood,
that fearsome outlaw band."
A bard sang in the corner of the room, a tune a little too kind towards the outlaws for Lann's taste. "Why is it the dead get songs, but not the living?" Lann thought to himself for a moment, the song reminding of his houses own song. "Now the rains weep o'er his hall, and only a soul to hear" The words echoed in his head, gods he hated bards.
Lann got himself up and made his way to Princess Elia's table. "Lady Ashara, would you give me the honor of a dance?"
"It's the least i can do for my savior." Lann couldn't help but think there was a jest there somewhere, but once again he lost himself in her eyes.
He had no idea how it happened or how much they drank the night before, but the two awoke in bed together. Time passed, Lann learnt that Ashara was with child and in order to spare the her dishonor the two agreed to marry, not such a daunting ideal for Lann in truth, she was beautiful and the two clearly got along. The child was a boy who Lann named Tygett in honor of his mentor and friend.
Chapter 3: Tourney at Harrenhal The year is 281 AC and a great tourney is being held at Harrenhal by Lord Walter Whent in honor of his daughter and to show off the wealth of House Whent. It was to be spread over ten days and promised to be the greatest tourney of it's time. Lann, now a knight in his own right, decided to attend and try his hand at first prize.
"Reyne!" A man processed to shake Lann's hand.
"Jaime." Lann replied, "Can i expect you in the melee?"
"I'll be there. The joust too, cant have the Reynes outshining the Lannisters now can we." Jaime smiled
"Cocky as always." Lann thought to himself while forcing a smile. "Your father would be livid."
"Quite. Although i expect he'll be livid regardless of the tourneys outcome." Jaimes smile faded
"Jaime?" It was odd to see Jaime so distraught
"It's nothing. Come, you've a melee to lose." The two knights continued to talk as they walked off to prepare for the first round of the melee, one of several seven-sided team based rounds that would set up the free for all elimination to determine the victor. Jaime and Lann were placed together alongside one of Lord Whents sons, Eon Hunter, Ser Haigh, Brandon Stark and a Frey lad who's name Lann didn't care to learn.
"Stay together and work as one, if we-" Lann was interrupted as Brandon Stark charged headlong against the enemy.
"Starks..." Jaime looked at Lann before following Brandons lead
Lann cursed to himself before joining Jaime in the charge. "So much for teamwork."
Lann stuck close to Jaime as they each engaged targets, while Stark was off ahead fighting two men at once. Lann continued focusing on his own target, a large man, he opted for wearing him down; Tygett had once taught him that every opponent had a weakness be it his strength or his pride, a strong man is slow when a prideful one is easily taunted. "Lets see what kind of man you are." Lann thought. "Is that all you've got? You hit like a woman!" Lann taunted him, a lie in truth but if it made the man angry it would make him reckless.
The mans face turned red as he raised his hammer and charged. "Aaaarrrrhhh!"
Lann tossed sand into the mans visor then stepped aside, evading the charge and tripping his disoriented foe, sending him face first into the dirt.
"Yield." Lann spoke with pride, his blade pointed at his enemies neck. He ignored the few shouts of disapproval from the stands.
"I yield." The mans eyes burnt with a fury as he grumbled something along the lines of "Lannister bastard" but Lann helped him up all the same.
Jaime had defeated his own man and Lann noticed King Aerys laughing hysterically at Lann's tactic with the sand. The Whent boy was on his back, having been easily defeated. Brandon Stark stood victorious although his blind charge had not helped matters. "He'd be a much better swordsmen if he was not so bloody reckless." Lann thought to himself for a moment, his attention now turning to the Frey lad who had survived this long purely because he'd remained back when Brandon, Jaime and He all charged in. Frey was disarmed and about to be defeated by his attacker.
"Frey." Lann looked at the lad, around ten-and-seven by his count, older than Jaime by a few years but far from his equal.
"He's mine!" Freys attacker bellowed from beneath his helm.
"He didn't yield." Lann studied the man, he'd be an easier foe than his previous. "If you want him, come and get him!"
The two knights clashed but not for long. Lann suffered the odd glancing blow from the mans great-sword but ultimately he was easily defeated, leaving him on his knees where he yielded. Lann turned to leave the victor but unbeknownst to him his defeated foe was not quite finished, wielding a dagger in a mad rage the knight pushed the Frey boy to the ground, stabbing him repeatedly.
"Will he live?." Lann spoke to the maester.
"His wounds are deep." The maester, who's name escaped Lann, continued to see to the boys wounds.
Jaime entered the tent. "He's a better chance that his attacker."
"Where is he?" Lann asked, hoping the bastard was dead or at least in great pain.
"Dead. You did cut off the mans arm." Jaime replied with a slight smile that faded quickly. "Unfortunately i also wont be in the finals."
"What?" Lann was curios as to what Jaime had done to get kicked out of the melee.
"I accepted the honor of joining the Kings Guard." Jaime chuckled, clearing not too happy despite the apparent honor. "I'm off to guard the queen at the capital."
Lann and Jaime left the tent and allowed the maester to continue his work. "You father is going to kill you."
"He can try." Jaime replied coldly. "If i refused i have no doubt the King would have beaten him to it."
Lann laughed. "You shouldn't worry about your father. I think you'll be the youngest ever member of the order, quite the accomplishment."
"If you say so." Jaime sighed, "I need to get fitted for my white cloak. Best of luck to you in the final Reyne."
"And to you with the King." Lann and Jaime said their goodbyes as Jaime prepared for his first duties as the newest member of the Kings Guard while Lann prepared himself for the finals of the melee that, oddly enough, would be that much easier without Jaime trying to prove himself. "An odd blessing i suppose." Lann thought to himself in the moment, although in truth he had been looking forward to teaching the young Lannister a lesson. Brandon Stark and Yohn Royce were the only two finalists that Lann knew by name, the forth wearing the arms of House Blount. The victors purse was a sum of 8,000 gold dragons with the jousts being a kingly 10,000; House Whent had truly outdone themselves.
Lann entered the ring and the final round began with Stark rushing to engage Blount while Lann clashed with Royce, having the advantage of age on his side against the Lord of Runestone. "I need to finish this!" Lann thought as he pushed his advantage against Royce, cautiously keeping an eye on Stark who was making quick work of his foe.
"I'm sorry about this my lord." Lann used all his strength to disarm Royce and kick his sword across the ground, forcing him to yield.
"Stark!" Lann screamed, pointing his sword at the wolf, taunting him into a charge and attempting to replicate a previous move of his. It failed as Stark raised his shield, taking Reyne by surprise and knocking him aside. "Wheres my sword?, wheres my sword?, WHERES MY SWORD?!"
"Looking for this?" Brandon Stark began to gloat as he held Reynes blade in his left hand, having dropped his shield. "Do you yield?"
Lann looks desperately for something, anything that would save him. "Never!" Lann smiled and Brandon swung, his victory cut short as Lann grabbed his enemies discarded shield and put it between himself and the wolfs bite, following up the move with a sweep of his legs and a trading of places. Brandon Stark was in the dirt.
"Do you yield?" Lann had tossed the shield far aside and was now wielding both swords, unlike Brandon he minded his footing.
Stark smiled and got to his feet. "Well fought Reyne. I yield." The stands erupted with cheer and Lann was declared the champion of the melee, earning his gold that would later go towards his planned restoration of Castamere. He entered the lists shortly afterwards with hopes of earning more gold but alas Lann was a better swordsman than jouster and found himself bested by Arthur Dayne in the early rounds. Lann left Harrenhal content that his 8,000 along with his other savings, would be more than enough to hire workers and begin work on rebuilding Castamere to it's former glory.
Castamere, the home of his forefathers, was a ruin. Lann first laid eyes on it shortly after his son Tygett was born and he spent most of the following weeks discussing the restoration with Lord Tywin, who to put it bluntly, was not happy with the plans but ultimately agreed to allow it under the condition that Lann fund it himself. Unknown to Tywin however, Lann's mentor Tygett had offered his assistance in form of labor and the first major task was grim one , draining the mine then collecting the bones and finally putting them to rest. In the end a large graveyard was raised to house the bones of all those who drowned during the rebellion.
"It'll be done soon." Lann spoke over the grave of his father, a man he didn't know, but Tygett had identified his bones thanks to a ruby signet ring that Lann now wore. "In a year or two our home will be rebuilt and i swear House Reyne will grow back it's claws, longer and sharper than ever before." Lann smiled as he looked down at his son Tygett who was standing by his side. "And perhaps one day my son will do what i cannot." Lann thought in silence as he looked over the graves.
Lann returned to Castamere after Harrenhal to be with his wife, who was pregnant and due any day; He was worried he wouldn't return in time to see his new child into the world. Unlike his brother Tygett, who was the spitting image of his father with his golden hair and dark brown eyes, this babe had his mothers violet eyes. Ashara named the boy Arthur Reyne and swore he'd outshine her own brother someday. It was barely a day later when word of Lyanna Starks abduction reach Lann's ears.
Chapter 4: The Rebellions Prince Rhaegar had kidnapped Lyanna Stark, or so rebels claimed. Lann had a hard time believing the crown prince, known for being honorable and noble, would take the girl against her will even if he had named her queen of love and beauty at the tourney. Whatever the truth the great houses of Baratheon, Stark, Arryn and Tully had risen in open revolt against the crown while Lord Tywin and the West sat patiently for the first few weeks of the war and for this Lann was grateful, it gave him time to spend with his family.
"Open the gates!" A man yelled from the battlements and the gates to King's Landing swung wide open.
"Idiots." Lann though to himself as the Lannister host entered the city, not to help the Targaryens, but to put the final nail in their coffin. Chaos followed as the Goldcloaks were slaughtered by the far larger Western forces that made their way through the city house by house, looting and raping as they went. Lann and a handful of his household guard headed directly for the Red Keep and King Aery's head.
"Jaime?" Lann lowered his sword at the Lannister, his own golden sword covered in King Aery's blood as the King himself laid lifeless on the steps of the Iron Throne.
"Lann." Jaime greeted his fellow lion, stepping over King Aery's corpse to do so. "I had hoped to introduce you to the King next we met but i envisioned something less-"
"You killed your King?" Lann interrupted
"He commanded me to bring him fathers head." Jaime sheathed his blade
"You swore a vow Jaime!" Lann kept his blade out, his guards flanking him. "We both know the man was insane but-"
Jaime's hand found itself on the pommel of his blade, noting that Reyne still had his out. "Your darn right he was insane. You'd be taking a city of ash if it wasn't for me."
Lann sighed and sheathed his blade, signaling his guards to do the same. "Care to explain?"
"Burn them all." Jaime repeated the words a number of times. "He kept repeating those words. Ordering his pyromancer to ignite wildfire throughout the city, saying, Let him be king over charred bones and cooked meat. Let him be the king of ashes." Jaime stared at Lann for a moment before moving up to the Iron Throne and taking a seat. "I had to do it."
When Eddard Stark entered the throne room Jaime was still sat on the throne while Lann stood at the base of the steps, with King Aerys crown in his hands. The rebellion was over and the Targaryen dynasty ended short of a few members that fled across the narrow sea, but the Iron Throne now belonged to Robert of House Baratheon. Peace reigned for almost eleven years before Balon Greyjoy rose up in rebellion against the crown, a mistake he would quickly come to regret.
The Greyjoy Rebellion began as Balon Greyjoy rose in open rebellion against the crown, believing that the lords of Westeros were less than content with Robert Baratheon's rule and would not not come to his aid. This was a mistake as all of Westeros answered the call of their king, Lord Stannis Baratheon along with Lord Paxter Redwyne and other lords of the Reach were able to catch and smash the Iron Fleet, captained by Victarion Greyjoy, in a significant battle off the coast of Fair Isle. This allowed Robert's forces to cross to the Iron Islands as Lann followed Ser Barristan Selmy against the island of Old Wyk.
"My Lord, are we not joining King Robert at Pyke?" The captain of Lann's galley spoke, slightly confused at the sudden change of plan.
"King Robert can deal with Lord Balon." Lann continued to stare at the small island on the horizon. "I have business with Lord Drumm."
Old Wyk was lightly defended to say the least, with the might of the Isles being their fleet and most of them had been sunk or captured already. Lann stood at the bow of the galley named The Red Lion, as it approached it's landing and the ironborn scum awaiting ashore. "Victory is already ours lads, all that remains is to teach them a final lesson!" Lann drew his steel and pointed it at the enemy and screamed, "OUR CLAWS ARE SHARP!" The Red Lion crashed ashore ahead of the rest of the fleet as Lann and his men disembarked and began to charge the enemy line, shields raised to avoid the first volley of arrows. "WHAT IS DEAD WILL BLOODY STAY DEAD!" Lann screamed as their shield wall broke, clashing with the enemy lines. Lann's men cut into the enemy like a hot knife through butter as Lann and his personal guard cut their way to the small line of archers, aiming to remove them from the field and save the rest of the fleet, that had just disembarked, from another volley of arrows. Lann drove his sword into the chest of the first then cut down another, and another, and another while his guards did the same to the shocked archers, who had only their bows and daggers to defend themselves against fulled armored knights. They didn't stand a chance.
"Run them do-" Lann was interrupted as one of the fleeing archers drew his bow and let loose, nailing Lann in the shoulder.
Lann pulled the arrow out with a grunt of pain. "Bring me that bastards head!"
"M'lord!" One of Lann's guards rushed to inspect his lord. "You should leave the field m'lord, this needs to be seen to."
"I'm fine." Lann waved off the guard and commanded him to return to the battle, that in all truth seemed won. His charge on the archers had made it that much easier for Ser Barristan to join up with Lann's forces fighting the main line of ironborn who had suffered a large blow to moral from Lann's push alone and had lost all hope when Barristan joined the fight. "I bloody hate archers." Lann thought to himself as he looked at his wound, it was sore but the arrow had come out clean.
"LANN!" His men began chanting as Lann stood slightly elevated over them, where the archers once stood.
"LONGCLAWS!" Another cheered. "LANN LONGCLAWS!" The nickname stuck as his own men and many others began chanting it, although the war was not yet won his actions or perhaps his recklessness, had saved many lives. Lann smiled and lifted his sword in the arm to keep spirits high, then continued to his still unresolved business.
"It's ours!" Donnel Drumm all but screamed, a lion had invaded his home, tied up his family and now stood before them holding their family blade. "We paid the i-" Donnel made another attempt to scream at his captive but soon began choking on his own blood as Lann slit his through with Red Rain, the long lost blade of House Reyne.
"My son!" Lord Dunstan Drumm cried out as Lann knelt before the ironborn lord and looked him in the eyes.
"A debt repaid." Lann sheathed Red Rain.
Lord Dunstan stared at his sons killer with a mix of rage and confusion. "What debt!?"
Lann smiled, glad he asked. "A Drumm killed a Reyne and stole his sword, now a Reyne kills a Drumm and takes back his sword. The debt is repaid."
The Greyjoy Rebellion failed and Lann fully expected King Robert to make another island of the ironborns skulls, but for whatever reason he showed Lord Balon mercy and allowed him to live, although he did steal the mans only living son from him. Lann returned to Castamere with his business concluded and his men song a song as they sailed home. These men were no poets but Lann couldn't help but join in with them, the knowledge of returning to his children filling him with joy.
"The Ironborns plea was as dull as his wife,
and his looks were non too great either.
But the Lions blade was made of red steel,
and its kiss was a terrible thing.
The Ironborns son cried as he begged,
in a voice that made us all cringe,
But the Lions blade had a cry of its own,
and a long claw of valyrian steel.
As he lay on the ground with the darkness around,
and the taste of his blood on his tongue,
His father knelt by him and prayed him a prayer,
and he cried and he begged and he wept,
"Father, oh father, my days here are done,
the Lion has taken my life,
But what does it matter, for what's dead may not die,
and I've paid the iron price!"
Lann returned home to Castamere and after a few weeks found himself back in the graveyard. "I'm sorry." Lann through to himself in silence.
"Father?" Young Tygett approached with his little sister Ellya in tow.
"Princess." Lann smiled as he went to one knee and embraced his only daughter. "Where is Arthur?"
"I don't know." Ellya smiled.
"He's in the yard pestering Ser Tion." Tygett replied with a grin. "Mother always said he'd outshine us all one day."
Lann was hardly surprised as the one thing Arthur loved more than his mother was the idea of becoming the next Sword of Morning, and his mother often encouraged his training despite the lads young age, now only seven, but Lann was deeply proud of the boy. "I'll bring him to pay his respects later." Lann sighed.
"Did I kill her father?" Ellya's smile faded
"What?" Lann became wide-eyed. "Who gave you that idea?"
"I heard some of the stable boys-" Lann interrupted her quickly
"Your mother loved you more than life Ellya." His gaze returned to Ashara's grave for a moment before returning to hug his daughter. "She lives on in you little princess and we're all the better for it." Ellya began to smile again and Lann sent her back to her room, escorted by her big brother. "I'm sorry." Lann repeated as he reminded himself of the sin he had committed a few days prior when in his sorrow he found his way into the arms of a common whore, days before the anniversary of Ashara's death.
Chapter 5: A Different Coat "Tygett!" Robb Hill jumped to his feet and cheered as his brother broke a lance against his opponent.
"Sit down!" His sister commanded, "Gods your embarrassing sometimes."
Robb turned to look at his father who nodded in confirmation of the command, causing the Black Lion of Castamere to sit, arms folded and head down as he muttered to himself. Tygett meanwhile came around for another run and this time unhorsed his opponent, sending him flying and subsequently causing Robb to once again rise with a triumphant cheer before taking note of his sisters eyes, staring at him with a fury.
"Sit." Ellyn spoke slowly, "Now." Robb obeyed and returned to his sulking.
"Leave the lad alone Elly." Arthur turned her notice towards the royal stand. "If the King can make an arse of himself our bastard brother can surely-"
"King Robert is drunk." Ellyn spoke rather matter-of-factly
Arthur smiled. "Here that little brother? We just need to get you drunk."
"You cant be serious?" Ellyn replied, her fury now directed at Arthur rather than Robb.
"Are you accusing me of a jest sweet sister?" Arthur faked a look of shock. "Although i don't imagine the task would be too difficult..."
"I could get drunk!" Robb jumped up from his seat again, accepting his brothers challenge with pride.
"Hear that?" Arthur began to laugh at the idea of a drunken eight year old.
Lord Lann joined his sons laughter. "Your too young for that Robb. Sit back down and when the jousts over i'll bet Tygett will spar with you again."
In truth their sparring was just Tygett teaching the boy to hold a sword effectively, often letting the boy strike him in practice. Robb Hill was a bastard sure enough but he was a loved one even though Ellyn could be overbearing at times; especially in public. The tourney went on for awhile until the final joust come about.
"Can Tygett beat him father?" Arthur asked as he eyed his brothers opponent.
"Nobody can beat Tygett!" Robb once again jumped from his seat and cheered his brothers name, waving as he yelled. "Tygett!"
Lann smiled at the sight before answering his sons question. "Ser Jaime is skilled, but your brother was a squire under Ser Barristan for many years," Lann paused a moment to recall the day Tygett was knighted by his mentor, he'd never been prouder of the lad than the day he was knighted by one of the best swords in the realm. The third pass was the moment when both riders struck gold, or red in Tygetts case as both He and Jaime fell from their horses at the same time. The crowed as silent, unsure of who fell first or what was to be done in the event of a draw; even the king seemed to have a blank expression although perhaps that was the drinks doing.
"Ser Jaime!" Tygett shouted at his opponent, holding his blade in the air and challenging him to a melee to decide the victor.
Jaime grinned rather devilishly, no doubt quite confident that he'd win. "Ser Tygett!" He shouted in response and drew his golden sword.
Steel kissed steel as the two knights engaged. Tygett had squired under Ser Barristan for years and was knighted by the man barely a year ago. The Kingslayer had experience on his side no doubt, but Tygett had skill of his own although had never sparred with the man before and as such was counting on Jaime underestimating him.
"Your good." Tygett grinned at the realization that the tales of the Kingslayers skill at arms were not mere tales, paid for with his fathers gold.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Jaime replied as the two returned to focus, locking steel for a mere moment before Jaime continued to push his advantage.
It seemed that Jaime had the upper hand, pushing Tygett further and further. Tygett however continued to hold his defense, waiting for his opponent to make a error that in truth he was beginning to think would never come. Then Jaime lunged wide and recalling what Barristan taught him Tygett quickly moved his sword to parry, but then took a step closer and brought his sword up, warped it around Jaimes then slid down the outside of his blade, jerking his own sword inward causing Jaimes sword to fly out of his hand.
"Barristan taught you well." Jaime spoke after a moment of silence, no doubt kicking himself for underestimating his foe. "In a real fight, i'd have skewered you with my dagger by now." Jaime thought to himself but put on a smile and shook the hand of his old friends son. "Don't get too cocky now, my sister is watching." Jaime thought as he eyed the Queen in the stands next to King Robert, who was laughing hysterically at Jaimes alleged defeat.
Tygett had won the day, hailed as the 'Kingslayer Slayer' by the crowed although the title originally originated from the drunken jests of King Robert. A grand feast was held after the joust with Tygett and his family as the honored guests of the King; forcing the Red lions to sit rather dangerously close to the Golden ones on the Kings Table.
King Robert rose from his seat to begin the feast. "To the Kingslayer Slayer!" He bellowed, raising a mug to the young knight.
"Your son did well Lord Reyne." In this moment Lann sent a silent curse to the gods, why in the seven hell's he'd been seated next to- "Few can hope to match my brothers skill yet alone live to tell the tale." Cersei Lannister, the whore queen of the seven kingdoms. In public the lions played nice but ever since Tygett Lannister died of pox relations with Casterly Rock had been strained to say the least.
"Few can hope to match him? I do believe Tygett won." Lann thought to himself and put on a fake smile to match the queens own. "He was taught by the best."
"As was my brother." The queen replied and sipped her wine.
"Yes." Lann's fake smile turned into a true one as he thought of a comeback. "I tried my best."
The Queen no doubt wanted to claw his eyes out and Lann almost wanted to see her try it. "You were taught by a Lannister and raised by one too, small wonder your son inherit those skills." A statement that was no doubt meant as an insult, but Lann had only warm feelings towards his departed mentor Tygett.
"I named my eldest in Tygett's honor." Lann paused, "It warms my heart that he's grown more than worthy of that honor."
The whore took another sip of wine and somehow every act this woman made managed to annoy him. This is why he avoided the capital. "Speaking of honors." The Queen whispered something in her husbands ear, the act catching the attention of Lann who understood that whatever poison she was spilling into the Kings ears, was most likely bad news.
"Attention!" King Robert took a mightily gulp of his drink before continuing, say what you like about the man he could hold his liquor. "Tygett Reyne!"
Tygett rose, "Your grace?" Lann noticed the Queen's grin of satisfaction at this point and it sent a chill down his spine.
"My wife suggests and I agree that your skills are needed here." Robert took another gulp, "With the sudden death of Greenfield we've a spot in the Kingsguard and you my lad shall fill it!" At this Tygett fell to his knees and began to think of ways to respectfully decline, while Lann stared at the Queen and thought of ways to kill her and get away with it without causing a war.
"Your grace. I am the Heir to Castamere. I cannot-" Robert interrupted him
"You've a more than capable brother do you not?" Robert awaited the answer and ignored Arthur Reyne, who bursted into laughter.
"I- I am not worthy of the honor." Tygett knew that wouldn't work but he was out of ideas.
King Robert laughed as expected. "Ser Barristan tells me a different story. I need a sword i can trust, one able to keep the Kingslayer in check!"
"Ser Barristan-" Tygett was interrupted again and lost any hope of getting out of this without a new cloak.
"Swore his oath to the Targaryens." Robert was beginning to lose what little patients he had left. "You however are not tainted by their filth."
Tygett wanted to scream and defend his mentors name, but it was hopeless. "I understand your grace. It would be my honor to serve on your Kingsguard."
"Why?" Lann thought as he stared at Cersei who was in turn smiling happily at her success. "Is this some desperate attempt to humble us? Did Tywin put you up to this or is it purely because my son beat your brother?" Lann couldn't blame Tygett for accepting the position, to refuse the King even when he was drunk would be seen as a great insult but naturally Cersei knew that. "History repeats itself." Lann looked to Arthur who was now deep in his cups. "Jaime is dragged into the order as a slight to his father and now Tygett suffers the same fate."
"Ser Tygett of the Kingsguard!" King Robert cheered and Tygett found himself surrounded by his new brothers, all congratulating him.
"The White Lion!" Arthur cheered, a mix of happy and disappointed. It was his dream to join the Kingsguard and that dream was now crushed into tiny shards.
Arthur continued to drink his worries away while his sister was all too aware of the hidden insult behind this alleged honor and Robb Hill was oblivious, having begun his quest to prove to his brother that he could indeed get drunk. Lann meanwhile left the hall in search of his previous heir who had left to get fitted with his new cloak.
"You look good in White." Lann spoke the truth, his former heir was well suited to his new armor. "A moment if you don't mind Ser Barristan?"
"Of course Lord Reyne." Barristan gave a nod before returning into the main hall.
"I'm sorry father." Tygett fell to his knees before his father, "I failed. I couldn't-"
"Rise my boy, you kneel to the King and nobody else." Lann looked at his son and found himself smiling. He looked a true knight.
"Your not angry?" Tygett was shocked, having expected to he disowned and shamed. At the least he expected his father to shout in protest.
"You are my son." Lann sighed, "In a coat of red or a coat of white, you shall always be my son." Tygett embraced his father before Lann removed his fathers signet ring and handed it to his eldest. "This was my fathers. Now it's yours, so that you never forget who you are." Lann was truly proud, in this moment the feeling overwhelmed the feelings of hate and vengeance he felt towards the Lannisters for their part in this.
"I'll make you proud." Tygett returned his fathers smile.
"You've already done that a hundred times over my boy." Lann vowed in that moment that Cersei Lannister would look back on this day during her final moments and she would curse herself. A day will come when Casterly Rock falls to ruin as payment for her sins, beyond counting that they are. "That whore will pay."
Chapter 6: Curiosity The Godswood of Winterfell was normally a peaceful place, this night however the sound of steel clashing against steel echoed though the trees like some queer melody as two white knights fought furiously, matching blow for blow as they danced back and fourth while a small wolf watched from behind a tree.
"It seems we have an audience." Jaime lowered his sword.
Tygett lowered his own sword and turned to see whom he was referring to, keeping on eye on Jaime encase this was some distraction meant to get the better of him. "Show yourself." Tygett raised his sword, pointed firmly at the tree their witness was attempting to hide behind. "You-"
Jaime grinned as he sheathed his sword. "A little late out for such a little wolf, is it not?"
"Arya Stark." Tygett sheathed his own sword, remembering in that moment that the youngest Stark girl had a dislike of being called a lady. She actually showed a great annoyance at the title. "Ser Jaime is correct no doubt, should'n't you be abed at this hour?" It was almost dark out. He and Jaime practice this late for a reason; to avoid Cersei playing judge and executioner whenever Tygett got the upper hand on her brother.
The wolf girl merely stared at them, raising an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same question."
Tygett smiled, finding the girls spirit amusing. Jaime however was less impressed. "We are lions. Lions don't need rest."
"Liar." Arya replied, seemingly prepared to flee from the lions at a moments notice.
Tygett burst into laughter. "She's got you there Jaime." He paused a moment to try and read the little wolf. "You are a curious one, little wolf." Arya smiled in reply, seeming to take it as a complement wherever or not the lion meant it as one. Tygett found he quite enjoyed the youngest Stark girl, she reminded him of his sister, although Ellyn would never be caught without a fancy dress or in the woods watching knights spar for that matter; the girls rebellious nature had a resemblance however.
"Curiosity killed the wolf." Jaime spoke and Arya rolled her eyes at him.
"Indeed. You've too much of your aunt in you." Tygett had made the connection before, from what little he'd learned of Lyanna Stark from his father.
"You knew my aunt?" Arya doubt it, the lion didn't look old enough.
"My father spoke with her at Harrenhal before the rebellion." He could use this to make her comply. "Let me escort you back to your room and i'll tell you about her."
She sighed, "Alright."
"Remember your vows Ser Tygett!" Jaime yelled as they began walking back to the castle
Arthur ignored him, feeling sick at the mere idea. An idea that had made the young girl clearly uneasy about walking with the lion. "Don't listen to the Kingslayer, when he killed the Mad King my father says he drank some of his blood, hasn't been the same since. Now, i promised to tell you of your aunt?"
"Yes." She replied, keeping her distance ever since Jaime's remark.
"My father met her and your grandfather at Harrenhal." Tygett began his tale. "I was barely two when i met her there and i was far too shy to speak."
The wolf raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You were shy?"
"Don't sound so surprised. I was young and at the time i thought she was the most beautiful thing i'd ever seen, besides my own mother, but i had little trouble constantly asking her questions, she used to say i talk too much for my own good." Tygett sighed, he missed his mother more than mere words could express. "You have her hair."
"Your mothers?" Arya asked sincerely, a hint of fear in her eyes for some reason.
"Your aunts." He laughed, "Why would you have my mothers hair?"
"I have the same hair as my brother Jon. I thought perhaps-"
"That perhaps you were a bastard too?" Tygett guessed, he'd met Jon Snow briefly when Jaime had been taunting the boy during the feast. It insulted him a little to think of his mother being with anyone but his father, but the thought passed quickly. "Don't be ridiculous. Your hair is a Stark feature little wolf, if anything it proves your more Stark than your other siblings."
It seemed to cheer the girl up, although strangely she seemed a little disappointed too. "Do all your siblings look alike?"
"My brother Arthur has our mothers violet eyes, constantly lording them over us like he's a Targaryen Prince." Tygett smiled, "We'd always point out that he's got the same dirty-gold hair as the rest of us, a difference our father says puts us apart from the pure-gold Lannisters." The Lannisters trademark was their flowing golden hair, but the Reynes tended to favor a far darker shade of gold that the Lannisters once called dirty-gold as an insult, so at some point in history a Reyne embraced it as an honor, ceasing the use of the word as an insult in the doing. After all what's the point in the an insult if it's not insulting?
"I can make it to my room from here." Arya stopped in her tracks.
Tygett was skeptical that she'd actually go to her room and not just run off again. "Swear on your honor, Arya Stark."
She looked like she'd simply ignore him and bolt at a moment. "I swear."
"I've the word of a Stark then?" Tygett asked and the girl gave a nod. "Goodnight then, little wolf."
Tygett returned to the chambers he'd been granted, small, but he considered himself lucky all the same. It was likely due to his previous position as Heir to Castamere that made Lord Stark give him a room separate to the arrangements made for the others in the royal party. Without dwelling on it for too long he headed to bed, he would be riding back to his beloved capital in the morning and he'd need to be rested. He knew all too well that his father would have plans for Lord Stark when he arrived.
Chapter 7: Long and Sharp Lord Lann rode through the woods with his son and a hundred or so knights, the red lion of Castamere flying proudly as they went towards the castle of Darry where Lann planned to meet with King Robert. "You lost boy?" Arthur paused, having dismounted and made his way to some bushes where he noticed a figure attempting to remain hidden. The lad was young and had a handful of berries, seemingly putting on a brave face to hide his fear.
"No." The boy replied, bravely starring at Arthur despite him now being flanked by three knights that had rode up beside him.
Arthur smiled at the sight. "No need to be afraid lad. We're-"
"I'm not afraid of you Lannister!" Arthur was interrupted
"You wound me." Arthur's smile had disappeared. "I am not a Lannister."
The boy merely continued to stare at his haunting violet eyes and the knights banners, likely taking into account the lack of gold; those were not Lannister colors.
"You-" A shout interrupted the boys reply
"M'lord!" Another knight rode up to Arthur, making the boy uneasy until he sighted the Stark banner close behind.
"Lady Stark!" The man who'd announced himself to the Reyne host as one Jory Cassel let out a sigh of relief in that moment. "Come. We must return you to your father."
The wolfs eyes lit up when Arthur gave a nod, allowing his knights to remain at ease. "You'll travel with us Cassel. Safety in numbers and all." Jory accepted, not that he had a choice in the matter, having only a handful of swords with him compared to the large company of lions that he was to travel with to Darry. It was a short ride to Darry where the banners of Red and Gold merged. Arthur and Lann dismounted and moved to escort young Arya to her father.
"Brother!" Arthur found himself embracing his elder brother, dressed all in white. "I still say white would've suited me better."
"In a coat of Red or a coat of White." Tygett smiled, "A lion still has claws."
"Long and Sharp." Arthur spoke the words of his house
"Long and Sharp." Tygett echoed them with pride and a hint of sadness as he thought to himself behind a smile. "It should be you in the white"
"Son." Lann gave his eldest a quick hug. "What's this business with the Stark girl?" Arya was lead away by Lannister guards while the Reyne's spoke among themselves.
"Joffrey claims she and some boy attacked him with clubs and set a wolf on him." Tygett sighed, "He has a minor wound from the wolves bite, but it will heal."
"He was bested by a girl?" Arthur had a little chuckle as he envisioned the epic struggle in his head.
"He's full of it. If the beast wished to to kill him he'd be dead already, and the boy has no marks from any alleged clubs." Arthur shook his head, sighing as if tired of hearing the utterly pathetic tale. As Kingsguard he was sworn to protect the royal family but Joffrey was not of royal blood and as such, he couldn't care less about him.
"The Queen will call for the girls head." Lann spoke, "We cannot afford Stark returning North over this."
"She'll not get it. Robert loves Stark like a brother." Tygett replied matter-of-factly, confident that Robert would never have a girl executed yet alone a Stark girl.
"Speaking of the wolf." Lann broke away from his sons to intercepted a clearly furious northern lord. "Lord Stark. A word if you please."
"Lord Reyne." Eddard Stark paused, "I'm afraid this will have to wait."
"I found the girl my lord. I suggest you hear us out." Arthur flanked his father and said his peace on the matter, informing Lord Stark of the rather long-winded story put against his daughter. "The prince is a bad liar. Point out to the King the fact that he's no marks from his beating."
"Not to mention, ask where they got the clubs and how they vanished." Tygett added for effect. "I'll walk with you my lord."
Lord Stark gave a nod before continuing towards the great hall with his guards and Tygett in tow. Lann and Arthur meanwhile continued to talk once the Lannister guards had dispersed, leaving them alone in the Darry courtyard. "We could just tell King Robert." Arthur voiced his ill-thought suggestion.
"He'd never believe it coming from us." Lann replied, if only things were that simple.
"It could have come from Lord Arryn." Arthur stated as if his father was not already aware of the fact.
"Cersei moved quicker than i anticipated." Lann paused a moment in regret, "We'll need to be more vigilant with Stark." Jon Arryn's death was a set back to say the least, now all hope fell into the lap of the honorable Lord Eddard Stark and if the mans reputation did him credit he'd be even harder to deal with than Arryn.
"I fear war is inevitable." Arthur's hand rested on the pommel of his sword, ready to use it at a moments notice.
"Its is. That is why we must be prepared." Lann took a second to ensure nobody was watching them. "The alliances are going according to plan." House Kenning had agreed upon a union between Arthur and Lelia Kenning, putting aside a potential match the girl had with some knight from a minor family who's name Lann never cared to learn; it was not important as Arthur had already make quick work of said knight when he challenged him for Lelia's hand.
Arthur shifted uncomfortably at the mention of his new wife. "What happened to the Westerling girl?"
"The Crag is too weak to be of any use lad." Lann kept his voice shushed, he knew his son had no desire to wed but he had done so out of duty.
"What of Elly?" Arthur replied, "Is my sweet sister still to be used in this grand scheme?"
"Lord Sarsfield has agreed to a match with his eldest." Lann's voice turned rather stern for a moment, causing Arthur to take the hint. This was happening. You cannot stop it. Just accept it. So Arthur sighed and ceased questioning the matter, he'd live content in the knowledge that if Sarsfield hurt his sister he'd kill the bastard, alliance or no alliance. In truth he liked his wife, she was cute enough and kind spirited but Arthur didn't love her, the marriage was purely for the 'greater good' as his father put it.
Meanwhile inside the keep. "Liar!" Arya Stark screamed and moved to lunge at her sister, halted by Tygett placing a hand on her shoulder. Arya looked up at the lion ready to shout in protest but merely stared in silence, his almost black-brown eyes staring down at her as if to say "No." She turned her furious gaze towards her sister.
"She's as wild as that animal of hers." Cersei spoke, still intent on punishment. Tygett stood in silence next to the young Stark girl hoping his presence would keep her from doing something stupid; although a small part of him wished to see what she'd do if given free reign. "We have another wolf." The Queen replied to something Robert said.
The King sighed at the hole situation, leaving the hall as Sansa Stark began to beg for the life of her pet, who was quite clearly innocent, not that it mattered to the Queen; she wanted to send a message. Tygett found himself once again disappointed in his king. House Reyne held little value in blind honor but to condemn an innocent for the crimes of the guilty was simply low, cowardly even. "I swore to protect a man who dose not understand justice." The thought made Tygett sick.
"You have my sympathies Lord Stark, for what little that's worth." Lann walked up behind Eddard Stark, who was standing over the lifeless body of his daughters direwolf. "She was a beautiful beast, it's truly a shame." Lann's words were hollow in truth, such an injustice being allowed was all too common and failed to surprise him in the slightest.
"The man i knew wouldn't have allowed this." Lord Stark replied, unsure if it was wise to speak too openly with a bannerman of the Lannisters.
"I grew up at Casterly Rock as a hostage in all but name." A slight grin escaped Lann for a moment. "Trust me when i say that Cersei Lannister was a spoiled brat long before she became Queen. Her new position has done nothing to improve her personality." The look of shock on Starks face would've been hilarious if not for the concern that he wouldn't last two weeks in the capital being so naive.
"She is the Queen." Eddard replied, the shock replaced by a concern at being overheard.
"She is the Queen." Lann echoed the lie. "She is also child playing at a game she believes she to have mastered."
"Whatever my feelings towards her grace, such talk could be considered treason." Eddard stated bluntly.
"Only if you are caught." Lann turned to leave, a handful of Reyne knights appearing from the shadows to escort him. "In the Game of Thrones we all eventually die. There is no middle ground and only fools believe there are winners." The Lord of Castamere paused and turned back to face Lord Stark before finally taking his leave. "The game is rigged. But my claws and Long and Sharp." Lann's knights followed their lord, leaving the Lord of Winterfell to wonder if coming south was such a good idea.
"Planning on staying in the capital Reyne?" King Robert asked as Lann rode up beside him at the head of the party.
"For a time." Lann replied, keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Planning on causing trouble?" Robert laughed, knowing the answer to the question.
Lann didn't disappoint. "I have no idea what your talking about, your grace."
"I'm surrounded by lions." The King began to rant. "My wife has already commanded that I refuse your entry to the city as if shes the King and I her Queen. Your welcome as far as I'm concerned, at least with your pride of lions around the Lannisters content themselves with troubling you, rather than me."
"The Queen flatters me with her attention." Lann smiled to himself and the King let loos a rather sarcastic chuckle.
"I didn't see you in the hall during the business with Joffrey." Robert changed the topic away from his wife, a blessing they were both thankful for.
"Tygett informed me of the events." Lann paused, thinking how best to speak without making his disappointment too obvious. "He says you handled it well, considering. It could have gone far worse if the Queen had her way and I doubt Lord Stark would've remained in the capital if she took his daughters head."
"I never would've allowed that!" Roberts fury was present and Lann wished he'd been more subtle.
"Tygett said as much." Lann let the King do the talking, it seemed wise.
"If i hadn't let her kill the wolf and get some feeling of control, gods know what she'd have done behind my back." He continued as Lann thought about all the things the Queen was already doing behind his back; he was almost temped to come out and tell Robert all about it. "It had to be done. Ned will forgive me."
"He'll forgive you." Lann replied, "He may not forgive the Queen."
"Let him hate her. It'll be another thing we have in common!" Robert rode ahead at that and Lann had gotten the response he desired, the more Robert and Eddard hated the Queen the easier it would become for the truth to reveal itself. That being the true reason Cersei didn't want Lann near the King as she knew every time he spoke to Robert his hatred of her grew.
"Another fun talk with his grace?" Arthur rode up beside his father once the King had ridden off ahead.
"He dose most of the talking." Lann double checked his surroundings, far more Red than Gold. "All i need do is mention the woman and he dose the rest."
"Will it really be enough?" Arthur spoke
"He hates the woman now more than ever, thanks in small part to us. All that remains is for Stark to light the fuse." Lann replied in a hushed tone, while he was surrounded by his own banners one could never be too careful this close to the capital; once they entered that unholy city he'd have even less freedom.
"Convincing Stark may be a challenge. Could we not just tell him ourselves, he dose respect you far-"
"He tolerates me." Lann interrupted his son, "He'd refuse to believe it and he'd likely exile or kill me for the mere suggestion."
"If you say so." Arthur had never agreed with all the delaying tactics. It had already gotten Jon Arryn killed.
"I do say so." Lann was running out of patience for the boy, they had discussed this time and time again. On the other hand it would do well to get this out the way before they entered the vipers nest. "If it comes from Stark we can back his word and the King will not be able to question it."
"And the children?" Another question, gods Lann was haft tempted to send the boy back to Castamere.
"Stark will do his duty." Lann replied, knowing all too well how much of a pain it would be to convince Stark that the death of three innocent children is justified. Stannis and Jon Arryn had accepted it as necessary and were close to the end game but Lann was not in the capital to ensure success, a mistake he refused to make twice.
Chapter 8: Honor or Duty "The whore is pregnant!" The king's fist slammed down on the council table laud as a thunder clap. "I warned you this would happen, Ned. Back in the barrowlands, I warned you, but you didn't care to hear it. Well, you'll hear it now. I want them dead, mother and child both, and that fool Viserys as well. Is that plain enough for you? I want them dead!" Arthur, much like the other councilors, was doing his best to pretend that he was somewhere else. No doubt a wiser move than Stark.
"You will dishonor yourself forever if you do this." Stark replied, causing Arthur to roll his eyes at the statement.
"Then let it be on my head, so long as it is done. I am not so blind that I cannot see the shadow of the axe when it is hanging over my own neck."
"There is no axe," Stark told his king. "Only the shadow of a shadow, twenty years removed... if it exists at all."
"If?" Varys asked softly, wringing powdered hands together. "My lord, you wrong me. Would I bring lies to king and council?"
Stark looked at the eunuch coldly. "You would bring us the whisperings of a traitor haft a world away, my lord. Perhaps Mormont is wrong. Perhaps he is lying."
"Ser Jorah would not dare deceive me," Varys said with a sly smile. "Rely on it, my lord. The princess is with child."
"So you say. If you are wrong, we need not fear. If the girl miscarries, we need not fear. If she births a daughter in place of a son, we need not fear. If the babe dies in infancy, we need not fear." A little too empty a speech for Arthur's tastes but he remained silent, waiting for King Robert's obvious response.
"But if it is a boy?" Robert insisted. "If he lives?"
"The narrow sea would still lie between us. I shall fear the Dothraki the day they teach their horse to run on water."
The king took a shallow of mine and glowered at Stark from across the table while Arthur and the others continued to remain silent. "So you would counsel me to do nothing until the dragonspawn has landed his army on my shores, is that it?" Arthur found it odd in that moment that the stag hated the dragon more so than the wolf yet it was the wolf that lost the most to the dragon, the stag lost nothing and gained everything.
"This 'dragonspawn' is in his mother's belly," Stark said. "Even Aegon did no conquering until after he was weaned."
"Gods! You are stubborn as an aurochs, Stark." The king looked around the council table. "Have the rest of you mislaid your tongues? Will no one talk sense to this frozen-faced fool?" Arthur allowed the others to speak first, they had obviously been preparing for this moment ever since Lord Stark had arrived to witness the Kings ranting.
Vary gave the king a unctuous smile and laud a soft hand on Stark's sleeve. "I understand your qualms, Lord Eddard, truly I do. It gave me no joy to bring this grievous news to the council. It is a terrible thing we contemplate, a vile thing. Yet we who presume to rule must do vile things for the good of the realm, however much it pains us."
Renly shrugged. "The matter seems simple to me. We ought to have had them killed years ago, but His Grace my brother made the mistake of listing to Jon Arryn."
"Mercy is never a mistake, Lord Renly," Stark replied. "On the trident, Ser Barristan here cut down a dozen good men, Robert's friends and mine. When they brought him to us, grievously wounded and near death, Roose Bolton urged us to cut his throat, but your brother said, 'I will not kill a man for loyalty, nor fighting well,' and sent his own master to tend to Ser Barristan's wounds." Stark gave the king a long cool look. "Would that man were here today."
Robert has shame enough to blush. "It was not the same," he complained. "Ser Barristan was a knight of the Kingsguard."
"Whereas Daenerys is a fourteen-year-old girl." Stark was pushing it now, this much was obvious to Arthur. Gods how he wished he'd let his father accept this position. "Robert, I ask you, what did we rise against Aery Targaryen for, if not to put an end to the murder of children?"
"To put an end to the Targaryens!" the king growled and Arthur knew he should have spoken up sooner.
"Lord Stark. I understand your desire to protect an innocent, but the child may not grow up an innocent while his kin whisper in his ear, teaching him or her of an alleged birthright." He paused, having gotten the Kings attention. "The Dothraki are not a present threat, true enough, yet the fact remains that they may indeed become one and wherever or not we can easily crush them is not the question. Should we not remove the potential threat before it becomes a true threat? Is it not our duty?" A fine speech, but Arthur doubted it would be enough.
"Well said." Robert sighed. "The threat must be removed before it becomes an invasion!"
"Your Grace, I never knew you to fear Rhaegar." Starks voice was full of scorn, if he'd attempted to hide it he had failed miserably. "Have the years so unmanned you that you tremble at the shadow of an unborn child?" In that moment Arthur knew things were not going to go well if the tension continued.
The king purpled. "No more, Ned," he waned, pointing. "Not another word. Have you forgotten who is king here?"
"No, Your Grace," Stark replied. "Have you?"
"Enough!" the king bellowed. "I am sick of talk. I'll be done with this, or be dammed. What say you all?"
"She must be killed." Lord Renly declared.
"We have no choice," murmured Varys.
"So long as it is quick. To spare the realm another war I see no other option, she must die." Arthur echoed the opinion, in truth war was coming, one way or another. The last thing they needed right now however was an invasion from the East while the Lannisters remained a threat; better to kill Viserys and the girl than to simply ignore them.
Ser Barristan Selmy raised his pale blue eyes from the table and said, "Your Grace, there is honor in facing an enemy on the battlefield, but none in killing him in his mother's womb. Forgive me, but I must stand with Lord Eddard." Semly eyed Arthur in that moment, with disappointment and a hint of anger. But it could have been Arthur's imagination.
Grand Maseter Pycelle cleared his throat, a process that seemed to take some mintures. "My order serves the realm, not the ruler. Once I counseled King Aerys as loyally as I counsel King Robert now, so I bear this girl child of his no ill will. Yet I ask you this, should war come again, how many soldiers will die, How many towns will burn? How many children will be ripped from their mothers to perish on the end of a spear?" He stroked his luxuriant white beard, infinitely sad, infinitely weary. "Ser Reyne is correct. Is it not wiser, even kinder, that Daenerys Targaryen should die now that tens of thousands might live?"
"Kinder," Varys said. "Oh, well and truly spoken, Grand Maseter. It is so true. Should the gods in their caprice grant Daenerys Targaryen a son, the realm would bleed."
Litterfinger was the last. As Stark looked to him, Lord Petyr stifled a yawn. "When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, the best thing to do is close your eyes and get on with it," he declared. "Waiting won't make the maid any prettier. Kiss her and be done with it."
"Kiss her?" Ser Barristan repeated, aghast.
Arthur interrupted. "A steel kiss," he stared at Litterfinger. "So long as it is quick. I wish no suffering upon the girl."
"It will be painless." Varys replied with a nod and this at least Arthur accepted as truth. "The tears of Lys, let us say. It is painless and Khal Drogo need never know it was not a natural death." Grand Maester Pycelle's sleepy eyes flicked open. He squinted suspiciously at the eunuch.
"Poison is a cowards weapon," the king complained.
Stark had clearly had enough. "You send hired knives to kill a fourteen-year-old girl and still quibble about honor?" He pushed back his chair and stood. "Do it yourself, Robert. The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. Look her in the eyes before you kill her. See her tears, hear her last words. You owe her that much at least."
"Gods," the king swore, the word exploding out of him as if he could barely contain his fury. "You mean it, damn you." He reached for the flagon of time at his elbow, found it empty, and flung it away to shatter against the wall. "I am out of wine and out of patience. Enough of this. Just have it done."
"I will not be part of your murder, Robert. Do as you will, but do not ask me to fix my seal to it." For a moment the king did not seem to understand what Stark was saying. Difiance was not a dish royalty tasted often. Slowly hias face changed as comprehension came. "You are the King's Hand, Lord Stark. You will do as I command you, or I'll find me a Hand who will."
"Your Gra-" Arthur tired to speak up but was silenced by a raise of the kings hand.
"I wish him every success." Stark unfastened the heavy clasp that clutch at the folds of his cloak, the ornate silver hand that was his badge of office. He laid in on the table in front of the king, saddened by the events at hand. "I thought you a better man than than this, Robert. I thought we had a nobler king."
"Lord Sta-" Arthur tried and failed again. Gods know when a Baratheon wants to yell he can yell.
"Out!" he croaked, choking on his rage, "Out, damn you, I'm done with you. What are you waiting for? Go, run back to Winterfell. And make certain I never look on your face again, or I swear, I'll have your head on a spike!" Lord Stark bowed and left without a word. The meeting continued afterwards but all Arthur could think about is how his father and brother will be furious that he'd allowed this to happen, as if he could have stopped it.
"No!" A scream echoed through the night and rain, causing Arthur and his Goldcloaks to push forward with greater speed. It began after the meeting, when Tygett had confronted his brother, placing blame on his shoulders as he expected. What he did not expect however was the new that Stark was not present in his rooms and that the Kingslayer had left the keep with thirty Lannister guards. Tygett's concerns were proven when Litterfinger arrived with news.
"Jaime!" Tygett shouted through the rain, dismounting his horse alongside his brother.
"Secure their weapons!" Arthur gave the command and his fifty or so golden cloaks drew their steel in open challenge of the red. In the past the Lannister men would have been more than a match for the city watch but the previous commander had a 'accident' and Arthur was granted his position, beyond removing those of questionable loyalty, he had enforced strict training upon his new charges. A move that gained him little love from many but the watch was now a force to be respected even if they had less recruits since Arthur demanded such harsh training.
"Jaime!" Tygett drew his steel and repeated his friends name once more, "Stand down brother! This is for the King to deal with!"
Jaime stared him down, Tygett's white cloak now muddy and socked. "Now Kingslayer! Or die with your men!" Arthur was prepared to give the order, beyond confident that his men would easily win the day, despite the piss poor conditions. The Kingslayer was good but no match for Him and Tygett at once, not to mention the 50 well trained swords that had now surrounded the mere thirty at Jaime's back. "I would prefer that you refuse Kingslayer..." Arthur smiled, hoping for a fight.
Chapter 9: Dark Words "Lord Stark?" Tygett stood over the bed with two Stark guards shadowing the doorway.
"How... how long?" Stark spoke from his tangled sheets, his leg splinted and plastered.
"Six days and seven nights." Tygett replied, "We were not entirely sure you would wake. Here, you should drink." Stark hesitated until Tygett took a sip for himself and smiled in reply. "I see it takes flirting with the stranger for you to exercise the healthy level of paranoia that is so greatly needed to survive this vipers nest."
Stark ignored the jest. "How do things stand?"
"His Grace has commanded me to send you to him the moment you opened your eyes, but perhaps it's best for him to venture here?" Tygett directed the question to his maester. "He is weak Damon, thoughts?" He raised an eyebrow, experience with these things being far from his area of expertise.
"If you'd studied like your father ordered you wouldn't need me to confirm your thoughts on such matters, my lord."
Tygett rolled his eyes at the old man. "Just answer the question Damon."
The old maseter sighed, seeming to take hours in the doing. "Lord Stark should not move, least the leg fail to heal as desired."
"There you have it." Tygett paused to consider sending one of Starks guards to inform the King, but thought better of it. "I will speak to the King."
"Maester Damon was it?," Stark spoke after Tygett left the room, "I would have assumed to see Pycelle here."
"He was here my lord but Ser Tygett thought better of it." Damon smiled, "Rest assured you are in good hands, perhaps even better of come to think of it."
Time passed as Damon saw to Starks wound and eventually the doors to his chamber opened again. "Your Grace," Stark said. "Your pardons. I cannot rise."
"No matter," the king said gruffly. "Some wine? From the Arbor. A good vintage."
"A small cup," Stark replied. "My head is still heavy from the milk of the poppy."
"A man in your place should count him fortunate that his head is still on his shoulders," the queen declared, to Tygetts hidden distrust,
"Quiet, woman," Robert snapped and brought Stark a cup of wine. "Dose the leg still pain you?"
"Some." Stark said before looking to Damon, who gave a nod to ensure the wounded wolf.
"It will heal clean your Grace." Damon spoke up, bowed, and took his leave.
The king frowned. "I take it you know what Catelyn has done?"
"I do." Stark took a small swallow of mine. "My lady wife is blameless, Your Grace. All she did she did at my command."
"I am not pleased, Ned," the king grumbled. In truth Tygett doubted his king truly cared, if not for the amount of noise his wife had been kicking up.
"By what right do you dare lay hands on my blood?" Cersei demanded. "Who do you think you are?"
"The Hand of the King," Stark told her with ice courtesy. "Charged by your own lord husband to keep the king's peace and enforce the king's justice."
"You were the Hand," Cersei began, "but now-"
"Silence!" the king roared. "You asked him a question and he answered it." Cersei subsided, cold with anger, and Robert turn back to his friend. "Keep the king's peace, you say. Is this how you keep the peace, Ned? seventeen men are dead thanks to your actions. Who knows how many more would have died if not for that Reyne lad."
"Eighteen," the queen corrected. "Tregar died this morning from his wounds and lets not forget, it was the Reyne boys doing!"
"My brother and I were protecting the Hand," Tygett interrupted. "Ser Jaime refused to stand down and his men paid the price. The gods only know what would have happened if we had not found Lord Stark in time. Jaime should have stood done and returned to the keep with me, rather than fleeing the capital. It makes him look-"
Cersei slapped Tygett with all her might. "How dare you!"
"To strike the Kingsguard is to strike the King." Robert stared at his wife, anger behind his and Tygett's eyes. "You will never do it again."
The room took on an oddly cold silence as the Queen noted that Tygett has not ceased staring at her silently, hand hovering next to the pommel of his blade. "M- My brother was not the cause of this quarrel," She opted to try and ignore the knights stare. "Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his wife attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad."
"You know me better than that, Robert," Ned said as he noted that Tygett was still starring at the queen. "Ask Lord Baelish if you doubt me. He was there."
"Baelish was the one who informed my brother of your location Lord Stark." Tygett broke his stare but was still clearly furious, as if he would strike the queen down at any moment. "He claims he rode off to bring the gold cloaks before the fighting began, but he admits you were returning from some whorehouse."
"Some whorehouse? Damn your eyes, Robert, I went there to have a look at your daughter! Her mother has named her Barra. She looks like that first girl you fathered, when we were boys together in the Vale." The queens face was a mask, still, pale and a little on edge near Tygett, but she betrayed none of it.
The king flushed. "Barra," he grumbled. "Is that supposed to please me? Damn the girl. I thought she had more sense."
"She cannot be more than fifteen, and a whore, and you thought she had more sense?" Stark said, incredulous. "The fool child is in love with you, Robert."
The king glanced at Cersei. "This is no fit subject for the queen's ears."
"Her Grace will have no liking for anything I have to say," Stark replied. "The Kingslayer fled the city. Give me leave to bring him back to justice."
The king swirled the wine in his cup, brooding. He took a swallow and for a moment Tygett thought he would do it. "No," he said. "I want no more of this. Jaime slew three of your men, you five of his and Reyne's Gold Cloaks either captured or slaughtered the others. Now it ends."
"Is that your notion of justice?" Stark flared. "If so, I am pleased that I am no longer your Hand."
Cersei looked at her husband. "If any man spoke to a Targaryen as he has spoken to you-"
"Do you take me for Aerys?" the king interrupted.
"I took you for a king. Jaime and Tyrion are your own brothers, by all the laws of marriage and the bonds we share. The Starks have driven off the one and sized the other. This man dishonors you with every breath he takes, and yet you stand there meekly, asking if his leg pains him and would he like some wine."
The kings face was dark with anger. "How many times must I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?"
Cersei's face was a study in contempt. "What a jape the gods have played on us two," she said. "By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail."
Purple with rage, the king lashed out, a back-hand blow to the side of the head. She stumbled against the tab;e and fell hard, yet Cersei Lannister did not cry out. "I shall wear this like a badge of honor," she announced. On the morrow the bruise would cover haft her face.
"Wear it in silence, or I'll honor you again," Robert vowed. He shouted for a guard and Ser Meryn Trant stepped into the room, one of Tygett's more useless brothers in white. "The queen is tied. See her to her bedchamber." The knight helped Cersei to her feet and led her out without a word, leaving Stark, Tygett and the King alone in the room
"That went well your grace." Tygett jested, causing the king to laugh
"You see what she dose to me, Ned?" The king seated himself, cradling his wine cup. "My loving wife. The mother of my children." The rage was gone from him now. "I should not have hit her. That was not... that was not kingly." Tygett disagreed, concerning the true sins of the woman a small slap seemed to be the least she should get. Here, this is yours." He pulled the heavy silver claps from the pocket in the living of his cloak and tossed it on the bed, "Like it or not you are my Hand, damn you. I forbid you to leave."
"Why do you want me as your hand?" Stark picked up the silver clasp and weighed it as if he was being given a choice.
"Why" The king laughed. "Why not? Someone has to rule this damnable kingdom. Put on the badge, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever throw it in my face again, I swear to you, I'll pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister. Or better yet I'll pin it on Lann Reyne and we'll have another war on our hands." Robert took another swig of wine. "Speaking of your father Tygett, I apologize for before, it wont happen again."
"House Reyne has felt the sting of Lannister claws before and only grown stronger for it," Tygett smiled. "Our claws are sharper."
Robert finished off his wine before continuing, ignoring the devilish grin on Tygett's face. "I'm off for a hunt. Remain here at the keep and watch over Ned for me, I wont have another incident in my absence nor do I need the Kingsguard to protect me from my dinner." Robert slammed his cup on the table with a thundering clap.
"I should come with you Your Grace." Tygett protested
"I shall bring Selmy along and no doubt a handful of lords will want to join, so relax for once." Robert laughed and spoke again before Tygett could attempt to argue. "I command you to enjoy yourself Reyne, gods know you have not put your sword down once since you joined the Kingsguard. Go! I command it!" Tygett obeyed and took his leave, content in the knowledge that the Lord Commander would keep the king safe.
The fight with the Lannister men had been a short one, surrounded and outnumbered, those who didn't taste steel quickly surrendered. All but Jaime, who fled the capital with his tail between his legs. "Enter," Arthur replied to the knocking at his door. "Brother, should you not be protecting His Graces royal self?"
"Just checking in on my little brother," Tygett closed the door behind him. "Hows the wound treating you?"
"It's just a scratch," Arthur smiled and pulled up his sleeve to reveal a rather large bandage. "Damon dose good work."
"Your lucky you didn't lose the arm." Tygett returned the smile and took at seat.
"I've had worse," Arthur rolled his eyes. "You should see the other guy. He's dead..."
"I know, I was there." The eldest Reyne sighed. "You know they are not likely to forget our part in this."
Arthur burst out laughing. "Good. Father is too soft on them, we should just strike and be done with it!"
"Not so loud little brother." Tygett's face turned rather serious for a moment.
"No ears here beside those loyal to Me my dear brother," Arthur smiled. "The Lannister's fail to see just how many people despise them. I could take this city-"
"You will do no such thing," Tygett all but commanded. "Father has not worked so hard for you to undo everything with a single swing of your sword. The time will come eventually little brother but that day is not today." Gods know Arthur was hot tempered, ever since his mother died. At times when he was younger they had to give him milk of the poppy just to make him stop training in the yard and get some sleep for once.
Arthur sighed, rolling his eyes again. "I grow increasing tired of waiting."
"We all do," Tygett cooled his temper. "As father says, the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."
"But I like fighting." A devilish grin returned to Arthur's face and both of the brothers burst into laughter. "Your right as always Tygett and you know I would not do such a thing without fathers say so, if we must play this game of thrones then we shall play it his way. For the record however I still say we should kill them all and be done with it."
Castamere was crowded of late, what with all the visiting lords from across the West. Lann had summoned them for a grand feast but in truth it was an excuse to get his allies in one room to discuss future events. He'd left the capital in hopes of diverting the queen's attention onto his actions, rather than his sons and Lord Stark. "My Lords."
"Lann." Lord Kenning shook his friends hand before taking a seat.
"Reyne." Sarsfield was next, taking a place of honor beside Lann at the head of the table.
"I believe that is everyone Lann." Ser Lymond Vikary confirmed that everyone had arrived, their families off in the great hall enjoying the feast.
"Good," Lann spoke. "Take a seat Lymond and lets begin shall we?"
"I hear your sons remain in the capital?" Kenning spoke up, no doubt concerned for his daughters husband.
"Aye," Lann smiled at Kennings concern. "Arthur's control over the gold cloaks will be paramount. They are beyond loyal to him."
"King's Landing is ours then, in all but name," Lord Farman said. "Control the capital and you control the king."
"I doubt any man truly controls King Robert," Lann replied. "Yet our presence in the capital gives us an edge should the Lannister's try anything. I trust your son knows what's to be done Banefort?" Banefort's lad was in the capital under a false name, sending covert messages between the Capital and Castamere.
"He'll send a raven then ride with all haste just encase the raven fails, should the worse happen." Banefort replied, the man had a truly deep and almost sinister voice.
"Good." Lann gave the lord of the Banefort a look as if to say, fail us i'll burn the Banefort to the ground. "With any luck it wont come to that."
Sarsfield spoke next. "We can raise almost ten thousand men at quick notice should it come to that."
"Not enough to crush Tywin decisively, but enough to challenge him." Banefort agreed, stroking his bread.
"With more time we can field a solid ten to fifteen thousand, well trained and prepared," Lann interjected. "The Red Lions mistake was rushing in unprepared, we shall not repeat that mistakes and Tywin will not be so lucky as to face a divided force this time around." The lords were in agreement of that much, the previous rebellion was ill-thought.
"There is the matter of who will replace the Lannister's as Lord Paramount." Farman brought up the subject first.
"It is Reyne's rebellion," Kenning spoke confidently. "His family have suffered the most at-"
"We have all suffered my lords, although none can doubt Lann wields the heaviest loss," Bane interrupted much to Kennings displeasure. "What claim dose that give him?"
"The Lannister's had no claim when they stole the Rock from the Casterlys!" Kenning shouted, a little too loudly for Lann's liking.
"Enough," Lann said calmly. "I thought perhaps putting it to a vote would be the only fair way, once the conflict is over and peace returns."
A moment of silence washed over the table before Sarsfield added his voice. "A noble sentiment my lord. I agree."
"As do I." Kenning added.
"Agreed." Farman spoke, smiling at Baneforts expression.
"Lord Banefort?," Lann raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response. "What say you?"
"A odd way of handling things my lord, but honorable," Banefort's expression changed from confusion to a slight hint of excitement. "I agree."
"A fine plan," Ser Vikary offered a smile. "It may even lure more lords to our cause, once the vote is known."
"Father." A child's voice, coming from behind the doorway. "May I enter?"
"Come in Robb." Lann watched his youngest eye the lords in attendance with suspicion as he walked over to him.
"A letter from the Maseter," Robb spoke, still curious as to the lords that were staring at him. "I brought it straight here, just like you said."
"You did good lad," Lann smiled at his bastard. "Now run along."
Robb's face lit up at doing a good job, he exited the room practically skipping. "Gods," Lann exclaimed after reading the letter. "That escalated quickly..."
Chapter 10: Dark Deeds King Robert was dead and the old plan all but destroyed, something Arthur was strangely grateful for as now that things called for a firmer hand. "Good morning." Arthur addressed the woman in his bed, who was making no attempt to cover herself up as she smiled at her husband. "We cant," Arthur stated bluntly. "Now get dressed Lelia."
"You should enjoy me while you can Lord Reyne," Lelia smiled devilishly revealed her thigh from under the covers in a attempt to lure her husband back into bed.
"We enjoyed each other plenty last night, or had you forgotten?" Arthur returned a smile and continued to dress.
Lelia rolled her eyes. "I'm with child."
"Y- Your certain?" Arthur hesitated, seemingly paralyzed on the spot.
"Maester Damon is quite confident," Lelia's smile grew. "I am carrying your heir."
"Lelia..." Arthur had no words but thankfully his wife wouldn't let him speak even if he had the words, proceeding to hug him. "Why keep it secret until now?"
"I had planned to wait until one of Robert's feasts, you know how I like to make a spectacle." Arthur smiled at that, recalling his rather lavish wedding day that was in truth fit for a King. The day was a slight to Casterly Rock, meant to show just how rich and prosperous Castamere's gold mines were. The richest in the West.
"Thank you love," Arthur kissed her again. "This will make things easier."
"We are your family," She turned serious all of a sudden, guiding Arthur's hand to her stomach. "Do your duty, not let them harm our child."
Arthur took a knee. "I swear. I swear upon the gods old and new, that nobody will harm you or our child Lelia. I will see this world burn before I allow that to happen." With that he left the room, but not before ordering the guard on his quarters doubled. Lord Stark would be in the throne room soon, and he would do his duty to his family.
Eddard Stark slowly limped and hopped towards the boy who called himself king. The others followed. The knights of the Kingsguard, all but Ser Jaime, were arrayed in crescent around the base of the throne, Tygett among them. They were in full armor, enameled steel from helm to heel, long pale cloaks over their shoulders, shining white shields strapped to their left arms. Cersei Lannister and her two younger children stood behind Ser Boros and Ser Meryn. Above them, Prince Joffrey sat amidst the barbs and spikes in a cloth-of-gold doublet, watched over by Sandor Clegane and twenty Lannister guardsmen, longswords hanging from their belts.
Joffrey stood. "I command the council to make all the necessary arrangements for my coronation," the boy proclaimed. "I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councilors." Arthur stood beside Stark, wanting desperately to remove the Lannister filth from the seat of kings. His men were in position, it would be over quickly and the deed would be done, outnumbering the Lannisters five to one.
Stark produced a letter. "Lord Varys, be so kind as to show this to my lady of Lannister."
The spider carried the letter to Cersei and she glanced at the words. "Protector of the Realm," she read. "Is this meant to be your shield, my lord? A piece of paper?" She ripped the letter in haft, ripped the halves in quarters, and let the pieces flutter to the floor. Tygett's expression betrayed nothing, staring back at the judgement in Starks eyes.
"Those were the king's words," Ser Barristan said, shocked.
"We have a new king now," Cersei replied. "Lord Eddard, when last we spoke, you gave me some counsel. Allow me to return the courtesy. Bend the knee, my lord. Bend the knee and swear fealty to my son, and we shall allow you to step down as Hand and live out your days in the grey waste you call home."
"Would that I could," Stark said grimly. "Your son has no claim to the throne he sits. Lord Stannis is Robert's true heir."
"Liar!" Joffrey screamed, his face reddening.
"Mother, what dose he mean?" Princess Myrcella asked the queen plaintively. "Isn't Joffrey the king now?"
"You condemn yourself with your own mouth, Lord Stark," said Cersei. "Ser Barristan, seize this traitor."
The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard hesitated. In the blink of an eye he was surrounded by Stark guardsmen, bare steel in their mailed fists.
"And now the treason moves from words to deeds, "Cersei said. "Do you think Ser Barristan stands alone, my lord?" With an ominous rasp of metal on metal, the hound drew his longsword. The knights of the Kingsguard and twenty Lannister guardsmen in crimson cloaks moved to support him.
"Kill him!" the boy king screamed down from the Iron Throne. "Kill all of them, I command it!"
"You leave me no choice," Stark told Cersei. He called out to Arthur. "Commander, take the queen and her children into custody. Do them no harm, but escort them back to the royal apartments and keep them there, under guard." The moment Arthur had dreaded, the dishonor his brother claimed they had to be apart of. We cannot move until father and the lords are prepared, that is the story Tygett had spun to justify this... this slaughter.
"Men of the Watch!" Arthur gave the order with a heavy heart.
"I want no bloodshed," Stark told the queen. "Tell your men to lay down their swords, and no one need-" With a single sharp thrust, the nearest gold cloak drove his spear into one of Starks guards, beginning the slaughter as the Stark guardsmen were cut down. Arthur reluctantly joined the slaughter, making each kill quick and clean.
As his men died around him, Litterfinger slid Starks dagger from its sheath and shoved it up under his chin. His smile was apologetic. "I did warn you not to trust me."
A knight of the Kingsguard stood beneath the arch of the door with five Lannister guardsmen arrayed behind him. "Arya Stark," the knight said, "come with us child."
Arya chewed her lip uncertainly. "What do you want?"
"Your father wants to see you."
Arya took a step forward, but her dancing master held her by the arm. "And why is it that Lord Eddard is sending Lannister men in place of his own? I am wondering."
"Mind your place, dancing master," the knight said. "This is no concern of yours."
"My father wouldn't send you," Arya said. She snatched up her stick sword. The Lannisters laughed.
"Put down that stick, girl," the knight told her. "I am a Sworn Brother of the Kingsguard, the White Swords."
"So was the Kingslayer when he killed the old king," Arya said. "I don't have to go with you if I don't want."
The knight had ran out of patience. "Take her," he said to his men, lowing his visor.
The dancing master stepped between them. "You will be stopping there. Are you men or dogs that you would threaten a child?"
"Out of the way, old man," one of the red cloaks said.
A stick came whistling up and rang against the red cloaks helm. "I am Syrio Forel, and you will now be speaking to me with more respect."
"Bald bastard." The man yanked free his longsword. The stick moved again, blindingly fast. Arya heard a loud crack as the sword went clattering to the stone floor. "My hand," the guardsmen yelped, cradling his broken fingers. The sound of more fighting could be heard outside, along with faint footsteps coming down the hall.
"You are quick, for a dancing master," said the knight.
"You are slow, for a knight," Syrio replied.
"Kill the Braavosi and bring me the gir-" the knight was interrupted, choking on his own blood.
"So Ends My Foe." One of the Lannister guards mocked House Trants words as he withdrew his sword from Ser Meryn's back, leaving Trant choking on the floor in a pool of his own blood as he moved to make short work of his fellow red cloaks, their final moments being of fear and confusion. "Are you hurt Lady Arya?" The guard went to one knee to inspect the young wolf for any harm done.
"No," Arya replied, watching curiously as the man cleaned the blood off his steel and started to feel along the walls. "Whats happening? You killed a Kingsguard!"
"That man was unfit to wear the cloak," He spat on Meryn's corpse before making a section in the wall slide aside. "Here we are..."
"Where is my father!" Arya practically commanded him.
"There is no time to explain," The guard paused and looked at the dancing master. "Somebody must be blamed for Meryn's death."
"No! He's my friend!" Arya started to hit the Lannister man with her stick while Syrio stood in silence, showing no fear.
"I'll not kill a man wielding nothing but a training sword." The guard picked up one of the red cloaks swords, tossing it at the Braavosi's feet.
Syrio accepted the challenge with grace, taking the sword and entering his water dancing stance. He spun to his left with impressive speed, ducking an attempted blow to the head. To his credit the Braavosi never backed down, landing many a glancing blow against his challenger and even succeed in re-opening an old wound on the mans arm before Syrio recoiled from a deep slash to his chest, protected only by leather, the water dancer had no protection from the lions claws.
"Well played Braavosi," The guard caught his breath. "A fine duel, but it is over."
"You are fast, for a knight." Syrio looked his death in the eye and smiled.
"You are fast, for a dancing master." He made it clean, giving the foreigner a warriors death. "It is done."
"Bastard! He was trying to protect me!" Arya screamed and began to cry. "Why!"
"I am sorry little one, he needed to die so that I could pin these deaths on him," The guard sighed, not the first deed he'd done today that made him ill. "Come."
They entered the tunnels leading throughout the Red Keep, wearing a hooded cloak over his Lannister garb as he lead Arya, looking more like a boy than ever since he'd cut her hair short, down towards the courtyard where the fighting had long passed. "Where is my father..." Arya asked once again, not a question the man wished to answer or explain. How could he say her father was locked up and would likely die?
"He is beyond our help," He sighed and directed the girl towards a man in a black cloak. "You remember Yoren? He will take you back home."
"Come on boy." The old recruiter spoke, placing his hood back over his head after shaking the guards hand. "If anyone asks, your name is Arry and your a orphan."
Arya turned to thank the guardsmen only to find he had vanished back into the keep. "Where is my father?" Arya asked the black brother, and got no response.
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Originally Posted by Alwyn
