284 AC
Artos Stark's pov
I am watching the army of the westernlands approaching from above the city walls. They look magnificent. Twelve thousand men marching in step was an impressive sight, no matter what anyone said.
"When will the rebel army arrive?"
Jonal answered the question. "They will be here in half a day at most."
Arthur: "What do you think Tywin Lannister will do? Will he attack?"
Artos: "Tywin Lannister knows it's too late to do anything. He'll want to meet with me first, trying to put himself in a superior position during the meeting. He'll offer me Winterfell first. When that doesn't work, he'll threaten me. In the end, he'll try to make a deal."
Arthur: "Do you think he'll try to attack the city? Even if it's just for show, to prove his strength?"
Artos: "I don't think so. Tywin Lannister knows, just like us, that the rebel army is close. He knows he doesn't have the time or enough soldiers to capture the city, and Tywin Lannister is a pragmatic man. He won't waste soldiers or gold on a lost cause. Still, I want the company to be prepared for any situation."
There was silence for a while. Then I spoke again. "How is the company doing? Are there any who are unhappy with the new situation?"
After the war, I wanted the company to stay in the north instead of returning to Essos. A regular army would be very useful in the north.
Jonal: "There are a few unexpected dissenting voices, but it won't be a problem."
Arthur: "Most of the dissenters are new recruits. They think fighting against the Dothraki khalasar or other mercenary companies in Essos is more profitable."
Jonal: "The more experienced ones realize that fighting ordinary bandits and occasional wildlings in the north is safer, even if it pays less, and that they need to stay alive to spend their money."
Arthur: "Of course, the massive amount of gold you distributed helped."
I raised an eyebrow skeptically and looked at both of them. "How long have you two been finishing each other's sentences?"
Before either of them could respond, a group of horsemen carrying flags of truce and negotiation from the Westerlands army rode off.
"Raise the flags of truce and negotiation. Let's see what Tywin Lannister wants."
Ten minutes later, I was heading toward the Westerlands army through the Lion's Gate. The Westerlands envoys were waiting for us in the exact center of the city and the army.
At the head of the Westerlands group was a man whose thinning hair seemed to be compensated for by excessively thick sideburns. Tywin Lannister. On his right and left were two men I assumed to be his brothers. Blond, green-eyed, handsome scoundrels. Behind them was a group of lords and heirs bearing the symbols of various Westerlands houses. Behind them were guards.
Arthur and my own guards were by my side.
Both sides were watching each other closely. Finally, Tywin Lannister spoke.
"Many people thought you were dead, Lord Artos. Or would you prefer Lord Stark?"
We're getting off to a quick start. With his first sentence, he was trying to figure out my intentions and ambition. He was even trying to figure out if a civil war in the north was likely to break out. In Westeros, members of noble families were addressed by their titles, such as lord or whatever their title was. Only the leaders of their houses were referred to by their surnames. So Jaime Lannister was Ser Jaime, while Tywin Lannister was Lord Lannister. If I referred to myself as Lord Artos, it would mean I intended to leave Westeros. If I referred to myself as Lord Stark, it would mean I wanted to be the lord of Winterfell and the North. And according to Ned's attitude, that would mean a possible civil war in the North.
Let's give him what he wants. "I like to surprise people, Lord Lannister. And Lord Stark is a good ."
Tywin Lannister's lips twitched for a moment. "Well, I can certainly say you've surprised all of Westeros. I'm sure your brother is very surprised as well."
I shrugged in response. "Well, you'll find out if Ned is surprised when he gets here. As far as I know, he's coming here to swear his oaths with the northern army."
Now he looked a little upset. I think he was really planning to pit us against each other and gain an advantage.
Tywin Lannister said, "It seems you have a very loyal brother. I won't beat around the bush. How are my son and the royal family? And what do you want in exchange for handing them over to me?"
"Loyal brothers are a blessing. I'm sure you understand what I mean." Kevan Lannister's loyalty to Tywin Lannister was well known throughout the realm. "Your son and part of the royal family are in good condition. Unfortunately, I know nothing about the Queen and Prince Viserys except that they fled the city. As for handing them over to you, we'll discuss that when the rebel armies and their commanders arrive."
Tywin Lannister said, "I'm sure we can negotiate."
"I don't think so, Lord Lannister. Good day to you."
As I turned and walked away, once I was at a safe distance where the Westerlands' envoys couldn't hear us, I heard Arthur's voice.
"I understand Jaime Lannister, but he also wants the royal family. Considering what Aerys Targaryen did, shouldn't he hate them?"
"He already does. I think the reason he wants Princess Elia and her family is because he wants to kill them."
Arthur: "What does he gain from that?"
"King Robert is of marriageable age, and even if he's engaged to my sister, if Lyanna was really raped, Robert could easily break off the engagement. As far as I know, Tywin Lannister's daughter is the only acceptable candidate."
Arthur: "So he wants to kill the royal family just to secure the future of his grandchildren in case of a possible royal marriage?"
"He also needs this to prove his loyalty to the new king. Tywin Lannister was too late. He probably came here to do what we did, take over the city, and present it to King Robert as a gift. If that had been the case, he would have looked like a smart and capable man. Now, however, he will appear as a man whose loyalty is suspect for not acting until it was too late. He wants to do what he always does to elevate his reputation as much as possible. To terrify everyone with a display of unparalleled cruelty."
Arthur: "Is it a good idea to provoke him? Even though the death of Princess Elia and her family is a terrible thing, protecting them will earn us the wrath of the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms. Is it worth it?"
"I hope so. I also have a few cards up my sleeve that I believe will help mend our relationship with Tywin Lannister."
Our conversation ended as we entered the city gates.
...,.........
A few hours later
This time, I was watching the rebel army approaching from the Kings Road on top of the city walls. Baratheon's stag, Arryn's falcon, Tully's trout, and Stark's direwolf were side by side.
"Get ready. It seems the king is here."
Within ten minutes, I was on my way toward the rebel army. Another group that had separated from the Westerlands army was also heading toward the rebel army. It seemed we would arrive at the same time. As the group in front of the rebel army approached, it became easier to distinguish them.
At the front was a tall, black-haired young man wearing armor with a deer design, undoubtedly Robert Baratheon. Next to Robert Baratheon stood my brother Ned, wearing armor adorned with a direwolf. Next to the young man with black hair was an old man wearing armor with a blue falcon engraved on it, undoubtedly Jon Arryn. Next to Ned was a man with gray streaks in his hair wearing armor with a trout engraved on it, Hoster Tully. Unlike Brandon and Ned, I had hardly ever been south. Although I had seen the people here once or twice before, I did not know them very well.
After standing a few meters in front of the rebel leaders, I dismounted and began to walk toward them. Tywin Lannister and his group followed close behind me.
When Robert Baratheon and I locked eyes, I stood there for a few seconds, letting the tension rise. Then I knelt on one knee and said the words that calmed everyone down. "Your Majesty, the city is yours."
I heard Tywin Lannister kneel behind me and declare his loyalty.
As soon as Robert signaled for us to rise, I stood up. When I made eye contact with Ned, I merely nodded in greeting. The rest would have to wait.
Robert Baratheon said, "Lord Lannister, I did not expect to see you here."
Tywin Lannister replied, "What can I say, Your Majesty? Everything is clear. I came here to take the city and offer it to you as a sign of my loyalty, but Lord Artos acted before me."
Lord Artos, huh? That vengeful bastard. Before I could say anything, Ned spoke on my behalf. "Lord Lannister, I think you are mistaken. My brother is Lord Stark by blood and birth."
Tywin Lannister now looked a little surprised and embarrassed. I guess he didn't expect Ned to give up his title so easily, no matter what I said. He wasn't wrong. Anyone else would have hesitated, no matter how loyal they were.
Robert spoke again at that moment. "That's enough. Let's discuss the rest in the city. There's no point in waiting here." He gave Tywin Lannister time to compose himself.
Artos said, "Your Majesty, with your permission, there is something I would like to say first."
He simply gestured for him to speak. "The mad king did one last crazy thing before he died. He stored wildfire under the city. Apparently, he decided to burn it down rather than surrender it to you. If there is looting in the city and even the slightest fire breaks out, the consequences could be disastrous."
My words silenced everyone. Jon Arryn was the first to speak. "How do you know this, and what is the current situation?"
"When the mad king realized the city had fallen, he ordered everything to be burned. Sir Jaime Lannister was the one who prevented this. He killed the king's hand, Rossart, and his aides to stop the order from being carried out. We have found 10 depots so far and taken the necessary precautions. We believe there are 3 or 4 more that we have not yet found."
Hoster Tully: "Why haven't they all been found and destroyed yet? Such a thing cannot be delayed."
I replied with a grunt. Who did this man think he was? I wasn't accountable to him. "It seems that the only person who knew the exact locations of all the warehouses was Rossart, and he's dead. Besides, it takes a lot of time to safely transport and destroy wildfire. And our experienced alchemists haven't been able to help us much."
Tywin Lannister: "How did Rossart manage to create such a large amount of wildfire?"
Artos: "Frankly, I don't know. The man is dead and cannot speak. I'm still surprised that the mad king had any competent people working for him, but apparently he convinced them that doing this would turn him into a dragon."
Robert: "Everyone, listen to Lord Stark. No looting or burning."
.........….
There was a certain charm to Tywin Lannister kneeling before the iron throne in the great hall of the Red Keep and swearing his loyalty. Behind him came the lords of various Westerlands houses. The only thing I regretted was that I had to kneel and swear before them. Still, one must learn to be content with small things. The real event was about to begin. My task was to convince Robert Baratheon and the other lords to place Princess Elia and her children under my protection. From what I knew of Robert Baratheon, he was a man capable of anything when blinded by rage. I would need Jon Arryn and Ned to help me persuade him.
Robert Baratheon: "Lord Stark, where are the dragonspawns?"
Artos: "Princess Elia and her children are in the Red Keep at Maegor's Holdfast. Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys were sent to Dragonstone by the mad king's orders before I took the city."
Robert: "I want the dragon hatchlings dead."
After giving Jonal a small signal that no one else would notice, I spoke. "Your Majesty, please reconsider. This will reflect very badly on your house. The people behind you fought to remove a cruel tyrant from the throne. Issuing a death sentence for small children at the beginning of your reign will reflect very badly on you."
Tywin Lannister: "While Lord Stark may have a point, the Targaryen children will always be a threat to you and your house. Eliminating them is the right thing to do."
Ned: "Robert, how can you think that? They are innocent children; they cannot be held responsible for their fathers' sins."
Jon Arryn: 'I am sure a middle ground can be found. We must also consider Dorne's reaction."
Hoster Tully: 'Even if Lord Arto has a point, I must side with Lord Lannister. The children are a threat to the Baratheon house.
We never liked each other, the Damned Trout and I. Of course, calling him a stinking Andal remnant when we were kids might have had something to do with it. My father never took me south again after that.
This was the issue my father and I couldn't agree on. He believed that alliances with the south were necessary to strengthen the north, but I had different ideas. I believed I was right, and a single journey to Yiti, Leng, and Ashai had proven it. Even without Thomas's knowledge, the many things I brought back from there were enough to strengthen us without needing the south.
Ned said, "This is nonsense. I won't sit by and watch innocent children get killed. Robert, you can't do this. You're better than this."
Ned's words made Robert hesitate. I knew Ned had a big influence on Robert, but I didn't realize it was this big.
Artos: "Then give me the children and Princess Elia as hostages. I will keep them at Winterfell."
Hoster Tully spoke mockingly. 'Why should we do that?"
Artos: 'No one in the North supports the Targaryens. Winterfell is close enough to the Night's Watch. Even if the Targaryen loyalists in the south start a rebellion, we can easily send Prince Aegon to the Night's Watch. Princess Rhaenys can marry the king's child when he is of age. This will silence even the most stubborn Targaryen loyalists and Dorne. The same goes for Queen Rhaella. When the boys are old enough, they can join the Night's Watch or be held hostage at Winterfell for the rest of their lives and forced to remain unmarried. The girls can marry the children of rebel families. This way, the houses loyal to the Targaryens are silenced, and the Targaryen line comes to an end."
Now the entire hall looked stunned. Considering what had happened between the Targaryen House and my house, they probably weren't expecting such an offer. Ned looked the most stunned of all. He knew how vengeful I could be. He quickly composed himself and spoke almost at the same time as Jon Arryn.
Jon Arryn said, "This idea makes sense. The Stark house has proven its loyalty, and Winterfell's location is suitable enough for such a thing."
Ned said, "I agree with my brother. If he wishes, the Targaryen children can be cared for at Winterfell."
Robert now looked hesitant. On one side was his unstoppable anger, on the other was the man he saw as his father and the man he saw as his brother, Ned. In the end, his anger lost the battle.
Robert said, "So be it. All the surviving members of the Targaryen family will be cared for at Winterfell." Then, turning to me, he continued, "But I warn you, Lord Stark, you will be held responsible for any mishap."
I nodded silently, as if to acknowledge my acceptance.
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