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284 AC
The job was finally done. Princess Elia and her children had been rescued. Many people thought what I had done was foolish. I was the one who should have hated the Targaryen family the most. They weren't wrong. Overcoming my hatred had been difficult. Still, I had to do it. It was necessary for the good of the Stark house and the North as a whole. They didn't know what I knew.
Then there were a few more conversations that I didn't pay attention to. The important things would probably be discussed in another meeting in a few days, attended only by the Paramount Lords. Who would receive what punishment, who would receive what reward.
When it was finally over, I signaled to Ned to follow me and left the great hall.
After leaving the hall, I turned to Jonal, who was following close behind me.
Artos "Jonal, give the princess the good news and increase security. They are not to eat anything except what the company's men have cooked."
As Jonal left to carry out my orders, Ned followed me to a nearby room.
The first thing I did when Ned entered the room was to hug him. He responded in kind.
We just stood there for a while. Finally, Ned spoke first.
Ned: "We thought you were dead. Where were you?"
Artos: "In Essos, fighting and having fun. Two years ago, I organized a trade expedition to Ashai and Yi ti. I returned a short while ago and then received news of my father and Brandon."
Ned said, "That's a very brief explanation. Being a lord commander shouldn't be that easy."
"Oh, and I got married."
Ned almost choked on the water he had taken from somewhere.
Ned asked, 'Is that how you say it? Who with and how?"
I responded with a small, mysterious smile.
Artos asked, 'Did Robert give you any other tasks?"
Ned: "He wanted me to go and lift the siege at Storm's End once things calm down here. We sent word to the Tyrells that King's Landing had fallen, but Robert was worried that wouldn't be enough. What does that have to do with anything? Tell me the important stuff. How did that bastard die?"
Artos "The mad king suffered before he died. I crushed his skull with my bare hands. But it didn't matter. By the time I caught him, madness had completely overtaken him. There was no fear or horror in his eyes. No remorse. Just madness, screaming the same things even as he died. 'Burn them all.'"
Ned "My father and Brandon?"
Artos: "That madman at least allowed the silent sisters to do their work. Or perhaps no one asked him. I will take you to them."
There was a moment of silence. Then I continued. "Princess Elia told me where Lyanna is. I want you to go and get her."
This seemed to excite him a little. "Where? Why did you wait until now to tell me?"
"We've only just been able to get alone. In Dorne, on the lands of House Dayne, in a place called the Tower of Joy. I've arranged for 50 men and a few tight-lipped healers to accompany you. You arrange for a few loyal and tight-lipped men as well, and set out as soon as possible."
Ned: "I can move faster with a small group. Maybe 5-10 people."
Artos: 'The land is probably swarming with bandits. 5-10 people won't be enough. Also, the three kings' guards are there, and if they're in a defensible position, it will be very difficult to get past them."
Ned: "Do you think they'll try to stop us?"
Artos "I don't know. I'll give you a letter written by Princess Elia. You're free to give them whatever they want to get out of your way without spilling blood. This includes passage to Dragonstone or Essos."
Ned: "I don't think they'll run."
Artos: "Not run. Return to Queen Rhaella. If Queen Rhaella has any sense at all, she will flee Dragonstone with as many loyal men as she can gather as soon as she hears that King's Landing has fallen. Try to convince them that the queen will need their help in particular."
Ned: "Robert and the other lords may not be pleased."
Artos: 'Fuck them. All I care about is Lyanna. She was held captive by the prince for months. Only the old gods know what she went through."
Ned: 'You think she'll need a healer."
Artos "I don't think Rhaegar cared about Lyanna's well-being, and if the Targaryens had any sense, Aerys Targaryen would have fallen down the stairs."
We didn't get a chance to continue the conversation. One of my guards asked permission to enter. Once inside, he delivered the surprise news. "My lord, the master of whispers, Varys, has been found."
Finally, the time had come for that damn spider to be caught.
Artos "Where? How was he caught?"
The guard looked a little embarrassed.
"My lord, he wasn't captured. He suddenly appeared in the great hall and pledged his loyalty to King Robert."
I didn't know what to say about that.
Let's see where the spider has been all this time. Turning to Ned, I said, "I'm going to the great hall. The soldiers will take you to my father and Brandon. Then be ready as soon as possible. Lyanna may not have much time."
.........….
Three weeks later
The corridors of the Red Keep were a damn maze, and I hated it. I had to get out of this damn place as quickly as possible. I had to leave the stench and everything else behind me. Still, I was on my way to talk to the old lion. A man who undoubtedly disliked me, though when I thought about what was in the chest behind me, maybe he would fall in love with me soon.
Finally, the increase in the number of Lannister men around me indicated that I was getting closer to my goal. Seeing Lord Kevan coming out of the fork in the road right in front of me made me even happier.
When he noticed me, he stopped and waited for me to catch up. "Lord Kevan, I'm glad to see you."
Kevan Lannister "I'm glad to see you too, Lord Stark, but if I may ask, you are quite far from the area designated for the northerners."
Getting straight to the point, I like that. I can work with this guy. "I know, I came to talk to your brother. I would like to speak with him privately, if possible."
Kevan Lannister frowned slightly. "Lord Stark, I will be honest with you. My brother is not in a very good mood, and he told me he does not want to see anyone."
I was aware of that, but I needed to speak with Tywin Lannister before tomorrow's meeting. Artos "Ah, so his meeting with Lord Arryn did not go well."
Kevan Lannister: "I didn't expect you to know about the meeting."
Artos: 'Lord Kevan, I'm sure you know as well as I do that there is nothing more dangerous in this castle than being blind and deaf."
Kevan Lannister: 'I think I must agree."
Artos: "To be honest, I'm bringing Lord Lannister something he's been looking for for a long time." At that moment, I turned around and pointed to the long, thin box my guards were carrying. "I think this will improve his mood considerably. I'm also confident that we can come to an agreement on various matters and help each other."
Kevan Lannister thought for a moment, then said, "Follow me, Lord Stark, but I can't promise anything."
We began to walk silently. Neither of us knew each other, and neither of us liked to talk much. So we walked in peaceful silence toward Tywin Lannister's chambers.
Finally, we came to a door with a few Lannister soldiers standing in front of it. "With your permission, Lord Stark, I will go first."
Just a few seconds later, Kevan Lannister came out of the room and motioned for me to enter.
Inside, Tywin Lannister was sitting behind a large wooden table. When I entered, he stood up and pointed to one of the chairs in front of the table. "Please, Lord Stark, my brother said you wanted to see me."
I motioned to the men behind me to place the box they were carrying on the table in front of the table, and I took the seat Lord Lannister had indicated. The guards left the room, leaving Lord Lannister, Lord Kevan, and me alone. Tywin Lannister spoke again. "Frankly, Lord Stark, you have surprised me. Considering our last encounter, I thought you would be more distant toward me."
As Kevan Lannister filled my glass with Arbor gold, I spoke with a small smile. "Lord Lannister, you know as well as I do that in the game of thrones, there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends."
Tywin Lannister said, "Kevan mentioned that you brought something for me."
Without letting the smile fade from my face, I opened the box in front of me and looked inside. The first thing everyone would see was an old long sword. Then, when their attention shifted to the hilt, they would see it shaped like a lion's head. Without removing the sword from its sheath, I extended it toward Tywin Lannister on the table.
Tywin Lannister frowned briefly at the old scabbard, but he didn't hesitate to reach out and take the sword. With a single fluid motion, he drew the sword from its sheath. Beneath the old scabbard, the Valyrian steel shone with an unblemished brilliance, untouched by time. One side of the sword was plain, while the other bore an inscription that revealed its identity. "Hear me roar."
I heard Kevan Lannister whisper to himself. 'Brightroar.' Tywin Lannister just stared at the sword. That was exactly the effect I wanted to have.
Kevan Lannister said, "I thought this sword was lost in Valyria."
Artos replied, 'Then it's good that it's not lost anymore."
Tywin Lannister asked, 'Name your price."
Artos said, "I heard that in the past, a small, insignificant house offered 500,000 gold dragons for a Valyrian steel sword."
Tywin Lannister: "You heard correctly."
Artos: 'Personally, I think your family's sword is worth more than gold, but we can agree on 500,000 gold dragons."
Kevan Lannister: 'I've been in this game for years, and I know one thing very well. Nothing good comes for free."
Artos Stark: "Support my demands at tomorrow's meeting. Of course, I will support you in freeing Sir Jaime from his oath.
Tywin Lannister: 'I can't support you without knowing exactly what you want.
Artos: 'Two million gold dragons from the royal treasury.
Tywin: "Accepted.
Wow, that guy was quick to spend someone else's money.
Artos: "A migration from Kings Landing to the north."
Tywin narrowed his eyes and looked at me. 'Explain?"
Artos: 'This city is too crowded. We will convince the people of the city to move north in exchange for homes, jobs, and land."
Tywin: "That can be done. It will even be easy."
Artos "Except for one thing: I want these people to convert to the old gods."
Kevan 'Faith will be a problem."
Ah, so that's how we're going to play this. 'Lord Kevan, you know as well as I do that the current high priest is a thief who worships money and has been in your brother's pocket for a long time."
Tywin: "It will be difficult, but it can be done. There are still a few devout ones who have not been corrupted."
"The last one is the return of the gift to the north. We don't need King Robert to give us back the gift. I just need him to allow me to bargain for the night watch."
Tywin: "That's acceptable."
Artos: "Then it's settled. I will support you tomorrow at the meeting in releasing Sir Jaime from his oath as the king's guard."
Tywin Lannister raised his goblet and said, "Then to future agreements."
I responded in kind.
...............…
I was sitting in what used to be and will probably be the small council chamber in the future, waiting for Robert Baratheon to arrive. Tywin Lannister was sitting immediately to my right. Opposite me sat Jon Arryn and Hoster Tully.
Artos "Did they say when His Majesty would be arriving?"
Jon Arryn "I'm sure he'll be here soon."
That is, if he can tear himself away from the arms of the prostitute he slept with last night. Frankly, I can't understand how he manages to talk about how much he loved Lyanna to everyone within earshot and still manage to sleep with every prostitute he finds. Perhaps I should find a way to prevent Lyanna from marrying him.
Finally, Robert Baratheon entered the room, surprisingly sober. Everyone stood up to greet him, but he motioned for us to remain seated and took the same chair at the head of the table where the mad king once sat.
Robert: "Let's get started. I have more important things to do than count pennies."
Sleep with prostitutes.
Jon Arryn said, "According to Lord Varys, there are approximately 5.5 million gold dragons in the royal treasury."
Hoster said, "Some of it will have to be given to the rebel lords."
Artos: "The North wants 2 million gold dragons."
There was no point in beating around the bush.
Hoster: "2 million? Why should we give the North more than a third of the treasury? The other lords will want to skin us alive. Besides, you've already looted half a million gold pieces."
Ah yes, Varys had informed me about the small looting.
Artos: "I think Lord Hoster would prefer the city to be looted and all of us blown to pieces."
Jon Arryn: "That's still too much. In total, it's nearly 2.5 million dragon gold pieces."
Tywin: "I'm inclined to support Lord Stark. The only vassal lords not fighting for the Targaryen house in this war are those in the north and the Westerlands, and as you said, King's Landing has been taken by Lord Artos himself. His brother Eddard is on his way to lift the siege at Storm's End."
Both Jon Arryn and Hoster Tully seemed surprised that Tywin Lannister was supporting me. Tywin Lannister didn't stop there.
"Unlike a certain region and lord Paramount, where half of the vassal lords are fighting for the Targaryens or are late to the party, the Stark house has shed a tremendous amount of blood for this cause."
Hoster Tully at least had the decency to look ashamed. The Riverlands' performance in the rebellion was pitiful. More than half of the Tully house's vassals had either fought on the Targaryen side, remained neutral, or arrived too late at the Trident. Hoster had also threatened to join the Targaryens or remain neutral if the rebels did not replace Jon Arryn and Ned, Elbert Arryn, and Brandon.
Still, after shame came anger.
Hoster said, "The Westerlands did not participate in any war."
Oops, I'd better deliver the final blow before the argument escalates.
Artos "In addition, part of the money will be used to build Ned a proper castle."
Finally, this seemed to catch Robert's interest. Previously, he had been content to drink his wine indifferently.
Robert "You're going to give Ned a castle?"
Artos: "He deserves it, and there are many abandoned castles in the north. Although most of them are in ruins, a few could be restored to their former glory and become a significant source of income."
Robert didn't even think twice: "It's settled. Jon, give him the money."
It was easier than I expected.
Hoster Tully said, "The war was in the Riverlands, as always. My lands are burning, and I need at least a million gold dragons."
Jon Arryn said, 'That's acceptable."
Artos and Tywin said, 'No problem for me."
The discussions continued for a while, but in the end, I got everything I wanted, including permission to take the gift back.
Jon Arryn: "There's only one thing left. The Kingsguard. Barristan Selmy has been persuaded to serve His Majesty. I'm sure there will be no problem with Sir Jaime continuing his service. Still, that leaves us with five vacancies."
The Kingsguard were more than just a group of skilled knights. They were also a means for the royal family to forge alliances.
Tywin: "I want my son released from his oaths and returned to the western lands as my heir."
Hoster Tully said, "No knight of the Kingsguard has ever been released from his oaths. To do so now would set a terrible precedent."
Jon Arryn said, "I also believe that once an oath is taken, it must be kept for life."
Artos: "I support Lord Tywin. While keeping oaths is undoubtedly important, an exception should be made in light of Sir Jaime's manner of joining this order and his recent acts of great heroism."
Robert: "What manner of joining? He took his oaths and joined."
It seems Robert agreed with Jon Arryn on this matter.
Artos: "Sir Jaime did not join this order voluntarily. He was forced to join by the mad king as a hostage against Lord Lannister and also as an attempt to humiliate Lord Lannister. Removing him from the order would show your desire to put an end to all the madness of the mad king."
Jon: "Still, if we do that, there will be too many empty seats in the order."
Artos said, "We have just emerged from a war. If there are no knights in the realm with sufficient skill, let us return to our homes and take up sewing, leaving the fighting to our lady wives."
Robert said, "Lord Stark is right. I do not want Targaryen madness in my court. Sir Jaime may return home."
We discussed suitable candidates for some time, but in the end, no one from the North joined the king's guards. The main reason was that the North had already gained a lot, and everyone of suitable age and position in the North worshipped the old gods.