THE OLD FALCON

Jon Arryn stared at the dead bodies of the Prince and the Lord of Storm's End before him and suppressed an urge to swear. "Divided in life, united in death," he said at last.

Hoster Tully nodded. "It's almost poetic when you put it that way." He coughed. "Still... damned inconvenient." Jon shot his fellow Lord Paramount a reproachful look, to which Hoster politely bowed his head. "So... what now?" the Lord of Riverun asked.

"Ned is heading to Storm's End as we speak to break the siege and liberate Stannis," said Jon quietly. "Lord Stannis now. And from there... we shall see."

"The words 'Lord Stannis' did not readily leap to your lips, I noticed," said Hoster. "Let us hope the words 'King Stannis' find a more... wide acceptance in the near future." He sighed. "Otherwise, I fear we are in for some trouble."

Jon winced. "Hoster... do you have to chide me with things I know perfectly well..."

"Yes," answered the Lord of the Riverlands. "Both as your friend, and your goodfather. People joined this rebellion for Robert. We have to hope they'll stay in it for his memory." He shook his head. "I've just watched the... late Lord Frey pledge his support to our cause, then go white as a sheet when he learned Robert was dead. If he gets a good chance to unpledge himself, I think he might take it."

"And do what?" asked Jon. "Throw himself on Aerys' mercy? Robert's dead-and so is Rhaegar. At the moment, the only choices are between Stannis and Aerys' madness."

"They could crown Aegon..." began Hoster.

"A babe," said Jon forcefully. "A babe of whom the world knows almost nothing now, save he's Rhaegar's son and Aerys' grandson..."

"And they know so much more of Stannis?" stated Hoster.

"They know that he was loyal to his brother, and has kept Storm's End through a long siege," stated Jon. "It will be enough for now." Oh, please, by the Seven, let it be enough...

"Perhaps for those with us now it will be," said Hoster, with a nod. "But what of Dorne? And the Reach? And the Westerlands?" He leaned forward. "Tywin Lannister has sat through all this and done nothing-as yet. What if he decides to now? And what if he does not object to having a child on the throne? Especially if, for example, those around that child name him Hand?"

Jon shut his eyes, suddenly feeling very tired. I am an old man, who's buried family in this war. How long before I can rest? "If that is the case, Hoster, then we must hope we can beat him."