AN: Wow, this got way more attention than I thought it would. Thank you!
I was so excited that I decided to write another chapter.
Italics - Thinking
Enjoy.
Chapter 2: The Bastard
(Kings Landing Marketplace)
Brian Waters was confused.
Up until today he was a nobody, a lowly bastard. To most, he probably didn't even exist. This is why Brian was completely shocked when a pretty looking woman looked his direction, winked, and slowly started walking towards him, intentionally swaying her hips as she walked.
All Brian could do is stare in shock and confusion as the woman walked straight up to him, ignoring everyone else around.
"Are you Brian Waters?"
That single question sent Brian's mind into overdrive. How does she know my name? How does she know what I look like? Why is she looking for me? Am I in trouble? What if she-.
Before Brian could complete his last thought, the mysterious lady spoke up, her voice soft and soothing to Brian's ears.
"Excuse me, but I asked you a question."
This seemed to do the trick, as Brian turned his focus back to the beautiful woman in ground of him.
"O-oh, sorry. y-ya, I'm Brian Waters. What's it to you?"
Brian mentally cursed himself for stuttering in front of this lady. He was so engrossed in dissing himself that he almost didn't hear what the lady said next.
"Excellent! Now, follow me if you would." She had said, excitement clear in her voice.
Now, Brian may not have been the smartest person in all of Westeros, but he did pride himself in his Street smarts. He knew that going off with a random person that he had just met, even if they are a beautiful woman, was an extremely bad idea. It would be best if I at least got to hear her reason for me to follow before I decide to stay or go, Brian thought.
Just before the woman could turn around, Brian started to hurl questions at her.
"Who are you? Why are you talking to me? Where are you trying to take me? Why are you trying to take me? How do you know my name? What are-"
The mystery lady quickly cut Brian off by putting her arm on his shoulder, smiling at him, and slowly started to rub up and down in a soothing manner, causing Brian to quiet down, and start blushing up a storm.
The woman, after looking at Brian's blushing face, giggled, and started to speak once more.
"I suppose I do owe you an explanation, although you do look cute when you're flustered," she said, a small smile gracing her face.
If it were possible, Brian's face would have turned even redder, but alas, it was already as red as it could be. Before he even had a chance to respond,the lady continued speaking.
"First off, my name is Myra. The reason I am talking to you is because I needed to confirm what I was told-"
Brian quickly interrupted the woman, now named Myra.
"What exactly was it that you were told, and who exactly told you?" Brian asked, concern laced in his voice.
Myra merely pointed behind her before responding.
"I had asked the young man at the armorer stand back there if he knew anyone by the name of Brian Waters, and he had said that he did know a Brian, and that he was usually in this area. I had been looking around for a few minutes, before I spotted you."
Brian looked over Mira's shoulder, and even in the overcrowded street of steel, he could still just barely make out the person in front of the stand on the side of the road.
¨Fuckin' Gendry¨ he muttered. He did always have a weakness for pretty ladies, Brian thought.
"As for the other questions," Myra continued, "I know your name because I was sent to find you by Peter Baelish, and I was ordered to take you to his private chambers in the Red Keep. Does this answer all your questions?"
"I only have one question left.. why the fuck is Petyr Baelish looking for me?" Brian questioned, his words dripping with disbelief.
"Come with me and you can find out." Myra said with a flirtatious yet serious voice.
All of a sudden, Myra started to walk away. After walking about ten feet, she stopped and turned back towards Brian.
"Are you coming?" She asked.
"Um…" Was all Brian could say as he was caught in indecision. On one hand, I could go with her to meet Lord Baelish, and see what he wants from me… if she actually works for him. On the other hand, I could just stay here, and avoid a potentially deadly gamble. Well, what's life without taking chances?
Once Brian finally made up his mind, he looked back to Myra who was waiting for him patiently.
"Well?"
"...fine, I'll go with you." Brian said, feeling as if he was going to regret this decision later.
Myra smiled at him, before waving for him to follow her.
Brian sighed before he started to walk forwards, following after an ecstatic Myra. This should please lord Baelish, She thought, before a smirk graced her face. He might even reward me for how quick and easy this was.
One Hour Later...
As they were slowly approaching the entrance to the Red Keep, Brian started to get nervous. He had never been in a situation like this, especially not one with one of the most powerful men in King's Landing.
Myra suddenly stopped and turned towards Brian, a look of seriousness in her eyes.
¨Just stay with me, don't talk and you'll be alright.¨ Myra said, making Brian concerned.
¨I thought you said that Pe- I mean Lord Baelish requested that I see him? Why would there be any trouble if he wanted to see me?¨ Brian asked with obvious confusion.
¨The guards around the Red Keep tend to be weary with people they've never seen. Don't talk if you don't have to, they get angry easily.¨ Myra informed.
Brian was about to ask another question, but stopped after hearing a voice that came from the entrance of the Red Keep.
¨Halt, who goes there?¨
One of the guards had spotted the two, and had started to question them.
¨My name is Myra, I work for Lord Petyr Baelish. This is Brian Waters, Lord Baelish has asked for me to take him to his chambers in the Red Keep.¨ Myra explained, with no hesitation.
¨And what business does he have with Lord Baelish?¨ The guard asked, narrowing his eyes at Brian.
Before Myra could respond, Brian completely ignoring what she said, took the guards stare head on, and replied with his own glare.
¨The Lord Baelish does not wish for me to discuss our private information with others.¨
The guard slowly approached Brian, his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to drawl at a moments notice.
¨Are you mocking me bastard?¨ The guard asked as he stood nearly face to face with Brian, his words laced with venom.
Brian never shrunk nor yielded from the guards gaze, instead, he responded with,
¨Of course not. I was merely implying that lord Baelish gets angry when others share his secrets. Like how he also gets angry when there are hold ups, and he has to wait before he gets what he wants. And when he gets angry… well, I don't have to explain what happens, do I?¨ Brian said, still looking the guard dead in the eye.
It took a moment for Brian's words to sink in for the guard, but once they did, the guard paled slightly and turned back towards the other guards.
¨Let them through!¨ He exclaimed, trying and failing to hide the fear in his voice.
As Myra and Brian were walking through the gate, the guard grabbed a hold of Brian's arm, and turned him around to face him.
¨P-please explain to Lord Baelish that this delay was just us guards following orders. Will you do that f-for me?¨ The guard asked, desperation clear in his voice.
Brian pretended to think about the matter, before looking back at the man and giving him a reassuring head nod.
¨Of course, you were only following orders after all. But I will have to ask that this does not happen again, Lord Baelish will not be as lenient the next time.¨
The guard immediately looked relieved and rapidly nodded his head, stepping out of Brian's way.
Once Brian was finished talking with the guard, he quickly caught up with Myra, and they started to walk towards the Entrance to the Keep.
Right after they were out of earshot, Myra turned to look at Brian.
¨You know that Lord Baelish only asked me to bring you to his room, you know that there was no limit of time, right?¨
Brian looked at Myra and smirked,
¨Yes, I knew… but he didn't.¨
Myra giggled before guiding Brian over toward the two guards standing in front of the Red Keeps giant doors. The guards both nodded their heads at Myra and Brian and opened the doors for them to enter.
Once they had entered the keep, Myra quickly directed Brian towards a set of spiral stairs, and gestured for him to follow.
Once they started climbing the stairs, Brian's heart started beating at an extremely rapid pace. Okay, this is it. You just spent the last hour thinking about how you should behave, and what to say. You. Are. Ready.
While Brian was thinking, Myra had led them to the door to Petyr Baelish's chambers.
¨Here we are. Lord Baelish's private chambers. This is where I leave you.¨ And with that, Myra turned and started to walk away.
¨Wait...What?¨ Brian asked, shock and confusion present in his question.
¨Don't worry, you'll be fine.¨
That was the last response he received before Myra walked back down the stairs.
Okay Brian, you can do this. All you have to do is go in there, see what Petyr Baelish wants, and get the fuck out of here. And with those final thoughts, Brian knocked on the wooden door.
Near instantly he got a response from inside the chambers,
¨You may enter.¨
Just hearing the voice gave Brian the chills, but he steeled his nerves and opened up the door.
Brian was confused.
He was expecting there to be some fancy lord with expensive silk dressings with gold, silver, emerald, and millions of other jewels embroidered in them. He expected him to try and look perfect, their face covered in makeup, and absolutely no imperfections on their skin.
Brian knew that he was expecting much, but he had absolutely no connections with lords whatsoever, and he had no idea how they presented themselves.
What he got however, was a normal looking man with black hair, that had a hint of grey, dressed in fine clothes, and had the signs of a beard growing.
But that was not the most surprising part. The most surprising part was that the same man was sitting down at a table that had two chairs to it, and on the table were two glasses and a pitcher of wine.
The Lord Baelish greeted Brian with a smile and made a small gesture with his hand.
¨You must be thirsty. please, sit. Come have a drink with me.¨ Petyr said as he reached over and poured a glass of wine for Brian.
Brian looked at Petyr for a moment, before walking forward and sat down in the chair opposite to Petyr.
Petyr smiled as he held out the cup of wine for Brian. After Brian had grabbed the glass, Petyr inspected the young man in front of him.
He was of average height, and had a solid build, unlike his now dead half brother. He had a mop of raven black hair that reached his shoulders, and light blue eyes. At the very least, he looks healthier than Robin ever did, Petyr thought dryly.
After Petyr was done inspecting the young man, he decided to finally speak.
¨Do you know who I am?¨
Brian was about to speak, before a thought ran through his mind, What if he's testing me? And with that thought in mind, Brian took a few seconds before answering.
¨You are Lord Petyr Baelish, The man who has been looking for me.¨ Petyr let out a light chuckle, and Brian knew that he had made the right choice.
¨Yes, I am the one who has been looking for you. Do you have any idea as to why?¨ Baelish asked, looking at Brian with curiosity in his eyes.
¨I have no idea… lord Baelish.¨ Brian scolded himself mentally. He had nearly forgotten to include his proper title.
Baelish smirked before answering his own question,
¨The reason I have been looking for you is because It is time for you to learn about your heritage.¨
Brian looked at Petyr, confusion written on his face,
¨Look, Lord Baelish, I'm going to tell you all you need to know about my heritage,¨ he said, putting an extra emphasis on heritage. ¨My mother worked in a brothel, and she died when I was two-and-ten. My father was just some drunk that wanted a quick fuck, and I'm the product of that mix.¨
Petyr looked towards the boy with a smirk growing on his face. He leaned forward, planting both of his elbows on the table, and looked Brian straight in the eyes.
¨And what if I told you that you were more, much more than you just said? What if I told you that your father wasn't 'just some old drunk'?¨
¨...What do you mean?¨ Brian asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. ¨Who is my father?¨
¨Jon Arryn.¨
The room became so deathly quiet, you could hear a pin drop from the next room over.
¨W-what?¨ Bryan questioned, his brain running in circles inside his head. How could- No. No way. That impossible! Impossible! My mother would have told me if he was my father...wouldn't she?
As Brian was still trying to wrap his head around this newfound information, Petyr pulled out one of the letters that were in his pockets.
¨If you don't believe me, read this letter. This is one of the last letters he wrote, and is quite important to you.
With shaky hands, Brian reached over and grabbed the letter that Petyr was holding on to. After he grabbed the letter, Brian began to read the letter, his face doing little to hide the shock of what he was reading.
Once he had reread the letter multiple times, he looked up at Petyr, who had been studying him while he read the letter, and asked him the only question that he could think of,
¨Does this mean that I… Im not a-¨ Before Brian could even finish his sentence, Petyr interrupted him.
¨A bastard? No, not any more.¨ Petyr said, a smirk gracing his face.
¨Lord Baelish, this is… I-¨
¨Please, Call me Petyr.¨ Petyr interrupted.
¨Petyr… why now?¨ Brian asked, curious as to why he chose this time to seek him out.
¨This was the only time that I was able to search for you,¨ Explained Petyr. ¨Before your father died, he had told me that he believed that he was in danger. Once he learned that you were born, he was watching you from afar. He had trusted me with informing you of your true heritage once he passed away, and helping condition you for lordship.¨ At this, Petyr hands Brian the other letter that he has. ¨This letter is the last letter that your father ever wrote. He wanted me to give it to you should you ever be in doubt.¨
Petyr hands Brian the letter, and told him to read it.
Brian slowly breaks the seal on the letter, and started to read.
To my son Brian,
If you are reading this letter, I am most likely dead.
I know that I was not there for you when you needed me, and for that I am truly sorry.
I gave this letter to Petyr so that when the time comes, he can help you on your journey to lordship.
I trust Petyr with all of my life, and this is why I want him to become your godfather.
I know that you probably hate me, and you have every right to do so. I failed you and your mother, but I must ask that you listen to my words.
Petyr is a good friend, and has served on the small council with me for years.
I have asked him to help condition you for lordship, but it is still up to you.
Will you accept your legitimization? Will you become the lord that house Arryn needs?
Know that I will always love you, no matter what choices you make, you are still my son.
Signed,
Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, Lord of the Eyrie, Lord paramount of the Vale, Warden of the East, Head of House Arryn.
Brian wiped away at his watery eyes, not even caring if he cried in front of a lord.
Petyr rose from his chair, and slowly walked over to Brian. Petyr put his hand on his shoulder in a father-like manor, and softly asked Brian a question.
¨Will you do it... Will you become the lord that your father wanted you to be?¨
Brian looked straight at Petyr, a look of determination in his eyes, and said only two words.
¨Teach me.¨
AN: There are probably going to be people that will question Brian's actions in this chapter, so I am going to help explain why he did what he did.
As stated near the start of this chapter, Brian prides himself with his street smarts. What this means is that he may not be the most intelligent person, but he is knowledgeable of people, and how they act.
This is why when talking to the guard that he was a bit of an asshole.
He knew that all he had to do is mention that the guard could get on the bad side of a powerful lord, and he knew that the guard would let him through, even if the guard only did it to appease Lord Baelish.
But when he was talking to Petyr, he was nervous, intimidated, and slightly scared. He didn't fully know what he could and could not say, so he chose to think over his words carefully, as opposed to speaking without thinking. He may not have had a life of nobility or luxury, but he is smart enough to know that you don't insult someone of power in their own house by interrupting them, or starting arguments.
I apologize if the emotional scenes aren't that good, i'm not really good at writing emotions.
What do you prefer? A short(2500-3000) chapter every few days, or longer(5000-7000) chapter done once a week? Please comment and tell me what you would like.
Thank you for reading, the next chapter is coming soon.