The Gate of the Gods, Tyler read the inscription as he waited beneath the big wooden gate that was swirled with gold and silver patterns and reinforced with iron and steel. He had never seen King's Landing but so far he was impressed, perhaps not as easily defendable as Casterly Rock or Harrenhal but an awesome structure none the less. Erik and Lyonel were bickering once again behind him about who had the sharpest dagger.
"If you carry on like that neither of you will use your daggers again." Tyler said jokingly. "What is taking so fucking long?" He asked in annoyance.
They had waited for coming on a half an hour since the gate guard had gone to fetch someone from the Red Keep. "Maybe he stopped at a tavern or a whorehouse or some such." Erik said licking his lips. "I know how he feels."
"What? The whores at Riverrun weren't enough?" Tyler asked with a grin.
"Exactly." Lyonel laughed. "He already spent his wages on toothless bitches at Riverrun, a months wages wouldn't buy him five minutes here."
"Lucky he only needs three." Tyler said grinning back at Erik.
"Well it was enough to make your mother scream so I'm happy." Erik countered.
"He doesn't know who his mother was you fucking idiot." Lyonel said scathingly.
"It's quite alright Lyonel, I'm sure the woman he thought was my mother was just one of the dogs in Farlen's kennels at Winterfell." Tyler said, trying to hide the hurt about his mother.
Lyonel howled with laughter as Erik struggled for a retort. The sound of the gate beginning to open saved him and Tyler wiped the grin off of his face and waited atop the big black stallion that Hoster had given him at Riverrun. Tyler had left the night that Lady Catelyn had arrived back from the Eyrie. It had taken her a week to get her sister to send some men when the time came and Tyler had taken in the sights of Riverrun. He had followed the things he saw that seemed familiar, certain alleyways and buildings had stood out and Tyler searched damn near every one but he could find no reason for the familiarity.
The gate swung open slowly and Tyler saw two Kingsguard ride ahead of roughly fifteen or so gold cloaks. He recognised both of the men, one from fame and one from fear. Barristan Selmy was the most famous living knight in Westeros just topping the man riding next to him. Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer, was riding beside him dutifully but even Tyler could sense that this duty had gnawed at him.
"Lord Stark has commanded me to escort you to the Tower of the Hand Captain Tyler, if you would please follow us." Barristan said as soon as he was in earshot.
"A very dark and impressive horse." Jaime commented swiftly. "I take it you have no garb to go with it."
"A man can wear black and not be part of the Night's Watch." Tyler said, riding past his brother and not meeting his eyes. He heard Jaime turn his horse and saw him as he cantered up alongside him.
"Father is furious." He whispered. "You know what that means better than most I'm sure... But not better than me."
"You might be surprised Ser." Tyler said. No, this is not a conversation I want to have.
"No doubt I would be." Jaime snorted. "If this trial goes the way your lord hopes it will, you will effectively be a kinslayer."
"Not even kin can forgive your sister's crimes, and yours too I am sure. No doubt she wouldn't have the stomach to push a boy from a window."
Jaime was taken aback. "You do not know her like I do."
"Yes I know that brother, and soon all of Westeros will too." Tyler said not meeting the Kingslayer's eyes.
"YOU WILL BE SOR..." Jaime began shouting.
"Ser Jaime! Another outburst and I shall have to let Lord Stark imprison you." Selmy said from up ahead without turning around.
Jaime scowled at him before riding ahead and trotting beside the Lord Commander. "Yes, which begs the question why he isn't wrapped in a thousand chains already." Tyler said loudly.
"Lord Stark gave me leave to use him as I wish until I could find a new Kingsguard. He is my hostage." Selmy said, turning his head to speak.
Tyler chuckled as they rode up Aegons High Hill to the Red Keep. Tyler saw a man surrounded by a crowd standing atop a barrel preaching about the Lannisters and the queen. Tyler was impressed that Lord Stark had managed to turn the rat's nest that the capital was known for into a city of justice and honour. Eddard was a good man and a strong leader but he was unsuited to the game of thrones that Tywin had always been a master player of. He had to have had some assistance from someone in the city that was loyal to justice.
Tyler nearly choked when he saw the Red Keep and the Tower of the Hand. There was so much beauty and grace in the structures but he had the feeling that it was all for show, a mask to hide the ugliness of the Kingdoms inner workings. He pushed the beauty from his mind as he saw more gold cloaks approaching from in front of the Tower. He looked back and saw Erik and Lyonel both wave and saw the leading gold cloak wave back and smile. He was a hard looking man with a scar on his face and long hair.
"Thanks Lord Commander, we can take it from here. Lord Stark requests that you take Jaime to the room that holds Cersei's children; strip his weapons and take these men to guard them." The commander of the gold cloaks said gesturing for ten of his men to follow the old knight.
Barristan nodded simply and turned his horse. Jaime was about to protest but Selmy warned him once again and he followed like a good loyal dog. "You're Tyler?"
"Aye." He said to the commander. "Tyler Hill. You're Jory?"
"Aye, my boys tell me that their friends in Winterfell say you're a good captain. Jon can't stop talking about you either." Jory said with a chuckle as Tyler dismounted and followed him into the Tower.
Tyler was overjoyed to hear that but tried not to show it, his limp troubled him as he attempted to climb the stairs and Jory gave him a curious look. "Wounded by wildlings in the Wolfswood." He explained quickly. "I'll have this limp for life Luwin says."
"Of course, you're the one who protected young Rick. Lord Stark was ever so grateful when the raven arrived." His face suddenly went dark. "There have been too many wildlings south of the Wall of late. That's something we will have to look into when we return north."
"You don't desire to hold your post?"
"Gods no! This place is evil and dangerous as soon as there is a new king we will all go home." He said, a smile creeping slowly across his hard features.
His leg was on fire when he reached the top of the stairs and he had to lean against the wall while Jory waited patiently before he lead them into Lord Stark's sitting room. Eddard Stark was facing out towards the city standing at the entrance to the outside balcony. A bald, heavy set man was sitting with his back to Jory and Tyler wearing long flowing green robes with flowers embroidered into the cloth. Lord Stark turned his head slowly when he heard the door open. He held up a hand to the man with him and he stopped reading from the parchment in front of him.
"Tyler!" Ned said as he nearly rushed forward and grabbed his shoulder pulling him into a hug.
Tyler was shocked and stunned. Tywin had never hugged him or any of his children if you believed the stories. But in Lord Stark's strong and loving embrace Tyler felt something so unfamiliar to him he nearly pushed the Lord Regent off of him. "Lord Stark, it is a pleasure to see you again."
"Lord Varys, this is my son's friend and new captain of the Winterfell guard Tyler Hill." Ned said, staring at Tyler all the while.
"I have heard much and more of you captain, it is a pleasure to put a face to a name, and such a familiar face at that."
Tyler scowled and was about to ask what he was implying when Lord Stark stopped him. "Varys is my trusted councillor Tyler I assure you he is nothing but an ally."
Tyler breathed deeply and smiled. "I am sorry Lord Varys excuse my anger, it has been a long journey." He lied.
"Oh it is quite acceptable. I am sure you two have much to discuss. Lord Stark." He said formally, dipping his head. "I am sure we can continue this another time."
"Leave the letter; I will look it over before we meet again." Ned said strongly.
"As you command my lord." Varys said before gliding out of the room on light feet.
"Jory, could please go and make sure that Arya is not trying to chastise the prisoners again? we cannot have another incident." Ned asked him strongly.
"Aye m'lord." Jory nodded before marching out of the room swiftly.
"Please sit." Ned gestured as he sat down at the leather chair behind his desk. Tyler took the seat that Varys had occupied and pushed it sideways stretching his leg out. "I must ask you, how is my wife?" Ned said with a concerned look on his face.
"Lady Stark is in Riverrun safe and sound looking after her father. Lord Hoster is getting rather worse in his sickness I fear." Tyler said stiffly.
"The poor man first Jon, now Hoster..." He said, his voice nearly trailing away. "That letter in front of you is from Stannis Baratheon, he backs up the knowledge that Jon gained when he investigated Lord Arryn's death. Stannis was with Jon when he went looking for Robert's bastard children a few weeks before he died. Stannis claims that they learned that Joffrey was not Robert's son nor were the other two, because all of Robert's bastards by mothers of all different hair and eye colours had a likeness with him. Whereas Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella have a likeness with Jaime Lannister, Stannis is willing to testify that Joffrey is a product of incest between the queen and her twin brother and that makes him the true and rightful king of Westeros, he is travelling to the capital for the trial."
Tyler was not surprised, he had already suspected this beforehand, him and Catelyn had suggested it to each other on the road. "Where is Jon? I will see what I can do to ensure the trial."
"You need not do anything just now Tyler, Jon is questioning Cersei's handmaidens and her usual companions tonight, you will be dining with me and relaxing, we have quarters for you in the Tower, Jon will see you tomorrow no doubt. You will be needed in court however." Ned said warmly.
"In court? But people will guess who I am."
"It is the only place to do what I intend. Trust me Tyler, I have not forgotten what you did for my son in the Wolfswood and I never will." He said rising, he called in a guard. "Show Tyler to the room we prepared for him and tell Sansa and Arya to come for afternoon tea." The man saluted and beckoned Tyler.
"Thank you m'lord." Tyler said, dipping his head to Ned before following the guard into the corridor.
They went down the stairs and across the courtyard with an open roof, they came to a door that led to a lobby of a set of guest rooms. The guard led Tyler upstairs to second floor where the entire space of the floor was once room; it was so large that the furniture on the far side of the room looked as big as Tyler's finger. Tyler smiled when he saw Jon's belongings by one of the beds in the room and Tyler thanked the guard slipping him a silver stag and taking his belongings to the other master bed. He pulled off his boots and lay down; his back was aching and his eyes closed by themselves.
He awoke with a shake and he looked up with groggy vision to see a young girl standing over him giggling. "Father says you are going to miss morning tea." She said teasingly.
Tyler sat up and shook his head. "Thank you. You'd be Arya?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes. You saved Rick?" She said bluntly.
"I did my best, your brother Robb did as well." Tyler said humbly.
"Come along Tyler, Fathers waiting." Arya said grabbing his hand and dragging him out of the room. When they reached the dining room she turned and laughed. "Kneel." She commanded.
Tyler chuckled and went to one knee, Arya began flicking her hands through his hair and smoothing it down. Tyler laughed louder ands she giggled again. She wrenched the door open and lead him through before letting go and taking a seat next to Ned. "I apologise m'lord, it was a rough ride."
"Please don't m'lord me when we are with family Tyler, it's the one rest I get." He said smiling.
"Aye, fair enough." He said as he took a seat, he turned to his right and nearly choked, he had not noticed Sansa when he came in but when he had just seen her had been awe struck, her hair was slightly wavy instead of straight how he had seen it in Winterfell and she had grown a lot since then also. She wore a sky blue dress with streaks of white and Tyler had to force his eyes away from her before she became suspicious.
"I don't believe we have met." He heard a sweet voice say. Oh no, this is not good. He thought to himself.
He nearly choked on his words as he attempted to get them out. "No I don't think we have, my name is Tyler Hill, I am a friend of your brother and a Captain of the Winterfell guards."
"You are the one who fought the wildlings and saved my little brother?" She said, sounding half amazed.
"He said Robb protected him too." Arya said interjecting.
"Aye, he was stronger than me, he saved Bran also." Tyler said with his head down.
"Either way you are a saviour of our family." Sansa said sweetly.
Tyler smiled but his mind was blank as to any reply he might make. He tried his best to finish his meal quickly and he stood as soon as he was finished. "I thank you for the meal but I fear I need to return to my rest."
"I understand Tyler." Ned said simply.
Tyler limped out of the room as swiftly as his leg would allow and began for the short walk back to his room. He got up the stairs and near stumbled to his bed. He removed his cloak and sword belt before pulling off his jerkin and riding boots. He had just pulled off his tunic and thrown it to the floor when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs behind him. He turned, bare-chested to see Sansa approaching him holding a mug.
Tyler tried to avoid going red with embarrassment as he saw Sansa staring at his torso while she struggled to form a sentence. "I brought... I brought you some wine. It will help you sleep." She said before she spun on her heel and rushed down the stairs.
"In the name of Lord Regent Eddard Stark, Warden of the North, Protector of the Realm and Hand of the King we ask the following man to step forward; Captain Tyler Hill of the Winterfell Guard." The herald screeched out.
Tyler stepped out from the back row and walked down the aisle between all the nobles and soldiers and councillors. He took a knee when he reached the steps before the iron throne. "At your service Lord Stark, ask and you shall receive."
"Today is not for me to ask but to give. Even in you're young years you have proved with every action you have made that you are a man of strength, skill, bravery, justice and loyalty. You saved my son Bran when he fell from the tower and again when the Lannisters sent an assassin to kill him. You extracted the confession from the assassin without torture. You saved my son Rickon from wildlings in the Wolfswood and you have decreased all crime in Winterfell by half." Lord Eddard said as the people in the hall murmured more and more. Eddard stood from the Iron Throne and descended the steps slowly as he spoke "For your actions and your proof of worth I, as Lord Regent, name you a Knight of the North." Ned drew Ice from its massive sheath and placed the tip on one of Tyler's shoulders gently and placed it on the other before reversing it and resting the point on the stone. "I, Eddard Stark, advance you Captain Tyler Hill to Ser Tyler Snowblade, a valiant knight in service to House Stark and the bearer of a proud name to last from this day until the end of time. Rise Ser Tyler." He said as he sheathed his sword and clasped him on the shoulder. The throne room erupted with applause from people Tyler had never even met and he smiled and waved all the same. He looked back up to Lord Eddard and smiled warmly.
When he left the throne room a sudden thought occurred to him and took his path to the Tower of the Hand. But as he ascended the thousands of stairs he reached a hallway halfway up and followed it to the end, turning right and descending a small flight of stairs. The prisons in the tower were neither dark nor dirty. In fact they looked rather luxurious and as Tyler found the cell that found the queen he found her surrounded by things to occupy herself. Tyler dismissed the Kingsguard who stood still and vigilant outside the cell and opened the door. Queen Cersei Lannister looked up a look of hope flashed across her face, but it soon turned back into a mask and then she look curious and confused.
"Queen Cersei, I am Ser Tyler Snowblade a knight in service to Lord Eddard Stark. It is good to finally meet you." He said as he leaned against the left wall near the bars.
"And what do you want?" She said staring at him, her face a mixture of emotions.
"Just to meet you my Queen, I have heard much about you and I wished to know first hand." Tyler said locking his eyes with hers.
She widened her eyes. "You are some bastard relative of mine but don't you dare tell me tha..."
"It is the truth!" Tyler interrupted. "Whether you wish to accept it or not. Lord Tywin loved your mother but he was still a man."
She giggled suddenly. "You like so like Jaime, but you've got a harder face and a colder heart, you put me in these chains and you knew I was your kin, if I lose my head in this trial you are as good as a kinslayer. But never fear you will not have to worry long because Jaime will fight you, and you will die, like the little boy you are."
"You are lovers?" He asked quietly.
She glared up at him and remained silent.
"I see." Tyler said, sighing.