Jon Arryn I – Kings Landing
It had been a week since the taking of Kings Landing and it had been one of the worst weeks in Jon Arryn's long life. It had been one headache after the other since arriving in the city.
Since coming to the throne Robert had made Jon his Hand a job he never wanted but knew he had no choice but to do it, Jon knew that Robert needed guidance ruling.
He was now sat in the Small Council chambers with Lords Stark, Tully, Baratheon and the king himself discussing the immediate concerns facing Robert's rule.
"Tywin Lannister needs to be punished for what he did to this city his sack cost the lives of thousands many of those women and children" Stannis Baratheon said.
Much of the other lords agreed with this which is when Jon had to speak "Lord Tywin did wrong yes but his grace can't start his rule by punishing a lord Paramount for taking a city for his king can he"
The lords were not happy with this but Jon knew it had to be done.
With that matter settled they moved onto the next issue "what will be done with Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch Lord Tywin is demanding their release"
"Both men should be put to death for the murders of Princess Elia and her children that shouldn't be up debate" Ned said angrily all other lords were in agreement even Jon agreed.
"I will not punish any man for killing dragonspawn or their whores" Robert shouted angrily.
"Robert you cannot be serious those men raped and killed innocents" Stannis and Ned said together.
"Robert would it not be best to kill these men if only to appease Dorne and keep them from revolting" Jon pleaded with his former ward.
"I said no and that is final" Robert screamed to the lords gathered.
There was some murmuring at that and then Ned spoke again "my lords will not be happy with this especially Rickard Frost he wants Clegane and Lorch's head"
"You will keep your lords in check Ned and make sure none of them act it's their kings command is that clear" Robert bellowed which Ned nodded.
"What's next Jon "Robert said more calmly then he previously spoke.
Jon knew that Robert wouldn't like what he heard next "we have word from Dragonstone the Queen has died given birth to baby girl. The child and Viserys Targaryen have escaped with some men loyal to them. Their ship was seen heading towards Essos"
"I want those Targaryen scum found and killed is that understood" Robert shouted again.
"Your grace such an action would only alienate any lord who has Targaryen sympathies and the small folk will not like hearing that their new king killed innocent children" Jon pleaded with the king.
After much discussion Robert agreed that the children will be allowed to live but he wanted them to be found and brought to Kings Landing.
They talked for a while about who will sit on the small council, Pycelle would stay on as GrandMaester, Stannis would be made Master of ships, Varys would remain master of whispers and Barristan Selmy would be made lord commander.
For his service at the battle of the Trident Randyll Tarly would be made master of laws, Robert wanted to offer the position to Rickard Frost but he was still only five and ten too young for such an important role. Master of coin was still vacant but they would find someone soon.
Stannis was recognised at the new Lord of Storms End and made Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. Robert had wished to give Stannis Dragonstone and his brother Renly Storms End but Jon had managed to dissuade him saying that the Storm Lords had gained too much respect for Stannis after him aiding in the defeat of the Tyrell army as well as aiding in the destruction of the Loyalist army at the Trident.
Renly was to be given Dragonstone when he came of age but for now it would be under the control of Ser Brynden Tully Hoster's younger brother.
Talk then turned to rewards for service during the war; there would be over 200 new knights in the kingdoms. Some lords who had supported the Targaryens would have some lands taken from them and given to a number of newly made minor lords.
Hoster Tully now had the two of his daughters married to Lord Paramounts so he would require very little. Jon as well as Ned would take nothing but some of their lords would be given some gold from the Targaryen vaults.
Rickard Frost was whom they were talking of now, lord and small folk alike had begun calling him the hero of the war he had gained the respect and admiration of many including Jon, he would need to be rewarded for all he did.
"Well Ned what can we give Frost to show our thanks" Robert asked his friend.
"Your grace I don't believe Rickard would require a reward he has said to me on many occasions that he only did his duty nothing more" was Ned response, Stannis nodded in agreement.
"Nonsense any man who did as much for me as Frost did deserves a reward, the man is unmarried we should find him a wife that brings a large dowry and his sister will marry Stannis" Robert said before taking a sup of wine.
All the lords looked to Stannis then expecting to hear a refusal of some kind but he merely nodded his acceptance.
It was left to Jon to find the man a wife; in additional the Pillar was going to be given a number of tax reductions to reward Frost further.
Talk then turned a lot more serious as Robert was demanding to know if there had been any word on the lady Lyanna and where she was being kept.
"There has been no word of yet your grace" Jon looked to see both his former wards sadden at hearing those words.
The meeting was called to an end then with all the lords and their king retiring for the night. Jon went to sleep that night thinking that if Lyanna Stark wasn't found then Tywin Lannister would more than likely get his wish for his daughter to be queen.
The next few days were interesting to say the least Ned had received word about his sister and left with a number of his men to find her. Rickard Frost approved the marriage between his sister and Lord Stannis, news which surprisingly pleased many of the Storm Lords. Stannis would leave for the North in the coming months when things had calmed down.
The search for a wife for Rickard Frost was a very interesting affair; the Frosts were one of the richest families in all the seven kingdoms and controlled one of its greatest navies. Lords from every kingdom were offering their daughters and sisters in an attempt to tie their families to the Frosts.
Jon left the final decision to Frost the only condition was that it needed to be someone from outside the North as to better strengthen ties with the North and the southern kingdoms.
In the end the young lord had chosen the sister of Lord Yohn Royce, the girl Miranda at four and ten was said to be extremely beautiful and have a quick mind. She will travel with her father to the north before the end of the year.
He wished them more luck in their marriage then he had currently in his own. Lysa Tully was a nice girl pretty to look upon but there was something about her that made Jon uneasy it didn't help the fact that girl didn't come to his bed a maiden and refused to speak of it. Jon only hoped that she would get with child soon to further secure his families legacy.
Jon now sat in a meeting with the new master of laws Randyll Tarly "my lord most of the armies that were camped outside have left now the only significant force still present are the Northern Lords they are waiting for the return of Lord Stark" Randyll said.
Jon let out a sigh then and told Tarly that Ned had sent a raven saying that his sister was dead and that he would be heading straight for Winterfell to put his sister's bones in his family crypts so she could be at rest. The king had been told this morning and he was as furious as Jon had ever seen him, Robert had been cursing and shouting that he wanted every last Targaryen found and killed.
"I will tell Lord Rickard my lord he will make sure that the northern forces are ready to leave" Randyll said bringing the meeting to an end.
It had been two weeks since the king had been told of his betrotheds death and in those two weeks the king had drunk and whored more that Jon thought possible.
It had fallen to Jon to organize a new match; Robert had refused to even consider marrying now that Lyanna Stark was dead but Jon had told him that his reign would never be secure until he had an heir and Cersei Lannister could give him that.
The wedding itself was a giant affair with lords coming to the capital from all over the realm and required significant planning. All the costs of the wedding were paid for by Tywin Lannister at his insistence. It was a magnificent spectacle; there was a twenty course feast with a Tourney won by the Jaime Lannister now being called the Kingslayer.
Jon had to admit that Cersei Lannister looked the perfect queen, standing next to Robert they looked like the kind of king and queen that stories were wrote of. Jon knew different tho he knew the marriage would contain little or no love and its only purpose was to produce an heir.
A month after the royal wedding Jon made his way to Dorne to try bring them back into the fold and heal the wounds that the war had brought. Jon hoped that he was successful because he knew the kingdoms couldn't stand anymore needless deaths and more suffering.