Chapter 51: An Unknown King

It was a strange thing. Knowing that he was the trueborn son of Robert Baratheon and that that made him the rightful King of Westeros. He had no idea how to really feel. If he were to admit to himself, Gendry would admit to being both relieved, confused and angry. Relieved that he was not just some nobody, confused because he was not just some nobody and angry because well, he was not just some nobody. His entire life had been snatched from him. Here he was in the Vale, learning things he had never thought he would have to learn. He took a breath and looked at Tobho Mott.

The man had changed from his shabby clothing into a lord's attire. "So, tell me, Your Majesty, what is it that you have learned during your lessons?"

Maester Rodrik, the maester of Runestone was the one teaching him his letters and histories, the Lord of Runestone, Lord Yohn Royce had sworn his sword to Gendry as had half the lords of the Vale as well. "I have learned the truth behind what some call the Dying of Dragons, that it was the hubris of the Targaryens that led to their downfall. I have learned that the Vale of Arryn does not have enough food to last through a winter without something drastic happening. And I have learned that Robert Arryn's mother is a coward." That was true, though not what he had learned in his lessons.

"And what would you do to change the situation of food within the Vale?" Tobho asked him.

"I would open up negotiations with the Riverlands, and end the isolation we have put on ourselves. I would agree to a three percent tariff rate with King Robb Stark, and I would also approach Braavos for a loan to buy food from other regions within Westeros. I would also invest in the newer technologies coming from the Reach that would increase food production." Gendry said.

Tobho Mott nodded. "And with Lady Lysa ruling the Vale in the name of her son, how would you get her to do this, considering she has not budged from the Eyrie, despite her nephew and brother being at war with the Lannisters? That she has isolated the Vale completely despite this not being in our interests?"

Gendry noticed the use of the word our and wondered at it. He thought a moment and then said. "I would remind her that just because she has isolated the Vale now does not mean that she and we will be ignored. Tywin Lannister will not forget that the Vale did not ride to aid the boy sitting on the throne now. I will remind her that Tywin Lannister has the fleet of the Seven Kingdoms at his beck and call and that Gulltown will burn. I will tell her that her son will not be safe."

"And if instead of listening to you, she shuts herself up and does nothing, what then?" Tobho pushed.

"I will have to act with the Lords Declarant." Gendry said.

Tobho Mott looked at him for a moment and said nothing, then he replied. "Good. Now, tell me, do you think that Lady Lysa has the potential to actually bring about some sense to her ramblings?"

Gendry thought about that. He had met Lady Lysa twice, once at a ball to celebrate her son's nameday and once at a formal tourney where he had been knighted, after defeating Harry the Heir in a melee. "She seems as though she is terrified. I do not quite know what to make of her. I do not think she was always like that, but I do think that with her husband dead, and with her son so frail she does not want anything to do with the troubles coming from the south. But I do think some part of her knows she has to act. Otherwise she would not have entrusted three hundred men to her uncle." The Blackfish had greatly impressed Gendry, he was a knight out of legend.

"And how would you get her to see your point of view?" Tobho asked.

Gendry was about to respond that he had already answered this question, but then he thought about it and said. "I would bring her to Gulltown to meet the people there."

Tobho Mott nodded. "And what would you do when you are there?"

"Make her meet the people. Let her see those who are affected by her irrational choices. The men and women struggling to make ends meet, the girls and boys dying from colds and fevers. They are all her son's people. If she does not care for them then she does not deserve to be in power." Gendry said strongly, he had long felt this way, and would continue to feel this way.

Tobho said nothing, he merely looked at Gendry then eventually he said. "You are a lot like your mother."

"I am?" Gendry asked.

"You are." Tobho replied. "She too would not want the people to go suffering, she too would have made Lady Lysa see the things that she would not want to see. She always had a good heart."

Something in the man's face made Gendry ask. "How did you know her so well?"

Tobho sighed. "I am your mother's brother. I am Jasper Waynwood."