Demitius - Indeed. Mostly because one of my readers corrected me about how old Jeoffrey was in television show, so I corrected it to bring things in line with the show going forward. I'm not entirely confident in my knowledge of this site to edit too much, so my apologies on the confusion.
Turns out Lysa Arryn was something of a problem that I'd let fester, and the news that Petyr Baelish had been executed sent her over the edge. Or that was the news we were getting from the Vale at any rate. She'd apparently taken to believing that the Lannister's were out to get her family and was attempting to raise a force to take on the Westerlands. It seemed to be somewhat insane as plans went, but it seemed that was where her mind went without Baelish's guidance or direction. Sigh. While many of the Arryn loyalists were willing to raise the banners, they were somewhat hesitant to take on the infamous Lannister armies. Self-preservation for the win, I guess. Still, Lysa had been putting out feelers to the surrounding Lords and bannerman in what she supposed to be a secret and conspiratorial manner to see what kind of force could be mustered.
It would be laughable if it wasn't a potential threat to the Iron Throne and sowed the seeds of rebellion in the minds of the various lords across the Seven Kingdom's. Which was exactly what I didn't need right now, especially given what I'd recently done to the Iron Islands. Word hadn't entirely spread throughout the land about what I'd done to the Greyjoy's and to the various ironborn crews, except maybe for the North. A note or two I'd received from Eddard suggested that such acts were likely to get people in the North talking and mumbling, but it wasn't anything he couldn't control. But that the rumblings from the Vale were likely to get a few Northern bannerman interested and perhaps itching for a try at the hated westerners. It was enough to have even Tywin slightly concerned, or at least concerned enough to order Ser Barristan to undertake his duties as Protector of the Realm and go scare the Vale and whatever other forces into submission.
The concurrent move would be to appoint a new Lord Regent of the Vale to replace Lady Lysa. Tywin wanted someone from King's Landing, with an eye towards Jaime or Tyrion, but I suggested someone local as the Vale, like the North, was somewhat particular about whom they'd allow to lead them. Even as Regent. So, with that in mind, it was suggested that the next in line to the Lordship of the Lordship of the Eyrie Ser Harrold of House Hardyng would serve as Regent and protector of Lord Robin until such time as he came of age. It wasn't going to be a popular decision, but it would do. I asked Varys to keep an eye on the situation and hopefully it wouldn't get out of hand. Even though it probably would.
Speaking of that area of the world – with House Stark's permission we would be sending experts North to see what, if any, resources were hiding under the cold lands of his lands. I figured that there had to be something that they could provide outside of honourable men and people willing to join the Night's Watch without having committed a crime first. Also, honest amounts of taxes as, according to Tyrion and Dryer, they actually paid on time and in the amounts asked for. This was fucking amazing, really, as I expected at least some corruption, even if only in minimal amounts. Something I was currently attributing to the presence of Eddard Stark more than actual honesty or the like.
In other, potentially related, news, Renly had asked to be recused from his seat on the Small Council on the grounds that the Stormlands had been without their lord for far too long. I had to stop myself from chuckling, as it happened that Loras was also planning to leave for Highgarden soonish so that preparations for his wedding to Cersei could begin in earnest. I guessed that they potentially wanted to spend some time together before politics kept them both apart. Or so that Loras could convince Renly to rise up against me and take the Iron Throne for himself. It'd be laughable if it wasn't a possible recipe for trouble. It renewed my internal debates about whether I should sell them out to the Faith of the Seven but that also had to potential for trouble. I really hated complicated problems, as I'd always been a simple problems and simple solutions kind of guy before becoming Joffrey. But ruling a place like the Seven Kingdoms seemed like it was going to generate a fair few complicated problems for me to solve.
I left the decision on whether or not Renly would be allowed to leave to Tywin. With the amount of decisions I'd been making on my own recognisance of late, I felt that that he deserved having a few problems laid in his lap. Especially as he'd have a better idea of the potential solutions then I. Tywin decided to let Renly go on the basis that he left within the week, while Loras, Cersei and a delegation of Lannister men would be heading out independently and at a later date. Apparently even Tywin was aware of how close Renly and Loras were, or he was just playing it safe. Either way, it generated a sour expression on Renly's face, but he nonetheless accepted and departed. Smiling at Tywin, I asked him to go about finding a new Master of Laws so the office didn't stay vacant for too long. Especially as I planned to actually sit in justice of those over whom I ruled directly and would need the advice of a man more learned in the law than I to assist me. Tywin's reaction elicited a small grin on my part and I could see Varys suppressing a smile. Tywin seemed happy to advise me for the moment and would sort out the matter promptly, which I appreciated.
With those plans in motion, I asked Tywin to post guards with my mother so as to release Sandor from his duties as her babysitter, which he agreed too. I asked the Council if a scribe could be spared from somewhere in the castle to keep a record of the meetings of the Small Council, if only to ensure the continuity of governance. With the frequent comings and goings of late it wouldn't take too much for the Small Council to lose its place. Not that I was planning on dying, but forward planning wouldn't hurt. It was agreed that Pycelle would take charge of that particular job and keep me informed. Tywin seemed to approve of the idea, which was surprising, and a little unexpected, so I must've done something right there.
Now, to see what kind of problems would arise with the departure of Renly and Loras and whether they'd be as much trouble as I considered them to be…