THE SEVEN PROVINCES OF HOUSE PALIDYN
CERSEI
Cersei's world had been turned upside down. She did not know which of her family members lived and who was dead. She had been kept in her room with Myrcella and Tommen under guard for the past three days. Now she follows two guards as they lead her to the small council throne room. "Lady Cersei of House Lannister…My King." The Guard says.
"Bow before his majesty the crown Prince Darius of the Eastern Empire and the Seven Provinces of Westeros." A man says standing beside the King.
Cersei just stares at them. The herald looks at King Darius. "My son, does he live?" She asks. Darius just stares at her. She swallows her pride and curtsies, "Your Grace…please, My, son Joffrey does he live?"
"I am sorry he does not. He died when the mud-gate was breeched. Your husband is also dead, but from what I know of you. You probably don't care."
Cersei closes her eyes, "What is to become of me and my remaining children?" She asks after taking a deep breath.
"You will be sent back to Casterly Rock of course…Arrangements must be made."
"My father and brother?"
"I haven't received reports from the battle of Harrenhal. But when I know something you will."
"Thank you…May I leave now?"
"My men tell me you tried to kill yourself and your children. Why?"
"When cities are taken. Kingdoms fall…It is the women who suffer the most, from rape and other atrocities that men commit."
"My men have committed no crimes against anyone of this city. So long as the people don't take up arms. It is well known to my troops that if any man does this. They will lose what is between their legs if they rape, their hands if they steal. You and your children are free to do as you please. Go where you will within the Red Keep. So long as you do not cause mischief." Three days later she received word that her father died when the Palidyn forces stormed Harrenhal. Her brother Jaime was captured alive.
JON ARRYN
He is summoned to the Throne Room by the new King that sits the Iron Throne. "Lord Arryn…I have heard much about you.' Darius says after he bows.
"You honor me Your Grace."
"I would like to know your plans My Lord."
"I am for home…It has been a while since I've been in the Eyrie."
"Do you plan to remarry?"
"I do not know."
"I hope you do and continue your bloodline…" Darius hands his herald a list and he gives it to Jon Arryn. "A list of men from your House and banners who died in battle. I intend to travel through Westeros so that each Lord may swear fealty to me. And my House."
Jon Arryn bows and returns to his room in the Red Keep. He had been moved out of the Tower of the Hand days ago. He pours himself some wine to read the list of who died in battle, at Harrenhal and defending the Capital.
DARIUS
He spends his days writing decrees and letters, changing laws, writing orders for construction and remodeling projects for the city. The King's apartment had been refurbished with new furniture, the old taken out and burned. "I have news My King." Daenarys says when he enters the common room.
He kisses her, "What is it my love?"
"I am to be a mother."
He smiles, grabs Dany and swings her around, "You have made me a happy man." He calls his Chief Steward, "Thasyne plan a feast! I am to be a father."
"Congratulations my King…"
By the time the feast is ready the prisoners from Harrenhal had arrived. They are bathed and allowed to attend the feast. "Your Grace may I present Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell." The Royal Herald says.
"Lord Stark."
He bows, "I Eddard Stark Lord of Winterfell…Warden of the North do hereby pledge my loyalty to King Darius and the Imperial House of Palidyn. Your enemies are my enemies."
"I accept your oath. You may rise Lord Stark." He does, "I intend to tour Westeros…Starting in the North…I will be stopping at the Wall. I would like you to accompany me."
"Your Grace…I have not seen my family in a good while. I would like to go home first and then meet you at the wall."
Daenarys leans over and whispers into his ear, "Very well then…You can sail with me. I will have my captain stop at White Harbor and drop you off…Then I am for Castle Black…I will await you at Castle Black."
"Thank you your grace…"
"I will garrison ten thousand men at Moat Cailin and another ten at one of the Castles on the wall." The feast lasts all week, there is a tourney held and food given to the commoners from the Reach. Later Darius is in King's Solar and Tyrion Lannister enters. "Ah Lord Tyrion I have been anxious to meet you."
"Why?"
"They say you are a well learned man. Well read…You are exactly what the West needs…I am naming you Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the East."
"I do not know what to say. My father is probably rolling around in his grave."
"Well until you find a bride and have an heir…Your nephew Tommen will be named as heir of Casterly Rock…He will also be legitimized as a Lannister."
"I'm afraid my chances of finding an heir are limited…"
"There is a young Lady Shae by name…She is an industrious woman…A woman of business…I will send for her…The two of you should meet."
"Thank you Your Grace."
"She is not of noble birth."
"Beggars can't be choosers Your Grace."
Darius smiles, "I do not take you for a beggar, My Lord…" Next he meets with his brother Maegyr. "I am headed North…You will rule in my name until I return…"
"Will you be taking your wife with you?"
"Yes…"
"I wish you good fortune…"
"And I you brother…"
They hug, "Write us and often."
EDDARD
Traveling with Eddard and Darius are Great Jon Umber, Howland Reed, Ser Wendyl Manderly, Maege Mormont, and Lord Galbart Glover. The rest of his Lords had died in battle fighting the battle at Harrenhal, including Lord Roose Bolton. The Pride of the Empire is accompanied by a fleet carrying eighty thousand troops.
Eddard does not stay in White Harbor. He leaves immediately for Winterfell. A Raven had been sent ahead to let his family know that he was on his way. "Ned!" Screams running up to him as he dismounted his horse. "Cat! My sweet Cat."
"Don't you ever leave here again."
Robb walks up and clears his throat, "Father…Ramsey Bolton is here." Before leaving Roose Bolton had Ramsey legitimized.
"Lord Stark…With my father dead I am now Lord of the Dread Fort. He legitimized me before he left for war."
"Yes I know, but since we lost the war and there is a new King…The document that legitimized you is not legal…" He hands him a scroll.
"What is this?"
"From your King."
"To the Bastard of the Dread Fort you are hereby charged with…" He tares the scroll up, but is seized by two soldiers of House Palidyn. "Let me go you fuckers."
"In the name of the Emperor Galarad Palidyn and his Son King Darius you are under arrest for flaying."
"Let me go! I am the Lord of House Bolton!" He screams as they take him away.
Later Ned feasts with his family, a small celebration for his safe return from the war. Two days later he gets ready to leave. "Why must you leave so soon?"
"I gave my word to King Darius…And there is also a promise I must fulfill to Jon."
"The Bastard again!"
He takes her in his arms, "Do not be like that…When I return…No I swear this is the last time I leave you."
"Go then and return quickly." He kisses her and mounts his horse. Then he rides out of the Gate with fifty men.
