Game of Thrones

Blood Betrayal

The Green King: Chapter II

"I have been watching you. All of you. All your lives. With a thousand eyes… and one."

The Iron Throne. For three hundred years, these three words represented all the power in Westeros. Made from the swords of the conquered Kings and warriors of Seven Kingdoms and forged in the fire of the conquerors own mount Balerion the Black Dread. Aegon the Conqueror and his descendants ruled their new Valyria from this seat. Even when the dragons died, the Iron Throne remained, stags and lions would rule the realm from this seat as well. Even iron did not last forever, melted beyond recognition the once mighty throne now serves as a base for a new throne, a new iron and silver construct shaped like a weirwood tree, a seven points star engraved on its seat. The new throne sits atop the old in the rebuilt throne room of the Red Keep, and nestled beneath the new iron branches and beneath a seven pointed star, The Broken King sits upon it. Looking out over the cavernous throne room, all its braziers burning, the King sits alone. Until that is the doors are opened by golden armoured warriors, and a small man with a large shadow crosses the seemingly endless floor to the very steps of the Iron Throne."

"Your Grace." He bows respectfully

"Hello Tyrion." Bran speaks softly "What can I do for My Hand?"

"I am concerned about what is happening in The RIverlands Your Grace." Tyrion began as he studied the young man whom he had been first to name King."

"Do not be concerned." Bran spoke softly "My uncle is only following my orders. He can deal with this. I need you to concentrate on the many other matters that require your attention."

"Your Grace, it seems to me that a military buildup near our boarder with The North is indeed a matter The Hand of the King should concerned with."

"The Realm thrives Tyrion" Bran tried to reassure him "That is because of you. All of The Kingdoms were touched in some way by the wars of the recent years, but through your hard work, and perseverance the realm is thriving again. I see things you do not Tyrion, you must keep faith, what I do is for The Good of The Realm."

"It's important we talk about this Your Grace." Tyrion began climbing the steps of the New Iron Throne. "The People do not want war, they are sick of it… we risk undoing all the good work we have begun if hostilities with the North break out. Whatever you have seen, please, speak with your sister first."

"The dead are not defeated." Bran spoke gravely

"What have you seen?" Tyrion swallowed hard

"The dead are rising in The North, on both sides of The Wall, and the face of the enemy is one we know."

"You cant believe your Sister…"

"Jon" Bran cut him off "Or Aegon. He has been corrupted by a cold, dark power."

"Your Grace, I am aware that this new star in the sky has been seen as…. An omen, by some. But you can not truly believe that Jon Snow of all people would betray the living for the dead."

Bran turned to look directly at Tyrion, a look that made the King's Hand feel very uncomfortable, for the briefest of moments, his eyes went their milky shade of white before returning to their normal shade "He won't see it as a betrayal." Bran's voice was cold, unfeeling "He will believe he is doing the right thing… and he will doom us all."

"Jon Snow is no fool." Tyrion spoke up

"A fool… no." Bran shook his head "Not a fool. But they say whenever a Targaryen is born The God's flip a coin. It would appear that Jon's has landed."

"No." Tyrion shook his head "I can't believe that…"

"Would you have believed Daenerys Targaryen would end up the way she did?"

"That was different…"

"It is not." Bran cut him off "I have seen it."

"What of Sansa?"

"I know where her loyalty lies." Bran spoke coldly "I know what will happen."

"Your Grace… I was married to Sansa, she loved nothing more than her family, I don't believe…"

"I have seen it Tyrion." Bran said firmly "Keep serving The Realm as you are, all the Kingdoms owe you a debt. Ser Podrkck."

The ceiling high doors to The Throne Room, opened again as a knight in shining gold armour stepped through "Your Grace." He bowed

"The Lord Hand and I are finished, send the next one in.'

Tyrion looked at Bran for a moment before bowing and descending the steps to The New Throne, his footsteps echoed as he got closer to the door. Podrick stepped forward to announce The Kings guest "Your Grace, Robin of House Arryn, Lord of The Eyrie and Warden of the East." The Lord of the vale stepped through the doors, a world away from the boy who had presided over Tyrion's trial by combat. He was tall and broad now, his black hair slicked back, he wore a tunic a Cape of white woven wool, a moon and falcon clasp held his cloak in place. He strode confidently, Tyrion passed the young lord on his way out, they nodded respectfully. Ser Podrick Payne closed the doors behind Tyrion as Lord Arryn reached the foot of The Throne.

"Your Grace." He bowed

"Hello cousin." Bran greeted "What brings you to the capital?"

"I thought you knew all and saw all cousin"

"Humour me Robin" Bran smiled slightly

"Uncle Edmure is massing a force at the Twins." Robin began matter of frankly "The only reason he would have for doing that is to march on cousin Sansa's kingdom."

Bran looked at him for a moment "You are correct."

"Why Brandon?" He spat "Are six kingdoms not enough for The Three Eyed Raven?"

"You think I do this for power?" Bran near sighed "No, I do this because The Long Night has not passed us, The Dead still stir, and Jon Snow will lead them into The Realms of Men."

"The dead were defeated at Winterfell." Robin shook his head

"Winterfell was one battle" Bran spoke coldly "This is a war. I have seen what is coming, Sansa will be fooled into thinking she is fighting for the living. That is why I need to take The North, so that I can get a real resistance together. I have seen this."

"Your Grace, all The Kingdoms have been through so much, we have lost so much, I can not stand idly by while you plunge us into more conflicts. We should speak with Sansa."

Bran nodded intently "Come closer cousin." He spoke coldly "We are family, what I am about to say if for your ears only." Robin climbed the stairs and stood at his cousins side, Bran rolled his sleeve up and showed the hand shaped scar on his forearm "Do you know what this is Cousin?"

"The Night King's mark"

Bran nodded, as the pinkish red mark suddenly began to glow an eerie blue "Touch it." Bran spoke coldly, Robin shook his head "Your King has given you a command Lord Robin." Robin reluctantly bent down and touched the glowing mark, he felt a cold burn coarse through his body. The Lord of The Vale struggled to get away but found himself paralysed, his hand stuck on Bran's mark. The Broken King reached out with his free hand and grabbed Robin by the throat. Forcing his cousin to his knees Bran stared directly into his eyes, The King's eyes turned their eerie milky white "I am The Three Eyed Raven." He tightened his grip "It is my purpose to prevent The Long Night… you will help me cousin." Robin let out a muffled cry as his own eyes went the same shade of white as Bran's. Bran increased the intensity of his stare, until Robin's eyes fluttered closed and he collapsed at the foot of The Iron Throne.

Bran shifted his weight in his throne and reached out to his cousin's prone body. Despite his power, he was still limited to this broken body. He strained to reach Robin's arm, but managed to take a hold of his sleeve, he rolled it up his forearm to reveal the same mark he bore, it glowed blue for a moment before fading to a dull red. Bran's eyes returned to their normal shade as he relaxed in his throne. "Robin get up."

Robin's eyes opened immediately and he jumped to his feet. He looked around confused for a moment "Your Grace…"

"Is everything alright cousin?" He asked softly "You look unwell."

"I'm fine" He nodded "Its just… Its nothing Your Grace, apologies."

"Not at all cousin." Bran smiled slightly "Now return to The Eyrie and gather The Knights of the Vale. I shall have need of you soon."