Hey!
Firstly, thank you guys so much for over 700 reviews! I never thought I would reach that milestone.
Secondly, an apology for the inflated word count, there is a very large review section this time around as there were a few points I really wanted to clarify my thoughts on. I tried my best to remain clinical and clear but the word count got away from me. I made sure thought that the story content section of this chapter was also quite long (5,000ish words) to make up for that.
Thirdly, I really indulged myself in this chapter so please just enjoy the dialogue and the reunions ... oh and the fight! :P
Chapter 81: King's Landing Part 2
Next morning …
Tommen and Margaery's chambers, Maegor's Holdfast, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Margaery looked fondly at her little brother who was rocking Steffon back and forth his arms as he walked gently around the sun lit room.
"You do that so well," Margaery half complained half joked as she let her tired body slump completely back into the chair, she was reclining in.
"It is my smile, sweet sister, no one can resist it not even my little nephew," Loras said as Steffon reached out a hand to grab at his nose.
Margaery smiled at the scene before a wave of grief passed over her at the realisation that her Grandmother was not here to see it.
A Kingsguard walked through the threshold of the doors entrance from the solar to Margaery's personal bed chamber, "Your Grace, Queen Kenna is here to see you."
Margaery looked from the Kingsguard to her brother who was cuddling Steffon into his chest as the little babe giggled. He sent her back a shrug, it was her decision who she allowed into her chambers not his.
"Allow her entry."
A few seconds later the Kingsguard was replaced with the mentioned Vale Queen.
Her light blue eyes focused on Margaery for a moment before the joyous squealing from the heir to the Iron Throne captured her attention.
"I am glad little Steffon appears healthy and happy," Kenna said giving the new-born a playful wave as he stared at the unknown newcomer with the same suspicion Loras had in his eyes.
Margaery pushed herself free from the confinements of her plush chair and walked over to Kenna, "Loras please stay with Steffon."
"Sister?"
"It is fine, Queen Kenna and I are old friends and we have so much to catch up on."
"Take a few Kingsguard with you," Loras cautioned, "She is not to be trusted."
Margaery understood her brother's worry. The Queen of the Mountain and the Vale had betrayed House Tyrell before and combine that with her now infamous killings of various nobles it was common sense to have protection when around her.
"Two should suffice, wouldn't you say Queen Kenna?"
"If you picking the amount of Kingsguards to accompany you based on my presence alone I can assure you zero would be enough," Kenna replied with a taut jaw.
She regretted how she had left things with Margaery when she had fled King's Landing. She supposed she was paying the price now but she hadn't anticipated how much it would hurt to have Margaery's sharpy tongue at her throat. They had been friends once.
"I'll take my Uncle Ser Garth 'Greysteel' with me. I think he will be more than a match for you and your hidden blades," Margaery said walking past Kenna towards the waiting Kingsguard.
Kenna held in her sigh as she prepared to follow the Tyrell Queen, the games of King's Landing had lost their charm, especially when she had to play against former friends.
A few minutes later …
Gardens of the Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Margaery glanced behind her to see her Uncle and Kingsguard give Lord Royce a scowl as the two large men gave each other a wide berth while shadowing their Queens through the open garden.
"You distrust me, I distrust you," Kenna said without glancing behind her, "It is only fair I get a bodyguard for our little jaunt as well."
"Tell me what is your secret?" Margaery asked with a gleam in her eyes as she surveyed the garden path they were walking down. It led to the ocean and a spot she knew her Grandmother had favoured.
"Excuse me?" Kenna replied, frowning.
"I heard you gave birth," Margaery said before lowering her voice, "How did you distract Jaime so he forgot about Cersei's cunt long enough to fuck yours?"
Kenna held back her ironic chuckle, what Margaery had suggested was an impossible task, "I did, to twins. Yohn and Jorge. But sadly, I have been forged to abandon them in Sansa's care at Winterfell. I doubt they would recognise who I am now. As for how they were conceived, surely you are an expert by now on seducing Lannisters, you don't need any tips from me."
"Sansa will treat them like her own children and I am sure you will be reunited soon," Margaery stated thinking back to the times the three of them had spent together; dancing, avoiding Joffrey and laughing in the sunshine. Those times seemed so far away now, "She was always the best of us."
They halted at a bed of roses that were fighting the coming winter winds to bloom into their usual vibrant red, "I am sorry for Lady Olenna's death. Vary's will pay for that."
Margaery gazed at the roses below them, "Are you? You know she would have had you executed given the chance."
"That is a compliment."
Margaery laughed, "Yes I rather think it is."
Kenna softened her features, "I am sorry for imprisoning you and your Grandmother. I needed leverage over your father and brother. I just wanted to return to the Vale and rule my people."
"I hated you for that. You placed us behind bars like criminals. Like our friendship meant nothing. I thought you meant to steal my crown."
"I regret my actions if that is of any consolation and I never wanted your crown Margaery," Kenna said flicking her eyes to the Tyrell beauty who was adjusting the shawl over her shoulders, "I wanted my own."
"And now you are here because you wish to keep it?"
Kenna flicked her braid so it rested on the side of her neck then descended down her front to her chest, "Daenerys Targaryen is coming for us all."
Margaery swivelled on the spot to directly face Kenna, "I know that. I also know I have worked too hard to relinquish the Throne I have with Tommen."
"Then let us work together," Kenna willed, "like we used too. Let us once more be friends and take on our problems together."
"I would like that," Margaery placed one hand on Kenna's cheek which caused her to flinch slightly while resting the other on her shoulder to pull her into a gentle embrace, "but I warn you, betray me again and it will be you sitting in the darkness behind those slimy bars in the Black Cells wondering if you will ever see the light of day again. My son's safety is everything to me."
Kenna leaned into the embrace knowing she deserved Margaery's harsh words, "I understand. You and your son have nothing to fear from me and mine."
An hour later…
Training Yard, in the Shadow of the White Sword Tower, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Robb lifted Trident's Vengeance and swiped at his imagined enemy while he tightened his grip on the slightly shorter Silver Fang. It was hard wielding the two Valyrian swords at the same time. His movements were clunky and slow. He could put together some combinations and with practice he could probably fare well in a duel but on the battlefield with multiple enemies all around the lack of defensive ability would be detrimental.
Robb lowered the two shining swords.
"A good decision," Lord Royce said from the fence.
Robb saw the Vale Lord leaning on the wooden structure, "I thought their lightness would help but I just can't coordinate both swords effectively enough to be able to attack and defend at the same time."
"If you could you would have been a better swordsman than Arthur Dayne and Ser Duncan the Tall," Lord Royce said entering the fenced off area, leaving the obvious comment that Robb wasn't as good as those mentioned Kingsguard unspoken.
Robb stuck both points of his Valyrian steel blades into the ground, "It seems I have a spare Valyrian blade."
"Can you not give it to your brother?"
"Jon? No, he already has one. As do you," Robb noted, seeing Honour's Edge rest on Lord Royce's hip.
Lord Royce tapped the hilt of Honour's Edge, "Was a gift from Queen Kenna."
"Lord Royce?" came Artys youthful voice, "I thought we were going to spar?"
"New plan," Lord Royce clapped his hands, "Why don't you spar with King Robb? I can watch and assess your performance."
"Sure," Artys replied instantly already taking his large axe off his back then flicking his eyes to Robb, "but if I win, I would like to have a few swings with one of your Valyrian swords, your Grace."
"And if I win, I would like to try on your bronze armour Lord Royce," Robb said as his eyes went back and forth from the Lord to the boy King.
"Agreed," Lord Royce said stepping forward with two blunted swords in his hands then retreating with Artys's large axe.
Robb pulled Trident's Vengeance and Silver Fang out of the dirt and handed them to Lord Royce over the fence.
"Till first blood?" Robb asked swinging his practice sword around experimentally.
Lord Royce eyed the blunt blade. A clean and powerful strike would still cut through skin, it just wouldn't be too deep.
He nodded, hoping Artys would take this seriously. Robb was more than a competent swordsman and battle-hardened. Artys although a head taller than the Stark and having seen battle himself was still fool hardy in his style of fighting, hence he preferred using an axe over using a sword.
Royce knew Robb was the favourite but he wanted to see how Artys would react.
Robb had hardly set himself before Artys charged at him swing his sword as he came forward.
Robb quickly dodged and circled around Artys to his left. His eyes were taking everything in; Artys's stance, his grip on the hilt, where his feet were, how his muscles tensed before he lunged.
Robb noting the tell jumped away in plenty of time to avoid the thrust of the younger man.
"Use your head Artys," Lord Royce called out.
Robb glanced around; it seemed their contest interested more than just Kenna's Hand. He saw various knights stopping their own spars and saw the green eyes of Tommen and Jaime watching him in the gathering crowd.
Let's put on a show then, Robb thought before parrying a strong strike from Artys and elbowing the large King in the face before pushing away, retreating out of Artys range once again.
Artys brushed a hand over his face, when it came away with no blood, he gave Robb a toothy grin.
The former bastard of the Eyrie stalked Robb across the pen, having learnt that charging the nimbler man was a mistake.
"Tell me King Robb, do you run away from all your opponents or am I special?"
Robb grinned at Arty's obvious attempt to goad him into an attack, "No your Grace, I am waiting to see if all the tales of your bravery at Pyke are true."
Artys's mind flashed back to the moment the axe had thudded into Victorian's stomach and how long it had taken to scrub Balon's blood from his skin.
"Bravery?" Artys sounded out, "I killed all my Uncles to save my Aunt."
Robb watched the broad-shouldered King lumber towards him, he was nearly within range.
"Your Aunt is worth all your Uncles and more."
"I know," Artys roared as his sword arced through the air. It missed the top of Robb's head by mere inches as the Northmen ducked down and rolled towards Artys.
Robb brought up his sword and hit Arty's padded side with all his strength before bouncing away.
Everyone heard Arty's grunt of pain as Robb got back to his feet.
Artys put a hand under his padded top, no blood came away. He let out a whistle, "You are quick."
"And you are slow," Robb shot back.
Artys didn't respond as he exchanged a look with Lord Royce. Whatever message was conveyed Arty's straightened up and readjusted his grip on his sword and faced Robb once again.
The playful spark in Arty's eyes remained but there was a tension carried in his shoulders now.
"I bet when you were a child you received training from a master at arms or maybe even your father taught you swordplay," Artys said, once again closing the gap between the two Kings with his long strides.
"Yes, I did and I did spar with my father. What is your point?"
"My point is that sometimes a sword fight isn't just about your skill with a sword," Artys sprinted at Robb.
Robb blocked the blade strike but he couldn't stop the larger man's momentum as he was shoved to the ground with Artys on top of him.
Robb lashed out with his sword but Arty's quickly discarded his own sword in favour of pushing Robb's sword arm down flat against the floor.
"See what I mean?" Artys smiled triumphantly above the downed King in the North letting his head hang over Robb's as he took in a few breaths, "Your strike hard," he added as his other hand rested on the side Robb had hit earlier.
"I do," Robb agreed before punching Arty's injured side with his free hand and headbutting the curly haired youth's face with his forehead.
Artys let out a little cry of pain and backed away from Robb with his hands around his face.
Blood trickled from his broken nose.
"Looks like you win," Lord Royce announced as Robb got to his feet still watching Artys carefully.
"King Artys? Are you alright?" Robb asked cautiously, not relinquishing his blunted blade in case of a backlash of rage.
Artys let his hands drop from his face so the blood started to drip down his chin, "That was a good scrap. I thought I had you!"
Robb let himself relax as he saw the large smile that graced Arty's features.
"We will have to do that again," Artys demanded as he approached the fence where Robb and Lord Royce were.
"Sorry for losing," Artys muttered too Lord Royce as he spat some blood to the floor.
"It is fine lad," Lord Royce said kindly, "If you don't lose you never learn and if you don't learn you never improve."
Robb reached over the fence and picked up his two Valyrian blades, "Here have a swing of Silver Fang."
Artys looked from the offered glimmering blade to Robb's face, "But I lost?"
"Yes, I know but there is no harm in you handling Silver Fang for a few moments," Robb stated amused at the awe-struck expression on Arty's face as the King of the Iron Islands took Silver Fang from him gingerly.
"Go on have a swing," Robb encouraged leaning back on the fence.
Artys thrusted and pierced the air in front of him, "It is beautiful and so light."
"Aye, Valyrian steel also cuts through anything," Robb chuckled as he remembered the first time he saw his father practice with Ice.
"Are there any Valyrian axes?" Artys asked as he continued to shred the air in front of him, "An axe handle in my hand feels much more natural than the hilt of a sword."
"I know of none," Robb pondered, "If an axe is your natural weapon, I would like to spar you when you wield one."
"I think you would still beat me more times than I would beat you but give me a few more years and I would have you every time," Artys chortled back, still wiping away the blood dripping from his nose.
"Oh, you think so do you," Robb laughed back accepting the challenge in good humour.
"I need to get better so less people die," Artys said casting his eyes towards Lord Royce as his head dipped slightly.
"What happened to Lord Grafton was not your fault," Lord Royce said fiercely from across the fence.
"If I had been a better fighter that Sand Snake's poisoned blade wouldn't have cut me and the antidote could have been given to him instead of me," Artys replied, having clearly dwelled on this notion since the events in Sunspear.
"Lad, it wasn't your fault and Lord Grafton wouldn't want you feeling responsible. It was him who refused the antidote and demanded we give it to you," Lord Royce said placing a strong hand on Arty's shoulder.
Artys felt a hand rest on his other shoulder, "I didn't know Lord Grafton but I do know you can't beat yourself up over the past or you won't be able to move on from it. Focus on what you have, not what you had."
"Thank you," Artys managed to get out, "I still want to become a better fighter."
"And I will gladly spar with you," Robb said in a lighter tone, "but I think it will be at least a decade before you can best me."
"I nearly had you," Artys spluttered out, with a smile returning to his face.
"Do you want to know what you both did wrong? And what you can both improve on" Lord Royce said smugly looking down at the two Kings.
"What do you mean wrong?" Artys said sarcastically.
"What do you mean improve?" Robb responded with smiling eyes.
Same time ..
"I wish I could fight like that," Tommen muttered watching Artys and Robb converse with Lord Royce.
Jaime turned away from the fenced pen area, "Like Robb Stark or like Artys Greystone?"
"Both … either," Tommen said dejectedly as he gripped the blunted practice sword in his hand and walked back to the area where the straw dummies had been placed.
"I would recommend Robb Stark's style, it is less risky and more conventional," Jaime mused as he followed his son.
"I will never be as good as Robb Stark," Tommen started to aimlessly swing his sword at the dummy in front of him.
Jaime looked at his son. Tommen was no longer a boy; he could grow a weak beard and his body was filling out. He may not grow to his and Cersei's height but he was nearly the same height as Robb Stark so Jaime was damned if his son wouldn't be able to become the swordsman that the Stark King was. All he needed was practice, motivation and confidence in himself.
Jaime grabbed his son's wrist to stop his pathetic and erratic attempts, "I know you want to be a great King and a great swordsman. I don't know anything about the former but I can help you with the latter, if you will let me."
"I want to be able to protect those I love," Tommen replied, shrugging out of his Uncle's grip, "Not just be protected."
"Good," Jaime said taking a step back, "Then plant your feet and take that dummies head off. The first thing about combat is that you need to know you have the strength to really hurt your opponent. Now swing!"
Tommen let out an uncontrolled roar of aggression as he started to butcher the straw solider in front of him.
A few minutes later ..
Kenna leant on the low stone wall and observed all that was going on below her. Lord Royce was in a deep discussion with Artys and Robb, occasioning demonstrating a strike of his sword and pointing to the positioning of his feet before letting out a hearty laugh at something Artys had said. It was only then that she spotted the red stains around the front of her nephew's tunic.
She shook her head gently, they were arguably the three most important men in her life and the sight of them together warmed Kenna's heart but they were all warriors, fighters looking for their next tangle.
What is so enticing about danger? Kenna wondered looking down into the training yard, Is it the perfect balance between the terrifying and the mundane?
Tommen was raining blow by blow down on a training dummy while Jaime talked to him throughout his assault on the stationary target. Kenna imagined he was imparting some fatherly advice on Tommen's stance or grip on his blade.
She was about to depart and leave the men to their preparations when a friendly voice reached her ears.
"Going somewhere?"
A large grin engulfed her face, "Lord Tyrion, I was wondering when you would find me."
"Oh, I see my presence was expected," Tyrion said as he saddled up to Kenna and looked down at his brother and nephew.
"Always expected and always welcomed," Kenna replied following Tyrion's eye-line.
Tyrion turned his back on the training yard and looked up at Kenna, "I don't normally get that type of reception."
"You are a vast improvement on having to spend any time with your brother and your father."
"Ha. Well, if my father had any feelings, I think you would have hurt them."
Kenna snorted, how predictable, maybe he can't help but poke fun at his father and try to make me feel uncomfortable.
"Please, we have played this game once too often," Kenna said in a bored tone, "How have the preparations been going?"
"They are all on track and you will be informed of all my devious little tricks in the Small Council meeting later today," Tyrion said watching Kenna for any sign of nervousness over the coming conflict but she didn't let down her mask, "I was going to check on one of my plans right now if you care to join me?"
"I would but I need to go find Qyburn," Tyrion cocked his head, "He is my Grand Maester not yours."
"He is apparently Tommen's Master of Whispers too. A very busy man it seems," Tyrion replied before matching Kenna's every step with two of his own as she started to walk away from the training yard, "I was about to do the same thing."
"Really?"
"Yes, he is a part of the plan I mentioned and I know where he is. Would you like me to take you to him or let you wonder around the Red Keep for a while?" Tyrion said in a polite but slightly mocking tone.
Kenna gave him a false smile wondering what he truly wanted, "Please."
An hour later…
Harbour of King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Once Tyrion and Kenna had exhausted all jokes and slights in their arsenal against each other they were approaching the harbour. Tyrion's personal guards were clearing their path forward and it was only when the sea was within their sight did Tyrion broach the subjects that had him seek Kenna out in the first place.
"How did your talk with Margaery go?"
"She didn't claw my eyes out," Kenna said casually.
"That is good," Tyrion offered as it became clear that was all the information Kenna would be volunteering.
"Jaime knows who Yohn and Jorge's father is," Kenna said sternly, knowing the subject of her twins would have to be tackled eventually.
"So does Cersei and Oberyn," Tyrion muttered recalling the moment he had told his sister they were to have new siblings.
"Oberyn?"
"Varys told him."
Kenna rubbed her cheeks then brought her hands together just under her chin, Of course the Spider knows.
"Will Cersei be a problem? Would she try to kill my children? Her own brothers?"
"Cersei is always a problem and she has tried numerous times to kill me," Tyrion said off handily, "Oberyn will be an issue too."
Kenna caught the animosity in his words," What did Oberyn do to you?"
"He killed the person I loved the most in this world," Tyrion whispered almost inaudibly, as the cold wind reiterated how long it had been since he had felt Shae's warm fingers trace his lips.
"I suspect I killed what he loved most too," but Kenna wisely didn't delve deeper into the topic, "Ah there is Qyburn."
A minute later, the odd trio were standing at the end of the pier.
"Qyburn what are you doing here?" Kenna questioned, seeing the lone ship beside them being loaded up with crates and cargo.
"I am making sure the first stage of Lord Tyrion's and the late Lady Olenna's plan goes ahead smoothly."
Kenna shot Tyrion a questioning glance which Tyrion brushed off, "If it works, great. If it doesn't, I'd rather my Father doesn't know … or you tell him."
Kenna was about to verbalise her confusion and annoyance at Tyrion's insinuation when a small boy ran alongside the pier and pushed past Tyrion to crash into Qyburn.
"Lucas, there is no need for running."
"I thought I was late," the youth replied up at Qyburn behind a nervous smile.
"Well, the ship hasn't left so you aren't," Qyburn said, "Now do you remember everything I told you?"
"Yes," the little boy said in a bored tone, "You made me memorise the pathway and I have the candle-"
"Good," Tyrion interrupted eyeing Kenna's puzzled expression, "You are all set then. You can board the ship."
Lucas looked to Qyburn with uncertainty in his naive eyes.
"It is okay," Qyburn soothed his worries, placing a light hand on his shoulder, "You just have to do what I told you and when you get back all your friends and you will have as many sweets as you want just like when you save Lord Tyrion."
Lucas gave him a shy smile before walking up the plank and onto the ship.
"I don't want to know do I?" Kenna directed at Qyburn as she watched the orphan disappear from view onto the deck of the ship.
Her Grand Maester simply smiled back, "You had no part in its planning and I don't think its success or failure should bother your sleep."
"How kind," Kenna responded, "Lord Tyrion will you please excuse us."
Tyrion nodded his head at Qyburn in a good luck type of gesture then left the pier with his guards.
"You know about Lord Grafton's death?" Kenna asked in a solum voice as her eyes focused on the ripples the ship was making as it sailed through the Blackwater Bay towards the sun.
Qyburn nodded, "How is Artys behind his fake smiles and brash humour?"
"He is .. coping. Lord Grafton was like a father to him as, I hope you don't mind me saying, you are like a grandfather to him."
Qyburn inclined his head, "I thank you for your kind words, your Grace."
"You shouldn't. There is no falsehood in them."
Qyburn shuffled his feet as he too watched the ship Lucas had boarded drift further away, "Artys was always a good boy and now he has turned into a fine young man, a King."
"He still has a lot to learn," Kenna stated, "as do I."
"There is always more to learn," Qyburn replied diplomatically.
"Wise words from a wise man."
"I am not sure I fit than moniker your Grace," Qyburn said humbly, refusing to accept the compliment outright, "The Small Council meeting will be starting soon. We should be on our way."
"We should," Kenna agreed noting that the ship had completely faded from their view. She shook her head to try to put the mysterious boy and ship out of her mind. She might not trust Tyrion completely but Qyburn had her absolute trust.
How could he not? He had saved her so many times.
Author's Notes
Kenna and Margaery have made up best they can and hopefully they can fully recover their friendship in time but much has changed since the trio of the Harlot, the Rebel and the Dove were happily traversing the corridors of the Red Keep.
The scenes in the training yard were really all about the men bonding; Robb with Artys & Royce, and Tommen with Jaime. Robb fighting with Artys was cute as they both need new friends (Guys make friends by fighting with each other, right? XD) and Lord Royce giving them advice was just wholesome to me as well as Artys revealing his feelings on Grafton's death. Jaime also showed his fatherly side (better late than never) with Tommen who is demonstrating that he wants to be a good King, whether that is in his judgements in court or fighting on the battlefield.
Little Lucas on a mystery ship with a candle … any ideas what I am up to? Teheheheh :P
Reviews:
Guest (commented 5/12/20) – The plans are interesting I just want to get the balance of explanation and showing right. Robb deserves all the medals at this point!
Tywin and Tyrion discussed their plans for a continuation in Chapter 55 and Tyrion does a bit in the last chapter with Jaime. He probably presumes it will continue when/if they defeat Dany. He isn't wrong considering Kenna & Robb's plotting.
Guest (commented 5/12/2020) – Thanks for noticing that! Although Kenna is a bit older (8 years) and they do have different types of personalities, what they have gone through together (father deaths, sibling deaths, Wot5Ks, RWs, the Northern Civil War & Pyke rescue) really bonded them in a way that wouldn't normally have happened. They feel a sort of fealty to the other which goes beyond a mere friendship or alliance. It is entirely rooted in the personal attachment which was used/ manipulated by Kenna to get Robb's cooperation in the war with Dany.
There certainly is a trap but who is going to get caught in it? *Evil laugh*
I think I have made half explanations here and there but let me clarify here Kenna's views on the Lannisters:
One, in Kenna's view the Red Weddings was a completely avoidable scenario. She equally blames Robb for creating the opportunity as she does blame the Freys, Boltons and Lannisters for taking that opportunity. Some people may think this unfair on Robb from Kenna's point of view but she sees the beheading of the Karstarks and marriage to Talisa (he broke an oath) as mistakes on Robb's part which directly led to Jasper's death, her swim in the Trident and basically the end to their effective participation in the War of Five Kings (and a Queen). Of course, at the end of the day the Lannisters (Tywin) nearly killed her and did kill Jasper, a man she really cared for so that is one of the reasons Kenna says she will keep her promise to Robb to march with him against the Lannisters if they are still alive at the end of the war.
Two, Kenna sees the fall of the Eyrie, her dethroning from the Weirwood chair and Alyssa's death as the fault of Lysa Arryn, Littlefinger, Lord Corbray and the other Vale Lord traitors. Without their betrayal Tywin and Loras would never have been able to take the Eyrie and capture her, Stannis would most likely be King as well.
The issue Kenna has now with the Lannisters is that it has all gotten a bit complex. The only Lannisters she truly had clear grudges against were Joffrey and Cersei for their part in beheading Ned. Joffrey is dead and Cersei is no longer really part of House Lannister. The heads of House Lannister are Tywin and Tyrion now. Although Kenna knows about Tywin's involvement in the Red Weddings, he also spared her life by marrying her to Jaime when he would have been expected to execute her (like Olenna wanted) and helped her gain revenge over Lysa and Littlefinger which was the most important thing to her at the time. Kenna also developed an intimate relationship with Tywin due to Jaime's refusal to bed her and her earlier promise to provide House Lannister with heirs in exchange for Lysa & Litttlefinger's heads. They do not love each other but they share a mutual attraction to one another, they both challenge the other in ways no one else would or could, their personalities bounce of each other and they both acknowledge they are capable of carrying out extreme actions for their family, whether right or wrong. Also, she has two Lannister children now so she doesn't want to outright destroy House Lannister because her children are the future of it.
With her promise to Robb though, she is ultimately choosing him over the Lannisters but we''ll just have to see how that plays out in practicality.
I can't wait for the battles either! I am trying to be patient and not rush into them without the correct build up but the battle scenes and scenarios are really motivating me to continue writing!
Lord Demolitions – If I was the ruler of Westeros (would probably get overthrown in a matter of days lol) you would have the position of my Master of War :P I certainly think Daenerys can be emotional but everyone is emotional when the people they care about die … Both you and NightlyRowenTree have brought up good points about the Dothraki :D I can just see that now, the City Watch at the gates, "You may pass but first drop your trousers." Lol!
Ksyushangel – Lol I think your review got cut off but I got the gist :)There was more meetings and dialogue in this chapter so I hope you liked it.
Sumpremus85 – Only the future will tell ;) Qyburn is a bit of a strange one I feel the modern-day equivalent would be that he is your lovely cute, grandpa who is one day revealed to have been a Nazi doctor … but his birthday presents were always the best and he taught you how trigonometry works.
One key thing I wanted in my story was for Tywin and Tyrion to team up and work together for the betterment of House Lannister so I really enjoy their interactions post twincest reveal.
NightlyRowenTree – Your welcome :)
AraelDranoth (commented on Chapter 1 & 2) – Thanks for reading!
DannyBlack70 (commented on Chapter 79 & 80) – Haha thanks :P Robb and Arya are my joint favorite Starks .. wait I also really like Sansa … Bran was super cute as a mini spider man as well … Rickon would have been Brandon (Ned's brother) reincarnated as well .. Okay I like all the Stark children!
Guest (commented 7/12/2020) – Wow! Thank you for the incredibly detailed review, it must have taken ages to write and I appreciate the deep through you have clearly put it to it :)
I think all of your criticism is meant to be constructive which is really nice. I don't agree with much of it but I can understand most of it. Let's go through your comments!
I know being kind and just are good traits to have as a leader and as a human being generally in GOT but I don't think it is as simple as if you are good and just there will be long term rewards for those you love or your people and if you are cruel and manipulative everything you value will eventually turn to dust. Tommen was kind, he ended up committing suicide and the people he cared for all died. Stannis was considered just (some might say cruel for what he did to Davos & Renly then his own daughter …) and he ended up being the last Baratheon. Yes, Ramsey and Joffrey got what they deserved in the end and Jon's honorable and kind way of leadership made him very popular as a leader in the later seasons but again some of his 'good' decisions got him "killed" too. Many Houses are near extinction not just House Lannister and House Tyrell, that is more a side effect of war than it is of their leaders favoring an intrigue style of leadership. E.g House Mormont, House Tully, House Tarly, House Arryn, House Baratheon etc. Freys got the real blame for the Red Wedding as it was them who extended guest right and the Boltons who betrayed their liege lord. "Killing entire dynasties, spreading your house/blood by force or coercion" seemed to work out for Aegon the Conqueror and he is hailed as a legendary figure.
I don't think Kenna has done anything cruel or vindictive from her point of view. All her recent kills have been justified in her mind. The Sand Snakes killed Grafton and could have killed Artys if she didn't acquire the antidote. The Greyjoys deserved their fate because of their actions against Alyssa, Yohn jnr, Jorge and the torture. I do however think she is being a bit manipulative with Robb Stark, she played on his feelings to get him to enter the war against Dany. She also isn't invincible. The Tyrells have the largest army. House Arryn has direct political connections to only two Houses, to the Lannisters through marriage and children; and to House Stark through past alliances and Kenna's friendship with Robb. Her alliance with the Crown and House Tyrell come through the Lannister connection and them all having a common enemy in Daenerys. There are no other alliances she could have now. These alliances took a lot of time to build and come together and I think they are realistic given the circumstances. Kenna is good at playing the game but she isn't an intrigue genius for example she entered the War of the Five Kings because she thought the Lannisters had murdered her father (and to save Ned) when it was Lysa and Littefinger, she didn't see Lysa's and Corbray's betrayal at the Eyrie either. She was comfortably outplayed by Littlefinger in both situations (she only got him in the end because Tywin helped her) and Varys would have had her head on the chopping block if Oberyn had been successful in his assassination attempt on Tywin which was stopped by Tyrion. Qyburn has been with Kenna from very early on in the story so his support of Kenna isn't just random. I know Kenna is in a strong position but she has played herself into that, not just clicked her fingers and gotten everything she wanted and she might not be in that position for much longer with Dany on her way. Also, I have already explained why capturing Sunspear was so easy and why Dorne is not conquered in a review to Mathdump in Chapter 77.
You say plot armour for certain characters like Tyrion and Arya but I say they still have cool story moments to go through and their appointment with the Stranger hasn't been organised yet XD (I do kill a lot of characters though so I did chuckle at this point). I wasn't going to have my OCs (Kenna & Artys) and not have them do anything cool or go through dramatic things because I would be bored as the writer and the readers would be bored if the main characters didn't do anything of importance so you will have to indulge my dramatic nature.
I think Robb is a better military tactician than Tywin but both are top tier in my opinion. I don't know if the Lannister power would have crumbled in such a way if Tywin had survived the crossbow bolt to the stomach. I think Tywin would have marched the Crown armies to help against the Night King and the Faith Militant wouldn't have been a thing. People are allowed to ship whoever they want to ship in this story just as long as they know ships are not my focus so they maybe starved of those types of scenes.
Your Robb points are the ones I see merit in. Robb joined Kenna for three reasons; Their friendship/Kenna asked him to, Dany is a threat to Northern independence, Robb still feels the guilt of abandoning her at the Eyrie which led her to be a prisoner in King's Landing and her marriage to Jaime. Robb has learnt from the Red Wedding and is generally less naïve than he was and that is why he is unhappy in the current alliance because deep down he knows he made another mistake. Robb isn't anti Dany but she is clearly a foreign threat that would take away the North's independence so that is why he isn't giving her a chance. Robb doesn't know Kenna is sleeping with Tywin or that he is the father of her children (Sansa & Arya know though). He assumes Jaime is and already told Kenna he intends to kill both men. Robb is holding her to her promise of helping him after the war with Dany. I think I could have handled Robb's arc up to this point better and I am a bit disappointed in myself but this is my first novel length story (literally no prior experience) and I am still really happy with it in general. I should have included more POVs of Robb's and I think I got the pacing wrong with his plot but I am ultimately happy with what I am going to do with his character and I do believe that most people reading this story will be too when it is finished.
This story was never going to be, here are the good guys they are kind and just, watch them struggle but win in the end …. I don't want it to be good vs evil .. I want it to be people vs people and that is how I am going to continue to write.
Thank you for your review it made me really think over my future outlines and plot points.
Tohka123 – Thanks Tohka! I hope you liked this one equally as much :)
PinkFlower2 – Your comment made me start the day with a huge smile! Thank you so much for reading my story :) Which storylines are you enjoying the most?
Shadow Wolf 15846 – Lol I know. It is killing me too!
Next Up: Tyrion explains his plans for the defense of King's Landing, Daenerys finally reaches the place of her birth, and Bran sees Winterfell again.
If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!
