TDC: Missing Scenes and What If Scenarios

By

Arrow4131

And

Leilani972

Chapter 20: What If Edmure had been Captured? Epilogue: The Tribulations of Ser Faintheart

Summary: The continuation and end of the story of Ser Faintheart, alias Edmure Tully.

This work is inspired by The Dragon Cub by Alperez16. Each chapter is a missing scene from key moments in the original story and a chance for us to answer a few what-if questions.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Edmure Tully, aka Ser Faintheart

For a man to fly in the air on a dragon was unnatural, especially when one was gagged and strapped to one like an animal. His discomfort and fear did not go unnoticed by the Princess, but instead of comforting him, she would just laugh and throw insults at him that were very unladylike. It made him wonder whether she could ever be taken seriously as a princess.

The surviving Targaryens were nothing like what he would have expected from a royal family. Sure, Princess Daenerys and Princess Shiera looked every inch as what he had heard about them, from their white hair and ethereal beauty, but the former was an uneducated foreigner and the latter an old sorceress who used magic to lure men to her fold.

As for the men, Old Aemon Targaryen was also using dark magic to look younger than he was, and then there was the bastard.

Tyrion Targaryen, formerly Lannister. An abomination at the face of the Gods, misformed, with mismatched eyes and the attitude to match his ugliness. It didn't seem to phase him that he was a bastard born of rape. Probably because he was a dragonrider which gave him the power and the confidence to ignore whatever was thrown at his face.

As much as he hated Tyrion, it was nothing compared to the hatred he felt for the new king of the Seven Kingdoms.

Not only was Jaehaerys Targaryen responsible for Edmure's fate, but the former bastard had made sure that his name would be extinct. Catelyn was gone, beheaded by Ser Arthur Dayne's own hands, not that Edmure would feel sorry for her. But he'd thought that the Starks would take a stand against what happened to the former Lady of Winterfell and rebel.

And now he was about to freeze at the Wall.

He had thought they would let him travel with the other Lords bound for the North. Instead, they decided to give him "preferential treatment" according to the King.

Edmure guessed they feared he would flee when they would cross the Riverlands. Not that he would get help from his so-called friends, as they all but shunned him publicly during his trial. Lymond, Marq, and Tristan were given the choice of denouncing all friendship with him and keep their rank or to leave for the Wall and lose everything. He couldn't possibly blame them for their choice, as he would have done the same if he had been in that situation. But it still stung and hurt deeply all the same.

His hunger grew and the cold crept into his bones the closer they got to the North. The Princess only made one stop to let her dragon rest, and she only gave him some water.

"It's more than a fucker like you deserve," the brat had stated when he complained about his hunger. "I still do not understand why my nephew let you live, but I guess I will just have to trust that he knows for certain that sending you north will be a worse fate for you."

He had never seen Winterfell before, but he had heard about the imposing walls and knew instantly when they began their descent that they would be making a stop there. His heartbeat quickened as he remembered who was guarding the castle in Ned Stark's absence. He would have to face young Brandon and the Blackfish and he didn't know if he could do it.

Did they hear about his trial? About his confessions? How would they react to his presence? His uncle had not left Riverrun in the best way so would he resent his last kin after the way they had parted?

"Ellagon can sense your fear Trout and you should feel it. While you were recovering from the 'battle' wounds that Obara inflicted on you, Ser Richard had his Lips spread word of your very poor showing at your trial. And since they tend to work very quickly, more than likely your nephew knows what you stole from him." She said with a sneer on her face and judgement in her eyes. "I still can't believe that you usurped your own nephew. What you did is the very definition of hypocrisy. You tried killing my nephew because you believed that he would do this to Robb Stark and then you turned right around and usurped your other nephew.

Edmure had been surprised to see a guard with two horses waiting for them in the outskirts of the Wolfswood. Whether they saw the dragon and thought to welcome its rider, he didn't know, but he could feel that he was not welcome by the guard.

With only a nod for the Princess who thanked him in return, the guard led them to the Keep and Edmure shivered as he saw the Blackfish stand right next to Brandon, who was acting as the Lord of Winterfell.

"Winterfell is yours, Princess Daenerys."

"I thank you, Lord Brandon. I am most pleased to finally meet you, as my nephew and your sisters have spoken so eagerly about you."

"They have?" the boy asked, surprised.

"Of course! Jae cannot wait to see you again. He wants to spar with you and see how much you've improved under your great uncle's tutelage."

The boy beamed with pride and Edmure rolled his eyes at his antics while the princess went to greet his uncle.

"Ser Brynden, I have a letter here from Lord Stark and one from my nephew explaining what had happened in King's Landing."

"I know what happened. What I want to know is why this one is still alive when he shouldn't be while Cat is dead. That is not what was agreed upon." Brynden said angrily, making Edmure frown.

Not what was agreed upon? What is he talking about?

"All is explained in the letters, Ser," Daenerys said before finally giving Edmure leave to greet his family.

"Bran, Uncle, I am so gl-" The punch he received cut him mid-sentence.

"You are no nephew of mine! I know what you did, to the King, to your Father, and Bran!"

"All of those were lies, Uncle! They tricked me into saying things that weren't true!"

"They tricked you, you say? Did your Father trick you too, or are you calling a dead man a liar?"

"Father? I don't…"

The Blackfish raised his hand and Edmure paled when he recognized the object in his uncle's hand as his father's journal.

"How did you -"

"Ser Richard's men are very effective. I do not know how they found it, but they did. I must say that I am ashamed of my brother. Very much so. His desire to see his family reach high made him do dishonorable things, but in the end, he tried to do what was best for all of his children."

"Everything I did, I did it for our family!"

"No! You did it in your own sick and twisted way of getting whatever recognition that you thought you deserved! But Hoster wasn't stupid and he never fell for your so-called selfless actions. You've always been a selfish prick and now, thanks to your stupidity, you've brought our family to ruin!"

"What about Catelyn? She -"

"I will not let you disparage Catelyn in front of her son!" Brynden yelled and Edmure saw young Bran recoil from hearing his mother's name. "She had her faults, aye, but it was your role as her brother to guide her and set her straight when she was going too far. Instead, you encouraged her and now she's no more!"

"That's not my fault! The boy-"

"His Grace! Show my nephew the proper respect or I'll forget that I promised him to take you to the Wall alive." The Princess snarled at him with her hand on the pommel of her sword, daring him to argue with her.

Edmure gulped, turned away from her while gritting his teeth.

"His Grace said that she would be sent to the Silent Sisters or the Septas. It's not my fault that he lied to us and killed her."

"Jon would never lie!" Brandon protested. "He would never! Something must have happened!"

"I guess you don't know your cousin as much as you believed," Edmure sneered, not able to hide the contempt and disdain he felt for the future Lord of Riverrun and his family.

He expected the boy to cry or shy out of his way. What he didn't expect was the glare full of hatred and the growl behind Bran that was getting louder.

"Jon is my brother," Bran said through clenched teeth. "He has always been honest with me. He brought Summer to me and I will not have my brother insulted by a criminal bound for the Wall."

"What will you do to me that your so-called brother hasn't already?"

Brandon turned towards the Princess and gave her a small smile.

"As the acting Lord of Winterfell, Princess, you are welcome as a guest in its keep. Feel free to enjoy its hospitality and enjoy a warm bath from our hot springs before you leave. However, this person," the boy said pointing to Edmure, "is not welcome here. I do not want to see him in the keep, nor in Wintertown. We can provide some guards to escort him out and let you enjoy your stay, Princess. I am certain that Summer will enjoy keeping watch over him."

Edmure watched with horror as the direwolf walked in front of him, teeth bared, while Daenerys Targaryen laughed loudly and the Blackfish seemed proud of the little brat.

"I thank you for your kindness and I understand your position, my Lord, but I cannot leave my charge for too long. I will have to leave with him. Though I accept the proposition of the warm bath with the condition of your direwolf guarding the prisoner."

Bran nodded and a guard took Edmure by his arm while the direwolf flanked him from the other side.

"Very well, Princess. Jeyne will accompany you to the hot springs. I wish you good fortune and I hope to see you on your way back from the Wall."

"With pleasure, my Lord!"

"You cannot treat me like this!" Edmure yelled as he was dragged from the yard. "I am your family too, Bran!"

"I guess you don't know me as much as you believe," Bran retorted while the gates of Winterfell closed on his Uncle.

When Daenerys came back hours later, clearly rested thanks to her passage in the hot springs, Edmure was withdrawn into silence. His altercation with his nephew had left him speechless. Not once did he think that the boy had it in him to command people as he did. Did his confidence come thanks to his squiring for the Blackfish? Bran was acting already as a Lord and deep inside Edmure envied his nephew for having such liberty at such a young age. Not once had Hoster let him rule Riverrun in his stead, always preferring to give the lead to Utherydes when he was away, or Catelyn before she got married, whereas Ned Stark didn't hesitate to leave Bran as the Lord of Winterfell.

As the dragon went up in the skies, he could hear the direwolf's howl filling the Wolfswood and he shivered as he felt its anger and pain as if it was addressed to him.

Castle Black, 298 AC

He had thought he had overcome the cold of the North when he was staying at Winterfell and that the tales of their Winter being terrible were just a way to scare the Andals so they would not seek to settle there. He quickly changed his discourse the closer they flew to the Wall.

Despite the atrocious cold, Edmure couldn't help but to be in awe in front of the Ice Structure.

They landed not far from Castle Black, where he was supposed to swear his oaths and be a brother of the Night's Watch, but he had no intention of swearing his life away.

His plans were clear in his mind. He would rally all those who had been unjustly sent to the Wall and he would organize a mutiny. The so-called king would be so occupied that he wouldn't see them coming.

Once again, people were waiting for them with horses, these ones looking even more unhappy to see him.

"Princess Daenerys, we're so glad to welcome you to Castle Black."

"Thank you, Ser Alliser, for your warm welcome," she said while the man glared at Edmure.

"So this is the new recruit?"

"It is him. I hope you'll treat him with the respect he deserves."

"Indeed, my Princess. I look forward to seeing him swear his vows and to train him."

"I had thought you would be eager to come to King's Landing now that the King has pardoned you and everyone who was wrongfully sent to the Wall after the Rebellion?"

Edmure was surprised to hear that. He had no idea that the bastard had planned for the Loyalists to be released from their vows. It was good to know, though, if he was forced to swear them, another King could pardon him as well.

"Well, at first I was until I heard about him and the possibility that he might come here. Ser Jaremy, myself, and a few of our comrades are determined to see him and all of the other new recruits set straight before we leave."

Daenerys laughed loudly while a shiver crept through Edmure's spine. Those men wanted to hurt him for what he did to their new King.

"I thought the Watch took no part in the affairs of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Times change, and I am not of the Watch, Trout. Not anymore"

"Then you shouldn't be involved in anything related to the Watch."

"We'll see what the Lord Commander will say about it. Come, Trout," Ser Alliser said curtly before softening his tone while addressing Daenerys. "My Princess, by your leave, Ser Jaremy will show you your quarters for the night."

Edmure was led to the Lord Commander's solar and cringed as he saw the depleted state of Castle Black. Repairs were being done, he could see it, but it still wasn't as hospitable as Riverrun was. He missed his keep and wondered how long it would take to get back to it.

Jeor Mormont was a Northman from head to toe. He was stern, blunt, not agreeable to save a life, his damn bird was a nuisance and Edmure knew from the moment he stepped inside the solar that his life would turn into a living nightmare.

"You will wait for the other recruits to arrive to swear your vows. In the meantime, you will live like your future brothers and will be given assignments by Ser Alliser."

"But… He said he was not part of the Watch anymore! Why should I follow his orders if he is not a member of the order?"

"Because I trust none more than him to determine what you will be good at. And I don't think you would like the other alternative."

"I would still like to know who -"

"Benjen Stark."

"Wolf!" the raven cawed.

It was enough for Edmure to swallow any complaint and nod numbly. He had forgotten about Ned's brother being at the Wall and the prospect of meeting him didn't please him either. He was surrounded by enemies, by people loyal to Jaehaerys Targaryen and his family, and he would have to wait for their departure to enact his plans. He would also need to get in the good graces of the other members of the Watch. Even though he had no desire to approach criminals, bastards, and lowborn, he needed to buy his time before the arrival of the Dornish Lords and Stannis Baratheon.

He was hoping to avoid Benjen long enough, but the First Ranger had been meeting with his nephew's aunt and they met as soon as he got out of the solar. The Northman had been visibly waiting for him and Edmure feared he would get a beating to remember, but he only got a few punches.

"You are fortunate that I had spoken to the Princess before I saw you. Had she not been here, then I would have been far more welcoming." Benjen spat, showing his fist.

"Remind me to thank her later, will you?" Edmure chuckled bitterly.

"I hope you're ready for a lifetime of suffering, because while I may not be here for long, the Watch remembers just as much as the North does."

And true to the Stark's word, everything at Castle Black was awful, starting with the food. When he'd heard that its quality had improved since Jaehaerys' intervention, he almost retched at the idea of something much worse being served to him. It also made things difficult for him, since the Men of the Watch were all grateful to the new king, even if some of them were jealous of the others who had gotten a Royal Pardon.

He had been forced to sleep near lesser men with nothing to separate them. One of them took a liking to sleeping as close to him as he could, making Edmure startle sometimes as he found himself stuck under the weight of the man. He had begged for other sleeping arrangements, more fitting of his station, only to be told by Mormont that he had to learn to forget about his past life.

"You have no station here, Tully. I shouldn't even call you by your name, as it means nothing now. Be happy that you've been welcomed by the men and that they share some of their warmth with you and suck it up!"

The tasks given to him were humiliating, to say the least. After what Ser Alliser called his morning training, which was more of a public thrashing to Edmure taste, he was set to help in the kitchen during the day and to empty the latrines at night.

It also didn't help that most of his so-called Black Brothers would spend the evening meal either outright ignoring him or mocking him. The only one who spoke to him was his latrine cleaning companion, and this man would not stop complaining about his fate, as if Edmure hadn't had it worse.

At least I wasn't stupid to the point of signing voluntarily into the Watch like this guy, he thought as he had to listen to another complaint coming from Edd.

"I cannot believe they made us clean the latrines twice today. My hands are freezing and I'm sure one of my fingers is going to fall off soon if we keep going like this," he said and Edmure rolled his eyes, not willing to respond. "Make sure the latrines are well cleaned, Edd. We have people coming in numbers tomorrow. Bah! At least they didn't make us dig more of them. It would have been a pain!"

Edmure shivered at the thought of that. Edd was right, digging into the icy ground was not an easy task. He had lost a toe when he had to do it and he never wanted to renew the experience.

Quentyn Martell was an annoying boy. Not even a man. But Edmure found in the former Prince of Dorne an ally and almost wanted to take him under his wing. The lad reminded him of himself sometimes, when he was the Lord of Riverrun and had a following he thought he could trust. Quentyn and Cletus Yronwood were people Edmure knew he could bring to his side the moment he talked to them during their first night meal at Castle Black.

"I almost miss the food we were served during our march," Quentyn spat.

"I know the feeling, my Prince," Edmure said, sitting beside him.

"I am not a Prince anymore."

"You will always be a Prince, whatever they say here. Do not forget where you came from nor that you are worth more than the criminals they want you to call brothers. Who knows, maybe you'll be able to get your status back soon."

"I do not see how it could happen."

"Anything can happen when you know who to trust, my Prince."

"You're right. Thank you, Lord Edmure." Quentyn said, smiling at him and making him smile truly in return.

The Dornish Prince had since then always made a point to have Edmure sit next to him, to talk about Westeros and their hope for the future. The same couldn't be said for Stannis Baratheon, as the man had taken upon himself to steer clear from Edmure's path. The former Lord of Dragonstone was always alone apart, even in taking his meals, and his dour attitude was getting on Edmure's nerves.

Stannis was essential to his plans. He was Robert's legitimate heir and had been wronged and usurped from his rightful place, as Edmure had been. He knew for a fact that everyone respected the man, so it was behind him that he wanted to rally his forces to rebel against the Targaryens. If he managed to get the men of the Night's Watch behind Stannis, then Edmure would see him put on the throne and ask for his keep back, as well as a place on the Small Council or maybe even the post of Hand of the King.

But Stannis was a stubborn man and he made it clear as soon as Edmure tried to talk to him that he wanted nothing to do with him.

"I know we are to become brothers, but I do not trust you, nor do I want to, for you are a despicable being and a dishonorable one."

"Whatever your opinion about me doesn't really matter now. We were both wrongly stripped of our lands and titles and sent to this wretched place. We should be standing together against injustices instead of despising each other over petty disagreements that don't matter anymore."

"If you feel that you are in the wrong place, with all the crimes you've committed, then I have the right to despise you, Trout. As for being stripped of my titles, my brother had already seen to it that I would be usurped. At least King Jaehaerys set things back to what they should've been with my daughter."

"What about you? What about what you deserve? You should be on the Iron Throne, your daughter should be a Princess!" Edmure insisted, deliberately glossing over the first part of Stannis' statement.

"I am no fool. King Jaehaerys won the war, and he did so with a strong army behind him and living dragons. The Gods are on his side, not yours, else you wouldn't be stuck at the Wall." He then turned and walked away.

When Stannis was out of sight, Edmure cursed the man for making his plans difficult. Since Stannis didn't want to be part of it, he would need to rally behind Renly, but he had no means to contact the former Lord of Storm's End. He had been prohibited from sending ravens by the Lord Commander, as had Quentyn and those who had lost against the bastard king. He was stuck and had to bide his time and gain the Lord Commander's confidence before enacting his plan.

A sennight after the new recruits' arrival, he had been forced to swear his vows. They had made him a steward, a member of the lesser order, out of spite, according to him. When he tried to argue about his appointment, the soon-to-be-former First Ranger once again belittled him and his competencies.

"I should be a Ranger! I am a Knight!"

"A knight who cannot keep his sword more than a minute while facing another knight would not last long against a wildling." Benjen scoffed.

"Weak! Faint!" Mormont's damn bird crowed.

"Those savages do not know how to fight properly! They would be no match for me!" Edmure protested.

"Oh yes! Sure, you can beat them when you can't even beat a boy more than half your age."

"That was different! The boy tricked me! Those savages have no such tricks!" Edmure whined.

"The more desperate they get and the more tricks they use. If you think what my nephew did to you was unfair, you won't stand a chance against a spearwife."

"We won't know if you don't give me a chance to prove I can do it!"

"Tell you what. I'm going to capture a wildling and I'll bring him here for you to prove your worth. What say you?"

"You're jesting!" Edmure retorted, frowning.

"Of course I am! You don't get a second chance when you face a wildling. It's either you or them. We saw what we needed to see during your spars with Ser Alliser and you are not fit to be a Ranger."

"But -"

"My decision is final, Tully. Challenge me once more and I will make sure to put you on latrine duties for the rest of your life!"

"Obey!" the raven mocked him before he left.

As if it wasn't bad enough, he learned after they've been led to swear their vows that all the Dornishmen, with the exception of Quentyn, were to leave for other keeps.

"Why so serious, Brother Edmure? You should be rejoicing for finally having a family, instead you're behaving as if they had kicked you in the balls!" one of the willing recruits joked.

"I'd rather them kicking me in the balls until I become a Eunuch than spending one more day in this hellhole."

"Pity that you swore yourself to this hellhole!" Ser Alliser taunted him, his annoying smirk never leaving his face. "Moreover since your friends will not be here to cheer you up!"

Edmure glared at the former member of the Night's Watch, understanding at that moment that they had deliberately separated the Dornishmen. He needed to get Stannis to his side and to get on the Lord Commander's good graces more than ever.

So he tried to be the best steward of Castle Black. For moons, he did his tasks without complaining and to the others' surprise, helped out those he would feel beneath them usually. He and Quentyn began to talk to other recruits who clearly showed their dislike for the place. They were criminals but sworn as himself to the Night's Watch, thus they would be useful in Edmure plans in the future. Should he need to kill the Lord Commander as he had thought once, having a murderer as a close companion would be more than ideal.

When he finally found time to speak to Stannis, the now new ranger was leaving behind the Wall. Edmure cursed his bad timing and resolved to wait for his return, only for the Gods to mock him once more.

"I've heard from Will that they've found the bodies of the last ranging party in a cave, burned by wildlings obviously," Quentyn whispered during dinner.

"Stannis?"

"Not dead, but nowhere to be found. Do you think he took the opportunity to desert?"

"That's unlikely. He might have been taken by wildlings."

"Then he might as well be dead. This changes things."

"This changes nothing. We already discussed following Renly if Stannis wasn't with us."

"But we'll have to reach him. That will be a difficult task."

"Difficult, but not impossible."

"I spoke with Rast and Karl, and they have a plan on their own…"

"I will not flee to live Beyond the Wall like a savage," Edmure said curtly.

"But if we manage to get to Hardhome, we could find boats and leave for Essos. My mother would be able to help us gather our forces in Norvos, then we could -"

"Would she fight against your sister? Against the rest of your family?"

"She is my Mother!"

"But why would she fight for you? You haven't seen her in years. You've seen what family is capable of, how we cannot trust your kin, yet you would put all of your hopes on someone who left you when you were but a babe?"

"I…"

"We stick to the plan, Quentyn," Emure said, leaving no room for arguing.

The boy nodded and left as soon as he'd finished eating while Edmure was still fuming. Who did he think he was, making plans in his stead? Edmure was the mastermind, not some green boy who couldn't even follow his father's orders on the battlefield. Had Quentyn not fallen for his Uncle and cousins' trick, and had he restrained them as he should have, then Dorne would have stood a chance against the dragons. He'd seen the way the bastard cared about the people, especially his so-called family, and how he'd behaved during the taking of King's Landing, when the fake Aegon Targaryen burned people with wildfyre. He would have never attacked had he known Oberyn and the others were prisoners. But the Dornish were weak and incompetent, and they've let their opportunity pass to focus on Margaery Tyrell, as if the roses wouldn't get ready in case people would try to harm their future queen. Olenna Tyrell was cunning enough to think about every possibility.

Now that stupid Frog wants to give me lessons?

Edmure went on to work on his plans, speaking to some former members of the Golden Company who all trembled at the idea of facing the Dragon King, the useless fools.

"You weren't there, Brother Edmure," Norelos said, shaking as he relived the moment through his mind. "You haven't seen what the White Dragon did. In one flight, it obliterated two-thirds of our Company!"

"Dragons can be killed! It has been done before!" He insisted.

"I can still hear the elephants… The men who have been barely touched by its flame begging for us to end their lives. My superiors were foolish and they cost us everything. I was lucky to be spared, I do not want to watch the dragon's wrath unleash upon foolish men once more."

Edmure cursed his luck. He was surrounded by weak men and incompetents. He needed to take things into his own hands, and if they were not willing to follow him on their own, then he would make them.

He exposed his new plan to Quentyn and the other members of their rebel group. They had the numbers and he would make sure to use the incident beyond the Wall to his advantage. When lunch was called and all the brothers were seated, he got up and banged his mug to call for their attention.

"My Brothers. I think it is time to shake things up in this institution."

"Shut your trap, Trout, and let us eat in peace or you will be the one shaken up!" One of the brothers yelled.

"Please, hear me out! For moons, I have watched silently how the Night Watch lost its way, but I cannot stay silent anymore."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jeor Mormont thundered.

"The Wall is not supposed to take part in the affairs of the realm, yet all I've seen so far was former Targaryen Loyalists and their fellow supporters punishing those who fight against the now King."

Murmurs floated in the refectory and Edmure knew he had captivated the audience.

"How many of the willing recruits have been appointed as stewards? None."

"Because they all had a talent for crafting or for fighting that you didn't have. How many of you can build things? Repair a tool?" Jeor retorted and was met with silence. "That's what I thought."

"What about those who were lost ranging?" Edmure countered. "All of them were fellow Baratheon supporters. Including Stannis Baratheon. What did you do to avenge their loss?"

"By all means, if you want to arrange a party to go after the wildlings, feel free to do it, Tully. But this is not the purpose of the Watch. We are here to guard the realms of men, and guard it we do. We are not declaring war after the wildlings, not with our numbers."

"So you confess willingly send men with no experience to be killed with no intention of retribution should they fall?" Edmure said, feeling his confidence grow.

"Did you just call Stannis Baratheon inexperienced? You?"

"Brother Edmure raised a fair point," Quentyn said as he stood up. "I do not feel safe around here, especially with what had happened to Stannis and his party. How can we know the wildlings will not attack us? Or worse, that Lord Commander Mormont is not in league with them and is just waiting for the right moment to send us to our death?"

"How dare you?"

"We dare because from the first day we've been there, you've submitted us to the whims of men who weren't even from the order anymore, to do to us what they pleased and now we see the result of it. I think that you are unfit to command us, that your views are biased and I demand a vote for a new Leadership!" he ended proudly.

The room exploded as Edmure stared smugly at Mormont, who looked like he was about to blow. Quentyn shook him giddily, happy that he managed to shock and turn the room in his favor. Sworn brothers were arguing against sworn brothers, and Edmure relished in the chaos he'd created. His wait and patience had finally paid out. He could feel himself getting closer to his goal.

First, Castle Black, then, we'll go against every keep of the Wall.

Jeor Mormont lifted his hand and the room became silent once more.

"If that is what you all want, then I will grant your wish. I suppose you volunteer to be the New Lord Commander?" he asked calmly, too calmly for Edmure's taste.

"Aye, I would."

"Anyone else thinks that he can be better than me at ruling this Castle and the Night's Watch?"

Edmure saw Quentyn fidget and shook his head at him. They needed to put a united front for their plan to work. He frowned as a hand rose suddenly and rolled his eyes when Dolorous Edd stood up.

"Might as well try my luck, maybe I could allow women to visit the Wall if I become Lord Commander?" he said sheepishly to some laughs.

"If I get your vote, Edd, I will allow it so," Edmure said.

"For true?" Edd gasped.

"Aye. Now sit down and let the grown-ups talk."

Edd glared at him but complied nonetheless, making the challenger smugger as he faced Jeor Mormont.

"Very well. I will not go against your wishes. Grenn, fetch Maester Follard and tell him to organize the Choosing in three days. I have things to do in my solar."

Edmure guessed that the Old Bear would rage in private to keep the shred of honor he had left after his masterful move and watched him leave with unveiled glee.

Three days later, the hall was filled with every member of the Watch that had been assigned to Castle Black, including the Maester who had arrived with coins and a large book. Probably to record everything that happened during this historic moment.

"We are gathered here to choose the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch." Follard started. "It is customary for the Maester to read the rules of the process before the vote. As tonight is an extraordinary occasion, and with the consent of the previous Lord Commander, we will have to bend them a little. A raven has been sent to each castle to announce the holding of a Choosing. We will have to wait for the Commanders of the castle to come to Castle Black to give the result of their votes."

"What?" Edmure exclaimed.

"All the men of the Watch have a say in who their Lord Commander is. Not just in Castle Black. Did you think it would be that easy, Tully?" Mormont said with a smirk.

"So far, only the names of Edmure Tully and Jeor Mormont have been put forward. No other brother of the Watch has been declared in the other Keeps."

"Good. They do have some sense." Mormont quipped.

"We will however wait for the other keeps' results to declare a Lord Commander."

"Sounds fair to me. How about you, Tully?"

"Same. Please continue."

"Each eligible voter will be given a coin. This coin will be put in their chosen kettle as a means to cast their vote. The one who will get two-thirds of the votes will be declared the new Lord Commander."

Hearing those words nearly made Edmure's heart skip with joy. Thanks to the influx of recruits from the Golden Company and the Dornish Lords, Mormont's supporters were greatly outnumbered by men who had been forced to swear their vows to this hellhole. So his vote was secure and he would soon be the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He would have an army at his command that would be forced to obey his orders no matter what they thought of him.

Smiling brightly, he sat down and enjoyed the rest of his triumphant moment.

Riverrun, finally. He had dreamed of seeing it for moons and now it was facing him. He smiled seeing the Tumblestone's clear water and were it not for the surprised look on the men in front of him, he would have been sure they were waiting for him.

Behind him, all the combined forces of the Watch were getting ready for a siege. They had been able to crush the North and the Stark forces by killing the ravens first, then Bran's direwolf as there were rumors of him communicating with the king through their animals. His nephew and uncle didn't stand a chance, and neither Ned Stark nor the bastard were made aware of what was coming to them in King's Landing.

Edmure turned proudly to show his second in command their new quarters, for the time being, only to find out he was alone in his tent. Then the cold began to spread in his body and fear gripped his heart as he felt his movement being restrained by the intensity of the cold. He opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by snow, unable to move by himself.

Why did he have to follow Quentyn's stupid plan?

He had once again been played for a fool. His moment of triumph nipped in the bud by a rule he was certain Mormont knew all about when he'd agreed to the vote.

"Per the Night's Watch rules, added to prevent a mutiny as well as promote inclusion in their orders ranks, all prisoners of war are authorized to put his name forward for the choosing, but not eligible for voting."

"What? What nonsense is this?" Quentyn reacted first, while Edmure was still lost in his blissful ignorance.

"Those rules, as Follard said, have been implemented to prevent mutiny. Did you think you were the first to pull a stunt like this? It had happened during Robert's rebellion, After one of the last Blackfyre rebellions, after the Dance of Dragons… So much so that after being named Lord Commander of the Watch with this same trick, Bloodraven had put this rule in place in order to prevent it from happening again. Once again, a Targaryen has foiled your plans, Trout." Jeor had remarked with amusement.

"This is not over. The others can see the unfairness of our treatment. We are closer to them than you could ever be."

"So close you are to your brothers you are that you haven't even noticed those closest to you being absent?"

Edmure frowned and looked around, finding out that their group wasn't complete.

"Rast, Clubfoot Karl and the others you've been planning with for some time have been arrested this morning for presumption of mutiny."

"What? We didn't…"

"If you think we do not have people reporting your every move to us, then you are even more stupid than I thought you were. You and Martell have been troublemakers from day one, and I have had my share of troublemakers through the years. We're waiting for the Choosing to end, but should you win in the incoming days, my last order as a Lord Commander would be to see your heads detached from your bodies. Seize Martell. We cannot touch Tully yet, as he had put his name forward."

"Bye!" Mormont's stupid raven cawed.

Quentyn had raged and ranted as they moved to arrest him, leaving Edmure in shock about what had happened. The lack of movement from his so-called brother to stop this terrible turn of events made him realize that he hadn't been supported at all, by any of them.

Fear began to suffocate him. He knew then that he would not win this vote and would probably die at the end of it. So he ran. In the scuffle made by Quentyn, he took the opportunity to run to the Gate. Why it was open, with no one to guard it, he had no idea, but he thanked the Gods for his luck and kept on running until he could leave the Wall behind and get to the nearest forest.

He feared the guards coming after him. He feared Mormont sending ravens to the Northern houses since he was now a deserter. But when he heard the gigantic gate close behind him, he realized then that he had run to the wrong side of the Wall.

It was a trap and no one would be coming for him, since he was now stuck Beyond the Wall.

He walked and walked, not knowing where he was heading. He just knew he had to walk to the shore. He wanted to get to somewhere he could get a boat and leave that forsaken place.

He regretted not paying attention when he camped on the road with his friends. Edmure had never been one to light a fire, and he wasn't sure that he would have been able to in these conditions even if remembered how to.

The weather was getting worse. He couldn't even see before him. He didn't have a warm coat on, as he was not a Ranger and he thought to himself that Mormont had been right in denying him that post, seeing how dire the conditions were. Even Stannis, who was a renowned fighter, had been lost to the cold.

He startled as he saw some movement in the corner of his eyes. He didn't have a sword to defend himself either, so he was at the mercy of the wildlings out there. He tried to move faster but his legs would not cooperate.

He could feel eyes on him. Someone was watching him and waiting for the right moment to strike. Night had fallen and fear gripped his heart as he fell on the snow. He wanted to cry, to scream, but he was too weak for that.

A crackling sound made his heart freeze. The last thing he could remember was seeing icy blue eyes staring back at him.

Castle Black, 298 AC

A few moments after Edmure Tully fled beyond the Wall

Dolorous Edd

When Ser Richard had contacted him with instructions to watch over Tully and report to the Lord Commander, he never expected that the former Lord of Riverrun would be so easy to trick. Sure, he had heard plenty of stories over the last several years, along with the most recent songs, but stories didn't always mean truth.

He had played his part, annoying the man with his complaints until Edmure thought him insignificant enough to speak freely near him. The fool and his friends were always vocal when they thought the people they were talking to were as discontent with their current living situation as they were. By the time he got into their good grace, he had a lot of ammunition to give the Lord Commander against them.

Between Quentyn and Edmure, he didn't know who was the most oblivious to what was going on around them. All the other sworn brothers were willing to rat them out, if only to get a pardon from the King or just better arrangement in their order. When Edd had gone to Jeor Mormont to warn him about a potential coup, he wasn't surprised to hear that the Lord Commander was already fearing as much.

He continued his act and rejoiced when Edmure dug his own grave by calling for a Choosing.

"Why did you give him three days?" he'd asked the Lord Commander once they'd been alone in his solar.

"We need to act as if we agree to his request. Send the ravens to the other Commanders about what is going on here and to watch out for mutiny too. And we have to lull Tully into a false sense of security, so that he doesn't see what will hit him when it will."

The Old Bear went all out for this mummery. He was a battle-hardened commander and it showed as he laid out his plans to his most trusted brothers. For once, Edd was proud and happy to be considered as such. They studied all the plausible reactions Edmure could have, from an attempt on Mormont's life if he realized sooner that his accomplices had been taken into custody, to a possible evasion attempt when all hell would break loose.

"If he wants to run, we take no chance and we will lead him where we want him to run." Mormont declared.

"How so?"

"Before the Choosing, we place two guards at the Northern gate and we keep it open. We place people along their way to push them towards the gate. Thus if they run away, they will have no choice but to get to that gate."

Edd nodded gleefully and delightfully watched as the end of Edmure Tully began to unfold.

"You were right," he said to Mormont who looked at Tully running to the Haunted Forest.

"Am I not always?"

"And what will happen to him now?"

"That will be between him and the Gods."

"Which ones?" Edd mused.

"Those willing to help him, though I don't think any of them are."

"I wouldn't be surprised if you are right about that." He chuckled in response.

"Dead!" the raven yelled. "Dead! Trout! Bye!"

"What about Martell and the others?" Edd asked.

"They will be executed at dawn."

"Nothing better than a beheading before breaking one's fast,' Edd said, glad to be rid of those who sullied the Watch by their presence.

He might have been lured into joining it, but he was now a Brother of the Night's Watch, a Protector of the Realms of Men, and he was set on upholding the vows he had sworn in front of the Heart Tree, not because he was a believer of the Old Gods, but because he had faith in his King.

Notes :

We hope that you all enjoyed Edmure's alternate journey and downfall. Writing about his stupidity has been very amusing for us and writing about his fate at the Wall had us face palming a few times. May the Riverlands never have to suffer a man like Ser Faintheart again.

Next week- Cregan's identity is revealed to the Northern Lords and we see the reactions to that little secret through the eyes of Domeric Bolton, the new Lord of the Dreadfort.

But before we go, we do want to give everyone a little present to celebrate our 20th chapter.

Here's a sneak peek preview of a future chapter that stars a few characters that we love to hate.

"What sins have I committed? Everything that I have done my entire life has been in service to the Seven who are One. Everything I have done was so that the heathens of the North would finally worship the True Gods. How could anything I have done in your service be a sin?

"Your heart was filled with prejudice and misconception." The figure said. "The Seven who are One are indeed True Gods, but they are not the only ones. And the only thing you truly served was your mortal life."

"Prejudice and misconception? I don't understand. Everything that I know about the heathens is from your teachings. And what do you mean that you are not the only gods but are true?"

"We are the Gods of Andalos. We've reached other lands because people have traveled and spread our precepts, but they had been distorted over time. They were never to be used by greedy men who wanted to conquer places outside of Andalos. We lived in harmony in our realm, with other Gods from other places, some older than us, like the Old Gods, the Gods of Westeros. Their influence in their lands has been restrained by people like you, who've constantly tried to erase them and deny their existence. Now, thanks to you, the human world is facing extinction, but this, you'll learn another time. Are you ready to hear of your sins and face your judgement?"

"I don't… How can…? Uh, very well, I will hear these supposed sins of mine. But I first need to know something. Why are these Weirwood trees here? Isn't this supposed to be your domain?"

"You are from Westeros. As we are the Gods you worshipped, we are present and will hold your trial. However," the Father showed the trees and Jon could see movement behind. "The Gods from Westeros will be the one to give the sentence."

"You expect me to accept punishment from some pagan trees?" He asked feeling a bit insulted.

"You will have no choice, Jon Arryn, for you are not from Andalos. The trial is about to begin."