After his altercation with that blasted Three-Eyed-Raven, Loki decided that it would be best to head towards the Godswood to calm himself. For some reason, the Raven's words had rattled him deeply, in a way that he hasn't experienced for a while.

Fenrir trailed loyally behind him as he essentially power walked to the Godswood, lest he loses his temper in front of one of the guests or even his family members. He didn't really feel like explaining his foul mood, not that he could even if he wanted to. He doubted they'd believe that a literal raven had spoken to him.

Loki plopped himself down on the logs under the Weirwood tree closest to the water, his head in his palm as he stared thoughtfully at his reflection, the sharp grey eyes and dark near-black hair of Brandon Stark staring back at him.

The last time he had felt like this was when Odin had revealed his true origins to him after he had figured it out himself and confronted him about it. To think the words of a mortal, albeit a mortal who had lived long and seemingly had the gift of clairvoyance, could affect him so much was rather alarming.

Which mother was he talking about? It definitely wasn't Catylin Stark, the things he had in common with her were far and few. Was he talking about Frigga? She had after all taught him everything she knew and the two of them were both quite cunning. Or-

Loki hadn't thought much of his birth mother, even after his true origins had been revealed to him. She had after all thrown him away along with his birth father for being unnaturally small for a Frost Giant. But still, there was something about his words that made Loki curious.

Knowledge of the wife of Laufey, king of the Frost Giants in Jotunheim, was rather sparse. The rumour was that after giving birth to a defective child she had used an ice blade to pierce her heart, killing herself in shame. However, other rumours suggested that Laufey had simply killed her himself.

Of course, there was no confirming or denying either of these stories, as many Asgardians would have rathered falling upon their own weapon then asking for information from a Frost Giant. For all Loki could have known, she may even still be alive, but he doubted it. And if a painful bubble of hurt rose at the thought of her killing herself because he wasn't what she wanted, well, Loki crushed that thought ruthlessly.

Farbauti had been her name, and Loki knew absolutely nothing about her.

Loki glanced around, nodding his head at Fenrir to ensure no one intruded on him. After Fenrir had trotted off to patrol the area, Loki's form shifted, revealing his cold blue skin and red glowing eyes. Slowly, he raised his hand, absentmindedly tracing his Frost Giant features.

Was she an illusionist like him? Although rare, there were many Frost Giants who were hailed as masters of illusion far superior to that of Asguard. It would certainly explain his knack for it. What was her preferred method of combat? It seemed considered her supposed method of death that she was at least proficient with summoning daggers like he was, as grim as that thought was.

Loki shook his head, his features returning to normal as he did so. Loki cursed that wretched Raven for putting such thoughts in his head in the first place. He didn't have time to pose himself such questions. Especially considering he had no way of answering them, not anymore. Nor did he care to.

Loki stood, dusting himself off.

Yes, he had more important things to do than dwell on things that needed not be dwelled upon. Like plan for his next move now that the Queen was to be put on trial in King's Landing for adultery and incest.

Loki would have much prefered she be put on trial here, in the North, where none of her influence or tricks would protect her. But alas, the King decided to hold the trial in King's Landing, most probably to cater to Lord Tywin Lannister and so that his small council could do all of the trial work for him.

Cersei Lannister was most certainly not the type of woman to lay down and accept her fate, at least not from what Loki had seen of her through the memories he had been gifted. No, she would much rather burn a whole keep down than take responsibility for her actions.

She would definitely demand a trial by combat, and based on those memories, I knew exactly who she would pick to champion her now that her brother was in the grave.

Gregor Clegane, the Mountain who Rides. Who also happened to be her father's bannerman, with the said father also attending the trial and probably willing to lend him to his daughter for the sake of the Lannister name.

This means of course, that the chances of Cercei getting off due to this, as there are very few people alive willing to challenge such a man, were quite high.

Sandor Clegane would be more than a match for him, however, even the temptation of finally being able to destroy the person he hates most would be enough to disrupt his annoying loyalty to the Lannisters at this stage.

Although, there was still one other option, an option that could possibly allow him to try and broker a seemingly impossible to win alliance. If he played his cards right.

Apparently, from the whispered Loki had heard flying around Winterfell, the trial would be a somewhat private affair, with the information only being released about it officially to the rest of the Kingdom other than the North once the trial actually began.

This was most likely to ensure that nobody took advantage of the precarious situation and stage an attack on the Queen while she was in her cell or travelling. However, I suspected that the true reason for this was that Tywin Lannister didn't want certain people hearing of this news about the state of House Lannister and taking advantage of it.

I whistled, calling Fenrir to return to my side once more, which he did without question. I then, along with Fenrir, made my way to my chambers in order to grab some parchment. Whilst the information in regards to the trial was supposed to be a somewhat guarded secret at the moment, leaks did happen, especially with valuable information such as this.

What's one more? Especially if it benefits me?

I closed the door to my chambers behind me, locking it to ensure that I would not be interrupted. I then sat at my desk, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill.

"What are you doing?" Fenrir asked, annoying sticking his head over my shoulder to peak at what I was doing.

I somewhat gently pushed him off me with a scowl.

"Not now Fenrir, father is busy writing something," Loki said, his voice stern.

"Oh, what are you writing?" Fenrir asked.

Loki sighed.

"Just a letter to a potential friend, Fenrir."

"But father, you don't have any friends!"

Loki turned around to face him, his scowl infinitely larger than it was before, his eyes glaring daggers at his son.

"Well maybe I'm writing this letter to make some, did you think of that," Loki snapped, "which is becoming incredibly harder to do the more you keep asking me questions about it!"

Fenrir's head drooped somewhat, his tail falling between his legs due to being scolded.

"Sorry, I'll be quiet from now on."

Loki nodded, turning back to face his desk once more. He picked up his quill, dipping it in the ink before he began to write.

He would have to be careful how he worded this, he didn't want such a thing to come back and bight him again later. Nor did he particularly feel like revealing his identity to a potential ally before the said alliance was either being negotiated in person or already existed.

Loki thought over his words carefully for a moment before he began writing.

To House Martell,

I would first of all like to offer your family my condolences for your losses.

I was born long after the war had finished, however, from what I've heard your sister, Elia Martell, was truly a kind and gentle woman who loved her children dearly. Neither she nor her children deserved the fate they were cruelly given at the hands of Lannister bannerman.

It is for this reason, that I write to you now to enform you of something that may be in your interest.

You may not know this, by the Queen, Cercei Lannister daughter of Tywin Lannister, has been accused of both adultery and incest, perhaps even murder too. Her trial will be held in King's Landing in about a moon's time, a week after the Tourney of the Hand.

This information has of course been purposely kept from the rest of the Kingdoms for purposes I do not know. However, the Queen one evening said something that alarmed me greatly.

She mentioned that she was planning on averting justice by demanding a trial by combat, with the Mountain who Rides being her champion.

From what I understand, you have requested the head of this man, as well as another, numerous times for his crimes against your sister for many years, only to have the justice you crave be rejected time and time again.

By providing you with this information, I hope to provide with it the opportunity for you to gain the justice you crave against the man who sorely deserves it.

I, of course, understand completely if you do not wish to accept this offer.

However, if you are interested in hearing more, why not accept your invitation to the Tournay of the Hand?

I will also be attending myself, I will then, of course, treat myself to a little drink at the 'King's Lair,' afterwards in order to shake off the Tourney nerves and would not be opposed to some company.

Kind Regards,

A Friend

After signing off the letter, I gently shuffled it into an empty envelope. I carefully sealed it, casting a quick illusion on it so that only the people I wished to read it could do so. I then made my way to the Raven tower to send it off to be delivered.

Despite addressing it to simply House Martell, I knew with great certainty whom of the two Princes would actually be tempted by this.

Despite his ailment, Prince Doran Martell possessed an incredibly smart and cautious mind, an unusual trait for someone born where people were more warm-blooded. He might look at it and be a bit more cautious about sticking his neck out on the words of a stranger. A trait Loki could respect.

His brother, Prince Oberyn Martell on the other hand, was far less cautious. He was also the only person other than the Hound who could beat the Mountain in combat. Although, he did screw it up for himself by losing his temper, which resulted in his face getting crushed.

Out of the two of them, Loki knew that Prince Oberyn would be the one who would truly consider this letter, for the sake of justice and vengeance for his sister.

Addressing the letter to both of them was merely a formality, Loki knew who he was truly trying to bait. Now it was just a matter of waiting to see if the fish would take it or swim away.

The next day, after checking over the preparations to depart to King's Landing, Loki made his way up into the tower once more.

Upon entering the chamber, Loki was pleasantly surprised to see a Raven sitting on its perch, a letter with the crest of House Martell in its beak.

"Time to see if they've taken the bait," Loki muttered, cracking open the envelope.

To the One Who Claims to be a Friend,

I thank you for the information you provided me.

I would be most interested in drinking with you, my mysterious unnamed friend, it appears you might have many interesting things to say, although I cannot promise my attendance at the Tourney, for now, that is.

For your sake, I hope your words and intentions are true. Because I cannot promise that I'll keep my fangs to myself should they not be, they are rather sharp and deadly my friend.

Regards,

Prince Oberyn Martell

Loki's lip twitched up. He was smart enough not to clearly state his intentions, however, provided enough information for Loki to understand his interest in speaking with him.

"The Red Viper huh?" Loki asked himself, "I cannot wait to find out how sharp those fangs of yours are in person."