ALL MEN DIE
PART 1. FATHER AND SON
SAMWELL
The memory of dancing with Margaery Tyrell lingers on Sam's mind as he travels home with his family. "What are you doing dancing with me?"
"I am dancing with my friend."
"People will see it as something else. Especially since you asked me."
"I was taught not give credence to what others think. People will judge you no matter what." He sighs, taking her words to heart and it only made him like her the more. "You are the smartest person I know. A man like you will go places. Do things others only dream of. And I want to be apart of that."
He smiles and looks at her grandmother, then her father, "Your grandmother may have something to say about that."
"Promise me that you will write me."
"Margaery."
"Promise."
He smiles, "I promise."
PRESENT
"Thinking about the rose of High Garden?" Dickon asks riding up to Sam. He had become more comfortable on a horse. Sam had been practicing to ride alone when no one was around. Despite his accomplishments his father did not notice.
He blushes, "What about you and Allana?"
"I can see myself marrying her one day. But we are getting off the subject of you and Margaery."
"We are just friends."
"Ah hah, I see the way she looks at you."
"Knock it off." Within a week's time they approach Horn Hill. The Castle is the second largest in the Reach and the most fortified. The Tarly's control the second largest army in the Reach with ten thousand troops. There are twelve thousand at High Garden. The castle has a thousand rooms, not including the barracks, stables, library, kennels, and other amenities of the castle.
The walls have two tiers, the lower battlements of the wall is where the archers are stationed. The higher wall top is where the trebuchets and scorpions are located. There are six archer towers as well. The castle has its beauty as well and is not all military focused. There are the gardens and the fountain.
After unpacking and getting settled, Sam goes to see Maester Atkins. Later after getting ready for bed Sam writes a letter to Margaery...
My Dearest Margaery
I find my nerves acting up writing this letter. But the feelings of missing you override them. And I find it easier to say on paper how I feel about you, than I do with words. I like you Margaery and not just as a friend. You already know that you are a beautiful young woman. But you are much more than that.
You are smart, intelligent, compassionate. Not fake like most girls I have seen. The way you talk to me and the things you say, makes my heart soar. And part of me dares to hope for the future. A future that involves the two of us. I eagerly await your reply.
With deepest regards and affection
Samwell Tarly of Horn Hill
Sam has Atkyns pay a courier to hand deliver his letter by hand, before going to bed.
RANDYLL
Before going to bed Randyll is in his solar going over messages that had arrived while he was away. He is also waiting for Dickon to come to him, as he had sent for him. There is a knock, and the guard announces him. "You wanted to see me father?"
"I do. Tell me, what do you think of Lady Margaery?"
"I...well she's pretty. But I like Allana Tyrell."
"Put her out of your mind. I spoke to Olenna Tyrell and Mace. The two idiots think they can convince the King to betroth the crown prince to Margaery. That will never happen. My informants in King's Landing say that Robert has his heart set on Lord Stark's daughter, Sansa Stark.
If you can win Margaery's heart, then she may convince her father to let her marry you."
"But father, I'm a second son."
"I have no faith in your brother to follow me as Lord of Horn Hill. I intend to name you Lord of Horn Hill."
"And what about Sam."
"I have plans for him. But he cannot! He will not inherit Horn Hill. Any way I want you to write Lady Margaery. When you turn ten and two I will invite the Tyrells to Horn Hill for your name-day."
SAM
The days become weeks, the weeks, become months, the months turn to years. Every month Sam sends Margaery a letter and she replies. He sends her poems that he himself created. He sends her paintings; one was of Margaery as a goddess. He also sends her gifts, like books she may be interested in reading, designs and fabrics for dresses; simple, but thoughtful gifts that she expresses her gratitude for in her letters. From afar their love for each other grows.
As time passes Sam is ignored by his father and he ignores him. Sam pours himself into his studies with Maester Atkyns, who teaches him how to be Lord of Horn Hill. Together they create new medicines for diseases. Sam insists on selling them to the rich and giving them to the poor. Through his inventions Sam is able to earn his own income under his father's nose.
"My boy if you were at the citidel, you'd have earned eleven links in your chain." Atkyns, says to Sam after his thirteenth name day. Sam is skilled in math, English, languages, history, medicine, alchemy, economics, astrology, metallurgy, poetry, and zoology.
"Thank you, father...I mean Maester."
Atkyns smiles, "It's alright Sam...I think of you as the son I will never know."
"You have a son?"
"Had...He died in childbirth, both he and his mother. I was ten and eight name days old. I wound up at the citidel and studied to become a Maester."
"Father...You have been more a father to me than my own. I wish you were my father." The two of them hug. When Dickon turns ten and two, his father asks Melessa to plan a name-day celebration. They invite all of the Reach to celebrate. Since High Garden is close to Horn Hill, the Tyrells show up first. After protocol is observed and guest rights given, two groups are formed. One of the adults and the other of the children.
"How is your brother Willas Lady Margaery?"
"Well, his leg is doing much better." She says looking at Sam. He had made a potion that helped Willas with his injured leg. Willas had injured his leg in a joust against his longtime friend Prince Oberyn. The potion allows him to walk without a cane, but it must be taken twice a month. "But he stayed at High Garden to rule in father's name."
"Ah the burdens of being the heir." Allana says.
Later after everyone is settled, Sam meets Margaery in the library. "Sam, I have something to tell you."
"Sounds serious, what is it.?"
"As a second son my father confides much in Garlan as he does Willas. Your father is planning on disinheriting you. He is going to name your brother heir of Horn Hill."
He sighs, "I figured as much."
"So did my grandmother. As you know she is very smart. She expressed her theory in front of myself and my some of my cousins. Allana...she is..."
"She likes my brother because he is going to be the heir of Horn Hill."
"Yes."
"Also." She says, but Sam interrupts her.
"My brother has been writing to you. I know he told me. My father made him."
"Sam...I love you."
He smiles, "I love you as well. I have my own plans and one day I will have my own castle." He kisses her on the forehead. She smiles and kisses him on the lips. He kisses her back and then they part ways. At the feast that night, Sam finds the boldness to walk up to Lady Margaery and ask her to dance.
Later Sam is on his way to his room, when he is stopped by a guard, "My Lord..."
"Yes Hammon." He replies. Sam knows the name of every person living and serving at Horn Hill.
"Your father wants to see you in his solar."
Considering what Margaery told him, Sam figures that his father wants to tell him to stay away from Margaery Tyrell. "You wanted to see me father?"
"I did...No need to sit down, this won't take long." Sam sits down anyway, "Look who is growing a backbone." Sam lowers his head, pretending to be sad. It was time to play a mental game with his father and he would win. "I want you to stay away from Margaery Tyrell."
He looks up, "But why we are friends?"
"I saw the way you were looking at her while you danced. She is too good for the likes of you."
"Yes father." He replies pretending to be compliant. "But what if she insists on spending time with me?"
"You had better make it clear that you cannot be her friend anymore."
"Yes father."
Sam leaves and goes to his brother's room. "Sam its late." He says after opening the door.
"I know...We need to talk." He couldn't tell his brother about the heirship, as Sam did not know how he wished to handle it yet.
"Talk? About what?"
"Father wants me to stay away from Margaery. He wants me to break off my friendship with her."
"Sam...I..."
"I know, he wants you to try and win her heart."
"Margaery and I are just friends. She likes you bro. Dare I say she is in love with you." He blushes, "By the gods she does love you. And you love her. Congrats."
"I need you to get a message to Margaery."
The day before Dickon's name day celebration all the invited guests had arrived. Houses Redwyne, Hightower, Merryweather, Fassoway, Florent, Rowyne, and Oakheart. The sigil of each House decorating the main hall, with the Tyrell sigil higher than the others. Just below it the Tarly sigil and the rest lined up, side by side under the other two.
The next day the name-day feast is held. Dickon's favorite foods are served and at the same time Sam used his own coin to allow the guards, smallfolk, and servants to have their own celebrations in Dickon's name. The guards off duty partied and then relieved those on duty to celebrate.
Dickon got many gifts at the feast. When it came time to dance, he ignores Allana. Margaery had told Talla, and she told Dickon that she heard Allana bragging to her friends. "Allana, may I speak with you?" Talla asks walking up to her. They leave the main hall and go to the balcony. "Stop making a fool of yourself."
"Excuse me!"
"I know why you are interested in my brother, and I told him."
"How do you know? I mean..."
"I know...Stay away from my brother, you've caused him enough heartache.
Meanwhile Margaery asks Sam to dance. As they are dancing the two pretend to argue. But they are interrupted by the heir of Cider Hall Raymun Fassoway. "Step aside fat boy and let a real man dance with the Lady." He says shoving Sam.
"I wouldn't..."
Margaery's words stop in her mouth as Sam grabs Raymun by the flesh between his neck and shoulder. He pinches it hard driving the heir of Fassoway to his knees. The hall goes quiet as Raymun yells in pain. "Aaahhh...Let me go you man whale."
"You will apologize now! To me and the lady!"
"I would rather...Aaahhh!"
He screams louder as Sam pinches harder, "What is the meaning of this? Samwell Tarly let go of my son."
"He insulted the heir of Horn Hill my Lord..." Margaery says speaking up, "...He insulted us both. He pushed and disrespected Lord Samwell and he was rude to me."
They are joined by Melessa who had walked from the high table. "Lord Fassoway, I want your son gone from home now!" She demands.
"On behalf of my House My Lady I apologize." He slaps his son across the head, "Apologize to Lord Samwell and Lady Margaery."
"I'm sorry!"
Sam releases Raymun and he rubs his shoulder staring angrily at Sam. Sam looks at his father who watches from the high table saying nothing. After the feast things return to normal so to speak at Horn Hill. A few months later Sam creates a new type of metal, that is just as strong as Valyrian steel, which requires magic to make.
He calls it Amorite. Amorite is a mixture of steal, iron, copper, and diamond dust. Like Valyrian steel it does not need sharpening, it does not rust. Sam also invents the bakta bath which can be used to cure Grey Scale. A proxy is used to demonstrate and sell his inventions all over Westeros and Essos. The profits from his inventions are placed with the Iron Bank to keep from his father.
News of Sam's accomplishments do not reach the ears of his father, because Sam does all these things under an alias. The name he uses is Samat mo' Kins, a combination of his name and Maester Atkyns . Another year passes and Sam has his ten and fifth name day. His mother makes a big deal of it, but his father insists that it just be family.
Sam gets presents from family, servants, and soldiers of the castle. His father's gift is strange. It is a black cloak with all black garbs. "Thank you, father." He says staring at the clothes after unwrapping them. It doesn't take long for Sam to get the message. His father wants him to join the Night's Watch.
PART 2. CURSED IS THE KINSLAYER OR IS HE
RANDYLL
Randyll is in his solar rewriting his will, naming Dickon his heir. Sam is now ten and five. By the laws of gods and men he will be a man at ten and six. Randyll will be powerless to change things, unless he asked the King to do so. And while Robert Baratheon King of Westeros is a fat drunken, man-whore, he does have honor and would not have Sam replaced without, just cause.
He has the Septon at Horn Hill and the Captain of his guard Redon, sign the document. He waits for a week to pass before telling Sam. He probably already knows especially since he gave him the black cloak and garb. As usual Sam is in the library with Maester Atkyns . "Sam...come with me. We are going hunting."
"Why? Our last hunting trip together did not go so well."
"Do not question me boy! Get ready and meet me in the courtyard."
He sighs, "Yes father."
An hour later Sam is dressed in his hunting clothes and comes to the courtyard, where his father is waiting with six guards. He mounts his horse, "Where is Dickon? Isn't he coming with us?"
"No."
They ride out of the hunter's gate and head west towards the river. After a mile they stop, "You men wait here for us. Sam come with me." They ride away for a hundred feet and stop. "I bought you out here to talk. You have always been a disappointment to me."
"I know father and I don't care anymore." Randyll tries to slap him, but Sam is able to catch his wrist, he twists his hand and backs away from him. Father and son stare at each other.
"You know why I gave you that black cloak?"
"I do." Sam boldly replies, "And I will not join the Night's Watch. Let me have my own castle...If you wish to make Dickon your heir so be it. I will swear fealty to him. I will even change my family name if I must. And if it will make you happy, I'll move in with my mother's family, until the castle is built."
Randyll sighs as he thinks in silence. Sam patiently waits for an answer, he had made a great counter proposal to his father's plan. "No...You, will take the black. I have tried to make a man of you. Maybe they will succeed where I failed."
"I already told you that I will not go!"
"You will or by the gods the next time you are alone you will die."
Sam could not believe what he was hearing and yet his father sounded as if he meant it. "You...you'd kill me? Your own son. Your flesh and blood, you'd kill me?"
"By my hand or another's. Reedon perhaps or Davyd."
"Is there no love in your heart for me?"
He looks away, "Tomorrow as we break our fast, you will tell your mother, brother, and sister that you decided to join the watch. Say anything else and there will be hell to pay."
As they ride back to the men, Sam thinks about what was said. In the book of the seven-pointed star there is the wisdom of the new gods; the father, mother, maiden, crone, warrior, blacksmith and the stranger. Cursed is the kinslayer, woe unto him that spills the blood of his family, and the seven hells await those who spill the blood of their kin. That is what the book says.
It also says, no man is guilty who defends his life, the life of the innocent, or family. His own father had threatened him with death, if he did not bow to his wishes. Wasn't he free to fight for his life, to fight for the love he had for Margaery Tyrell. Surely the gods would see his logic is just if he struck at his father first. And if Dickon wanted the titles of Horn Hill, he'd give them to him willing.
"Randyll Tarly is not my father and he must die." He thought to himself. Upon arriving back at Horn Hill Sam goes to his lab. His mother had set aside several rooms so that Sam could do his work in peace. There are three rooms, one for alchemy, the second for reading, and the other for drawing, painting and designing.
Everything Maester Atkins has in his cabinets Sam has. From poisons to medicines. He grabs several flowers and vials, then he gets to work. As he works Sam feels guilt in his heart for what he is planning to do. But he hears his father's threat in his mind and keeps working. He has food bought to his room and is done making the poison by late evening.
He waits for the castle to fall asleep. The only people up at this time are the guards on duty. Sam places the pasty like poison in his pocket and leaves the room. He heads for the kitchen. It is not unusual for him to get a late-night snack and the kitchen servants often leave something out for him.
After making sure that he wasn't followed or being watched, Sam takes his father's favorite goblet, the one he drinks out of it all the time. Sam rubs the paste like poison into the cup. It has no smell or taste, and it will dissolve in any liquid. He goes to his bedroom and lays down but is unable to sleep. He feels guilt about how his father's death will affect his mother, brother, and sister.
Sam falls asleep two hours before sunrise. He wakes up, performs his morning oblations and heads for the main hall. He arrives the same time as his father and mother. "Father, may we speak with you?"
"What is the point? You know what I expect of you. Do it!"
Sam had wanted to give is father one last chance, but as he said, what would be the point? They sit down to break their fast, then Randyll as always prays over their food. "Sam, why didn't you come to evening meal last night?" His mother asks.
"Sorry mother...I had an idea that I could not let go of."
Randyll clears his throat, "Sam isn't there something you wanted to tell your mother."
He pretends to think as Randyll rubs his throat, after taking a second sip from his cup. "No there isn't anything."
Randyll sneers, "What we talked about yesterday."
"Oh that...I changed my mind."
"Changed your mind about what dear?" Melessa asks. That is when it happens. Randyll gasps as if trying to catch his breath. "Randyll!" He grunts as if trying to clear his throat. He stands up knocking over his chair.
"Father!" Talla says standing up the same time as her mother.
"He's choking!" Sam yells standing up.
They all rush to him as he hits the floor, "Go fetch the Maester!" Melessa says to a servant.
"Let me." Sam kneels over his father and hits him on the chest. Then he breaths into his mouth. As he comes up, Sam looks into his father's eyes and winks with a small smile. His father's eyes get big and reaches out to grab Sam by the throat. "Hold him down!" Sam says pretending to do all he can to save his father.
"Let me through!" Maester Atkyns yells, but it is too late.
"He's gone." Sam says.
"No! No! Don't say that!" Dickon yells getting emotional. It is the first time Sam had ever seen his brother cry. "He's too strong to die. Maester do something!"
"FATHER!" Talla yells.
"No...no...no..." Melessa says crying, "Don't you leave me! You come back to me you stubborn fool!" Sam grabs his mother and hugs her.
