Disclaimer: I don't own the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry for my bong absence. I reallly didnt mean to take so long with this update. Please forgive me, and I hope that you enjoy the chapter. Please feel free and tell me what you think.
Chapter Seven: A Few Necessary Conversations
True to what she had told Elyse the night before, Alyssa went to her father's office shortly after breakfast the next morning. She knocked lightly on the door, and waited for her father to invite her inside.
"Come in," He called after a few moments, and Alyssa did, before closing the door quietly behind her.
"Alyssa," Her father sounded surprised to see her, but he smiled at the sight of his daughter nonetheless. "This is a surprise. What can I do for you?"
"Father, I think we have to talk," Alyssa said, a little nervously. She knew that this topic of conversation would cause problems, especially with Lysa, and more conflict was the last thing she wanted for her family. "Do you have time for that now father, or should I return to see you later?"
"Of course. I have some time this morning, so we can talk now." Her father smiled, and gestured for her to sit down, which she did. "Now, what is it that you would like to talk about, Alyssa?"
"Well...it's about Robert father," Alyssa explained. "I'd like to talk to you about his...health, I suppose."
"I see," Her father frowned slightly, clearly not sure where his daughter was going with this. "Go on." He said, and so she did.
"Well, I don't think that the capital is doing Robert any good," Alyssa said carefully. "He has always been sickly father, and all of this time in this city...well, it can't be helpful for him."
Her father looked at her thoughtfully for a long moment before answering. "Well, it's true enough that your brother has never been well. So, what are you suggesting? Are you suggesting that I send him away to be fostered?"
Alyssa frowned, shaking her head slightly. "No, not exactly." She said. "I don't think that Robert would do very well with complete strangers, father."
"Well then, I don't think I understand, Alyssa. What is it that you're suggesting exactly?"
"I'm suggesting that Robert come back with Artys and I to the Eyrie when we leave here," Alyssa explained. "He could serve as a cupbearer for now, and then as Artys's squire in a few years. That way, he'll be out of this city, and away from its...negative impact on him, but he'll still be with people who know and care for him."
Again, her father looked at her thoughtfully. She waited patiently while he considered her words, and she wondered what he would decide to do.
"Well...your suggestion certainly does have its merits," He said finally. "But I'm not sure...Robert really hasn't spent much time in the Eyrie. It would be a strange place to him."
"Yes father, but that's the point. He can meet the people of the Vale. After all, the likelihood is that he'll be given the Gates of the Moon or another keep as his seat when he's of age, he needs to know the people, and the other lords."
Her father nodded slowly. "Yes, you are right," He said. "All right then, I'll agree...but I believe that you should speak to both of your brothers about this. And...don't speak to Lysa about it, Alyssa. For now, this stays between us, and when the time comes, I'll speak to her."
"Thank you, father," Alyssa said, beaming. "This will be good for Robert, I know it will."
"Yes," Her father agreed. "And perhaps it will bring him and Artys closer together."
"I hope so." Alyssa rose, and her father did too. He came around the table and embraced her, and then Alyssa turned to leave.
"I'll leave you to your work now, father," Alyssa said, but her father called her back.
"Alyssa, wait a moment," He said, and she turned, surprised.
"Father? What is it?"
"Thank you," Her father said. "You've been so good with your little brother since you've been back, Alyssa. If you weren't going back to the Vale with Artys...I would not have agreed to your suggestion. Robert adores you, and without his mother, he will need you more than ever in the Eyrie. Will you be able to handle that responsibility?"
"Oh," Alyssa hesitated, and then she nodded firmly. "Of course, father. Robert will be perfectly fine, I assure you. I'll look after him."
"I know you will." Her father smiled, and turned back to his desk. "Now go and speak to your brothers, I'll see you at supper."
"Yes father." Alyssa agreed and she left the office, feeling distinctly more positive.
"What do you mean Robert's coming with us? Alyssa, what have you done?" Artys paced around his chamber, running a hand irritably through his blonde hair as he did so.
"Artys, please, calm down," Alyssa said, sighing. "You don't have to turn this into a bigger matter than it actually is."
"How can you say that, Alyssa? Robert will be with us all the time, and we will be responsible for him. Not to mention the trouble this will cause with the Toxic Trout!"
"Artys, for the sake of the gods, keep your voice down," Alyssa glared at her twin, who glared back, his blue eyes full of anger. "Father will deal with Lysa, Artys, so we don't have to worry about her. As for Robert, he will be fine. He needs time away from here, can't you see that?"
"Yes, I suppose but why the Eyrie? Why not Winterfell, or Dragonstone, hells, he can go to the ruins of Summerhall for all I care."
"Artys, really, you're being unreasonable," Alyssa told him, her patience wearing thin. "He's our brother, and besides, you know he'd never settle down with strangers. Please, just give him a chance, all right? I know Lysa has never been kind to us, and I know you hate her for that, but don't blame Robert. You have never given him a chance, not really. Now, I'm asking you to do that, Artys. Will you do that?"
Artys hesitated for several long, heavy moments. He hated disappointing his sister, and he knew that now that his father had made his decision, Robert would be coming with them no matter what he thought. Sighing, he finally looked at Alyssa, and answered her slowly.
"All right," He said finally, a note of clear reluctance in his tone. "I will try to give him a chance, but that is all I can promise, Lys."
"Thank you," Alyssa walked over and gave him a hug before stepping back. "That's all I'm asking Artys. He can be a sweet child truly, I'm sure you'll see that, in time."
"Well, perhaps," Artys said, nodding. "Now, hadn't you better go and try to be subtle about telling our brother the news?"
Alyssa smiled, and nodded at his words. "Actually, Artys, we're both going," She said. "Your new policy of trying with Robert starts right now, I'm afraid. Now come on, after all, there's no time like the present."
Artys sighed at his twin's words, but if he were honest with himself, he'd been expecting this. He followed Alyssa out of the room, and together, they went to find their brother.
"Robert, can we come in?" Alyssa asked her little brother sweetly. Unusually, lady Lysa was again nowhere in sight, but Robert was in his chambers, playing with his toys.
"Yes, you can," Robert beamed, and jumped up, running over to embrace her. She bent down and hugged him in return, before gently disentangling him from her skirts.
She and Artys both stepped into Robert's chambers, and Artys closed the door behind them.
"Are you and Artys here to play with me, Alyssa?" Robert asked, looking up at her hopefully.
"Yes, we can play, but we want to talk to you too," Alyssa explained. "Is that all right?"
Robert's little face showed puzzlement, but he nodded anyway and the three siblings sat themselves down on the rug where Robert's toys were scattered.
"Robert," Artys said, speaking for the first time. "Do you like adventures?"
"Of course I do," Robert said, acting as though this were obvious. "I love adventure stories, especially the ones about the Winged Knight."
"I liked those stories too," Artys admitted, a little surprise showing in his voice. "My favourite was the one where he killed the Griffin King."
"That story is my favourite too!" Robert said excitedly, and he beamed at Artys.
Alyssa couldn't help smiling. Finally, she thought, there was a little progress between her brothers.
"Well," Artys said, pulling Alyssa from her thoughts. "We wanted to ask if you would like to go on an adventure with us, Robert. Would you like that?"
"A real one? Really?" Robert looked excited now. "And I can go with you?"
"Of course," Alyssa said. "We'll be going all the way to the Eyrie, Robert, and we'll stay in lots of castles along the way. We'll have a lot of fun, I promise you. Now, would you like that?"
"Yes, oh Alyssa, I'd love that! When are we going?" Robert asked excitedly, and Alyssa smiled at him indulgently.
"Not quite yet, sweetling. But we'll go soon, after your nameday. Does that sound good?"
Robert nodded, clearly too excited about the prospect of adventure for words. Alyssa smiled with relief, this conversation had gone more smoothly than she'd dared to hope.
"There is one thing that we want you to do for us, though, it's very important." Artys said carefully, and Robert game him a curious look.
"Oh, okay," He said. "What is it?"
"This adventure is a secret for now," Artys explained, looking at Robert. "Just like in the stories, remember? Adventures are often secrets, like this one. Can you keep it a secret, Robert?"
Robert thought about this for a long moment, and Alyssa began to worry. If Robert told Lysa about this conversation, her wrath would most certainly come crashing down on them.
"Yes," Robert said at last. "Of course I can. It'll be our secret, just like in the stories!"
"Excellent," Alyssa said, smiling at her little brother. "Now, let's play for a while, shall we?"
And so they did. The three Arryns, it seemed, had finally come together, and Alyssa was proud of that. Her family was truly all that mattered to her, and that then, sitting there with her brothers, she felt happier than she had since she'd gotten here.