This was hard for me to write, for a few reasons as I explain in the bottom... so please give me some feedback!
The soft lull of a viola echoed through the halls as Renly approached his nephew's room, emotion welled in his chest at the melancholy sound. 'Does he have a performer in his room? How could he have organized such a talent so soon to returning to the Capital?' Unfairly curious, Renly sped up his walk, nodding at the Knights outside that monitored the hall in which his Nephew called his own. A handsome lad, not too much older then Arryn, with thick red hair and a delicious beard. He knew, from experiance, that he would have likely bedded the man already at that age. He wondered if his nephew had, there had been a few rumors regarding his tastes. Since these rumors had come from stableboys that Renly had also indulged himself in, he was tempted to believe them.
Smirking a little at the guard, who only nodded in return, Renly knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" The sound of the Viola did not stop, but his Nephew's voice echoed over it.
"Renly, may I come in?"
There was a moment of silence, the viola itself stopped, before the voice returned. " Come in. Dagmir, if Renly approaches again please tell me. "
The Knight, apparently named Dagmir, nodded. " Of course your Grace."
'Such obedience, and not an ounce of arrogance, I can see why my Nephew chose this man.' Walking past the knight, he opened the door and took in the beautiful room. It was a far cry from the near empty quarters of Jaime Lannister or the animal covered walls of the Hunting Obsessed Robert. Beautiful tapestries, decorated with scenes of seas of grass and beasts of legends, Direwolves and Krakens and Dragons, covered many of the walls. More then a dozen dressers and cabinets lay snug against the walls, each ornate and beautiful and filled with who knew what. The floor itself had a lovely rug of some grey fur, ringing around the bed.
His nephew was sitting at a table nearest the window on the far right corner of the room, in his hands was a viola.
" I didn't realize you played, dear nephew?"
Arryn smiled, a handsome look that Renly enjoyed. "Most don't Uncle, or well they didn't. I performed alongside Lady Sansa at Winterfell, she has a gift for the High Harp that puts all of our minstrels to shame. I would love to hear her perform again... What is it that you wish to speak of?"
Sitting opposite of his nephew, Renly took a long breathe, considering his words, before speaking. "I wish to congratulate you on your new position. You seem to have a firm grasp for politics, which I admit I didn't expect. You were all but quarantined through your life bar a rare few moments. I know your mother never bothered to educate you in court intrigue, politics or anything regarding rule or governance. How is it that you came across your skills? As much as I enjoyed you putting Littlefinger in his place, I admit it was more then a touch suspicious. More then that, how is it that you convinced Tywin to get you a position on the Small Council?"
The question seemed to surpise his nephew, enough that poor boy began to put his viola away. "I... well I am not sure. Perhaps it is natural. Perhaps it has to due with the fact that I am an apt student of history and have read countless tomes involving the ruling of our country. For so many years that was my only window, into the world around.. I suppose that is what grants me the skills I need to govern... still, I am always open to further lessons. Tell me, you've been involved in goverence for some time. What is the secret that you've learned, one you didn't or couldn't anticipate."
The Youngest Baratheon son actually flinched, a moment of shame and discontentment boiling in his chest as he considered the state of the Realm and his part in it. "That the trick to ruling is lying, you place a face of prosperity to hide the shit behind you. A trick you out to learn if you intend to act with any measure of skill.
"A lesson I hope to embrace... but in that, I must ask you, Renly... what other shit are you hiding underneath that Mask of prosperity? Six million is debt cannot be all if my father is so deeply inept as I imagine. I do not trust the others to be honest with me, I know that most see me as merely a child and each has their own goals. It was clear on their faces that they did not enjoy my prying, Littlefinger especially."
Nephew and Uncle shared a long laugh, enjoying the notion of Littlefinger's displeasure. Once the laughter faded, Renly took on a rare serious face and faced his nephew fully.
"Honestly, there are more issues then I can safely tell you. Bribery in the Goldcloaks, pressures by and for certain houses to replace your mother as my Brother's wife, unsavory rumors that threaten more then you realize... speaking of rumors, I'd advise more discretion of you are going to continue to enjoy our stableboys."
'What?' A moment of panic washed through Arryn's body, the blood fleeing his skin leaving him cold and afraid. His uncle looked at him, smug but not cruel. Barely managing to calm himself, Arryn leaned forward on his hands, looking at his Uncle. "I'd say the same of you, dear uncle. We seem to share a taste and my prowess has been compared to your own more then once."
This seemed to shake his Uncle, who actually looked offended for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. "I have more then a decade on you and they are comparing us... I think I might be losing my touch... are you fucking your Guard?"
"Are you fucking Loras?" Both smirked at each other and a rare sense of kinship developed between them. Freed of the exhausting niceties of court, the evils of family and the shames of society. "He is wonderful, Dagmir I mean. Very gifted with his hands, lots of stamina. I met him by accident, as seems to be in my nature. He was with a squire and both were afraid that I would expose them. A few lessons were all I really wanted. Men and Women, both are wonderful really. What I would have given to be born in Dorne."
"Same. It would be wonderful to be free of the need to hide all of the time...As much fun as this is, I have a meeting to get to... With Loras. I will speak with you another time, about the specifics, but it's early. You've only just go back. Enjoy yourself, trust me when you really start to work with the Small Council you will find little time to enjoy yourself or other people.
Sharing another smirk, Arryn watched his uncle leaving his room.
'It seems that I might have at least one ally outside of Pycelle. That is some comfort... he is right though I need more discretion. It would not serve me if Tywin learns of my nocturnal activities. I shudder at the thought... now... I do believe it time to read that letter my grandfather sent me.' Standing, Arryn pulled out the letter from underneath he velvet of his viola's caste. "Dagmir, until I say otherwise, cough if someone comes. I need some privacy for a bit and no, not for that. I have you for that."
Laughter echoed from his delicious guard, making him roll his eyes before he settled onto his bed, holding the letter where he could see it.
Arryn
It pleases me that at least one of my descendants seems determined to honor the legacy of House Lannister. However, as I am sure you can understand, I will not trust you entirely yet. Blood or not, you need to earn your place in my confidence. To ensure that you can do this in any manner, I will be assigning you a position on the Small Council, Advisor in practice. Your duties, while limited, are not to be taken lightly. Listen well, absorb everything you think is relevant and everything that isn't. If you see a chance to make a positive change for our house, do so. If you are unsure, speak to Pycelle and he will contact me.
I expect results and honesty.
I do not know the full depths of your Mother's or Brother's destructiveness. Speak to Pycelle on these matters and I will do what I can to advise you to bring them to toe the line. Do what you can to counter them without raising their ire, before and during your Brother's reign. I will be sending your mother a letter instructing her to the nature of your new status though not to how you obtained it. She does not need to know that you are working against her, however she has quite a few spies in the Capital and many who are loyal to her. She is a valuable pawn in this Game but dangerous if not controlled, as you have seen in regard to her actions on the Kingsroad.
Continue to manifest that connection with House Stark, as you wisely stated we have no connections in the North and that needs to change. Having the Queen on your side is always helpful, especially when she has the ear of the Northern Houses. Do what you can to win over Lord Stark, the man is an honorable fool but he has the ear of the King and will be a great asset if you can win him over or at the very least ensure that he does not stand in your way.
Pycelle will instruct you on the current condition of the Realm and those on the Small Council, he has a wealth of information that will be vital if you are to act with any purpose. I have instructed him on what I wish for you to do, what I wish for you to learn. Not everything that can be conveyed in a single letter.
I will send another letter in a week after Pycelle gives report on your status and skills.
Do not disappointment me and burn this letter once you have read it.
Tywin Lannister.
Shivering, Arryn shifted away from the letter. "How is it that I am all but hearing the Rains of Castemere just from a letter? What a cold man... still he has given me a lot to think of... I had never even considered that my Mother had spies... who else has Spies? Can I trust anyone? Should I?" Groaning, he buried his head in his lap. "Renly knows that I have been fucking around with men, but I know the same about him so that negates that little secret for his use... Pycelle is owned by his Grandfather is seems and My mother is deranged. I know little about Varys or Littlefinger… I need friends and not just those in high places. I was too shortsighted and it might kill me if I do not learn from it. Sansa and Arya are still useful and Lord Stark still seems to like me but they have no connections here. I need to learn how to play the game better before I piss off the wrong person... How does one make a spynetwork? This isn't something a person can learn from a book... but I guess you start small, so I would have to ensure that my secrets are kept … and Dagmir is often my guard and the only one that know personally so he would be the perfect person to start from... DAGMIR, Get in here."
Slowly, but with some efficiency, the guard appeared before him and in the three seconds it took for him to get to where Arryn was sitting the boy took into account all he knew of the man. Long and Lean with delicious red hair everywhere it mattered, the man was a forced to be reckoned with a sword and bow. Not equal to his true or presumed father, Dagmir was still a powerful fighter one of the reasons he was Arryn's personal guard every so often.
Not a member of the Goldcloaks, the man was a Hedgeknight who had impressed his father during a tournament a few years back and stuck around pulling occasional sentry duty. He held no powerful name, being born a commoner who was lucky enough to gain knighthood. He was wonderful in bed, a patient hands on sort of teacher who did not mind their three year age gap. Though they rarely spoke outside of the throes of passion and orders, there was a layer of respect that came from knowing a secret shared between the two of them. He knew, from those few conversations, that Dagmir was a smart man that knew to be quiet when it suited him. After all he had been well aware of Arryn's skills with a violin and his ravenous appetite for reading, facts that few others knew... still in truth the man was more a passing aquantice that he had slept with. However above all else, he knew the man was utterly unspoken for. No one held his loyalty yet, he was skill but not entirely remarkable or interesting to most... he was understated and that made him exactly what Arryn needed.
Almost immediately, one path became clear to gaining the man's loyalty. Something that all Hedgeknights desired... and feared.
"Your grace?" Rumbly and deep the man's voice was like pure honey to Arryn, a sound he craved but at the moment Arryn buried the feelings it usually invoked.
Sitting tall, he gestured the man closer, reaching out to stop him from shedding his armor. "Not now, Dagmir… later perhaps but not now. I have a few things to say to you and I need for you to answer me honestly and without hesitation. Do you understand?" The man nodded but did not speak, instead he turned serious and a little afraid. "As you are no doubt aware I am now on the Small council... and I have already begun to make enemies. It has come to my attention that I... need to create allies. Not just those in higher places but people of all skills and statuses. You and I have more then one shared secret, so you came to mind. So I ask you, will you be loyal to me... and me alone? Will you become my Sworn Shield? To protect me from those that would do me harm while I do my duty?"
There was a moment of silence before the man spoke. " Why would you want me? I don't even guard you at all times? What would I gain from this?" Not impertinent, but genuinely curious, the man looked at him with something akin to fear and hope.
"Your skilled, powerful and I know that you, like most Hedgeknights, are afraid of losing what little employment you have. My father could terminate your employment at any time despite your skill. Should you swear your loyalty to me, I will name you my Sworn Shield. You will be protected from losing your position and, should you serve me well, I will do what I can to grant you a Lordship."
Inside, Arryn was terrified. He did not want to reveal all of his secrets to the man, as it was he was taking a large risk in telling the man this much. To be honest if he hadn't had dirt on the man, namely his habit of bedding men, he would never even attempt this. Like how Arryn would have to earn Tywin's confidence, Dagmir would have to earn his confidence. He had a slight start, one that few others had, but still a long way to go.
Slowly but with some confidence, Dagmir nodded. " I would be honored to, Your Grace... will we continue to fuck?" Brash and crass, the man's words were enough to make Arryn laugh loudly. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Yes, you should, but we need to be discrete. My Uncle made it clear that he is aware of my past indiscretions just as I am with his. Others might not be so forgiving. We need more allies." He realized, with a start, looking at the man before him and realizing just how unbalanced his life had become. "You will be my guard but if you are busy destroying my body, others will notice your absence... I will speak to my Father about your appointment but you will do your best to find those few we can trust to work for me. Something like my own Kingsgaurd… that is your first task... but first, your oaths... do you know them? Admittedly I do not."
That same wonderful smirk crossed his occasional lover's face. "I do, Your grace."
"Sworn Shield?" Robert looked at his second born son, squinting to see past the haze of drink and exhaustion. Arryn, scrawny and tired looking, stared at him with little expression. Damn near a clone of his grandfather, only more tired. "This one? Drogon, Devon... Davos... Dagmir, that's right. You got third in the Tournament on Joffrey's Nameday in Swordplay and fifth in Archery... yes, that it. Why this one? Your on the Small Council now thanks to the debt I owe your fucking grandfather I know you probably need a body guard like your brother... but why this one?"
His son, much to his credit, did not seem at least the slightest bit bothered by Robert's inebriation or stare. With a poise that Robert knew he could never manage, Arryn spoke. "Of all of the gaurds I have had over the years, he is the only one to stand out. He is skilled, powerful and I know him. He has proven reliable to me in the past. Besides, I know how tired of the Lannisters you are, a sentiment I understand. My mother's family can be quite grating." With a slight sneer, his son turned and looked at the sniveling moron Lancel, who actually quivered at the much younger boy's look. "He has no connection to any of them, so in appointing him you owe nothing. He would be mine and mine alone. Something that, as a member of the Small Council, I need."
'Huh, you speak nothing like your mother... and you are trying to get at least some power from her. I wish I could do that...' Without any shame, Robert knew that he barely knew his son even when compared to his other children. The boy had been terminally sick most of his life, enough so that Robert cast him aside from the Line of Succession. The boy hadn't even argued when he learned this, or even seemed all to effected by it. Like most he had been surprised and moved when the boy had performed at Winterfell, though Wine had something to do with that. " Very well, do as like. Dagmir do you swear to keep my son, Arryn Baratheon from harm, to obey his commands, to keep his secrets, to counsel him when requested and to keep silent when not, to defend his name and honor?" He didn't care that his words were rushed or slurred or that this appointment would piss off Cersei. He just wanted it over with so he could get back to his wine.
Dagmir nodded, head bowed as he kneeled. "I do, your grace."
"Then by order of the king, take your place as the Sword Shield of Arryn Baratheon now and forever... or until he releases you from service."
The Hedgeknight nodded. "As you will it, your Grace." When he rose, there was a note of happiness and loyalty that Robert knew all too well. It was clear to him that the man cared for his son, perhaps fucked him much as Loras had Renly. He didn't care either way, however..
'Little Bastard has more loyalty in one person then I have in this Kingdom, bar Ned...' He ignored the feeling of jealousy rise within him, satisfying it with a look towards his son. "You have to be the one to tell your mother."
Finally some emotion broke on his son's face, a look of pure annoyance and disgust that sent Robert laughing long after his son left his quarters.
'What an embaressment. We have been in Kingslanding less then a day and he is already piss drunk...still, it made it easier to get him to obey my simple request.' Turning he looked at Dagmir, who was carrying himself with more swagger then normal. He seemed almost drunk on the power of his status, which wasn't as potent as the Kingsgaurd but did give him something substantial to hold onto when it came to most guards. Even the Goldcloaks could not interfere with any orders he was given, so long as it did not endanger another royal. 'I hope he doesn't get a big head about this...and I hope he understands the need for secrecy.'
His Newly Sword Shield, after a few minutes of following him in silence, turned to him. "Where are we going, your Grace?"
"To speak to GrandMaester Pycelle. I have a few questions for him. When I do, Guard the door." In a much quieter voice, he spoke to the man. "Cough if anyone comes near."
The man actually nodded, seemingly understanding the need for discretion. "As you wish, Your Grace."
'Good, hopefully he will prove to be a wise investment. I do not know how many poor investments I can afford. All I really have right now is my family name and even then I barely have that... I need to gain more allies if I am to make any powerful changes. I cannot afford to be weak forever, leaning on title and name. My Grandfather seems to be only interested in the family name, my mother in Joffrey, Joffrey in the suffering of others and Robert in Drink and Whores. It seems that I alone will be looking out for the realm... a pity really. I need to manage my family name though since it is what I have... How can I make it more mine then theirs? So many questions, so many things to do and so little time...'
By the time he reached the Maester's quarters, a slight headache burned against his temples, the stress of his lofty goals too great for his body.
After knocking and letting himself in, he was greeted by the sight of the Ancient Maester… and his lovely mother. The First looked at him with simple shock and a little fear, the other with anger and confusion.
"Hello Maester, Mother... I see your both here... shall we begin?"
Dagmir couldn't help the smile that etched it's way on his face. Finally he was secured into a position that ensured that he would get to eat. Far too many Hedgeknights ended up little more then beggers, having no food or a even a roof. That he had a Lord that wanted him for his skills, on the battlefield and bedroom, was more then he had hoped.
'I wonder what changed? Arryn never cared about discretion or governing. Before they left he was all but a hermit, hiding even his progress and recovery just to be alone...I think I should ask him, but will he tell me or will he become a cunt like the majority of the people here?'
Deciding it would be best to think about it another time, Dagmir return to reality and waited for his Lord, knowing that all he could do for the moment was wait and obey. He had just given him everything, the least he could do was obey.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was hard and fun to write. A little bit of filler but it was also in writing this that I realized how vulnerable he was, how isolated... I wanted him to realize just how little he has and how he needs to expand his reach in more then just making friends. How his indescretions didn't matter to him in the past due to his illness and lack of power, now are hindering him due to his new goals... he is finally realizing just how much is needed to have power in this world and how much could really hinder or kill him. This and the last chapter were the same day and this is the conclusion, so to speak, of the first arc in the story if you will.
It is hard for me to write him having connections before hand, I always make a character starting with nothing... I wanted to isolate that in it's own chapter so I can do this well. I also wanted to show that he does have some connections that have been hindered, a past that we are going to slowly see. Consequences of a past filled with isolation...
He knows Renly and Tyrion and several others but I rarely show just what his relationship with them are and how they will affect him. This was sort of a test to see if I could forge realistic connections... make it seem like he has a past that has actually affected him and others. Dagmir is a good example of that... they are connected enough to matter now that he is present but not enough to have been in his thoughts before...
This is hard for me and I really would appreciate feedback as to my progress on this.
We will be seeing a lot of Dagmir, including POVs I think.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
