Good news, I may be getting a new job with far better hours. Four Ten hour shifts so i have more days to write. I love this story and only want to write it on my days off so it had fully attention. That is why there had been a delay. if i get this job you can expect more updates.
The last chapter was short because it didn't need to be long. It ended an arc and it felt at the right length but don't worry that won't be a trend.
I find this story the easiest to freehand, not sure why but it is the best story for that. I love it for that.
"Your a fool of a man, Ned Stark." The first words that came from Arryn's mouth barely were able to express his deep annoyance with the man he saw chained to the walls of the black cells. "A honorable fool, what were you thinking rushing like that? Do you really know so little about how the real world works that you thought you could trust Littlefinger or the Gold Cloaks? Slynt is a corrupt fool as are many of the morons in the capital." Kneeling, he ignored the contemptuous look on the man's face. "Thankfully you were uninjured, I cannot imagine how an infection would harm you right now. I brought you some supplies, food and water. If you are to stand trial then you need to be well feed."
Ned grunted at the second born prince. "Why do you act the part of a friend when you were the one to capture me?"
"You misunderstand, though I loathe you for your pointless honor and deep ignorance, I cannot fault you for doing what you feel is right. You are a naïve man, but one that means well. You tried to help the kingdom in your own way, even if it damns me and mine, I cannot fault you for it. This is a motion of my respect for that act, foolish though it was." Arryn didn't smile, this wasn't something that brought him any joy. " Sansa came to court today, begging for your release and pardon. I was barely able to watch it... it hurt to see her like that, to see any child beg for the survival of their parent. I was able to comfort her, to ease her fears as best I could. My mother and Joff want to rub her nose in their victory but I have held them back. Your daughter, regardless of your path, will be fine. I will not allow her abuse or misery while she under our care. If nothing else believe that."
There was a moment of silence, then Ned nodded. " I believe you. You have always been kind to my children, regardless of your dislike of me. Why though, do you fight for your brother if you know he is not the true king. I saw your face, you could not hide that from me."
"Many kings and queens have taken the throne without proper rights, Robert is one such king. If Joff was dethroned, then my siblings and I are all in danger. We would be executed or banished for a crime we have had no part in. Where does your honor allow the safety of three innocent children, myself included? It doesn't Lord Stark, it is too tied to semantics that hold little power. Stannis would have made a poor king, too consumed with his own pride to help his people even now. Renly is lazy, ignorant and poor at his job too consumed with spending money on parties and sleeping around like Robert. Neither would have helped the realm."
"And Joffery will? Cersei will?"
"No, but I can. I can guide them, they fear and respect me. My grandfather listens to my thoughts and orders them to obey. Together we can guide the realm to a more right place. Already I have gained the title of Master of Laws from Renly since he left, and with that I have power of a countless many including prisoners like you. My mother knows I am here, so do not think you can break up any loyalty there." Arryn's eyes were cold as he said this, holding the man with a glance. "I am still Advisor as well, a dual position just as Grand Maesters can also be Hands of the King. I will hold this until I can guide another to act as Advisor."
"You continue to accumulate power, are you sure you do not wish to be king?" Ned's sneer was impressive despite the clear case of mild dehydration.
"I wish to help the realm survive my family, that is all. I wish to be remembered. To make the realm a place my sister and brother can call home and be proud of... that is all Lord Stark... now, there is a matter we must discuss. Many in fact but I only have time for a few... the first is the most simple. We have lost Arya, that fool Slynt chased her away and her dancing teacher defended her until she could leave safely. She is missing, the Gold Cloaks are searching for her but she is a capable student apparently as none of found her. Should we do so, know that she may be used as her sister, to gain control of the North. Be it through marriage or other means, but I will ensure that she survives and thrives in the capital."
Ned, who had taken a sharp in take at the notion of Arya missing, let out a long exhale that seemed almost painful. "Thank you... for that..."
"I mean it, Ned. I will ensure their safety. I may lack my mother's command of the people but I do have some loyal to me. The cells are in a rare state of empty, so outside your guards and a few others, they are searching for her. If I am her finder, then I will put her in a safe place to be monitored and respected. Not because she is your daughter but because no one deserves to suffer my mother's wrath. Or Joff's for that matter."
Ned nodded here, and it seemed that he was on the verge of smiling despite the horrors of his situation. " What then, do you want to speak about otherwise?"
"Are you aware that your son, Robb, is marching South with an army of his own?"
"No... but he is a just a boy!"
"A boy loyal and loving, one taught honor at your side. One that would do as you would. Boys have conquered before and he is no different. " A smile made it's way to Arryn's face as he considered the handsome boy, how he had yearned to bed him and how he might have to bury him to survive. It was a strange turn of events. "I wish to make peace with him, to stop a war that would carve a swath through the realm... I need your help to do that. Confess your treason and be sent to the wall with your sweet bastard. Go and live, and know that in doing so all will be safe. Your blood, your daughters, your son. Do so and know that we all will live through the coming winter without having a war destroy out rations, population and survial."
"I cannot tell if you are trying to manipulate me or not, you spoke so easily about killing Danerys Targaryen and yet here you are trying to stop a war... which is it, which lives are vunerable to you?"
"My family, myself and the realm... but in truth I would sacrifice my family and myself for the realm but choosing my uncles would help no one so I choose my brother in the hopes that I can mitigate the damage he and his would cause. So, I ask you again, would you serve the realm and your blood and confess? Will you choose love and the survival of the realm over your arrogance and honor? This is your only chance to do right by the world..."
The previous Hand said nothing for a long moment. "Give me time to consider it..."
"Time is a resource you barely have, but one you do have... enjoy your meal for it may be your last in any comfort...goodbye, Lord Stark. I do not pray but I do hope you make the right choice when it comes to it." With that, Arryn stood and moved away from the previous Hand of the King and made his way out of the cell, seeing the two gaurds now under his sway. "Allow no one to pass, not even my mother. If she asks why, tell her to speak to me first. I cannot stop Joff from passing but keep your eyes on him."
"Yessir!" They both said, nodding to him with a low bow.
Satisifed, he marched away, through the darkness of the underground cells and up to the light of the day. He barely made it fifty paces before he saw Lancel marching towards him, pale faced and shaking.
"My Lord, your brother the King wishes to speak to you in his chambers. Then I am to obey you, for I am your service fully now." Lancel bowed low. " I swore to serve your father and now I am to serve you. Now and forever, my Lord. My sword and sheild are yours to command."
A sense of satisfaction overcame Arryn at the sight of one of his lesser plans, namely getting Lancel's loyalty, coming to fruition. He hadn't put too much effort into it so it was satisfying to see it in action. " Go to the Stables and watch my dear brother Tommen. As of this point you are to guard him at all times if I do not order you otherwise. Youa re to obey the orders of Dagmir as well, for he is my sworn sword and speaks with my authority when it comes to my and my siblings defense. Am I clear?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good... now go. I will speak to Joffrey." Lancel bowed once more and hurried off, carrying his hand over his sword as he obediently carried out his orders. " That was satisfying... anyway, time to deal with my brother."
""'
Knocking on Joffrey's door, Arryn felt a sense of discomfort that he couldn't quite place. He had seen how the power of the Crown had already swayed his brother's greedy heart, he wasn't familiar with how to control a dog with a crown. He had to be more careful now then ever before.
"Cone in." Joffrey's voice echoed through the door, a false impression of regality.
Obeying, Arryn walked through and offered a slight bow to his brother. "My King, I came as quickly as I was able."
Joffrey nodded, standing in front of a mirror as he admired his new clothes. They were red and gold, Lannister colors of course, that buttoned up to his throat. A lion existed on each side, chasing a crowned stag. Arryn had personally designed it, a gift to gain some appreciation from his brother, to soften him up if only slightly. "How did you meeting with the traitor go? Has he confessed his treason?"
"He might, I gave him reason enough to move past his pride but it is up to him. If he does, the wisest move would be to spare him and make him take the Black. This way we do not lose the North. As it is it might be enough to stop a war before it strips of resources."
" That would be bad...right?" For the first time, Arryn actually heard uncertainty in Joff's voice. His eyes were shaken and his skin paler then normal. "I have a confession, I spoke to our sister about you. I saw how easily father seemed to respect you, how your suggestions always seemed to get him to like me. I resented you for that for some time, but when I saw your success on the council and how father actually took you on a hunt... I realized you could help me. She helped me to woo Sansa, more successfully then what mother's suggestions would have allowed. I wanted to ignore her but I saw you in her eyes... was she always so smart?"
"Smarter then I am by far, and smarter then even our grandfather I would bet. She needs guidance and I will give her that. I know you resent women for what you perceive as weakness, but in this I feel you are wrong. We need all of our allies dear brother, she can be a devastating enemy or a great ally. Let us be wise in making her what we need her to be."
Joff nodded. " I admit I was disgusted by her orders at first but you are right, have I been so blind to this? To the power some women can posses?"
"Yes, and many other things but I blame mother. She never allowed you to grow. I am here to help you, Joff, now and forever."
"I believe that... " Joff turned around. " Thank you for crafting this, it suits me... I heard from mother that you are training our siblings in martial arts and giving them ways to grow... I know it was supposed to be secret but she has never hid anything from me. I want you to help me as well, to make me better as you always have."
Almost unable to believe his brother's words, Arryn slowly approached Joff and placed his hands on his brother's shoulders. "That you are willing to allow this is proof that you will be better then you realize... but we shall start now. I want you to learn history and maths. I do not trust that idiot Baelish, he has doomed us to a massive debt to many others including the Iron Bank. I do not think you need to be told how dangerous that is, I know you enjoyed the stories about them."
Joff's face went paler. " How... how did father allow that?" His snarl was almost intimidating.
"Father rarely cared Joff he was a great warrior but poor king. Even he owned up to that...
Joff shook. "I... how can we deal with that? I have no ideas other then raising taxes."
"That would only cause conflict within the people... we can raise it with special events, and using Baelish. He caused the debt to grow so he should play a part to undo it."
His brother let out a cruel bout of laughter. "That will be satisfying... but I have one question, the real reason you are here... why did Ned Stark condemn me as not being the true heir? Mother is lying to me, I can tell... I have heard some rumors, about... her and Uncle Jaime... about them..."
Arryn sighed, sitting down next to his brother, gesturing for his brother to do the same. "It is true... mother and Jaime slept together and we are all the product of that. We must not allow to be public knowledge of course, you know that... Ned discovered it as did the Previous hand. We must ensure that it does now happen again, that no one else discovers the truth. Less you lose claim to the throne."
"That's... I …" Joffrey shivered. "Should I punish mother for this?"
"As much as I would enjoy that, no... she holds too much power. We need to mitigate that. I would not put it past her to get rid of us to get her own power. No... we must cut her off slowly. I am on the council with two positions... to which I must thank you, I never would have even asked to get the Master of Laws Position on my own. I have control over Tommen and Marcella, which will stem mother's influence over the future. I have grandfather's respect so that should stem mother's disobedience... for the time we can at least negate her before she causes too much damage."
"That would be good... thank you, I know you were not fond of me before this. I know you still aren't." Joff's eyes were filled with a rare understanding, one that his brother had never had before. "I am trying to be better, I do not want to be killed like Father."
"I won't let you be. We will make you loved and respected, not just due to title but deed. It takes a council to rule, so even if mother is acting in your stead you should joint he council meetings. Silently at first, just to observe but eventually you should speak for and against certain actions."
"That sounds boring, but I will do what I need to do."
"Good... now, if there is little else, I must depart. I have to give our sister her lessons. I have decided to spend more time learning the art the sword. It has been too long since I have trained. I am rusty and it showed when we took Ned Stark and his people."
Joff actually laughed, laughed in a warm and not cruel way. "I noticed you almost were as poor a swordsmen as I am."
"No one else is that poor Joff."
And then he left, his brother's laughter lingering the air as he hurried away. The sound was stunning as it was alarming. Was his brother manipulating him? Was it genuine? Was there a secondary motive behind it? The weight of having to guess everyone's secondary or tertiary motives was heavy on Arryn's soul.
""""
"And that is what I told him."
Arryn nodded, looking at his little sister who had turned pale the moment he mentioned that he knew she spoke to Joffrey on her own, commanding her brother to listen to her wisdom. " I am not happy you did this on your own, he is violent and cruel but clearly it was successful enough that he is questioning his dislike of women. That says a great deal... but be more careful sister. I cannot always protect you."
"I know..."
"Good... now we should move onto what you discovered in my absence. You seemed excited before seeing me in blood."
Her smile returned and with it a radiant smugness. "Flowers!" She paused, waiting to be interrupted he assumed, before moving on. " I want to make new gardens across the City, Glass and otherwise like in the north so we can grow plants during the winter and store more. If this war is to come, then we can increase our productivity and rations even if slightly. It will be expensive but I think we can manage it. We can have bastards we trust and those in the city run it, so they feel apart of the public works, gaining more loyalty."
It was impossible not to pull his sister into a warm hug. " You prodigy, you brilliant girl you... that is wonderful idea and one I fully endorse. I can offer prisoners a chance to gain their freedom with community service to clean up the areas both in and around your gardens. Any with construction experience can help with their creation. Brilliant my dear. Hmm, that will go well with my other idea."
"What idea?" She looked excited to hear it, and looked up with bright shining eyes.
"I want to have some maesters in the area train women in child birthing techniques and other healing methods so that we are not undone by a lack of healers and medics when the war and winter come. A glance at history has told the cost of a lack of healers. With you new supply of healing plants and a paid training we could help our common people and set up a sense of loyalty... subverting the damage Ned Stark has caused."
"Wonderful!" She said, looking excited. "Dagmir, you had some ideas too, right?"
Both turned to the man, the eldest among them, who seemed contemplative. "Yes, my lady... I wish to train your bastard siblings, and other low born, to make a better guard for you. We know they are likely to be killed by Joffrey or your mother so you have no competition for the throne, but doing so would destroy the people's trust in the Crown. This would help I imagine."
"And create a better defense in case of more treason.. and we can ship some of them into the Gold Cloaks... and we can have some of them act as Guards for the Black Cells as well, that way no one will accuse me of gaining an army of my own. Really wonderful... they will hold my sigil though, as you do my friend."
He imagined it, people carrying his personal sigil. A Grey background with hands holding up a purple heart covered in vines. He was proud of it, Dagmir already held it on his armor, a sign of his loyalty. He would present it publicly on his own clothes soon as they were crafted, so people would associated him separate from the Crown on some level. He wanted to be seen as his own force for good so when everything went to hell he was less likely to fall with the idiots around him.
Dagmir offered a smile. " Of course, they would be your personal guard much as the King has the Kingsguard."
"Oh what the call them... and the more of them in and around the Goldcloaks and what not, the more sway I have all around... perfect. Now... dear sister, it is time for you to start your lessons. Tell me, how far did you read ahead in your books? Then you can tell me about Tommen. "
Her eyes all but sparkled as she started to tell him about her adventures. "I made it to the part about the Fall of old Valayria! I never realized how dangerous volcanoes were, it seems sort of foolish for them to build their cities around them and I -"
'"'
With some disgust, Cersei listened to her spy and his tales. It annoyed her to hear that her sons were not only getting along, and thus losing the rift she planned to take advantage of to get rid of Arryn's power, but that Joffrey had actually sought out his brother's advice. It ruined a great many of her plans...
"Keep an eye on my sons and report any meetings they have back to me."
"I will my lady. " Her spy, one of Joffrey's guards and a bastard who's father was in service to her, nodded and bowed low to her.
"You are dismissed." As the spy left, she stood and turned to face the mirror, seeing her sons in her image. It pained her to go against them, more then anything, but she knew that if she wanted to wield any power, then she had to do it.
Arryn did not trust her, people flocked to him and he now held two seats on the Small Council. His grandfather liked him and offered him greater power stiill, and he had sway over her younger two children. Joffrey was the king, defiant and powerful and willful. He was only so controllable now and she knew of his thoughts towards women. With them working together, her power would shrink to nothing. She had to be swift if she wanted to remain where she could control the world.
Where to start though? She had no idea, this was not a path she ever anticipated...
What would she do next?
What could she do?
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was fun, powerful and exciting to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
