All trademarked items in this fanfiction is owned by their respective copyright holders (A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio by Ark Performance, etc). The ones owned by me are past and future OCs, plot, and author's thoughts. This fanfiction is made solely for entertainment purposes and not intended for any material gain.
A March of The Meek and Landless
Act 1: A Place to Belong
Chapter 6
Renly stepped into the Small Council chambers that morning, all smiles after a particularly relaxing night. The chamber was sparsely populated, with only Varys and Baelish lounging on their assigned seats, talking about one topic or the other. Despite the passing of Jon Arryn, the mood was not particularly heavy or oppressive. The Tower of The Hand was already vacated, with only a handful of valemen remaining to seek further employment in the capital rather than returning to their hometowns.
"Good morning everyone," Renly greeted as he took his own assigned seat.
"Good morning Lord Baratheon," Baelish said, turning to Renly.
"A good morning to you too, Lord Baratheon," Varys tittered.
"Any juicy gossip this morning, Lord Varys?" Renly asked after he put his dossier down. "I'll take news of our king's army too, if any."
"Ah, you would be asking for the impossible by asking news from the Expeditionary Forces my lord," Varys said, his tone slightly dismayed. "My sparrows are wondrous creatures, alas they lack the resolve of ravens and the speed of goshawks. The best I can do is what they have heard from the riverfront."
"And what do the riverfront have to say?" Renly pressed the line of inquiry.
"That one sister is locked in her home," Varys said, his tone light. "And she cries for help from her other sisters."
"I guess my brothers are doing well, then," Renly shrugged before leaning to his seat.
"I do hope the loot they brought back will help our finances," Baelish half-groused. "We have an interest payment to the Iron Bank in two moons."
"My brother will more likely squander them into tourneys," Renly said in a half-grumbling tone.
"Good morning everyone," Jaime said as he entered the room.
"Good morning, Ser Lannister… and Your Grace The Queen?" Petyr said, his words taking a higher lilt when Cersei entered the room behind Jaime. "A surprise to see you here, of all places."
"With the death of our venerable lord Hand, I feel the Small Council has become too small indeed," Cersei said in an imperious tone. "I feel the royal family would have to step in more, and I am the most senior member of the royal family in residence."
"Indeed Your Grace," Baelish agreed in an amicable tone. Renly sighed.
"Good morn everyone," Pycelle greeted as he shuffled into the chamber.
"Well then, shall we start the meeting?" Cersei said in a suggestion that sounds more like an insistence.
"Then let the meeting commence," Renly relented after a nod.
"Right," Jaime said, his words sounding more eloquent than he usually does. "In light of the death of Lord Arryn, I feel that a new Hand of The King should be swiftly appointed, lest the kingdom veer further astray from the right path. The Queen and I had convened privately and we feel that appointing our father as Hand, at least in the interim, would be prudent."
"Lord Tywin was Hand for many years," Pycelle droned. "And those years were prosperous indeed. The Queen spoke with wisdom and temperance."
"Lord Lannister is also not here," Renly countered. "I fear the raven exchange and journey would take too long."
"What threat are we racing against, Lord Baratheon?" Cersei snapped quickly. "The realms are at peace! Unless suddenly Lord Stark has… creative thoughts with the banners he has gathered perhaps? What do you have in this, Lord Varys?"
"Mine sparrows heard nothing but peaceful chirps, Your Grace," Varys said, his tone perhaps meant to be soothing. "Lord Stark remained forthcoming and honorable about the use of his banners in supporting The Wall, per his last correspondence with the late Lord Hand."
"That is so," Pycelle said, unprompted.
"Besides, Father has my goodsister in his service," Jaime said. "He could be in King's Landing inside a tenday after our raven's arrival at Casterly Rock."
"Such wondrous magic indeed…" Pycelle doddered.
"I see, I see," Renly replied as he smiled a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "I am sure Lord Tywin would be a balm in these trying times."
"I am glad you can see reason, Lord Baratheon," Cersei said, basking in her victory. "Now, any other problems we should address today?"
…
"Jon, hey!" Loras greeted as he jogged towards the patch of land Jon was occupying in the impromptu practice yard near the harbor.
"Loras," Jon replied as he lowered his sword. "I didn't think I'd see you here in the frontlines."
"Ser Kirino thought of lending her squires to the Expeditionary Forces to gain battle experience," Loras said. "Sam and I were assigned to Lady Owari, but Lady Owari thought Sam would fit better with Lady Amaha at logistics."
"Sam?" Jon asked, his tone half bewildered.
"Samwell Tarly, son of my father's bannerman Lord Randyll. Bit of a pudge and inept in battle, but we are improving that," Loras answered the question before asking his own. "What are you doing here?"
"There's a war going, milord," Jon replied in a deadpan.
"You prat," Loras replied, no real heat in his statement. "I mean in the practice yard."
"Practice, really. Keeping my body tired," Jon replied after a sigh. "Keeps me from thinking too much about the battle."
"Ah… right," Loras said, a little awkwardly.
"How about you?" Jon countered. "Did you lead men in the battle?"
"Aye, a handful of Tarth levies," Loras replied after a sigh. "Tomard was a veteran of the Storm's End siege. Helped me a lot."
"Thank the gods for veterans," Jon said. "Well, don't let me keep you if you're on an errand."
"Naw, not really. I was sent to relay a request to the sutlers but I already did that," Loras replied, his tone again chipper. "So I am actually free!"
"Is that… so," Jon said unsurely.
"Want to spar?" Loras asked. "Come on, I have not met you in the ring since Casterly Rock!"
"Well if you insist milord," Jon answered with mock deference.
"Cheeky bastard," Loras replied, before getting a wooden sword from a nearby rack.
They clashed and clashed, as the sun rose higher in the sky. A few people stopped to watch, though not for long. They ended their spar near midday, when the heat of the midday sun defeated the cool breeze from the sea.
"Ahh… you're really good, you know that?" Loras said as he sat down on a shaded bench.
"Do not sell yourself short, Loras," Jon countered. "It's really hard to find your gaps. Renfred and Landon are leagues below you."
"Speak for yourself, Ser Snow," Loras said after a chuckle. "Fighting you is like fighting a waterfall."
"Ser Snow huh…" Jon idly wondered. "I still hadn't thought of being a knight… when in actuality we could be knighted any day now, Ser Tyrell."
"That it is. So, what would you do after knighting?" Loras asked.
"Probably stay here and hope I'll be given command or some land," Jon gave an answer though his tone had little surety to it. "The Kirinos are a good sort."
"Hear, hear," Loras agreed. "I will probably stay at the capital, do a bit of a tourney circuit and hope King Robert notices me."
"Aiming to be a Kingsguard?" Jon asked.
"A good position for a third son like me," Loras replied. "Though I would not object to marrying into House Kirino!"
"I would not be surprised if Lady Yamato is swamped by marriage offers," Jon sighed. "Brains, presence, riches, beauty… they have it all."
"Aye… generally a bit lean for Reacher standards, but I have been thrown down by Ser Kirino more times than I could count so I know there is strength there!" Loras nodded along. "How about you, Jon? Do you have a lady love waiting for you?"
"I… maybe, possibly," Jon responded, his face having a little blush to it. "I'd wait until I'm an ordained knight first before formally asking I reckon."
"Ah ha! Good for you, Jon! I am sure you will make a good husband for this lady love!" Loras exclaimed, patting Jon's shoulder.
"You flatter me, milord," Jon replied again in a tone of exaggerated deference. "I am but a bastard, envious of the nobility's lot of life."
"I will have you know that I am a good judge of character, bastard," Loras played along with a falsely imperious tone. "Who is it, by the by? Another Snow you left in Winterfell? Or maybe a crofter's daughter from Clegane lands? Or… oh no, could it be a blood Lannister? You cad!"
"Nothing so grandiose, no," Jon denied. "Besides, I wouldn't dare court a high lady like that!"
"But your father is a high lord yourself, you know," Loras replied, his words taking a soft tone. "Friend to our king, even. If your father asks, King Robert will make you a Stark with a stroke of the quill."
"I… don't think I want to be a Stark," Jon said, his words suddenly finding a stutter. "I… I think a name for myself would be better. Keeps Lady Catelyn… Lord Eddard's wife, that is, off my back."
"Ah… well, my mother would probably do the same if my father had a bastard who wants to be a Tyrell," Loras concurred. "Ugh, I am thirsty. Let us get some drinks at the galley tent."
"Aye milord," Jon said with a mock deferential tone. "I am feeling a little famished myself."
"Escort me then, caddish bastard," Loras replied, his high-and-mighty drawl as false as Jon's, if not more.
…
Brienne walked into the meeting room, still dressed in leathers. Around her she noticed the leaders of the Royal Expeditionary Forces milling about in the room. Davos gave her an acknowledging nod, as did Stannis.
"Ah, Brienne, good to see you here," Yamato greeted the Stormlander. "Have a seat, we are just going to start the meeting. Isokaze, the door please."
Isokaze nodded and went to close the door from the outside.
"Right. Thank you for attending this limited meeting everyone," Yamato said as she got up from her seat and stood by the board. "Today we are discussing a few matters regarding our current partial victory and what we will be doing moving forward. Firstly, the elephant in the room."
A few of the attendees sucked a sharp breath. The absence of Robert was keenly felt.
"Our king has been shot in the neck during the taking of the harbor gates two days ago," Yamato said after a steadying sigh. "The injuries were life-threatening but Hyuuga managed to save his life. Currently, His Grace is under her care, unconscious but stable."
"That is good news," Tyrion commented, "Losing Robert on the first day of the landing would have been devastating to our cause."
"Based on Robert's words just before he was incapacitated, I have reason to believe that Tyrosh got hold of a small number of skilled assassins, or maybe hunters, to do their bidding," Yamato went on. "Be alert for archers with goldenheart bows. If you managed to detain one, hold them for me. I have a need for… information from them."
The room sounded a collective affirmation. Brienne didn't feel the need to add, and instead nodded.
"The reports from logistics say that we still have enough provisions for at least three moons. Maybe five or six if Lord Baratheon tightens our belts a bit more," Yamato said, to the playful groans and sighs of the audience. Stannis seemed to bristle to the perceived insult, but did nothing to dissuade it. "If the situation takes a turn for the worse, however, I have set up supply pickups from Oldtown and Lannisport. Both should sustain us as long as our war coffers last… which is quite some time, after full asset appropriation from Argosh was done."
"What of Argosh, Lady Kirino?" Davos raised a question. "If I am not mistaken they are Tyrosh's main outpost town in The Disputed Lands."
"Sellswords and volunteers from a Volantene ally have been sent to secure Argosh for us, backed by Hatsushimo and Shiomaru," Yamato answered the question. "Shiomaru made a news run last night and they have secured the town.
"Wait, Volantene allies? You never told us we have support from Volantis," Theon said, bewildered
"To be fair they are… a bit of a windfall, so to speak," Yamato said, a sliver of a sheepish smile on her lips. "They have been vetted by our Braavosi contacts. Hidden anti-slavery private faction, pretty much."
"Magic and miracles at every turn," Stannis grunted. "The world would be wise to wonder."
"Any questions so far?" Yamato threw a question to the floor.
There were questions asked back and forth for half an hour, before the dialogue died down. Brienne saw no move to open the door, signaling that the meeting is not yet concluded.
"The next item, however… is both connected and not connected to the situation at hand," Yamato said, her expression turning a little more somber. "I prefer that anyone who would not want to be caught up on this matter to step out right now."
A moment passed, and then another. The attendees of the meeting did not move an inch. The Lannisters looked at each other before shrugging, while Brienne felt a little lost but unwilling to back out. She might have sensed some hesitation from Stannis, but Davos took no action to hold or encourage his liege-lord. Theon sat hunched with his elbows on the table and her hands making a bridge in front of his face, but didn't budge either.
"Very well, then," Yamato said with a nod. "You may proceed with the matter, Lord Baratheon."
"I have uncovered evidence that Cersei Lannister had engaged in adultery during her marriage with Robert," Stannis said after taking place by the board, his eyes locked at the three Lannisters in the room. "The three children we knew as prince and princess are definitely not Robert's progeny."
"Hold on, Lord Baratheon," Daven immediately cut into the conversation. "Is there definite proof of these allegations? Accusing the queen of infidelity, whoever she is, is not done lightly."
"Ser Daven, would you kindly describe Lord Baratheon's countenance to the room?" Yamato said after a quick gaze to Stannis, who returned a nod.
"Well… Lord Baratheon is tall, broad-shouldered, blue-eyed, and black-haired," Daven said, slight incomprehension in his voice.
"Thank you. Then Lord Tyrion, would you describe the royal children to the room?" Yamato replied, shifting the spotlight to Tyrion.
"Joffrey is tall, blond-haired, green-eyed, slim, not as heavyset or broad-shouldered as his father… Myrcella and Tommen are young still, but likely will follow their brother's countenance," Tyrion said, something resembling dreading comprehension in his voice. "... I do not like where this is going."
"Surely those are normal variance amongst children?" Gerion asked, trying to find a footing for argument. "Sometimes the look of a mother comes out stronger with children, particularly in sons."
"The crux of the matter here, Ser Gerion, is that the three of them do not resemble Robert at all and instead only resembled Cersei with an alarming regularity," Yamato countered. "As a counter-argument, I put forward the marriage of Lord Eddard Stark to Catelyn Tully, and the children they had. Shiomaru, would you describe the children of Lord Stark?"
"Lord Eddard Stark, black of hair and grey of eyes, married Lady Catelyn Tully, who is red of hair and blue of eyes. Their children are as follows. Robert 'Robb' Stark, red of hair, grey of eyes. Sansa Stark, red of hair, blue of eyes. Arya Stark, black of hair, grey of eyes. Brandon 'Bran' Stark, red of hair, blue of eyes. Yahagi told me later that Rickon Stark has black hair and blue eyes," Shiomaru recited. "I have met personally with the older five while I was staying at Winterfell while Ser Yahagi had the opportunity to meet Rickon when she visited Winterfell on the king's bidding."
"Also, it's not as if Robert does not have children from outside of the royal marriage," Yamato added. "Of which Lord Baratheon had done his own research."
"Edric Storm, black of hair, blue of eyes. He was born out of Delena Florent, who has brown hair and eyes," Stannis went on. "Gendry son of Mella, black of hair, blue of eyes. Mella was blond-haired and black-eyed. Bella daughter of Bessie, black of hair, blue of eyes. Bessie was black-haired and brown-eyed. Mya Stone daughter of Bethany, black of hair, blue of eyes. Bethany is blonde-haired and brown-eyed."
"That is… a queer regularity," Tyrion raised an objection. "Lord Baratheon, are you sure you did not cherry-pick the sample for the purpose of proving your hypothesis?"
"Tracking them is oddly quite difficult, so Davos and I were simply cataloguing who we managed to get to. I have a suspicion that someone is eliminating them," Stannis replied to the question. "Robert also used the service of whores extensively and they have ready access to moon tea, so no clues can be gained from that avenue."
"Lord Arryn also passed some information to Shioni when she confessed her own suspicion," Yamato again took the rein of the conversation. "He mentioned two names, Gowen Baratheon and Tessa Lannister, formerly Baratheon. Both were Baratheon-born nobles married to Lannisters."
"Gowen Baratheon, married Tya Lannister of the Casterly Rock Lannisters in 207 AC. Their son, Gerold Baratheon, died young. Black of hair, blue of eyes," Stannis launched into an explanation. "Tessa Baratheon, married Tybalt Lannister of the Lannisport Lannisters in 146 AC. Their issue, Lorena Lannister, black of hair, blue of eyes. Jon Lannister, black of hair, blue of eyes. Rhonda Lannister, black of hair, blue of eyes. Tynessa Lannister, black of hair, green of eyes. Their line from Jon Lannister was known as the Black Lannisters, until it ended with Lorean Lannister who died without issue during the Third Blackfyre Rebellion. He, too, is black-haired and blue-eyed."
"That is… as close to damning as it gets," Gerion reluctantly admitted.
"Father will not like this," Tyrion groused.
"You know, he might or might not," Gerion made a statement in a tentative tone.
"What do you mean, nuncle?" Tyrion countered, his tone of worry and indignity. "This is Father we are talking about! The loss of his legacy through the royal family would upset any lord!"
"There was… a rumor when I was still a senior squire in Casterly Rock," Gerion started an explanation. "This was… perhaps a year before you were born, Tyrion. Lady Joanna one day, out of the blue, arranged for Jaime to be quartered near the young squires."
"That's… nearly across The Rock from the lord's quarters," Tyrion supplied a clarifying statement. "It's pretty much as far as it gets while still within the castle."
"Aye, so far away," Gerion said while nodding. "When I asked her about it, she said she was preparing Jaime for the rigors of knighthood."
"Jaime was the heir of the Lannisters… he should have been prepared to be a lord, not a knight," Stannis probed. "There would not be much need for the primary heir and the future lord Lannister to do martial duties outside of commanding an army."
"It was rumored that Jaime had displeased Joanna over one thing or the other. If that was the case, the punishment would have been rescinded after a moonturn or three. Yet Tywin… saw fit to continue the punishment even after Joanna died," Gerion made another statement. "Now that this matter has come to light, I am thinking maybe… just maybe, Tywin had been informed by Joanna about Cersei's worrying tendencies. And the recipient of such behavior is… Jaime."
"By the gods!" Stannis cursed.
"I… I should be horrified by the implications," Tyrion said groggily. "Yet the reasoning fits. Gods above, what has he done…?"
"Clearly, the parenting skills of Tywin Lannister prove lacking," Stannis said, incensed. "Not only did he fail to control his daughter, he failed to educate his son to resist her machinations!"
"Lord Baratheon, I am sure that comment is uncalled-for," Yamato countered. "Not everyone has enough mental fortitude to withstand the death of a beloved wife on top of the rigors of ruling a realm for a king who was barely there. Tywin Lannister is evidently only a man who can succumb to pressure."
"I stand by my words," Stannis defiantly stood by his argument.
Brienne said nothing, but gazed at Stannis with a disappointed look.
"Lady Yamato has a point," Tyrion stated, his tone getting more anguished by every word. "No sane father would confess of wanting to murder or abandon a child, to that very same child! You are a father of a disadvantaged child yourself, Lord Baratheon! Can you confess that you wanted to throw your own daughter Shireen to the rocks, simply because finding a man who would tolerate her scarred face may prove difficult? To her own face?"
A heavy silence descended on the room.
"I… I concede my point, Lord Lannister," Stannis admitted after a minute that felt like a day.
"Thank you," Tyrion replied after Yamato put a steadying hand on his shoulder.
"So… what are we going to do with this information?" Theon piped up.
"We plot Cersei's downfall of course!" Yamato replied in an odd tone, mostly chipper yet with a hint of bloodlust.
"It would not be easy," Tyrion said. "Then again, nothing of worth is ever easy."
"Cousin!" Daven raised his voice. "Lord Tywin will not be pleased by this!"
"He will be even more displeased with the incestuous liaisons. Our house name is not Targaryen, for god's sake," Tyrion countered. "How about you, Ser Gerion?"
"I concur. Cersei's behavior is dishonorable and brings stain to our family name," Gerion agreed.
"The problem remains, that Robert would be left with no way to further his dynasty after we remove the bastards from succession," Stannis said after a few heartbeats of silence. "And if he legitimized one of his own bastards, that will surely court rebellion in the future, as the Blackfyres had shown us."
"Our king is not so old as to be unable to sire another generation of heirs, you know," Yamato idly wondered. "And his virility is also not in dispute, if he managed to father that many bastards."
"But after the… unpleasantness that is my sister, I fear that His Grace would be much more wary of whom he would share his marriage bed with," Tyrion said, more to himself than to others.
"Well I might know a solution for that…" Yamato said, her eyes doing a playful yet shifty look.
A/N: A timely update! Also a lot of banter in the chapter. Please enjoy!