Chapter 17
Hi everyone, I apologize for the long wait. If you read my message, I am currently writing a timeline and doing minor rewrites. But it is taking longer than I thought it would as I am only up to chapter 5. With that said I wanted to get something out so here is next chapter. It's kind of cuts off short as I am sure many of you will be able to tell but I wanted to put something out.
With that said a quick plug to my other stories The Saga of House Munsö, Code in the Force, and Saints of Marvel V2. Give them a read if you have time and tell me your thoughts.
Let's move on the Q&A.
I am happy you like that I didn't feel like I needed to change a lot other then there are perhaps a very more levels then in the Lord of the Rings.
CrowKrowQrow I thought the Holy Orders would be good for the story as whither they are good or bad, they add to the story. Fyi I hope to go back and fix a lot of those mistakes as I do the rewrites.
Holyscythe in order of your questions don't know, yes and I will go over that later.
yesboss21 again wonderful review. Most of the current King Stark's family died of sickness. Including his grandfather, father, and a few siblings. As for the warrior Monks true but they are more like shock troops. Sent into hit hard fast and pull out and there really are not a lot of Professional armies anyways so they fit. Who says a tree has to stay red if Lelouch and CC doesn't want it to be red lol. More on the tree later on.
Jdota they know, the children can think or believe all they want that they got something over Lelouch and CC but not happening. I am happy you like the them as what is a story with out someone challenging the other characters. Hela was to perfect, but she was a child at the time with no ambition and kept falling into things that just worked out. She is becoming her own women looking towards herself for her own answers. For better or worse.
FanKun47 as far as I know. But who is to say this isn't all a dream lol. But ya back and I hope you like this chapter.
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-Minas Tirith 39AC or 48BC-
In the darkness of one of the many bedchambers of the Citadel, two young lovers embrace in a dance that was as old as the human race itself. It was a dance they knew all too well as no sooner was the youngest of them old enough to give consent, then did they join their bodies and souls with each other. Now their lips, hands, and tongues exploring each other's bodies in unbridled passion. Expertly finding the other's weakness with the skill and attention only a true lover could give.
Their moans of pleasure rung out throughout the night. A lustful and passionate song that is near animalistic but not unpleasant to their ears. Each scream of please and call of the other's name was proof to them of their love for each other. Proof that they truly loved each other and would do all they were capable of to please the other.
When they inevitably reach the first of what was sure to be many climaxes that night they just look into each other's eyes. The smiles on their faces said it all but one could not help themselves as he says, "I love you Hela. More than I could ever express."
The smile that had never left Hela's face since they started their love making only gets wider at hearing this. "And I you Attila but why do I get the feeling you're not just telling me this out of passion and love. What worries you, my love?
Pulling out from her hot core, Attila lays at her side and says, "I can't get anything past you, can I?"
Moving to lay in his arms Hela says, "You are easier to read then you like to think, my love. Now tell me what is on you mind that keeps you from fully appreciating body that is laying against yours."
Laughing a bit inside as she more or less commands him to speak, Attila says, "I worry about whether or not I am making the right choice. To pursue my vengeance on those I hold responsible for my mother's death."
"It is unlike you to question yourself Attila." Hela states as he was generally so sure of himself.
But in the darkness of the night and in her embrace, questions arise on what he really wanted. Such was the fickleness of men. They may know what they want but once they find something more appealing, they start to question themselves and their goals.
"I know but questions have entered my mind. What if I don't come back? What if my goal leads me down a path that does not end with me coming home? The thought eats at me more than I ever believed it would." Attila says to her softly.
Hela just chuckles at that and says, "Silly man. No matter what you choose I will love you. If you stay, we will marry, and I will bear you children and rule together till my parents come back. If you go, I will wait for you to come home for you will come home and we will still marry, and I will still bear your children. So put these silly fears away my love and focus only on what you really want."
Looking down at her, Attila says, "You sound so sure about all that."
"It is what I choose to believe." Hela says to him as they lay together for a while longer before they continue their lovemaking.
-Elsewhere-
Standing in front of the immature Weirwood tree Lelouch lets out a sigh much to CC's amusement. "Stop thinking about it Lelouch. It will only make you angrier the more you do so."
"I can't help myself. The feeling of wanting to kill that which defiles my child is stronger than I had thought it would be." Lelouch says to her. Mentioning without directly stating that he knew where and with whom Hela was with right now.
Which just makes CC chuckle at his expense, "Now, now Lelouch let's not be hypocritical. You did not feel this way when Gawain had sex. The double standard is an unattractive quality."
"I know all too well I am being a hypocrite my dear but please do not pretend that I am the only one here with similar feelings towards things like this. While you may not mind Hela having sex so much, I remember all too well what happened to that poor girl who took Gawain's virginity. In comparison I think I am handling things quite well." Lelouch points out seeing as while yes, he disliked his daughter having sex unlike his wife, he wasn't going to run off Attila. Granted she was right in doing so all things considered but she could have let the poor women keep their son company for at least a few years instead of days.
Seeing the bitter look on his wife's face Lelouch knows he has hit the nail on the head and just smiles.
"Shut up Lelouch." CC says with a huff not liking being reminded of her past mistakes. Even if it wasn't really a mistake as far as she was concerned.
They stay quiet for a bit before CC speaks up again and says, "Are you sure now is the time for us to leave Lelouch. Hela is still young, and I fear she is not ready to handle the responsibilities of ruling."
Lelouch laughs a bit and says, "And we are responsible?"
CC smiles at hearing his answer and says, "Good point, but I am still worried."
"As am I but she is an adult now and must learn to take care of things on her own. While yes, I am worried about her making a mistake that will she the rats in our government try and take advantage of her she is in little real danger. Her brothers and sister won't take kindly to anyone who tries to harm her after all." Lelouch says to her, trying to put her at ease with little luck. But that was a true mother for you. Always worrying but then so was he so he had little room to speak.
Letting out a sigh CC says, "I guess you're right. Still, I will feel better once we take care of this."
She points to the immature Weirwood tree. "While I have no problem with these Old Gods. Leaving a back door open while we are away doesn't sit well with me. As their thoughts towards use or our children remain unknown."
"And that is why we are closing it. It's too bad, however, that we can't just burn it down. Be easier and wouldn't have to spend all night changing it to something useful towards us." Lelouch says, as while immortal they still very much needed to sleep. But he never was the type to leave off for tomorrow what could be done today or tonight in this case.
"Yes well, the Starks are our friends for now and most importantly Hela's friends. While I don't mind insulting them, I prefer not to upset her. Especially as so many of them had died as of late." CC says to him, feeling genuine sadness at their deaths as it hurt Hela badly.
"We are looking into that right? I have not had much time to look into the medical field as of late, but I hope we are at least doing something." Lelouch says as he touches the tree.
More like he hadn't made time to look into as he was having to much fun playing with the bureaucrats from the shadows. CC thought to herself before answering, "Yes, I have our doctors looking into it. But they are having little luck as our technology is not up to the task of doing any type of real type research on the shaking sickness. All that they can tell me is that from the books I have provided them from the medical institute of our old world is that the disease is similar to epilepsy. Yet while similar it is also very different. I have a feeling it's a lot like this Greyscale we have heard about, as in it is unique to this world and possibly magical in nature."
"I see well it's not that big of a problem but perhaps a gift of some kind to the Starks is called for? After all, they are friends. Perhaps we can send them some of our medical knowledge." Lelouch says to her.
"I agree but first let's take care of this." CC says and places her hand on the tree and along with her husband a glow starts to come from the tree as they rewrite it to suit their needs.
-A few months later-
Standing at the balcony of her new quarters on the 2nd highest level of the renamed White Mountains Shogun Halldora pondered on her current position. Honestly, it was not for the first time she had done this nor would it be the last. It was however the first time she seriously thought of stepping down from it. She was almost 40 years old after all with no husband or child and the stress of the job were becoming near unbearable. Seeing as she was rich and still sought after with looks that haven't faded much with time, she had options. Yes, there was some gray in her hair how, but her body was in great shape and got more than a few lustful looks from those she passed who thought she wasn't looking.
But while stepping down was appalling, now wasn't the right to time to do so and her honor wouldn't let her. With no way of knowing who would be chosen to take her place if she did step down the risk of some untested green man or women being chosen was possible. After all she had no political training whatsoever when she was chosen to succeed position making her depend a lot on the former Shogun who was kind enough to teach her. Something she would be willing to do as well but there was no telling if the next one would do so or not. No, the risk was too high and so she would stay for a time. At least till Hela's time as ruler was over.
That was what Halldora was really worried about. Princess Hela had little in the way of actual political experience. While yes, she was a foreign dignitary who had spent a lot of time in presence of royal courts and what not she never really had to do much. Her trips to other countries could be called little more than vacations that saw her rarely if ever speaking about politics with others. Now however she was going to be risen to the position of Grand Princess. The title given to the ruling prince or princess in the absence of Tenno and Kogo-sama. A position that Halldora felt the young princess wasn't ready for.
While the young princess wasn't in any real danger from the rats that that made up the court there where ways to exploit her. Even during these times of peace, the rats like any other politicians wanted more power and would do all they could to gain it. And with Halldora having never been close to the princess she had no idea if she would accept her council. Her own personal council which was made up of her sensei and ex-Shogun Horero Bahin and Countess Kochou Kou feared the same thing.
"Keep looking out over that balcony all you like, young one, but it will not change the current situation." She hears the old but still powerful voice of Horero say to her.
Looking over at the man who became her sensei after she took the position of Shogun, Halldora smiles faintly. It needed be said that when she stepped into the position, she was under prepared for it. But lucky enough her and perhaps the kingdom the old man had stuck around to act as both adviser and teacher to her. As both an ex-Shogun and Minister of Law his advice and teachings were very valuable and over the years, she had come to depend on him for both. With him becoming a lot like a 2nd father to her and the reason she honored him by calling him sensei.
Now he was over 70 years of age and had seen much but was still strong of mind if not of body. As age was slowly starting to catch up to him by the spots on his skin and thinning hands. Yet to underestimate the man was a fool's mistake. He was an old hand at this game having been playing it since before the kingdom was even around. While she never got the full story of his life before the rise of their kingdom, she did know he was a magistrate in the Kingdom of Sarnor before most of it fell. He was also one of the few remaining loyalists among the original refugees that founded the kingdom. Who hated their Rohirrim brethren just as much as any of the traitor's swine but was a man of law and order first and foremost.
Before he became Shogun, Horero was known as the hammer for how he dealt with criminals. There was no middle ground with the man when it came to the law and that was why he was such an effective Shogun when he took Shogun Narbo's place after he committed seppuku. It was a way of thinking that served him and the kingdom well after the rebellion. True, he was thought of as a tyrant now, but no one could disagree that his methods afterwards brought stability to the kingdom. And at the end the of the day that was all that really mattered in the end.
"I know sensei, I'm just worried about what the future may hold for our kingdom." Halldora says, letting her political mask fall from her face. As while in the company of her allies it was hardly necessary.
"As are we my friend but needlessly worrying about it will not help us." Kochou speaks up in a soft voice that helps her relax.
Looking over at perhaps his closest friend and ally Halldora smiles again. The friendship between Kochou and her was one of those strange friendships that most likely wouldn't have worked if not for a certain set of circumstances being met. Those circumstances being they were both women in a world and political body dominated by men. As two of the few women in real positions of power in the kingdom they naturally gravitated towards each other and like with the rest Halldora developed close relations with Kochou. The only difference was a real friendship had also developed between them unlike with the others who reminded allies of convenience more than anything else.
With that said, friend or not Kochou was also one of the most dangerous women in the kingdom. She had to be in order to take over the Red Line District in the way she did and become the quote-on-quote Queen of the Red Line District. A place that while well-guarded and policed had the highest crime rate in whichever city it was in. Though that may very well change if Kochou got her law passed that would see the Red Line District split into two different sections. One being the Green District where all gambling houses and taverns were and the other being the Violet District where the brothels were.
Seeing as most of the crime in the Red Line was centered around the gambling houses and taverns do to their close proximity to the black market, she had good reason to want to split them apart. The yūjo were big business and therefore well protected by the establishment owners making crime around the brothels all but nonexistent. Not that it mattered as any crime in the Red Line District was used against the yujo by the lion party to make them look bad. With her family being the biggest owner of brothels in the kingdom it was something she could not allow. As they were both to heavily invested both financially and, in her case, emotionally to allow it to continue.
Most likely she would be able to push it through and have their rulers or the Grand Princess sign it into law. But it would take time as she lost a lot of political capital by supporting on other matters. And she wasn't about to use her favoritism with Kogo-sama to go over everyone's heads. That however would make her, and their rulers corrupt which she didn't wish to come off as.
"That is easy for you to say Kochou your star is rising right now, or should I say that of your daughter's?" Halldora says with no real bitterness as that actually worked in their favor.
The moment Shoukun was taken in as an Onna-musha in training to Princess Hela, the Kou Clans position in the kingdom became near untouchable. While the girl was little more than a handmaiden at this stage, she had the favor of the princess and therefore the favor of their rulers. Before this Kochou's enemies were hesitant to strike at her as her husband was a king of power with some influence and she held the favor of Kogo-sama. But that could be worked around as while her husband had some power, he wasn't a major concern as he was retired for the most part living in seclusion for his own reasons. As for Kogo-sama she tended to not pay too much attention to things unless it caught her interest. Hela however was a different story and kept those who she called friends close. Especially after the death of the Stark children years ago. To strike at the Kou Clan now in any way would be courting death.
It also provided them with an opportunity as young Shoukun could be their eyes and ears regarding the princess. While it was agreed they wouldn't use her as a spy per say she would be close to the princess at all times except for at night when she would return home to her family. Where she could then tell her mother about her day and what the princess talked about that day. Ture they all doubted that the girl would overhear anything of any true significance, but some information was better than none.
"It is, isn't it? I am so proud of my little girl. Did you know she is already gaining the attention of the young prince?" Kochou says playfully trying to get her friend to relax as she understands why she is worried all too well. As she would be lying if she said she wasn't as well.
"I seriously doubt young Achilles asking for her help combing his hair counts as catching his attention. She was simply the only one around at the time." Horero says trying to keep a smile off his face as he had lightened up a bit in his old age. While still very much a stone in the ways of emotions, his jagged edges had smoothed somewhat.
Snorting at his words Kochou just says, "What would an old fossil like you know about young love? Or are you just jealous that my daughter will become a princess of the realm over your great granddaughter."
Horero has to suppress a laugh at hearing this and just says, "Hardly, young Achilles may be the child of our rulers, but I see the wildness of Steinþórr in him. I can already see what he will most likely become and would prefer my great granddaughter to be the wife of a potter to that of a warrior. They don't tend to be the best of husbands."
With her eyes narrowing Kochou is about to fire back but before she can Halldora steps in before this can become a mummer's play. "Enough, both of you, we are here to talk about serious things not to play around."
"Of course, Shogun." Horero says coolly and Kochou just huffs and stays quiet.
"Now tell me what can we most likely expect once Tenno and Kogo-sama leave?" Halldora asks.
"Can't say for sure, we have never been without them, but if history has taught us anything it's that a period of instability always follows a change of leadership." Horero answers.
"And while this isn't really so much a change of leadership as a temporary posting the rats will be coming out of the cellars looking to eat as much as they can while they can." Kochou adds.
"Can we really expect such an outcome?" Halldora asks even though she feels like they are right.
"Only by those who are truly foolish enough to believe an opportunity is there. I have a feeling those who do will find that her highness is no fool. Inexperienced yes, but not a fool." Kochou says.
"And it is that inexperience we have to fear more than any person or faction within the kingdom." Horero adds in.
Taking a moment to think about this Halldora has to agree it is something to fear. Again, this is where her having never cultivated a relationship with the princess came back to bite her in the ass. She knew precious little about her other than that she was far smarter than most thought she was. But what her goals were and beliefs in how a government should be run eluded her. So, she had to turn to Kochou who was the one most acquainted with the princess.
"Kochou what are your thoughts on the princess and how she will rule?" Halldora asks.
Taking a moment to think it over, Kochou can't really say with a whole lot of certainty. It was her child who was close to the princess not her. Sure, they were pleasant towards each other when they met but there was no friendship there. But from what she had heard she could give what she believed was a good judgment.
"While I can't say for sure I believe we can expect her to be gearing up for war." Kochou says to them.
A sigh leaves Halldora's mouth and asks, "In an attempt to support Attila?"
While not close with the princess, Halldora had kept a close eye on Attila and his rise in the army. She knew all too well he was looking to strike at those he held responsible for the death of his mother. If that met dragging the kingdom into war, then it was a price the boy was clearly ready to pay.
"That is part of the reason, but from what I could glimpse from what my daughter has told me the princess had ambitions of her own. I believe she wishes to go east." Kochou says to them with a frown on her face.
"The fortress cities." Is all Horero had to say to convey his meaning.
Of the three fortress cities it was only Kayakayanaya that had chosen to remain neutral over joining the rebels in their attempt to overthrow Tenno and Kogo-sama. A decision they had greatly benefitted from ever since. While the others had not but had also hardly suffered for their act of treachery. Something that both sides of the political factions agreed could not stand for much longer. It really was only a matter of time before the kingdom's eyes turned towards them.
The only thing it hadn't happened as of yet was because of a was a disinterest on the part of their rulers and the cost of life attacking them would cost. While they easily had the numbers, the means and equipment successfully crack the cities, it didn't change the fact that the two fortress cities would be hard to take. Especially seeing as it was unknown if Kayakayanaya would let them use them as a staging base or if the dragons would help. If there was one thing Horero had learned over the years, it was the dragons were very independent and didn't take orders from anyone other than their parents. Even the princess had no say over them, though they may be more inclined help her if asked.
"Horero you are a master of the law. What does the law say about the princess's powers when Tenno and Kogo-sama leave?" Halldora asks.
Having been the one to help pass most of those laws along with many others it takes Horero little time to answer her and says, "Sadly not much as while it had long been realized that a time like this would come to pass our rulers didn't feel like limiting of the Grand Prince or Princesses to much. In fact, many of the laws that are in place are only there after I pushed the issue enough to get them in place. As it stands, we should be thankful that one of the laws I got passed was that no Grand Prince or Princess may repeal a law passed by our rulers for a time period of no less than 50 years. As well as being unable to pass any law that directly contradicts ones that are already in place."
"Well, that is something at least, what about her powers over the various positions in the kingdom?" Halldora asks.
Seeing right through her, Horero answers, "If you're worried about your own position, Shogun then you have little to worry about. The law is very clean in this regard as it is outlined that while a Grand Prince or Princess may appoint a new Shogun in the absence of one, a current one can't be removed by them legally. At least not till 50 years have passed at which point that law can be changed or repealed."
"What about the passing of laws that don't affect the ones already in place." Kochou asks.
Again, Horero hardly has to think about the answer and say, "The Grand Princess can pass any law she sees fit to in that case. I should however note that as Shogun, you will have the right to veto any law the Grand Princess looks to pass."
While on one-part, Halldora is happy to hear that she can check the princess in some way; it goes without saying that made her a target. Assassination was part of any political game, but with the Onmitsukidō around it was a low possibility. As you never knew when or where they were watching. Even as the Shogun she had little power or information on them. The only thing she really knew was that Yahan the 1st had passed away mysteriously some years ago and that Yahan the 2nd had done a fantastic job in erasing all mention of them from the historical record.
Now only a small part of the civilian population even remembered her and those that did where told to keep their mouths shut. Unless they prefer to have them shut for them. Needless to say, no one talked about the Onmitsukido or Yahan the 1st anymore. Even those in the bureaucracy didn't talk about them openly or even admit they existed at all. But the Onmitsukido very much did and were under the command of their rulers. Which begs the question, with them gone, did that leave Hela as their solo commander?
With the death of Yahan the 1st, Halldora knew that Hela not long had the close connection with them as she once did. Or at least she believed she didn't as she had been in the same room with Yahan the 2nd, the supposed daughter of the first and Princess Hela. From what she could see during that time they didn't get along with each other that much. Halldora didn't know why but she felt a bitterness there between the two of them for some reason.
"Horero, what are the laws concerning the Grand Princess's powers over the Onmitsukido?" Halldora asks.
On this subject Horero had to stop and think it over. "Hmmmm I am afraid there really are none. The Onmitsukido technically doesn't exist. So, there are no laws on who commands them but if you play very loosely with the law they would be under the command of the Head of Military Affairs. As they are the ones who provide us the majority of the intelligence we get and who report straight to Tenno and Kogo-sama. With them gone it could be said Princess Hela will be their commander but again that is playing loosely with the law. Whether or not they see it that way is a big question mark and the same could be said with the Kings and Queens of Power who as you know are only technically part of the Imperial Guard."
"Meaning she could potentially have me removed in other ways if I step out of line with my veto power." Halldora states to them.
"That would be a safe assumption as it would be foolish to think otherwise." Horero says to her.
Everyone stays quiet for a bit thinking over this a for a time till Kochou asks, "So where does that leave us?"
"In a precarious position. Maybe even more so than normal as Hela will most likely pay more attention to the day to day then our rulers do. We should really thank Tenno and Kogo-sama for taking Achilles with them, for if they didn't, we would be facing a whole host of other problems." Horero answers her.
All three of them frown at this as all three knew what the law said about inheritance. Yet while the law was clear fools still believed that Prince Achilles was the heir to the throne on the off chance their rulers passed away. Forget the fact that Princess Hela was both the oldest and more accomplished of the two. Just because she was a woman people didn't or couldn't accept, that she was the heir. That or those very same fools were trying to win favor from the young prince by filling his ears with nonsense.
It may have worked too if Achilles didn't take after his mother so much. As like his mother he developed a dislike for all politicians to the point of violence. The last time someone tried to get close to him by basically sucking up to him he got to know what it was like to be hit by the young prince. It went without saying that having half your teeth knocked out of your mouth was an unpleasant feeling and convinced people to leave him along.
"A good thing indeed. While I doubt anyone would have any luck using Prince Achilles, it is trouble that we don't need." Letting out a sigh, Halldora adds, "For now we will take a seat and watch how things play out while at the same time try and work with the princess. If she wishes to declare war on the fortress cities, then there is nothing to be done about it. All we can do is try and persuade her to hold off till at least the Ibben situation is solved."
The other two just nod their heads then turn towards a Go board. Determined to forget this heavy conversation for a time at least.
-Flash forward Tywin Lannister–
How would I describe the Empire of Numenor. That is a question that is not easily answered but if I had to, I would describe by their Empire's pass time. The game of Go is a highly complex strategy game that some have compared to war. They would be wrong as I would compare it to life itself. As at the beginning it is nothing but an empty bored but the moment a stone is played the number of possibilities are endless. Every move has to be planned out in the greatest of detail, all possibilities taken into account and even then, a single miss step could cost you everything. That is Numenor, a land of endless possibilities but one where one mistake will see those possibilities come to a sudden and often painful end.