YEAR 136
Lord Torrhen Manderly, the Hand of the King, had no sympathy for the lysenes and gave Lotho Rogare a choice between losing his right hand and the Wall. Lotho was sure that being one-armed was the best option, he would be free and travel to Oldtown in search of asylum.
However, something made him change his mind, a strange creaking in the leaves of the godswood of the Red Keep, as if he was warned that the Wall was the best option.
"I choose the Wall", Lotho said proudly.
"Good", replied the Hand of the King. We will see if lysene people can survive on the roof of the world.
YEAR 283
RICKARD I
The war had ended in the worst way, with Robert at the Iron Throne and two of his childs dead. However, Robert was a Ned's friend and would leave the North alone no matter what he asked. It was the opportunity to realize Cregan Stark's dream, it was time for the North to rule itself again.
"Well, Rickard, what do you want?" said Lord Jon Arryn. Robert and I are willing to make up for your losses in the war.
King Robert nodded; his disposition was sincere. Lord Hoster Tully had already held the position of Master of Laws, while the devious Lord Tywin Lannister became the father-in-law of the new King. Lord Arryn on the other hand was the new Hand of the King, all of them were the most powerful men of the Seven Kingdoms.
"I want independence", Rickard requested.
"Rickard, you can't," said Jon Arryn, but he was interrupted by the King.
"Good", replied King Robert, to everyone's amazement. "It will be my gift to Lyanna, I will make her a princess, even though she is no longer with us."
"My king", Lord Tywin interjected. "You're the King of the Seven Kingdoms, not of the Six Kingdoms."
"Then I will conquer the Stepstones", he promised. "Or I can give the Iron Islands kingdom status."
"Conquering Stepstones will be fine", replied Lord Hoster, who did not like the idea of empowering the Iron Islands. "Those of us present met at the War of the Ninepenny Kings and formed the alliance that triumphed in this rebellion."
"Then it's decided", Robert announced. The North is independent again, but on the condition that the South never attacks, do you agree?"
Rickard nodded.
"Then let us shake hands, from king to king, as equals."
Rickard left Red Keep as King. He should never have aspired to have southern ambitions; his goal should always be the North and nothing but the North.