Chapter 5 - What it means to protect

- In Hanko's Mindscape -

"So why again did you interfere in the Sacking of King' Landing again?"

Hanko looked over his shoulder to acknowledge her presence before continuing on what he was doing. "Because I couldn't just let the poor woman die to a serial rapist now could I?"

The mindscape didn't look any different from when Shi last saw it. They were currently in his allotted office space. Outside that space however the rest of the mindscape had changed to what amounted to a Cauldron from the Horizon: Zero Dawn universe. Inside the Cauldron, many automated systems went to work creating both automated machines from that universe; as well as anything else Hanko set to task with a queue he programmed through his computer sitting in his office mindscape. Luckily they were able to find a copy of Apollo, the archive of knowledge from the future civilization in that universe, that hadn't otherwise been erased by Ted Farro the self-obsessed asshole. This kept Hanko busy sifting through all the files to see all they did in machine learning, automation, and AI.

"Why do I feel that excuse is just that; an excuse."

Hanko turned away from the computer to look at her directly. "I'm hoping that I can use saving Elia as a favor to the ruling family of Dorne to get them to rally for the North when the Long Night comes."

"What makes you think you yourself will be able to rally for the North?" Shi asked. "Remember, you are currently in the same Tower as Lyanna Stark, who according to conventional knowledge will die giving birth to the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms; Aegon Targaryen. Having to deal with his dead sister might not make Eddard Stark look favorably upon us as we are here."

"I plan on saving her as well."

Now Shi had a brow raised. "I can understand why you want to save her," She sighed exasperatedly. "However, saving her could cause too many unwanted changes to the story. Not only is she supposed to be married to Robert Baratheon, the man she supposedly loathes, but if she survives she will be forced to stay with him."

Hanko seemed to think about it. "I have some ideas, but I would need to talk to both Lyanna and Ned first before doing anything."

Shi just rolled her eyes. "And what of the soon to be Aegon Targaryen? How will the supposed bastard of Winterfell fair in your plans? Remember, the butterfly effect can change things in ways you cannot imagine. If he isn't there in Winterfell, something subtle could change that would prevent the rest of the characters in the story from being raised the way they are."

"I don't plan on everything staying the same," Hanko plainly stated. "I would play it by-ear as I don't know how it will truly go with all the changes I do make, however I would hope that once I meet Ned that I can set up some things so that not only would other things not get out of hand, but they might not even occur."

"Like what?"

"Like if Ned doesn't fight the kingsguard at the bottom of the tower, what would happen?"

"Most of the people coming with him wouldn't die."

"Exactly, most of those people are his bannermen, or sons of his bannermen. If they don't die, things could be much easier for Ned to work with their respective houses to get things done. They would be grateful their new Lord Paramount didn't throw away the lives of their heirs in folly. Just thinking of Lady Barbrey Dustin not hating her Liege Lord would probably save a bunch of aggravation. Now, what if I told Ned and Howland Reed about the Long Night?"

"They wouldn't believe you obviously."

"True, they wouldn't believe me right away. They would see the actions I take though and ruminate through them. They would contemplate what I'm doing and try to figure out my endgame. 'What does Hanko want that he takes that action?' 'What is Hanko's end-goal for doing that thing?' By taking measures to prepare them to face the White Walkers, and then eventually bringing the proof that they exist, I would be able to change everything so that the living are much better prepared to face the Long Night. It would otherwise convince them that what I stated about White Walkers being real and the preparation I'm doing is for a good cause."

Shi just sighed. "I think you are thinking too highly of the people in this universe." Shi started listing now. "Robert Baratheon is a drunkard and whoremonger that won't care for his kingdom. The Lannisters and the Tyrells won't care about anyone else but their houses and their standing. The Martell's will 'bide their time' until they think they can usurp the throne in the name of the exiled Targaryens. The Freys, Tullys, and other houses are all out for their own ends. I don't see anything worth saving."

"I do," Hanko firmly stated. "At the very least I see the North is worth saving. I remember watching the Game of Thrones series; the North and their traditions showed how yes, maybe they stuck to their values mainly for survival in the harsh lands they grew up in," Hanko paused to let that sink in. "but they are a hearty people that have the tendencies to treat their fellow Northmen with respect and decency that they deserve." Hanko pulled up a holographic map of Westeros in his mindscape so that they could both look at it; not relying on either of them having a Focus to see it. "However large the North is, they are only a single kingdom in the grand scheme of things." He zoomed in on the north of the wall. "Beyond the Wall, the Free-folk could muster over 100,000 fighters in their campaign against the Night's watch to get beyond the wall, according to the show. That's only fighters, not the other peoples that would otherwise be non-combatants. When Rob Stark mustered up enough fighting power to travel south to 'deal justice to the Lannisters' he could only muster up 20,000 some men." Hanko zoomed out of the north and zoomed back into the south so only those territories below the Northern territories were now visible. "The other kingdoms have other resources and manpower that the Northernmost kingdom does not have. I'm trying to figure out a way to get those other kingdoms to fight with the North against the White Walkers and the Long Night." Hanko elaborated. "Look, we both know I'm not someone who can play into the Game of Thrones at a expert level; I'm just not political in general. My hope is that I'm able to start with Dorne and convince them it's better to work with us than without us. My in-roads is to save Elia and bring them the knocked-out Ser Gregor, her would-be assailant. After Dorne, I can come up with other plans as the time comes."

"You might have some trouble with Sandor Clegane if you just give up his brother without giving him a chance to kill him."

"He is technically only one man, however even then I still might have an idea on how to accomplish pleasing the Martells while also appeasing Sandor. Even if I can't please him, I'd rather have the influence of the Martells than to worry about what the other Clegane thinks."

Shi decided that the opening Hanko left for a line of questioning might not get her anywhere so she decided to divert the topic. "So how are you going to work with Ned Stark?"

"I have a plan…"

- The next morning -

Elia woke up and looked around. She noticed Rhaenys asleep in the corner on her futon. She kept looking around to notice Shi close by with her legs crossed in front of her and sitting up in a meditative type pose.

"She fell asleep late due to messing with the Focus until late in the night." Shi explained Rhaenys' tiredness. Groggily, Elia started to get up from the futon. Shortly after standing, a knock came to the door.

"Are you ladies ready?" They heard Hanko from the door.

Elia looked to Shi. "Come in."

The door opened and Hanko stepped in. Looking at the ladies in the room before Shi cut in. "Rhaenys is still asleep so I'll stay here to watch her. You both can meet the rest of the residents here."

Hanko only nodded and looked to Elia, "Shall we Elia?"

Elia looked to Rhaenys first to placate her emotions before nodding to Hanko and exiting the room.

As they walked, they were shortly met with another party at the foyer of the tower.

"Ashara!"

One of the ladies turned to the shout at first with confusion, then with joy. "Elia!" The two groups closed the distance and Ashara pulled Elia into a hug. "It's so good to see you Princess."

"It's good to see you too Ashara," Elia sighed in relief.

"Weren't you at the Red Keep in Kings Landing? What happened?"

Elia looked morose as she explained. "You probably haven't heard yet, but King's Landing has been sacked. The rebellion has won."

There were gasps from the few people who didn't already know. "Are you okay my princess?" Ashara asked. "How are you here if they took the city already?"

"I was able to escape with the help of a new friend, Hanko." Elia said, motioning to Hanko next to her.

Hanko stepped forward, sizing up the highly pregnant Ashara before giving his best friendly grin, "I must say, my eyes are fortunate to witness the tales of your beauty and their truth."

Ashara gave an embarrassed smirk. Taking in the thin man in front of her with long red hair, she reciprocated. "Ser Hanko, I'm delighted to see one male specimen such as yourself as well."

"Please, I'm no Ser," Hanko clarified, "however I will gladly take the praise bestowed upon me."

Elia seemed to huff in false anger, "Why don't you speak to me in such a friendly way?"

Hanko turned to Elia and shrugged. "Our first meeting didn't really have a good amount of time for proper introductions. Afterwards, we just never brought it up." Hanko then turned back to Ashara. "So what brings a stunning beauty like yourself to a tower in the middle of nowhere like this?"

Ashara looked at the duo before elaborating. "I only came from Starfall to visit my brother and deliver some supplies before I'm unable to." she stated as she rubbed her already swollen belly.

Hanko nodded before turning to the kingsguard in their company. "That reminds me, where is Lady Lyanna Stark?"

Arthur looked at Hanko with a warning glance before answering with a sigh. "She is still resting upstairs."

"While we wait for Lady Lyanna, is there anything to eat for breaking our fast?"

Arthur led Hanko to one of the tables by the fireplace in the foyer so they could sit down and start eating. Elia stayed with Ashara so they could catch up for a moment. As they got situated with a simple bread and stew combination in front of them, they ate in silence. After a few minutes past of this, Arthur decided to speak up.

"So why did you use 'illusion magic' on the kingsguard earlier?" He pointedly questioned Hanko. "Were you afraid to get in an actual fight with us?"

They were both surprised when Elia interrupted, coming up towards them with Ashara close by. "According to Lady Shi, Hanko was going easy on you." She helped Ashara sit down at the table before she also sat down next to her.

"Lady Shi?"

Hanko spoke up this time. "Lady Shi is the other female companion that was with our group traveling; who was not Princess Rhaenys." Arthur looked around noticing those he spoke about were not in the room currently. He just sighed as he continued eating. Now this time Hanko chimed in.

"Why were we not guarded in our rooms? I would figure someone that could defeat you kingsguard would have someone watching our rooms all day and night."

"If you could beat all the kingsguard with just you, I doubt anyone could do anything against you, nor could we do anything against you." Arthur pointed out. "Besides, we don't have many people here, and even fewer people that can be on guard duty."

Hanko nodded in acknowledgement of what Arthur said and continued eating.

After a while, a servant came up to Arthur. "Lady Stark is now awake and breaking her fast in her room."

Arthur nodded and turned to Hanko and Elia. "Can we give her some time to work through breaking her fast before we barge in?"

Hanko nodded again and diverted the topic. "I would ask that your sister stay behind for a bit before she goes back to Starfall."

Arthur looked puzzled at his request before Hanko asked. "Have you guys been sending or receiving ravens from the tower?"

Arthur shook his head. "Rhaegar was adamant that the Citadel was up to something against his family." Arthur looked down with chagrin. "Because of that, we haven't been able to get any news because he didn't want any Maester to be here."

"So that is why there is no Maester to tend to his wife?"

Arthur now looked guarded. "How did you know he married Lady Stark?"

Hanko gave him a stern look. "Really? You think after she practically told the realm she didn't want to be with Robert Baratheon that she would shy away from being married to someone she actually liked?"

Arthur now looked ashamed. "They did get married at the very least. Afterwards though I wouldn't say their honeymoon was anything...consenting."

Hanko now looked a Arthur in disgust. "Are you telling me that after gaining her feelings and marrying her, he took her without her permission." He paused and then added. "And you just stood by while you let him rape his wife?"

"I took an oath to protect the king and his family."

"That doesn't excuse not protecting the innocent." Hanko pointed out seething. "Let me ask you, what were you before you were a Kingsguard?"

"I've been a knight."

"And doesn't a knight take oaths before becoming a knight. Tell me, don't those oaths include protecting the innocent, or those who can't defend themselves?"

Arthur grimaced, but did not rebuke his argument. They sat in silence for a bit longer as Elia and Hanko exchanged looks. Elia was going to ask him about a Focus but decided now was not the time with Arthur in front of them as well. Granted he was Dornish and she was fine with Arthur knowing her business, but that didn't mean Hanko was fine with Arthur knowing his business.

"I asked for Lady Ashara to stay behind for a bit so we can get some letters ready to be sent by raven," Hanko elaborated on his original request, still not hiding his aggravation with Ser Arthur Dayne. "We need to get messages out to certain houses among other things, including your Liege Lords, the Martells. Since there are no ravens here, we will just have to make due with the ravens at the closest keep."

Elia and Ashara ate demurely for a bit in silence as well. They only had to wait for a bit more before the same servant came back to Arthur. "Lady Stark is done with breaking her fast."

"Thank you," Arthur turned back to the group in front of him. "Shall we?"

"I'll stay here, you go on ahead," Ashara stated. She continued with her meal in front of her. Hanko and Elia got up and decided to follow Arthur to the room. A flight of stairs and a short walk later they ended up in front of a door. After a short knock by Arthur, they opened the door.

It seemed quite sparse in the room. Lyanna was in front of a small table-desk, shorter stature with long sweat-sticking black hair and grey eyes. Her pregnant belly showed she was close to giving birth. She looked exhausted in the heat as she took in the new arrivals.

"Arthur," Lyanna acknowledged. She looked past Arthur and with shock noted who else was behind him. "Princess Elia?"

Lyanna made to get up, then immediately grabbed the back of the chair before she could fall over in her exhaustion.

"Lady Lyanna," Arthur made it to her side to steady her. "You shouldn't be moving suddenly in your condition."

"I apologize Princess Elia, for not being able to greet you properly...among other things."

Lyanna not wanting to bring up the fact that she could have been seen as seducing Rhaegar to elope with her and leave Elia behind, didn't lift any embarrassment from the situation. It took Elia striding towards Lyanna and lightly gripping her shoulders at arms length to break the tension.

"My dear, you have nothing to fear from me. I understand more than anyone that Rhaegar was starting to become lost in prophecy and paranoid towards his end."

"Towards his end?" Lyanna asked.

Elia looked in her eyes. "You probably haven't received news here. The armies of the rebellion made it to and sacked King's Landing. I just came from King's Landing."

Lyanna seemed to look off into space as she processed the new information before somberly looking down at her feet once again. "So...in the end it doesn't matter."

Hanko chimed in at this time. "Lady Lyanna, I believe that the actions you take do indeed matter."

Lyanna now looked at the newcomer, and noticed how he seemed to be acknowledged grumpily by Arthur, but yet amicably by Elia.

"And to whom do I owe the pleasure of addressing good Ser?"

"Please, I'm no Ser; but as to my name, you can call me Hanko of house Uzumaki."

"...Uzumaki?...I can't recall a house by that name."

Hanko just smirked. "I say house, but really it is not a house of Westeros. I come from a far away land and that just happens to be our family name." He could have elaborated more about how his family name would be considered royalty in their own right, but he didn't want to seem standoffish now that he was among recently deposed royalty.

"Ok Lord Uzumaki, I would ask for further explanation on your statement." Lyanna motioned around her. "I've been stuck as a prisoner in this tower while outside from the very little news I do hear, my royal captor is now dead, the ones that killed him seem to be entirely against Targaryens and their offspring, which I'm currently the mother of said offspring. Now I'm left in the south, without any help, and in a vulnerable situation. Pray tell, what can I do now?"

It didn't take a genius to tell she was riding on pregnancy hormones at the moment, making her prone to mood swings. Hanko held up his hands in front of him in mock surrender before elaborating.

"I understand how you feel, however you are not without help in your situation." Hanko motioned to those in the room. "Granted Ser Arthur might not have been of help beforehand," he didn't take notice Arthur's frown as he continued, "however he is still technically in service to the royal family and since you married into the royal family before all of this happened, he is oathbound to help you and your unborn s-child." Hanko internally grimaced as he almost blurted out 'son' when they didn't even know yet. "You are also in the present company of one of two people I came here with who are also in exile now." Elia looked away as well in awkward melancholy. "Finally, I didn't come all this way just to sight-see when I have my present company as well." Hanko motioned to Elia while staring directly at Lyanna. "I'm here to help you because I know things. Things that would come to pass if my presence was otherwise not here. By me being here, I can help you, your family, and the North!"

All present company looked at him with odd expressions. "Why would you want to help me, my family, and the North?"

The atmosphere in the room immediately started chilling as almost comically the sunlight was blocked by a cloud, and the room turned darker. Hanko's expression turned serious as he stated in an eerie tone. "Because as your house words say. 'Winter is coming.' And in the coming time, it is going to be a long one."

"How do you know of such things?"

"I know someone who had green-dreams of a single future. I will not elaborate on that for a time."

"So now you aren't going to tell me?"

"I'm not telling you because now is not the right time to tell." Hanko shot back. "Look you can be petulant all you want, even though you are the last person that has any right to be. However the simple truth is you have a chance to survive this if I'm here, especially because you have no other healers here." Hanko motioned to her pregnant stomach. "So the question is, are you going to keep complaining or are you going to take my help?" By the end of it Hanko's volume was raised high enough to ring a few ears.

There was no talking, until Hanko decided to sigh, throwing his hands in the air exasperatedly. "Just think about it". He turned to Arthur, "I'm going to need some parchment to get the letters ready." He then turned to Elia. "I'm going to write to your brothers, and it would help if I had a letter of introduction from you."

Elia nodded and the group of three made their exit from a shocked Lyanna as another servant came up the stairs with some refreshments for the room.

When they got back down to the main foyer area and Arthur got someone to fetch parchment for Hanko and Elia, they got to writing their individual letters. Hanko coordinated with Elia to get her letter with the part about his introduction done. He brought out a ball-point pen from his storage seal and gave one to Elia so she could try it as well. Her marvelling at the genius of the pen and the shock of not having to constantly dip into inkwells was humorous to Hanko. After a while of both writing and Elia clicking the end of the pen to the point Hanko was starting to get irritated; they managed to get both letters done on time.

Hey Shi, can you go with Ashara and her caravan back to Starfall?

...understandable. I'll be out there in a minute.

Shi joined them out in the foyer with Rhaenys on her back in piggyback. Carefully placing Rhaenys on the table seat next to Elia, she took the letters from Hanko and Elia, and made her way to the group making ready to leave. Elia was looking to Ashara as if she wanted to get up and talk to her, but had Rhaenys next to her.

"You can speak to Ashara if you want," Hanko spoke up. "I'll watch over Rhaenys for a bit."

Elia looked to Hanko. Without taking too long to think she realized his offer wasn't a bad thing and thanked him as she moved the sleeping Rhaenys to lean on Hanko as she got up to talk to Ashara to say goodbye.

After a heartfelt goodbye with Ashara, Elia came back to the table with Hanko and sat down, so Rhaenys was in between them.

"Thank you for sending Shi with them." Elia offered Hanko. "It relieves me, and I'm sure Arthur as well, that Ashara and her company will have the best protection possible on their way back."

Hanko shrugged. "I don't think Arthur knows that."

Hanko was surprised when Elia giggled. "Yes, I believe most men think that they are automatically better at fighting or protecting than women."

Hanko shook his head, "most men are idiots in that regard."

Elia looked to Hanko now with intrigue. "That surprises me as you being a man who has your...ninja power that can beat even the strongest of monsters, I would figure you of all people would be towards the 'men are the strongest' mentality."

Hanko's eyes looked unfocused to the wall in Elia's opinion before he replied with a question. "What do you think it means to protect?"

"There are many ways to protect someone," Elia answered in kind.

"Also true," Hanko replied. "There are also differing mindsets depending upon the person you ask." Hanko motioned towards the exit where the caravan was but moments ago. "Take for example Arthur and the rest of the kingsguard. They took oaths to protect the royal family, and in doing so, interpreted those oaths as they couldn't interfere as their King raped their queen. They stood there and did nothing under the pretext that to intervene would go against and possibly hurt their king." Hanko sighed. "What they failed to realize is that in doing nothing, they also allowed harm to come to their queen. They kept this same mindset with Prince Rhaegar as they allowed their Prince to rape his new wife Lyanna, all because the Prince was adamant with his orders due to a prophecy. Ironically only one person in the Kingsguard that I know of ever questioned this. Ser Jamie Lannister, a knight that came from the same family that sicced Ser Gregor Clegane on a helpless princess and her children. However, being told by his senior kingsguard that they could not harm the King, he followed the mindset of the group and didn't lift a finger."

Hanko then turned to face Elia directly, "That just shows one way of which men are not always the best to protect, as clearly they can be manipulated and their views construed. Thankfully however that is only one way to look at how protection works or how to consider what protection means. Another way that I also consider protection is if the enemies of your charge are no more. Whether that means beaten to utter submission, or no longer among the living. Their enemies must be no more."

"So you consider wanton murder as a good way?" Elia now looked shocked at this revelation.

"It depends," Hanko continued. "If I take two random smallfolk men that are out for murder on each other; they have no families, friends, or loved ones, but I'm to protect one of them. I kill the other and my original charge is now considered protected. No one else knows or cares about the murdered man so there is no enmity that would otherwise cause further strife." Before Elia can interject he continues. "However this will not work, or is the worst study case you can possibly find, due to the fact that even the filthiest of thieves and smugglers have someone that they can call their friend, or a loved one that would seek revenge, however I'm rambling now and should get back to the point of my worst case study."

"So backtracking to the two smallfolk men that want to kill each other. Now instead of me in the middle protecting one of the men, consider a woman, one without fighting experience, however she is looking to protect one of these men. What do you think this woman would do?"

Elia looked thoughtfully into the surroundings, contemplating the answer before doing so. "She could cause a distraction for her husband, maybe scream, even throw something at the assailant."

Hanko nodded "Indeed, she could throw something at the attacker, hypothetically she throws something that pierces the man to the point that blood is foaming at his mouth and he dies. It isn't like all men have the capability of buying full armor."

Elia had wide eyes, looking to Rhaenys now to confirm she was still napping next to Hanko and not hearing these gruesome details.

Hanko added on, "Now maybe instead of that thrown object piercing the man lethally, what if she threw the object, it pierced the man, but didn't kill him...at least not immediately. Instead that thrown object had a hallucinogen applied to it and now the attacker cannot see your charge and is ranting and raving until eventually he falls over into an open campfire close by. Now the attacker is dead, but instead of blood loss by thrown object, it is a combination of multiple pieces, thrown object, poison, the man's balance, the fire that burns him, and eventually time it takes for that combination to fully lead to his demise. By just that combination alone it is very easy to see that there are many ways to kill a person; notice I said person and not man, because both men and women though different of genders can all die in similar ways, and a woman though she might not have the natural strength of a man, can kill a man in many other ways and thus protect someone by killing their enemy."

Elia chimed in at this time. "If it just took killing to protect people, there would be no people left."

Hanko nodded. "That is true; which is why I said that is just one way to protect people. Men just talk about how they are better for the job, but really they can only mean that it's their strength to bring to arms against another person that makes them better, as any gender can protect the same in other ways. By saying all that I have, I take away a man's strongest argument about how they are better at protecting than women."

Hanko motioned to one of the King's Guard that had walked past the entrance. Gerold Hightower if he had to guess. "The knights themselves take vows. I believe it's; 'In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the innocent.' In this case, any gender could do those things."