Game of Thrones Tales: Lannister Family Values
Summary: In an alternative universe, King Robert calls on a different old friend and brother to assist him. But whose decency, kindness, and sense of honor, while a bit different from Ned Stark's are equally strong. But are the family values of House Addams a match for the ruthless Lannisters?
Part LIX…
Meanwhile, in Essos…
The desert seaport city of Barth…
Where things were not going quite so smoothly for the Provisional Chancellor Taro Trumpo Don as he'd expected, given his brutal takeover, military/wizardry backing, and projected marital alliance, as he'd expected.
People a bit more balanced between anger and terror over the takeover than he'd expected. The military indicating some reservations in their support. Phat Pree steadily increasing his demands…Two dragons, not one, seats on the Council for all his girls as well as himself, full funding for the Dyad Institute. And the Targaryen bimbo taking her sweet time about accepting his proposal…
The former City Council Chamber now Provisional Chancellor (would…Will…be Emperor)'s Reception Hall where rotund Newsreader Seth of House Grayson before podium in ceremonial red and green-gold, the traditional Barth colors, toga facing a rather confrontational press corps…
"Lord Seth? A question?" several called, scribes and artists by their sides taking dictation and drawing sketches.
"I already read the news. Everything's peachy in Barth, just believe blindly in the Chancellor and his promises." Seth sighed. "Fine. Sure, but only you, Enquirer Sean of House Fox. Lord Trumpo Don has proclaimed CNS and the rest of you fake news."
Yeah, that's me…The golden boy…Enquirer Sean beamed. Practically an advisor to the Chancellor.
You're dead meat when the Revolt comes, you sycophantic dumb side of beef …The others grimly eyed Sean.
"What about our sacred Barthian freedom of the press, Lord Seth?" one called, the others, excepting Enquirer Sean, agreed.
"The Provisional Chancellor has stated he holds dear all our sacred freedoms. You're here and not in the dungeons, right?" Seth eyed the group. "Go ahead, Enquirer Sean. I have confessions to take in those dungeons in a few."
What, were you all educated in journalism in Athens? Seth frowned at the group. This is supposed to be a barely concealed dictatorship.
"So, Lord Seth, when will the glorious, Gods blessed Chancellor Taro announce his marriage to Princess Danerys Targaryen, Khanessi of the Doofraki, rightful Queen of Westeros, she of the two ladies, Mistress of Sedge and Bee…"
Really studied up on that panegyric, eh Sean? Seth thought…
"…and proclaim himself Emperor for life, first of his name. What a success story, he climbing to wealth and power from being a penniless waif like me." Sean concluded, unctuously.
Oh, gods…Moron…Seth sighed. And what "penniless waif"? Your parents were loaded and you spent your early days as a beach bum surfing on our desert seacoast after you flunked out of school.
"What's this about proclaiming himself Emperor?" Anderson of Cooper, Enquirer for Cooperson News Scribes, likewise in toga, his a spotless white, spoke up.
"The marriage announcement's coming soon. Thank you all for coming. No further questions unless you want the guards to run you though." Lord Seth, waving as he stepped down from his podium.
This is not boding well, despite the current iron grip of the military holding the land in fear, Seth noted to himself, shaking head as he strode out of the Chamber, protected from the angry calls and various more physical items hurled his way by the Counselor Guard in two lines manning the way. Given the military could just as well turn to someone else if they suspect Taro can't deliver the dragons and Westeros' wealth and power.
I really better get my resume polished and out there as well as having a boat ready.
…
Dyad Institute of Barth…
Office of Rachel of Duncan…
The returned Princess Danerys having been summoned back up from the dungeon depths after her return from her somewhat troubling interview with her wanna-be but like increasingly no way, dude, affianced…
Ser Jonah, left behind…As he'd expected and of course resignedly accepted, in his cell…Having cautioned his should-be, will-be, one hopes despite history showing so many worthy ones dying in despair, want, and shame, Queen to agree to nothing while listening to all…And doing her best to retain as much as possible.
"So…Like…What's that like, being a clone, and daughter to a bald geeky sort?" the now seated Danys inquired of her yet again hostess.
Like what is up with these meetings. I thought we'd settled it all last time.
Tell me she doesn't like me…As in, really "like" me.
"What's it like being a blonde somewhat fireproof bimbo daughter of a House of insane maniacs whose only claim to power is that 300 years ago they managed to massacre everyone in sight using fire-breathing airpower?" Rachel, dryly, from her slightly elevated seat.
Hmmn…Danys frowned for an instant, looking up. I'm the Princess here, I gotta get the high chair.
"Oh, it's totally awesome…Being royal and all. Not so much the insane part." Ponder. "But I think that side all went to my brother Viciously. The power thing sorta went to his head, even though he really wasn't the Chosen One, which is, like…Me." Danys, clapping hands together.
Chosen One, Mommie of Dragons, fireproofed, sorta…Though Jonah does say I ought not to put too much faith in that as to letting any enemy use a flame-thrower or that wildfire stuff on me…Khanessi of my now mostly slaughtered Doofraki clan, Should be Queen…
I really should get the high chair…
"Meaning, I would point out…" Rachel, amused… "That it's rather likely you inherited the crazies as well as the fireproofing, dear." She looking away, out the office window, out over the gloomy cliffs of the fortress, the Cliffs of Howling Despair that had given the place its former name.
Glad we changed it. And Dyad sounds so bouncy and up-and-coming…She paused as she turned back to face an expectant…So, what, bitch?...Danys.
Oh…Viciously…Sigh. If only you'd bumped off the bimbo before she'd proven herself the genetic freak of this generation of the family. We could've eliminated Phat Pree and that moron Taro by now and be on our way to ruling a good chunk of Essos and all Westeros. It is curious, though…
Daniel, my little legal scholar/torturer of House Rosen…My first monitor/guardian from Matt.
Ferdinand of House Chevalier…Ruined knight/cleanser for the great Houses for those assassinations and massacres you prefer handled discreetly.
Why do all my boyfriends tend to both homicidal sadism and early death, Rachel thought.
Still, one must look to the future…And this moron seems likely to stumble into at least some of the marbles. At least long enough to remove Taro Trumpo Don and open a path to power for me, courtesy one Middlefinger…Once I rid him of his obsession with that dead Stark woman I had Ser Walter bump off. And with the living one, who also seems likely to cut my chances with my other path, Joffrey Bartheron. Yes, I'd say best Sansa join her mother in the grave. Then Belloq will have a chance to see I'm far more than just a useful business associate or a variation on my sisters whom he'd so like to have as a sort of freaky addition to his brothel/entertainment palace. Not to mention his eagerness to obtain the secret of cloning…Very useful in both the empire-building business and the brothel/entertainment industry. A clone army that can double as a clone escort service…I can see the dream, Petyr.
Ok, I'm following the same bad pattern in boyfriends…I'm aware of it, I'm trying to deal. And Middlefinger is artistic as well as power-mad and sadistic. A definite step-up.
That's gotta be progress on my part, right?
Still, the future to be secured, one must do what needs to be done.
"Yes, it must be wonderful, and of course motherhood even more so." Rachel noted, fond tone.
Sincere, that much…I would so like to be a mommie. Thanks loads, Dad for designing us to be sterile for fear of contaminating the human germline.
Though to be fair, Dad does say it was Brundel's idea…After his little teleportation mishap he wasn't too fond of the idea of gene manipulation…
After all, we're all so good with kids. Even murderous Helena loves 'em.
Though naturally it's the defective tramp whose defect also her to bear. So unfair, I'm the only one of us with a promising career as executive and Machiavellian political manipulator.
And I could teach my little ones so many neat things about literature, science, statecraft, and the art of killing your enemies.
"Like yeah…Though I'm only mom of dragons, not kids, yet." Danys noted.
Kids…Kinda gross to think on. Lose your figure, they're always pooping or sick or want you to feed em and such…
I suppose I gotta have one for the inheriting thing though. And if I have a kid by Ser Jonah, he or she is sure not to ask for too much from me…
"Your Highness…" Rachel, forcing herself to use the title.
Gods, the people you raise to the royalty…
Give me a Robert Bartheron demonstrating his fitness by slaughter as her own ancestors did…Or some sharp little putz like Petyr Belloq plotting and killing his way up.
"I do want you to know I am a loyal supporter of your claims to the various thrones of the kingdoms whose populations your family slaughtered and terrorized to win…"
"Oh?" Danys eyed her companion.
"Kinda hasn't seemed like it, to tell ya the truth." Hard stare.
"I've had to be careful here. Taro Trumpo Don holds Barth in a grip of terror. His spies are everywhere. Even my father's powers can barely hold him off."
Especially considering a lot of that stuff of Dad's is smoke and mirrors…And even the advanced weaponry requires factories, labor, capital.
"So…You're sayin' you're on my side? That's usually guys kinda dazzled by my beauty, brains, and dragons, ya know."
Dazzled by beauty and dragons, I buy…Rachel thought.
"I'm on your side…Though I can't say as for my dad…Or my sisters."
"That Sarah didn't seem to like this Taro guy very much." Danys noted.
"The tramp is like that, enjoys being off the grid. But hardly reliable. I, on the other hand…"
Hmmn…It would be about time for one of those "Hands" of the King or Queen to be a woman, Rachel reflected. "Will prove the most reliable of your supporters."
Really…Cool stare surprising Rachel.
Maybe the girl does have some cojones…
"After all…" smile. "I have seen to it that two of your dragons are back in your power."
