Chapter 2: Greyjoy Rebellion
King's Landing 289 AC
The clash of steel rang throughout the Red Keep, in a rare moment of silence everyone watched with bated breath.
Two men sparred, one infamous in of himself after all who would not recognize the King Slayer
The other was a young strapping man, locks of black hair framing his head as his emerald eyes narrowed. His form and bulk filling out the sparring armour, in his hands clutched a Warhammer. This was Robert reborn, the prince of the Seven Kingdoms.
Sparks flew as Jaime's sword was parried by a sharp clang, a follow-up attack dodged by Karl. The match was a curiosity, unlike other men the prince never shouted or let out bellowing cries. He always seemed to judge the flow of battle and it was as if he was born wielding a Warhammer.
His attacks flowed in a rhythm that sometimes forced Jaime back and dictated the battle. But the Prince had yet to beat his Uncle. The two men squared up against each other sizing each other up. The prince rolling his arms before grasping the haft of his Warhammer and dashing forward, his uncle swivelled on the spot directing most of the blunt force away from himself.
Jaime sensing a chance from his nephew overcommitting, quickly thrust his sword forward catching the haft of the prince's Warhammer and the blade close to his chest. The two men regarded each other before nodding.
"I yield" Karl grunted which earned a cocky smirk from his Uncle
"You fought well, you are progressing soon I think you will be a match for most knights and even me"
"Course he will! Look he has his father's build and by the gods wields a Warhammer just like me! He will be knocking you flat on your arse Kingslayer!" His father's voice boomed earning a glare from his mother who usually was never interested in sparring but would always show up to watch her son spar against her brother.
His mother quickly began rocking his younger sister Myrcella in her arms who let out small cries of fear from his father's loud voice. "Can you not be so loud around our daughter?" she quickly scolded Robert who rolled his eyes.
A caw filled the room as if agreeing with his mother as Deathclaw landed on his shoulder. The Griffin was growing at his current size he was about the size of a small cat.
"Seems Deathclaw agrees with mother"
Jon Arryn and Jaime let out a small laugh. Out of all the men they warmed up to Deathclaw the most, Jon Arryn always liked birds rather fitting considering his house sigil was a bird. He could see the corner of his mother's lips crook up. Joffrey meanwhile looked bored as ever and merely rolled his eyes but managed to keep his mouth shut a rare occurrence.
Suddenly a door slammed open as a man ran up to the assembled court.
"Your Graces! Lannisport burns! The Greyjoys are attacking! Balon Greyjoy declares himself King of the Iron Islands!" The court went deathly quiet as His mother and uncle looked extremely concerned at the news and Jon Arryn gave a grimace.
His eyes turned to his father, in a rare moment of joy in the man's eyes. He leapt up his waist jiggling a bit. But he could see new life like never before flowing through his father, a man who finally had a thirst for war and could finally taste it once again.
"Those Greyjoy fuckers! Call the banners! We rally at Casterly Rock! He'll be King of a fucking pebble once I'm done with the cunt!"
Karl could not help but smile inside, this was a chance to solidify his father's reign and destroy the Greyjoy's once and for all. And a chance to meet some of the lords he would eventually come to rule over.
Summon The Elector Counts…
Karl Baratheon marched behind his father, Jon Arryn while his mother walked beside him carrying his sister and Joffrey as well. The Kingsguard surrounded them. The doors to the room of the small council swung open as everyone took a seat.
Jon Arryn, the hand of the king and a sort of grandfather to him. He had not met his grandfather Tywin and the man reminded Karl of himself in a way. Both him and Tywin had done dark things, he for the good of the Empire, Tywin for the good of House Lannister. He did not agree with what his grandfather did to the Reynes and Tarbecks but he understood the need sometimes to do what must be done. Such was the burden of being a man in a position of ruling.
Jon kept the kingdom together, otherwise, his father would have drunk and whored it into Civil War especially with the number of bastards his father was going to father. There was still a lot of Taragareyn sympathy and doubt of his father legitimacy to rule, he knew Jon Arryn saw the same thing he did an opportunity to strengthen and solidify Robert's rule with a crushing victory against the Greyjoys.
Varys, Master of Whispers a bald eunuch, Karl found the man difficult to read compared to the others. Fitting for someone called the Spider and whose job was to spy on behalf of the King and Realm. He was not sure whether to trust him or not but he would err on the side of caution with any future interactions with Vary's.
Stannis, his uncle and Master of the ships. He liked his Uncle Stannis a lot more than his Uncle Renly, he found Stannis devotion to duty similar to his old friends in the empire. Ludwig and Kurt would have liked him, all three men had no time for sycophants or boot-lickers and probably would have bonded over their mutual hatred of said sycophants and boot-lickers.
Pycelle, the Grand Maester, the man who helped bring him into the world. His mother appeared to think he was a good and loyal man. But Karl found the man to be a bit of an old infirm fool. He felt that perhaps he should have some younger assistants around or an apprentice. Heck, he wondered that if someone was gravely injured would Pycelle move fast enough! Or even die on the way himself!
Renly, his other uncle and the Master of Laws. Renly was more approachable than Stannis and Renly would often talk to him more cordially and often than Stannis. But he felt the reason Renly talked to him the most is cause the man hardly did his job, his Uncle Renly was known for being quite the party goer. But for all of that, there was one area he felt Renly surpassed his father and uncle politics. He knew how to talk to people, charm them, make them laugh. It was such skills that also helped him get away with not doing his job to the fullest of his extent.
Stannis would definitely do a strong job of being Master of Laws but maybe it did indeed require Renly's softer touch, Stannis would execute the king's justice on any crime no matter what. He could see his uncle Renly as having a more measured touch which would lead to fewer issues.
Then there was Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin. They say Lannisters shit gold, if they did so then Baelish magically pissed gold into existence. The man set every instinct of his on edge, he was slimy and his expressions, as well as eyes, said it all, one does not simply trust Petyr Baelish. He was ambitious and always knew how to please his Father. Finding gold for whichever tournament his father threw. Instead of managing the Kingdom's finance, Baelish seemed to just let it be, allowing money to be thrown away without regard. Jon Arryn seemed to trust him, but Karl did not. He would keep an eye on him.
Deathclaw leapt from his shoulder and glided gently onto the table. Baelish eye it cautiously as did Pycelle but Deathclaw returned it in kind before moving over to Stannis who pet the creature. Deathclaw seemed to like Stannis's touch and he also liked Renly who often treated the creature well with good quality meat. Deathclaw padded over to Renly who also gave a small smile as he ran his finger through the griffin's fur.
His Father plopped onto the seat at the head of the small council table. "Right so what do we know about the situation?"
"Lannisport burns as does the fleet of the Westerlands. Tywin Lannister rallies Westermen as they fend off raids. Riverlands and North are also under attack, Seagarad is facing a concentrated assault. The shield islands have not yet been attacked but I don't doubt that it will happen soon." Vary's informed coolly, all men at the table turned serious
"Stannis, how long before the royal fleet can get underway?" Jon Arryn asked his Uncle, Stannis pondered for a moment, a face carved of stone.
"I can be underway within a few days, but the trip around Dorne concerns me. We will outnumber the Greyjoys but I don't wish to be caught off guard. I plan to meet up with the fleet of the Reach at the Arbor then form to begin a counter-attack."
"Alright then, Stannis I leave the fleet in your hands, crush those fuckers. Then after that, we rally what troops we can. And we besiege the shit stain called the Iron Islands. We rally at Casterly Rock" Robert grunted as his brother gave him a firm nod
"Pycelle please inform Tywin we will be on the way. Also send ravens to Hoster Tully, Ned Stark and Mace Tyrell. Tell them to bring what troops they can and Mace Tyrell to be on guard. We can't let too much of the bounty of the reach fall into enemy hands." Jon Arryn added
"What about after the war?" Karl spoke up earning everyone's attention
"This is a chance to deal with the Greyjoy's remove them from power and put someone else in charge. I don't expect the raids to stop completely but reducing them will allow trade to grow. We can also encourage the Iron Islands to be a trade hub for the western coast of Westeros" He pressed, this was his chance to get rid of the Greyjoy's
"The prince makes a good point." Baelish chimed in
"It would also increase further taxes if trading flourishes."
"The Greyjoy's are nothing more than rabble. Rebellion should not be without consequence." Renly agreed with his nephew, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.
"I agree the Greyjoy's should be removed as Warden of the Isles," Stannis added his own weight behind the idea.
"I'll think on it. But for now, let's fuck some squids and win a war." Robert waved off his point much to his annoyance.
"We march for Casterly Rock by tomorrow."
"I am coming with you father." Karl declared, eyes once again turning to face him. Stannis looked proud of him, Renly as well a small smile and Vary's seemed to regard him with interest. Pycelle and Baelish did not really care. His mother though…
"Absolutely not! You are the prince and a young boy, this war is not a place for you!"
"It is the duty of the prince to help his king, a father to help his son. Mother, I will not be swayed. I am Prince I must lead by example. I must also learn how to wage war; it is necessary for me to know such matters. Such is the burden of royalty."
"Boy, I admire your balls but I won't risk you in a war. You can come along and see how it's done but don't expect yourself to be fighting on the frontlines! I agree with your mother on that." His father intervened and added his weight behind his mother but also himself.
"So be it but the lords and the people should see the Crown Prince does not stand idle." He declared firmly, there would be no argument he would be a part of this war one way or another.
"It's decided, Barristan" His father called the lord commander
"You and the Kingslayer, as well as another, will follow us to Casterly Rock also make sure that some of the household guards are ready to march."
"It will be done, your grace." The lord commander nodded before moving out to commit to his duties.
"We march to war tomorrow; gods I can't wait…" His father muttered. Karl sent a glance to his father, how could any ruling man be so excited for war? His father was a good warrior and commander but ruling was not something his father was made for.
"Alright move your asses you have your jobs!" Robert bellowed as the small council began moving to resume their duties.
Karl moved to scoop up Deathclaw as he headed to his room, the Emperor of the old world was now marching to his first war in Westeros as Prince. He refused to stand idle, he would do what he could to ensure the Greyjoy's no longer reigned for the good of the Seven Kingdoms… for the good of Westeros…
Casterly Rock 289 AC
He managed to convince his mother to let him go, she worried and fretted. But he convinced her, she was scared but also proud of him. She called him 'Her Little Griffin' much to Deathclaw's chagrin who did his enjoy his mother's affection.
He was reading alongside his father, the Kingsguard spread out amongst them as well as Baratheon and Lannister soldiers. His father was regaling the men with stories of how he crushed Rhagears breastplate. The men with practised ease nodded along to his stories before suddenly the spotlight was on him.
"You will remember your first kill son. And when you triumph over your enemies." He spoke proudly of his son and loudly
"God's seeing you is like seeing me but in those Vale over the years. I know Ned has a son maybe you two could be the second coming of the Wolf and Stag or Griffin I guess" He continued humming
"Hopefully father, but for now we must focus on the Greyjoy's. This is a chance father to prove that you are still the demon of the Trident. We must remind any Tarageryan loyalists that we are strong or those who doubt your rule, that Ours is the Fury" Karl spoke gently reminding his father.
"Aye, Karl I sometimes think you are older than a boy of eight. We need to loosen you up, gotta make the eight like your father when you are older."
He gave his father a small smile "Such is the burden of being a Prince Father, I know you miss the battlefield but you are King now. As such you must put your duty above all else."
"Bah! You sound like Ned! Duty and Honour, pretty words my son. But at the end of the day what keeps a kingdom together is fear and blood. Fear and blood."
"Fear and Blood only get you so far father, fear and blood must also be balanced with kindness and mercy father." He lectured his father, sometimes he felt his father was a child in a way.
"You don't seem very merciful to the Greyjoys earlier boy?" His father pointed out
"Why should we offer mercy to them? they declared war, they don't understand subtle threats. What they understand is fear and blood, so therefore we should teach them that." Karl pointed out coolly
"They also rebelled father, you offered mercy to the Tyrells and Dorne but that was for the stability of the realm. Getting rid of the Greyjoys is for the stability of the realm."
"Sometimes boy I think you are a Tyrell and Dorne lover…" His father growled out
"No father I am a lover of the realm, and for the good of the realm, we should be kinder to the Tyrells and Dorne. One has one of the best armies, the other has one of the biggest armies." He corrected
"Seven Hells you sound like your Lannister grandfather sometimes even more so than your mother!"
"Father…" he spoke but his father growled and threw his hand out not wishing to hear more.
The ride proceeded slowly at a slightly awkward silence which was quickly loosened as father got some much-needed wine in his belly. As they creased the hills that littered the Westerlands and rode to Casterly Rock.
Karl was greeted by the sight of the fortress, the castle towered over the area which seemed to flatten, allowing the defenders clear sight of any attackers. The castle was built atop a rock for lack of a better word, it overlooked the sunset sea. One could see that it almost looked like a Lion, the fortification itself was a resplendent white that made it appear to shine. Houses teemed outside but there was no peasants present, probably garrisoned in Casterly Rock.
There appeared to be patrols of Red Cloaks mounted, they quickly spotted the Kings party and arrived. The lead guard spoke.
"Your Grace welcome to Casterly Rock we will escort you in."
His father wordlessly nodded as the whole party began moving to the Lion's Mouth, the gate to the castle. A guard on top saw the party escorted and the King's Banner and opened the gate. The gate opened with an audible cranking noise and the sound of metal grating but it opened rather quickly as the party moved inside. Deathclaw was circling above, his eyes kept around and after all, he was curious. Karl also had a feeling the griffin just wanted an excuse to hunt some small game.
Glancing around he could see wounded peasant's lying about as families huddled around whatever free space there was. Some glanced to the party with hope glinting in their eyes, they knew retribution would come. Heading into the keep, he was greeted by a short-half man, this was the Imp his Uncle and Tywin's brother, Kevan. Then his grandfather, Tywin his presence was practically screamed with his aged face and his red lion armour. The man's face was practically carved of stone and he could sense the man was incensed by the Greyjoy's actions, good he could find an ally in his grandfather to help remove the Greyjoy's. He could see a small crack, as Deathclaw swooped down and landed on the prince's shoulder. But his grandfather was quick.
"Your Grace, welcome to Casterly Rock." Tywin greeted with practice ease and coolness
"Tywin, what's going on with those squid fuckers?" His father growled with impatience as he hopped off his horse walking up to his good father.
"Follow me, your Grace"
The group headed into the vastness of Casterly Rock, past the main hall. He was taking in the sights as his Uncle walked up to him, he slowed his pace allowing the smaller man to keep up.
"You must be my nephew then Karl?" he greeted with a smile, turning slightly towards his uncle as they chatted. His uncle's eyes were drawn to the griffin on his shoulder. A glint of wonderment and interest as he stared at the seemingly mythical bird.
"Yes, and you must be my uncle, Tyrion." He greeted back cordially offering a princely smile.
"This must be your griffin? May I?" his uncle asked, his hand inching closer wishing to pet the majestic creature. Glancing to Deathclaw the bird leaned forward and nuzzle Tyrion's fingers before pulling back.
"Well…. He is truly majestic as his name. Deathclaw is rather unique." Tyrion spoke his voice filled with awe and intrigue, Karl just knew Deathclaw was loving this attention.
"I have heard much about you, your mother when she writes letters sings praises of you. They say you are Robert reborn, that you wield a Warhammer and even a sword."
"The weapons call to me; I do have ways to come. But to say as my father does soon I'll be crushing breastplates."
"And fucking whores? I am sure your father prefers that part more." His uncle japed
"He does… but I am not interested in such things. Such is the duty of a prince."
"Are you sure you did not take more after Stannis then?" Tyrion quipped, Karl, regarded his uncle despite his joking attitude he knew that his uncle was an intelligent man. The jokes were his way of helping people underestimate him but also to defuse any problematic situations and encourage conversation.
"I respect Uncle Stannis Adherence to duty, my father's ability for battle and my uncle Renly's wit."
Jaime fell in step alongside the pair of them. A casual smile on his face, it was as if we were not at war. Such was the love between the two brothers.
"The prince may not be as good at conversing and boasting as his father but at least he isn't dull." Jaime joked softly
"Aye, he's quickly becoming my favourite nephew!" Tyrion added before the group entered the war room.
It was a spacious room with a large table sprawled out in the middle. They all gathered around it, Tywin at the head, his father beside him and he stood beside his father. Their eyes were glued to the map.
Tywin pointed at Lannisport, "They burnt the fleet, Lannisport has no ships anymore but the garrison repelled any assaults."
"The Farmans are engaged their fleet is doing what they can but they are awaiting Stannis and the Royal fleet."
"They are reports of raiding along the coast, my bannermen along the coast are scouring the lands while those more inland are rallying their own banners and bringing them to Casterly Rock they should be arriving with the coming weeks."
"What about the North and the Riverlands?" His father prompted
"Mostly raids from what we could tell but they are fending them off, Ned Stark has called the banner and his Northmen are marching they should arrive just after my bannermen."
"Good, now we just have to wait for Stannis once he crushes those squids on the sea. We will besiege Pyke."
"What about Balon Greyjoy?" He spoke staring at his father who stared back, getting an idea of what he was doing but also a glint of respect.
"We will deal with him when we win the war."
"Balon is a fool, his assaults have been repelled he does not have the troops or ships to defeat us. This war will not last long. It is valid to ask what shall be done." Tywin glanced at his grandson, his eyes assessing him.
"If so our focus should be after the war, we must decide what to do with the Greyjoy's. I once again insist we should remove them. Install someone more amenable to the throne." Karl further insisted, pressing the advantage he had with his grandfather support.
"Listen here boy, I respect you as my son and you have done me proud. But if I say we will discuss the matter when we win the war. That's when we will discuss it!" He growled lowly, his eyes narrowed as everyone watched the interaction between King and Prince, father and son.
"So be it Father" he backed down, not wishing to overstep anymore than he already has.
"We have our plan now all we got to do is wait on our arses. I am gonna have a drink!" the King exited the war room followed by Barristan and his Uncle Jaime stayed beside him in the war room.
His Grandfather and Uncles stared at him. Tywin broke the silence.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my grandson."
"Likewise grandfather, my condolences for the loss of your fleet and your people." He offered with a small nod, his grandfather seemed impressed as he nodded back.
"It seems we are on the same stance with regards to Balon. Rebellion must be punished."
"It must but only to the extent necessary and for the stability of the realm." He countered, knowing what his grandfather considered punishment.
"Indeed, you have my support in this matter, my Prince. I will do my best to support you." His grandfather nodded
"Thank you grandfather, now this is my first time in Casterly Rock. I hope you will show me around."
Well on that note I am going to leave this chapter. I think I did struggle a bit with this as this is my first foray into these fandoms.
Honestly, I was surprised by how many reviews and how intrigued people were by this story! As for where I want this story to go, I will stick with a single pairing as I am a sucker for romance. So why not, also a man like Karl Franz does not seem like such a person. I might make an alternative story later where I explore this idea.
As for who the pairing is, well I am sure people can guess. Not as if I am subtle.
I do want to emphasize as much as we love Karl Franz, I don't want the story to just be a fapfic. I want there to be struggles and issues. How that happens well, we shall see as the story develops.
As always leave a review telling me your thoughts! Until next time.