NOT MY WORK I TAKE NO CREDIT ALL CREDIT GOES TO GHOSTQUEEN187
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Let the Game Begin
What's that? Two chapters in one day? It's easy to write when you've got nothing better to do than Studying and bed rest. Hope you enjoy this one, The Lannisters are coming!
Loki blew a piece of hair out of his face, staring down at the parchment before him. Loki turned his gaze towards Fenrir, who was curled up on his bed within his chambers, pouting.
Loki had been clear with him that he must not use his true form whilst within Winterfell. Too many people would panic at the sight of him, and he really did not wish to explain to his family why his direwolf pup had suddenly turned into a giant wolf. That would be too problematic, especially with what he had planned.
Loki turned back to the parchment in front of him, filled to the brim with potential partners for his siblings. Loki was aware that as Head of the family it was his father's role to pick suitors for his children, but that didn't mean he couldn't use his magic to persuade him somewhat into seeing his way. He loved his father, but he was rather foolish when it came to political things.
Loki knew that if he wished to take the Seven Kingdoms in time for the Long Night, he would have to have as many allies as he could. Now allies could be bought in numerous ways, fear, respect, common interests, however in most cases, marriage was the key to forming a strong alliance. After all, the Tully-Stark alliance is still as strong as ever through the marriage of his mother and father.
Loki had used his spy network, as well as the other resources available to him, in order to find ideal partners for all of his siblings that would also make ideal allies. He made sure that each potential suitor matched his siblings' personalities and desires, he may have been essentially marrying them off for allies, but he at least wanted them to be comfortable with them.
Robb was a tricky one. Since he was the heir of Winterfell, a Northern match would be ideal, not essentially for political gain within the South, but to appease the Northern Lords. Loki was aware that the Northerners were less than thrilled when his father married a Southern woman, they were even less pleased when he had built her a Sept within Winterfell, rather than have her take the Old Gods.
By having Robb marry a Northern bride this would reassure the North that he wasn't a 'Green boy' like they feared and show that he was a true Northerner.
The tricky part, however, was finding a Northern woman that would match well with Robb. Robb himself was a charismatic and handsome man, Loki doubted it would be hard for whoever was matched with him to fall for him. The real trick was having Robb fall for them.
Loki considered the possibility of pairing him with Dacey Mormont, a young woman who reminded him a great deal of Lady Sif. He knew that House Mormont was one of the loyalist houses to House Stark, so perhaps having one marry into the line would not only reward but ensure this loyalty. Besides, he did not doubt that this woman would be able to straighten him out should his head get too big for his shoulders like Thor's did.
Jon was another tricky one. Despite being legitimized, Jon was still technically a bastard, many Houses may take it as an insult should they Jon as a potential suitor to their daughter. Although there was one House Loki considered wouldn't really mind.
House Reed was another loyal House to House Stark and he doubted that Lord Howland Reed would mind his daughter, Meera, marrying his Father's son. To sweeten the deal for them, Moat Cailin, which was set to be inherited by Jon once repairs were complete, also laid near Greywater Watch, which would allow the Crannogmen to have access to real food over than the frogs of the bog.
Having Jon and the Crannogmen in charge of the Moat would also protect the North from potential invasion as well as be an ideal evacuation point for the Northerner in the future, should the army of the Dead break through the Wall. Loki would also be able to keep an eye on Jojen Reed, the next suspected Three-Eyed Raven, and son of Howland, and ensure he does not cause trouble.
Arya was one of the easiest. Loki knew of her desire to be a warrior. Seven Hells, all of Winterfell probably knew her desire to be a warrior with how often she has sung tales of Nymeria the warrior of Dorne and Visenya Targaryen the dragon rider.
Loki knew exactly where she would fit best. Unlike the rest of Westeros, Dorne was by far the most socially advanced Kingdom. Accepting of bastards and female warriors alike, Loki knew Dorne would be the ideal place for Arya, where you could truly blossom into the woman she is meant to become.
Loki was also aware of the bad blood currently residing between House Stark and House Martell. Although his aunt Lyanna was taken forcefully, he wouldn't be surprised if House Martell held some resentment towards House Stark due to it resulting in the death of Princess Elia and her two children.
Loki knew that by having Arya marry young Trystane Martell, he could potentially bridge the gap between the two Houses and gain an ally. He was also planning on seeking an audience with Doran Martell himself in the future to discuss an alliance in bringing down House Lannister. He would also ensure that he took Sir Gregor Clegane with him for this meeting as a means of….pesuading him to his side.
The future may not have happened yet, but that does little quell the rage within Loki at what had happened to his family due to their actions. if the Lannisters think they can march in and threaten his new family, he only has one thing to say to them. Game on.
Sansa was another easy one. If the future told him anything, it was that Sansa had great political potential. The real trick was to marry her somewhere where her skills could be nurtured and grown. And what better place for her to grow than in the most nutritious Kingdom in all of Westeros.
Loki had heard stories of the Queen of Thorns. Of her quick wit and her clever mind for seeing opportunities. Loki knew that Sansa would flourish under her tutelage, as well as his own. Loki wasn't stupid, he knew that sending her to the Tyrell's in her current state would be like sending a lamb to the slaughter. So he fully intended to teach her the inner workings of the world around them before sending her off anywhere near them.
The choice of which Tyrell was easy. Sir Loras may have been handsome, but Loki was fully aware that he held… different pursuits. Any relationship with him would leave Sansa confused and heartbroken. Willas Tyrell however, despite being a cripple, was kind from what he heard and incredibly studious. Loki knew that he would treat her well and that Sansa would not be treated as she was by her former suitor Joffrey or that Ramsay Snow.
A peculiar 'accident' had befallen the bastard as he laid in wait to murder his half-brother, Domeric. The locals said they saw an abnormally large black wolf descend through the field and swallow Ramsay in one gulp.
How tragic.
Loki had already started to arrange the match behind his father's back. After walking Sansa back to her chambers from one of her embroidery lessons, Loki made sure to tell Sansa in great detail about the amazing festivals held in High Garden and how people spent months working on costumes.
Loki also told her of the noble Willas Tyrell, a brave knight who had been injured in battle but still maintained his gentle heart. Sansa had been entranced immediately, thoughts of the prince left her mind as she begged Loki to secretly borrow one of his ravens to commune to her true love. The two had been writing letters since, mostly good he assumed considering the shy smiles on her face whenever she secretly read a letter from him during breakfast when she thought no one was looking
Sansa was too easy to manipulate sometimes. He would have to correct that soon.
Loki already had a plan in place to prevent the King from forcing his father to matching Joffrey to Sansa, dooming her to a life of misery. But that would come later when the King arrived. It would take clever planning on his part but he was sure he could enact it.
Loki worried little about marrying Rickon at the moment. Rickon was young, too young to really determine a good match for. Besides, Loki had a suspicion that Rickon may not wish to marry in the future, but simply live as a knight in the capital.
The hardest match Loki had to make was for himself.
Loki had many options, all with the potentiality of creating strong and powerful alliances. The problem was deciding which one would be more beneficial.
Arianne Martell was a possible match. She was an intelligent woman, beautiful too from what he'd heard. She was also cunning which Loki could admire. Nevertheless, Arianne's place was in Dorne, Loki was aware of her desire to rule Dorne once her father passes, although he's sure she wouldn't mind ruling the Seven Kingdom
If he decided not to marry her, he could always persuade her to his side by assisting her in gaining control of Dorne after her father's strange decision to pass her for the heir.
Margaery Tyrell was another potential match. Loki had heard many tales about her. About how she was an even better manipulator than that of her grandmother, easily twisting words to benefit herself. Loki's biggest concern about her was the potential possibility of her attempting to manipulate him.
Loki doubted that she could. He was the God of Lies, after all, not many mortals could lie to his face and succeed. Loki might be amused by her manipulations at first, but he can see himself growing annoyed with it after a long period of time.
Loki thought back to the Three-Eyed Raven's words. About how he would meet this Daenerys Targaryen (who currently possessed his son Jörmungandr he reminded himself) as either an ally or an enemy.
Loki considered the possibility of meeting her as an ally. Once her dragons had grown and she was in a position of power. Offer her his services as her hand. After all, a hand is a King in all but name.
Should she accept he could manipulate her actions, give her advice, seduce her into loving him and possibly take the throne for himself. If he met her as an enemy, well, her dragons can only protect her when they can see her. He's sure if the need comes he could quietly get rid of her should she prove to be a problem to his reign. Although it would be a slightly bigger pain to defeat the dead without her dragons.
Loki was pulled out of his thoughts by his mother rushing into the room a panicked look on her face. Loki immediately cast a glimmer on the papers before him, replacing them with his history lessons before facing his mother, an innocent expression on his face.
"Brandon, what are you doing in your room? The King and his family will be here any minute!" his mother practically shouted, grabbing him from the shoulders and dragging him from his chambers.
Loki felt himself smirk. Today was the day he would finally see this oath of a King and his family face to face. He felt a shiver of excitement course through him. He couldn't wait to finally be able to play with them as they played with his family in another life. Loki just wished Tywin Lannister was here as well.
Loki blinked up at his mother "Oh are they already here? I must have forgotten!"
His mother gave him a stern look as she dragged him through Winterfell "It's the Royal Family! How could you have possibly forgotten?" she shook her head "nevermind, you are just like my brother sometimes I swear, always got your head in the clouds."
Loki almost snorted at being compared to his idiot uncle but managed to keep it in.
Loki glanced in the distance and saw all his siblings, except for Arya, all lined up waiting for the arrival of the King. Loki moved to join them but was stopped by his mother's gentle hand on his shoulder.
Loki turned to face her, "Now Bran, whilst the Royal Family's here I want you to promise me to cause no Mischief," Loki snorted causing his mother to give him a stern look "I mean it, no mischief, no pranks, I want you on your best behavior."
Loki blinked at her, putting an innocent smile on his face "No mischief, I promise."
His mother gave him one more stern look before dragging him to line up with the others.
Loki watched in amusement as Arya came to stand behind him, helmet on her head. Loki snickered as father reached down to grab the helmet off of her before gently pushing her to line up next to Loki.
Loki smirked as she pushed him aside telling him to shut up, causing their mother to scold them.
Loki heard the sound of trumpets and immediately straightened his posture, brushing the dust off his green tunic and black fur whilst trying to fight the smirk off his face.
Loki had to take a moment to stop himself from laughing at the sight of the King.
The King was a fat man, with a slightly greying beard blue eyes and dark hair. The poor horse looks like it was struggling through every step it took, with such a large weight sitting on top of it.
Riding near him was who he assumed was Prince Joffrey, a boy barely older than him with short blond hair and green eyes and a thin build. How the King didn't notice this wasn't his son was beyond him. Prince Joffrey tried to wink towards Sansa, however, she was far too busy eyeing off the letter from Willas that was currently hidden under her cloak. Loki smirked. Everything was going according to plan.
Loki barely paid attention to most of the Kingsguard around him, only focusing on the younger one with a golden mane of hair. This must be Sir Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. Loki was disappointed. He had expected the man to appear more threatening, but in reality, the man was barely thicker than he was as a boy, and Loki always was rather thin.
When Sir Jaime met his gaze he allowed the predatory smirk to graze his face, causing Jaime's own smirk to fall as he gave him an odd look, not quite expecting a Stark of all people to give him such an expression probably.
The King, with great difficulty, dismounted his horse as the carriage holding the royal family came to a halt. The King walked towards his father, expression never changing.
"You've gotten fat," King Robbert said looking down at his father. Loki raised a brow and shared a look with Arya Their father held the same sentiment and merely looked down at King Robbert's belly in disbelief before looking at him again with an incredulous look.
King Robbert and Father began to both laugh, causing Loki to raise a brow at the two of them. Their friendship was surely strange. The two men embraced as everyone else looked on incredulously at the two.
Loki ignored the King as he created the rest of his family, mainly focusing on the carriage that held the rest of the Lannisters, although he did faintly hear the King shout "Oh you're the Bastard boy I legitimized! You look just like Ned and Lyanna!" and Jon's meek confirmation.
Loki's vision was soon filled with the King's midsection as he slightly towered over him. "Your Ned's over boy yes? Bran the Bright?"
Loki blinked in slight surprise. Loki was under the impression that only the North referred to him like that. "You've heard of me?"
The King laughed a booming laugh and patted his fat hand against his back hard, causing Loki to stumble forward slightly "One of the whores at the brothel's a Northern lass, won't stop going on and on about the prodigal genius of Eddard Stark. I find it hilarious considering your father's as dumb as a bag of bricks."
The King laughed again at his own joke and Loki was tempted to tell him that the only idiot in Winterfell at the moment was the man who couldn't tell that his own wife was fucking her brother. But alas there was time for that later.
Loki gave him a forced smile as he went to talk quietly with his father, asking to go see Lyanna. As he said this Loki watched as an older woman with long blond hair and green eyes. She was wearing a red and gold dress with furs to keep her warm as she started to help her two other children out of the carriage.
Loki was tempted to meet her gaze the same as he did her brother, but Loki knew that whilst she wasn't the cleverest Lannister, she was certainly the most distrustful. If she got even a whiff of his true intentions Loki's plans would be much harder to enact.
"Where's the imp?" Arya asked loudly causing everyone to look at her. Loki closed his eyes tiredly. Sansa tried to shush her, but she asked again, this time much louder "Where's the Imp?"
Loki watched as the Queen ordered her brother to 'fetch the little beast,' as she called him. Seeing an opportunity, Loki stepped forward towards them before her brother could reply "I can go fetch him for you, your grace, if you would like? I'm sure you would be much more comfortable here with your brother by your side yes?" Loki smiled innocently up at her as her eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to find a lie. Not that she would though, he could lie just as easily as breathing.
"Very well boy," she said looking down at him from her nose "I'd try the whorehouse if I were you, wherever that is, the little beast can't keep his hands to himself." The Queen turned away from him and headed towards his mother.
Loki went to turn away when he felt a gaze on him. Loki turned to face Sir Jaime, who had not yet moved to follow his sister but instead was staring silently at the two swords no Loki's waist. Loki gave him a pleasant smile, before turning away to walk towards Winter Town. He had an imp to find. Loki smirked wickedly as he climbed on his horse. Let the games begin.
