ALL CREDIT TO GHOSTQUEEN187
An Unexpected Development
Loki knew something was wrong the moment his father called him to the family crypts. Their father rarely did so, only calling them down there if he believed they did something wrong in hopes the vacant stares of their family ancestors' statues would prevent them from lying to him.
Arya and him had been called down numerous times, mostly for pranks, sometimes due Sansa blaming them for something. Still, Loki was quite familiar with the layout of this place. Although, he was slightly annoyed at this unexpected calling so early in the morning as he was excited to execute his plan against Ser Jaime and the Queen. But alas, he supposed he would just have to wait for now.
As Loki was walking down the stairs, he noticed the King stepping out of the tomb, a solemn but pleased expression on his face. As he passed Loki he gave him a wide smile, patting him hard on the back, nearly causing him to tumble down the remaining steps, before travelling further up the steps. Loki corrected himself, brushing off his shoulders with a scowl.
From what Loki had heard about the man, Robert Baratheon was a terrible king. So terrible in fact that the man had single handedly put the entire Seven Kingdoms into debt. It was a miracle no one had simply offed the man, although Loki suspected that the Lannisters had something planned in the none too distant future. After all, the Queen could only hide her infidelity for so long once the children grew up looking like their true father.
Loki shook his head. He would have this talk with his father then he would commence with his plan. Although he had frightened the Kingslayer by exposing his knowledge of his secret, Loki knew that the fear would wear off eventually. He wouldn't be surprised if upon telling Queen Cersei of his threat that he would have assassinations attempted upon him by noon. Whilst the idea of this was non threatening in the slightest, Loki was a god among men and would not be so easily killed, it would be a hindrance to his plans later.
Upon stepping into the tomb, Loki noticed his father standing in front of a familiar statue, his head bowed. Loki closed the tomb door behind him, the sound echoing loudly enough in the empty space to enounce his presence. When his father finally turned to face him, his face as blank as usual, Loki finally spoke, "You wished to see me father?"
His father nodded, motioning for him to step closer. "Yes, there is something I wish to discuss with you, Bran."
Loki stepped closer so that he was barely a sword distance away from his father, curious about what his father would want to discuss with him.
Noticing Loki listening intently, he continued "As you probably know, the King and I have been brothers in all but blood since we were boys, I would do almost anything for him, as would he for me," Loki nodded. It wasn't a well kept secret that the two had a close bond.
His father threaded his hands together in front of him, almost as though he was trying to find the right words to say. "When the King arrived he put forward the idea of joining our houses together, through the marriage of Sansa and his son Joffrey," At Loki's sour expression his father hastily continued speaking, an equally sour expression on his face, "however, upon seeing his behaviour towards my family I had no choice but to deny this request, so the King has put forward another request for marriage, one that I cannot find myself to disagree with."
His father placed his hands on his shoulders, squeezing them lightly as he stared into his eyes, "the King has requested that you marry his eldest and only daughter, Marcella."
Loki froze. This was completely unexpected. But also a completely useless play on the King's part. He would give away his eldest daughter, his only daughter to the third eldest son of a noble house, with no keep of his own (yet), in a pathetic attempt to link his house with that of his closest friend? Loki didn't know who was stupider, the King for making the offer or his father for accepting it in the first place.
Gathering his thoughts, Loki quickly spoke, "but father, would it not make more sense for her to marry Robb or even Jon? They are both the heirs to a keep and I have none of my own." Loki knew suggesting Marcella marry Robb could potentially ruin his plan of uniting the North under Robb, but Loki knew that marrying Marcella would make things very complicated if Loki had to marry in the future in order to gain allies. It would be removing a future ace up his sleeve, with no real benefit to counteract it.
Although he could use her as a hostage in the future, should the Lannisters try a sad attempt at a power play against him, Loki knew the only person who would care about her life would be the Queen and her brothers. Tywin Lannister would not care about her life nor would Joffrey should he take the throne.
Before Loki could think more on it, his father cut through his thoughts "That is what I wish to speak to you about, do you remember your uncle Edmund?"
Loki nodded. Although he had never met his young uncle, and the memories gifted to him by the Three-Eyed-Raven did not provide much information about him, his mother's stories of her childhood however were enough for him to get an impression of him. And to say he was unimpressed was an understatement.
Loki watched father shift uncomfortably for a moment before continuing, a more solemn note to his voice than usual present "Well we received a raven early this morning informing us of his passing."
Loki tensed, his eyes slightly widening in shock. This was definitely unexpected. From what little the Three-Eyed-Raven had shown him he at least knew his uncle had lived a long, if somewhat tragic, life in the original timeline of this world. And Loki was also aware that his Uncle was young and healthy. So what has changed?
"How did he die?" Loki asked, vaguely remembering his mother's red eyes at the breakfast table. He had briefly wondered what was the cause of his mother's unusually solemn mood. However at the time Loki had been more focused on staring down Jaime Lannister, ensuring he hadn't blabbed about his little chat with him before he could enact his little plan.
"A freak accident is what your Grandfather said, apparently whilst your uncle was out riding to practice his joust technique his horse suddenly lost control and bucked him into the river, witnesses are unsure if his death was caused by the large head wound caused by the fall or if he simply drowned after being knocked unconscious."
Loki blinked,before realisation hit him, barely resisting the instinct to slap his forehead. He didn't know if he should laugh or scream in annoyance. He remembered explicitly telling that nosy raven that he was not in need of his assistance. But apparently the old coot couldn't resist and decided the best course of action was murdering his uncle.
"With your Uncle's passing and your great Uncle's desire not to Marry, it was made clear that there was no heir to Riverrun after your grandfather." Father said, pulling Loki out of his thoughts on how he was going to throttle the meddling raven when he next saw him.
Loki froze.
Was his father suggesting…..
Seeing the look of realisation in his eyes his father continued "Since you are not the eldest son, you cannot inherit the North, however as you are the oldest son of Catelyn Tully with no other claim the King, your grandfather and I have come to the decision to name you as the heir to Riverrun."
Loki was stunned, not expecting this development in the slightest. Whilst not the grandest or most powerful of places, the Riverlands were an exceptionally useful area to have control over. For one thing, it was in the center of the majority of the other Kingdoms,although this backfired for them in the War of the Five Kings, however this meant he could easily keep tabs on the other Lords and Ladies as well as potentially get rid of those meddlesome Freys in one hit. The function of Riverrun essentially becoming an impenetrable island during times of siege was also a very useful function that would be sure to improve upon.
Loki had to grudgingly admit that with the three-eyed-raven killing his uncle and making him heir to Riverrun that it would definitely make his efforts of becoming King much easier. Although he was sure he would have succeeded without his help, Loki was not going to throw away this advantage out of spite.
Loki would start with Rivverrun, gain his allies and grow in power. Make the Riverlands into something so great that the other Kingdoms look on in envy. Then, if everything goes to plan, Loki would start his ultimate conquest.
'But first,' Loki thought, grinning madly after accepting his father's request before being dismissed, leaving his father behind in the tombs.
'I have a pair of Lannisters to deal with first.'
