*I hope everyone is having a good holiday week! My close relative is a ASOIAF nerd to the max...like the same way Stephen Colbert is about the LOTR, my relative is about ASOIAF. As such, along with ASOIAF Wiki, I am using them to assist me as well. Not only do they know of all the books and notes and what naught, they also watch every interview of GRRM and everything...it is kinda offputting actually how much they know of the universe. Regardless, they have allowed me a new perspective and I hope you like the story so far!
298 AC
"You worry too much dear sister."
"Do not belittle my worries Jaime! If the Stark child wakes, and remembers what he saw, we are doomed!"
"And if so, I shall protect all of us."
"You? Alone? You are good, but not against the might of the Seven Kingdoms! And certainly not against the savage wolves!"
"Relax sweet sister. This entire day can be put up to the Stark being worried for his child. Without proof, His Fatness will soon order Stark to stand down. Sooner rather than later, we shall once again be in the capital."
"And what then? Robert will not leave Winterfell without his loyal mutt."
"Let him come. Stark and his bloody honor will never find out about us. Lord Arryn is still in deepsleep I am told, without him, no one in the entire realm will know."
They call a group of lions a Pride. But too much of that can lead to arrogance…and an arrogant lion will learn that the stalking direwolf cares little for honor in the cold, dreary conditions of a snowstorm.
To the Flying Trout
The Falcon's wings were clipped, but the handler failed completely.
The Falcon flies once more.
Await more, my ever-sweet lady.
Soon, you shall have my fingers.
Jon Arryn
Jon had fallen ill some weeks ago, one evening, he began to feel unwell and summoned Coleman to his chambers. Unfortunately, he apparently fell into some form of deepsleep. Coleman had been sent back to the Eyrie by Pycelle. That was a mistake. But that wasn't the end of his misery. He had apparently awoken the week after Robert had left for Winterfell, with the intent to appoint Ned as his new Hand.
This was the least of his concerns, however. For today, he sat in his solar with an incredibly sad message, sent by Coleman himself. His wife Lysa had thrown herself from the Moon Door. Evidently, Coleman reported that he had handed a sealed letter to Lysa. Lysa had read the letter, screamed in anguish, and burnt the letter in a nearby brazier. Lysa then ran straight to the main hall and through herself through the door, to her death.
Jon was…sad about it. Their marriage was not one of love, that is no doubt. But she was the mother of his heir. Now however, now he would need to sort out the entire situation.
The Red Keep felt much emptier. Gone was the wailing of his late wife, gone was the annoying pontificating of the Crown Prince, gone was the boisterous laughter or anger of the King. Varys was still walking around, hands buried deep in his robes. Pycelle, still the blubbering fool, stumbled over his words. Littlefinger remained a pillar of confidence, oozing charisma. Renly seemed next to useless in his endeavors as the Master of Laws. Stannis had apparently left the capital, to return to his seat on Dragonstone.
But enough of that now, he had a letters to write.
Robert I Baratheon
King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm
My son, I have awoken from my slumber. I understand you had become quite worrisome at my illness. Despite hearing from me, I beg you to listen to my words. I am unwell. I still am unaware at what caused my sickness, but I am still feeling it. My full strength has yet to return. I ask you, nay, I beg you, to continue to try and appoint Ned as your Hand. He will be a good and trusted advisor. I shall remain in the capital until I fully recover, unfortunately I believe my days of the running the Realm are long past.
Other problems have arisen as well. In her madness, my wife Lysa threw herself from the Moon Door in the Eyrie. Maester Coleman has become acting Regent of the Vale, but he is not experienced enough to handle this. I am still too weak to travel home as of yet. As such, I ask that you endorse my letter I am sending to Ned's wife. I wish for her to serve as the Regent of the Vale, while I appoint Yohn Royce to serve as the Protector of the Vale. I wish for them to serve as co-regents until either I return to the Eyrie, or until Robin reaches his majority. I hope that the letter to Lady Catelyn arrives at the same time.
I love you as my own son Robert, never forget that. You and Ned gave me many happy memories that I shall continue to cherish. I am so very sorry for stepping down, but for my own health, I must. Should you return with Ned, I shall most likely still be present, but I wholeheartedly endorse Ned's appointment.
Jon Arryn
Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount & Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East
Lady Catelyn Stark
Lady of Winterfell
I apologize for writing directly to you, as I am sure you do not know me well. Unfortunately, I must share some saddening news with you. It is with great regret that I must inform you that your sister, Lysa, perished earlier this week. According to my maester and witnesses, she threw herself from the Moon Door in a fit of madness. I extend my shared sorrow at this news, and I wish you the best of condolences.
I must apologize, and curse myself, as I must ask a great favor of you. Besides myself, you are the closest relative to my young son and heir, Robin Arryn. He is a gentle child, and admittedly a rather weak one. I am writing to Lord Yohn Royce, commanding him to serve as the Protector of the Vale in my absence. However, I ask if you would be willing to serve as the Regent of the Vale, to assist in the growth of my son into a worthy lordling. I am willing to allow any amount of ladies you wish to bring with you and support you in any way. I have written to the King, informing him that I have awoken, but am still far too weak to make the trip to the Eyrie as of yet.
With the greatest condolences and a thousand pardons;
Jon Arryn
Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount & Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East
Lord Yohn Royce
Lord of Runestone
My old friend, it is with great euphoria that I write to you, that I have awoken from my sickness. Yet, the happiness ends there. As I am sure you are aware by now, my wife has perished, leaving my heir without any guardians present. Allow me to clear any confusion, I hereby appoint you as the Protector of the Vale, with full military authority over the Vale, until my strength returns and I can make my way to the Eyrie once more. Fear not, I shall have ravens sent to all the lords of the Vale, informing them of the news.
Be aware also, I have requested the Eddard Stark's wife, Lady Catelyn, serve as the Regent of the Vale, empowered with full civil authority over my domain and governorship of my son. I hope that she accepts this responsibility. If she does, I expect you two to share in the responsibilities of the Vale. I shall enforce to her to respect your decisions relating to the Knights of the Vale, and the enforcement of mine or Lady Catelyn's decrees. I would be remiss not to expect the same of you too, however. I impress on you the duty to respect all of Lady Catelyn's decisions regarding her nephew and my son. I know that you shan't let me down, you never have.
Jon Arryn
Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount & Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East
Jon nodded to himself, finding comfort in his decisions. He knew that appointing an outsider as the Regent & Protector of the Vale to be unsuitable to his bannermen. With his decision, he hoped that a compromise could be reached. The Royces of Runestone were among his most powerful vassals, and the only other lords who has been kings themselves before the Coming of the Andals.
With a Valeman as the Protector, granted the military authority of the Vale, and a regent for his son, granted the civil authority of the Vale and governorship of his heir, it was his intention to create a balance of family and politics. He could only wish that this was sufficient.
Now, onto other things. Jon knew Ned Stark enough to know that simply the allure of the power of the Hand of the King was not enough to have him leave his home, he was too honorable for that. Mine eyes have been opened. Perhaps he became blind to the corruption and treachery around him, after all, if one spends enough time in a privy, they no longer smell the privy. Pycelle was more duplicitous then he realized. Varys was no doubt in the pockets of someone else, who, he knew not. Petyr…Petyr was an unknown. He was one of his own bannerman, but, only a simpleton would take him as is. He needs to be watched as well.
He wished, selfishly perhaps, that his strength did not return too fast. So that he would be able to see Ned one last time. Jon held no disillusions. He was an old man. His age was catching up to him. But he was glad to note that his mind had not left him. Perhaps his arms were no longer strong enough to wield a blade, and perhaps he would never wear his gleaming plate armor again, but his mind was still strong. By the Gods I'll die 'fore I lose my mind to madness.
Too bad the Flying Falcon was unaware of the tense moments in Den of Wolves.