Ch 9.
Southern Riverlands.
Castle of Harrenhal, North Edge of Gods Eye Lake.
Catalyn.
Harrenhal was, in an understatement, a grim place to behold. 5 colossal towers, parts of each of them having gone to ruin. The Castle had once boasted of no less than 35 hearths in the great hall alone, but now the autumn wind crept through the cracks of the heavy stone halls, and chilled Catalyn Stark's skin.
Robb Stark and his host had arrived at Harrenhal two weeks ago, and fortunately beat Jaime Lannister's host to the castle, by several days.
Tywin's former host had left a garrison of 500 men to defend Harrenhal, enough to repel any attack. Robb's cause would have been lost, had a few small-folk not opened the gates for the northern host, allowing them to storm the castle.
The Lannister garrison had fought to the death for the castle, but they were eventually defeated. The castle was now in the King in the North's possession.
The march towards Harrenhal had been quick, though not a force march. Throughout the Journey from the Old Crossroads Inn, to the northern edge of the Gods Eye Lake, they learned that Tywin had unwittingly provided a path for them- with blackened fields and ruined buildings. Every now and then they would find the air filled with ravens and carrion crows, though no dead bodies... yet. Tywin Lannister and his army had truly went out of their way to devastate parts of the Southern Riverlands, burning villages and fields alike, sending his mad dogs like the Mountain to carry out his dirty work.
Despite her grief over their failure to save Riverrun, Catalyn was truly thankful that they had managed to stop Tywin and Gregor in their tracks at Green Fork, before they could burn anymore of her brother's lands. What should have passed down to my brother, had he lived. She thought miserably.
But here they were, in Harrenhal. The Dark and gloomy castle- and cursed, according to legends. Before the war, before everything horrible had happened to her and her family, she had dismissed the legends, believing them to be myths. Yet now... she prayed to the Old Gods and the New that the myths were false. Her Robb now was in control of Harrenhal. She did not want to lose him to some curse in this castle.
She silently walked through the great hall when she came upon her son. '' Mother. ''
'' Your Grace.'' She said plainly, noticing his guards.
'' Will you sup with me? I have matters to discuss with you. ''
More Matters? She thought. When they had arrived at Harrenhal, news of the outside had slowly found them. When Jaime Lannister had learned that Robb had beaten him to the lovely prize of Harrenhal, his host turned south. Obviously he decided Renly Baratheon was getting too close to the Crownlands to waste precious time besieging a castle that was impossible to storm by force.
'' Sit.'' Robb gestured towards a seat for her, and they settled for a private lunch- a roast, a lamprey pie, roasted green peppers, to be washed down with white wine from the cellers. Fortunately, they had found Harrenhal well provisioned, which meant they didn't have to dip into their supplies too much. Despite the bolster brought on from the plundering of Tywin's abandoned encampment, their supplies were starting to become low.
'' I assume you have heard the latest of the Baratheon brothers?'' Robb finally asked her.
She hadn't actually. But as King, Robb would receive these tidings first.
'' King Renly has just arrived at Bitterbridge, with his host. He has married into the Tyrells and now moves towards Kingslanding.''
'' Bitterbridge?'' Catalyn was astonished; it had been over a month since the battle of Green Fork. Depending on when exactly Renly had crowned himself King, he could have reached the capitol by now, had he marched with haste. Instead, Bitterbridge was closer to High-Garden- where Renly had been crowned- than to Kingslanding.
'' If he has allied with the Tyrells, then he has a far larger host than either we or Jaime Lannister does. ''
'' Indeed. According to reports and rumours, he has over 70-80,000 men. ''
'' Eighty Thousand!'' Catalyn exclaimed. '' What of his brother Stannis? He is the elder brother.''
Ever since Stannis had sent his letters to all the High Lords of Westros, denouncing Joffery and his siblings of bastards born of incest between the Queen and her twin brother, Stannis had proclaimed himself as the rightful heir, over Renly.
'' Stannis has amassed a host of over 12,000 men, but he is struggling to yield success in winning over many of the Stormlords. Most have gone over to Renly instead.''
'' Renly's 80,000 vs Stannis's 12,000. ''
'' Stannis might be the elder brother, but Renly has the men, and can be more easily reasoned with.'' Robb said.
'' You are the King in the North. That means both of them may see you as an enemy. Which means the Stormlands and the Reach may see you as an enemy.'' Catalyn bluntly stated.
'' That is not what I want. I intend to reach out to King Renly and offer terms and friendship to him, in hopes that he will not oppose my reign as King north of the Neck. I need to send someone I can trust, someone who will not make a botch of the negotiations, to head south to Renly and offer him terms of friendship.''
His words sunk in. '' You want to send me?''
'' I do.''
She wanted nothing more than to put her hands over her ears. Her father, her husband and her brother, all dead. Riverrun had as good as fallen, the Kingslayer out for their blood. And now her son- the King- was sending her as an envoy to another king!
'' When I last saw Renly, he was no older than Bran. I do not know him. Riverrun is off the table now, my father and brother dead. My place is at Winterfell, with your brothers Bran and Rickon. You are King.''
'' I fear there is no other person. If I sent a lesser banner-man, Renly might take it as an insult. Your Uncle Bryden is my eyes and ears, I dare not lose him. I have lost too many men at Green Fork. And your father and brother...''
She silenced him with a look.
'' You won the Freys to my cause, if not for them I would never have been able to defeat Lord Tywin at Green Fork. Secondly, you are a Stark, which means your words carry weight.'' Her son's voice washed over her.
'' Sooner or later we will have to march.'' Robb said.
'' March?''
'' Not yet, but eventually. I cannot sit here at Harrenhal waiting for peace. I sent peace terms to the capitol but I fear they will be rejected. The longer I stay in this castle, the more it appears I am afraid to fight. Sooner or later, my men will become restless. ''
'' Restless is one thing, no one has died from it. Rashness is another. You destroyed half of the Lannisters strength in one red battle, and killed their top man in a second battle. You have done a lot already. You have sent Dacey Mormont to Dorne, letters requesting aid from the Vale, and Theon Greyjoy to Pyke, unwise as I personally believe the latter to be. You have sewn seeds, let them grow.''
'' I have not planted seeds, I have tossed them to the Wind. Your sister has still ignored my calls for aid. It is said that Littlefinger heads to the Eyrie even now to win her hand in marriage.''
'' Petyr?'' She was stunned.
'' According to the reports. We are not certain of what Littlefinger is up to, which side he means to take.''
'' So if he takes the Lannister's side and wins my sister's hand in marriage...'' Catalyn felt too woozy to say the rest.
'' This is why we need to be certain that Lord Renly is on our side, and not against us. Else we will have one more possible enemy, and unlike the others, Renly has far too many men for any hope of victory. That is why I am sending you.''
'' I can't Robb. Can't you see? My place is at Winterfell-''
'' I was not asking you.'' There was a firmer tone in his voice now. '' Will you go to treat with Renly, or shall I send Roose Bolton to treat with them?''
Catalyn forced back a smile. Such an obvious ploy. Robb knew how ill suited Roose Bolton was at offering a carrot, yet how naturally offering a stick came to him. He knew that she knew as well. If Lord Bolton was to negotiate with Renly, he would probably spend the entire time debating whether a stag would take longer to skin than a rose or a lion.
She set her jaw. '' Very well. I will go as you command. When would you like me to leave?''
'' Bitterbridge is long leagues from here. Best leave tomorrow. Good day mother.'' He rose from his chair and left her to sit and eat alone with nothing to keep her company but her clouds of thoughts, swirling, haunting her.
Kingslanding.
Kingsgate.
Tyrion Lannister.
Tyrion smelled the city before he saw it, which despite the inconvenience to his nose, at least told him he was at the city, where he could finally settle down and get to work.
By the time he approached the city gates, he was certain of two things; one, the situation was even worse than he had expected. Two, the situation was not reversing under his sister.
He had brought some of his mountain clansmen with him to the Capitol. Of the 500 he had started out with before the Battle of Green Fork, he had perhaps 215 surviving when he had escaped the carnage, and they had followed him towards his brother Jaime's encampment. Introducing ' Jaime, son of Tywin' to ' Shagga, son of Dolf' and ' Timmet son of Timmet' had been slightly awkward. Eventually Jaime had decided he had use of them, after learning how well they had fought at Green Fork. Eventually they had compromised that Tyrion would take 50 men, lead by Timmet, while Jaime kept the rest.
The road was clogged with refugees, and Tyrion's escort was thus delayed. Smallfolk were arriving in the hundreds, or even thousands, to KingsLanding to seek refuge from the war. Even with Gregor Clegane dead, the Riverlands was considered too unsafe to live in for many people, so they fled to where they hoped to find safety- the capitol.
A few of the Burned Men had suggested lopping off some heads to clear the way, but Tyrion ruled that out as an option. These were just regular people looking for a safe place to stay, their homes unsafe because of the war- a war that the Lannisters had no small part in starting.
So they were delayed a couple days.
When the finally arrived at the city gates- the Lannister banners giving them access, Tyrion was astonished by the scene. The streets were unbelievably crowded, many employed, many unemployed.
Most of them were not grown men, Tyrion also noticed. Many were elderly, or women and children.
In peace times, the population of Kingslanding was at around 500,000. Tyrion had no doubt such figures were increasing everyday.
The population had long ago exceeded the agricultural capacity of the Crownlands alone, and so food was regularly imported from the Reach and the Riverlands. The one was committed to the enemy, the other's economy disrupted by the war, the crops no doubt being burned or diverted to feed either the Lannisters or the Starks in the field.
So how in Seven Hells were they going to feed all these people, in a time of crisis?
When Tyrion finally arrived at the Red Keep, he was greeted by looks of scorn, dismay and revulsion aimed at him and the tribesmen, from the many nobles in the Keep.
He walked right past them, and headed straight for the Small council chamber.
Which was guarded by Not-Ser Sandor Clegane of the Kingsguard.
'' Ahh, Hound. Lovely to see you again. '' Sandor Clegane was dressed in his armour, not of the Kingsguard but his traditional Black plated armour. It looked slightly similar to his brother's armour.
'' Imp.'' Sandor greeted.
'' No need to be so modest. Please open the door, I need to see my sweet sister.'' He walked towards the door.
The Hound blocked him. '' What would your business be perchance? I don't recall seeing these men of yours being the City Watch. They your personal guard now?'' He glanced at the tribesmen, lead by Timmet.
'' They are. May I introduce you to them, Sandor? This is Timmet, son of Timmet, leader of the Burned Men. Timmet, this is Sandor, brother of Gregor the Mountain.''
'' Brother of he who was killed by a woman, you mean?'' Timmet chortled, and sent several of his men bursting with laughter.
Sandor looked displeased, in an understatement. He put his hand to his sword hilt.
Timmet knew no better than to continue. '' We are of the Burned Men, Sandor. Perhaps you would like to join? Cant say I've ever seen a more burned man in my life!'' And he cracked up.
Sandor pulled his sword out of its sheath- when the door opened for them. It was Cersei, in the midst of a court session. '' Hound, enough.'' She ordered. She looked at Tyrion, Bronn, and Timmet and decided she knew enough. '' I want you to explain what in Seven Hells you are doing, immediately little brother.'' She angerly snapped.
Well so much for loving reunion. Tyrion thought.
'' Sweet Sister, so lovely to see you. '' He said.
'' What is the meaning of this?'' She demanded. '' Why are you here? Where is Jaime?''
'' Here, this should explain everything. '' He took a letter from his coat and handed it to her.
She unscrolled the letter and read it. It was the letter from Jaime, telling her to name Tyrion as Hand of the King. He fervently hoped that his brother hadn't been fool enough to write Cersei a love letter as well.
Cersei's eyes widened... then she smirked, and threw the letter down on the table.
'' What sort of nonsense is this? Why would Jaime name you Hand?''
'' You named our lord father as Hand of the King. He is dead now, and you have named no successor. Jaime is the heir to Casterly Rock, which means his word has weight. ''
Suddenly Cersei burst into a fit of laughter. '' Heir to Casterly Rock? Poor little brother, did you forget? Jaime has his vows of the Kingsguard, he serves for life! The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard does not make demands of the Queen! Nice try little brother though. I'm sure you put great effort to convince Jaime to name you as hand of the King.''
Oh Fuck, this is not going well.
He knew that Cersei would never respect him. His hope had rested that her relationship with Jaime might allow her to listen to him and do as he said. So far, his hopes were running as dry as a desert in Dorne.
'' I shall leave you two to discuss matters.'' Varys said, and left the room, followed by Grand Maester Pycelle and the remaining nobles.
'' Look around you!'' He almost shouted at her. '' Do you not see what is going on around you? Father is dead, his army destroyed. We have the Reach and Storm-lands threatening us from the south. The city's food supply is thinning. Sooner or later, an army will be at our doorstep!''
'' I know this very well, I ordered Jaime to take his army south to defend the capitol. When will he arrive? '' She demanded.
'' Surprisingly, he isn't coming sweet sister. He has better uses of it elsewhere in the realm. ''
'' It was a royal command, he cannot refuse.''
'' And yet he has.'' Tyrion pointed out.
'' If Jaime refuses to obey my royal commands, then why should I listen to his own orders?'' Cersei screamed.
'' Because every decision you have made since Robert's death has been utter folly. If you make any more of them, it may lead to our ruin, and we are already in a precarious situation to begin with.''
'' My decisions? Its not my fault that father was outsmarted by the Stark boy!''
'' No but it is your fault that we were forced to fight the North to begin with.''
'' It's because of me that our family rules the Seven Kingdoms!''
'' And its because of you that two more have risen up against us than needed to.'' Tyrion said.
'' Eddard Stark was a traitor-''
'' Who you threw off the top of the Red Keep after learning of Green Fork?''
'' That was Joffery's doing.'' Cersei admitted.
'' Yet you did nothing to stop it.''
'' Ned Stark was already a proven traitor! He attempted to dethrone Joffery. I had him tossed in the Black-cells for that. He was supposed to confess his crimes and proclaim Joffery as the true heir to the Iron Throne. Then he would have taken the black.''
'' And yet now he wears a shroud, not a black cloak.'' Tyrion pressed her for more information.
'' When Joff learned of his Grandfather's death at the hands of Robb Stark, he was livid. You have no idea how furious he was, do you? He ordered Eddard's execution on the spot. At the time... I realized that we had lost all hope of peace with the Starks. Lannisters pay their debts. We could not let this go unanswered, and Joff needed someone to blame. ''
'' No one is saying that the Starks need to be spared, but you could have at least made a hostage exchange and make a peace with the Starks. That's all Robb wanted, his father and sisters back. They have our uncle Kevan hostage, along with a number of nobles. If you had played calm, and worked out an exchange, he would have packed up and headed back North and forget this ever occurred.
Meanwhile, we would have more time to deal with the Baratheon brothers. Once that was dealt with, we could have waited a year or three, let the peace solidify. Then, then, we could have assembled our forces to take the Starks unawares, and take revenge for Lord Tywin's death, if we so chose. Your killing Ned Stark right now, was an invitation for Robb to continue the war. ''
'' Joff would have killed Sansa Stark, Ned's eldest daughter, as well if I hadn't intervened.'' Cersei defended.
'' Oh, so at least you saved the eldest daughter, just not the father. What about the younger one?''
'' Arya? The little brat escaped Ser Meryn Trant when I ordered Eddard's household apprehended. Her ' Dancing Master' got in the way, and killed three of my men and injured two more, before he was finally cut down. ''
Tyrion shook his head. '' We had three Starks to trade with. You lost one, and executed another. If Father were alive to see it, he would be furious.''
'' Well he isn't. What do you mean to do about that?''
'' I cannot bring back the dead.'' Tyrion confessed. '' But if the King does as I say, he may just get his great-uncle Kevan back. Furthermore, I know its Jaime you want. But he is on the field fighting the Starks and soon enough the Baratheon brothers. He sent me here to rule instead. ''
Cersei grimaced. '' I am ruling just fine here.''
'' Indeed. The city is overcrowded because of the war, we may end up with starving conditions soon enough. The Starks threaten us from the North, the Baratheons from the south. You also dismissed Ser Barrastian Selmy from the Kings-guard, and replaced him with Clegane. Oh don't worry, I'm sure the smallfolk- who by the way still idolize Barrastian the Bold- will think nothing of it if he is found riding with Robb Stark or either Baratheon brother. You executed a valuable hostage-''
'' Jaime did the same thing!'' Cersei snapped. '' Tully. Ned Stark's good brother. Edmure Tully was his name? The brother of the woman who kidnapped you? Jaime had him drowned in his armour in his attempt to take Riverrun.''
'' So he committed just as much a folly as you.'' Tyrion shook his head. '' Another thing. I saw Lord Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle, and the rest. But I never saw Lord Baelish. Is he off somewhere?''
'' He's headed off to the Vale, to win over Lyssa Arryn to our cause.'' Cersei answered.
Tyrion took a sip of wine, then choked mid-swallow.
'' The Vale!'' He sputtered. '' You sent him off to the Vale?''
'' Lyssa has not joined her nephew in the war. Lord Baelish assured me that he could... persuade her to throw in her lot with our side. It seemed worth a try, why not?''
'' Why not!'' Tyrion was shocked. He knew his sister was nowhere near as smart as she thought she was, but even he expected her to avoid blundering this high. '' Why not? I'll tell you why not. Littlefinger is an uncertain asset. He is loyal to himself and noneother. I doubt recent events have made him inclined to stay loyal to us. You just set him off into unknown territory, and hope things will turn out for the best? What if he decides he profits from the Starks more than us?''
'' He will not betray us, I assure you.'' Cersei raised her goblet of wine. '' We came to our little understanding before I sent him off. Because you were getting lost in the woods, you haven't seen what has been happening here, little brother. The day Eddard Stark attempted to take the Iron Throne from Joffery, it was Littlefinger who had the city watch turn on Stark's men and arrest him instead. If he betrays us, I will let it slip to Stannis and Robb Stark that it was he who betrayed Ned Stark.''
'' I don't particularly believe Robb will take your word for it, particularly when he knows for sure you murdered his father. Especially if Baelish turns his cloak in the future and does our enemies some great service against us. '' He shook his head. '' When did Lord Baelish leave the city?''
'' Over a week ago.''
The situation was getting lovelier by the minute. By now, Littlefinger would be too far from the capitol to be summoned back. Even if they did, on nothing more than suspicions, it would look paranoid to the world. The egg was broken.
'' Are there any more follys of yours that I should know about?'' He impatiently asked.
'' You have no right to impose upon me. '' Cersei hissed.
Enough. So you dismissed one Kingsguard, to... put Jaime in command? To give him a seat in the small-council? At any-rate, why do you want Jaime on the small council? As a Kingsguard, for that matter?''
'' What are you asking?"' Cersei demanded.
'' If you dismissed Ser Barrastian to clean house, then why do you still keep Jaime on the Kingsguard? Casterly Rock needs a new Lord. With Jaime having taking his vows, that duty falls to me. However, I have no doubt that most of our family would sooner follow Jaime, you most of all.''
Tyrion had her there. Cersei fancied herself as subtle but Tyrion could read her face like his favourite book. And he saw her dilemma.
If she kept Jaime on the Kingsguard, Tyrion would be lord of Casterly Rock by default- something Cersei and Father had struggled against for years.
On the other hand, if she released Jaime from his vows, he would become Lord of the Rock. This would mean his commands carried weight, as the biggest supporter of Joffery's claim. Which in turn would mean that Cersei would have to accept his command to name Tyrion Hand of the King- or else cause an unnecessary feud amongst her family.
Her anger was delicious to watch, though Tyrion had more pressing matters to attend.
'' Fine. '' She said. '' I shall... consider your proposals. Until this mess is cleaned up, I will allow you to be Hand... for now. And make no mistake little brother, you may be the Kings Hand in name but my Hand in truth. You shall share all your intentions and plans with me, before you act. You will do absolutely nothing without my consent. Do you understand?''
'' Why yes I do, sweet sister.'' He lied. '' I am your Hand.'' For as long as I need to be.
'' Good. Now get out. I'm sure you and your savages are exhausted from coming all this way here.'' She inclined her head to the door.
'' Why yes indeed. I have had many fabulous adventures. I pissed off the edge of the wall, spent many nights in a Sky Cell in the Vale. I won over the ferocious hill-tribes in the Mountains of the Vale, through my wits alone. I fought in the midst of the deadliest battle in the history of Westros since Robert's rebellion. I journeyed-''
'' Alright, I'm bored.'' Cersei said bluntly. She took a sip of wine, and watched as Tyrion let himself out of the council chamber.
As Tyrion walked towards the Tower of the Hand, his mind was hardly in less turmoil.
I have managed to convince Cersei to allow me to rule... for now. She has made it clear. She doesn't respect Jaime as she respected father.
Tyrion arrived at the Tower of the Hand, his new chambers. He plopped down on his bed, exhausted and called for a hot bath. Such a big mess I have to clean up. So little time.
Bitterbridge Hall.
Seat of House Caswall.
The Reach.
King Renly Baratheons war encampment.
Renly Baratheon.
'' Well struck, Ser Loras!'' cheered the King, as Loras Tyrell, mounted on a milk-white mare, and clad in Rose armour, charged towards his Tourney opponent- a Tarly Knight- and knocked him straight off his steed, sending him crashing to the ground.
King Renly Baratheon joined his wife Queen Margery Tyrell and the rest of the audience in the deafening applause as the Knight of Flowers lifted his visor and bowed before his King.
Renly sipped from his wine chalice- sweet dark-red wine from the Reach- as he proceeded to praise Ser Loras for winning the Tourney.
Renly's encampment, positioned by the castle of Bitterbridge, lay over several leagues. As soon as he had married Margery Tyrell and taken her for his Queen, King Renly had moved his forces through the south, accumulating support from a variety of powerful houses in the South. All the while, he was gradually moving his forces northeast, towards Kingslanding.
So far, he had the support of most of the Stormlands and the Reach, which brought his total forces to around 100,000. This was a perfect number, as it was beyond sufficient to steamroll what was left of the Lannisters, take the capitol, and deal with anymore threats to his reign. He had plans to name his good-father, Lord Mace Tyrell as his Hand, once he took the Throne. But for now, Mace sat at High-Garden with 10,000 troops to defend the city if need be.
Technically, Renly was not the rightful heir- his elder brother Stannis was. Stannis had sent Ravens to all the high lords in Westros, declaring King Joffery Baratheon and his siblings, bastards who were not of King Robert's blood, therefore having no claim to the Throne. Conveniently, this meant that Stannis Baratheon was the rightful heir to the Throne, and he made sure everyone knew this.
But there was a slight problem. No one wanted Stannis as King.
The Tyrells had proposed the idea to Renly long ago: why the elder brother, and not the brother best fit? So Renly had declared himself King. Unsurprisingly, he attracted far more support than his brother Stannis, Westros-wide.
Therefore, he was the one who would inevitably become the King on the Iron Throne, wouldn't he?
Renly's attention snapped back to the Tourney, as a new match began. And a knight from House Oakheart proceeded to charge and incapacitate his opponent- a knight from Goldengrove.
'' Your Grace?'' An messenger approached him from the side, distracting him from the Tourney.
'' What is it?'' Renly asked, annoyed at being interrupted from his fun.
'' Its your brother Stannis. He has left Dragonstone, and sailed South, past Kings-landing, to lay siege to Storms End!''
Half an hour later, Renly and his banner-men were all seated in the command tent.
To his right sat Lord Randyl Tarly, the finest battle commander in all the Reach. ( He won the only battle for the Tyrells against Robert during his rebellion against the Targaryans, but it displeases Lord Mace whenever he hears about it.)
To his right sat Lord Paxter Redwyne, his Master of Ships and the commander of his fleet.
Further to his left sat Lord Mathis Rowan, another of his commanders.
Guarding them, was the commander of his Rainbow guard, Ser Loras Tyrell.
'' Stannis has arrived at Stormsend, and holds it under siege. He has sent Ravens demanding recognition to his claim to the Iron Throne.'' Lord Tarly announced. '' He has amassed a large fleet and an army of 12,000 men. Barely a fraction of our own forces.''
'' The Lions are a spent force.'' Mathis Rowan said. '' Your Grace should leave the siege-hardy Storm's-End for now, and take KingsLanding. When you sit on the Iron-Throne, everyone will see you as the true king of Westros. Then you can deal with Stannis. ''
'' Stannis is a seasoned battle commander.'' Lord Cafferen cautioned. '' If Storms-End falls, it will have disastrous political consequences for you, as its Lord. You are a King, but you have not taken the Iron Throne yet, and your power sources from the Stormlands. If you cannot protect your own kingdom and castle from the enemy, then the people will dismiss your promise to protect the whole of Westros.''
'' Lord Stannis is not to be taken lightly, your grace. '' Randyll Tarly warned. '' If you leave him unblooded, he will only grow stronger while your own power is diminished by battle. Despite Lord Tywin's defeat, another Lannister army just as large sits in the Riverlands, perfectly positioned to bleed you. By the time you are done with Ser Jaime, Stannis may become just as strong as you... or stronger.''
'' How many men do I command?'' Renly asked.
'' All in all, 100,000 your grace.''
''We are encamped at Bitterbridge. The Kingslayer is our only true threat, aside from my brother, and he is to the North of us. All the same, it would simply not do, if he were to inconvenience us in some futile attempt at blocking me from KingsLanding, don't you think?'' He grabbed a peach and took a bite, munching thoughtfully.
'' Lord Randyll, I hear that you are the finest soldier in the Reach? Lord Mace Tyrell has praised you to the skies, for your skills as a tactician and a soldier.''
'' So he says.'' Another man might have beamed, but Tarly looked as if carved from stone.
'' Because of this, I have an important task for you.'' Renly said.
'' We have 100,000 men. A force that will steamroll any other faction. But why be in only one place at a time? We have the Kingslayer to the Northwest, Stannis to the east. We need to split our forces to deal with them both.''
Mathis Rowan and Randyll Tarly exchanged an uncertain look as they realized what Renly was up to.
''I have decided to split my men into two armies. 50,000 each. The first half shall continue east with me, to Storm's-End. After we take care of my brother, we shall use this army to march onto Kings-landing. The second half will march north, towards the Kingslayer's host. The goal is to annihilate the Lannistes military power in the field, and clear the way to the capitol. Once the Kingslayer is dead, the host shall proceed west, to take Lannisport and Casterly Rock into our own hands and out of the Lannisters. It shall simply not do to allow defiant families such as the Lannisters and their bannermen to hold a fraction of my kingdom, would it?''
'' Your Grace?'' Randyll Tarly began. '' Perhaps I could edit your plan?''
'' Go on.'' Renly flashed him a grin.
'' Ser Jaime might be a reckless knight, or he could be a weary man. It would be exhaustive work to chase his host around the Riverlands, like a fox after a hare. Worse still, he could easily lead us into unsafe grounds and fall upon us on his own terms. As you wish to invade the Westerlands anyway, I propose we do that first. Jaime is a Lannister, and if not for his vows as Kingsguard, he would be Lord of Casterly Rock. He cannot allow the West to fall into enemy hands. We invade the Westerlands, and start sacking castles, he will be forced to move to defend his lands, or else stay east, proving to his bannermen that he cannot defend their castles. I say we invade the West, and see what the Kingslayer does. Casterly Rock or the Iron Throne.''
Renly took a sip of wine. '' We would be lost without your wisdom, Lord Randyll. So be it. Half invades the west, Half heads east to Storm's End.''
'' Who will command the host headed for the Kingslayer? '' Lord Rowan asked.
'' Lord Tarly shall.'' King Renly declared. '' He is one of our best commanders, and there is no man more fit for ending this war in the field, than he. Lord Tarly, do you accept my charge?''
Randyll Tarly looked surprised for a second, then he grimly nodded. '' I do, your Grace.''
'' Perfect!'' Renly beamed. '' I shall leave you to select your own officers.''
He took another bite of his peach. '' Its a real shame, you know. My brother wants the Throne, because he is the eldest brother. Why the eldest, and not the best fit? The crown will suit me, as it never suited Robert and will never suit Stannis.''
'' Indeed your grace.'' Ser Loras Tyrell walked up and knelt before him. '' If I may ask this of you your grace, I ask that you allow me to join Lord Tarly in riding north to dispose of the Kingslayer.'
If Margery had been present, she might have objected to her brother's decision. As it was, Renly knew Loras well enough. '' Done.'' He said with a grin. '' You will depart with Lord Randyll. I have no doubt you will gain great glory during battle against Ser Jaime Lannister and his army.''
Ser Loras bowed.'' Your grace, I shall send you a raven, the minute I pull my blade out of the Kingslayer's heart.''
'' I have no doubt you will do very well.'' Renly said with a smile.
The next day, 50,000 of King Renly's men packed up and began their long march into the Riverlands, where they hoped to take Lannisport, and perhaps defeat Ser Jaime Lannister in the field.
The Tyrells had always set a keen eye on taking the Westerlands gold for their own.
A/N. Meet Renly and the Tyrells. Civil war? No problemo, throw a couple feasts and tourneys and discuss dreams, and problem go away! ( Apparently.)
At this point, it has been well over a month since Green Fork. Everyone is playing their moves at a faster rate than in canon, particularly the Baratheon brothers. Part of the reason is due to the Lannisters far weaker position, due to recent events, so there is that much less reason for hesitation.
Renly Baratheon's 'party-hard' role in the War of the Five Kings was in my opinion, the most frustrating blunder ever made. Instead of splitting his forces, or moving faster than a Caterpillar, he marches towards the capitol and throws feasts and tourneys all the time. If he had any tactical skill at all, he could have split his massive force, one to take care of the Lannisters in the field, one to move towards the capitol. Well at least he is doing that now.
Tyrion is going to be in for a huge struggle in the future. Realistically, I think he would have been in for a far more difficult time ruling Westros in Season/ Book 2, had his power not sourced from Tywin Lannister's authority. Which is happening right now, and as book readers know, especially those who read A Feast for Crows, Cersei is hardly a reasonable person to deal with.