Queen of the Iron Islands Chapter 4
Following the announcement of Balon Greyjoy's murder, Asha and her uncles Victarion and Aeron meet behind closed tents to discuss family politics. Can the Greyjoy family resolve their differences? All recognisable ASOIAF characters, locations, and themes belong to George R.R. Martin and HBO. As always, feel free to read and review.
Asha's POV: Family Politics
Night had fallen on Old Wyk. A cold north-westerly wind was sweeping through the shores of the island. Everyone had retreated to their tents and ships for the night. After a hot supper of seafood chowder and barley bread, Ila had been sent off to bed in a separate tent. As a precaution, Asha had sent three of her crew - Qarl the Maid, Hagen the Horn, and Grimtongue to guard the Wildling girl's tent. She would be a valuable witness against Euron's henchmen at the trial which would come tomorrow. Therefore, she was not going to let anything happen to Ila.
Asha was expecting some visitors. Her crew had prepared several freshly caught salmon and hot garlic bread for supper. After the first watch of the night, a group of men approached her main tent. They were her Uncles Victarion the Lord Captain and Aeron the Drowned Man. Victarion was accompanied by his three champions for the upcoming Kingsmoot. There was Nute the Barber, a thickset man with bandy legs and long arms. He was called the Barber due to his skill with the axe. The second man was Ralf the Limper, another friend of Victarion and the captain of the Lord Quellon. The third man was Ralf Stonehouse, the red-haired captain of the Red Jester.
The Damphair was dressed in his usual thick woollen robes while Victarion wore a thick suit of full plated armour. For that occasion, Asha had worn a sleeveless leather jerkin over a brown quilted tunic, green woollen breeches, and salt-stained leather boots. She had decided to show them that she was no ordinary woman. She was a warrior, commander, and a leader who had every right to sit on the Seastone Chair.
"Greetings, my niece," said Victarion, who was trying to put on his most majestic tone "I almost mistook you for one of your sailors."
"It was good that you two could come," replied Asha, who did a curtsey "But you did not need to have worn so much armor or brought such an armed company, Nuncle. I promise not to hurt you under my humble lodgings. I'm no Lord Walder Frey."
"Ah yes, the Red Wedding," added Aeron Damphair "We Ironborn may be reavers and pillagers but we are better than those lot. Now, let's get down to business. We as a family need to maintain a united face if we want to keep the Crow's Eye from winning the Seastone Chair. I have had a chat with my brother and we've agreed to offer you a deal."
"And, what pray may that be," asked Asha
"Let's hear what your uncle has to say," replied Aeron
"You are a formidable warrior and an excellent commander who has proven her worth in combat," said Victarion "If I am crowned King of the Iron Islands and the North, I will make you the Lady Governess of Deepwood Motte, which you have rightfully won in combat. Fine you have always wanted a castle so that shall be your reward. You're also free to marry any man of your choice, perhaps even your childhood friend Tris Botley. So, what do you say about my very fair offer?"
At least the Lord Captain was recognising her combat prowess and leadership skills. But that was still not enough. He was still not willing to share his rule with her. And she was not going to marry that lovesick puppy! She decided to propose her counter-offer. Asha took her deep breath and gathered her thoughts. After a moment's silence, she rose from her stool to speak.
"I have a better offer, so sit down and listen," replied Asha "How about I place the driftwood crown upon your brow myself if you agree to share the rule. I am not asking to sit on the Seastone Chair. What I'm asking for is to stand behind you, to guard your back and whisper in your ear. No king can rule alone. Even when the dragons sat on the Iron Throne, they had men to help them. The King's Hands. Let me your Hand, Nuncle."
Victarion and Aeron were aghast at her offer. She saw the incredulous looks on their faces. What she was proposing was unprecedented in the past two thousand years of Ironborn history. No King of the Isles had ever needed a Hand, much less a woman. She heard Victarion's three champions muttering and giggling among themselves.
"Have you been drinking too much fine Dornish wine," responded Victarion "I have another casket aboard my longship if you want to drink yourself silly. We appreciate your efforts in exposing foul play in my brother's death. But, a woman's place is not in the court of men's politics. So, I suggest you reconsider my offer. You don't want us to marry you to that old oaf Erik Ironmaker."
Asha raged with anger but she decided to hold her tongue. If she showed any sign of losing her cool in the presence of these men that would only raise more questions about her ability to rule. In the end, Asha endeavoured that she would remain as cool as a cucumber throughout the meeting.
"Let's not rush to insult each other," said Aeron calmly "Don't let the Storm God sow discord among us. If we show any sign of strife, Euron will be able to rip us apart. Let's hear the lady tell us she wishes to be Hand to the King."
In a calm and clear voice, Asha explained that she wanted to make peace with the North. Balon's war had gone on for too long and was costing them many lives and the goodwill of the northmen. Her brother and Balon's heir, Theon, had aroused the fury of the North by murdering Bran and Rickon, the younger brothers of the late King Robb Stark. The Ironborn needed to make peace with the North before more lives were lost. Her captive Lady Sybelle Glover had proposed returning Deepwood Motte, Torrhen's Square and Moat Caitlin. In return, the northmen would cede Sea Dragon Point and the entire Stony Shore to the Ironborn. An exchange of hostages would seal the pact and each side would agree to join forces against the Iron Throne. This would be a win-win situation for her and Victarion. Victarion would get to sit his arse on the Seastone Chair while she would get to be his Hand.
Victarion and his champions chuckled with laughter. Aeron did not join in this game but she could see the disapproving scowl on his face.
"This Lady Glover plays you for a fool my niece," responded Victarion dismissively "What she's offering is nothing more than a craven's piece. Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore are ours. Why hand them back? Winterfell is a ruin and the Young Wolf lies headless in the earth. We shall have all the North as your father dreamed."
Asha responded with a metaphor of a fisherman catching a grey leviathan only to be dragged down to a watery grave. She stressed that the north was too large for the Ironborn to hold and too full of northmen, who were seeking to avenge the deaths of Bran and Rickon. She added there were rumours that "King" Stannis Baratheon and his Red Priestess had landed in the North and won a great battle against the Wildlings. He would be marching westward soon, bring his red demon with him. Uncle Victarion retorted with his usual jibe about war being men's business. He also vowed that he already had two hands and did not need a third.
"The usurper Stannis serves a red demon. He is despised even among his own countrymen for his heresy," added Aeron in a more diplomatic tone "We are Ironborn and we shall always triumph because we are the descendants of the Drowned God. What is dead may never die."
Victarion and his champions echoed in agreement with the Drowned Man. With such thick-headed men, compromise was impossible. She was not willing to settle for anything less than having a hand in ruling her people. She would aim for the stars.
"Your obstinacy leaves me with no choice but to lay claim to the Seastone Chair," said Asha firmly "You believe that a woman's place lies at home. Well, I shall prove you all wrong. I have Tristifer Botley, Harras Harlaw, and Qarl the Maid standing as my champions. This discussion is over."
Aeron was about to go into one of his long, endless rants about "women known their place" when suddenly they heard cries, shouts, and the clash of steel.
"Oh God," gasped Asha "Ila…"