12th Month of 299 A.C. King's Landing
Lord Tywin Lannister
The war was not over with, despite what his grandson and daughter might think. So long as Stannis Baratheon remained alive, there was always going to be trouble. The man was sat on Dragonstone yes, but there would be a time when he would rally himself and his men once more and set sail. Of course, if the Redwyne Fleet actually got to King's Landing in time, the man would be dealt with. That was not what concerned Tywin though, no, he was more concerned about how easily the Riverlords had bent the knee following the wedding at the Twins. And it was this that he decided was most important.
"Something is happening within the riverlands. What I do not know, but there most definitely is something occurring. They bent far too easily, there should be more of a struggle, more than just Blackwood should be remaining defiant." He says to his brother Kevan.
Kevan, whose son is dying, looks at him with hooded eyes. "What more could they possibly have to fight for? Their king is dead, their liege lord is a prisoner and as such their armies are destroyed. Surely they mean what they say brother."
Tywin looks at his brother and says. "The Riverlands has always been a divisive region, it was even more so when Aerys sat the throne. And yet that boy managed to unite them behind his cause for two years. For two whole years they fought behind his banner for a purpose. And now they are merely bending the knee without a fight, something is going on, but I do not know what it is."
"Do you think they are playing for time, waiting to see if there might be something else they can do? Stark had a bastard brother at the wall did he not?" his brother asks.
"Indeed he did. A brother who as Eddard Stark's son might feel honour bound to take up arms for a fallen cause. Of course the rivermen might well decide against siding with him. After all he is an insult to their former lady's memory. Though should the Young Wolf have declared him the sign of their struggle, I can see them making plans there. Of course, there is the Lady Sansa as well." Tywin says.
"Lady Sansa? Why would they wish to use her? She is married already, she gains them nothing but more Lannister influence. That might be what they wish to avoid." Kevan says.
"My son has yet to find the strength or the will to consummate his marriage, it is very much an open secret, one that anyone within the city might spread out of it. The Riverlords no doubt are aware of this, Baelish himself has friends within the riverlands, and they might be seeking to use that to their advantage." Tywin muses.
"Baelish, is he not going to the Vale? To bring Lady Lysa to heel?" Kevan asks.
"Yes but the man is a snake, and snakes can slither from one party to the next. I intend to recall him from the Vale once he is married. It is time we asked him a few testing questions, about the finances of the realm and about Jon Arryn." Tywin responds.
"Jon Arryn? Why Jon Arryn? Whatever he was looking into, surely it was more related to the fact that his own wife was cuckholding him than anything to do with Cersei and the children?" Kevan enquires.
"From what Pycelle has told me, he began looking into the Baratheon family and Robert's own bastards after speaking with Stannis Baratheon. Stannis's accusations no matter how untrue have caused this war, and as such, I mean to ask Baelish what he knows of it. After all he was the one who led Stark to the same conclusions." Tywin replies.
"Why would Baelish want this though? Why would he want something like the war to happen? How could it benefit him?" Kevan asks.
"The man thrived on his anonymity before Eddard Stark came to King's Landing. He rose through the ranks because of his skill and his mind, and yet if one were to look through all that he has done, he has left a trail behind. He was good in Gulltown, but not excellent, he was good enough that Jon Arryn felt compelled to bring him to the capital, where he was once more good enough but not excellent and yet he ended up becoming master of coin. His success has relied on the Tully girl, Lysa supporting him, and promoting him. Pycelle has said that they were extremely close at court, and as such she spent more time with him than her own husband. Though Baelish always spoke of the two Tully girls when he spoke of them at all. He mentioned Lady Stark the most. It would not be too far to suggest he wanted her." Tywin suggests.
"You mean he started all of this for a girl? Truly?" his brother asks surprised.
"I would not be surprised. The man has lusted after power his whole life from what my research suggests. He would be the one looking forward to bringing her to him and her son to heel. Furthermore, before the marriage to Tyrion, he offered himself for the Stark girl. A move that suggests even more hunger for power. He is a threat that must be well dealt with." Tywin replies.
"What are you suggesting then brother? Baelish is within the Vale, and who knows when he might return." Kevan states.
"He will return if forced to. He owns several properties within the city, should those be seized, his income will be threatened, his good name at risk. If he is the man I think he is, he will come running back to get them. That is when we shall have him." Tywin supplies.
His brother looks at him a moment and then says. "An excellent play brother. I shall see to it straight away."
Riverrun
Lord Edmure Tully
It felt strange, looking at his wife and knowing that she was part of the reason why this whole thing had come to pass. She was meant for Robb, truly meant for him, Walder Frey had said as much, she had even said as much. There was a deep sense of anger within him as he looked at her, and then he looked at the head of her family Black Walder Frey, the new Lord of the Crossing and he sighs. He knows he cannot do anything about her now, and so he sits down and gestures for them both to sit.
"You have brought word from His Grace I presume?" Edmure asks.
"Yes I have." Black Walder says. "He requests that you continue on with your marriage to Roslin for the time being, he knows this is not the best of times, but it is necessary to keep up appearances."
Edmure looks at his wife and then back at the imposing man before him. "Is she not mean to remain at the Twins then my lord? For I thought the Lannisters were not to know of this ruse?"
"The Lannisters have confirmed that Roslin can venture to Riverrun, and that you might be returned to the castle. Of course, my idiot great uncle shall be coming for the ceremony with his wife and children and so you must make it seem as though you are returning." Black Walder says.
"Wait they are coming here?" Edmure exclaims. "To my home?!"
"Yes, they are coming here, and then they shall be dealt with." The man looks at Roslin then and then at him.
Edmure seeing this merely nods. "I shall have Maester Vyman show her to her room." He stands up then and calls for the maester who comes hurrying in, the man leads Roslin away and once she is gone Edmure sits down looking expectantly at Black Walder.
The man nods and then goes on. "They shall be arrested by men for conspiring to commit treason with Stannis Baratheon. Emmon was promised Riverrun following the wedding, and yet Tywin has gone back on his word. Knowing my uncle it is not too much of a guess to say that he has been doing something. More than likely his wife is looking for some way to get at her brother. This is the perfect way to remove a threat and ensure you are secure here."
"And you are certain the king approves of this?" Edmure asks sceptically.
"The king created this plan. It is all working towards the greater goal which you heard at the Twins my lord. Trust me in that the king is doing this for us all. It is necessary for Tywin Lannister to fully believe that this is all happening as it seems. Blackwood is doing what he thinks is right but sooner or later he shall begin to wonder why none else are rebelling. That is where you must come in." the man says.
"I must?" Edmure asks surprised. "How? What role can I play in that?"
"Your family still has influence over the minor lords of the realm. They are the ones who were most outspoken during the course of the war. Speak with them, convince them that to rebel against the throne is in their interest. If there is something for him to focus on Tywin Lannister will not look suspiciously at the rest of us." Black Walder says.
"You want me to use my influence over the lesser lords to set them up for a slaughter?" Edmure asks horrified. "Why? What will this gain me, or the king other than hatred?"
"It will give the king the ground he needs to begin his plan. The lords need something otherwise they will wonder. And if they begin to wonder they will begin to question. Questions require answers, defiance does not." Black Walder says, and though it is him speaking, Edmure can hear Robb's tone through him. "You must do this to ensure that all that has been sacrificed is not in vain."
"Why is he asking this of me? Why does he not do it himself?" Edmure opines. "Why not ask it of you? You are the one who is head of the Freys now, surely you have enough power to make sure this happens?"
"You are the Lord of Riverrun, and as such you have more weight to your name than I do. The king must remain in the shadows for now. Things must be in place before he comes to face them." Black Walder says.
Edmure looks at the man and sighs. "Very well, I shall do as he asks. And what of you, will you do as planned and head to King's Landing for the wedding?"
The man nods. "I will. My presence has been requested, and with what is being made of the wedding, it might perhaps be for the best that I go."
"How do they not know of what is happening here? Where are their spies?" Edmure asks.
At this the man gives him a very sly smile and says. "Spies are easily found when one is Lord of the Twins my lord. I know just what needs to be done with those who would give away valuable information. They are either dead or on their way to greet the stranger. Tywin Lannister needs to trust my word, for I am my great grandsire's heir, and if he does not, then he has chaos, and that, that is not something he wants."
But it seems like something my nephew wants. Gods Robb, what happened to you? Edmure wonders. Aloud he merely says. "Well then, now that we have that issue dealt with, is there anything else I can offer you? Are you staying?"
"No, alas I must head from here to Harrenhal. There is much and more that must be done before one can settle easily into a role." The man replies, he stands and Edmure stands with him, they shake hands and before the man turns to leave Edmure looks at him and hears him say. "Your marriage to Roslin need not last for very long, the king knows how to reward those loyal to him." Edmure feels a shiver run down his spine as he watches the man walk out of the room.