The Game goes on
Kings Landing
Alyx wakes from his sleep and spots Arianne next to him still asleep. He kisses her cheek before standing and getting dressed. Suddenly the door opens and Missandei enters the room carrying a note. As she approaches Alyx grabs and lifts her before kissing her. Missandei separates with a blush on her face before handing him the note.
"This came for you this morning." Says Missandei before picking out several pieces of clothing for Alyx. He reads the note and sighs. Another death on the streets, this time a red priest. More and more deaths are occurring meaning the war is heating up. Suddenly a pair of hands shields his eyes however he feels the person's body on his back making me smile.
"Good morning." Says Arianne who is naked. Missandei picks out several clothes for her as well.
"Nice to see that you are awake." Says Alyx in his normal monotone voice. Arianne has learned to live with this voice and simply giggles. As Alyx reads on he learns of Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's death. While he never knew the man he can respect the man. It seems his own men killed him making Alyx grit his teeth. Arianne slowly dresses herself if you can call her choice of clothing dress. Alyx is slowly dressed by Missandei.
After putting his shoulder cape over his left arm he walks out of the room after kissing Arianne goodbye. As he reads on he has learned that Daenerys has moved further down Slavers Bay making him confused of her intentions. After the crushing defeat at the Battle on the Gullet, the iron born have been silent. Still he has appointed Taron to patrol the seas which his friend was happy to do. As he walks he reads on and learns the legions in the Riverlands have been gaining ground on Robb Stark, which is not surprising to Alyx as the man is outnumbered. Still he had hoped to end this conflict by now, if it continues he might have to end it for good. That means he will have to eliminate the Starks and place a new warden of the north. However he doesn't want to have to do this as the north has always been guarded by the wolf. Also it seems his friend Rick Rykker has gained a crush on a woman. Alyx smiles at the thought of Rick gaining a wife. Alyx sighs before turning right and heading to the training grounds.
As he enters the training grounds Alyx spots Tybolt swing his sword making him smile. As Alyx steps forward the boy turns to him and smiles before Alyx nods and picks up a practice sword.
Riverrun
At Riverrun, the prisoners Martyn and Willem Lannister (squires fifteen and fourteen years old, respectively) awake to hear shouting and fighting outside the door to their cell. Martyn stands quickly with Willem standing as well. The two look to each other and nod. As the doors open and Rickard Karstark is struck in the face with a punch. Stunned he loses his sword as Willem cuts into one of his men. Martyn grabs the dead man's sword and plunges it through another man. The two fight on before Rickard grabs Martyn from behind and cuts the boys throat. Willem angry over his brother's death kills another man and rams into Rickard. He trips the man before punching him in the face. However another man comes and pick the boy off Rickard before Rickard snaps Willems neck. Rickard wipes the blood from his face before leaving the room with the last man.
The bloody corpses of the two Lannister prisoners are laid out on the floor in front of King in the North Robb Stark in Riverrun's main meeting room. Robb looks on disgusted that the boys died in such a way. But it seems that the boys were as skilled as his uncle Edmure said. The fought bravely but in the end they were murdered. Robb turns to Rickard with a glare while Catelyn covers the bodies before shutting their eyes. Robb looks at the two remaining men with narrowed eyes.
"It took five of you to kill two unarmed boys?" Ask Robb with a disgusted face. Talisa looks down at the bodies with sadness.
"Aye it took five but now there are only us two left." Says the man next to Karstark. Edmure smirks before stepping forward.
"What's the matter, couldn't even kill two boys without help?" States Edmure making Rickard look to Robb.
"It was vengeance for my sons." Says Rickard with a firm tone making Robb shake his head in disgust.
"For what? They weren't the ones to kill your sons!" Shouts Robb making the room quiet.
"The man who did that is in Kings Landing drinking wine and ruling the kingdom." Says Robb making the others nod.
"And you have given him a reason to come here!" Shouts Robb making the lords look to him. Rickard scoffs before frowning.
"I was denied my vengeance when we had the King Slayer in our hands and again when we met with the boy on the Trident." Says Rickard making Robb narrow his eyes.
"So I did the next best thing and killed his kin and the boys he trained." Says Rickard making Robb shocked and angry. Dacey Mormont looks down at the covered bodies before sighing. While they were her enemies they were no threat when they were prisoners.
"They were only boys!" Shouts Robb getting the lords to look down. Rickard looks to Robb unfazed.
"They were enemies," shouts Rickard making Talisa jump, "and in war you kill your enemies, didn't your father teach you that?" Brynden Tully punches Karstark over this remark, but Robb lifts his hand and tells him to leave Karstark alone. Robb turns to the man beside Rickard and looks to his guards.
"Hang him and take Lord Karstark to the dungeons." Orders Robb as the men take the two away. Edmure steps forward with a frown on his face.
"If news of this reaches Kings Landing it could bring the whole army down on us." States Edmure making the lords nod.
"We should just quietly bury the boys and keep silent." States Greatjon making the lords nod their heads.
"That won't work for long." States Dacey getting a nod from Robb. The debate goes on with loud voices. Robb, however, refuses to be a liar; he says he cannot fight a war in the name of justice if he will not serve justice to murderers within his own ranks.
"Not only that but now we have to deal with Rickard." States Edmure. Robb however is resigned to execute the man for his crimes. All of Robb's advisors tell him this is a bad idea. Catelyn and Talisa warn him that the Karstark soldiers will abandon his cause and return home if he executes their lord, and they are already badly outnumbered.
"We should keep Rickard prisoner." Says Catelyn getting a nod from Edmure.
"That way we keep the loyalty of the Karstarks." Says Edmure. However Robb is unconvinced.
Robb ignores their pleas, and he has Lord Karstark brought out to the courtyard of Riverrun to be executed during a driving rainstorm. Karstark points out that not only are both of their Houses descended from the First Men, but the Starks and Karstarks are kin. Robb looks down at the man with a glare.
"That did not stop you from betraying me, nor will it stop me from executing you." Says Robb making Rickard look to him.
"This will haunt you forever, you will be labeled a kinslayer and you are no king of mine." Says Rickard making Robb narrow his eyes. Obedient to the laws of his father Eddard Stark who said that the man who passes the sentence must swing the sword, Robb pronounces the sentence of death and personally beheads Lord Rickard.
Robb's strict adherence to justice makes things turn out just as badly as his advisors said they would: the Karstarks withdraw their soldiers from his army and march for home. This results in Robb losing almost half of his forces which were stationed at Riverrun. And the Royal Army takes notice of this.
Legion Camp
Rick Rykker is in the command tent with Charles Weagan discussing a strategy before a messenger enters the tent.
"Sir a report from our scouts say that a group of soldiers have left Riverrun and are heading back to the north." Says the man making the commanders look to each other.
"Is he planning an attack?" Ask Charles getting a shake of the head from the messenger.
"The scouts say that only the Karstark forces have left the fort." Says the messenger making Rick confused. He then widens his eyes and looks to Charles.
"He's lost the support of the Karstarks." Says Rick getting wide eyes from Charles and the captains.
"But why?" Asks a captain getting shrugs from Rick.
"Who cares now that his army is gone we will win this war earlier than we thought." Says Rick.
"We are in such a strong position that we don't even need to attack the Northerners anymore." Says another captain getting nods from the group.
"We just need to wait, and let their demoralized forces unravel." Says Charles getting nods from the group.
"When the war began Robb's army was unified around a central purpose, but now they have lost momentum, and his generals are acting like bickering children." Shouts Rick with a smile.
Dragonstone
At Dragonstone, King Stannis Baratheon is still deeply depressed after his defeat at the Battle of the Blackwater, and doesn't have the daily support of the Red Priestess Melisandre since she left on what she claimed was an important mission. Most of Stannis' army has been destroyed, and the only reason Alyxandar hasn't attacked Dragonstone is because his navy is out fighting the iron born.
Stannis takes the time to visit his wife, Queen Selyse (who was born into House Florent), for the first time since returning from the battle. He finds her in her chamber, praying over a fire to the Lord of Light: Selyse is a fanatical believer in the Lord of Light religion, far more so than Stannis, and it was indeed Selyse who first invited Melisandre to Dragonstone. Stannis and Selyse do not have a loving relationship, but she reveres and is in awe of him as her king and the Lord's Chosen.
"Do not despair, in the end you will be victorious." Assures Selyse with a smile. Stannis nods his head though he is not so sure. Due to his extreme belief in duty, Stannis is badly shaken by the fact that he broke his marriage vows to Selyse, when he had sex with Melisandre to create the Shadow-assassin creature that killed Renly.
"Selyse I must confess something." Says Stannis only for his wife to place a hand over his mouth and smile.
"Melisandre has already told me of the deed," says Selyse making Stannis sigh, "no act done in service of the Lord of Light can be a sin." Stannis looks at his wife surprised before hiding his reaction.
"I only wish I could have given you a son." Laments Selyse. Stannis' face is filled with a mix of shock, disgust, and relief. Selyse had three sons with Stannis but they were all stillborn, and she walks over to a corner of her chamber where she keeps their tiny corpses preserved in glass jars. The deaths of her "sweet boys" and failure to produce a male heir deeply affected Selyse, and caused her to zealously embrace the foreign religion of the Lord of Light. Stannis stands and walks over to his wife and hugs her.
"I never blamed you for that." Assures Stannis only making Selyse weep. Selyse leaves the room making Stannis sigh before he heads to see his daughter. Shireen is a cheerful but sickly young girl with the left side of her face badly scarred and disfigured by the dreaded Greyscale disease. However with extensive treatment from experts all over the world, provided by Alyxandar, the greyscale has nearly disappeared. It only shows on the hairline. When she sees him she jumps for joy and runs to him.
"Father did you meet cousin Alyx?" Ask Shireen making Stannis grimace. He of course knows that Shireen loves her cousin Alyx as he was the one to help cure her. How he did so and acquired the assistance of the doctors he doesn't know.
"Yes but sadly he couldn't make it here." Says Stannis making Shireen sad. The two talk on for a while before Stannis leaves. Shireen walks over to her bookcase and lift a doll given to her by Alyx and smiles before jumping in her bed and going to sleep.
Beyond the Wall
Jon Stark is with the group of wildlings under the command of Tormund, who were sent ahead of the main army of King-Beyond-the-Wall Mance Rayder to scale the Wall and attack Castle Black from behind. Jon and Ygritte are gathering firewood, when the warg Orell approaches them.
"We need to know about the defenses of the castle." States Orell while looking and glaring at Jon. Orell has seen through the eyes of his eagle that there are patrols on top of the Wall and he wants to know how frequent they are.
"They usually patrol the Wall in groups of four." Says Jon making Orell nod his head.
"We know that there are nineteen castles along the south side of the wall," says Orell making Jon nod his head, "but I want to know how many are manned." Jon finds this very unpleasant, but reluctantly sighs and tells him.
"Only three are currently manned. Apart from Castle Black which you already know about there is also Eastwatch-by-the-Sea at the extreme eastern end, and The Shadow Tower at the western end." Says Jon making Orell nod his head. After a couple more questions Orell then ask Jon how many men man Castle Black. Jon hesitates in his answer making Orell pull out a knife and lift it to his throat.
"Don't you lie to me crow." Threatens Orell making Jon look to him.
"There are one thousand men manning the castle at this time." States Jon making Orell stare at him before retracting his knife. Jon of course is lying about this as Castle Black only had six hundred men before the Great Ranging, and the garrison now is closer to three hundred.
Kings Landing
In King's Landing, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister encounters Varys while walking through a courtyard. The man bows before Cersei stops beside him.
"Are you sure we can trust the Tyrells?" Ask Cersei making Varys turn to her before looking forward.
"Trust? No but use yes." Says Varys getting Cersei to look at him.
"The Tyrells want more power which is why Alyxandar appointed Mace Tyrell as Master of Commerce." Says Cersei making Varys nod.
"Yes but the Tyrells have a lot of influence that could be used to help Alyx and in turn help the king." Says Varys making Cersei nod her head.
Gardens
In the castle gardens, Sansa Stark and Margaery Tyrell watch her brother Ser Loras spar with his squire. Sansa sits and watches with a smile. She was approached by Margaery who told her that she might be able to marry Loras and her together. Sansa happy at the chance to get away from Joffrey accepts the proposal. Margaery however is not sure about her father's plans as it seems Alyx might already have plans for the girl.
"He is such a good fighter." Says Sansa making Margaery smile.
"And yet he has yet to beat the Dragonknight in battle." Says Margaery with a giggle. Sansa looks to her confused.
"Loras has entered the Grand Tournament four times but has never won." says Margaery making Sansa shocked. Sansa then blushes before leaning closer to Margaery.
"Do you have any idea when we will marry?" Ask Sansa making Margaery stiffen. This whole plan is a bad idea. If Alyx discovers this all their hard work of getting closer to him will be over.
"If all goes to plan, I will propose the idea when Joffrey and I are married." Says Margaery unsure of the plan. Sansa nods her head with a smile making Margaery sigh and lean over to her.
"Don't celebrate just yet as I might be unable to convince him and even if I could there is no guarantee that Prince Alyxandar will go along with it." Says Margaery making Sansa nod her head.
At the same time, Tyrion Lannister is engaged in a meeting with Lady Olenna Tyrell; with the upcoming royal wedding shaping up to be an extravagant and expensive affair, Tyrion is concerned about the cost.
"The wedding will cost a lot of gold." Says Tyrion making Olenna scoff.
"Please even if you had five wedding the kingdom will still be left standing with gold to use." Says Olenna making Tyrion look to her.
"I know all about the bank and the Merchants Guild." Says Olenna making Tyrion sigh.
"I see, so you have decided to join us?" Ask Tyrion making Olenna sigh.
"Still now that you have you will need to prove your loyalty." Says Tyrion still unsure of trusting the Tyrells.
"And I am doing so by decreasing the cost of food as well as having more men from the Reach join the ranks of the army." Counters Olenna making Tyrion smile while spinning his glass.
"You only did this because Alyxandar was unsure of your loyalties and you needed to convince him otherwise." Says Tyrion with a knowing smirk. Olenna smile back before leaning back in her chair.
"My the prince sure does have a lot of protection," says Olenna making Tyrion smile, "very well I will not let it be known that House Tyrell isn't doing its part to help." Tyrion smiles before Olenna stands and leaves the room. Tyrion stands and makes his way out of the room and to the small council chambers.
Small Council chambers
As Tyrion enters the room he spots Alyxandar sitting down. Tywin is sitting in his seat with Cersei beside him.
"You're late." States Tywin making Tyrion roll his eyes. Alyx nods to his uncle making Tyrion smile.
"It seems Olenna Tyrell has agreed to prove her loyalty." Says Tyrion while sitting and looking at Alyx. Alyx looks to him before leaning back in his seat.
"Do you think we can trust her?" Ask Alyx making Tyrion tilt his head down.
"I don't trust her." States Cersei making Tyrion laugh.
"Never mind that we have something more important to discuss." States Tywin before Tyrion looks to him.
"It seems the Tyrell are trying to have Sansa Stark marry Loras Tyrell." Says Tywin making Tyrion sit back.
"This was defiantly not a maneuver from the Queen of Thorns." States Alyx getting Tywin to look to him.
"How can you be so sure?" Ask Cersei hoping to get rid of the Tyrells.
"She is more thoughtful in her planning," says Tyrion getting a nod from Alyx, "my guess it is Mace Tyrell pulling the strings."
"Be that as it may, Sansa Stark is the key to the north, and that is something we cannot lose." States Tywin making Tyrion confused.
"The last I checked, Robb Stark was still alive." Says Tyrion with a head tilt.
"It seems he lost have of his army after the Karstarks deserted him." States Alyx with his eyes closed.
"And with the death of her brothers Sansa Stark is the heir to Winterfell." States Tywin making Tyrion nod his head.
"That means we have the chance to get the north under control." Says Tywin making Tyrion nod now understanding the situation. Tyrion then widens his eyes when Tywin looks to him.
"And you want me to marry her?" Ask Tyrion getting Tywin to nod.
"It is time you helped the house and this is the way." Says Tywin before Alyx gets up.
"No I already have a plan for the north and we will follow it." Says Alyx making Tyrion internally sigh in relief. Tywin looks to Alyx and motions with his hand to continue.
"I will marry Tommen to Sansa and he will take her name and move to the north." Says Alyx making Cersei protest.
"Tommen is too young for such things, I beg you not to do this." Says Cersei making Alyx sigh.
"Mother in order for this war to end the houses must unite." Says Alyx while hugging his mother.
"I will be sending the second and third legions with Tommen for his protection." Says Alyx making Cersei look to him.
"Tommen is too weak to rule the north." States Tywin making Cersei glare at him.
"He won't be ruling the north," says Alyx making Tywin confused, "only a Stark can rule the north and with Tommen not able to do it that leaves Sansa." Tywin is not convinced just yet.
"How will you keep them in line, they aren't going to accept Tommen after their defeat." Says Tywin making Alyx sigh.
"As I said Tommen will have the protection of the second and third legions." States Alyx making Tyrion nod.
"Sansa will rule while Tommen controls the largest army in case of a rebellion." Says Tyrion making Cersei nod her head realizing the plan.
"The northeners will know that Tommen is not the ruler and thus we are not ruling the north." Says Alyx getting nods from Tywin. Alyx looks to his mother and smiles.
"Believe me mother, Tommen can do this and has expressed his desire to help." Assures Alyx making Cersei slowly nod her head. While Cersei is unsure of this she knows that Alyx will protect his siblings with his life.
"Besides Tommen is gentle and I'm sure Sansa Stark will grow to love him." Says Tyrion helping to convince Cersei.
"With this the Reach is on our side through Joffrey, Dorne is on our side through my marriage with Arianne, and soon the north will be back with the marriage of Sansa and Tommen." States Alyx making Tywin nod his head.
"Also I am thinking of marrying Myrcella to Robin Arryn." Says Alyx getting Cersei to widen her eyes but Alyx places his hand on her shoulder to calm her.
"Myrcella will be in no danger as Robin is a weak ruler." States Alyx getting nods from Tywin and Tyrion.
"Myrcella has learned how to rule and will easily seduce Robin to her ways." Says Tyrion getting a nod from Alyx.
"But what about the crazy bitch of a mother?" Ask Cersei making the group think.
"Something will have to be done about her, Myrcella can't have anyone against her." Says Alyx. The group is silent for a while before Alyx sits.
"However that won't be happening for a while, for now we focus on the marriage of Tommen and Sansa." Says Alyx getting the other three to nod.
"My plan is to unite all of the houses together." Says Alyx getting a nod from Tyrion. After a couple of more issues to talk about the group separates with Alyx heading back to his room. When Alyx enters his room he sees Arianne talking to Tommen who is in her lap. When Tommen sees his brother he rushes to hug him.
"Brother, how was your day?" Ask Tommen making Alyx smile and rub his head.
"My day was fine what about your?" Ask Alyx getting Tommen to smile.
"I learned how to parry today." Says Tommen while puffing out his chest making Arianne giggle.
"Good then in no time you will be a great knight." Says Alyx before lifting Tommen and spinning. He sets Tommen down and looks to his younger brother.
"Do you remember when you said you wanted to help me out?" Ask Alyx making Tommen nod his head with a smile.
"Well I have set up a marriage between you and Sansa Stark." States Alyx while watching his brother's reaction. Tommen nods his head before he blushes.
"Do you think she will like me?" Ask Tommen making Alyx laugh.
"I'm sure she will." Assures Alyx making Tommen giggle.
Ok so the marriages are-
Tommen and Sansa- North Secured
Myrcella and Robin- Vale secured
Alyxandar and Arianne- Dorne Secured
Joffrey and Margaery- Reach Secured
Stormlands still with Stannis
Tommen will marry Sansa and become Tommen Stark. This will assure the northeners that Tommen is not here to rule over them. Sansa will rule the North but answer to Alyxandar. Let's face it Tommen is not a good ruler. Tommen is there for show saying "Look we are united with you". The north is in shamble at this point so the army will help the northeners reclaim their lands. The army will then stay in the north to protect Tommen from any threats that may arise. With Tommen being so sweet Sansa will come to love him.
Myrcella marring Robin Arryn is the exact opposite. Robin is a weak ruler which will enable Myrcella to rule the Vale. Myrcella being very beautiful will make Robin seek to please her. The only problem with this will be Petyr Baelish and Lysa Arryn.
Till next time ;)