Thank you for your reception of the past chapter!

I've seen that answering via PMs is clunky, so I will write my answers to your comments here.

CRUDEN - Robert will struggle to keep his crown. Remember, the High Septon is elected by the Most Devout, I will assure that the election shall be chaotic.

Ndabdm - Thanks for the heads up, fixed the typo :)

Edmure

"Can you walk?"

"I think..."

Edmure helped his father get up from the bed. The sickly man slowly motioned his legs.

Left and right, left and right...

Edmure thanked the Gods. Father was slowly recovering from his period of illness, a miracle by all means.

Edmure was too unprepared to rule the Riverlands. Father still had much to teach him. He can't afford to waste away, not yet...

Edmure glanced from the window. He saw three men, fishing from the Tumblestone. These will be my people, Edmure thought. It was his duty to protect them in future conflicts.

Conflicts... that were very near, in truth.

Cat's letters disturbed him. His sister spoke of White Walkers and ancient myths, all creatures from their bedtime stories.

Cat, the same sister that disregarded such things ever since her twelfth name day.

Edmure had yet to tell Father of her letters. Old men can be stubborn with all their life experiences. He needed to take the matter into his own hands.

This will be his first trial as the heir of the Riverlands.

They reached the main hall of Riverrun, and Edmure helped his father sit at the head of the table.

It was time to hold court: he had to be his father's mouth and ears.

Edmure had slowly absorbed Father's knowledge. The Lord of the Riverlands was a respectable grey eminence, able to resolve even the most violent conflicts with the king's law. Despite his wasting illness, no courtier or vassal dared defy his judgement.

But the Riverlands are a complicated land to govern. A new fight between the Blackwoods and the Brackens ended with blood spilt, and Lord Tytos had come to Riverrun to testify the treachery of Lord Jonos. The two families have been in a blood feud since the Age of Heroes, with no sign of ending.

Edmure was impressed by how Father had managed to defuse the situation. With smooth words, he convinced Lord Tytos to recant his accusations and maintain the status quo.

Edmure indeed had still much to learn.

After the usual requests, an odd man approached Riverrun's high seat. "M'Lords, it is good to finally be able to speak with you."

He wore a ragged cloth, it seemed he had arrived from a long journey. "It is our duty, good man. What petition do you bring the Paramountcy?"

"I live in the village of Twin's End, m'Lord, near Oldstones. I've come to report some... troubling sightings."

Edmure's brows furrowed, "And what sightings? Refugees, bandits?"

The petitioner shook his head, "Nay, m'Lord. It's something more sinister, to be blunt." He began to visibly shake, "Voices, shouts, ghosts... I've seen one myself!"

With that claim, the courtiers began chatting. He relayed what the man said to Father, who shook his head, "Edmure, this is folly. Remove him from here, he's only wasting our time."

But you do not know what's happening North, Edmure thought. He had to create an excuse. This may be important.

"Father, mayhaps the voices aren't ghosts, snarks or grumpkins. There could be some outlaws or other criminals that abduct anyone wandering nearby. Hiding in Oldstones is not extremely hard after all."

Edmure could see that Father was pondering, he always rubbed his nose when he did. Then, his answer came, "Fine then. Send a group of guardsmen-"

"I will go myself."

Father eyed him cautiously, "Why?" He just asked.

Edmure had the answer on his tongue, "I wish to know how to lead men. What better way than fighting on a battlefield?"

Father sighed. Edmure knew that there was nothing he could argue about. "Fair, do as you wish. Return as soon as possible. I need you here, my son."

Edmure nodded and repeated his father's words to the man, who sighed in relief. "Thank you, m'Lord. Here I have a map with the exact positions of the sightings. Feel free to look at it."

Edmure took the parchment. Most sightings occurred near the old keep, home of many Kings of the Rivers and Hills.

"Very well, I shall assemble the party." Edmure concluded.

Mayhaps Marq could help me out, he thought. The heir of Pinkmaiden was a close friend of his, and he wouldn't decline an adventure such as this one.

He excused himself, and went to the ravenry. He found old Maester Vyman reading a message, clearly in shock.

"Maester, what is the matter?"

"Read... read it yourself..." He said with a trembling voice

Edmure raised an eyebrow, and took the parchment.

And what he had read, it was madness.

Barristan

"Good work, Jaymar. Go rest, I will continue the guard."

Barristan liked the new boy. He was kind and, most importantly, had a good head on his shoulders. Barristan finally had the occasion to reshape the Kingsguard to his liking, after the dishonourable way Blount and Lannister were expelled. He won't fail at his duty now, not like before.

Suddenly, he heard a loud thump coming from the king's room. Barristan needed no call of aid, as he burst through the door, sword drawn.

"Your Grace!" He shouted.

What he didn't expect was to find King Robert on the floor, tucked up in his covers.

He sprinted towards him. Was the king poisoned? A Lannister plot?

But thankfully, his worries were for nought. Robert got out from the covers with no trouble at all.

Then Barristan looked at his eyes...

They darted left and right, as if the king saw something terrifying. Two big, black eye bags burdened his gaze. He hasn't slept at all.

"Your Grace! What happened?"

Only now, the king appeared to have seen him, "Ser Barristan..." He looked out the window, "Nothing... nothing of importance..."

The Lord Commander could see the king's reluctance to tell him the truth, so he didn't press the matter. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

His Grace seemed to think deeply, "Bring me to the black cells."

Then Barristan understood. The king wished to see his wife.

So they descended, to the lowest levels of the dark prison. All criminals, from thieves to assassins, were locked up there, awaiting judgement. Most had the chance to take the black, others did not.

After some time, they reached the royal cell.

Royal was a big word, as much of it was covered in piss and other excrements. The fallen queen, Cersei Lannister, was seated against the dark wall. Her blonde hair was no longer shining, now more similar to a golden dragon found in the muddy street. The sudden noise drew her eyes, which stared back, full of hate.

But King Robert's gaze was settled on something very, very far. He opened his mouth, and uttered a single word.

"Why?"

Silence reined in the cells for some minutes. Cersei Lannister's lips slowly stretched in a cruel smirk, "Because I could."

That snapped Robert from his trance, now the Queen had his full attention.

"You had sold your heart to a dead girl. Why shouldn't I do so with my brother? We are twins. Together, we are whole."

Barristan resisted the urge to look away. Not even the Targaryens dared to copulate with their twins, it was pure madness.

"Then why the kids? Why pose them as mine?"

She laughed—a rough guffaw which reverberated in the dark corridors.

"It was my revenge."

"Every time you've drunkenly come to my bed, after that night you called for your dead betrothed... I ate your seed. Each time was a victory, I would've never borne your disgusting children."

"Then, once you slept, I laid with Jaime. So that every single child inherited my hair... our hair."

With this, all words Barristan had prepared were lost. The audacity of her treason... was beyond compare. What foolishness must have permeated her mind that made Cersei consider these actions? Not even mad Aerys could've architected this folly with his burned wits.

King Robert's hands curled into fists. Barristan thought he was preparing to hit her, but no swing came.

This seemed to anger Cersei, "I wore your slaps as badges of honour. Will you honour me again?"

"Quiet, woman." Robert grumbled, "You have no right to talk about honour."

"Oh? The same honour you threw away by whoring every single night?" She replied venomously.

King Robert stiffened, "You've not made it easier." His voice slowly rose, "Every time I've drunk myself to a stupor... every time I was mentally wrecked... you met me with a cold gaze. I now know why."

"Because you love no one."

Cersei's eyes widened and was ready to retort. But King Robert didn't care, "You 'love' your brother for a simple reason, woman. He is your twin. Your wicked mind projects an image... of what you could've been if you were born with a cock."

That made Cersei snap. She sprinted towards the king, but was restrained by the chains.

"You could've fucked your cousin, Hells, even your damn father. It wouldn't have changed anything."

"You're a pitiful creature."

After this phrase, the fallen queen stopped struggling. Mayhaps it was a blow to her pride, but Barristan did not know.

"I've heard enough."

And with that, they left the black cells. Silence reined on the way back, the two psychologically drained.

The king tiredly opened the door to his quarters, "Barristan, come here for a moment."

The knight nodded, following inside. Robert sat on his bed and rubbed his face. He was uneasy, Barristan could see it from his trembling hands.

"Selmy, I have a quest for you."

Barristan nodded, "What is your will, my King?"

"I need you... to bring Daenerys Targaryen here."

Barristan thought he heard wrong, but the king's gaze told everything. He wasn't happy with that decision, but was by some means forced to do it.

"Your Grace..." Barristan whispered.

"Go, before I change my mind. You've done it once with mad Aerys, now do it with his daughter."

"Aye, your Grace."

As he turned, a big hand clasped his shoulder, "Thank you, Barristan. I could never have done it without you." He handed a missive to the knight, "Give this to Stannis once you're at Dragonstone. I've decided to convene the Lords of the realm to Riverrun, where we will discuss all our findings."

"Stay safe... return in one piece."

The knight left the room dazed. He couldn't believe that the king ordered him to bring the daughter of his greatest enemy back to Westeros.

But that did not matter. He would accomplish this task, Barristan could finally mend his past mistakes.

And so, the Bold donned his helmet, ready to venture against all danger.

Tyrion

"So, what have you discovered, Maester Creylen?" Father asked.

Tyrion took a swing from his wineskin. If only there were wine inside.

"My Lord, it appears that the creature is trying to communicate. This proves my theory that the Deep Ones have two methods of communication: a verbal one and some sort of telepathic speech."

That piqued Tyrion's interest, "And why don't they commune just with their minds? Why give crucial information to one who should not hear?"

The Maester turned towards Tyrion, with a certain glint in his eyes. "That is what I'm trying to discover. Do you know what echolocation is?"

Tyrion shook his head, "I may be wise, Creylen, but I know nothing about marine life. I've always found their books boorish."

"Yes, I can understand," Creylen said, "Imagine it like a sixth sense. They emit sound waves that bounce back once it finds an object or creature. Being sapient animals, the Deep Ones created a language that revolves around it."

"But using it out of the water is impossible," Tyrion concluded, "Sound waves act differently in the ocean, they don't follow the same law as in land. Hence, the secondary language."

"A perfect closure, my Lord."

"Are you able to decipher what he is trying to say?" Father interjected.

"Of course, my Lord. But it will take time. No language is similar to the Deep Ones'"

"It doesn't matter," Tywin waved Creylen off, "Begin now. We can't afford to lose time. You will travel to King's landing with us."

"Yes, my Lord." Creylen bowed and left the two alone.

"Well, that's certainly a good development." Tyrion said.

Father gave a curt nod. Tyrion eyed him suspiciously, he was sure something inside him had changed. Ever since the ambush, Tywin had quietly agreed with many of Tyrion's propositions. He also noticed a shade of a smile sometimes. Tyrion thought he had gone mad. Tywin Lannister didn't smile, not after the death of Mother.

Tyrion could only imagine what happened there, so he could not truly understand his father's trauma. The rational and grounded Lord Lannister, attacked and maimed by a presumed legend...

Tyrion also recounted his dream with Loreon Lannister. Father just listened in silence, without uttering a word. He then thanked him. What in the Seven Hells was happening with him?

Not that Tyrion didn't like the sudden change. At least he was being acknowledged.

Father was back at reading missives. "Can I help you out?" Tyrion asked.

Tywin nodded, handing him a small package. Gods, quite the amount.

Many were from the numerous vassals of the Rock. Most were accounts of the mining of gold and silver, while others were requests.

But a particular letter took Tyrion's attention. It came from King's Landing, and was of high priority. Why wasn't this on top of the pile?

Tyrion opened it, and many emotions assailed him.

Confusion.

Grief.

Anger.

Resignation.

"Father..." He said with a trembling voice, "You need to read this..."

Tywin had a worried look on his face. He took the letter, and read it in silence.

Soon, he lost his grip, and the letter fell to the ground. His expression contorted in disbelief.

"What?"

It was the only thing he managed to utter. Jaime, copulating with Cersei? It was folly, it was madness! His brother would've never done such a thing... right?

The two were always close, but... not like this...

Moreover, not only cuckolding the King, but posing their children as the heir to the throne?

Madness.

What would Father do now? Call the banners? It would doom everyone, especially with the Deep Ones at the doorstep of the Westerlands.

"We will go to King's Landing. I will have explanations."

Tyrion gulped.

"We will depart tomorrow. Time is of the essence." Father said as he stood up.

Tyrion nodded, "I will take the Mysteries too. We will need it for the future."

"Do you think King Robert tells the truth?"

Tywin stared at him with a hint of rage, "We will see..."

"Order the guards to prepare the monster. He will come with us."

Tyrion nodded and left the solar.

Despite the love he felt for his brother, he truly hoped that the letter's content was authentic.

For if they are not, Westeros would be doomed.