King Robert

The last week had been busier than it had been since the war to get the bloody throne and I would much rather be back busting heads and Rhaegar's chest in than dealing with this messy business. I was not built to run the day to day court or kingdom but somehow I had to step up and do it. I had had many seats on the council to replace and then dealing with the Iron Bank for the last few days had been a nightmare but now I just needed to come up with 12 million to get the kingdom out of debt. 3 million was found in Baelish's accounts in varies places under different names, he had had many businesses that would now be sold off or kept by the bank and the proceeds coming back to the kingdom and in all the figures showed it should bring that amount down to 6 million dollars. I was concerned but with my offer of the master of coins position to a representative of the Iron Bank choosing and a plan to pay back what was owned to the bank agreed upon the Iron Bank agreed to the terms and would be in charge of the kingdoms assets until they were even and while they trained someone of my choosing to replace them on the council.

I also appointed Lord Jasper of Breakstone for master of Law as he was one of only a handful who had finished their schooling and passed the tests to gain masters title. He was now building cases on all those who had been arrested and would be the one to try them in front of the council and representatives from all parts of the kingdom. Lord Moorton became the Lord Commander of the Knights watch as Selmy had taken over the Master at War position and Arch Maester Stiven had taken over for the Grand Maester position. This rounded out my small council leaving the master of whispers seat empty for now as I didn't much like to rely on spies who were going to always keep something to themselves.

Lastly, I created a secondary cabinet of individuals that were the Paramount's of each realm and for Dorne so that they could keep me a breasted of issues in their areas and I would rely on them for information that I needed in those areas. I did this in hopes to develop stronger ties and a more direct line of communication with each realm, but it also held the paramount in high accountability if something was to go wrong or they had not passed on information that I needed to manage the kingdoms. They would meet three times a year on matters of the realm and settle matters of strife between themselves, approve bills for the kingdom, and hear court cases against the crown. It was a basic overseer position that would help keep the king and the kingdom running in check with the needs of the people; at least I hoped so. I also created a position for the small folks of Kings Landing as it should be running separate from the crown. This was the Iron Bank's idea as it would keep the crown from supplying the city with food and running it and they then could tax it once it was set up accordingly. It would also take patrolling from the king's guard which would free them up to focus on the Red Keep and Palace which is what their jobs were for meaning we could cut the cost by not having to have as many.

These were not the only changes that took place for me as I thought back over the last couple weeks. I had not missed a supper with Myrcella, and I had personally taken charge of her and the others education having found a younger Septa from the Vale that would report directly to me. My Children were now learning the realms histories, languages of the older times not just the common tongue, and eventually the running of different aspects of the kingdoms and once in the North would learn how to manage a hold and a realm from Ned and his hold. They were taught manners and what was expected of them; but also the bow, swords, daggers, and basic combat because they would always be a target and I wanted them to always be able to protect themselves if needed. As it stood, I had three sons; Gendry at 15, Edric at 12, and Trystan at 6 and seven daughters; Mya was 17, Myrcella was 13, Selena was 7, Sarella was 5 and Maribel and Ananastasia were both 2 years old, and lastly Bara who was just but three moons old that would be made legitimate and would stand in succession yet to be determined by myself and my inner council of Stannis and Jon and then voted on by both councils.

I knew I shouldn't have favorites and while I cared for all my children, Myrcella and Edric were quickly becoming just that. Both were smart as could be, excelled in their language classes and were quickly learning the history of the known world. It was fun watching them learn to ride and to shoot the bow and work with swords. Both were good at it and yet I saw them as just having fun and enjoying being siblings. Something both were lacking before and had very much needed. All the children except Mya seem to just accept being siblings and Myrcella was happy teaching her sisters and playing with them. She had asked of her half-brothers and what would happen to them but I had not an answer yet for her as it would depend on their grandfather Tywin and what he would do. She was upset about Tommen but not Joffrey as he had never been nice to her.

Daily I also worked in the training yard trying to lose the weight I had put on and regain some of the muscle lost. I worked until I could barely stand and raise a sword which pathetically was very shortly in the beginning but improving over the last couple weeks. Then I would eat just enough to fill full before taking care of the kingdoms business. I had also canceled the summer festivals no matter how much I would miss the grand time and the retelling of my exploits. Getting the kingdoms in order and making laws or correcting issues I knew of was more important so that my children would inherit a good running kingdom and not this mess, that did not mean I missed the old me and the luxury I was surrounded by. Trade agreements had to be looked over and adjusted not just with the free cities but within the realm itself. Kings landing needed to be reworked from the ground up with it being the largest city in the realm but more people living in poverty than anywhere else. For so long the agreements had not been with who could produce the most but who was in favor with the Lannister's. He had summoned so many to Storms End to set things straight it was a miracle I could remember them all and get anything done. The drive to drink and to forget was still the main focus in my mind a constant struggle not to slip back into who I have been for so many years. I also had to focus on Kings Landing and its people until then temporary agreements were made and letters sent on what was needed to get the people fed and a surplus gathered. This was helped by having the Iron Bank doing the agreements because they knew what everything was worth and how much and where to get the best prices from.

Lastly, I had sent my brother quietly across the sea to collect the Targaryen children and bring them to the north to meet me once I was able to leave. I planned for the end of the month but it would determine when everyone I requested to appear did. Most would take three weeks or more to have time to reach them.

"First order of business, what can be done about setting my marriage aside from Cersei?" I asked as they all took their seats. I was in a horrible mood because the whole morning had just not been as productive what I wanted it to be and my body was failing me in the morning fights.

"Once convicted of incest and adultery our laws state you can ask the council for an annulment. There is no law on the books for any other case so we will be basically asking the council to write one." Lord Jasper explained to us.

"Good, when can we hold the trails?" I demanded of the man who I had to give credit didn't shrink away from my glare.

"Once everyone arrives, I am ready to present against the former Queen and her brother Jamie Lannister. I am also ready to prosecute Varys for treason and working to displace the royal family. On Petyr Baelish, we are still pending charges as there is still auditing being done as more and more is being found. I also have the paperwork drawn up for the right of succession, reinstatement of succession for Storms End and the Lord Paramount for Lord Stannis, the inheritance law ready to be signed as the vote went through, the creation of the Lords council contracts for all new members and the new spot for Kings Landing has been voted on and a new city council set up. That representative will be here by the end of the week. I have the sign contract for the small council laying out all the new roles and job descriptions for everyone, the new contract for you to sign into law the year limits on the Kings Guard, Gold Cloaks, and the standing military. Lastly, a request for the appearance of all major houses and the Prince of Dorne to appear to represent their parts of the realm at least once a year or when summoned to a rotation of the different realms." Lord Breakstone laid out as he passed me and the others it pertained to copies of each document to sign as he laid it out.

"Thank you, I will sign all of these and get it back to you by this evening. Moorton how is the kings guard coming in replacements and sorting through them?" I asked marking this off my list of items to cover today.

"Difficult my grace. I am tracing each person's house back to connect ties either by blood or favor and so far it was heavily stacked with Lannister people or those in debt to them. It will be hard place to have a full squad for a while. All major houses have sent through recruits but it is still short." He replied.

"Issue a notice to the small people. Give them a chance to rise in station by joining the Guard. Offer an incentive of a small bonus if they should sign on for a term of no less than ten years. It will not be for life any longer as it is not fair to some like Selmy here who should have a family by now. Besides let's face it as we age it gets harder to stay up with the younger men." Robert laid out never understanding why they would keep old men in a position that they would not be able to defend against.

"Selmy, Have you started inquiring about the troop levels should we need to call them" I inquired.

"Yes, my grace. Only a few have written back but I expect more will be coming in as the week goes. As it stands the Riverlands have close to 50,000, the Vale is sitting at 35,000 not including the mountain tribes who do not answer to the Vale. They claim to have around 30,000. Dorne says they have about 25000 spears. I am still waiting for the others and have been told that for whatever reason that Lord Stark in the north are beyond the wall and will answer once they have returned but the acting lord did not know when that would be." Selmy said with a frown because it was not so much as an okay this is what is happening but being told that it would be addressed when the lord paramount would be back.

"Yes, I will talk with Ned when we go north, I am not worried about them. Ned will have them trained and ensured ready." I waved him off not caring about the North so much as the other areas because it was one of two I knew was totally loyal to me and my children.

And it went on, the never-ending meetings about food stores, and travel arrangements and so on. I had also started to inquire about what to do with the boys and the best ways to handle Lord Lannister because he was still a powerful man with many allies and was by far the richest man in the kingdom as far as anyone knew. For two more weeks it was never ending and it made me wondered how this kingdom had ran before now. So much was being left for later and not getting done with so much slipping by because of that. But Jon had only been one man trying to run it all. It was much fairer to him now and I could never reward him enough for all the work he had done. The only break I took was to spend time with my children daily where I always supped with Myrcella who would tell him about her studies and what she was reading. Three times a week I would have breakfast with the other children but made sure that daily I spent some time with each of them. It kept him sane and sober on his worst days.

Finally at the end of the third week Tywin Lannister appeared coming in with a force much more than he should have brought meaning he knew that his children had been arrested. That was not surprising as their house and court were Lannister people or those who owed a debt to them.

"Lord Lannister, his grace requests your present in the throne room." Lord Arryn says as he watched the large group ride into the yard and stable boys take the reins of the horses.

"I will meet with him right after I change and settle in. It has been a long ride in a short amount of time." Tywin said and normally that would be fine as not many bucked him at what he said. He was after all the father of the Queen, and everyone knew he ran things behind the scenes.

"Now Lannister! You should have been here a week ago." I boomed out as I had waited to see how Lannister would act once here.

"Your grace, it took time to get my affairs in order and to get provisions ready to travel such a distance." Tywin said holding in his slowly forming rage but because I knew him so well could see his tell. How dare he be questioned he was Tywin Lannister he would say; and he would need to remind the so called king just who has provided the gold to keep this kingdom going I thought and almost chuckled as the whole thing played out in my head.

Following me into the castle I am sure he noticed that his people were not following and that they were being relived of their weapons by the Kings guard and lower soldiers. "You will have to take your sword off and leave it here in the box with the others My lord." A soldier said and Lannister looked down at the man and I noticed that he shrank before his stare not leaving me impressed with this newer recruit.

"Leave the boy alone Lannister and do as ask. We have new laws in place and no other person besides the Kings Guard and soldiers are allowed to be armed in the presence of the King or the royal family. Now do as asked so we can get to business I have my own trip to get on with." I said and Tywin finally notices something had changed with the me because his face pinched and he look less sure of himself for once.

"Why have I been summoned my grace?" Tywin asked now wanting to get things out in the open. All he knew was that his son and daughter had not been seen in weeks and that rumor was they were being arrested for treason. He would never let his daughter be put aside for another if that was what was happening here.

"The Queen has been arrested for treason, usurp of the line of succession, incest, and plotting to put a non-royal on the throne, murder, plotting with others against the throne and if I could an abusive mother to the only royal child born of this union. Your son is accused of king slaying, of breaking his oath as a gold clock not once but multiple times and ways, murder, treason, usurp of the line of succession, incest, and plotting to put a non-royal on the throne." I had the master of Law Lord Breakstone read out as I sit on the chair in the center of the dais that had been built the first year of my reign for when I spent the festival months here in Storms End.

"Where is the proof of these charges?" Tywin seethes out. How dare his children cause such issues. They were in a position of power. If this was true it would be very hard to escape with their lives little lone any power left.

"Myself, Lord Arryn the Hand of the king, Lord Stannis Baratheon, Master of War Selmy, and five guards that were present when I found them in bed together naked as the day they were born and in the act of fucking. I had the children, all of them tested the next morning by the Arch Maester and five others to verify his finds. Myrcella was the only true born between us. Since then, your son has admitted to his crimes in the knowledge that the children were his, that they were passing them off as mine, that they planned on Joffrey taking kingship, that he murdered the maids and guards that caught them together over the years, that he forsake his vows in multiple ways including having children. Myrcella and her nurse and maids have all testified to the way Cersei treated her and allowed Joffrey to treat her as well. Routinely there was bruises on her after having spent a day with her brother and her mother knew about it. Your daughter was often very strict with her and there was times that she would berate and belittle our daughter to the point of tears." I laid out bluntly. I was just ready to move on from this whole mess having had what felt like a lifetime to adjust to the knowledge. My anger though when Myrcella finally opened up to him about what her mother and older brother would do to her was enough he wanted the bitches head because he knew that she loved her children so for her to treat one this way was out of character unless she had suspicion that she was mine.

"What is going to happen to them?" Tywin asked finally feeling his age for once in a very long time. Here he was stuck with an imp as the only child left because his golden children who had brought their name power and prestige had just pissed it away. He would wash his hands of them all if he could, but he had no prospect of replacing them in his late age. He did have the potential to groom his granddaughter and retain some good name and position for his house through her.

"They will stand trial for their crimes. You have the option to take custody of the boys and do what you want with them, or I have made arrangements for them. Myrcella will take her place as my heir to the throne as I have written and with overwhelming agreement from the other main houses it has been accepted that the first born no matter sex will inherit the crown from her generation on. Since she is not my first born, we have chosen and voted on the line of succession." I spoke.

"I want nothing to do with them, they are a reminder of the scourges upon my house." Lannister said and I shrugged having figured that would be the case.

"I am willing to make a deal that your son can have a trail by combat and if he wins he can be sent back to Casterly Rock, but you have to turn over those responsible for Princess Elia and her children death by next day. And I do mean all of them turned over. I will let you keep lord paramount and take your place on the lords council or that of your choosing if you also relinquish all rights to Myrcella as a Lannister." I tell him having already had the paperwork drew up for him to sign if he accepted the terms.

"And what of the gold I have gave to the crown over the last ten and three years?" Lannister asked.

"You have given the crown an estimated 1.2 million dragons over that time frame. The Iron bank who is now the representative in the Master of Coin position will reimburse you in full with the exception of the bride price and the cost of raising the two Lannister boys. Their education and apprenticeship, clothing, food, and any other needs will be covered from what we owe you. Or you can choose to apply that to this year's taxes as they will be assessing it on the regions wealth and lack of collection over the last five years." I happily said and enjoyed knowing that Tywin knew he was screwed either way.

"Fine, I will relinquish all rights to Myrcella and any claim through her to the Iron Throne, I accept handing over those responsible for the deaths of Elia and her children; if I can find out who it is; so that my son can have a trail by combat and gain his freedom in which time he will become my heir. I accept applying my loans to the crown for the taxes due the crown. I will have my son Tyrion take the lords seat until my heir is cleared of the charges and had time to marry and produce heirs at which time he will take over." I watched as he drained the glass of wine that he had just poured as he glared at me before he responded some minutes later. Lannister differently looked to be swallowing a very bitter pill and looked like he would murder his children if he could get his hands on them in that very second.

"Let's not play games Tywin, none does anything without your giving permission. You and I both know who is responsible for the deaths of the Princess and her children and I expect them to be in chains by the end of the day in my dungeon here or the deal is off." I boomed out. He would not let this slimy bastard get away any longer with his actions. Actions that he claimed was in favor of the king but in actuality was to make sure there was none who could claim the throne over his treasonous daughter.

"Fine, when will the trials begin." Tywin asked ready to leave once again and start making plans on how to reclaim some of the power he has lost now and possibly find a way around the events to make sure he gained an upper hand.

"In three days, we are waiting for the contingent from Dorne and from High Garden to arrive. Everyone else except the North is here." I informed him and then dismissed the man who I was well and happy to be rid of and his influence over my court. I would be sending all the spies, soldiers, and those from the Westerlands home for now. In fact he was purging court of all but those needed to run the realm for now and then would take applications for those who would like to return but not on full time bases. They would have to pay for the apartments and food while there to help offset the cost of having so many around all the time. It was one way to stop unwanted people living in court but also to gain back the coin needed to pay off the bank and put some away for times of need.

It was two days later that the last of those they were waiting on showed up. The whole of the Dorne royalty was there and it was a monstrous occasion as Prince Doran had not been in good health and had not left the palace in years, but this was something I knew he would not want to miss.

"Thank you for joining us, I hope your travels were as easy as it could have been. Please let us know if there is anything that you need. I know we have much to talk about, but I will let you settle in." I greeted Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn and their families.

"I would rather like to know why we were all summoned here and why my brother had to come on such short notice?" Oberyn asked and I nodded having known his most of my life and how outspoken he was.

"Let's take this to a place we can talk, my prince if you would like to join us?" I inquired of the older man. I knew from the outside it looked like I seemed to be deferring to them but I had plans that relied on their help and that meant treating them as equals and the autonomous state that they were within his kingdom.

"I will rest and Oberyn can inform me of what is happening after. The trip while not hard for a well man, I am not well." Prince Doran announced and so I nodded and had the maids lead him to his rooms that were on the same floor as they had entered so he would not have to negotiate stairs. It had been my parents rooms when they were alive and none had stayed in them since they passed, but the time called for it and I was going to have to suck it up and do what the kingdom needed.

"We are here, what is it that made us have to come, you must know that there bad blood between us and I would rather take my revenge for my sister than make peace with you." Oberyn said and I understood where he was coming from and while I frowned at least there would be no games between us just blunt very long overdue conversation so with a nod I handed him some wine while I drunk the squeezed juice that was made fresh daily for me now.

"Look I am going to be very honest with you and I would appreciate it if you did not interrupt until I am done." I started sitting down with a long sigh of exhaustion but I felt I needed to clear the air and put the words to the family of a woman I never meant to be murdered nor the loss of her small children.

"I am listening." Oberyn said and waited curious what this man had to say.

"I am sober for the first time in ten and three years and I need you to understand that. I did not lead this kingdom, I was a mouth piece that lived to drink and fuck and nothing more. I was a horrible king and an even worse father for years. That has changed though, and I am sober and in control finally. But with that comes me correcting mistakes that were made years ago and taking responsibility for them. I did not order your sisters death; I did not order her children murdered. I wanted them found and brought to me and had had thought I made it clear that was to be alive but others who used my name for their crimes took it upon themselves to murder them all. That day was a blur to me in many ways. I was running on adrenaline and no sleep. It had been a horrible bloody few week and I was numb. When your sister and her children were laid at my feet I snapped. Here were innocent people. Babes that were my child's age and it broke me. I just could not explain what I felt but it was horrible. I saw men die, I was a solider, but this was something that was just like nothing I had seen and I snapped. I have not been sober since and it took me days to snap out of the hysterical state I was in. I do not remember laughing or saying anything at all. I just remember looking at those babes and breaking. By the time I snapped out of it I was married to that bitch and things were spiraling out of my control and nothing was solved just pushed under the carpets and forgotten until the wee hours of the morning when I wake with a scream on my lips still to this day." I tell the stunned man across from me. I knew he had not expected a bare all or an apology. I had a long ways to go to make things decent between us but this was a first step and while the pain of losing his beloved sister was still fresh I could only hope that he took this as the first steps as my apology. As soldiers they were ready for men to die, for things to happen in the heat of battle but innocents were one of those things that were supposed to be sacred to them all.

"So, what are you going to do to start to heal this wound?" Oberyn asked still leery at just how far this was going to go. He figured it would be words and then that would be the end of it, and that would never be enough.

"The ones responsible for Elia rape and her and her babes murder and in my dungeons. Unfortunately, I cannot give you the one who ordered this yet. I am working on a plan, but I think you can help me with that." I explained and I could tell that Oberyn was shocked to his core and while it had taken years to come about finally justice would happen for his beloved sister.

"And just how can I help and who ordered their murder?" Oberyn asked.

"I made a deal with Lord Lannister. If he gave me those responsible for the murders then I would spare his son from death straight out and if he won by combat he could be free and return as heir to Casterly Rock. You can be my champion if you so choose." I said and brought the first laugh to Oberyn's lips in days. This was not what they had believed they were coming to. They figured it was some stately affair that was unimportant or a demand for more tax and them bowing down to Robert as he united even Dorne under his banners.

"While I agree that would be a blow to Lannister how does that get us justice for his ordering my sister's death?" Oberyn asked.

"He has signed his rights away from Myrcella completely, that was part of the deal made. I gave him the option of taking custody of Joffrey and Tommen as they are Lannister, but he wants nothing to do with the boys as they are representation of the shame his children have brough on his house. This leaves him with the imp as an heir. A person he hates but could not kill because of a promise to his long dead wife. An imp who would rather fuck a prostitute than think of a Lady wife. In all the years I have known them, he has not fathered a bastard either so I am not even sure he can create an heir to follow. This means that once Tywin dies, the hold on Casterly Rock would fall to a lesser branch of the Lannister family or if sued for damages done to another greater house, even one thought of as royalty and found to be the reason for the transgression; they could sue for Casterly Rock or him for billions. Possibly both depending on the transgression and what is granted as reparations. So even a lesser house inheriting the Lannister seat would be nothing of what it once was." I explained and smirked as I saw the wheels spinning in the head of the man across from me.

"What's in it for you?" Oberyn asked having to agree it was a great plan and one that could be won but Robert was not one to do anything without it benefiting him.

"Righting a wrong that should have never happened, being truly done with that ilk, and stronger ties between the crown and Dorne. I would like to rework trade agreements and how our relationship has worked in the past. I am creating a Lords council and would like for Dorne to have representation. I know I can call you to arms when needed but we need a better working relationship." I finally laid out what would be in it for me and the kingdom and it wasn't as bad and Oberyn figured so his brother would go for this. Robert was not asking to interfere in Dorne just wanted it represented and more trade deals. This was not the man they had heard so many stories of and that was good if it stuck.

"I do not see why my brother would disagree with this, but I will talk it over with him this evening. You are correct, he would have wanted to be here for this justice. Thank you for hosting us, King Robert." Oberyn said and I nodded feeling the knot lessen just a bit and while I still felt like shit over what had happened maybe just a little less so in that moment. We went off our own ways with me going to watch my children who were doing their lessons and to gather myself for a bit in their happiness and peacefulness. Today they were being taught the history of the first men and I stepped in and told the story as the old gods had taught me weeks ago in that dream I had had. Much more in debt and detailed than the books that they were learning from and far more interestingly ways. Myrcella and Edric were the only one who had been taught to read so the others were playing catch up but learning quickly.