Family first

Edmure POV

I couldn't hide my pride as I watched my sons spar with each other. They were younger than usual children who started training in swordsmanship, but they were no worse than other children. Axel and Geralt showed great talent. They were like sponges absorbing everything Ser Robar Royce taught them.

I did not need to interfere, as Ser Robar was a good and patient teacher. From only one glance, I could tell he knew basics like the back of his hand. He could easily demonstrate and correct various forms when my sons made mistakes. I felt relieved to leave their studies to Ser Robar, and I could just lay down and enjoy the show.

"When were you going to tell me?" Asha asked the moment she walked up to me.

"I wasn't going," I replied, not leaving my eyes on my children. "I believed you were capable enough to find it out on yourself. And most importantly, I didn't want to deal with you right now."

"Well, you will have to," Asha didn't sound like she liked my answer. "I have accomplished my part of the deal, but your part just fell through the floor. I trust you didn't know Robb would marry a wildling girl when you proposed the deal to me."

"I found out about it yesterday," I told her truthfully. "So rather than cry about it, we can change the deal now."

"Me marrying Robb Stark was the deal," Asha replied, not hiding her anger. "That was the only way for me to keep control of my lands and let him oversee me simultaneously. But with that not happening, I don't think you will give me the Iron Islands back."

"If I trusted you, I might have," I said, clapping in encouragement as my sons faced older children. "But that will not happen with you. So, you better think of something else you want to ask of me."

"You have three children. Maybe you could extend your trust by giving one of them to ward in Pyke?"

"I hope it was a tasteless joke," My smile was gone entirely as I turned away from my children for the first time. "Because if it weren't, I would take it as a threat. A threat against my family. And you should know that I eliminate every threat to my family. So, Lady Greyjoy, I would save your jokes for someone else because you won't hear me laughing."

"I want you to arrange marriages for prosperous houses of the Seven Kingdoms to the heirs of the Iron Islands," Asha said, quickly changing her tone. "I won't let you isolate us from the rest of the kingdoms. I also want to be able to build a fleet."

"Pyke will be allowed fifty ships. The six other major islands will be allowed to have twenty ships each, and the islands will have five ships each," I agreed, as I didn't see any problem with it. The Iron Islands would need ships either way, so it would be better to know how many they have rather than let them build them in secret. "As for marriage, I won't force any house to take the offer, but I will make sure to hint about it. It will be your job to appeal to them."

"We have a deal," Asha replied, finally satisfied. "But I still want one last thing."

"Say it."

"I need a loan," Asha said. "The Iron Islands have faced many defeats, and with your restrictions, it will be hard to get back on our feet. So, you will loan us enough gold to build the fleet we want, and that loan will be in our best interest."

"Fine, but I will do it as a favor," I replied, knowing she was already asking too much. "You will repay me in ten years with a fifth of that sum on top of the loan."

"Agreed," Asha said, producing a paper and a pen for me to write down.

With a sigh, I did just that. I wrote our deal on the white paper with black ink. I signed in and even stamped it with the crest of my house. Asha grinned in satisfaction as she just won the lottery. She had all the right to be happy as she got a great deal out of me. But I didn't want to deal with her now, so I let her have it.

It wasn't like she asked for unreasonable things. I didn't care much as long as she was happy and won't bother me anymore. If she thought she could push her luck further, though, I wouldn't mind reminding her how her father had died. But I didn't believe she wanted war. She should know that the Iron Islands didn't possess enough military strength to threaten the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.

…

The reaction from various nobles in the court was everything I had expected. Their shock and admiration were mixed with respect and relief as I knelt before the King and presented him with Daenerys' gift. With Blackfyre back in the hands of the Targaryen King, it truly felt like a new era had come upon us. And hopefully, it will be an era of peace and prosperity.

After the court ended, I didn't mingle much. I knew that many would want to have a word with me. But I didn't want to spend even one more minute with them, so I returned to my family's chambers. I spent my time till dinner helping Elia study. I felt like a more productive way to use my time, especially when Elia was so happy to spend time with me.

"A letter has arrived from Riverrun, dear," Arianne hugged me from behind and handed me over a letter sealed with my house crest.

I took it and let Arianne read it from behind my shoulder. The letter came from Maester Vyman, who wanted to express that he was happy to hear that I was alright. Ser Desmond Grell also expressed his worry and asked if I would consider returning to Riverrun any time soon. It was nothing serious, but it made me think that maybe it was time to return.

"How is Shireen doing?" I asked Arianne before I made any decision.

"She is ready to join Oberyn," Arianne replied, but her cheek to mine. "Don't worry about it. We can handle it. Oberyn will guard her as she makes her way through the Houses of the Stormlands. Once they see her, the war will end. If you promise to return quickly, I don't mind you visiting home."

"I will take the land route," I told her as I stood up. "I might stop to visit some Houses and check on the lands. People not only need to hear that I am back and see it to put their minds at ease."

"You want to take the children," Arianne quickly understood me, even if I didn't want to mention it.

"They are future lords of their castles and lands," I tried to explain to her so she wouldn't be too mad. "They will need to be seen and make friends with children their age. I might be able to invite a few to King's Landing, too."

"I know," Arianne didn't look as mad as I expected. "But you will take best guards with you and write whenever you can. I will know your route and schedule at any given time."

"I do you one better," I kissed and ignored Elia's disgusted sounds. "I will let you arrange it."

"You do me one better?" Arianne smiled back at me. "It sounds like you don't want to deal with it and leave all the work to me."

"Pretty please."

"Fine, but you're not leaving until I am satisfied with you," Arianne smiled mischievously as she dragged me away from the others into our chambers.

…

"We missed dinner," I said, playing with Arianne's hair.

"Then we should make sure not to miss breakfast," Arianne replied, not lifting her head from my chest.

"You sure you will be able to attend it?"

"Don't play coy with me," Arianne replied. "You are not that good to hold me down."

I smiled as I enjoyed her warmth. Lying on the bed with her was like a dream to me. It didn't matter that we were sweaty and sticky. All that mattered was that we were alone and together. I haven't even realized how much I missed this. It was good to relax and not worry about anything, just enjoying myself. It truly felt like a dream.

…

Getting up early was difficult as neither Arianne nor I wanted to leave the bed. But the promise of a hot bath did make us move. We spent more time in the bath than needed, soaking in and almost falling back asleep. We barely got in time for breakfast, just for the food to be presented. There was scarcely any time to talk to each other as Arianne and I were starving. And we stuffed our mouths with food.

Afterward, the children had to leave for their studies while Arianne had work. It left me to do nothing, as I wasn't the Hand of the King and didn't possess a seat in a small council. I was free to do as I wished. Deciding it would be my only chance, I visited the city. I wanted to see how much has changed since the last time I was in it.

I was walking through the cobblestone roads, looking around various streets. Clegane was following behind me, with two other guards always staying near. As I walked around, I found myself admiring the rebuilding effort that had been put on. The streets looked new, and the buildings had more space between them. And most importantly, the smell was mostly gone from the city.

It still needed much work, but the foundation seemed pretty good. I should congratulate Lord Mace Tyrell for his hard work. It looked like the city would be fully livable by the beginning of the winter. Hopefully, it won't get into Lord Mace's head, and he won't start cutting corners later in the development.

Along the way of my excursion, I visited a blacksmith and ordered a new set of armor. Then, I found a lovely jewelry shop and bought some gifts for Arianne. The prices were relatively high, but nothing I couldn't afford. Lastly, I visited the marketplace and bought myself lunch. The marketplace looked clean enough, and the food smelled quite well for me to ignore it.

I continued my stroll through the city, taking in the sights and sounds. King's Landing seemed to be on the path to recovery after the recent conflicts and destruction. As I walked, I found myself in a more residential area, and the people going about their daily lives seemed to pay little attention to me. They seemed busy with their work.

And that is what I like the most about the city now. It looked like everyone had something to do. I barely found anyone lying on the streets begging for coins. There was much work to do, and plenty of people were willing to work. The city was no longer idle. It felt like it was an entirely different city than I remember.

But one thing didn't change. The new sept was enormous and even more adorned with silver and gold than the previous one. It clearly showed that Lord Mace Tyrell was playing favorites, but I will let it go this time. I didn't see any protestors from the faith on my stroll. And it seemed to do something with Lord Mace's actions.

I fully expected the followers of the Seven to preach about the barbarian practices of the North and how the city welcomed them too quickly. But there was nothing like it. It seemed the faith was satisfied, or maybe they didn't gather as much attention as they wanted and gave up on trying to preach nonsense. Nonetheless, I found nothing to worry about the city.

A.N. As always, If you want more, up to seven advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852. And if you have any requests for stories, I will only take them on my pa treon.