"Jaime Lannister to the rangers" Jaime's grin was smug, as it often was.
"Joffrey Lannister to the Stewards" Jon Snow couldn't help but smile. Joffrey had been nothing but a burden since arriving, watching the spoiled princeling work as a servant would be sure to prove amusing. His happiness didn't last long however."
"Jon Snow to the stewards." It couldn't be. To be sure, he hadn't beat Jaime in a sword fight yet, but he could outmatch any of the others, with sword or on horseback. It would be a complete waste of his talents. Was this some cruel jape? He looked ahead and saw Alliser Thorne smiling, no doubt this was his doing.
Anger roiled within him. He would leave, he still could, he had taken no oath and was not here for a crime. Lost in thought as he was, he hadn't realized the stewards were being given assignments.
"Samwell Tarly, you'll be with Maester Aemon" in no small part thanks to Jon's own efforts persuading the Maester as such. Sam was in no fighting shape, but none among them were as well read as him.
"Jon Snow, you've been assigned to the Lord Commander, he requested you specifically."
"Lucky me" Jon spat sarcastically. Samwell turned to him in concern.
"You'll take his messages, clean his chambers, attend his…" The list of duties went on and on. Jon stood there silently before walking towards the gate.
"Jon, wait!" Desperately yelled Samwell, running behind him.
"I'm leaving, I don't intend to spend the rest of my life cleaning some old man's bedchambers"
"Yes, you'll clean his room, you'll also take his messages, attend his meetings. You'll learn everything a Lord commander does. Don't you get it? You saw the way he looked at you, you shaped the finest recruits he's had in decades, he wants you to be his successor!"
Jon Snow nearly slapped himself for missing something so obvious.
"Besides, if Jaime Lannister tries to run, I'm pretty sure only you could take him"
Jon laughed, he'd beat the smug prick one of these days.
""The Hound", how did you come to hold such a name?" asked Maria
"It's nothing as fanciful as "Mountainslayer", hardly a tale worth telling" Clegane said in his usual sardonic tone.
"They're still going on about that? I killed bigger than Ser Clegane before being knighted and they were not Mountains." Maria sipped from her mug, which held only water. "I do have a name in mind for myself… But I'd need to earn it first. In any case, fanciful or not. I'd like to hear your tale."
Sandor grumbled before showing her his House's sigil. "These three faithful hounds gave their lives fighting a Lannister lion to save my grandfather's life. In return for his injuries, the Lannisters made him a Lord."
"Seems to me the dogs should have gotten the knighthoods and lordships"
"You'd be fucking right. Dogs will die for you and never betray you. More than I can say for knights."
There was a moment of silence before Maria resumed the conversation. "My grandmother had this dog. Born mid winter, white as snow. Lived longer than any other I know of. When she died, he followed the next day."
Jon and Sam took their oaths in front of a weirwood tree, before the eyes of the old gods.
"You knelt as boys, now you rise as men of the Night's watch"
They rose and hugged in celebration, their revelry halted by the approach of Jon's direwolf. Ghost had come out of the forest running, something unusual in its mouth.
"Is that an arm?" Ghost kept running towards the gate. A loud roar came echoing out of the forest.
"RUN!" The group sprinted towards Castle Black, Samwell struggling to keep up until he got on his horse. They rode fast as out the forest they saw a white shape dragging itself through the trees.
A snowbeard, now rotted down to mostly bone, was clawing its way towards them. Behind it followed a full eight decomposed corpses that were, against all reason, running towards them.
"Your Grace!"
"Sit down Ned, I'm not here to kill you" King Robert had barged his way into the Hand's solar.
The king sat, his cupbearer poured wine for both men, then left. Robert took a big sip before continuing.
"Rhaegar Targaryen won. I killed him and he still won. He has Lyanna Stark, he has your sister and I HAVE NOTHING! Just traitors and fools."
"Your Grace, we should talk ab-"
"No, no more talking, I'm sick to death of talking. Tomorrow, I'll go hunting. We can talk when I return."
"Gods willing, I won't be here when you return. You ordered me back to Winterfell."
"And now I'm ordering you to stay. Here," He tossed the Hand's pin onto the table "You're my Hand, like it or not."
"The Targaryen girl-"
"The girl dies, speak no more of it."
"You name me your hand, but refuse to listen to my advice? Why?"
"Because someone has to run this kingdom! Take that off again and I'll pin it on Littlefinger" The king walked away. Soon after Maria entered the room.
There was a moment of silence, then she began "Sansa is betrothed to Loras Tyrell now. She need not stay here, same goes for Arya. Based on what Tyrion told me, Tywin will make for King's Landing first"
"He'd have to get through half the North to reach Winterfell, they'd be safer there, especially if they have you to protect them."
"Unfortunately Lord Stark, I fear you'd be dead as soon as I leave."
"You believe Arya's tale?"
"The princess was pregnant, My Lord."
"So, Targaryen loyalists want me dead? Hardly surprising. That they're in the castle however…"
"I've kept a close eye, but I can't be everywhere at once. With the King gone, you will be at your most vulnerable"
"My life is not so precious to me"
"It is to the realm, to your family, and it is to me. Robert is unwilling to rule, but he has named you Lord Regent in his absence. You should know all too well what would come to pass if you die."
"You would seat me in the Iron Throne instead? Is that what this is about?"
"The throne is a big chair made of swords. I care what laws are enforced and by whom. The King can have his seat and a crown, but if…"
"But what?"
"...Nothing. I'll stay, and you'll be glad I did. Apologies, my lord, I spoke out of turn"
"So be it. You are forgiven. His Grace wishes for me to rule the kingdom in his stead and I shall do so until his return."
"I do still worry for your safety, my lord. His Grace saw fit to take the Kingsguard's best with him "
"Your concerns are not without merit, I shall reinforce my personal guard with more troops, I've coin to spare thanks to you."
"And what of the rest of it? Is it being spent as we've discussed?"
"I've brought the matter to the small council many times, on how to improve the lives of the smallfolk. But they're rather unwilling to adopt new ideas."
"You are Lord Regent now." She stated matter-of-factly.
"Should his Grace not approve, he'd undo it upon his return. I wish to see the realm prosper as much as you. If the gods are good, we'll see it done."
'Tis not the gods standing in the way of it. Maris thought to herself.
The bear slammed up against the gate, Jon and Sam stabbed at it through the holes in the bars.
"It's not working" Said Samwell
"I can see that. Any ideas?"
"Those men, they're wights" Samwell paused and tried to think, he'd read about them at some point, even spoken with Jon about them, but fear had clouded his memory.
"Fire! They're vulnerable to fire" Jon remembered "There's flaming oil barrels at the top of the Wall, tell them to drop them!" Sam made his way through the tunnel. Unfortunately the men closest to the entrance were the Lannisters, talking to each other.
Sam struggled to breathe "We need to drop the oil barrels!"
Joffrey's features twisted in disgust. "You can't order me around fat -" Jaime slapped him
"Go to the top of the wall and tell them to drop the barrels"
"..."
"I'm your father! Do as I say!" Joffrey started running up the stairs.
"I trust Snow is holding them off?" Sam nodded, still gasping for air. Jaime made his way through the tunnel.
"Kingslayer!"
"You'll want to step back" both men did. The gate was engulfed in fire and sure enough, the bear fell, along with 3 of the wights.
"More incoming." Jaime noted
"I can see that" Jon took torches from the Wall and tossed one to Jaime "Try and burn them, don't get grabbed"
The fire worked wonders, setting the living dead ablaze as though they were dry timber.
"Kings and Lords, butchers, the whole lot of them" Maria had not sipped any beverages yet she still seemed drunk. "You say knights are killers, you're not wrong, but mere raindrops in the ocean compared to them."
"Something the matter, Maria?" Sandor said, his expression unchanged.
She continued unabated "Feckless, irresponsible. With the swipe of a pen, thousands could die. Be it their best intentions or most passing whims, they could still cause hundreds to perish or just as many to thrive and still they treat it all as mere sport to their own ends. Caring not for the lives they depend on…" And on she went, rambling to herself.
"Stop whining."
"I'm not-"
"Your lips are moving and you're complaining about things, you're whining."
"… You're right, I ought to do something about it instead. But what? The King is a fool and the King's word is law." The answer was obvious of course, but no. She erased the thought from her mind, she would not stoop so low. "And I've nothing to go off of, what enemy am I to fight if I do not know who the enemy even is?"
"Still whining." He sighed.
"Alright, alright. I'll get back to work. Unless you've something important to tell me?"
Sandor seemed mixed, his expression difficult to decipher. He dug into his clothes and pulled out an unsealed message that he'd received that morning, addressed to his now dead brother.
"Yes, the enemy you're looking for."
"Wights" Said Sam, looking down at the still burning corpses.
"How do you know?" Asked Grenn
"I read about it, in a book."
The men of Night's Watch spoke amongst themselves, Sam explaining further, until the Lord Commander finally arrived, and was informed of what had happened
"Send out ravens, everyone needs to start burning bodies" ordered the Lord Commander "I'll be writing to King's Landing. We need all the help we can get."
"Wights are created by White Walkers." Sam said
"If we want to see no more of them, we must venture beyond the wall and slay the source." Jon Snow spoke with a commander's voice
Commander Mormont looked at Jon and nodded. "I'll prepare a search party of rangers" He began walking back to the castle. "You'll be going with them, Snow, as will I"
Lord Stark sat the Iron Throne, standing in for the King in his absence. A long line of supplicants awaited.
"Your Grace, I-"
"This is the Hand of the King, standing in for his Grace in his absence." Lord Baelish corrected.
"His Grace is hunting across the Blackwater," Varys added.
"Lord Hand, I hail from Sherrer. Wendish Town and all surrounding villages, all were put to the torch, its people slaughtered mercilessly! Bastards would have done the same to us, but Sherrer is made of stone, we held out until they got bored and left to murder elsewhere.
"Do you know who did this?"
"They were not mere bringands, My Lord! They did not steal, instead killed my flock for sport! Each of them had horse and armor."
"Far too well equipped for mere bringands." Noted Varys
"We suspect they were Lannister men. Their forces have gathered at the Riverlands' borders and…"
"Out with it."
"They sang the Rains of Castamere, to taunt us."
"A popular tune, could have been sung by anyone" Interjected Littlefinger
Sandor Clegane spoke in hushed whispers to Ser Maria, he grumbled to himself then shouted "Lord Hand!" He approached the throne and knelt, then pulled out a scroll with a broken Lannister seal.
"This message was intended for my brother, but with his death it passed to me."
Barristan Selmy took the message and read it. "This is a request for troops, ordering them to raid the Riverlands!"
"This would be cause for war, though I'm sure the Lannisters will call it into question" Varys advised
"The Lannisters meant to taunt us into action" Concluded Lord Stark. "So be it" if Robert wanted him to rule. He would rule.
"Call the bannermen, gather the armies, our forces join the Riverlands in their defense. I declare war on House Lannister. Tywin Lannister is to be stripped of all lands and titles" and so it went, once the orders were given, Ned turned to the Hound.
"We've still an open position in the Kingsguard, you've proven your loyalty. Would you care to join?"
"I'm no knight. Just a killer"
"Boros and Meryn were knights and they tried to kill his Grace. You can't be worse."
Sandor looked at Maria, giving him a supportive smile. Gods, why did she remind him of her, they looked anything alike.
"...Fuck it. Fine, but I won't be taking no knight's vow."
Eddard Stark was not pleased by this and his expression did not hide it. Maria intervened, in hopes of easing his concerns. "Sandor Clegane fancies himself a dog, rather than a knight. All the better, in my view. Hounds are more loyal than men, not as easily swayed by coin." She gestured toward him theatrically. "And should he start barking, I'll put a muzzle and leash on him myself." The joke won over the crowd at least, even if neither man seemed all that amused.
"Rise, you'll be inducted as a Kinsguard as soon as his Grace returns"
"Lord commander, this is..."Jon Snow looked down at the bastard sword in his hands, the distinct pattern of Valyrian steel, its aged pommel now replaced with a wolf's head.
"Longclaw, passed down the noble House Mormont until my son decided to bring shame to it."
"It's far more than I deserve."
"You earned it, you showed quick thinking, leadership and you're more than skilled enough to put to good use."
"You have my thanks, Lord Commander."
"Don't thank me just yet, you'll be needing it. We're going beyond the wall, us and hundreds more men, the wildlings are bad enough and now this. Winter is coming and it'll be the worst one yet. There are even rumors that Mance Rayder gathers an army and names himself King-beyond-the-wall, the sooner we put a rest to his foolish ambitions the better."
"Any news of reinforcements?"
"Winterfell has likely already sent all the men it can. As for King's Landing, I'd wager Maester Pycelle ignored my letter entirely. That arm your beast brough in, I'll be sending it next, Thorne will ride there personally and show it to him. Let's see him ignore that"
"Hopefully it'll be enough, that means we've freed up a raven, yes? Then I've more letters I need to send regarding this matter, to my father and the captain of his guard. I'm sure they'll be more prone to listening." Jon had sent a raven already, one which was meant to make a stop at Winterfell, yet it had not returned. He hoped the bird had merely gotten lost.
"Aye, see to it. That'll be all for now, Snow."
Jon Snow made for the hall, where the gathered assembly turned their eyes towards him.
"Sword! Sword! Sword!"
Jon Snow, acquiesced to the crowd's demands, drawing his blade for all to inspect.
"A fine blade," Jaime snidely remarked. " with it, you might even stand a chance against me."
Jon remained unfazed. "Thank you, Ser Lannister, that's high praise indeed"
Jaime Lannister did not reply, his face merely bearing his usual smug smile.
"What the hell are you doing, Lannister?"
Tyrion swung around a stick as one would a blade "Practicing my swordsmanship, Lord Stark. Ser Maria gave me a book on the subject, I intend to put the knowledge to good use." More swings followed, the movements perfect for fighting targets larger than himself. "Unfortunately, I was not even allowed a practice blade."
Robb Stark watched Tyrion for a bit as if pondering something, before walking to a rack of weapons in the training yard and grabbing one that he himself had wielded in his youth. "Here, take it. You can stop embarrassing yourself now."
"My thanks, Lord Stark. Should this fine fortress come under assault, I shall put to good use." Tyrion felt the blade's weight in his hand, adjusting his grip accordingly before returning to practice. While he really wasn't one for warfare, It never hurts to be prepared, and he might even put these newly acquired skills to use soon enough.
Ned Stark was awoken by loud pounding on his door.
"Lord Eddard, The King orders your presence at once!"
Ned got dressed in a hurry, taking a magical sword hilt with him, should he need it. He saw a raven through his window fly away.
He followed the guards into the Royal Apartments in Maegor's Holdfast, the fortress at the heart of the Red Keep.
He saw three men in white cloaks. The look on Ser Barristan's face was enough to know something had truly gone wrong.
The Steward opened the door to the king's bedroom . "Lord Eddard Stark, the Hand of the King," he announced.
The King was surrounded by Renly on one side and Grand Maester Colemon on the other, his face was pale as a ghost, he was covered in blood-soaked bandages.
"Ned, come closer."
"What..?"
"A boar." Answered Renly.
"My own fault, too much wine, missed the stab. But I got him, Ned. I killed it, you'll be feasting on it's corpse in the morrow"
"My Brother ordered us to stand aside so he could fight it alone."
"Stinks of death, I haven't got long. Leave us, all of you. I need to talk to Ned."
And they did, leaving the King and his Hand to speak amongst themselves.
"Damn it Robert, why must you be such a fool?"
"Fuck you, Ned. I killed the beast, didn't I? Oughta do the same to you" The King coughed, he took his time catching his breath before continuing. "Daenerys… You were right. Just a child, that's why the gods sent the boar to kill me." He coughed again, blood launched from his mouth. "I was wrong… Only a girl… Varys, Littlefinger, even my brother… all sycophants. None of them told me no, only you." he pointed towards the bedside table. "Paper and ink. Write what I say."
"I, Robert Baratheon, first of my name, you know the rest, command Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King, to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my . . . upon my death . . . to rule in my . . . in my stead, until Stannis takes the throne, or if the fool gets himself killed, until his daughter comes of age. To Serve and protect… you know the rest, fill it in. I'll sign it."
"Robert, you mustn't die, the realm needs you."
"You're a bad liar, Ned. I was as bad as Aerys, gods help me."
"No, not nearly as bad as Aerys."
"The girl, let her live. If there's still time, if it's not too late. Gods have mercy."
"They will, my friend. They will"
"Call them back in."
The Small Council witnessed the seal being placed on Robert's will.
"I will give Lyanna your love, Ned. Take care of the realm for me"
"I shall"
Ned stood and walked out of the bedroom, he told Varys about Daenerys. Varys responded he would send a raven and hope it is not too late. Ned then saw Maria running to him, having forced her way past the Kingsguard.
"The King is dying, he's named me Lord-Regent, he even changed his mind about Daenerys, wants her to live."
"How long?"
"It's a miracle he's even still alive"
By all accounts, Maria should be happy, her plans would be unopposed. Stannis was the only rightful heir and she need only suggest a better form of governance. That magic was so close to her she could taste it. All she had to do, to end this monarchy, was let the man die…
…
"Gods damn it" She rushed into the royal bedroom "Let me through if you want him to live" She knocked milk of the poppy away from Robert and pulled out her last healing potion.
"Here, drink! You owe the realm your life if this works."
Robert hesitated in confusion for a second, before drinking, and slowly his grievous wound knit itself back together, until it was no more than a mere scar.
"Gods be good!" There was silence, a few of the men rubbed their eyes to make sure they weren't seeing things
"You've saved the King's life!" Said Maester Colemon.
"Don't make me regret it." She began to walk away "Sleep well, your grace, you've a small council meeting on the morrow"
"What in the Seven Hells is she doing here?" asked Lord Baelish
"She saved his Grace's life" Answered Ser Barristan
"Many in the Kingsguard have done the same, should they have a place in the small council?"
Ned Stark stood from his seat. "She could fulfill any of your roles better than you can, and more loyally. So if you'd like to keep your seats, I would suggest you drop this topic of conversation"
There Maria stood, silent and still, reading a letter from Dorne. Everyone turned to the King.
"Let's start the bloody council" The king's usual commanding tone was strained by his lingering scar.
Renly spoke first "With the war with Tywin starting in earnest, we're expecting war refugees at our gates, we've already received a few survivors from Wendish town, more from Sherrer.:."
Littlefinger "More people means more mouths to feed-"
"Then it's a good thing crop yields will increase this year." Maria said, cutting him off, and leaving "because of me." merely implied. "Some will be able bodied. Should they have no particular talents, offer them work paving the King's Road."
"Paving the King's Road? We're indebted as it is!" Questioned Littlefinger.
"The King's Road is, for now, an unsafe dirt road. It is also the biggest throughway of goods and people in all Seven Kingdoms that does not rely on water. Faster and safer travels through it means more goods getting traded, means more taxes for the Crown." Maria approached Lord Baelish and put her hands on the table. "You need to spend money to make money. As Master of Coins, I would trust you to know this."
"Yes, of course." Littlefinger stumbled.
"Strange, you raised no qualms about the Hand's Tourney and yet…"
"Apologies, I did not sleep well, worrying about the King's condition."
"Yes, I'm sure." She returned to her initial spot. "Any other Matters?"
"As I said, the war's begun, Tywin marches on the Riverlands with another host gathering at the golden tooth, we've called the banners, but Stannis' fleet will take time to return."
"And the Tyrells will not offer troops, until I'm wed to Margaery. Which cannot happen until after Cersei's trial. Perhaps we should speed it along, the faster her head's on a spike the better."
"I know of a way to delay Tywin's advance until after the trial is concluded." Said Maria
"And that would be?"
"Tywin will be one of the trial's judges."
"And you think that won't sway its results?" King Robert asked incredulously.
"Even a man like him won't be able to deny the evidence I bring, not in front of the assembled nobility of the Realm at least.
"He would never agree to such a thing"
"He will, because I'll be the one delivering the message. If he refuses, he'll lose two hundred of his men on the first day, and a hundred each day thereafter. He'll be delayed either way. Shall that suffice?"
"You've an army?" Asked Varys
"Won't need one, you all saw what I did in the Tourney, I've grown stronger since." She pulled out a map.
"Tywin is over three hundred miles from King's Landing, past Harrenhall. I'll ride a horse until it gives out then run the rest of the way. Send a raven to the Ivy Inn, I'll get a new horse there. Should be back in under a week's time. I trust you two can survive for that long without me?"
Ned looked at her curiously. "What made you change your mind about that?"
"King Robert hasn't had any wine today." Ned looked at Robert, who nodded to confirm it. "Also," She looked at the sword hilt hanging in Lord Stark's coat pocket, she then turned to the rest of the council chamber "Should any harm come to either of those two, it will be all four of your heads on a spike, I'll see to it personally. Understood?"
"Yes" All four men said in unison
"Any other matters to discuss?"
"Stannis is taking his sweet time. My brother claims he's merely gathering his forces, but he's done so faster before."
"I'll send another letter, tell him to hurry up. He's been sitting on Dragonstone for too long. Missed nearly as many small council meetings as his Grace."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing I can't handle." Lord Stark said confidently
"Good, I'll go prepare for the trip, I'll depart as soon as the missive's been written" She bowed "Your Grace, Lord Hand" On her way out, she gave a knowing nod to the Hound, who was standing watch at the door.
Tommen was playing with his uncle Tyrion when Lord Robb entered the room. Tyrion sent the child away before asking:
"So, Lord Robb, any letters from my father regarding hostage negotiations?"
"You're out of luck, Imp. It seems old Tywin cares far more for Cersei than he does you. He's sent no men North."
"Hardly surprising, I was always the black sheep of the family. But that does mean I get to enjoy more of your magnanimous hospitality." Tyrion gave a cheeky smile.
"What are you up to, Imp?"
"Tywin Lannister is a man who has made many enemies throughout his life. Quite a lot of people would give good money to have him as a prisoner, or to see him dead, be they Starks, Baratheons, Tullys, or Lannisters."
Rob shut the door behind him and sat next to the Lannister.
"What are you proposing, Tyrion?
"Tywin Lannister is a man who values his legacy greatly. Once father realizes I'm his only rightful heir remaining, he'll have no choice but to agree to an exchange, especially a generous offer."
"During such an exchange, he'd be especially vulnerable to, say, a betrayal by someone he thought loyal."
"And how do I know you're not lying?"
"Even if it is a lie, you can still abscond with your ransom and never see me again, a win-win scenario if I've ever seen one."
Robb carefully read the dwarf's face for any sign of lying. "Alright, I'm listening, what's your plan?"
"I trust you're familiar with the Ruby Ford?
As Ser Maria filled her saddle with supplies, words echoed in her mind:
"If you haven't hiked more than twenty miles a day, slept in a ditch, and eaten something that tried to kill you first, you're not an adventurer." She couldn't remember who'd told her that, but she felt excited to finally be on the road again, even if it was, hopefully, just to deliver a message.
She rode fast up the King's Road, the horse performed well, striding its way across a full hundred miles before finally giving out near Brindlewood. Maria took her belongings from the saddle and gave the horse food and water before sending it back to King's Landing.
She looked to the road ahead, beginning a series of controlled stretches, breaths, and physical preparations lasting 10 minutes. Then she started running, fast. Travelers of the King's Road saw a fully armored knight sprinting her way past them as she made her way to the Ivy Inn, running dozens of miles.
She arrived at the Ivy Inn at nightfall. Slamming its door open. Panting, "I'm Ser Maria Starbrand, you receive a raven from the crown about me?" she asked the Innkeeper.
"Aye. There's a room and bath ready for you upstairs"
She flipped a coin at him. "You have my thanks" She slowly made her way up the stairs, her legs numb, struggling to catch her breath. She entered a room with a tub full of water, she dropped her belongings and dismissed her armor into a pocket dimension.
Her muscular, toned body was covered in sweat as she still heaved. She slowly lowered herself into the water, it was cold, but she didn't mind, she felt herself relax.
The Lord Commander had gathered a party of three hundred men and half again as many horses for this expedition, Jon Snow rode by his side as they made their way through Gate and Beyond the wall.
Among the group was Samwell Tarly, who would serve the same role a Maester normally would. The expedition would be long, Sam had spent days pouring over every book he could find to better ready himself for the White Walkers and the Wildlings they would likely face, he had found a handful of crude maps of what lay beyond the wall.
Also among the group was Jaime Lannister, a smug expression on his face as he looked towards his commander's squire, seemingly to taunt him.
Author's Notes:
In case you're wondering: "Long-Distance Runner" Martial practice, published in Martial Power 2, page(s) 150.
I'll note here that the cutting back and forth between plotlines isn't necessarily happening in that order chronologically, I'm just advancing it as feels natural until they converge.