There was little to be said at the chambers of the great council. No more than an hour or two had passed between the seating of the lords, and the battle between Lord Terra and the knights of the kingsguard. It had been an irrefutable display of the power of the rebel houses, for they had the warriors who had demonstrated time and again their prowess. The houses of Dorne and the Reach raged silently as the lords of the realm proclaimed Robert Baratheon the new King of Westeros.
The stormlord's ascension was as certain as the coming of winter, for there were no other claimants that the loyalists could put forth. The trial by seven was meant to be the triumphant victory of the Targaryen supporters. The treacherous spartan should not have been able to defeat the fables kingsguard, especially with such members as Barristan the Bold and the Sword of the Morning.
Kurt sat in the hall, Rhaella and Elia seated beside him and keeping to himself mostly. A successful demonstration of the UNSC's power had left him perhaps the most popular man in all of Westeros, for all worst reasons. Lords from across the realm seemed all too keen to rub elbows with him, asking after his spartans, how they were trained. Many had offered their younger sons to undertake the training, and not all were graceful when he refused them. He remembered the way that Lord Walder Frey's face had transformed from smugness to fury when he had rejected the man's offer of safe passage over his bridge in exchange for spartan training for his sons.
The only thing more infuriating than the lords trying to push their sons off on him, was when they tried to do it with their daughters. Kurt of course had not yet announced to anyone of his impending marriage to Rhaella. Not even Tywin knew, and so Kurt had been barraged with inquiries and offers from every major and minor lord of Westeros. It seemed that not only the lords were fishing though. Ladies aplenty approached him of their own volition, and twice now Kurt had turned down advances from the houses of Yornwood and Mormont, hoping it seemed to place one of their daughters in his bed. He could still remember his conversation with Lady Maege Mormont, who had come offering her daughter Dacey.
"My lord." Maege Mormont greeted him warmly, standing next to him as the lords of the realm flooded into the great hall.
"Lady Mormont." Kurt nodded politely.
Kurt had changed out of his armour, instead donning simple clothes by UNSC standards, something similar to formalwear. Of course, compared to the rich colours of the lords around him, his simple black suit with a green tie over a white dress shirt seemed rather plain.
"An impressive display." Lady Mormont praised.
"Thank you." Kurt replied. "Honestly my lady, I was really hoping things wouldn't come to this."
"And why is that?" Maege asked. "Nervous about the battle? That's natural."
Kurt allowed a small smile to slip onto his face. Nervous? Of all things.
"Not at all, Lady Mormont. I was only hoping that such a foolish idea as those men proposed wouldn't be given a foothold in civil talks."
"Foolish." Maege barked a laugh. "I suppose it's foolish then to face you on the field of combat."
"Well unless it's another trial my lady, no one would be facing just me."
"Of course, your spartans. I've seen how they fight. Their trained men, those Echoes, are impressive."
Kurt looked down at the woman, who was watching him with a raised eyebrow and a twinkle of amusement.
Kurt allowed some of his own to show on his face, looking down at the woman.
"Impressive. I suppose that's a word, though woefully inadequate in comparison to my spartans would be more accurate."
"Ha!" The lady of Bear Island barked out a laugh. "I can imagine, if they fight even half as well as you do, my lord. Still, you are an interesting House. So new, and already so powerful. Perhaps my own house could share in some of that good fortune."
Kurt picked up on her tone, and felt the same feeling fill him as when he used to have to haggle with ONI budget distributors to allocate resources they'd rather not give him.
"And how would you like to 'take part' in our fortunes, my lady."
"You are unwed, are you not?"
Kurt stiffened, and the woman nodded her head.
"I see, well then, if you desire for a good bride, my Dacey is a fine woman." The lady's eyes flickered up the stairs where a tall, black haired woman with pale skin and the sigil of House Mormont on her cloths was standing.
"She's old enough, and flowered." Maege informed him, pride in her voice even as she spoke of marrying her daughter to him. "She's of the right age, She'll reach the age of twenty years next year. I see you're of the right age, though perhaps a bit older."
It was at times like this that Kurt disliked the effects his augmentations had on his biology. While he still bore the massive amounts of scar tissue all over his flesh, his face and body were at the peak of physicality and would likely stay that way for decades to come. After all, the soldiers of the Orion project, the precursor to the Spartan IIs, had been able to maintain active duty well into their sixties and seventies, and Kurt had even read the file of a Sergeant-Major Avery Johnson who was still serving during the fall of Reach, at the age of seventy-three, and had looked to be in his thirties. Of course, part of that had been the effects of cryo-sleep, but Kurt, who had spent little time in the youth preserving deep-freeze still looked at least ten years younger than his true forty-five years of age.
Still, no matter the confusion, Kurt felt a shiver travel down his spine at the thought of marrying a girl who was younger than even most of Beta-company. He could have easily raised Maege Mormont's daughter had circumstances been different.
"Apologies ma'am." Kurt said, his voice changing.
He had no ill feelings towards the lady in particular, but he felt he had to be firm in his dismissal.
"I'm afraid I can't take you up on that. I'm sure your daughter is a wonderful woman, but I'm afraid she's too young for me."
He moved to disengage with the Northern lady.
"Additionally, there are several external circumstances that would prohibit me from accepting."
If the Mormont woman was shocked or insulted, she didn't show it. Her face was a mask of neutrality before she shrugged noncommittally.
"You're a hard man to get the measure of, Lord Terra. You can't blame an old woman for trying though, can you?"
Kurt tried to offer her a smile, and then offered a handshake.
"No, I can't."
The woman took his hand, shaking firmly before departing up the staircase to where the sons, wives, and relatives of the various lords in attendance would be watching the proceedings.
He had avoided several more encounters after that by simply rushing along to his seat. Rhaella and Elia were already there, observed and guarded by Shane, who had taken over from Robert on the previous day. Kurt sent the Alpha-company spartan away, taking his seat between the former queen and princess. Both women exchanged glance, looking to each other across him and occasionally giving him glances.
Kurt had decided to ignore that, after all, they and everyone else had plenty of reason to give him looks.
The septons especially seemed to be looking at him with a strange mixture of emotions. Some looked on in awe, others with barely disguised contempt. Kurt had known of course that the trial by seven was a significantly religious affair, but he had not expected that his victory in such a way might cause she reactions. Then again, they might just be Targaryen loyalists as enrage at him as the lords of Dorne and the Reach after he had won.
No matter anyone's personal opinions of him however, he was victorious. Ser Arthur, the only conscious member of the kingsguard, slammed the staff previously wielded by Ser Gerold into the floor, likely harder than he needed to, in order to silence the crowd.
As soon as they did quiet down, Lord Rickard Stark stood from his seat.
"My lords and ladies of the realm, Only the day before this one, we sat here to debate who should sit the Iron Throne."
The man extended his arms, sweeping them over the table.
"We sat here, the lords of all the Seven Kingdoms, and watched as the lords of Dorne and the Reach rejected the legal abdications of the claims of Aerys and Rhaegar's children. They sought to prove the legitimacy of their claimants through trial by combat."
The Dornish and Reach houses, led by the Martells and Tyrells, glared bloody murder at the wolf lord, but could do nothing but listen.
"And now that trial is over. They have lost, and as such, any objections they have the lawful abdications of Aegon, Viserys and Rhaenys Targaryen, as well as my grandson Aemon Blackfyre, are void. I hereby proclaim that there is only claimant left with any reasonable claim, by blood or otherwise."
Rickard pointed at the seat meant for the Lord of Storm's End. Robert sat stoically there, looking every inch the conquering warrior that he had become over the last year and a half of war.
"Robert Baratheon has a right to claim the Iron Throne, both by the blood of his grandmother Rhaelle Targaryen, and by conquest alongside the armies of all of us who rebelled against the mad king. If anyone should have any reasonable objection to his ascension, speak now."
Kurt watched the lords of the realm shift in their seats. Most were in agreement over the details of the succession, given that of the seven kingdoms that participated in the war, only two of them still supported the previous dynasty. Silence reigned in the minutes preceding Robert's confirmation, and not with a roar, but with a whisper, did the Targaryen dynasty come to an end.
"None have spoken." Rickard announced. "Very well, with the decision reached by this council. I would ask that the lord commander and grand maester make the pronouncement."
Ser Arthur ground his teeth, hating more than before that he was the only one of his brothers who could perform this duty.
"In the name of the maesters of the Seven Kingdoms, who serve the realm first and foremost." Pycelle spoke first.
His voice, normally a soft and shaky thing, was firm as it reverberated across the great hall.
"I hereby declare that this, the Great Council of the two-hundred-eighty-third year after the conquest, has declared Robert of the House Baratheon, first of his name, as King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
A cheer went up from the assembled rebel lords, but quickly quieted down as Robert spoke up.
"Quiet, all of you." The Stormlord glared at Ser Arthur, meeting the man's eyes and holding them.
"What of you, kingsguard?" He sneered. "What says your order to this lawful succession?"
Arthur wanted to take a blade and plunge it into the Baratheon's chest. End the upstart usurper who had started the war that had killed Rhaegar.
He couldn't however, not the least reason being that Dawn no longer rested at his hip. Instead, it was laid out across Lord Terra's lap. 'A trophy' he had called it and taken the sword that had belonged to his family since the Dawn Age.
"We, the kingsguard, who protect the body of the king from all threats-" Arthur wanted to vomit as he spoke. "Do accept the decision of this council and proclaim to all that we will protect and guard to body and family of the king."
It was an official oath, made after the acts of Ser Criston Cole had led to the civil war known as the Dance of Dragons. It was meant to ensure that the kingsguard could have no official say in the decision-making regarding the line of succession.
"Very well." Lords Arryn, Tully, Stark and Lannister stood, flanking the Baratheon lord, now king.
"Unless another matter is to be discussed, I should believe this is the end of this council." Lord Stark said.
"Indeed." Lord Arryn. "Now that this gloomy business if finished. We shall celebrate. An end to the war, the ascension of a new king, and a swift council indeed."
The rebel lords stood and cheered, beginning to mingle amongst each other as the meeting was ended. The maester apprenticed closed their books and stood, filing out of the hall quickly, avoiding the milling lords as they moved.
Those lords of Dorne and the Reach stood angrily, stalking out of the hall together, levelling glares as the rebels.
One of the only ones who did not leave was Prince Doran Martell, who alongside his right hand, a tall man with an almost comically long axe.
Elia got up from her chair, glancing at Kurt, who even seated was almost of eye level with her.
"My lord." She bowed slightly. "My brother. I was hoping that I could speak with him."
"of course, Elia." Kurt said, standing and offering a hand to Rhaella. The former queen took the offered aid, standing in another beautiful dress provided to her by House Terra.
"I was hoping to speak with him as well." Kurt said. "To ensure a smooth transfer of you and Ashara, as well as your children."
Elia's eyes widened.
"My lord, you mean?"
"Of course, Elia. You have adhered to our agreement without complaint. It would be dishonest of me to renege on my end."
Elia felt her face shift into a smile. Though she had not thought much of it, choosing to ignore the feeling, there were times when she thought Lord Terra might dismiss her requests. After all, who would willingly let her, and her children go given the threat they posed. To hear him speak of her return to Dorne, with her children and Ashara in tow, was a weight off her heart that she did not know she was still there.
"Of course, I would ask that you stay with us for a while longer." Kurt said. "After all, with the wedding coming up, I was hoping you might help to plan some of it."
Rhaella and Elia exchanged glances. Of course, the wedding. Rhaella had agreed to marriage to Lord Terra in exchange for her family's lives.
"Of course, my lord." Elia nodded. "I would be happy to help Lady Rhaella in planning the wedding."
"Thank you." Kurt said. "There will probably be some clashes, considering our different backgrounds and customs, and I was hoping that perhaps with you and Rhaella, we could get a good balance out of it."
The Dornishwoman had barely considered such intricacies. After all, since Lord Terra was the one bringing Rhaella into his house, normally his people's customs would take precedence.
"Elia."
The princess, and the former queen, were saved from thinking any more about the problem by the arrival of Doran with his guard.
"My lord." Doran nodded to Kurt, who returned it. "An impressive display, the trial. I hope you won't mind me saying that I was hoping you would fall."
Elia looked at her brother aghast, but Kurt only smiled.
"I'm sure you were, Prince Doran, and I hold no malice against you for wishing so. It's just a shame that your brother, uncle and the others were facing my people."
"Indeed." The prince said. "Though they weren't facing 'your people' were they? They fought you, and it seems Ser Arthur in particular will suffer from his defeat."
The prince looked at Kurt's hand, where Dawn resided now instead of at the side of the Sword of the Morning.
"I was under the impression that only the worthy have the right to wield Dawn." Kurt said, allowing a small note of mocking to seep in. "I'm sure Ashara's son will be more than capable with a blade, enough to hold it once the time comes."
Doran looked the man up and down.
"Indeed… we can only hope. Now then, I was hoping that I might have some time to speak with my sister in private."
"In a bit Prince Doran. First, I do need to have a word with the both of you."
The prince bowed his head, gesturing for the group to follow him.
"Of course. Please, we may partake in our business our rooms."
"We should probably use the ones given to us then." Kurt said. "I think your brother would sleep much better knowing I was far away."
Elia hid a small smirk behind her hand as together her the five of them, followed by Ser Shane, moved out of the hall and towards the rooms of the House of Terra.
"Oberyn will be fine, the maesters assure me, though he will be missing two of his teeth."
"Apologies." Kurt said. "I understand teeth are rather important to you, we can have replacements ready if he needs them, and some toothpaste to take care of them."
Doran looked at the man, a confused expression forming on his face.
"If this is a jest Lord Terra, I find it one that is particularly lacking in humour. My brother will never grow back these teeth, and I doubt whatever sorcery you claim to possess will change that."
Kurt shrugged.
"It's not magic, but either way, the offer is open."
"Then thank you, and I will relay your strange gesture of assistance to my brother when he awakes."
"Please do, though we wouldn't offer help just to him."
The five of them had reached the chambers that Elia had been staying in since arriving in King's Landing. Slipping inside, she saw her brother immediately move over to one of the couch seats. Taking the weight off of his swollen feet, she saw her brother's face change, loosening and losing some of the pain that she now realised had been there since she had first laid her eyes on him during the council. Kurt noticed as well, and decided that overtures were best made quickly, before spite and grudges could poison the well.
"You suffer from gout?" It was phrased as a question, but all of them knew it wasn't one.
"For several years now." Doran nodded. "Some think me weak, for needing a cane or a wheeled chair. I have always proved them wrong. My Lord, do I have to prove you wrong as well?"
"Not at all." Kurt assured. "I was just asking. My people have seen gout in the past, though its long become a preventable and curable disease."
The meaning behind his words seemed to wash over the others. Prince Doran's eyes widened slightly before narrowing.
"And what might you ask in return for this so-called cure?"
"Nothing." Kurt shrugged. "Only that it might help you Prince Doran."
"Don't take me for a fool my lord." Doran sneered, his face twisting. "I would not have you say that now, only to return at some future day and demand a debt repaid. I am not a fool, so do not treat me as one."
Kurt's own face remained stoic. No, as she looked, Elia could see that there was some measure of sympathy in his eyes. He looked at her brother as one would look at a child with a scraped knee. However, that didn't last long, as instead she saw something flare in his eyes. Anger flashed for a moment, high and hot and uncontrollable, but quickly it was reeled in.
"I don't want anything from you Prince Doran. I don't need anything from you, or anyone in the world in fact."
He looked down at the prince and his guard, and not for the first time, but now more than ever before, Elia felt truly small.
"Anything in the world I would ever want or need, my people and I could take, and there is nothing you or anyone could do about it. I had hoped that that utterly idiotic trial I participated in would show you people just how useless it was to get in our way, but it seems that pride must come before the fall of every man."
Kurt took a step forward, forcing the prince to take a step back or more than likely be knocked over.
"I am offering you this because it is a good thing to do, and despite your impudence in the face of goodwill, I will continue to offer it. You may accept or reject it, but either way, I will stay true to my word."
He turned around, holding his hand out to Rhaella.
"Lady Rhaella, I believe we have matters to discuss. Princess Elia, Shane will remain in the room until you are finished speaking with your brother. Afterwards, please allow him to escort you back to your rooms."
Elia nodded her head, stiff with fear over the first instance of real anger she had seen from the normally calm and agreeable man.
"Of… of course."
Kurt nodded.
"Good. Prince Doran, please give my regards to your brother when he wakes up."
Kurt and Rhaella departed from the great hall, drawing many an eye as they moved and leaving Elia and Shane behind to deal with the older Dornish prince.
Elia herself turned to look at her brother.
"What was the meaning of that?" She hissed. "He offered aid, free of obligation, and you insult him?"
"And you expect me to just stand and accept the aid of a foreign man who worked to the detriment of our people, our family?" Doran returned.
"Rhaenys and Aegon are alive because of him." Elia fired back.
"You do not know that." Doran returned. "Dorne, the Reach, the Crownlands, loyalists from the other kingdoms. We would have had twice the rebels' numbers. If it were not for him and his 'invincible' spartans, this was would have ended much differently."
"And if we did win?" Elia asked. "How long before an accident would have befallen my children to make way for the wolf-girl's children? How long before Tywin Lannister arranged a tragedy for myself and Rhaegar's mistress, with Cersei Lannister waiting in the wings to fall into his bed?"
"And now she will fall into the bed of Robert Baratheon, a usurper whose claim descends from a Targaryen descendant two generations ago."
"Conquest if claim enough, and better that than the deaths of my children and our soldiers fighting for Rhaegar's folly."
"Elia-"
"Please Doran, it is done, and nothing we do will undo it. For now, please meet again with Lord Terra. I care not whether you accept his people's cure for your gout, but he wished to speak with you over my returning home with Rhaenys and Aegon, and his future affairs with Rhaella."
Doran looked down.
"Very well, I will speak to him Elia, and… and I am sorry. I let my temper get the better of me, and in doing so I conducted myself poorly."
The older prince smiled slightly, which Elia returned.
"I suppose with Oberyn still resting, I must take the role of the impetuous sibling, since you have so clearly taken the role of the composed negotiator."
Elia giggled, taking her brother's arm.
"Your apology is forgiven Doran. Now come, Lord Terra's cooks have some of the most amazing flavours. They have a little brown sweet like you've never had. Chocolate they call it."
Council is over. Robert is king, and Kurt finally has a little outburst after so long putting up with the people of Westeros.
Honestly I had a whole rant prepared for Kurt. It was centered around the line: 'The only difference between any of you as far as we are concerned, is the type of mud you spend your lives living in.'
Kurt isn't the kind of person for that though, I feel. If it had been someone like Emile from Noble team, I can imagine him saying something like that. Hopefully we get something in the future from one of the other spartans that just gets fed up.
Next we'll check in with the spartans across Planetos, and then we have the Kurt/Rhaella wedding to plan and execute. Hope you all enjoyed the ride.