The Wolf and the Lion:
The next day was the last day of the tournament. Lord Eddard Stark was now walking along the jousting fields. He was planning to check out Ser Hugh of the Vale who had been killed the day before when Gregor Clegane's Lance pierced his throat. Accidents did happen during tournaments and in the North they had grand Melees which sometimes left people dead or missing an Arm or Leg. When he got to the tent, he saw Ser Hugh's body being tended by several Silent Sisters who prepared the body for his funeral. The Silent Sisters swore a vow of silence and they helped remove organs from bodies, clean wounds and place the body in oils in preserve it before burial. Ser Barristan Selmy, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was there as well.
"He wasn't ready" Barristan said
"For Knighthood?" Eddard asked, Ser Hugh hadn't been a great fighter and he was also a bit arrogant.
Barristan shook his head "For death." He answered
"No one is ready for death." Eddard said and then he looked at the Silent Sisters "Carry on Sisters" then he and Barristan left the tent.
"Life is strange" Barristan said as a page attached the White cloak of the Kingsguard to Barristan's armour "Not so many years ago we fought as enemies at the Trident."
"I'm glad we never met on the field Ser Barristan." Eddard replied "As is my Wife, I don't think the Widow's life would suit her."
Barristan laughed "You're too modest, I've seen you cut down a dozen great Knights."
"My father said that you were the best he'd ever seen." Eddard spoke up as they walked along to see the King "Never been wrong about a man who knew the matters of combat"
"He was a fine man Lord Rickard Stark, a good man. Your brother Brandon may have been quite aggressive but he was also a good man." Barristan said "What the Mad King did to them was a terrible Crime."
Eddard then looked confused "That lad, Ser Hugh?" Eddard asked as he thought about Jon Arryn's squire "He was a Squire until a few months ago how could he afford a new suit of armour?"
Barristan shrugged his shoulders "Perhaps Lord Arryn left him some money" he said "I hear the King wants to joust today."
Eddard scoffed "That will never happen."
"Robert tends to do whatever he wants." Barristan said "Mainly whoring and drinking."
Eddard scoffed "If the King got what he wanted all the time, we would still be fighting a damn rebellion. We would still be at war with the Tyrell's and Martells." Eddard then though of something "I heard that you taught Prince Martin in his younger years?"
"I did" Barristan said "I taught him the basics. Though his bodyguards the Blades did most of the work."
Later, Eddard came to the King's tent where King Robert was standing while his squire Lancel was trying to fasten his breastplate on but the straps wouldn't fit. Prince Martin watched from a chair and he was amused at this.
"Oh for Seven Hell must I do it myself!" Robert growled
"It's made too small your Grace. The straps won't fasten." Lancel said
"Your Mother was a dumb whore with a fat arse did you know that?" Robert shouted and then he looked at Eddard "Look at this idiot, all ball and no brains can't even put a man's armour on him properly."
"It's not the lad's fault, your Grace" Eddard said "You're too fat for your armour."
"Fat?" Robert protested "Fat is it? Is that how you speak to your King?" Then he burst into laughter followed by Martin and Eddard. Lancel let out a chuckle as the King Laughed "Oh its funny is it."
"No your Grace." Lancel said fearful that he may have angered the King.
"No?" Robert questioned "You don't like the Hand's Joke?"
"Come on father now you're just torturing the poor boy now." Martin protested
"You heard the Hand the King's too fat for his armour." Robert added "Go find the Master of Arms! Get the Breastplate Stretcher! NOW!" Lancel then left the tent in a hurry unaware then he was now going on a Wild Goose chase. Robert laughed as soon as Lancel left.
"The Breastplate Stretcher?" Eddard questioned
"There's no such thing." Martin chucked
"How long until he figures it out" Robert chuckled
"Why don't you just invent one then" Martin suggested
"All right you watch me son" Robert said "I still know how to point a Lance."
"You've no business Jousting father" Martin said "Leave that to the young men."
"Why because I'm King?" Robert questioned "Piss on that I want to hit somebody!"
"And who's going to hit you back?" Eddard questioned
"Anyone who can, and the last man in his saddle will be you." Robert said
"The last man will be you" Martin said "There isn't a loyal Knight in the Seven Kingdoms who will risk hurting you. They all fear you're wraith."
Robert laughed "Are you telling me those cowards would let me win." He said
"They will." Martin said
Robert sighed and he poured himself a drink and he sat down on a chair "Too fat for my armour."
"Your Squire, a Lannister boy?" Eddard asked
Martin nodded "He's my great uncle Kevan's oldest son. Tywin's nephew."
Robert grunted "He's a bloody idiot. But Cersei insisted." Then he repeated what Jon Arryn said to him when he became King "I have Jon Arryn to thank for her. 'Cersei Lannister will make a fine Queen for you' Lord Arryn said 'You'll need her father on your side if you hope to keep your thrones." Robert then stood up "Come on let's go watch them ride, at least I can smell someone else's blood and see my son in action."
"Father wait." Martin call
"What is it?" Robert grumbled. Eddard looked at Robert's fat chest which was uncovered as Lancel had tried to place his breastplate on. Then Robert laughed "A inspiring sight for the people hey." He laughed "Come bow before your King. Bow you shits." Eddard and Martin gave a chuckle as well.
Later it was the time for the semi-finals for the jousting. The first match would be Prince Martin vs his uncle Jaime of the Kingsguard. Martin knew that this would not be easy as Jaime was a skilled opponent but he would try his best though even if he did win this match, he would still have to face the winner of the match between Ser Loras and the Mountain.
The first round began as Jaime and Martin charged at each other with Martin gaining one point when he broke his lance against Jaime's breastplate. But the next round caused Jaime to gain two points when his lance broke on Martin's helmet. So now Martin was losing so it came down to this last Lance. He would have to try and win by points but if Jaime hit him again then the only way he could win was by knocking Jaime of his horse. The third round began and they both missed each other on their first lance. Then they charged again and Jaime's lance broke on Martin's breast plate but Martin's lance had also hit Jaime quite hard which soon caused Jaime to lose his balance and fall off his horse. So Martin won the match with 4 points to Jaime's 3.
The crowd cheered at Martin's victory and then the second match between Ser Loras and the Mountain began. Eddard then looked around as he realised that someone was missing "Where's Arya?" he asked
"At her dancing lessons." Sansa replied, Arya didn't want to see the jousting as she saw it as too boring as it wasn't that fun yesterday. Then Sansa smiled as Ser Loras Tyrell came onto the field "The Knight of the Flowers." Sansa added.
Loras was Willas' youngest brother. He was known as the Knight of the Flowers as his armour was decorated with metallic flowers though this may not scream swordsman, Loras was still a great fighter. Loras had beaten Ser Jaime Lannister one time but the Mountain was still a strong opponent. Loras then gave a look at Lord Renly Baratheon before he handed Sansa a rose.
"Thank you Ser Loras." Sansa said
"Good luck brother." Willas said as he looked at his brother who then road off.
"Please don't let Ser Gregor hurt him." Sansa begged "I can't watch, he's going to die, that beast already killed one Knight."
"Don't worry Lady Sansa" Willas said "My brother rides well."
The round began with Ser Loras and the Mountain charging at each other. This was a quick match because as soon as Loras' lance collided with Gregor, his horse panicked and then collapsed so Loras automatically won the match. Everyone in the crowd cheered with Willas and Renly being the loudest.
"Your brother rides well." Renly spoke to Willas
"He does." Willas answered "I just hope that he didn't use a mare in heat again."
"Ser Loras wouldn't do that there is no honour in tricks." Sansa scoffed
"Some knights just don't like losing, even great ones who take it as an insult to lose." Willas said and then he looked at Alessia who smiled at him. But then Alessia's smile turned to a look of shock when Ser Gregor called for his sword and then he beheaded his own horse and the crowd cried out in shock. Then Gregor charged at Loras, it was clear that he did not like losing. Loras fell of his horse and then he picked himself up to avoid a slash from Gregor.
"Blades stop this!" Martin ordered and then he drew Dragonbane and his Valyrian Steel Sword he got from his visits to Essos which he called Stormbreaker. Martin had gotten down along with Delphine, Renault and Glenory who helped keep the mountain occupied but it was the assistance of the Hound who saved Loras after the Mountain nearly hit struck him.
"Stop this Madness in the name of your King!" Robert yelled and the Mountain threw down his sword and stormed off.
"You saved my life Ser. I own you my life" Loras said
"I'm no Ser" The hound grumbled. Sandor Clegane didn't like knighthood and this was because his brother had been knighted and he was a savage and he had killed many people. This made Sandor have a dislike of Knights and knighthood as he believed these stories of Knight in shining armour were just stories. Martin had to agree with him on that. Then Ser Loras forfeited his place and made Sandor the champion of this match which meant that he would be facing Martin in the finals.
The final match began an hour later after the event of the Mountain had blown over. Now Martin and the Hound were in place and they got ready to joust. The first round began and the Hound gained one point when his lance broke on Martin's breastplate. Then the second round began and Martin hit the Hound in the helmet with the lance which broke, earning him two points. Now all that was left was the third round, as long as Martin stayed on his horse he would be fine. Then the round began and Martin hit the Hound again in the helmet which earnt him another two points but the Hound's lance hit him in the shoulder which caused him some pain and he wobbled around in his seat, but he soon regained his balance and he won the Joust with four points while the Hound only had three.
Everyone cheered as Martin won, everyone in his family, well except for Joffrey who was glaring at him as everyone was cheering for him and the crowd were all shouting 'Martin' and 'Prince Martin' as well as a nickname 'The Black Stag.'
Robert sat up from his seat "As King of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the Realm, I name my son Prince Martin Baratheon as this tourney's champion, crown your queen of love and beauty." Martin was handed a crown made up of blue flowers and then he placed the crown on his sister Alessia's knees who smiled at him and then again at Willas. But as Martin dismounted his horse, he began to feel dizzy, though he managed to regain his balance by holding onto his horse Hunter's saddle.
"I'm alright" Martin said "Just a bit dizzy." Then he sighed "I think I need a lie down."
…
The Mountains of the Moon, the Vale of Arryn.
Far away from King's Landing, Martin's uncle Tyrion felt someone pull him from his horse. He had been bound and thrown on a horse.
"Remove his hood." Lady Catelyn Stark ordered and Ser Rodrik remove the bag that was covering Tyrion's head. No one had been able to protect him as they were away from Martin's Legions who were out on patrol searching for any signs of trouble.
"This isn't the Kingsroad." Tyrion said "You said that we were riding for Winterfell."
"I did loudly and often." Catelyn replied
"Wise." Tyrion said "Though as soon as my father hears of this there will be problems. He will come down on the Riverlands and Martin can't order the Legions to stop him because you've kidnapped his uncle. Now would you be so kind and untie these?" Tyrion held out his tied up hands.
"And why would I do that?" Catelyn asked
"Well it's not as if I'm going to run away." Tyrion said "I know this place, it's the Mountains of the Moon, the Vale of Arryn. If I run I might find a Mountain tribe who'll most likely gut me. Or a Shadowcat that'll rip my skin to shreds. This is the High Road, you're taking me to your sister at the Eyrie. Tell me Lady Stark, when was the last time you saw my sister?"
"Five years ago." Catelyn answered
"Well I can tell you that she is not the same girl you grew up with, she's changed. Now would you please tell me why I'm here?" Tyrion demanded
"You are to be tried for the attack on my son and the attack on me." Catelyn glared
"Well why would I do such a thing?" Tyrion demanded
"The letter had your family's seal and your signature and the Assassin had a blade of Valyrian Steel." Catelyn hissed
"How could I have used the Lannister seal, its back at Casterly Rock with my father?" Tyrion growled "And another thing, I never use the Lannister seal now where is this letter?"
Catelyn became quite as she had lost the letter and her evidence as someone had taken it from her. Then Ser Rodrik's voice called
"Should I have him gagged my lady?" Rodrik questioned.
Then everyone fell quite as rocks suddenly came down hitting the soldiers, Tyrion turned to see several Mountain Clansmen throwing rocks from the cliffs. Tyrion managed to duck behind a cart.
"Can someone please untie me?" Tyrion demanded "I can't defend myself without my hands and what good am I dead?"
A sellsword named Bronn untied Tyrion's bonds and then Tyrion managed to kill a Mountain Clansmen by bashing him with a shield. But then several of the Clansmen fell as they were hit by arrows. Tyrion looked confused as no one here had a bow. But then he saw several people on the Cliffs wearing Light Brown armour and brown bows. 'Legionnaire scouts' Tyrion realised
After the fight was over, Catelyn looked at the scout "You have my thanks Sers." She said
"It's no bother Lady Stark." The scout said "I'm Hadvar and this is my companion Ralof, we've been tracking you since you took Tyrion Lannister at the Inn."
Catelyn looked confused; there were no Legionnaires at the Inn.
"We were coming back from patrol when one of our agents said that she had spotted you taking Tyrion Lannister. And we were sent to track you." Ralof added "Now the rest of our patrol has already sent word to King's Landing, I hope you can explain yourself to Martin."
Tyrion smirked, he knew that Martin didn't like Lady Lysa Arryn and that he could get to the bottom of what was going on here.
…
Winterfell: Courtyard:
Bran had yet another strange dream this morning. Bran was getting worried about these dreams as they kept coming more and more often. But now he was outside in the Castle courtyard where he was taking lessons with Maester Luwin. Theon was practising his archery. Bran was messing with a pin that had the Tully sigil of a fish while Luwin was tutoring him about the great Houses of Westeros.
As Luwin pointed to one area, Bran answered "The Iron Islands. Sigil, a Kraken, words 'We Do Not Sow' Lord House Greyjoy."
Theon laughed "Famed for their skills at archery, navigation and lovemaking" he said with a laugh
"And failed Rebellions" Luwin scoffed and then he pointed to another area which was the Stormlands.
"Sigil a Stag. Or a crowned Stag now that Robert is King, Words 'Ours is the Fury', Lords the Baratheon." Bran answered
"Good" Luwin said and he pointed to another area.
"The Wastelands? Sigil a Lion, Words 'A Lannister always pays his debts'"
"No" Luwin said "That's a common saying but it's not their official motto."
Bran really didn't care "Lords the Lannister's'"
"We're still on their words" Luwin interrupted
"I don't know them." Bran protested
"You do know them so think" Luwin insisted
"Unbowed Unbent Unbroken?"
Luwin sighed "That's House Martell of Sunspear, Prince of Dorne."
"Righteous in Wraith?"
"That's house Hornwood of Hornwood."
"Family Duty Honour?"
"Those are Tully Words. The words of your mother." Luwin said "She left to help you"
"But my mother isn't here." Bran said "How can she help me if she isn't here?"
"There was a reason to left, to find out who tried to kill you." Luwin replied
King's Landing, Red Keep:
It had been a few days since Martin had won the tournament. Now he and Alessia were in the Red Keep with their younger siblings, Myrcella and Tommen who were all playing with their pet Jaguars.
"I saw how you won brother" Tommen said "One day, I'll be able to fight like you."
"One day you sure will" Martin chuckled "Maybe I'll even give you that second Valyrian Steel Sword I had made."
"But that sword belongs to Joffrey." Myrcella protested
"Not anymore." Martin replied "He hasn't earnt the right to have it and all he does it cause problems."
"Mother says a King should do what he likes." Myrcella said
"Only a foolish King does that." Alessia said "What do you think makes a King great?"
"Holiness?" Tommen asked
"Well you might want to be holy but most of the time, the faith just causes more problems." Martin said "Baelor the Blessed was holy when he first started but his methods of trying to spread the faith nearly bankrupt the realm and he appointed a young boy as the High Septon as he believed he could work miracles. His beliefs soon turned people against him and that resulted in him dying days after being injured in a religious riot when he starved himself to death praying for the gods to forgive them for their sins."
"Justice?" Tommen asked again
"Well a good King should be just." Martin replied "Viserys II was Just and his reforms helped fix the realm which Baelor had almost destroyed after his rule nearly bankrupt the Kingdom. But he didn't last as he was poisoned by his own son, Aegon IV."
"Strength?"
"Kings need to be strong." It was Alessia who answered this time "Kings need to be strong in order to be able to cope with ruling and to lead armies. Our father was strong in his younger years but look at him now."
"So you've heard of three Kings, what do they all lack?" Martin asked
Myrcella and Tommen thought and then they realised what it was "Wisdom. Wisdom is what makes a King great."
"That's right." Martin said "A king should be wise in making the decisions he makes. When to be kind and when to be ruthless. Our Grandfather Tywin is an example of that. He sent a clear message when dealing with traitors."
"You agree with what he did?" Myrcella questioned
"Maybe not completely but I agree that a message needed to be sent." Martin said "When I was at Casterly Rock I learnt what happened. It all started with the ambitions of Lady Ellyn Reyne who wanted to become lady of Casterly Rock but failed as both of the oldest Lannisters, Tywald and Tion Lannister were killed and Tytos, Tywin's father was already married. Ellyn's rule over the Tarbecks and the Reynes caused them then earn Tywin's hate and Ellyn was always taking coin from Tytos."
"So what happened?" Tommen asked
"Well after Tywin returned from the War of the Ninepenny Kings, Tywin ordered all loans called in. Ellyn's husband, Lord Walderan Tarbeck tried to get Tytos to stop this but was imprisoned." Martin explained "When Ellyn captured three Lannisters including Great Uncle Stafford Lannister, Tywin suggested sending Walderan back in three pieces but Tytos released him."
"From what I've heard of Tywin, he didn't take that well." Myrcella guessed
"Your right" Martin replied "Just a year later, Tywin ordered the Lord and Lady of Houses Reyne and Tarbeck to answer for their crimes. And they did what Tywin wanted, they went into open revolt. And that is where the Rains of Castamere got its name."
"But Joffrey is cruel." Tommen said
"True but sometimes you should be ruthless like Tywin was then" Martin said "He did sent a clear message but Joffrey isn't wise and thinks that everyone should respect him."
"I've heard that Tywin doesn't trust our own mother." Tommen said "Why?"
"Well Tywin told me that he doesn't trust our mother because she's not as smart as she thinks she is." Martin said which made Tommen and Myrcella giggle.
Before they could continue there was a knock at the door. Martin looked at his siblings and then he went to answer the door and he saw that it was the Blades Grandmaster Delphine.
"Grandmaster, is everything all right?" Martin asked
"Well I'm afraid that we need to talk, in private." Delphine answered
Martin sighed and he looked at his other siblings "Sorry but I'm afraid that I'm needed elsewhere." He said and he left his siblings alone and he went with Delphine towards a private area where Martin found the Thieves Guild member Sapphire was waiting.
"Sapphire, tell Martin what you told me." Delphine said to her
"I was out on a spying mission to check on who was travelling at the Crossroads Inn when Lady Catelyn was in with Ser Rodrik."
"Why was Lady Stark here in the South?" Martin asked
"Well apparently there was an assassination attempt on Brandon's Life after we left." Delphine said as the Blades Agents had discovered this and were investigating. "And Lady Stark suspects that the Lannisters are involved."
"This is not good." Martin said "We could face a civil war soon. Tywin isn't going to let someone slander the Lannister name."
"It's worse than that, someone attacked her on her way back and they found a letter." Sapphire "I managed to secure the letter and I think you need to see it."
"Show me this letter." Martin ordered and Sapphire showed Martin the letter. When he finished reading it, his eyes widened with shock.
In the basements of the Red Keep:
Meanwhile, Arya Stark was in another part of the castle as she was chasing a cat. She had snuck up on the cat to catch it unaware but the cat had ran off before she could catch it and then it had run down a flight of stairs. Arya had run after it but she soon lost it in the dark but she now saw something which shocked her. It was a large skeleton of the head of a Dragon. It was one of the Targaryen Dragons, Arya had heard of the legends of the Targaryen Dragons which before King Robert were all kept in the Great Hall with the Iron Throne, the smallest one the size of an apple and the largest the size of a Wagon. This head was massive and Arya guessed that it must be the head of Aegon the conqueror's dragon, Balerion the Black Dread. As Arya felt along the teeth of the Dragon, she froze as she heard someone talking and she hid inside the teeth of the Dragon and then two hooded figures came in. Unknown to Arya, the two figures were the Master of Whisperers, Varys and the other was Illyrio Mopatis."
"And when he knows the truth what will he do?" Illyrio asked
"Only the Gods know." Varys said "The fools tried to kill his son already and failed. Now the Lion and the Wolf will be at each other's throats and Prince Martin will be stuck in the middle. There will be war soon."
"What good is war now?" Illyrio said "We're not ready, if one Hand will die why not the second? And what about the role of our dear friend Martin?"
"He will have a role to play in the future" Varys said "But I believe that he is the best option for us to have a secure realm for the future. The Begger King will only fail at him plans, he is as Mad as his father though his sister is a good option.
The two of them left but not before they locked the door which left Arya trapped. Now she was forced to take a secret tunnel which led to the dockside. Arya knew that she needed to warn her father of what she heard, when she got back to the Red Keep she had a problem with two Goldcloaks but this was stopped when one of the Captains stopped them.
The Goldcloaks were sent away and the Captain looked at them "Sorry about them." He said "Sadly because of Janos' corrupt leadership many of these guards are little more than Thugs. Now you said that your father is the Hand of the King? I'll take you to him but I must warn you that he is not very happy about you going missing."
"Thank you Ser." Arya said
"The name is Burd." The captain said "I'm in charge of the Goldcloaks at the Red Keep or at least the lower guards."
The Hands Chambers.
"Do you have any idea about hoe worried I was?" Eddard Stark hissed at his daughter "I had Jory and the others looking out for you when you went missing!"
"Father please I have to tell you something." Arya begged
"And what's that?" Eddard asked
"Well I was down in the Dungeons when I heard two men talking. One seemed to be bald while the other had a Braavosi accent. They were talking about how the Wolf and the Lion would be at each other's throats and that if one Hand could die why not the second."
Eddard looked at her "And why were you down in the Dungeons?" he asked
"Chasing a Cat" Arya answered
Before Eddard could continue he was interrupted by Burd and Jory. "Apologizes my Lord but there's a Night's Watchman who wants a words with you." Jory said
"Send him in." Eddard said and then a man with thick black hair and beard came in waring the black cloak of the Night's Watch. "May I know your name?"
"Yoren my lord" the man answered "And this must be your son?"
"I'm a girl" Arya said
Eddard ignored her daughter "Did my brother Benjen sent you?"
Yoren shook his head "No one sent me my Lord." He said "I'm here to find men for the Wall, see if there's any scum in the dungeons who might be fit for service."
"Aye we'll find recruits for you." Eddard said
"Thank you my Lord but that's not why I disturb you now." Yoren said "I would have waited until a better time but when I heard the news I rode here so damn fast I nearly killed my horse. It might be best to discuss this in private."
Eddard then sent Arya away with Jory to her room "How many men does my father have?" Arya asked
"Here in King's Landing 50." Jory answered
"You wouldn't let anyone kill him would you?"
"Not on my watch." Jory said
When Arya and Jory were away Yoren closed the door. "Well?" Eddard asked "What is it you wanted to tell me."
Yoren sighed "It's about your wife my Lord. She's taken the Imp."
The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn.
After the attack by the Mountain Clans, Catelyn and the rest of her group had rode on towards the fortress of the Eyrie, the seat of House Arryn. The Eyrie is said to be impregnable which can be seen as the fortress could only be accessed by a spiral mountain pass which went up the mountain where the Eyrie was located. Catelyn brought Tyrion Lannister here so she could face judgement for his crimes, however, things didn't go as Catelyn hoped they would go.
"How dare you bring that Imp here and endanger my family!" Catelyn's sister, Lysa yelled. Lysa was Catelyn's younger sister and the widow of Lord Jon Arryn. She had fled after Jon Arryn's death as she feared for her son's life.
"I brought him here so he could answer for your husband's death sister" Catelyn insisted but she was shocked by her sister's behaviour. Lysa was acting paranoid and she had her young son on her lap and was breastfeeding him even though he was nearly 6 years old.
Young Robin looked up and saw Tyrion "Is that the bad man mother?" he asked quietly
"Yes and he's done a bad thing." Lysa said to him "He murdered your father."
"And he tried to kill my son and myself." Catelyn added
"Do you have any proof of those claims?" Tyrion asked "Because without proof my father isn't going to take the capture of his son well."
"The Eyrie is impregnable" Lysa said "And you little Imp will face judgement for your crimes, take him to a Sky Cell."
Several Knights of the Vale dragged Tyrion away but then someone glared at Lysa and Catelyn "You better be careful what you do." The man said "You might have just endangered our entire family."
Catelyn knew who this man was, it was her uncle, Ser Brynden Tully. Her father Hoster Tully's younger brother and was better known as the Blackfish. Despite being well into middle aged, he was still unmarried and had refused to marry after he returned from war during the War of the Ninepenny Kings and had refused to marry a woman from House Hightower. This caused several arguments between the brothers and Brynden left and became a Knight of the Vale at the Bloody Gate.
"I was only doing what needed to be done." Catelyn claimed
"By taking the son of Tywin Lannister and the brother of the Queen?" Blackfish said "Tywin Lannister isn't going to take this well and even Prince Martin won't be very happy about this. We might be expecting a visit from him soon." Then Brynden walked off leaving Catelyn looking in shock.
King's Landing, Tower of the Hand:
After Eddard had heard the news that his wife had taken Tyrion Lannister, he knew he must inform Prince Martin and the King before this situation got out of control. He was happy when he saw Prince Martin himself along with Delphine and his Jaguar Storm at the garden and he seemed to be looking for someone.
"Prince Martin?" Eddard said and then Martin looked at him
"Lord Stark" Martin said "I was just looking for you."
"Did you hear what happened?" Eddard asked
Martin nodded "Yes I have and I know what your wife has done but I hope we can sort this situation out before it gets worse."
Before Martin could say more a Steward came over "Lord Stark, Prince Martin? The King has asked for you two to see him in the Council Chambers." He said
"Is it something to do with my Wife?" Eddard said
"No my Lord I believe it concerns Daenerys Targaryen." The steward said and Eddard and Martin shared a look of worry.
The Council Chambers:
"The Whore id pregnant!" King Robert growled "I warned you that this could happy and you said we should do nothing! Now I want them dead, mother and child and that Fool Viserys! I want them all dead."
"Your Grace you will dishonour your name with this." Eddard claimed
"Honour?" Robert said "You think this is about Honour, it about the Kingdoms"
"Bullshit!" Martin shouted "You've never done anything for the Kingdoms except win the throne and then you drink and whore leaving me and the Council to handle things! And this sounds more like murder, what had Daenerys done to you?"
"She is a dragonspawn!" Robert growled
"She's a married woman far from our reach and is no threat to us!" Martin growled "I would be more worried about Viserys but no one wants to help him. And the Dothraki will never cross as they fear any water their horses can't drink. They also have no reason to cross but if you killed Daenerys they will. And even if they did want to cross the narrow sea they would need many ships and the only places they can get enough ships are Bravos, Volantis and Qarth and I doubt they would be willing to invest in a pointless war!"
Robert looked at his son, Martin seemed to be getting more and more aggressive "Why are you defending that girl?"
"Because she hasn't done anything to us and she is no threat to us yet!" Martin claimed "If you want to bloody yourself with Targaryen blood then go for Viserys, I have my own spy network and they claim that Daenerys just wants to have a place to call home which she now has one with the Dothraki. Though they say Viserys is just as mad as his father so I have no problem with you killing him. But I warn you, if I hear that you've sent an Assassin after Daenerys then we'll see how well you can handle these Kingdoms without my help." Martin gave one last glare to his father before he left.
Later Eddard and Martin met up again "Thank you Martin for getting your father to see reason. He decided to call off the assassination attempt."
"He won't give up though" Martin said "He has been wanting to bloody his hands since the Greyjoy Rebellion." Then he looked at Delphine "Sent word to Farengar, tell him about what has happened and keep an eye on Daenerys and if Viserys goes too far, kill him."
…
Meanwhile, in another part of the Red Keep, Lord Renly Baratheon was with his lover, Ser Loras Tyrell. Loras was busying shaving the hair off his chest.
"I am shocked by my nephew's behaviour in the Council Chambers." Renly said "He has never been this aggressive before and he seemed to defend one Targaryen but not the other."
"Keep still." Loras said "How special is your nephew really?"
"Well he has travelled across Essos and rebuilt the city up which is more than what Joffrey has done. And let's not forget that he built the Royal Army which when it is finished will be a powerful force to be reckoned with. It's a shame that he is not the first born, he would have been a great King."
Loras looked at him "Do you know who should be King?"
Renly held a laugh "Be serious!" he snapped
"I'm serious" Loras said "You will be a great King, the people love you, my father will be your bank and I would fight for you, I may have not have fought in any wars but I'll fight for you."
"I'm fifth in line for the throne." Renly said "And people love Martin just as much."
"Joffrey is a monster, Tommen is eight, and Stannis has the personality of a lobster." Loras said
"My brothers always said that I'm squeamish, how I squirm at the sight of blood." Renly then said
"Well you were horrified during the Melee with that young Squire who got hit in the head by a mace." Loras chuckled
"His eye was dangling out of his socket." Renly replied "And also, no matter how hard I try I'll never be as good of a fighter as you." But then Loras cut him on his chest "What are you doing, you cut me?"
"Look it's just blood" Loras said "There's nothing to be worried about."
Renly looked at him "How is your sister doing?" he said after he has a look at the blood
"She's doing fine" Loras said "Father still hopes to arrange a match with her to the royal family."
"Well I think you may already have a match." Renly said "But not with Margery. Wilas has been keeping secrets because I've seen him and Alessia looking at each other."
Loras looked at him, this was just what he needed to help his family gain what they needed to become the power behind the throne.
…
Castle Black:
Jon Snow watched as Agmaer and several other Blades members sparred with the recruits of the Night's Watch. Jon was not very impressed by the recruits of the Watch, they were poorly equipped and barely able to fight. One member Rast was just a rapist and other recruits, Grenn and Pyp could be able to fight in they trained, they were still young men. There were some expert men such as Eddison Tollett better known as Dolorous Edd who was from a poor house in the Vale. He volunteered for the Watch. Another good fighter was Karl Tanner who was an expert with daggers though Jon didn't like him. People said that he was the best Cutthroat from King's Landing and he was quick with a knife. He also didn't seem to be loyal to the Watch.
"Not impressed are you snow?" Jon heard someone call and he turned to see Ser Alliser Thorne, the master of arms. Alliser was a Targaryen loyalist and was forced to join the Watch after Robert's Rebellion, he was a loyal man to the Watch but he was a man who wanted the best out of men. But Jon could see him as a loyal man and was definitely better than Karl.
"Most just seem to be farm boys." Jon said
"That may be true but soon these men will become men of the Night's Watch." Allister said "But until they take the Oath, they're just farm boys and Green Boys." Allister then left and then Jon was greeted with the arrival of the most Mysterious member of the Dawnguard, Serena.
"How are you doing Jon?" Serena asked
Jon sighed "I'm fine" he said "It's just that the Watch isn't as impressive as I hoped it would be. I thought it would be a place for honour and brave men. All it seems to be is a dumping ground for criminals."
"The stories of the White Walkers and other creatures from beyond the Wall have faded into legend and legends are often forgotten and told to be just stories. That's what most people believe these days but some legends do exist. I should know."
Jon looked confused "How would you know?"
Serena looked around to make sure that no one was looking, "Maybe it is time you know a little secret. I can tell you because no one is around. My secret is that I'm not completely human, I'm a Vampire.
"A Vampire?" Jon said shocked "Old Nan used to tell us stories of dark creatures called Vampires that would suck the blood from people."
"This stories are sadly true." Serena said "But not every vampire is evil, all I ever want is to be part of a family again, but it's too late, I doubt I can have a family. My father was once a great King among the First Men. He was powerful but was also a Tyrant, some say he may be an Ancestor of House Bolton though I'm not sure if that is true. But my father became obsessed with trying to find a way to become immortal and soon he found that in the Daedric Prince Molag Bal." Serena closed her eyes "It was horrible, he joined a cult of Molag Bal worshippers and forced me and mother to join him as well. Then on his summoning day, the cultists forced me and mother through a ritual which made us into what we are now."
"That's how you became a Vampire?" Jon asked shocked "Because you were forced by your father?"
"That's right" Serena said sadly "Then he sacrificed the souls of people to become one as well. Eventually the people overthrew him and we were forced into exile. But my father grew even madder and he became obsessed with this prophecy which claimed that Vampires would one day rule the world. It became too much for me and both I and my mother fled. I haven't heard anything from my mother ever since she sealed me away."
"And what was this Prophecy?" Jon asked
Serena sighed "I'm sorry Jon, but I can only tell you that if Isran allows me." She said before she walked away leaving a shocked Jon behind.
…
King's Landing, Martin's Chambers.
Prince Martin was in his room as he was busy trying to sort through some paperwork which he had from Tullius and the Legions. Apparently the Sixth Legion had been completed and was now assigned to the Riverlands while the Seventh Legion was nearly ready to be deployed and the Eighth was now beginning their training.
Martin sighed, he had a lot of work to do but he was glad that he was able to get his father to see reason about the Targaryen Girl. She didn't deserve to put killed just because she was the daughter of the Mad King.
But before Martin could continue with his work, there was a knock at his door "Come in."
The door opened and a tired Captain Burd and Itius Hayn, two captains of the Gold cloak came in "My Prince you must come now, Ser Jaime has gathered a force of Lannister men and he's off to get Lord Stark in order to force him to release Tyrion." Burd said
Martin sighed at this, he was afraid that this could happen. But now he decided to go and stop Jaime before this situation got worse.
…
Lord Eddard Stark was in the city at one of the Brothels. He wasn't there for pleasure, Eddard had gone there because Willas had said that this was the last place Jon Arryn had been before he died. Eddard was with one of the girls at the Brothel, a young girl was called Meghan. She had her young baby daughter which she called Barra who was one of the newly born bastards of King Robert.
"She looks like him, doesn't she my lord?" Meghan said "She has his hair, his eyes."
"Aye she does." Eddard said as he shook the baby girl's feet "What did Jon Arryn want with you."
"Well he just wanted to know if the Child was healthy, happy." Meghan said
"Right." Eddard said
"When you see him again my Lord, would you tell him how beautiful she is?" Meghan asked "And tell him that I've been with no one else, I don't know jewels or anything, just him."
Eddard then left Meghan and then he found Willas in the Brothel waiting for him along with Jory and two more Stark guards. "This Brothel was once Baelish's" Willas said "When he fled it was sold to a wealthy merchant."
"What was Jon Arryn doing inspecting King Robert's Bastards?" Eddard asked
"I'm afraid I don't know." Willas said "But he seemed to record the hair and eye colour of every one of his Bastards."
Eddard sighed, now he just had more questions. He got ready to leave but as soon as he left the Brothel, Ser Jaime Lannister came along with a force of Lannister soldiers.
"Lord Stark." Jaime called
"Ser Jaime." Eddard said back
"I warn you Ser, this is the Hand of the King you're threatening." Jory growled as he and the other Stark guards placed their hands on their swords. Willas went off to get the city watch before the situation got out of control.
"Lord Stark, I'm aware that my brother has gone missing on his trip back south. Taken by your wife." Jaime said
"Your brother was taken on my orders to answer for his crimes against my family." Eddard lied in order to protect his wife.
Jaime smirked and he got his men ready to fight, but before he could, there was a loud shout.
"ENOUGTH!"
Jaime and Eddard looked and they saw Prince Martin along with a force of Legionnaire soldiers who had come to King's Landing to help with the Goldcloaks.
"Prince Martin." Eddard said
"I want all these men to go home." Martin ordered
"Nephew, do you know what he's done?" Jaime asked
"Yes I know what has happened and there is something I need to tell you along with my parents." Martin said
Eddard and Jaime looked at him in wonder
Later, the council chambers.
Thankfully Jaime and Eddard had been able to avoid bloodshed thanks to Martin and they followed him to the Small Council Chambers where King Robert and Queen Cersei were there along with Joffrey and Alessia.
"Are you aware of what your wife has done?" Cersei growled at Eddard "He took my brother."
"Mother enough!" Martin snapped "Now I asked to see you because I think I know what's going on."
"Just why has Lady Stark taken the Imp?" Robert hissed
Martin sighed "Because someone attacked Catelyn on her way back to Winterfell and a letter was found." Martin said as he brought out the letter Sapphire brought back with her.
Jaime and Cersei read through the letter and were shocked by what it said
"It says that Tyrion ordered the attempt on Bran's life and the attack on Lady Stark." Jaime said shocked
Martin noticed a small smirk on Joffrey but he ignored it "That's what we're meant to believe but this letter has been forged." He said
"How do you know brother?" Alessia asked
"Because this is not Tyrion's handwriting and the Signature looks like Tyrion but that has been forged." Martin replied "But what gives it away is the Seal on the letter."
"That's the Lannister Seal." Robert said as he looked at the letter.
"Yes but the only people who use are Lord Tywin and his brother Kevan, Tyrion doesn't use the Lannister seal and it is also kept in Casterly Rock." Martin revealed "This seal is forged but only on close inspection which will reveal the Seal is wrong. This was forged."
"But how can someone forge the Lannister seal so accurate and why would someone do this?" Alessia asked
Martin narrowed his eyes "There is only one person I know off who could forge a letter, signature and seal this accurate. And at the same time have something against us."
"Wait" Robert said "You're not saying that this was done by him? He would not dare show his face here again after what he did."
"Who are you talking about?" Joffrey moaned
Martin narrowed his eyes "Our former master of Coin. Petyr Baelish."
End
Author's note: This chapter is finally finished, sorry it took a while but I needed to gather my ideas. I have also decided on who Martin will be romanced with but I won't say who yet but it won't be a Game of Thrones Character. I know that I have been close with Cannon so far but that will change when I reach the Civil War. I've also began writing my own Novel stories on my Fictionpress account which you can visit by using the Link on my profile.