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Chapter 72: Fixing The Vale.
🕑 Added 2024-11-20 06:22:21 +0000 UTCGame of Thrones: A Stark Shard.
Chapter 72: Fixing The Vale.
The Eyrie, The Vale.
Robb Stark.
Seeing my aunt crying her eyes out on the floor, I did not feel an ounce of sympathy for her. She had been manipulated masterfully by Baelish, but that didn't excuse everything she had done. Her infatuation for Littlefinger started when she was young. Still, he always ignored her since he only had eyes for my mother. Instead of growing up and understanding that her love for him was useless, she became bitter and jealous of Mother, something that pushed her far enough to kill her husband and almost give Baelish the keys to the Vale.
If I had been slower in my approach, taking Petyr out of the scene would have been easier. He was good at what he did, and I had no doubt that he would incorporate himself so deeply into the politics of The Vale that rooting him out would be much more complicated than now.
Even now, he had the support of multiple important people of this kingdom, from landed knights, to the smallfolk and even some lords hoping that throwing their lot with him would make it profitable for their houses. The only reason I wasn't that worried about it was that I had something they lacked… Power and two kingdoms behind me.
On the other hand, the Vale of Arryn was divided right now, with many lords worried by the increasing threat of the mountain clans and pirates from the three sisters. Even if the majority disliked my way of doing things, they would not be able to stop me without risking everything.
One thing I've learned in my new life here in Westeros is that the Lords prefer to suffer Humiliating defeats as long as their houses don't cease to exist. Even the proudest Lords would prefer that whoever kills them finishes whatever vendetta with their deaths. That's why Tywin was so feared. He was someone who didn't care for the advantages his house could get if it meant that no one would go against him in the future.
Just imagine that… I know for a fact that Tywin must have known long ago that the mines of Casterly Rock would dry out in his lifetime and even knew that he preferred to draw every Reyne in their mines just for the sake of his selfish desires and to make a point that he wasn't a person to be crossed lightly.
He could have helped them by stripping them of their lands or simply making the Reynes depend on the Lannisters for everything, taking control of their finances, and making sure they would never escape his clutches and any other Lord of Westeros who wasn't deranged would do that.
Understandably, no one wished to make Tywin their enemy after that, and the sacking of King's Landing cemented his name in the annals of history for the very same reason. I did not wish to be like him, and that's why I had been somewhat merciful at this point with my enemies. The only ones who were severely punished were the ones who I knew would not change their ways.
The older male Freys were dead for that reason, but I did not punish the children or the woman; it was needless cruelty, and I abhorred that. The same was true for the army of the Westerlands. Most lords or soldiers who did not die in battle were prisoners, I admit, but they were treated fairly. Only the ones who were set in their ways or tried to escape were punished by Harrion in the dungeons of Harrenhal.
His work on them was gruesome, but it was a necessary precaution if I did not want to risk an insurrection in the castle. Many Lords had been pampered by the protection Tywin's name provided, and they expected that I would fear him enough to allow concessions, something I would not do at all costs.
I would do the same with the houses of the Vale who decided to oppose me. I would defeat them soundly and offer two options: either following me to the iron island as fodder, manning the wall without joining the order, or joining it, depending on the amount of damage they caused before I stopped them.
I doubted it since I had the most prominent houses behind me. I offered much-needed security and support in the coming winter. I wasn't sure how much time I had until the others arrived on the wall; I only knew that I had at least two years to prepare. I hoped for more, but I didnt want to wait for them, i planned to make the last stand outside of the wall, not with many men, incase we needed to retreat, but enough to destroy a good portion of the undead army.
For that, I needed to hurry with my problems here. So, I focused on my crying aunt and the frowning cousin. Robin had been ecstatic with the violence of the massacre, but now that he had seen the estate her mother was in, he understood that it was not a show staged by her. He was slow, but I hoped whoever took him as a ward could shape him into an honorable lord.
"What are you going to do with us?" my aunt cried pathetically. Still, I ignored her momentarily, gazing at the almost catatonic Littlefinger near the door.
Letting out a sigh, I focused on Lysa: "I will take you to justice, aunt. The many crimes you have committed require you to answer for them."
Lysa cried harder, shivering in her spot, "Please," she begged, "Please, I'm family; I cannot be away from my sweet son; he needs me."
The pathetic sight just pissed me off, Lysa was a deranged woman, and she was obsessed to the point of making me uncomfortable. No, even if I wanted to forgive her or whatever, her son had to be taken away from her. He had a role in my future, and she would ruin it with her interference.
"You will be protected, but The Vale will no longer be your home; you will return to the Riverlands until the day you die, and you will be allowed to see your son whenever he decides to visit you; he will be a ward of someone of my choosing and I promise you he will be treated the same way a future Lord Paramount deserves," I told her mercilessly, not caring for her anguished cries until her body could not support the stress and lost consciousness.
"Well, that was something." Smalljon snorted, "Clearly, she has something wrong in the head."
"Careful, lad, she is family," Grunted the Blackfish without any heat, defending his family honor out of obligation and not caring.
"Can you tell the contrary?" Smalljon shook his head but lifted his hands in defeat after a slap on his shoulders by Dacey.
"All right, all right, enough of this." She continued as if she hadn't left a bruise on Smalljon's back.
"You fought so well, your grace," Dacey told me in a tone I didn't understand but made me shiver for some reason.
"Thank you, Dacey, I try." I smiled at her wryly and scooted away from her a bit.
Jon just shook his head, laughing a bit, "Aye, you keep getting better and better, brother. It was as if you were born to fight. I never saw Father moving like you whenever he used ice."
The Blackfish shook his head, "There is no normal way someone your size should move that kind of sword like that, lad."
"What do you mean?" Asked Dacey, tilting her head to the side.
"He is five and ten name days old, for the seven's sake," He grunted, "Even if I did not want to believe the talk of being chosen by your gods, I cannot deny the effect they have on you, your body is blessed, lad. You are way too strong for your age; no one besides the mountain could compare to your age, not even the late King Robert. He was a beast on the battlefield, but when he was your age, he did not move like you."
"A good thing someone like me was favored by the Old Gods, then." I laughed, "Could you imagine someone like the Bolton bastard having the same advantages as me?"
Smalljon shuddered. He remembered the time we entered the Dreadfort to take out the last Boltons, and he committed the error of reading through some diaries about their crimes inside the hidden dungeons. He was never the same after that. The rest of us barely took a peek, unlike him, and even we were repulsed by what was written inside.
"I… Please don't say that again anymore," begged Smalljon, with Dacey and the Blackfish looking at him confusedly, even more, when Jon nodded frantically.
"Was he that bad?" Asked Dacey with a whisper, "Now that I think about it, you all never speak much about that time."
"And for a good reason," deadpanned Jon, "He was a monster in human skin. He killed Domeric Bolton, his brother, the heir of the Dreadfort when Domeric ignored his father's warnings about his bastard brother. Roose Bolton always knew what kind of monster he had sired, having raped Ramsay's mother when her husband failed to pay tribute or something. We are not sure how much he tried to warn Domeric. Still, he grew up here in The Vale away from his family, and we all know that Roose was not a warm father, so he either ignored the warnings or simply hoped that his father was lying. According to what we heard after their deaths, Domeric found Ramsay and tried to befriend him, but Ramsay poisoned him, and the poor fool died, shitting his guts out. A horrible sight and worse smell, according to the servants of the castle that needed to clean his body for the ceremony."
"I remember the lad," Nodded the Blackfish, "He was a good kid. Lord Horton was worried when he did not return, and the Leech only said that he died of natural causes."
"Aye, he had no heir after Domeric death," Nodded Jon, "So he kept it hidden and took Ramsay under his wing, but he was crueler than his father, and it bit them in the ass since that attracted our attention."
"Well deserved." Grunted my great uncle, "I remember the Leech Lord when we fought in the battle of the Trident. The way he looked at people weirded me the fuck out."
"They are dead, so it doesn't matter anymore." I shook my head. Let's focus on the present. I want two of you to go to the master's room and ask for all of the servants to come here. We will be waiting. In the meantime, I will speak with the cockroach."
"Come with me, lass. People know me here; a familiar face will help them calm down." Scoffed my great uncle.
"Before I go, I wanted to ask for something, lad." He told me seriously, "Don't kill the bastard yet; ask for the rest of the houses to arrive. Kill him in front of everyone."
I just nodded and waved him on, "I'll be careful. Jon, Smalljon, with me."
With everything done, we all moved to finish our jobs. The knights who were still alive were prostrating on the floor, their heads touching it, not moving an inch.
"Take their weapons away from them and move them to the table," I ordered my friends, who started immediately.
The knights did not make any overt moves, but they helped whenever they could. They were docile after the resounding defeat of their peers. They moved skittishly, afraid of my changing my decision.
They didn't need to worry that much; they served me more alive than dead. Even if, in the battle against the dead, they only managed to kill two single wights, it would be more than enough. I had uses for every fighter in the realm, and I could not waste the men.
"What is going to happen to Mother?" Robert asked innocently, "Are you a bad man? Will you kill her? I heard a lot about you from Mother and Lord Baelish. They are afraid of you… Should I be afraid of you?" He continued in Jon's arms.
Letting a deep sigh, I motioned to Jon to stop holding my cousin, "Come here, Robin." I said with the softest voice I could muster.
"Do you know who I really am, Robin?" I asked softly, rubbing his head to calm his trembling form.
"You are the devil Mother was talking about." He nodded thoughtfully, and I could not stop my lips from curling up.
"I am a devil," I said seriously, and just to mess with him, I made the cloud of insects on top of us vibrate hard, the windows rattled, and the boy squeaked in fright.
"But only to bad people," I continued smiling, "I only hurt those who have committed crimes against the realm. Do you know who else I am?"
"No," Robert shook his head, his eyes red from crying, but he was hugging my body with all the force his frail body could muster.
"We are cousins, Robert." I smiled and lifted him up, putting him on my shoulders.
The kid squealed in joy and whooped around as I tried to calm him down. I knew that he was prone to whiny fits, something that I wished to avoid for the moment since I already could see through my insect's eyes that a large group of men and woman were arriving behind the Blackfish and dacey along a younger (compared to others I've seen) maesters, he had thinning hair, and he was shifting nervously outside the hall.
"I would never hurt you, and while things will change a lot, I promise that Lysa will not lose her life." I told Robert softly, "Now, why don't you try to sleep? We can play tomorrow."
I discreetly used an insect to inject Propofol, a fast-acting anesthetic used in my past life. The dose was small enough for his body, so it would not harm him at all. I created this with the help of the master at Harrenhal and the green men, who knew a lot about the plants of Westeros.
The one person I hoped to gain allegiance to was the maester who made the zombie mountain. I did not remember his name, but his knowledge would be helpful in the long run. He was amoral but capable. I would try to bring him to heel, but if he proved too difficult to control, I would do whatever was necessary to stop him from helping my enemies.
I didn't even remember when he first appeared in the series, so I needed to figure out where to start searching for him. I only knew that he became the Lannister's maester, but that could change since this world was way different than canon.
The butterflies and all that.
It was a shame, truthfully, but I had already ordered every man under my command to search for a disgraced maester who was expelled from the citadel. It was tiny, but It was all the information I had.
"We are here, lad." Grunted the Blackfish, "Here is everyone who did not escape during the commotion."
"I expected more guards." Said Jon while rubbing his chin.
"Cowards ran away." Snorted Dacey.
This would not do. I hoped that Lord Royce would find a way to change the sad state of affairs when he got the green flag from me. I never planned for my cousin to go all the way to the north, nor the Riverlands, for that matter. I just wanted the Lord's Declarant to promise me to do their best at molding him and giving me some concessions since I was giving them a favor.
"Now that everyone is here," I smiled and clapped my hands. I can see some of you recognize me, but for the ones who can't, allow me to introduce myself. I am Robb Stark, King of the North and the Riverlands, soon to be King of the Vale."
Some of the servants and soldiers smiled at hearing that. I made a note of them since I could use some help when I wasn't here in the future. Others were confused, and a small group had a frown on their faces. I needed to make sure to investigate them fully before I left.
"You may have heard of me," I opened my arms widely. But you have nothing to fear. As long as you do not make my life difficult, no one will suffer under me. I ask you all to return to your chambers tomorrow to continue whatever you usually do. I only ask for the master to stay with us."
Some were confused, and others grumbled, but everyone left the hall rapidly.
"What is your name, Maester?" I asked.
"Colemon, your grace. What do you need of me? Am I in trouble?" The maester asked fearfully, cleaning his brow with his arm.
"Not at all, my good man. I just wished for you to keep my little cousin under your care. Things will change in the coming days, and a familiar face will help him. When I return to the Riverlands, I will send some of our healers to check his condition." I replied softly.
"Thank you, your grace. I was at my wit's end with what to do with him. Lord Baelish even suggested using sweet milk, but I avoided it since it is quite toxic." He replied with a softer tone, "I love the boy, and I had been afraid of how to help him; I'm afraid that his sickness surpasses my knowledge,"
"It's good that you accept your limits, maester. Before that, he will be under your care. I just need one other thing from you." I nodded understandingly.
"Anything, your grace." He bowed his head.
"I want you to send a raven to all houses in the Vale and ask for everyone to come here to see the trial for my aunt and little finger," I said seriously. I mean everyone, master. If you have a way to contact the mountain clans, do so. I will have no more banditry here if I can help it, and if I can avoid bloodshed, I'll do so gladly."
"I'll do my best, your grace," he nodded. But I would not be hopeful about it; they are quite stubborn."
"Just do so; if they decide to fight, they will suffer the consequences."
Maester Colemon nodded and took little Robert with him in his arms. The dose I had injected him with was enough to keep him sedated until tomorrow morning. I would wait for my army to arrive at the bloody gate before I left for Seagard. In the meantime, I would get everything in order here. I needed the men, so I had much to do before leaving.
Since the borders of the Riverlands were closed, I would take all of my remaining army to the Iron Islands, along with whoever from the Vale wished to follow me and some Northmen. I had to send a raven to Winterfell to alert Father that it was time to move.
It's been a while since I've seen my family, and I missed them dearly.
A little under two years… I think that will be enough for me to finish the war for the iron throne and return victoriously to my true home.
The Sky Cells, The Eyrie.
I had to admit… seeing below the hole in the dungeons scared the crap out of me. I didn't know if I would have to ride a Dragon or something when Daenerys arrived here, but now that I was seeing the ground from this high up, I couldn't deny it no longer. I was scared
We were here because we needed a place for Littlefinger to stay while the Lords of the Vale arrived for his trial, but knowing the bastard, he would jump just to spite me, so I had a wonderful Idea.
I wanted him to mellow before his trial, and what better way to do that than the sky cells? I would use millions of my insects to create a solid wall with multiple but small openings so that he could still see but never jump to his death. That way, he would suffer doubly from the fear of my insects, being unable to sleep thanks to the sound and the normal fear of the famous cells. A wonderful combination, if I do say so myself.
I didn't know I scared him so much, but he did not wake up in the hall, so he had to be dragged here. In a way, it was better like this. He brings something I kept under control at all times, my wrath. Just seeing him pisses me off like nothing else in this world, and I don't know why. Realistically, all his plans against me had been thwarted by yours truly, so he did not do anything to me. Still, I hated, hated so much seeing his face. It was better that he was unconscious; that way, I did not risk making him a head shorter than he already was.
Lysa, on the other hand, was under the direct supervision of the Blackfish. She would also go into the trial, but I would not allow harm to befall her, besides throwing her out of the Vale, of course.
She would die in the Riverlands under the watchful eyes of her family. I trusted Edmure enough to know better than to listen to her. She was the one who started this mess, just like my father. I didn't know for sure how different it would be if Jon Arryn had never died, and to be honest, I did not care for that impossibility, but it all started with her.
She was manipulated, true, but she also was guilty of falling under Littlefinger's web. Everyone that knew him understood that he was a slimy bastard that should not be trusted, but her twisted love made her do some stupid things in the name of love.
"Throw him there, and make sure you feed him enough so that he doesn't die under your watch," I told Smalljon. While the guard who took care of the sky cell was here, he was somewhat of a dimwit, so I didn't want him messing things up. Smalljon would stay close, and with the insect's wall, I could always watch him. Thankfully, since I could leave orders to my insects, I was not worried about them disappearing when I fell asleep.
With Petyr in the cells, I leaned on the wall. "Well, that's everything done. The next couple of days will be tiresome, but knowing that he will die by my hands makes this hassle worth it."
"I never liked him, even as a kid," Scowled the Blackfish. I told my brother to kick him out, but he didn't listen until the spat with your uncle Brandon."
"Aye, he was like that." I nodded at him, "Chaos is a ladder, or so he says. Not that it will help him now."
"Good job, lad." He nodded proudly. Now, let's go to sleep. I'm no longer a young man, and following you is tiresome."
"We barely did anything," Snorted Jon. Are you sure you are up to following us to the Iron Islands, old man?"
"Watch your tongue, you insufferable lad." My great-uncle continued to scowl. "know I would beat you black and blue in a spar."
Jon laughed good-naturedly, "Give me a year, and it will be you on the floor,"
The Blackfish conceded with a nod, "Aye, you are both scary lads, but I'll take my chances with you more than your brother now."
My four guards nodded in unison, and I would deny it until my death; I did not pout at them.
"I'm having trouble finding sparring partners," I did not pout.
Main chambers, The Eyrie.
"Are you awake, Robb?" asked my guard in a soft voice tonight. I repeatedly told them I didn't need it, but they ignored my grievances. Tonight was different. whoever was watching over me at night didn't bother me at all, so the first thing I did was use the couple thousand insects outside my room to check the perimeter.
"I am now," I grumbled when I saw everything calm. "Did you need anything, Dacey?"
"I wanted to talk to you, Robb," She said as she approached my bed.
"What can I do for you?" I asked confusedly, "Is everything all right?"
"I never felt this conflicted, you know?" she whispered with a weird smile on her face, now that she was sitting on the edge of my bed. "Ever since you saved me in the battle of Riverrun, I had been thinking of doing this."
"Do what?" I tilted my head to see her directly in the eyes, but the sight stole my breath away. She was looking at me vulnerably, her eyes misty, and she looked at my face with a face I did not expect someone like her to make.
"I know it's wrong and cannot last, but I do not care. I do not wish to die with regrets, and the possibility of me dying in battle is high, so let me have this." She continued looking me directly into my eyes.
"What are you…" I started but gasped, feeling her soft lips touching mine. My heart was beating erratically, hard enough to startle me, and I was lost in the moment.
After a minute of her kissing me, I returned the favor, savoring her lips with gusto.
"We shouldn't be doing this," I murmured, but continuing the kiss after a small respite.
"I do not care," Dacey said forcefully, tangling her hands in my hair to bring it closer to hers.
