Two n sat in a spacious solar. One was the King of the Seven Kingdoms; the other was his friend and Hand. They sat, drank watered wine, and traded stories with one another. It had beco their custom to gather and talk after their sparring sessions.
"Pfft. Your 'eight' is nothing to boast about. I've already done that. My target is higher. I want to reach seventeen, every region and every Free City." Seeing the king's stunned expression, Axel continued: "I only have Lorath, Qohor, and Norvos left to complete the set."
"Haha-ahaha." Robert roared with laughter. "Father used to say: 'our children must surpass us.' I just didn't think that was what he ant."
"Yes. I doubt my father would have been proud of these particular achievents."
"You know, I've always been proud of you. You are everything I ever wanted from life. You told the Lannisters to go to hell, went off to be a sellsword, and did exactly as you pleased. While I was marrying a viper, slowly killing myself with wine and whores, and sitting chained to that accursed Throne. I envy you, without a drop of bitterness in it, and I'm glad that at least soone managed to live that kind of life."
"Robert. I am grateful to you. You're the only one who has always stood behind , actually listened to . Not my father, not my uncle, not Ned. Every one of them tried to impose their idea of what was good for , but you... You always held my side."
"A toast! To understanding and friendship." The cup was emptied in a single draught.
They sat in comfortable silence, each in his own thoughts. After five minutes and another cup of wine, Robert spoke again.
"Will you take a word of advice from an old friend?" He received a nod and continued.
"Never let others change you. Do what you believe is right and to hell with the consequences." He took a long pull of wine. "I never wanted to be king, but they made into one. Look at now, I can barely fit into my own armor. No luck with the family either. My wife is a viper, my son is a cruel little hysteric, the younger one is a coward, Stannis plays the aggrieved martyr, and Renly despises while flattering my face. Everyone lies and no one will speak a plain truth, all of them hoping for royal favor. Every man in this accursed city wants to plant his tongue sowhere unpleasant."
"It may not be the done thing to say, but I don't envy you." Many would find fault with that, but Robert was deeply unhappy. "What I wouldn't give to throw it all aside and ride out into the world, galloping down the Kingsroad with swords at our belts and girls at our sides co evening. Battles where nothing but your own weapon and skill can save you."
"Yes, that would be sothing," the king agreed with a distant look in his eyes, but soon shifted his tone.
"Lord Axel Arryn, I offer you a royal match with my daughter, Myrcella Baratheon." He lent his voice a asure of ceremony.
"She's seven years old, isn't she?" Robert caught his skepticism imdiately. ( Myrcella was born in 288)
"She won't always be a child. Understand, she is my joy. I want her to be happy, and you can give her that."
"What of Ned's heir, or the Lannisters?"
"I'll arrange for Ned's eldest daughter to wed Joffrey, to beco the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. To hand them Myrcella on top of that would be wrong. And the opinion of mangy cats has never been any concern of mine. Cersei asked whether I might consider stepping aside from the throne in favor of her beloved Joffrey." He looked at Axel then as if sothing had just beco clear to him. "Take my heir as your ward."
"No. I'm occupied as it is, and he would consu far too much of my ti." Enough people disliked him already. If he also gained a claim over the heir apparent, his opponents would band together against him. He had more than enough power as it stood.
"Many would consider that the greatest of honors," Robert said, his displeasure plain.
"Then let those many deal with him." Robert fixed him with a threatening look, but seeing that he would not give ground, simply let out a quiet, tired sigh.
"Then, to the marriage to co." The toast sounded, and the cups rang together.
User Comments
0 comments from readers