"You're right." I nodded. "The fate of most ladies is to be married off to a lord, rather famously not one of their preference. Some are luckier than others, of course, but the rest of their days are spent living in their husband's castle, raising his children and serving his needs regardless."
"But... that's not something you're against, is it? As long as the man in question suits you, it would not be too far from ideal."
I looked at her as she slowly nodded. Her blue eyes seemed a tone darker than I remembered. I'd guess she had much time to reflect in Winterfell.
"It seems that my heart is intent on choosing wrong over and over again... leading me to someone I can't reach each time."
"I can't fault you for that; the heart is something we rarely have control over. But... mayhaps you were right this time."
I smiled, being almost certain of who she spoke of. Sansa wouldn't give her favour to just anyone.
"A true and noble knight with a heart of virtue. A famed war hero at so young an age, a bright star that many aspire to already, a selfless and honourable man who puts others before himself without even thinking, and a determined warrior who could overcome any obstacle. Though often overly serious and dutiful, he has quite the sense of humour when you get to know him."
"Do I speak of the right person...?"
"I'd stop you midway if you weren't." She nodded slowly. "Yet you forgot to mention that he is your Kingsguard, a man bound to his oaths."
"If it were entirely up to me, I'd give my blessing and make him swear new, slightly changed, oaths." I shrugged.
"... Truly?"
"He is my closest friend, my brother in arms - I'd never deny him his happiness." I nodded, smiling. "But, unfortunately, Ser Arthur... has long since wed lady duty and hardly ever looked the other way. Even so, no matter how hard he tries to be an ideal Kingsguard, he is a man, and that is one thing he cannot ever change. We struggle to understand ourselves at times, sometimes going so far as to convince ourselves into becoming something that we aren't."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Arthur might very well truly seek the same thing as you. If you asked me, you two would be adorable together... but that's just me."
My words seemed to spark a sense of confidence in Sansa Stark. Her deep blue eyes looked clear again. I hoped that this was the right decision - that I hadn't led her astray again. The rest would be up to Arthur...
"..." She smiled, performing a rather perfect curtsy. "Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Your Grace."
"I wouldn't quite call it wisdom, but you're welcome."
"If you would have me... I'll be joining your company on the ride south."
"Of course." I nodded. "However, as a warning, we'll be in a little bit of a rush."
"That's fine by me."
"Then get your rest, my lady."
"You'll be riding out on the morrow?"
"No, but the day after, mayhaps. As much as I'd like to stay around... I'm needed elsewhere."
"I understand."
Before long, she parted and faded into the distant woods leading to the keep. Though, I knew that there was still someone else - who thought she was being supremely sneaky. Alas, I had the keen sense of a hunter.
"Arya, how long do you plan on stalking me?"
"You knew the entire time?" Arya peaked from a tree a good walk away.
"Of course, who do you take me for?" I raised an eyebrow, laughing lightly. "I've been in hunts since I was seven."
"Mhm... of course."
"Well, what do you think of what you overheard?"
"My sister does love chasing boys and men that she shouldn't... and you should know that the one thing Arthur treasures the most is his honour and duty. He'd sooner die than break his oaths."
"He wouldn't have to break anything if I changed them."
"Isn't that worse, in a sense? You're disregarding the virtues that he cares most for and has dedicated so much towards upholding."
"Tell me, Arya, what will duty leave him with when he is sixty and beyond his prime? What legacy will he leave?"
"That of the greatest knight to ever draw breath. A life spent shielding king and friend alike." She answered.
"... Indeed, a title of endless prestige and glory. Our friendship will no doubt birth countless fond memories throughout our lives. It may well be enough, but what if it isn't? What if he regrets not seeking something more - what if he feels empty in his heart and is too old to do anything about it? That is what I'm trying to prevent."
"If I am wrong, then so be it, and yet if I am right... I would've averted this tragedy and granted him the happiness that he has more than earned. Do you see what I see?"
"... Yes. But if you're wrong, you just sent Sansa on a wild goose chase."
"When you fell for the first time, did you stop walking?" I asked rhetorically. "Love is something worth fighting for, even if you trip and fall a hundred times. Some are lucky and get it right the first time, others search for their entire lives. It's not something you can entirely control… but I know one thing for certain; you won't find it without taking that first step forward."
"Do you think that I was lucky?" Arya suddenly questioned.
It was the kind of question that landed you right into a field of thorns and broken glass everywhere you could step. I didn't reply immediately, giving it some thought. Instinctively, even Hyperfocus had activated itself, and the world slowed.
"It depends on how you feel."
It likely wasn't the best thing to say, but I found it rather amusing to deflect the question right back like a hot potato.
"Mhm…" Her grey eyes sized me up. She could've thrown the question right back, and I even expected her to - but she didn't. "So... what will you do about your children?"
"Nothing… yet. There's more important matters at hand."
"Like?"
I smiled slightly.
"You'll see."
~
[Arthur's POV]
In Edric's absence, small council meetings had grown infrequent, as Hand and Regent preferred not to work side by side. Alas, for special occasions, they were obligated to do so. This seemed to be such a case.
"This morning, we received a letter bearing the royal seal. This letter contained a list of orders that would dramatically shift the future of the Realm - which is why you are all here. As we all know, our King's accomplishments at such a young age are, indeed, unprecedented, yet his youthfulness and inexperience should be taken into account when we consider these orders in particular…" Renly opened the meeting, passing the letter to Gormon Tyrell. "If you would, Grand Maester."
"The first of the royal decrees is an alliance between His Grace and… Princess Daenerys 'Stormborn' of the House Targaryen, announcing that all who stand against her are also standing against him and will suffer his fury in due time."
There were more than a handful of odd looks, and even Arthur himself found it a strange decree to make.
"I know some of you have much to say in regards to this but, Grand Maester, do continue." Renly smiled slightly. "Believe me, there's a fair bit more to this."
"The second on the list of decrees is the formation of a royal host composed of seven thousand Tyrell bannermen, six thousand Harlaw bannermen, four thousand Lannister bannermen and another thousand Crownlanders. In addition, the entire Royal Fleet alongside the Iron Fleet is to be prepared for the host with the provisions required for an extensive journey."
That… was quite a great force, especially in Edric's hands. Equally as concerning was the matter of where over half of the fighting men came from - former enemies. The Iron Islands had lost many of their fighting men in their defiance, so six thousand amounted to half, if not more, of what they could muster.
Surrounding himself with thousands of former foes who possess the seeds of resentment wasn't the safest option… but it was very clearly intentional.
"The third decree is to make Night's Watch recruitment and provisions a Realm-wide concern, with each region contributing a fair share to the effort."
"The fourth decree is to spread word of the existence of the Others to every corner of the Known World, spreading awareness and seeking aid from neighbouring Free Cities in the coming winter. Provisions and dragonglass are the priority."
"There is a second letter speaking of these 'Others' in greater detail, which we will dicuss after," Renly added.
What are these Others, truly? To make Edric act with such urgency…
"The fifth is to… build as many functioning glass houses as possible, throughout the Realm and in every holding."
"The sixth decree is for all Valyrian steel weapons, alongside Dawn, to be designated to worthy warriors should the Wall be breached. If this order is ignored by those holding these weapons, they shall be forcefully seized by the Crown."
Randyll Tarly didn't look concerned, nor did Arthur doubt his ability. Although, he couldn't say the same for every owner of such steel in the Realm…
"The seventh, and final, royal decree states that his natural children be brought to court alongside their mother as he wishes to see them in person."
There was a moment of silence as Gormon Tyrell put down the letter, the seven decrees sinking in with each passing moment. Arthur had a feeling he knew what the Regent would say to the first decree… and perhaps a couple others, as well.
"A great list of demands, wouldn't we all agree?" Renly chuckled.
"The demand for 7,000 of our men seems oddly… targeted." Mace Tyrell added. Knowing how Edric could be petty, Arthur found it very possible.
"Does the Lord Tyrell's loyalty waiver? House Florent would gladly support His Grace in any endeavour."
Alester Florent did not miss an opportunity to undermine his Lord Paramount.
"And for what purpose is this royal host being amassed in the first place?" Renly questioned, his gaze going across the table. "The royal navy, provisions for an extensive journey, eighteen thousand men… if not for this freshly decreed alliance to the last Targaryen. The same Targaryens that his father usurped and sent into exile, the same father who ordered her assassination - how could this be anything but foolish? Edric is still young and likes to place his trust in people, but… the Targaryens are not known for their kindness and forgiveness, are they?"
"He would be doing no more than sailing himself and all those men straight into the jaws of her dragons!"
Many among the Small Council nodded, others speaking in agreement except Varys. Renly had put their concerns into words rather well. Not only that, but he had also made it sound like he was defending Edric from himself, which was very much a Regent's duty.
"Agreed." Even the Lord Hand, Stannis nodded. "The first two decrees would not serve the Realm. Daenerys has made countless enemies in the east, and fighting them would only benefit her. Where was this alliance even agreed upon? It seems to be no more than Edric's wishes…"
Arthur felt like one man in the middle of a storm. The entire Small Council, Lord Hand and Regent all unanimously agreed to overrule the King's decree. By all rights, he should not have even been inside of that room being only a 'serjeant' of the Kingsguard - a rank that hadn't even existed until recently.
If he did not speak now, nothing would change. Even if he did, what were the chances of him changing enough minds for the decree to go through? Doubt settled in his mind…
He was a knight, not a politician.
And yet, he was the only one willing to speak in favour…
"Not to mention that we are only at the beginning of a winter that is projected to be the longest in living memory and grow harsher with each passing moon." Gormon Tyrell added, shaking his head. "The Realm's men shouldn't be wasted on such distant foreign conflicts, especially when they are most needed in their homeland."
"It is settled then..."
"No," Arthur spoke up. "It is not settled."
"..." Renly raised an eyebrow, looking at him. "Do you have something insightful to share, Serjeant?"
The entire Small Council turned to him. Arthur did not waver, stepping forward until he was within arm's reach of the centre of the table.
"Have you all forgotten who ourKing is?" Arthur's eyes burned an almost golden colour, reflecting the passion in his heart. "Do we forget who sent the letter for the Lord Hand to act and prevent the Lannisters from escaping? Do we forget who took command of the royal host and bested the Lannisters without losing a single man - the same King who invaded the Iron Islands with a small fleet and embarrassed them? King who brought an end to the Mountain Clans that had plagued the Vale for thousands of years with a couple dozen men where the Lords of the Vale had failed for countless generations?"
"The King who made the Realm whole after not one, not two, but THREE consecutive resistances by separate Lord Paramounts and never lost a single battle... are we doubting that same King?!"
Arthur took a deep breath, letting his words sink deep. He felt the atmosphere of the room change. Alester Florent smiled, and Randyll Tarly nodded. Many others who had been against the decree had various different looks.
"Well said, Ser Arthur." Oberyn clapped. "I can see why His Grace favours you so greatly."
"... Doubtlessly, Edric is a genius at war." Renly had changed his tone. "But this circumstance is different-"
"Is it?" Arthur questioned. "What do you think the eighteen thousand men are for, Lord Regent, if not for war? You spoke of the jaws of the dragon, but what of the storm that has sunk everything in its path? His Grace would not make these decrees loosely nor waste his time chasing pointless adventures... and you, as the Small Council, are duty-bound to carry out his will."
"Well, Lord Renly is the Regent... so he is well in his power to overrule the underaged King's commands." Mace Tyrell added.
"I know Edric - better than any one of you. He made you, Renly, the Lord Regent because he believed that you, out of everyone in the Realm, would best represent him... but, uncle or not, if you ignored this decree, I promise he would unmake you just as easily."
"... Is that so?" Renly's expression shifted. He looked more glum than doubtful, if not in some pain at that realisation.
"You'd leave him no choice." Arthur slowly nodded.
"..."
"It is said that Daenerys has many powerful enemies in the east, primarily slavers with pockets lined with gold." Davos Seaworth, an advisor chosen by Stannis personally, spoke up. "Considering that His Grace has never lost a battle and the force he is asking for is considerably great, the spoils of war would more than make for the journey, if not provide substantial profit with little risk..."
"A pirate would know." Paxter Redwyne remarked.
"A former smuggler." Davos Seaworth corrected. "But I've seen much of the world in my time regardless."
"Davos is right." Stannis Baratheon nodded. "Instead of waiting for Daenerys to come to us with three adult dragons in an invasion, Edric could confront her directly... as a friend or foe before they are grown. If this sudden alliance falls apart, His Grace will put her fire out before it could burn a single blade of grass in the Seven Kingdoms."
"And if... by some miracle, this alliance is true, then there is much to be gained," Oberyn added, stroking his chin. "Though, an amusing question is, how strong could this alliance truly be? A young king and queen, both unwed... the remaining Targaryen loyalists could be well pleased."
"... I wonder if that's the goal in all of this." Renly smiled slightly. "He has already sent Ser Barristan to her aid, now this. It would be a vast effort for a simple alliance. What do you think, Lord Varys?"
"I do know that His Grace will be very amused when he hears of what occurred in this Small Council chamber," Varys said, deflecting the question slightly. "In regards to assisting the princess, he was denied once yet still found a way. I do not doubt that he foresaw a similar, if not stronger, reaction again..."
Was this all... a test?
Arthur's eyes widened in surprise.
A moment of silence washed over the room that felt like a century.
"My lords... His Grace placed his faith in each of you when this Small Council was reformed from the ashes of old. Faith that you would enact his will, advise him and rule the Realm in his absence." Ser Arthur spoke, breaking it. "Is having faith in him, just this once, even if you have your doubts - so great an ask?"
Renly sat in contemplation where Stannis rose first.
"I will stand by these decrees." Stannis looked across the table. "If we remain idle and let the tides take us, then this will be our last winter. I believe he knows much that we do not... even if I have doubts in this 'alliance', I will not doubt Edric's ability to see this through."
"Agreed." Randyll Tarly nodded. "When it comes to war, there is no equal to His Grace. It seems to me that he seeks to make use of his greatest gifts to benefit the Realm as a whole."
"He has my vote for what it is worth." Oberyn Martell smiled. "This might just end as another glorious campaign to add to his growing list of victories."
"If the Lord Tyrell does not wish to give away so many men, then House Florent's banners would gladly rise in service to His Grace." Alester Florent added.
It seemed that Stannis' side of the Small Council rallied behind his decision, whereas the members chosen by Renly remained hesitant - waiting for the Lord Regent's opinion on the matter.
"In the end, we seek to do what we think is best for the Realm - whether it is true or no. Despite what my mind tells me, in my heart, I believe that everything Ser Arthur said is true." Renly admitted. "Edric... sees the world in a different light, a way that most men cannot. Some say he is the Chosen Son of the Seven, a god come to life; others think he is the Prince that was Promised, among a hundred other things. And yet, one thing is for certain: he is no ordinary boy. We've all seen it in some form; war, diplomacy, foresight... and today, as the Lord Regent, I have been convinced to stand by his vision and do everything in my power to see it through."
And so... the rest fell in line.
The Seven Decrees would be carried out.