when you play the game of thrones you win or you die
Years have passed since King Tommen's reign over the Seven Kingdoms, and with those years things haven't changed. Much.
King Jon Hightower managed to regain the treasury from being in debt, that alone took many years. The Late King Tommen
was the last of his pure name, he left no heirs and married no woman. His brothers were struck down in a rebellion in
the Free Cities, his father had long passed.
So who gained the Iron Throne? Whose rightful place was to be seated in a thousand swords? No one knew, and no one still knows.
The High lords of Westeros meet each moon cycle to talk about things that have gone amiss in their Homelands, and to hear
the people of King's Landing. But how much longer will this go on? Time grows short for the Kingdom, for a storm is brewing.
Who will reign over the once mighty Kingdom?
"Well of course, my lady. He is bigger and stronger than all others in King's Landing. You might even say that he is the...King of the Dog's." a light chuckle escaped his lips. It was nice to jest every now and then, even if it were at small expense of himself. Truly, he did miss having Winter at his side at all times. The direwolf was the only family that he had, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if he lost him.
"And you are wrong on one count, the Lords Clegane are still thriving in the south as ever."
"Aye, the Hound may live in the South, but the Mountain that Walks was slain by the Red Viper of Dorne years ago. The Viper used a poison spear, so that even though he perished he took his sister's murderer with him." The tale was an old one that nearly everyone had heard of, about how the man who was as tall as a mountain was slain by some mere poison.
The young lord ran his fingers through his light curls. "I agree, my lady. The throne does look a lot nicer without all the clutter of people." he said, ignoring the woman's remark about being a singer, "Alas, it seems that I am in need of an heir. It seems that I just haven't found the right woman to do so yet." the words slipped off his lips with a small smirk.
Lady Arryn's words chilled Brandon to the bone. Of course he knew that the Lady of the Eerie had only been teasing him as she always did, but being called a dog brought back memories of his wet nurse's stories of a man who once plagued the lands. "My lady, I believe you have mistaken me. The Hound died long ago and there has been no Lord dog since then." sighing, he continued to try and please the woman. "And no, I'm afraid I do not have Winter here in council with my, but never fear, for he is here my lady."
The tall young man strolled over to his seat at the large table below the Iron Throne. These meetings can be really dull, and so very amusing at the same time the Lord of Winterfell thought as he sighed. He missed his snowy castle, though he would get lonely sometimes. Maybe it was time he wed, he was getting on in his age after all. Two-and-twenty was plenty old enough for a wife, plus he needed a heir to take Winterfell after he did.
"I wonder how much longer it will be before the rest of the Lords get here, I don't want to wait all day." His auburn curls fell just above his blue eyes, the coloring had run in the family. Some said he looked like his great great grandfather, the Young Wolf, though he thought that they were just being kind.
Dawn had just broken through the dark night skies before Brandon Stark was awoken with a start. Slowly his heart beat began to slow back to its normal pace as he realized where he was. Unlike Winterfell, the Red Keep's walls did not have warm spring water flowing through them making the castle seem much harsher than it was.
"I require a warm bath and fresh clothing." He spoke with a light voice to the serving maids, as to not frighten them. A quiet "yes m'lord" was heard from two different maidens as the scampered off. Quickly Lord Stark rose and put on a grey and white woolen robe.
Not long after he somewhat dressed one of the serving girls came with his bath. "You may leave me now, I can scrub my own back." Quickly, he bathed and dressed himself in the proper attire to be on the council. He wore a simple white wool shirt with black breeches, along with a grey and white cloak pinned together by a broach in the shape of a direwolf.
"Lord Tyrell, it's a pleasure to see you. I hope all is well with Highgarden, I know it is tedious to be so far away from home." the words were simple, but not without truth.
The thing is, she...Passed away. It happened just over a year ago, to be honest."
The words fell ill on Brandon`s ears. Although he had never taken a with, he could only imagine what terrible feeling Lord Arryn had felt, and probably still felt. "I'm truly sorry to hear that, but I must ask...do you intend to marry once more? I plan to marry once I find a suitable...house."
[/colour] He was talking about a house alliance, though if he could he would choose to marry someone he loved.
The wind blew and Winter, Brandon`s white direwolf began to growl. "Aye, I believe he has caught scent of something. We should catch it, perhaps we could share the spoils."[/colour] it was simply polite gesture, to try and gain the true of the Lord of the Eryie and and the Warden of the East.[/blockquote][/blockquote]
"True, but from what I understand most lords just hire professional huntsmen to get their meat for them."
"Aye, I like to know what I am eating and do not mind getting my hands dirty."
[/color] It was simple, the High lords were at risk of being killed more than ever, if one died then a bigger opening had been made for someone new to take the Throne. That was not something he was willing to risk for a simple well cooked meal. A simple slip of poison was all it took to bring down a man, the Old Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, had proven that.
"Tell me Lord Balthazar, have you taken a wife yet?"[/color] It was an honest question, though it would tell Brandon whether or not he'd lost an ally due to the marriage of the enemy. It did not pain Brandon to speak to Lord Arryn as it had to speak to Lord Tyrell. To him, the Lord of Highgarden had a look of hunger about him, one that wouldn't be satisfied by a nice stew of venison. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]
"It has come to my attention that the royal treasury actually has a surplus now for the first time since King Robert I's reign."
The words caught Brandon's attention. Of course the treasury was in a surplus, they hadn't had any reason to celebrate in a long time, nor hand they been making repairs to King's Landing to keep the people happy. That was something they needed to start doing, seeing the people. If they ignored everyone but themselves, there would be just a bunch of empty land to rule over.
"Lord Balthazar, Lord Leo. We must be positive about these things. If we appear to be feuding in front of the people, they will get scared." It was a boring task, to hear people complain about simple things like a stolen chicken, or a bastard boy wanting to make a claim.
The Iron Throne sat to his right, each edge sharp as when it was forged for the Targaryen King. Sitting on the Throne looked uncomfortable, however it was once said that ruling a kingdom shouldn't be easy.
"These meetings are to keep the peace of the Kingdoms. We gather here to help contribute to each other, and keep the peace in King's Landing. If we did not gather, the Seven Kingdom's would crumble away in to dust."
[/color] Brandon couldn't bear to see the other Lords talk so horribly about the gatherings. He did not like then anymore than anyone else, however they gave him power. The meetings allowed Brandon to oversee what was happening in the different lands.
Brandon rather liked having the power. It felt refreshing, although he would never admit that. He couldn't help but feel like that was how it was supposed to be. "At these meetings, we help the people of the Kingdom. We make them feel safe. Is that not enough for you right now? We will choose a King, but all in good time."[/color] His words echoed off the wall of the Great Hall. Maybe even one day the walls would be decorated with the Grey direwolf on a snowy white field.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]
"I thought I saw you through the trees. You're lucky I didn't pierce you with an arrow. It could have easily played off as a hunting accident."
[/color] The young lord's words echoed off the trees. It wasn't a threat, however much it sounded so. He simply wanted to show the older lord that he should never let his guard down.
"Have you caught anything today?"[/color] Brandon didn't have time for formalities, he was more concerned to about becoming the new King of the North or even the new King of the Seven Kingdoms. Although, it seemed like it would be the first rather than the latter.
"So, being Lord of the impregnable Eryie. How is that?"[/color] Although knowing more about his competition was a good thing, Bran also wanted to know whether or not he had an allie from the Arryn's.
"Fancy meeting you here. I wasn't aware that you hunted."[/i]
"I've got to keep food on the table and my blade sharp, just like everyone else Lord Arryn."[/color] It took a few minutes for the rest of Lord Stark's group to catch up to where he was. His direwolf, Thorne, followed closely. It was tradition for the Lord of Winterfell have a direwolf. If he wasn't supposed to be Lord, then a direwolf wouldn't present him or herself to the Lord.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]
Bright sunlight shone through the tree tops, it was too warm down in the King's Landing for Bran's liking. "I don't see how anyone can stand this heat. It's miserable."
[/color] the lord ranted to himself. He was dressed in a simple leather Armour, with a light grey tunic underneath. Out in the wild formalities were not needed, and sigil's did not matter.
Lord Brandon rushed ahead of his servants and vessels, trying to lose them for a moment of peace. Going to King's Landing was always a terrible journey, and even the stay there was horrid. Greyjoy had better keep Winterfell safe. The thought was always on his mind. He didn't have children, or a wife to look after Winterfell, nor was his brother or sister's able to look after the keep. His only other option was one of the Greyjoy boys whom had been serving him.
Brandon found himself starring at a squirrel, it wasn't to far away from him. Slowly, he pulled an arrow out of his quiver and drew the string back on his bow. The Lord released the string, a small sound escaping as the arrow soared through the air. A soft thump sounded as the arrow hit it's target, and all was quiet again. Stark walked to his kill, not caring if he scared off anything else. He was only out there to get away from the crowdedness of the south and the only place he could do that was in the woods next to King's Landing.
"My lord, it seems as though another lord may be hunting in these woods." one of his servants had spoken up. "What of it?"[/color] his voice had been relaxed. It wasn't much longer after Bran had spoken before he saw a man dressed in a white shirt, green vest, and brown pants walk passed him followed by an amount of servants and vessels. "Lord Arryn, is it?"[/color] Brandon Stark's voice boomed all around the wood.
word count;345 tags; lord arryn[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]
It had been nearly half a year since King Jon had died, leaving no heir to the Iron Throne. His wife, Queen Grace, had passed before and he had never remarried. What a fool, the all of Westeros is in chaos due to his 'loyalty' to Grace. Brandon was one of the many Brandon's of his name. Brandon the Builder had made the name famous among Starks, and ever since at least one child was named Brandon.
It the banners that once bore Jon Redfort's house sigil were now just empty banners to hold their spot. It shouldn't be long now, a new King should be named. Flames from the torches danced along the walls, I wonder if the walls were on fire when Aerys the Mad King rules from the Throne. A Lord's meeting had been called, as was the new tradition since the King's passing.
Brandon took his seat, across the table from Lord Arryn in the Great Hall. The hall looked empty without the ruling King's sigil and furniture everywhere. "Well, what is the meeting about this time, or do you not know?"
[/color] Those were the same words he had said nearly every time since he'd started coming to King's Landing for these special meetings.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]
