personal6

Chapter 39

Decisions

Edmure POV

The cane was a pain in the ass to use, but I had no other choice as the injury on my leg would take at least a month to heal. What was even bigger pain was my sister, I knew she cared for her children, but it wasn't a good idea for her to stand next to Robb. Image meant a lot, especially in times of war.

But I understood her and her worry, now I have to tell her that her husband is captive too and that he lied to her. It was time to announce my allegiance, but first, I needed to inform the person of interest and my family. Then when I get back to Riverlands I had to announce it to the world.

"Edmure, I have gathered everyone in the solar," My uncle Brynden informed me as I was preparing.

"Good, let's go."

"What is it that you want to talk with us? In private, nonetheless."

"You will find out soon enough," I answered. "What do you think of Jon?"

"Fine boy, quick to learn. A bit stubborn, but nothing I have not seen before."

"As you could talk," I smiled at my uncle as we entered the solar given to me by lady Whent.

"Edmure," My sister was the first to greet me.

"Cat, sit down. There äre a lot of things to discuss."

I looked around the room, at Robb, Cat, Brynden, and Jon. The latter had a face that said that he didn't belong here. Sitting behind the table, I motioned to the others to sit down. What I was going to say would be quite shocking to them.

"Firstly, let us start with the news of Ned," I began and held my hand as Cat was about to say something. "Stannis Baratheon holds him,"

"Holds him?" Robb asked.

"It means that your father had not come to serve him, and he is held as a captive."

"Why would Lord Stannis do so?" My uncle asked.

"It is simple, Stannis wants to crown himself as a King of the Seven Kingdoms. Ned doesn't agree with him."

"Isn't Joffrey his nephew, had both brothers turned away from their blood?" Cat looked at me for answers.

"He isn't," I tell them. "Joffrey isn't their nephew. He is a bastard son of the Kingslayer."

"Incest? Even if that is true, how can you prove it?" My uncle went to the matter of the things.

"I make Kinglsayer confess. Now, the question is what we should do?"

"What do you mean?" Robb looked at me, confused.

"Who will we proclaim as a King, who do we want to serve?" I answered. "If we don't have a clear path, other lords will start speculated. From observing the Northern Lords, I could see that they would ask for independence at any given chance."

"That madness," Cat shouted.

"Is it? The North is too different from the other kingdoms. The most Northern lords still hold the old language, not talking about a different religion and even race," I explained. "The North holds no love for the south. If the news reaches them that Ned doesn't want to serve Stannis, they will use this chance to proclaim their independence."

"What about Renly?" Robb asked.

"We can't let Renly win, no matter what," I said.

"Why?" My uncle asked.

"Because he is the younger brother of Stannis. If he wins, that means that every second son and younger brother will believe that they can take the lordship of their older brothers. After all, it would have happened before. Their King took the seat from his older brother. Why couldn't they do the same."

"There wouldn't be peace in decades if not centuries." My uncle commented, understanding what Renly's victory would bring.

"There only Stannis, or independence. I will not serve under Lannisters." Robb said.

"There is another choice," I told them and looked at Jon, who had not said a word. "We could put someone else on the Iron Throne, who we could trust and believe."

"Robert has many bastards, but wouldn't it be better to kneel under Stannis?" Cat asked.

"There is a reason why Ned has not accepted Stannis. Because he believes there is someone who is better suited for the Throne."

"Are you talking about yourself, uncle?" Robb asked. "The North would stand behind you, but I don't think other Kingdoms would accept it."

"I don't know if a fool or intelligent suggesting such a thing. There is no way Tully could hold the Throne for long. My children would have to fight all their life to defend themselves from every Lord who thinks it is their turn to sit on the Throne. That isn't something I would wish for them," I explained. "We have someone who has the blood to sit on the throne and my trust."

As I was about to reveal the truth, I stopped. Looking at Cat, then at Robb and uncle, before meeting my eyes with Jon. I still have doubts about it, but I had to decide. Whether it was wrong or not, the decision must be made. I couldn't question myself about it anymore.

"Ned went to take his sister back home, but he returned with a child. He told everyone that he was his bastard," I could see Jon shake. "But he lied, he wasn't his bastard, he was the son of his sister, the son of…."

Before I could finish, Jon stood up, as did Cat with the look of shock. I motion for my uncle to stop Jon. I understand it was hard to accept the truth for both my sister and Jon. Even Robb was shocked, and I could see my uncle's eyes shake, even if he kept his cool.

"Jon is the son of Rhaeger Targaryen," Robb said in a silent voice.

"Ned had to keep it secret. If Robert had found out, he would have killed him."

"If it is true, why wouldn't he tell it to me? Why tell it to you?" Cat asked.

"Because my feelings didn't blind me," I tried to explain to her as carefully as I could. "And he didn't tell me until I have confronted him about it. I know it is hard to accept it, Jon, but we don't have time. You will have to be the king. I will reveal it to the other lords once we return to the Riverrun."

"They won't follow me. Why would they?" It was Jon's first words in this meeting. "There is no reason for anyone to do so."

"I will give them the reason. I would suggest you rest and think about what I said. Still, It might sound selfish of me, but I will tell this to the other lords, to the world. You will become the king if you want it or not."

With my words, I motioned them to leave. They had a lot to talk and think about, and I was getting tired. This was just the beginning. I will have to convince the other lords to accept Jon as the King. Those who can't accept it will have to be dealt with.

…

After a few days of resting and ensuring that Harrenhal was well defended and supplied, I led most of the men back to Riverrun. Even if I wanted to get all these men and rush to the King's Landing to finish Tywin, I knew it would be better to wait for now.

Stannis will proclaim himself a King soon enough. He is probably the most dangerous man who stands in my way. I will let him fight his brother and even the Lannisters. I let him waste his men before taking care of him cleanly.

On the way to Riverrun, I watch Jon closely. Once we return, I will present him with the documents that confirm my words. For now, I let him be. On the other hand, Robb seemed perplexed about what he should do. So I decide to talk with him.

"The war just started, Robb," I told him. "Still, you look too nervous, smile. Let the lords and your men see you at ease. If you become worried about the war, so will those who follow you."

"I know, uncle," He replied to me.

"You know nothing, Robb. You are still a boy. Every action you take will be questioned. You will be watched by the lords and smallfolk alike. They will be waiting for you to make a mistake so that they can question you on your actions. What you need to do, is look confident, no matter what. Show them your confidence that you will win every battle and will bring everyone back home."

"I don't think I can do that."

"No, you can't. There will be battles that you will lose. There will be people around you who will die. But it doesn't matter. You can't look back. You can't look like you lost. You have to look at ease at all times, so your men can look at you and think that everything is alright, even when their brothers and sons are dying all around them."

"Is that honorable? To lie to my people?" Robb asked.

"Your people don't need honor right now. They need strength, your strength. Once we are back at Riverrun, I will hold a council to decide our path in this war. It would be best if you looked strong and confident no matter what path you and your men will walk. I am understood?"

"Yes, uncle. But I am worried about Jon."

"Everything will be fine," I smiled at him. "He was raised by two most honorable men I know. He will be a good king, a great king even. I am sure of that much because he will have you by his side."

Once I finished my talk with him, I rode to Cat to see how she was doing. She has a lot of conflicted emotions. A lot to think about, I know she needs someone to lend their shoulder to her.

…

I was not too fond of the atmosphere at Riverrun. We should have been cheered on as we rode to the castle, but most people were quiet. They looked like they were mourning, and I felt like the worst must have happened.

"My lord," Maester Vyman came to me first. "I have bad tidings to report. Your father has passed away."

"When?"

"Last night, he didn't wake up."

My sister Cat was shocked and quickly left. I motioned for Robb and uncle Brynden to follow her. It was devastating news, as many loved my father, and his death would be felt by many, but I could not show too much emotion. I first found my wife, who was not far away from my father's deathbed.

"Edmure, I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, how are things?"

"Everything will be fine with you back. Have you decided what you will do?"

"Yes."

"I heard of Renly proclaimed himself as the rightful King. The word is that Stannis too is amassing his men," Arianne informed me. "You could proclaim yourself as a King too. The Dorne will stand with you."

"It isn't time to talk about it, but I will have to decline."

"What else can we do? I know you won't knee to Stannis or Renly. You would have most men with the North, Vale, and Dorne."

"I already made my decision. I will explain it to you later. I need to see the Kingslayer first. Can you help with the funeral for my father?" I asked.

"Of course, I have prepared all the papers you need in the solar. I will trust you for now, but I hope your plan is better than mine. Otherwise, this talk isn't over."

I gave her a light kiss and when to see my father, who lay on the bed. Cat and her children with mine surrounded him. Uncle stood a bit away from the bed and looked at his brother. Taking one look at my father, who looked like he was sleeping, I greeted and consoled my children.

I hated myself for thinking that it was the perfect time to become the Lord and not the heir. I loved him, but I knew for a long time now that he would die soon. There was no time for me to wallow in sadness. I needed to look strong, to be strong.

Giving a nod to my uncle, I went to see the Kingslayer. One way or another, he will confess. That was his only choice. I need the truth to be confirmed for me to end this war.

A.N. Sorry for not posting, but Elden Ring got me good. After spending hundreds of hours in it and beating it three times I think I am done with it for now and started to pick up my writing once again. Hope you like it, and thanks for reading.