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Chapter 42

Word spreads wide and far

Eddard POV

I stopped trying to count the days I had spent in this cell. The food I ate was stale at best. The only visitors I got were the guards. Today was no different, as I sat by the wall with my thoughts. I thought of my dear wife and our children, Winterfell, and the northern winds.

"Get up, Stark, the King, will see you."

It was easier said than done. My muscles were numb. Bones were creaking in protest, and I didn't have much of the strength to keep my balance. One of the guards seeing my state holds me up. I was in a pathetic state and only could hope that Jory and Harwin were in a better state.

The guards led me through the halls and the stairs. It was hard to climb the never-ending stairs. Before we could even reach the entrance to the Great Hall, I could hear the shouting and intense discussion. Something must have happened.

"Lord Stark," Stannis greeted me as we entered.

"Lord Stannis," I greeted him back with my parched mouth.

Many didn't like me calling him a lord. Especially that red woman. Ser Davos and the Maester were the only ones who kept their thoughts to themselves. From the window, I could see moonlight, something that I missed.

"Enough," Stannis silenced everyone. "The word reached me today, Lord Stark."

"What word? Have the Lannisters been defeated?"

"Don't play the fool, Lord Stark," The red woman replied to me.

"By now, everyone in the seven kingdoms would have heard of it," Stannis continued. "Your bastard, Jon Snow, isn't what you told us he was. A Targaryen, you harbored a Targaryen."

"He is of my blood," I responded with a heavy sigh.

"But not your son. Is it true that he is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and your late sister Lyanna Stark?"

"It is," There was no point hiding it if he knew that much.

"He is a traitor. Harboring the dragonspawn, my King, you should execute him immediately," A man with a fox insignia spoke.

"What your defense, Lord Stark?" Stannis asked me.

"He is of my blood. I would never abandon my blood. But it isn't something you would understand, Lord Stannis."

"How dare you speak to the King like this?" The red woman questioned me. "My King, we should burn him, let the Lord of the Light cleanse him of his sins."

"Is that how you will rule, Lord Stannis? Accusing men who would protect their families a sinner?" Before speaking more, I was punched in my stomach and brought to my knees.

"What would a barbarian of the godless land know?" A man with fox insignia questioned me.

"More than an ignorant summer boy," I was tired and now angry at them for insulting my homeland.

"Enough," Stannis again silenced the hall. "The bastard proclaimed himself a King. The North and Riverlands stand with him. I will give you one last chance to kneel to me and dissuade the North from being hostile to me and mine. I will let the bastard serve the Wall."

"We both know, Lord Stannis. You don't have the men to do anything. Otherwise, you would not be in there. Kill me, proclaim me a traitor, a sinner. It won't change that you stand alone while the bastard you so like to call already has two kingdoms behind him."

"Are you done?" Lord Stannis asked. I kept quiet as I had nothing else to say. "You are a traitor to the crown, and I sentence you to be executed."

"My King, you can't do this," Ser Davos tried to persuade him, but Lord Stannis didn't listen to him.

"Take him back to the cells, where he will await his death."

I didn't resist them as they took me from the ground and dragged me back to the darkness.

…

The sound of the feet hitting the damp floor woke me up. As I opened my eyes, I saw a torch at the end of the hallway, getting closer. I could make out two shadows, but it was hard to see any detail. Only when they came to my cell did I realize who they were.

"Lord Stannis, ser Davos." I greeted them. "Is it time?"

"You know why I have to do this, don't you?" Stannis asked.

"I am a traitor in the eyes of your men. It is what you must do."

"It is, but the North will never come under the Iron Throne after it."

"No, the North has long harbored doubts about the South."

"My lord, some may say that you put Robert on the Iron Throne and made him the king. Why are you so adamant about doing so for King Stannis?" Ser Davos asked, looking pleadingly at me to accept Stannis' demands.

"Many asked me why I didn't take the Throne for myself. I always answered it wasn't my right to do so as it should not have been my right to put anyone else on it. I am tired of promises I couldn't keep, the regrets, the games I don't understand, fear, and suspicions," I answered. "Lord Stannis, do what you must do, but I want you to remember if you ever win the Throne. Honor and justice aren't everything you will need to rule. When the time comes to put down your pride for the better of Westeros, please do so."

"You talking of pride? What is that keeps you from kneeling to me? Is it not pride?" Stannis asked.

"It is regret and fear that I would fail once again if I did so," I answered honestly. "I am sorry for my accusations towards you. Still, as I can see, you won't be able to bring peace to the Seven Kingdoms, not with a foreign religion and your absolute justice. I can't bring myself to serve a man like you."

"Is that your final decision?"

"For what is it worth? I am sorry for not being able to protect your brother. My fight will be over soon, but yours, King Stannis, will only begin."

With those words, Stannis let out a heavy sigh. I could see that he harbored some regrets too. But I made my choice, even if I should have made it sooner.

Samwell POV

Ser Guyard blocked my strike with his shield and pushed me away quickly, swinging his sword towards me. I blocked it with my shield and struck again with my mace, but I was too slow, and he dodged it with a sidestep.

It was over after that for me. He disarmed me with a swift slash, leaving me only with my shield. Still, he let down his guard at this, thinking I would surrender, but I used that moment to strike him with it, but only managed to hit him once before he knocked me to the ground.

"I yield, I yield," I yelled.

"Good fight, young Tarly," Ser Guyard said and lifted me.

"Indeed, a good fight," King Renly congratulated us. "Ser Samwell Tarly, you fought hard and bravely, even without a weapon. I want to name you one of my guards, would you agree."

"It would be my honor, your grace," I answered him.

"Then rise, Samwell the Red." The king told me and handed me a red cloak. "May you serve me well."

Many praised me as I walked to stand beside the King. Renly looked regal as I would imagine young Robert would have looked. He was big and muscular, but he had an elegance that I had never seen before. He looked like a King should look.

Queen Margaery even smiled at me. She was charming, with a kind smile that made me blush. After the small tourney ended, Queen Margaery invited me to join her grandmother for a small meal. With the Kings permission, I agreed.

"Don't just stand there. Come, eat," Lady Olenna Tyrell told me as I entered her tent and nodded. "Samwell the Red, what a fitting name. You will be the youngest of the guard."

"Only one year younger than Ser Loras, my lady."

"Don't be so humble. Eat up. There is plenty of food," I did, as Lady Olenna instructed.

"I have seen you fight, even though I don't know much about it. It seemed that you fought well," Queen Margaery praised me. "Nobody will dare to say that you don't deserve the place next to the King Renly."

"Thank you, your grace."

"Yet, you don't look so proud of yourself," Queen Margaery commented.

"I know why I was chosen, your grace," I told her, even if I hesitated. "My father isn't happy with King's actions, or I should say inactions. I was chosen to appease my father."

"Ha, and I thought you are just another blushing boy seeking fame and glory," Lady Olenna said. I wasn't brave enough to tell her that I was that boy.

"Ser Edmure has taught me that I should look for underneath the underneath of everything and everyone."

"It is Lord Edmure now," Queen Margaery said. "Tell me more of Lord Edmure. He sounds like a great man. I only met him once when I was a little girl. Now I hear that he has defeated the Kingslayer in single combat. He must be very good with a sword."

"He is, even though he doesn't rely on his sword. He taught me that the sword is just a primary weapon, and the strongest weapon is your mind." I felt pride swell inside me when Lady Margaery praised Lord Edmure.

"Is that so? Tell me about Jon Snow. What kind of person is he?" Lady Margaery asked with a lovely smile, but I stiffened.

"Jon Snow? Your grace, why would you want to know of him?"

It was suspicious of her to ask about him. I realized that it was suspicious to ask about Lord Edmure. She was trying to get information from me. Even if I pledged loyalty to King Renly and her, I didn't want to betray Lord Edmure.

"You were too hasty, Margaery. Tell me, boy, did you know that Jon Snow isn't what he said he is," Lady Olenna asked me.

"What do you mean, my lady?"

"Jon Snow is Jaehaerys Targaryen, third of his name. He has proclaimed himself the King of Westeros."

"What?" I was shocked.

"It seems you didn't know. Lord Edmure hid many things from you."

"Lord Edmure has many secrets, my lady," I knew where she was going with it, which made me angry. "I have no right to know them if he doesn't wish to tell me. If that is all? I am tired and would like to rest."

"Calm down and eat, boy," Lady Olenna told me, and I listened. "Lord Edmure has chosen his allegiance, but I have to ask will to strike against Lord Edmure if the time comes to exchange blows with him?"

"If I didn't, my lady, he would kill me. So, not only will I fight him because my loyalty is to the King Renly, but I will have to do so to protect myself."

"I wouldn't ask for a better answer. Go rest while you can."

I did as Lady Olenna told me. Leaving her tent, I walked to my own. I was still shocked by the news she told me. I had to wonder how Jon was right now. He probably didn't know what he was. He is perhaps more shocked at this than anyone else could be. I only hope he is doing well.