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Chapter 27

Bad news

Arriane POV

There is only so much I can take of politicking for a day. Those who wanted something would always have something nice to say, and I always wore a lovely smile for them. In recent years, Edmure's smile became terrifying for lesser lords and knights that served House Tully. So they liked my smile more. Of course, if they didn't get what they wanted, those lesser men would talk behind my back, like I don't have any ears. Well, from then on, they wouldn't get anything at all anymore.

"Mama, mama," I hear my oldest, knocking and yelling outside my chamber's door.

"What is it. little Princes?" I ask, opening the door.

"I found a kitten. Can I keep it?" She asks, presenting a cat in her arms to me.

"Where did you find it?" I inquire of her.

"In the courtyard. I was going to play when I heard it meowing. I think it is alone, so I took it," Elia answers.

"What am I going to do with you?" I ask with a tired sigh. "You know that your father doesn't like cats, right?"

"But, but father isn't here," Elia replies with teary eyes.

"Alright, alright. You can keep it, at least until your father returns," I agree with Elia.

It was already early evening, and I had to deal with many things and was too tired to tell her no. Damn it all, Edmure is taking too long to return. There is only so much I can take, listening to petitions every day. Hearing those squabbling fools complain about their crops, they trade or dishonored daughters. Lord Hoster isn't getting any better either, to help.

"My lady, my lady," My thoughts were interrupted by Maester Vyman.

"What is it now?" I ask, already knowing something troublesome came up.

"Ser Patrek Mallister has arrived and asks for an audience with Lord Hoster," Maester Vyman informs me.

"Did you explain that he isn't taking any audience that isn't important?" I ask, already getting dressed to meet with the heir of Seagard.

"I did. I explained that Lord Hoster isn't taking any visitors. But ser Patrek insist is a most urgent matter," Maester Vyman tells me.

"Tell him he can meet with me, and I decide if is it essential for my good father to hear," I reply and dismiss him.

"How about you go and show your new friend to your little brothers, little Princess?" I ask my daughter sweetly, combing her hair with my fingers.

"Okay, mama," She simply replies and runs out of the room.

…

Ser Patrek was waiting at the solar of my good father, with Maester Vyman next to him. Taking a look at the best friend of my husband, I saw how worn out he is. His clothing is in tatters, and he looks like he hasn't eaten for days. His eyes had black bags under them, indicating he hadn't slept for some time.

"My lady, I bring news that Lord Tully should know," He begins with a polite bow.

"I decide if he needs to know, so if it is as urgent, as you say, you will tell it to me, right now," I tell him with a calm voice.

"If you wish, my lady," He replies reluctantly. "Ser Lyn Corbray apprehended Lord Tyrion Lannister under the orders of Lady Lysa Arryn."

"What do you mean apprehended?" Maester Vyman asks with a raised voice.

"I mean, he was captured," Ser Patrek responds. "Ser Lyn Corbray made a spectacle of it all. I wouldn't be surprised that the whole seven Kingdoms know about it already or know of it soon enough."

"And you didn't stop ser Lyn Corbray?" I ask.

"I didn't have enough men to stop him, and he didn't look like backing down. I did send my squire after them. Hopefully, he will be able to protect Lord Tyrion till we have a solution," He replies. "I urge you to send this news to Edmure as soon as possible. He isn't safe in the capital with Lannisters."

"Lannister might try to take him, a brother for a brother," I agree with Patrek. "Vyman, bring Nyx to me. She will be the fastest way to reach him."

"As you wish, should I inform Lord Hoster?" Maester Vyman inquires.

"No, if he finds out that his son is in danger, his health might get worse," I explain to him. "But start writing letters to bannermen. We will need to call for them."

"My Lady, I don't want to be disrespectful," Maester Vyman begins. "But many won't answer if it isn't Lord Hoster who calls for them,"

"I have to agree with Maester Vyman. We should inform Lord Tully first," Patrek agrees with the castle maester.

"Listen here. I know better than both of you how bad my good father's health is right now," I respond with a firm voice. "He won't take it well to hear this news, and you don't have to worry. The letters to the lords will be with Lord Hoster's signature. Do you think I didn't learn some tricks up here? Now go bring me Nyx, and you ser go get a bath and some rest."

"As you command, my lady," Both of the men left quickly.

For a moment, I stood there, alone. Thinking of what must be done, what will happen next. I sat down to calm down. I was not too fond of any of this. Edmure has to be in Lion's jaws, at the most unfortunate time. Taking a deep breath, I started to write a letter to my husband and my father.

Edmure POV

It would be a nice day after the end of the tourney. If not for this damn letter, it confirmed my suspicions. That damn Littlefinger has put me in a bad situation. The news will reach Lannister soon enough. I have to make this situation profitable to me. If Jaime confronts me, I have to leave the city. Ned won't survive without me here, but girls are more important to me now.

Lysa. Gods damn her, I knew she would do something like this. I should have taken care of her sooner, and now it is too late. Littlefinger isn't easy to target either. Wherever he goes, he isn't alone. Shit, shit indeed, I should have predicted that something like this would happen.

"Ser Edmure, have you asked for me?" Samwell, no ser Samwell Tarly asks after entering my chambers.

"Take a look at this," I tell him, giving him the letter.

"Ser, this isn't good, right?" Ser Samwell asks.

"No, it isn't," I simply reply.

"What would you have me to do?" He asks with a firm voice.

"I have you to go home," I respond.

"What? But ser…." He tries to disagree with me.

"No buts, you are ser Samwell Tarly, right now," I inform him. "You are a knight of house Tarly, not house Tully. I have no right to order you, nor do you have any right to interfere in house Tully's matters."

"But…." He begins again.

"I said no buts, it's time for you to go home, and you're leaving right now," I tell him. "If something would happen to you while you are with me, it would bring more problems for me."

"I understand," He answers with a gloomy voice.

"Go, gather your stuff," I order him.

After Samwell left, I waited for my next guest. With the news of what Lysa has done, I knew that securing Vale is my priority right now. It so happens that one of the most influential and respectful lords is in the city with his two sons.

"Edmure, you wanted to see me?" Lord Bronze Yohn asks after entering my chambers. "I saw your squire. He looked pretty upset if my eyes didn't let me down in my old age."

"He isn't a squire anymore, Lord Yohn," I reply. "He will get over it. I called you here for another reason."

"Oh, and what is it?' He asks as I motion him to sit down.

"Take a look at this," I tell him and pass the letter.

"What madness is this? Lady Arryn abducted Tyrion Lannister?" After reading it through, he exclaims.

"As you see, my sister has done something that she shouldn't have," I begin. "I can't let her do more foolish things, so I want to ask you to go back to Vale and become regent to my nephew."

"It would be my honor, but I don't think that Lady Arryn would agree to do it," He responds.

"Then you will have to make her agree. I can't leave my nephew with someone who is not thinking right," I tell him. "And there is another reason for this."

"And what that reason would be?" He asks as I make sure nobody is listening to us.

"You should know Lord Baelish, right?" I ask and continue after he nods. "I know for a fact that my sister is in love with him. It would be fine and all, but Lord Baelish is just using her. I am afraid he will demand of my sister do to more foolish and dangerous things in the name of protecting her and my nephew."

"I knew that they are quite close. Are you saying that Lord Baelish is just playing with her feelings and using her?" He asks, wanting more information. "I always said that women are too emotional to rule."

"My sister's husband died not long ago, and she was always a timid girl. Baelish is an old friend, a rock to a lean-to in the hardest of times. So why shouldn't she listen to him, especially if he says it's to protect her only child," I explain to him. "Baelish knows it too. That is why he will whisper her those things, and she will listen."

"But why would he do so?" He asks, confused.

"Why else, he was born to a minor lord with small lands. After Brandon Stark humiliated him and he learned politics from this vipers-filled city, he got a taste of little power. Now he wants more," I explain to him. "Baelish wants power. With what Lysa has done, he only needs to get to the good graces of Lannisters and help Tyrion, and then as a reward, he gets an immense castle. With the new castle comes the prospect of marrying my sister and becoming the new Lord protector of Vale."

"It can't be. It would never work. Other lords wouldn't let it happen," Declares Lord Yohn.

"Which lords?" I ask. "It's clear that ser Lyn Corbray is in his pockets. How many other lords does Baelish have on his side?"

"No, he couldn't have that many. Maybe some minor lords, by promising them more lands and insignificant knights, that all he could have," Lord Yohn says.

"For now," I add. "I have already written a letter explaining that I wish for my nephew to be fostered in the Runestone. And also for you to teach him of the ruling."

"I see what I can do. I better leave immediately," Bronze Yohn replies and takes the letter.

After he left, one of the men entered. He was in charge of investigating what Arya had overheard.

"My apologizes, my lord, but there were no traces of Illyrio Mopatis in the city," He began.

"No, it is fine. It wouldn't be that easy in the first place," I tell him. "Concentrate on guard, for now. Call back all of your men. We will need everyone if we are against Faceless men or Sorrowful men."

"As you wish, my lord," He agrees and leaves.

…

When I went to Ned, he looked upset. His cold face was colder than winter itself. Men of the Hand's tower were busy, running around preparing their stuff. I stood next to Ned by the window and was about to tell him what happened in the Riverlands, but he opened his mouth first.

"I am not a Hand anymore," He informs me.

"What happened?" I ask.

"The King got news of Princess Daenerys. She's pregnant," He explains.

"Oh, so the King wanted to kill her, while you didn't," I reply, understanding.

"What would you have done?" He asks.

"I don't harbor hate for Targaryens," I answer. "And I can't image the King's hate. But killing can't solve everything. In the end, I don't know what I would do, but at least I wouldn't let hatred cloud my mind."

"We are leaving, as it isn't much for me to do here anymore," Ned tells me after listening to my words.

"Very well, when are we leaving?" I ask.

"As soon as we are prepared, but before that, I want to ask you to accompany me somewhere," Ned requests.

"Very well, I have already prepared horses on stand-by," I agree and ask of him. "Where are we going?"

"To the brothel," He informs me.

If I didn't know what he was looking for, I would have punched him in the face.