The Little Cub
Part 15 - Sins of the Father
--
The towers of Harrenhal loomed in the horizon hours before King Tommen and his troops even reached the magnificent fortress. The King had heard stories of the place, but hadn't been to the ruins of Harrenhal ever before.
I spent most of my childhood in King's Landing. It was nice when we sometimes set off and I got to see the world outside the Red Keep.. like when we travelled to Winterfell. Of the seventeen thousand men that had marched with Tommen to Erenford, fourteen thousand returned. They'd lost three thousand men, mostly from the vanguard and the rearguard cavalry, but the losses were three times bigger for the Riverlanders. The victory had been decisive and the tale of how King Tommen had personally slayed Ser Lothor spread like wildfire, supported by the prominent wound in the his face.
''The Tyrell rose flies above the main gate, your Grace'', an outrider came to report. The King nodded as an answer and spurred his steed into gallop. Lord Commander Jaime caught up with him.
''Your Grace, it may be the best if you didn't ride ahead of the army, but waited for a confirmation if the report was actually true.'' Tommen's uncle had taken his job more seriously after he'd failed to protect the King during the battle. It was as if seeing Tommen wounded had hurt Ser Jaime more than his nephew himself. The Battle of Whispering Wood and later being ambushed when returning from the Riverlands had taught Ser Jaime to be more careful, but to Tommen his cautionary tales meant little.
''Your cousin, Lancel's men fought against us in Erenford, yet I never hesitated to think if you'd perform your duties accordingly. Being overcautious leads to paranoia, uncle. Besides, there were thirty-thousand Tyrell men besieging Harrenhal. This can't be Littlefinger's trap'', Tommen replied and rode past the front line of his marching men.
The massiveness of Harrenhal left the King wordless. He rode through the gate accompanied by the kingsguards, his ward, Ryan Tully, and a two dozen knights. Mace Tyrell awaited them at the courtyard and Tommen stopped his horse, taking a look at the Hand of the King.
''Your grace.. By the Gods.. your face'', the Lord of Reach cried and turned to look at his son, Ser Loras.
''Just a scratch, my lord. The battle was won, and your son did well leading the left flank and crushing the Riverlander resistance'', Tommen replied with a carefree tone in his voice, trying to convince Lord Mace it wasn't his sons fault that he'd been wounded. Ser Loras had wanted to lead the vanguard himself, but Tommen had robbed him of that glory. It was only just that in return the king praised the valiant kingsguard in front of his own father. The King dismounted, still clad in his black-and-gold armor, and then faced Lord Mace again.
''About fourteen thousand men are marching to Harrenhal as we speak, some of them wounded. See to it that they're given proper accomodations.'' The Hand of the King nodded:
''Yes, of course. A chamber has been prepared for you in the Kingspyre Tower. It may also please you to hear that Lord Baelish and his daughter were found from the fortress once we took it. They're currently in my custody and well guarded.'' The news indeed pleased the king, who replied;
''Then, my lords, the war is over. If you would be so kind as to lend me one of your men who could lead me to my chambers? I wish to rest after a long ride. There'll be time to discuss other matters later today.. and of course to celebrate our victory'!'
Tommen gestures his ward of seven years of age to accompany him, and they were escorted to the tallest of Harrenhal's towers by one of Lord Tyrell's men. At the entrance of the tower, young Ryan looked up, and the sight of his amazed ward got a smile on the king's lips. It was the tallest tower Tommen had ever seen, even though some claimed that the Hightower of Oldtown was bigger.
''This is it'', the guard said, stopping in front of a huge door after a moment of climbing up the stairs. The door was guarded by two Tyrell men.
''Is it safe to go all the way to the top of the tower?'', the King asked the guard who had escorted them all the way to here. The guard seemed uncertain for a moment.
''Only the lower floors of two towers were used by Lady Whent and her court, m'lord. The rest belongs to rats and bats. Still, I'd say ye will be fine if ye ain't afraid of dust and spider web.. or the ghosts of Harren the Black and his sons'', the guard replied, grinning teasingly at the young Tully. Tommen found himself smiling again and went on:
''Your lord has Littlefinger in his pocket. Do fetch the man for me and bring him atop the tower. I'll receive Lord Baelish there.''
The guard bowed his head and returned the way they'd come from, whereas Tommen and his ward, accompanied by the kingsguard Ser Meryn continued walking up the steps. Tommen found himself breathing heavier, and regretted not leaving his armor in the room when he had the chance. Once they reached the top, crawling through all the spiderwebs felt like worth it. Tommen felt the cold wind beat against his face, and took a look at his young ward who didn't hesitate leaving the stairs unlike Ser Meryn.
The boy's either brave or too young to be afraid, Tommen thought and saw Ser Meryn finally emerge from the stairs. Tommen walked to the side and looked down. The view was overwhelming.
The dragonfire had melted the stones of Kingspyre Tower over three centuries ago, making it lopsided. Still, it stood there even to this day as one of tallest structures humankind had ever built. Tommen didn't know how tall the tower was, but estimated it to be about four or five hundred feet high. Tommen could see that his army had finally arrived to Harrenhal, and the first men in the long line were marching through the fortress' gates.
''It'd be the best if you both stayed away from the edge. The wind is strong up here'', Ser Meryn spoke and Tommen could hear from the man's voice he was not fond of high places. The boy with them was more enthusiastic than the king had ever seen before, though. For a long moment they just looked around, without saying anything until young Ryan opened his mouth;
''That's the God's Eye!'' The boy pointed at the lake beside the fortress.
''During the Dance of Dragons, Aemond and Daemon Targaryen had a duel over there, riding on their dragons. Aemond rode Vhagar, the dragon of Queen Visenya - the sister of Aegon the Conqueror. Daemon rode Caraxes, a younger dragon, but had Queen Visenya's Valyrian sword Dark Sister with him. Funny how they both had something that belonged to the same woman more than a century before!'' Tommen looked at his young ward with surprise.
The boy knows more about the history of this place than I do. Ryan went on:
''Aemond's.. err.. friend.. spectated the duel right from where we are now!''
Young Ryan explained enthusiastically the main events of the Targaryen civil war and how Vhaegar's bones and the Dark Sister had been found years later from the lake. When Tommen told him that it's skull was in the basement of the Red Keep, the boy would've wanted to return to the capital straight away. That was when Lord Baelish arrived, escorted by two Tyrell guards. Tommen ordered them to unbound Littlefinger and everyone to leave them. Ser Meryn looked at the king with concern, but Tommen nodded to him as a sign that everything would be alright. Once they were alone, the young king turned to the man whose face he knew well.
''It's been a while, Lord Baelish.'' Littlefinger was as charming as ever despite having been held in a dungeon.
''Seven years, your Grace'', Lord Baelish replied and flashed a smile. Tommen knew better than to answer in the same manner; although a certain level of courtesy was required, the man was still his enemy.
''You served my family well'', Tommen said and slowly walked towards the edge, looking in horizon.
''..which is why you ask yourself; why did he betray me?'', Lord Baelish said, continuing from where Tommen left off, clearly enjoying about being in control. The King looked over his shoulder, meeting Littlefinger's eyes and then went on:
''Fifteen thousand men lie dead in Erenford. I only ask what was it for?'' The Lord Paramount walked slowly towards Tommen and took a place beside him, looking at the horizon as well.
''As brutal as it has been, this war you started has been more to your benefit than you can ever imagine.''
''Your change.. it began with Sansa Stark going.. ''missing.'' '', Tommen stated, almost like a question.
''The only thing that has changed is the game. But after your brother's wedding I've moved my pieces more aggressively, true'', Littlefinger replied.
''Did you have something to do with Joffrey's death?'', Tommen asked with a serious voice, knowing that Littlefinger had taken Sansa Stark with him that night - the wife of the main suspect. The thought had kept him awake at night. Although Joffrey was never much of a brother to Tommen, he was still his kin and once the king. Tommen turned to Lord Baelish, who looked at him with a typical grin on his face.
''I know many things and more. Things you may not want to believe true as the truth would hurt you more than living with the lies.'' The King was growing tired of word games and moved his hand to the hilt of his sword, taking a step behind Littlefinger who now was left between the edge and Tommen. Lord Baelish turned around, facing Tommen, and quickly glanced at his sword.
''Tell me'', Tommen said with a calm yet threatening voice, noticing uncertainty in Littlefinger's eyes.
''When order breaks, chaos prevails'', Lord Baelish began and held a moment of pause before going on.
''The world order changes, and the weak have to make room for the strong and the clever. Joffrey's death sent the world deeper into chaos.. but chaos is also time for opportunities, a time for those who are able to seize the moment. Tell me.. who would benefit the most from having an underaged king?'' Tommen didn't like the grin Littlefinger had on his face. Not at all.
''Your brother was harder to control than you were. Once he was out of the way, it allowed the Tyrells to.. grow stronger. Didn't you ever come to think why your mother disliked them so much?'' Tommen raised his eyebrows and confusion took control of his thoughts.
''How do you know this all?'' Tommen's reaction only seemed to amuse Lord Baelish, who innocently replied:
''Why, it was me who brokered the alliance between your families after Lord Renly's death. Both your mother and the Tyrells used me, unaware I was using them both too.''
''Yet here you are'', Tommen stated.
''Imprisoned by allies you had a hand in uniting.'' The statement didn't have the effect on Littlefinger that Tommen had hoped for, and Lord Baelish was more defiant than before.
''Why do you think I sent Ser Lothor's men all the way to Freylands? I could've left them garrisoned here and withheld your men for years within these walls. Lord Robert of the Vale was my ward, yet still I let him go to your coronation even though it was obvious to what end you also summoned their armies. I had all the money I needed to hire countless mercenaries to my cause, or I could've fled with that all and lived like a king somewhere on the other side of the Narrow Sea. You've won because I wanted it, and I am your captive only because that's my will.''
''Exactly. Would you perhaps like to explain to me why you lent me a hand in your own demise?'' Tommen asked, growing more annoyed of Littlefinger's mysteriousness and no longer bothering to hide it. Lord Baelish but smiled despite the change in the king's attitude and replied;
''I've achieved everything that I wanted to, and left the key to success to those I wanted to have it. You, among others.'' Tommen tilted his head questioningly and raised his eyebrows:
''And why is that?'' Even on the edge, Littlefinger posessed overwhelming confidence that captured Tommen's attention. He'd changed from that humble courtier that Tommen once knew to a ruthless lord who bowed to no-one.
''Because you're your father's son. I don't want to ruin the fun the Gods are having, as there's not a better joke in the whole world than you sitting on that throne of the dragonkings.''
Everything Littlefinger said to him only led to more questions, and Tommen was done asking. He turned around and walked towards the stairs until Lord Baelish's voice stopped him.
''I presume you've always taken the rumours about you being a bastard as lies that were only meant to weaken your claim to the throne. But what if I told you they were true?'' The king stopped suddenly, looked over his shoulder at Littlefinger and then turned around to face the man. Lord Baelish took a few steps forward and went on:
''Where do you think your brilliance with swords comes from? Or your golden hair? Baratheons are known for their black hair, which Robert and his both brothers also had.''
At first Tommen felt like slaying the man there and then, but patiently held his hand. When Qyburn had been arrested years ago, Tommen had been called a bastard out on the yard more than once. The boy had ignored the offends like his uncle had said, and eventually they had stopped.
I never even bothered to consider if it was true, so why should I now? My mother didn't have many friends, and dedicated everything to her family. How could there have been some other men, when the only man in whose company she was happy was--.. Then he realised what Littlefinger had implied. The man in front of him grinned as he saw the look on Tommen's face.
''I warned you.. truth can hurt.''
(Comparison of young Jaime & Tommen)
''You're lying'', Tommen stated as if to assure himself it was but a lie, yet there was a tone of uncertainty in his voice. Littlefinger grinned and Tommen senses the man was enjoying of the moment.
''Am I?'', Littlefinger asked mockingly. Tommen turned around and hastily walked to the stairs, leaving Littlefinger alone on the top of the tower. The two guards were waiting in the stairs with Ser Meryn, and all looked at the king once he appeared.
''Escort Lord Baelish back to the dungeons'', Tommen said after exchanging looks with the guards. The king walked quickly past them down the stairs, trying to wrap his head around the fact that everything his life was based on might actually be a lie.
Tommen reached the door of his chambers and one of the two Tyrell men standing guard outside of it pushed it open for him. Once the king stepped inside, he noticed Ryan was already inside. Tommen stared at him in silence for a moment and then turned around, looking at one of the Tyrell guards.
''Ser Meryn will take your place. Go find Lord Commander Jaime and bring him here.'' The guard bowed his head and along with his colleague headed downstairs. Tommen closed the door and turned to Ryan;
''Help me get this armor off.'' Once they were done and the black-and-gold plate armor rested on an armor stand, Tommen sent the boy away, who was more than willing to explore Harrenhal. His father might've been a prisoner, but young Ryan and his mother had been allowed to move freely at the court in the Red Keep.
Tommen poured wine for himself and walked to the window.
Littlefinger might've lied. Only Gods know what game he's playing.. it might just well be that he's toying with me, only to see how I react, Tommen almost hoped and looked down at the courtyard. There was no way he'd ever understand Littlefinger or his actions.
The man just lost a war and might soon lose his head, yet he but makes japes. The only thing the man seems to want.. is to laugh while watching the world burn. Tommen took a sip from his drink and looked outside in silence until he heard the door was knocked on.
''It's open'', Tommen said yet never turned. The king could hear the door was opened, and a voice he knew very well said:
''Your Grace.''
Tommen turned around and faced the Lord Commander of his Kingsguard.
''Close the door and take a seat'', the King said to Ser Jaime and drank again.
''How are you feeling?'', the young king asked once the man was seated. Ser Jaime held a long pause before answering, and Tommen saw him look at his golden hand.
''The place holds bad memories for me.'' Tommen walked to the table and sat down as well, placing the wine cup in front of him.
''I never asked you how it happened'', the king said, looking at his uncle's hand and eyes in that order.
''There's nothing to say. It's of the past'', Ser Jaime answered, clearly not liking about the subject. Tommen nodded and went on:
''It's the past that defines who we are. Things that you never did, things that you hoped to do.. and most of all, things that you have done.'' Tommen looked at Ser Jaime, but before the Lord Commander could say anything, the king went on:
''I spoke with Littlefinger a moment ago. It is the past that intrigues him as well..''
''Catelyn Tully is the sole thing that ever intrigued him'', Jaime stated.
''After the Red Wedding, Littlefinger lost the main purpose of his ambitions. The man had his whole life tried to rise higher, only because it was the only way he might get her. The world became a joke to him after her death.. and not everything he had or could get could fill in the hole she left.'' Tommen had never thought it from that side, and it perfectly explained why Littlefinger had secretly taken Sansa Stark with him to Vale.
I left the key to success to those I wanted to have it, Tommen remembered Littlefinger's words.
You among others. Because you're your father's son. Tommen had his eyes fixed to Jaime's.
''Isn't that what happened to you after mother died?'' The Lord Commander raised his eyebrows in confusion.
''She was my twin sister. Part of me died with her, just like a part of me died when I was..'' Ser Jaime ended his answer suddenly and turned his gaze down to his golden hand. After a moment of silence, Ser Jaime gathered his thoughts.
''Why are you asking me all this, your Grace?''
''Littlefinger told me something'', Tommen began and held a long moment of silence looking into Ser Jaime's eyes before continuing;
''Sometimes you have to go to your enemies to hear the truth your friends don't tell because they want to protect you from it.'' Tommen's hand moved to the wine cup, but the young king made no attempt to take it. His eyes turned to Jaime.
''In the Age of Heroes, Lann the Clever tricked Lord Casterly out of his keep and thus formed the House Lannister.. If what Littlefinger told me is actually true, what you have done is quite similar to your ancestor.'' Tommen could see Ser Jaime shift in his seat, yet no words came out of his mouth.
''So tell me.. and tell me true.. Are you but a kingslayer - or also a kingmaker?''
Jaime let out a sigh, saying
''Tommen'' in a way that silenced the young king.
''There is a reason you've been protected from that rumour..'' The young kind gripped the wine cup harder and raised his voice:
''Yes, you told me to ignore them. Only you left out that it's you the people claim to be my true father.'' The king's voice was calm, yet there was a hint of anger in it.
I have personal experience with cheating queens which doesn't make this any easier for me. Jaime remained silent and it seemed to Tommen as if the man didn't know what to say.
He's always had a witty answer ready. But not now. Tommen moved the cup to his lips and emptied it, regretting his harsh words.
I'm but a boy who wants to know who he actually is, yet he only sees the king in me. Tommen placed the cup back on the table and turned his eyes to Jaime when he heard him speak.
''You'll make a greater king than the Seven Kingdoms have had for the past half-a-century. What do the sins of the father matter compared to that?''