chapter 128 part 1
Chapter 128: No Refusals (End)
Eddard had already guessed what Robert would say next.
Eddard disliked King's Landing; it was filled with painful memories for House Stark. Yet he could not ignore his deep affection for Robert.
Eddard sighed inwardly and said, "Your Grace, I am always yours to command."
Eddard spoke the words with difficulty, but Robert paid him no mind.
Robert continued, heedless, "Think of the days we spent together in the Eyrie... Damn it, those were good times! Ned, I want you by my side again, not hiding at the end of the world where you're of no use."
Robert looked at Eddard, a smile on his face. "Old friend, tell those incompetents to shut their mouths. I will name you Hand of the King, to issue decrees and govern the Seven Kingdoms in my stead."
Eddard thought of his wife's warm embrace; he missed his children, he missed Winterfell. That was his home.
Power was not something he valued.
His purpose in coming south was to investigate the true cause of Jon Arryn's death and to verify the truth of Lysa's secret letter.
Furthermore, he had a duty to protect the widow and child Jon had left behind.
Once his business was done, Eddard wanted to return home as soon as possible. He steeled himself and said, "I am not worthy to be Hand of the King."
Robert knew his old friend's character well and ignored the refusal in Eddard's words.
"Ned, if I were truly thinking of you, I wouldn't have dragged you all the way from the North. My plan is to have you govern the kingdom and lead armies into battle, while I eat, drink, and make merry to my heart's content, and maybe enjoy watching you grimace all day in the Red Keep!"
After speaking, Robert threw his head back and laughed loudly, while Eddard remained grim-faced.
Robert's laughter stopped. He complained, "Damn it, you're no fun. Can't you at least laugh with me?"
Eddard's tone was calm. "Starks have always lacked a sense of humor."
Several attendants had already set up folding tables and chairs by the riverbank, upon which were some fruits and a wine jug. The two men sat down.
Robert's large hand picked up an orange and tossed it to Eddard. "Remember who it was that sent Jon a crate of these oranges? But they had all gone rotten, so I threw my share at Dacks and hit him right on the nose. You remember, right? That pockmarked squire of Redfort's. He threw one back, and before Jon could even fart, the whole hall of the Eyrie was filled with flying oranges."
As Eddard recalled the past, a faint smile appeared on his face. This was the boy he had grown up with. This was the Robert Baratheon he knew and loved deeply.
He believed that if he could prove the Lannisters had murdered Jon Arryn, Robert would surely deliver the most just verdict.
If Tywin Lannister dared to raise his banners in rebellion then, he would aid him with the armies of the North. And Robert, just as he had smashed Rhaegar on the Trident all those years ago, would mercilessly and utterly crush the old lion.
Eddard's heavy heart lightened considerably, and the smile on his face grew a little wider.
"Since you helped me win this damn iron chair, you ought to help me keep it! Ned, we were destined to rule this kingdom side-by-side."
Robert picked up his wine cup, took a large gulp, and let out a satisfied grunt. "If only Lyanna were still alive, we would be brothers-in-law by now, brothers in name and in truth."
"Still, it's not too late. I have a son, you have a daughter. Joffrey and Sansa will join our houses, just like Lyanna and I were meant to."
"Your Grace, that would be the highest of honors."
Eddard hesitated, then added, "May I have some time to consider? I must tell Catelyn. She is the children's mother."
Robert waved his hand impatiently. "Fine, fine, of course, no problem! You damn fool, go and talk to Catelyn, just don't make me wait too long. You know I have little patience."
With a thud, Robert placed his cup on the table. "Ned, I trust you to manage that pack of cunning lords on the council and to govern this mess of a kingdom."
Robert already considered Eddard his Hand of the King.
Eddard sighed helplessly in his heart. Robert would not allow him to refuse the position of Hand.
Eddard was not an indecisive man. Since things had come to this, perhaps it was for the best... The two of them would always be brothers, fighting side-by-side.
"But on the other side of the Narrow Sea, the spawn of the evil dragon has been quietly growing."
Eddard looked at Robert. He knew Robert's hatred for the Targaryens bordered on madness; even after more than a decade, the memories were still fresh in his mind.
Their first fierce argument had been over that very matter. It was only after Lyanna's death that they reconciled.
Eddard understood the meaning behind his words. Robert hoped that once he became Hand of the King, he would prioritize hunting down the remaining Targaryens.
Eddard did not rush to argue, but instead advised, "Your Grace, the war has been over for more than a decade. You are now King of the Seven Kingdoms. From what I know, the youngest is barely over ten. Surely you wouldn't slaughter the innocent like Tywin Lannister?"
Rhaegar Targaryen's son and daughter... Tywin Lannister had given the order to drag the tearful little girl from her bed to be killed. As for the son whose head was smashed against a wall, he was but a babe in his swaddling clothes, the infant Aegon.
"Ned, a ten-year-old girl? You're still naive. Before long she'll spread her legs and birth a brood of dragonspawn."
Eddard continued to persuade him, "Be that as it may, murdering children is not an honorable act."
Robert cursed loudly, "To hell with honor! What honor is there to speak of with Targaryens?"
Taking a sip of wine, he continued, "To this day, there are still people in the Seven Kingdoms who call me the Usurper. Have you forgotten how many nobles, great and small, raised their banners to fight for House Targaryen?
"They look obedient now, but in private, they're stirring. If they get the chance, they can't wait to take my life and my son's.
"That Beggar King across the Narrow Sea, who calls himself the true king of the Seven Kingdoms... if he ever crosses the sea with an army, these traitors will surely flock to him.
"Varys has provided several perfect opportunities to kill the dragonspawn, but Jon was soft-hearted, just like you. I actually listened to his counsel and stayed my hand. I was a fool!"
Eddard smiled and assured him, "He will never cross the sea. And even if he does, we can work together to drive him back."
Robert laughed heartily. "All the better if he comes! My warhammer will solve this problem for good."
Eddard nodded in agreement. In this world, no one could stand against Robert's invincible warhammer.
"Ned, I hate trouble now. If there's a simple solution, I'm more than happy to take it! I've given this matter to that Clegane boy. Don't you dare be like Jon and get in the way!"
Eddard's brow furrowed. "Clegane?"
Robert drained the remaining wine in his cup, let out a breath, and said, "You should remember. That stubborn and fearless pregnant woman, hah, or rather, that girl with the big belly! She was supposed to be executed, but I spared her because you pleaded for her."
Eddard remembered that fiery-tempered, pitiful girl. "She was just a pregnant woman. We were the victors; we should have been merciful..."
Robert cut in, "Pale hair, brown eyes... her weak body trembled, but she clutched a dagger, looking as if she would take us all down with her! She reminded me of Lyanna..."