[Arthur's POV]
"There's something I wish to talk about…" Arthur approached Rhaerra along their journey.
"Is it concerning Sansa? I don't intend to be in the way of your marriage, if that's what you wish."
"... Oh."
"It's not like marrying you would change anything," Rhaerra smiled. "You are a Kingsguard without any land or titles to your name. What would there be to inherit, anyway?"
"That's a little harsh," Arthur chuckled.
The woes of the second son, Arthur thought.
"What I mean to say is…" She touched the side of his face. "That you are the real prize. Everything else around you doesn't matter to me."
"... Now that does sound better. So… it isn't a one-time thing?"
"I'm not letting my first run away, if that's what you're asking. You're not getting rid of me."
That sounded quite appealing to the knight.
"I don't think I'd want to."
"Well, then. That settles that… now you only have to convince the esteemed lady."
"That will likely be more difficult…" Arthur remarked.
"Hm, well, she did seemingly be open to marriage when you really have nothing to your name, so… a mistress should only be a small inconvenience."
"Or the final insult…"
"You worry too much, I think. Besides… I can be very convincing. Even to women."
"... Uh-huh," Arthur blinked.
The journey back through the Shadowlands was absolutely dreadful and arduous. Navigating through near pitch darkness was far from ideal but Rhaerra had found a way. The group returned to the coastal town they had docked in and took the ship where the rest of the crew had waited.
The feeling of relief when taking sail at last was unlike any other. It felt like half a year had passed in the Shadowlands… which was not so far from the truth. Walking through mountains wasn't exactly the quickest method of travel.
But it was all worthwhile, in the end.
After sailing back to Yin, Arthur brought the rotted head of the sorcerer lord along the necklaces he wore.
"His Divine Majesty is most pleased. He wishes that any other of his subjects were a quarter as capable as you."
"... How flattering," Arthur noted. "Now for his end of the bargain."
"The festivities will begin as soon as possible, his Divine Majesty promises."
"Good."
…
"It's been too long,"
Sansa embraced him as they reunited.
"You're right," Arthur reciprocated. "All this time, I felt like something was… missing. It didn't make it any better when Valaegor planted the idea of the Azure Emperor trying something in my absence."
"Well, he did make an offer for me to be his concubine…"
Those words were like a hammer.
Arthur retreated.
"Of course, I denied him. It wasn't all that much trouble… I know how to handle myself, and Rhaerra's blue cloaks were more than enough protection."
His hands clenched subconsciously.
Who does he think he is?
For a moment, the only thing he could hear was his own heart beating with fury.
"... Are you okay?" Sansa questioned.
"I… don't recall the last time I've felt so… angry."
Arthur took a deep breath.
"All is well," Sansa smiled reassuringly. "Nothing came from it. If anything, it was a terrible attempt…"
"... That's good," Arthur managed a smile, suppressing his anger. "I know now, more than ever, how I truly feel. These past few months have truly felt like an eternity… and, I suppose my anger is proof of it all. I want to protect you… and any harm coming to you feels devastating, especially if it's by my hand…"
"Well, that wouldn't quite be your fault."
"I put my trust in someone who didn't deserve any of it," Arthur shook his head. "The truth that you even had to endure such a situation… the Azure Emperor will answer for it."
"... How, exactly?" Sansa blinked.
"I'll make sure he won't do anything like that again," Arthur replied. "There is also… something else. Something that I did."
"And what could that be?" She questioned.
"There's no easy way to say it," Arthur took a deep breath. "Rhaerra and I… we grew closer than simply friends."
"... I see," Sansa frowned, turning away. "I… would expect better from you."
Arthur most certainly had no experience in terms of being a 'smooth operator'. If anything, all he had ever done was turn women away. He decided to be entirely honest instead.
"That doesn't change how I feel towards you. If anything, the experience helped me realise the truth of my heart. The truth is… it's really greedy, way greedier than I could have ever imagined…" Arthur shook his head, "It's difficult… I don't want to lose either of you. I know it's a ridiculous, selfish and even shameless desire, but…"
By nature, he was the opposite of shameless… so such a request was extremely difficult to even speak out loud.
"I want to marry you and still keep Rhaerra by my side. If you hate or even dislike that idea, it's more than understandable. I don't want to seem like I'm forcing this choice upon you… but I truly wouldn't want to choose between you two. So, if there's any chance of it working out, I'd take it…"
"So, she has agreed to such an arrangement?"
"Yes... that would be her compromise. We all have to make some sacrifices. For instance, my honour and reputation would most likely end up in the garbage heap," Arthur smiled slightly. "But, I've realised there are things far more important than what others think of you. It's... living the life you want to live, without any regrets or 'what ifs'. We could all be together, without anyone being left heartbroken. So... why not take that chance? Why choose one's happiness over another's when both could be achieved..."
There was a long moment of silence.
"I... am not particularly fond of the idea, but... I know what it is like to be turned away. It's the worst feeling in the world. Rhaerra is a brilliant woman, that much even I can't deny. And you... are a good man, Arthur," Sansa turned to him. "You don't want to hurt either party, so you've come up with this proposition..."
Arthur nodded.
"I didn't imagine you proposing to me would ever be so complicated," Sansa sighed, shaking her head. Arthur observed a slight smile thereafter. "I will accept Rhaerra on your behalf. Just promise me something..."
"Yes?"
"That you'll always love me more."
"..." Arthur chuckled. "That's... an interesting request."
"You're not the only greedy one, you know. I don't want to find myself in a loveless marriage where Rhaerra has all of your favour..."
"That will never happen," Arthur shook his head. "I give you my word. You would be my wife... and you'd always come first before anyone."
"That's all I wanted to hear."
She embraced him.
"Anyone except Edric, of course..." Arthur added after, embracing her. "I'm still a Kingsguard..."
"I can understand that," Sansa laughed.
...
As the festival celebrating Edric began, the Azure Emperor had tried numerous times to gain Arthur's loyalty. He offered vast lands, palaces of gold, endless treasures, any of his daughters and concubines (many of which were beautiful) - even a handful of them if that would turn him, powerful positions at court and even absolute control over the imperial forces as the Emperor's sword - the supreme general.
He even offered to adopt him as heir if he married one of his daughters, which would lead to him becoming the next Emperor of the Golden Empire of Yi Ti.
He was... absolutely throwing everything at him.
It may have been extremely tempting for other men in the same boots as him, but Arthur wasn't remotely interested. His loyalty to Edric was absolute. The more the Azure Emperor tried, the more it irritated Arthur. When the festival came to an end... so did his patience.
The final nail in the coffin, the final insult had been the position the Emperor had put Sansa in... but this attempt to turn him was the burial.
Once they were about to leave, Arthur stormed the palace... alone.
No one could stop him from breaking into the throneroom, where the Azure Emperor was left thoroughly shocked. In one hand, he held a blazing Nightfall, and in the other... Edric's banner. The royal guards scattered as he marched forward - slowly but with intention.
"Do word this for me," Arthur looked at the translator. "I am Ser Arthur of the House Tudburry, Serjeant of the Kingsguard and my King's sworn brother. Gold will not buy me. Power will not corrupt me. Lust will not tame me. You could offer me the world, and I would only pass it on to my King."
"Duty... that is the only thing that will ever consume me."
"Why are you doing this?" The translator questioned once he was done. "What did his Divine Majesty do to earn your fury?"
"Tried to put his filthy fingers where they didn't belong," Arthur answered, stepping forward. "After all of those months of travelling through the Shadow Lands, that... was the final insult. Now, I'll do something I should have done the first time I walked in here."
As Arthur approached, no one in the court dared stop him. The Emperor left his throne and tried to run away, but he crashed into a magic barrier and fell to the ground. By the time he rose to his feet, Arthur was already upon him. With one mighty swing, he melted through his head and decapitated the Emperor.
Then, in the place of his head, he impaled the banner - burning a long hole going through his body all the way to the ground. The banner held up the 17th Azure Emperor in death, making him stand, while Edric's sigil soared in the air.
"Some day, this banner will fly over the Golden Empire of Yi Ti. That will be the day a true God-Emperor reigns over it."
He let go of the banner and walked away, leaving the Azure Emperor standing.
No one impeded him.
...
After sailing from Yin.
"Sandor, I've always wondered... why aren't you a knight?"
"Never liked knighthood," He replied bluntly. "My brother was a knight, that was enough reason for me to refuse being one. The vows knights make mean fuck all."
"Aye, there's bound to be rotten apples... but there's plenty of good knights to make the difference," Arthur shook his head. "And the true value of those vows comes from the person who makes them. You are more than worthy of that title."
"..." The Hound looked at him, his expression softening slightly. "I once imagined that most knights were like you."
He was someone who shared a similar admiration for knighthood as he did when he was younger, only that view was shattered... whereas Arthur never quite grew out of it, carrying on with the ideals he believed in.
"There's many men who grow disillusioned with the world and lose their way... I know I almost did. The reality around them drains out their hope, bit by bit. I know full well that you're a worthy knight, only... you need to believe that as well," Arthur drew his sword. "Do you have the desire to do so, the will to truly uphold the principles of Knighthood where others do not? To stand against the wave of false knights and inspire boys who were like us once..."
"... Yes," Sandor took a deep breath as he kneeled. "I do."
Arthur placed his sword on his right shoulder.
"In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave..."
...
5th day of the 12th moon, 302 AC.
Many months of sailing had passed before Arthur and his fleet of ships docked in King's Landing bearing all of their gifts. By then, Edric had already celebrated the birth of his second son and presumed heir, William. Meanwhile, Arthur had sired a child of his own through Rhaerra, a girl whom Edric had suggested naming Artoria after himself.
"Those dragon eggs look absolutely lovely in person," Edric said, looking pleased atop his new throne. "Words cannot describe how much you've accomplished on your journey, Ser."
"Fortune favours the bold, Your Grace," Arthur smiled, playing for the crowd. "There is one thing I might ask of you...."
"And that is?"
"I wish to marry Lady Sansa of House Stark."
"You have my blessing," Edric smiled, nodding. "You can marry whenever and however you see fit, Ser."
"I would be honoured to have it overseen by the High Septon in Baelor's Sept. I do not believe anything else would be more fitting."
"Most certainly."
[Edric's POV]
The 7th day of the 3rd Moon of the year 307 AC, Storm's End.
A little over four years later...
Thunder and rain had not ceased for months on end as the Storm King had tirelessly worked the forge. First, his armour, a stunning black set of plate embued with golden magic and a touch of eastern in some aspects. Wearing it, Edric was a fortress among men, an impenetrable and unstoppable eight-foot-tall titan.
Then, the famed Sunpiercer - enchanted to complement his Storm Magic. Nothing could deter an arrow fired from it. Then, the Warhammer 'Fury'... styled after Robert's and his old, it was the most crushing and thunderous of all weapons. One swing from the Storm King with Fury in hand carried the force of a thousand men. And, at last, came the King of all swords... Stormfyre.
It had shattered when tempered in water, shattered when tempered in the heart of any beast... reforged over a hundred times throughout the years, its Edricarian steel folded thousands upon thousands of times, it was never quite enough...
As the prophecy had foretold, only the heart of the one Azor Ahai loved most would temper it.
He observed its softly glowing purple blade. It sparked with power and glowed in the darkness, lighting the entire forge. Upon its blade were the words 'Mugen Itto', the sword that cuts dreams into reality. Edric's eyes darkened as he thought of Daenerys, his five children... and all that was important to him. In the future, without the perfected Lightbringer in hand, all he saw was defeat.
"You can wait a little while..."
Edric sheathed the untempered Stormfyre and deposited it within the Plane of Euthymia.
Winter had reached its greatest point; it would not be long now...