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"My lord... This... This is a drastic action. It would be better to wait for King Robert's return."
"Grand Maester Pycelle."
"My Lord."
"Send a raven to Casterly Rock. Inform Tywin Lannister that he has been summoned to court to answer for the crimes of his bannermen. He will arrive within the fortnight, or be branded an enemy of the crown and a traitor to the realm."
"Ah, you're letting your personal biases get the better of you Lord Stark" Renly pointed out.
"Am I? The proof is right before us" Ned said pointedly.
"A commoner who saw a large man cut down a blacksmith and then slice a horse's head off. That could be anyone because you were not there to witness it with your own eyes. That man could have been paid to say those words and there was no attack at all! Or worse, them attacking themselves and faking it all for coin."
"And who would do such a thing? Who would pay to put Tywin Lannister in that light? Risk his own head like that?"
"Someone who has something to gain from all the chaos."
"I ask again, who?"
"Perhaps someone who holds a grudge against your family?"
Ned scoffed at that. Who would hold a grudge against him when he's been holed up in the North for so long?
[The men all bow their heads in acknowledgement. Ned steps down from the throne, and Baelish follows him, speaking only to Ned.]
"A bold move, my Lord, and admirable. But is it wise to yank the lion's tail? Tywin Lannister is the richest man in all the Seven Kingdoms. Gold wins wars, not soldiers."
"Then how come Robert is king and not Tywin Lannister?"
Robert is also indebted to Tywin Lannister and hesitates to do anything that might lead to displeasing him. Like sending his son to the Night's Watch for his crimes, or bringing him in for attacking you as brazenly as he did. So tell me, Lord Stark, who holds the power here?"
Ned shifted uncomfortably at Olenna's question.
[Back at the Eyrie throne room in the Vale. The men again crank and the Moon Door is opened. Ser Vardis prepares himself with a sword, shield and full body of armour. Bronn refuses a shield and is only wearing leather clothes.]
"Will he be alright? Fighting an armoured Knight in... that?" Sansa questioned.
"A skilled man can fight in anything he wishes," her father told her kindly, pushing the mood from before away for now.
"And a smart man being underestimated will play it to his advantage" Brandon the elder added with a shake of his head. "This man might turn out the victor."
"Against a knight?"
"Aye."
Sansa did not believe it. A Knight would not be defeated by some... whatever this man was.
[Robin Arryn screams "Fight" and the two men move forward. Multiple times Vardis swings forward and multiple times Bronn casually steps to the side, causing Vardis to waste his energy. Bronn moves backwards as Vardis continues to swing away, eventually up a staircase. Bronn hops over the staircase railing, again avoiding Vardis' attacks.]
"Stand and fight, coward!"
"He is fighting. But your wife seems to be under some delusion that all men fight in the same headstrong manner" Olenna clicked his tongue. "She must not have seen many melees."
"She has not" Jon Arryn confessed. Lysa had always stayed away from watching violent things.
[Bronn kicks over a candle stand in front of Vardis. Vardis steps over it and is again on the offensive, moving Bronn towards the centre of the room, close to the now opened Moon Door. The men hold one another off directly in front of the door, Vardis appearing to have the edge. Robin is giggling as Tyrion looks worried. Bronn muscles Vardis' blade away from him and steps to the side. Vardis yet again goes excessively offensive and swings for the fences and Bronn keeps stepping away. Vardis moves Bronn again to the middle of the room, as he swings for Bronn's head, Bronn ducks and stabs Vardis in the belly. The room is in disbelief. Vardis moves forward, muscling through the pain. Bronn sidesteps him a few more times and slices through his back. Vardis swings once more, but Bronn shoves his body towards the Moon Door. Bronn is in complete control as Vardis is defenceless against the door. Bronn looks up at Lysa and Robin who have blank faces - faces of shock - so he thrusts his sword into Vardis' neck, killing him, and pushing him out of the Moon Door.]
Sansa too had an equal look of shock on her face. A knight losing to... that man?
"He did not fight with much honour" Sansa eventually said with a frown.
"There is no honour in fighting for your life, girl. What matters is whether you live or you die. The man fought with honour and he died. What did honour get him? Hmm? Survival is important, no matter what route you must choose for it."
Ned would have liked to interject there and tell Lady Olenna that she was wrong, that a fight should be fought honourably. But he was a man who fought in two Rebellions, he knew honour goes out the window when it comes to living. How could he refute the older woman when he'd shed his honour when fighting enemies? It was a lesson he made sure Ser Rodrik taught his sons as well.
"Is it over?"
"You don't fight with honour!"
"Besides, I don't see what was so dishonourable" Oberyn spoke. "He fought the man till he drained him before attacking. If anything it was a smart ploy by him. Shows that unlike most who prance around because they're a knight, he's actually been in fights and knows the measure of his opponents well. A skilled fighter."
Sansa's face pinched in distaste. Everything a Knight was, was honour. If that didn't matter, then what made them different from just any fighter?
None, that was the answer she told herself. There was no difference between a fighter and a knight when it came down to fighting. Only the skilled and the smart come out victorious.
"No. He did."
[Tyrion turns to Mord who uncuffs him.]
"Can I make the little man fly now?"
"Not this little man. This little man is going home. I believe you have something of mine."
[Rodrik Cassel tosses Tyrion his purse. Tyrion bows before Catelyn begins walking out, Bronn following. He tosses Mord the purse full of coins.]
"A Lannister always pays his debts."
[At King's Landing in Ned's quarters. Arya and Sansa await as their father limps forward, using his cane for assistance.]
"I'm sending you both back to Winterfell."
"This won't go down well would it" Lyanna whispered to Ned.
All Ned could do in reply was groan.
"What?!"
"Listen -"
"What about Joffrey?"
"Are you dying because of your leg? Is that why you're sending us home?"
"That is some conclusion you've come to Jon said amused.
Arya shrugged, her face red from embarrassment.
"What? No."
"Please, Father. Please don't."
"You can't. I've got my lessons with Syrio. I'm finally getting good."
"This isn't a punishment. I want you back in Winterfell for your own safety."
"Can't we take Syrio back with us?"
"Who cares about your stupid dancing teacher?"
"You still don't know what she does?" Robb asked in exasperation. If it was him he'd at least see what dance his usually boyish sister was learning.
"Why would I care what she does?" Sansa scoffed.
"Because you're her sister and you're both in a new place and know no one" Daenerys pointed out. Viserys might have been a lot of things, but he'd make sure to know what Daenerys was doing, especially in a new place.
Sansa scoffed again.
"I can't go. I'm supposed to marry Prince Joffrey. I love him and I'm meant to be his queen and have his babies."
"Seven hells" Robb muttered.
"Seven hells."
"You Starks are all the same" Jon Snow snorted, earning a shove from both Robb and Arya.
"When you're old enough, I'll make you a match with someone who's worthy of you, someone who's brave and gentle and strong"
"I don't want someone brave and gentle and strong. I want him!"
"Are you certain it is him you want? Or is it the title of Queen you're after?" Margaery asked with a smile. "Not that there's anything wrong with it. I too would like to be Queen in the future."