291 AC – Casterly Rock – The Lion's Mouth
The royal column appeared on the horizon.
Robert Baratheon rode at the head wearing his gleaming black armor. He had not drunk since the day the ravens flew from King's Landing. His beard was gone, face freshly shaved and his eyes clear. The man who had stumbled through the Red Keep not so long ago now sat his destrier like the warrior who had broken Rhaegar Targaryen at the Trident.
Behind him rode Ser Jaime Lannister and Ser Barristan Selmy, white cloaks streaming and their faces grim. The rest of the royal party knights, lords, squires followed in disciplined ranks.
As they reached the wide stone platform before the Lion's Mouth, the gates stood open. A crowd waited: Lannister guards in crimson, household knights, servants, and at the forefront Tywin Lannister and beside him a small figure in black and gold velvet.
Lyonel.
Robert reined in his eyes found his son instantly among the waiting line.
For a moment he said nothing.
Then, in a calm and quiet voice he spoke.
"My son, come here."
Lyonel stepped forward without hesitation and stopped before his father's horse.
Robert swung down from the saddle in one smooth motion, armor clinking softly. He looked at Lyonel then reached out and pulled him into a hard, enveloping hug.
"I'm glad you're safe" Robert said
Lyonel stiffened in surprise. He didn't expect Robert to do something like that. The last time he was hugged by him was years ago
When Robert released him he kept one gauntleted hand on Lyonel's shoulder, looking down at him.
"You've got taller" Robert said ruffling his hair and smiling.
Lyonel managed a small smile. "It's been six moons father, it's inevitable"
Robert's laugh echoed for a few short seconds. "Good, keep growing strong my son."
Lyonel turned to the two white-cloaked knights who had dismounted behind Robert.
"Ser Jaime. Ser Barristan." He inclined his head formally with polite and clear voice. "It is good to see you both safe."
Jaime's eyes flickered with something like pride or perhaps relief. He returned the nod. "My Prince."
Barristan's stern face softened fractionally. "Prince Lyonel. I'm glad to see you looking well."
Robert turned to Tywin.
The two men regarded each other for a long moment.
"Tywin," Robert said with commanding tone sounding every inch the king he was meant to be. "Report."
Tywin inclined his head once. "Your Grace, let us step inside. There is much to discuss."
Casterly Rock – Tywin's Solar
Tywin stood behind his desk, hands clasped behind his back. Robert stood opposite, arms folded.
Tywin spoke without preamble.
"The Ironborn struck at dawn. Longships slipped past our outer patrols under cover of mist. The docks and warehouses burned within the hour. We lost seven ships of the line, most of the merchant fleet in harbor."
Robert's jaw worked. "Casualties?"
"Perhaps two thousand."
"And why was my son there?" Robert asked, glancing at Lyonel.
Tywin met his gaze without flinching. "Prince Lyonel was in Lannisport beacuse I allowed him to go there on his own as a reward for doing well in his lessons. He was escorted by Ser Arys Oakheart, Sandor Clegane, and Ser Boros Blount. When the attack began, Ser Arys and Clegane brought him back through the streets. Ser Boros attempted to flee during the fighting. He has been confined to the cells pending your judgment."
Robert's fist clenched on the table edge. The wood creaked.
"I'll deal with Boros myself," he said, voice dangerously cold.
Tywin nodded once. "The Ironborn have blockaded the western coast. They raid the smaller holds along the shore, but they lack the strength to assault the Rock."
Robert leaned forward. "And what about Balon ?"
"He calls himself king and his brothers command the raiding fleets."
Robert's fist clenched. "Then we end this quickly. I want the Iron Islands broken and Balon's head on a spike!"
Tywin inclined his head. "Agreed
Robert nodded once. "We wait for Ned, then we sail."
Half a Moon Later – Casterly Rock
The northern banners arrived under grey skies.
I stood with my father and grandfather on the ramparts, watching them approach. Even from a distance, the northmen were unmistakable fur cloaks and rough wool, longbows and axes, horses shaggy with winter coats despite it being summer.
"There son look," Robert said, pointing. "That's your uncle Ned's banner."
Lyonel followed his gaze and saw it the grey direwolf on a white field, snapping in the wind at the head of the column.
My father's face transformed. The hard mask of the king softened, and for just a moment, I saw genuine joy there. "Ned," he breathed. "Thank the gods."
We descended to meet them in the outer yard. The northern column filed through the gates in disciplined ranks Stark, Bolton, Umber, Karstark, Manderly, Mormont.
As he dismounted, he dropped to one knee immediately before my father and the rest of his army follow right after.
"Your Grace."
Robert stepped forward and clasped Ned's forearm, pulling him up with a rough but genuine grip.
"Get up, Ned I told you already none of that kneeling shit between us."
Ned rose, meeting Robert's eyes. "You asked for the North's help. I called the banners the moment I got your letter."
Robert looked at him for a long moment. "I need you, Ned. Greyjoys nearly took my son, Ned. It will not end until I have Balon's head."
Ned inclined his head. "Then you have me Robert."
The two men stood there for a heartbeat old friends, brothers in all but blood. Then Robert turned, gesturing toward Lyonel.
"Ned this is my boy Lyonel."
Ned's gaze shifted to him.
For the first time, Eddard Stark laid eyes on Robert Baratheon's eldest son.
I stepped forward, bowing my head formally. "Lord Stark."
Ned studied me and Lyonel could feel the weight of his eyes: assessing, measuring, seeing the black curls that were so like Robert's, the sharp green eyes that were so like Cersei's.
"Prince Lyonel," Ned said. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my prince. Your father often sends me letters about you."
I met his gaze and chuckled. "I hope some of them were good, my lord."
Ned smiled and said. "I think he kept sending me those letters just to brag about you."
I laughed surprised. "He brags about me?"
Ned inclined his head once. "More than he brags about winning the throne. He wrote once that you asked better questions at six namedays than most lords do at sixty."
My father snorted behind us, but there was no mockery in it. "Don't let it go to your head, boy."
Ned glanced at Robert. "You're the only man I know who can make shouting sound like strategy."
Robert barked a laugh the first real one I'd heard from him in years. "Seven hells, Ned. You wound me."
Ned soon joined in and both of them laughed for a few moments. Then he looked back at me.
"When this is done, you can always come north whenever you want to, my prince. We will welcome you anytime. Winterfell and the North is way colder than South and Kingslanding or even this place but the hearths burn true."
I bowed my head again. "I would be honored and I think I might take you on this offer one day, Lord Stark."
Robert clapped Ned on the shoulder. "Enough of this. We've got squids to drown and a king to hang. Come inside Tywin's got maps and wine though if I catch you drinking, Ned, I'll know the world's truly gone mad."
Ned's mouth quirked. "I'll stick to water, Your Grace."
Robert laughed again loud, booming, the sound rolling across the yard and led the way toward the inner halls. Ned fell in beside him without another word. I followed a step behind, watching the two men old friends, brothers in all but blood walk shoulder to shoulder like they used to do in the past.