Winterfell drew near

(Thanks to reader 20210713184418074 for the monthly ticket.)

"Hey, Bran!"

"Where are you?"

Morning had come to Winterfell, which benefited from being surrounded by the ancient Godswood, and from the fact that the last winter had been many years ago.

The capital of the North was always full of life. Birds and insects called back and forth, and even the air seemed filled with the fresh scent of earth.

But at that moment, the duchess of Winterfell, Catelyn Tully, was in no mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Holding up her skirts, she hurried anxiously about, calling again and again as she tried to find her son.

Since marrying Eddard Stark, this devoted, strong woman had dutifully borne him five children.

Her eldest son, Robb, was growing up and would soon become a northern man capable of standing on his own.

Her youngest, Rickon, was still little, an adorable child who clung to his parents all day and gave her little cause for worry.

It was her second son, Brandon Stark, almost ten, who worried Catelyn to death.

The rapidly growing little rascal was always racing through Winterfell on his strong legs, climbing the high walls whenever he had the chance.

Though Eddard and Catelyn had warned him countless times, Bran, who had inherited his parents' "wolf blood," had adventure running through his veins.

To their faces, he promised faithfully that he would never climb the walls again, only to forget it the moment he turned away and carry on as he pleased.

Catelyn was frantic. Any other day would have been one thing, but reliable news said that King Robert and his party would soon reach Winterfell.

As a matter of courtesy from their hosts, all the duke's children should have been standing at the gates to welcome the king.

Bran's four siblings had obediently gone to wait at the eastern gate early that morning. Only this little rascal was missing.

"Hey, Mother!"

Just as Catelyn's blue eyes were searching anxiously, a clear call suddenly came from overhead.

Looking up, she saw a little boy who bore a fair resemblance to her lying atop the wall, greeting her with a mischievous look.

"What are you doing, Bran?"

Afraid of startling her son, Catelyn held up her skirts and lowered her voice, beckoning as gently as she could.

"Come down quickly. The king will be here soon!"

"It's all right, Mother."

Unlike the anxious Catelyn, Bran shook his head, his chestnut hair fluttering in the wind.

His blue eyes, exactly like his mother's, were full of innocent anticipation.

"I haven't seen the stag banners yet!"

"Oh, you little rascal!"

Seeing how unhurried her son was, Catelyn urged him all the more anxiously.

"For the Old Gods' sake, come down."

"If your father finds you missing, you'll be in for another scolding!"

Hearing his mother invoke Eddard, Bran, who had always held his stern, serious father in awe, dared not persist.

But before climbing down, he could not resist turning back for one more look beyond the walls.

Under his expectant gaze, a golden stag banner slowly appeared on the Kingsroad.

Then came crimson lion banners that blotted out the sky, a torrent that seemed about to swallow the golden stag.

"The king's here! The king's here!"

An excited Bran turned and shouted to his mother, then clambered nimbly down the wall in a few quick movements.

Clearly, when it came to climbing, he was far more gifted than Tyrion with his short little legs.

At the head of the king's procession, Robert wore a grim face, as though everyone owed him several million gold dragons.

These past few days had left him terribly pent up.

A man in his prime with an extraordinarily strong appetite, Robert had slept with almost every prostitute in King's Landing over the years.

Going a few days without visiting prostitutes was worse than death to him.

He had not traveled so far in a long time. With everyone watching, he could hardly bring a few prostitutes along, and he had no desire to bed his beautiful queen, so he could only keep holding it in...

Though Cersei had no interest in him either.

Fortunately, Robert had been able to hunt now and then along the way, venting some of the energy that had nowhere else to go.

Besides, Winterfell's outline was now faintly visible.

Gazing toward distant Winterfell, Robert's eyes flickered with deep longing.

Not merely for Eddard, his dear brother and comrade whom he had not seen for years, but even more for the beloved woman he missed so desperately, who had long since died.

"Lyanna..."

Softly calling the name of the woman he loved, Robert seemed to see that beautiful figure with her long brown hair once more.

Though so many years had passed that he had almost forgotten what she looked like, his stubborn love had become an obsession, haunting his thoughts day and night.

"That damned fat pig..."

In a carriage not far away, Cersei lifted the curtain, her green eyes filled with anger.

Watching Robert shake his head and sigh, how could she not know what was on his mind?

After all these years, she still could never measure up in his heart to someone long dead.

Gritting her teeth in resentment, Cersei turned toward the handsome man riding a tall horse nearby, clad in white cloak and white armor.

"Ser Jaime!"

After so many days, Jaime finally heard his lover call to him again and eagerly urged his horse closer.

"Your Grace, what are your commands?"

Leaning down, Jaime could barely conceal the excitement in his eyes. Robert had certainly suffered from being pent up these past few days, but had he been any different?

Ever since they had left King's Landing, Cersei had not spoken a single word to him. Even when he found an excuse to strike up a conversation, she simply turned and left.

It had plunged Jaime into deep anxiety. He worried that Tyrion had been right, and Cersei really had fallen for Arthas and had a change of heart.

"My dear Ser Jaime."

Cersei leaned out, almost touching Jaime's ear, and whispered so that only the two of them could hear.

"We're nearly at Winterfell. I imagine there must be some very 'secluded' places inside."

Knowing Jaime would never refuse her, Cersei's eyes flashed with the pleasure of revenge.

"I think you ought to serve your queen properly."

"As you command, my queen!"

With his orders received, Jaime hurriedly spurred his horse forward, repeatedly urging the procession to move faster. The raging fire in his chest seemed almost impossible to contain.

At the rear of the procession, the Imp, who had stayed close to the Mountain, shook his head somewhat helplessly at Jaime's excitement, yet seemed to breathe a long sigh of relief inwardly.

Apparently, Arthas probably had not climbed into Cersei's bed, which was why she was so angry.

Otherwise, he would have become the only brother in the family who had not bedded the queen...

"Your Grace, I think you should see this."

While Robert was lost in deep reminiscence, another Kingsguard in white cloak and white armor rode up from the rear of the procession and respectfully handed him a note.

"What is this, Ser Arys Oakheart?"

Robert took the note absentmindedly and asked rather casually.

Among the Kingsguard who protected him at close quarters, Robert trusted the upright Arys far more than anyone else, second only to Barristan.

"News from King's Landing, Your Grace."

Arys lowered his head slightly, displaying the respect due to his king.

"It seems to be from your Master of Whisperers, Lord Varys."

Though the king no longer possessed the martial prowess of his youth, he remained skilled at winning men's hearts.

After the Kingsguard had been defeated by Arthas, Robert had not blamed them. Instead, he had shown them exceptional generosity and concern.

Arys was deeply content to guard such a wise monarch.

Though his private life was admittedly rather disordered...

Hearing his subordinate's report, Robert frowned and unfolded the note in some puzzlement.

Though he had left King's Landing, he had arranged for Renly to oversee affairs of state before departing.

Surely nothing too serious could have happened in just a few days.

As he read the note carefully, Robert's eyes grew wider and wider.

Killed the Faith of the Seven's High Septon and appointed a new one without authorization?

A Hundred Days Purge Operation in King's Landing?

Renly and Barristan stood by and watched, and even offered some support?

The more Robert read, the angrier he became. His chest heaved, and his fat face trembled uncontrollably.

What he found most unacceptable was that the former Commander of the Gold Cloaks had supposedly been found guilty of corruption and abuse of office, and all his gold dragons had been confiscated?

With a sharp crackle, Robert crushed the note to shreds. Beneath his dark circles, his eyes almost spat fire.

This Arthas was utterly out of control!

Who in King's Landing didn't know Janos had been working for him, the king?

Ninety percent of those million-odd gold dragons belonged to him!

And what were those two fools, Renly and Barristan, doing?

Failing to stop such madness was bad enough, but they had actually aided him and offered their support?

No, this could not go on.

Recalling Varys's words in the letter, that the people of King's Landing were actually cheering "Long live Arthas," Robert felt his heart clench.

Though the cries of those lowborn commoners posed no threat whatsoever to his throne, a Lannister was stirring up trouble in King's Landing and thriving at it.

This was not a good sign.

Robert now bitterly regretted his decision to appoint Arthas Commander of the City Watch.

But who could have imagined that a blond youth with thick brows and large eyes, who looked so honest and dependable, would turn traitor the moment Robert left King's Landing?

"Arys!"

There was no time to lose. Robert hurriedly called out his orders to Arys beside him.

"Write a letter in my name and send it back to King's Landing."

"Tell Renly and Barristan to keep a close watch on Arthas. They must not let him do anything else out of line. Everything can wait until I return to King's Landing."

Slapping his mount hard on the back, the once-valiant warrior narrowed his eyes, radiating murderous intent, as though he had returned to his undefeated youth.

"Tell Renly I grant him full authority to serve as acting Hand of the King."

"If necessary, he may dismiss Arthas from his post as Commander of the City Watch outright!"

The string of orders left Arys startled and uncertain, wondering what Varys had told the king in his letter.

But utterly loyal, he asked no questions and immediately rode toward the rear of the procession.

After Arys left, Robert stared intently at Winterfell's gates, now perfectly clear, as a powerful sense of crisis rose within him for no apparent reason.

It was the first time he had felt this in all his years as king.

"Ned, I think I've made another mistake."

Clenching his fist, Robert struck his own thigh. He could hardly wait to see the man he trusted most in this world.

He prayed silently, determined to use whatever means necessary to bring the duke of Winterfell out of his distant northern seat.

"Without us even noticing, the Lannisters have surrounded King's Landing, surrounded your king."

"Only you can help me now."

"You must help me, Ned."