I'll Take on All Seven!

(I typed this on my phone today, so there may be typos. Please bear with me, dear readers.)

"What?"

"You want to fight all seven by yourself?"

Everyone was shocked by Arthas's arrogant declaration.

In all the recorded history of Westeros, there had never been a precedent for one man challenging seven members of the Kingsguard!

The Kingsguard, as its name suggested, was the guard charged with protecting the king in person, generally composed of seven knights clad in white cloaks and white armor.

Once they swore their oaths as White Knights, they had to serve for life, holding no lands, taking no wives, and fathering no children. They owed allegiance only to their sovereign and fulfilled their duties until death.

Becoming a member of the Kingsguard could almost be considered the highest honor a knight could attain!

Some of the greatest warriors, battle commanders, swordsmen, and historical figures of Westeros had served in the Kingsguard, even including members of House Targaryen.

The most famous among them were Arthur Dayne, the "Sword of the Morning," "Barristan the Bold," and Arthas's own elder brother, Jaime Lannister, the "Kingslayer."

Defeating any one member of the Kingsguard would make a man famous throughout Westeros, with every noble waving Gold Dragons to recruit him.

Yet Arthas had boldly declared that he would challenge all seven members of the Kingsguard at once!

"No, Ael!"

Cersei's anxious voice was the first to break the silence in the hall. She hurried forward several steps, finally stopping at the top of the stairs:

"That would be too dangerous."

Although he had beaten Jaime before, Cersei did not believe for a moment that Arthas possessed the strength to face seven members of the Kingsguard alone.

Or rather, unless a Targaryen rode into battle on a legendary dragon, she simply did not believe anyone in Westeros possessed such strength!

"Indeed, Lord Arthas."

Baelish, standing nearby, also offered a hypocritical attempt to dissuade him.

Arthas's earlier behavior had already infuriated him, and now this seemingly suicidal proposal almost made him laugh aloud.

"Chaos is a ladder."

-that was Baelish's creed in life.

If House Lannister's sole heir died in King's Landing like this, whatever changes followed would bring him nothing but benefits.

Having climbed from a pimp to the position of Master of Coin, profiting from danger was his greatest specialty.

"The Kingsguard are all powerful knights. With your abilities, Lord Arthas, such an act would be no different from seeking your own death."

As though afraid Arthas might survive, Baelish offered what sounded like dissuasion, but a closer consideration revealed the provocation in his tone.

"Please reconsider, Lord Arthas."

Varys, known as the Spider, could no longer sit still either. Although his Little Birds had long since brought word of Arthas's victory over the Mountain back to King's Landing, he had never imagined anyone would be arrogant enough to challenge seven members of the Kingsguard alone.

If Arthas died in King's Landing, it would likely cause further turmoil, which did not accord with his principle of preserving order in the realm.

"Your Grace, since Lord Arthas is so confident in his abilities..."

After considerable deliberation, Varys proposed a compromise:

"Why not have him accompany Commander Janos to familiarize himself with the defenses of King's Landing first, then formally assume the duties of Commander of the City Watch after the tourney?"

"Very good. I am quite satisfied with this arrangement."

Cersei slowly stepped back and seated herself on the Iron Throne once more. Under Baelish's disappointed gaze, she addressed Arthas loudly, her tone full of warning:

"Arthas Lannister."

"I, Cersei Lannister, wife of King Robert Baratheon and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Hereby appoint you Deputy Commander of the City Watch. Do you have any objections?"

She gripped the armrests of the Iron Throne so tightly that her fingers turned slightly white.

Her large, beautiful eyes fixed on Arthas's handsome face in desperate entreaty, as though saying:

Stop trying to get yourself killed. Just accept!

But Arthas was destined to disappoint her.

His golden eyes swept calmly over everyone in the hall. As he took in their varied expressions of gloating, deep concern, or indifference, a disdainful sneer curled his lips.

"I refuse, Your Grace."

The youth's stubborn voice reached everyone's ears clearly.

"What did you say?"

His firm answer made Cersei feel her heart pounding violently. She clutched the armrests of the Iron Throne as though she meant to tear a chunk of iron from them.

"I said, I refuse!"

Arthas Lannister took in the gazes of those around him with interest and answered firmly once more.

The novel sensation of having his strength questioned was something he had never experienced as Arthas Menethil, prince of Lordaeron.

Though Uther had questioned his decisions, Jaina had questioned his actions, and his father had questioned his original intentions, no one had ever questioned his strength!

"Ser Barristan Selmy."

Arthas loudly challenged the white-haired old man, who still wore his usual expression and stood elegantly in place as though attending a reception:

"As the sole legitimate heir to House Lannister, I can take responsibility for every word I say!"

"I, Arthas Lannister, hereby formally challenge the seven members of the Kingsguard before the Seven."

"I wonder if 'Barristan the Bold' dares accept?"

Beneath his white cloak, Barristan's gaze instantly sharpened like a hawk's as he looked at the young man before him, who clearly had no idea of his own limits.

"Arrogant!"

His tone sounded less like a rebuke than an expression of admiration.

Their earlier confrontation had given him a rough understanding of Arthas's strength.

The presence Arthas exuded was enough to make even this powerful knight, renowned throughout Westeros, reluctant to look aside.

"To think House Lannister, famed for its cunning, would produce a brave warrior such as you."

Old but still ambitious, Barristan drew the longsword at his waist and pointed its tip straight at Arthas. His resonant voice rang throughout the hall:

"Barristan the Bold fears no challenge!"

Then he turned toward the Iron Throne, planted his longsword before him with both hands, and knelt on one knee:

"Your Grace!"

"I, Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to Robert Baratheon, First of His Name."

"Agree to lead six members of the Kingsguard in accepting Arthas Lannister's challenge!"

"I ask that you report this matter to the king once he wakes."

"We shall fight a fair contest before the Seven and all the nobles of King's Landing!"

At this meeting of the Small Council without the king, someone had finally remembered to seek the king's opinion.

"Very well!"

Gritting her teeth, Cersei glared at Barristan for accepting so readily. Her answer emerged from her throat in something like a shriek:

"In the name of the Seven."

She turned to Arthas, a trace of reluctance flashing through her eyes, only to be replaced immediately by a viper's gleam.

Despite all her efforts to mediate, Arthas still chose to seek his own death. This greatly displeased her, accustomed as she was to holding power and controlling the course of everything.

In her pursuit and control of power, she was practically identical to Tywin.

Though she coveted Arthas's body greatly, she had now lost patience with this disobedient younger brother.

"I will discuss this with the king once he is sober."

"Given Robert's enthusiasm for tourneys, I am certain he will be delighted to watch a battle between a Lannister and the Kingsguard."

"Especially since there is another Lannister among the Kingsguard."

Those words were both a reminder and a warning.

A warning to Arthas that Jaime was also a member of the Kingsguard.

"Rest assured, my dear sister."

Arthas gave a gentle smile, and the tense atmosphere vanished in an instant.

"I will be very careful not to hurt Ser Jaime."

His matter-of-fact tone suggested victory was already assured. He did not even regard the renowned Jaime as an opponent, treating him as nothing more than a dispensable pawn.

"Hmph. You had better."

Clearly utterly disappointed in Arthas, Cersei's attitude toward him had now undergone a complete reversal.

With a cold snort, she did not even bother announcing the end of the meeting. She simply lifted her skirts and swept away, unwilling to waste another word on him.

Barristan cast Arthas a look full of fighting spirit, then followed Cersei out, charged as he was with protecting the royal family.

"Lord Arthas, I truly admire your courage."

Baelish approached warmly, spreading his arms as though to embrace Arthas, though the gloating in his eyes was rather difficult to hide.

"I imagine that after this battle, the name 'Arthas the Bold' will spread throughout Westeros!"

"You flatter me, Lord Baelish."

Looking at the Master of Coin, who could remain so composed even after being toyed with, how could Arthas fail to understand what little schemes were running through his mind?

"But I may have to disappoint you."

Arthas's golden eyes fixed on Baelish with a hint of a smile, staring until he began to feel unnerved:

"I shall emerge victorious and successfully take office as Commander of the City Watch."

"When that happens, every lawbreaking merchant in King's Landing will have to keep their heads down!"

Hearing the threat in Arthas's words, Baelish immediately shrank back a little, his short stature looking even smaller beside Arthas's towering figure.

"Lord Arthas, I believe you have misunderstood me."

"The Lannisters have always been excellent business partners. I very much hope you win this challenge!"

He hastily retreated several steps, but retained some measure of grace as he bowed slightly to bid Arthas farewell.

"I just remembered I have some matters to attend to at home, so I shall take my leave."

With that, beneath Arthas's amused gaze, he turned and walked unhurriedly out of the hall, though his seemingly elegant steps carried a hint of someone fleeing for his life.

"Lord Arthas."

Compared with Baelish's rather poor acting, Varys the Spider seemed much more composed.

At least his tone was quite sincere.

"Such a feat has never been attempted in all the history of Westeros."

"I sincerely admire your bravery and stubbornness, and hope you become the greatest warrior Westeros has ever known."

Without deliberate flattery or attempts to curry favor, Varys finished speaking and made his own way out of the hall.

This Master of Whisperers is no simple man.

Watching the gleaming back of Varys's bald head, Arthas could not begin to guess what the man was thinking.

He had never encountered such inscrutability since coming to this world. Even when facing that old fox Tywin, he could roughly guess what was on his mind.

But speaking of old foxes...

Turning toward Pycelle, who was already snoring thunderously in a nearby chair, Arthas shook his head.

He had to admit, the old fellow really knew how to put on an act.

Not bothering with the Grand Maester's masterful performance, Arthas strode out of the hall.

Though his swordsmanship had already reached its pinnacle, he dared not take seven powerful members of the Kingsguard lightly. He needed to return and conserve his strength for the coming battle.

"Arthas, you fool."

Just as he left the hall, the shrill voice of a boy who had yet to fully mature reached his ears.

Hearing that familiar voice, Arthas, who had not been angered in a long time, curled his lips into a cruel smile and replied without turning:

"Is that how you greet your uncle?"

"Where are your manners, Joffrey?"