(Third-person perspective)
One week later
Jon Arryn was enraged by the reckless actions taken in the name of the Faith of the Seven after receiving reports from the Three Sisters and the Lord Drasil about the conflict among their peoples. He knew all too well the opportunistic nature of the Three Sisters and was convinced that their primary motivation was not religious fervor but personal gain. The situation escalated rapidly, and the Lord Sunderland attempted to rally other lords to defend him under the banner of faith.
Jon Arryn was lost in thought in his secret chamber adorned with the House Arryn crest. Aermir Lord Drasil and the Temple of the Old Gods could not ignore this brazen act of aggression. A blood feud was imminent, threatening to plunge the entire region into a devastating and costly war. As the Hand of the King, he had a duty to prevent this catastrophic outcome.
King Robert Baratheon sat on the Iron Throne, his face filled with dejection. He was preoccupied with drinking, whoring, and hunting, but was interrupted by the important question Jon Arryn had raised. The kingdom had enjoyed a period of relative peace since the rebellion, but Robert still had no intention of ruling it.
Jon Arryn approached the king, his eyes revealing the gravity of the situation. "Your Majesty, we find ourselves on the brink of a serious conflict," he said. " The Three Sisters are relentlessly invading the North. Lord Aermir Drasil is currently at war."
"War?"
Robert's eyes lit up with interest at the mention of the word. He leaned forward on the massive iron seat, his stormy blue eyes fixed on Jon Arryn. "What advice do you have, Jon?" he asked, his voice brimming with curiosity.
"I believe that seeking a peaceful resolution is in the best interests of the Kingdom," Jon Arryn replied. "I suggest sending an envoy to Lord Aermir to urge him to lay down his arms and negotiate. At the same time, we should also send a message to Ned Stark, urging him not to raise his banners. We must prevent the conflict from escalating further."
When Jon began to speak of peace, Robert lost interest, but he had to state his position, for he was king. King Robert considered Jon's words, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the armrest of the Iron Throne. "He won't accept this so easily. I know a little about the young lord of Moat Cailin; he's a ruthless warrior, and he won't allow such an insult to go unpunished."
"We will exhaust all diplomatic means before considering further action," Jon Arryn assured him. "We should also contact the lords of the Three Sisters and urge them to cease their aggression."
Just as the King was pondering his Hand of the King's words, a messenger arrived before him with a sealed letter. Robert read it, a mischievous smile spreading across his fat face. He handed the letter to Jon Arryn. Jon Arryn read the letter, his heart sinking, his expression growing increasingly serious. The letter was from Lord Aermir Drasil, and its contents were clear and unambiguous.
"Your Majesty," Jon began, his voice heavy with regret, "It seems Lord Aermir has declared war on the Three Sisters. He will not accept this insult to the Old Gods, the North, and himself."
Robert Baratheon's knuckles turned white as he gripped the Iron Throne, torn between his responsibilities as king and his innate excitement over the brewing conflict. But he knew he couldn't personally participate in this war. As the ruler of the kingdom, he couldn't join the conflict, for on one side was Ned, and on the other, Jon.
However, beneath his kingly exterior, Robert still harbors a part of the former warrior who revels in conflict. His days of leading armies into battle are over, but the thrill of combat remains an essential part of him. As the kingdom teeters on the brink of a new war, he cannot deny the energy and excitement surging within him.
Jon Arryn remained steadfastly attuned to his friend and the King, aware of Robert's inner turmoil. As a man of reason and diplomacy, Jon understood the gravity of the situation, and he also knew that Robert enjoyed watching conflict unfold.
"My king, Lord Drasil may have already stated his intentions, but he must obey your commands. If you command him to step down, he must comply."
Robert Baratheon's eyes betrayed a complex mix of emotions. He shared a deep friendship with Jon, Jon was like a second father to him, and the king was acutely aware of Jon's unwavering commitment to peace. Yet, he also recognized the necessity of addressing the recurring attacks from the Three Sisters.
He replied sternly, " Jon, you are like a second father to me, but you must understand that in this situation, control may not be in your hands. The conflict was started by your own people, and its outcome is not up to you. While I may not like the responsibility of ruling, I am not a fool. If I were to order Lord Drasil to cease his actions, it would be as if I were siding with you in another conflict, while the Three Sisters continue to raid North ships year after year. We simply cannot stop them, and even Ned might not be able to quell the wrath of the North lords. Then you will have a much larger conflict between the North and the Vale, rather than Three Sisters Moat Cailin."
Jon argued, "My lord, we cannot definitively prove that the raiders were from the Three Sisters. They were merely classified as pirates."
Robert raised his hand to silence him, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter. " Jon, you know who you're talking to. I don't like playing politics. You and I both know they're behind this. I didn't get involved in your dispute with Ned because we could ignore it, but this time, there's no turning back. They openly attacked him, and now they should face the consequences of their actions."
Jon Arryn nodded gravely, understanding the seriousness of the situation, but he urged again, "My King, many people will die needlessly, and tax revenue in these regions will indeed be greatly affected. This will place a burden on the Royal Family."
Robert Baratheon's tone was serious. "Yes, it's quite possible. I ascended the throne because of the unwavering support of the North and the Vale. In this conflict, I cannot openly take sides, but I also cannot prevent you from supporting your own. The decision is now in your hands, Jon. Will you allow the war to escalate into a war between the North and the Vale, or will you send Lord Drasil to face the Three Sisters?"