(Third-person perspective)
After his conversation with Jon, Eddard returned to his room. He threw himself onto his bed. The day's meetings had weighed heavily on his mind, and as he fell into deep thought, the flickering candlelight in the room caught his eye.
A knock broke the silence, and when he opened the door, Aermir stood on the threshold. He welcomed Aermir into the room. After they sat down, Aermir said...
"Sir, could you share with me why you warned him like that?" Aermir asked, his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity.
Eddard's reply, tinged with a hint of anger, cut through the air. " Aermir, you may be powerful, but remember, I don't work for you. I only do what I believe is right. I know you plan to weaken the Vale, perhaps turn it into another Iron Islands. I owe Jon a favor; I may not be able to help him on the battlefield, but I must protect him from destruction. Are you spying on me?"
Aermir's reply was accompanied by a gentle smile, containing a cautious assurance. "I'm not spying on you, I'm spying on Jon. He's the lord of the enemy, and spying on him is a prudent move. I don't want to destroy the Vale. I need them to provide manpower. Having them work is crucial for me to resist the Night's King. I'm weakening their forces simply to deter them from fighting again after the Night's King is defeated."
The room was tense as the two argued their differing viewpoints. Aermir shook his head, dispelling the lingering tension, and flawlessly continued his explanation, "When I suggested dividing the Iron Islands, I didn't know the Night's King was real. Even if I had, I would have done it. Those cowards are useless against the undead. Most likely, they would break their oaths again and wait to die on their islands."
Eddard was now more thoughtful than angry, and he questioned Aermir's certainty. "Why are you acting as if defeating the Night's King is a foregone conclusion?"
Aermir smiled and replied, his face resolute. "Because if we lose, we will all die. If the North is destroyed, why should I care what happens to the other kingdoms? I must assume we have a future. So I need to prove that even with limited numbers, we still possess the strongest army."
Eddard's expression subtly shifted. The imminent threat of the Night's King cast a shadow over the complexities of politics and personal loyalty, placing the survival of their homes and loved ones above all else.
"You may be right about the greater threat we face," Eddard admitted, meeting Aermir's gaze. "But we cannot ignore the fact that our actions will have consequences. Turning the Vale into a battlefield may achieve your goal, but it will plunge countless innocent lives into chaos."
A resolute determination shone in Aermir's eyes. "I understand your sacrifice, sir. In times of war, sacrifice is inevitable. The survival of the North and my loved ones is more important than the stability of a region."
Eddard sighed, grappling with the complex moral dilemma before him. "I won't pretend to fully understand your approach, Aermir, but I implore you to consider the lives you might jeopardize. We are still human, and we must face the consequences of our choices."
Aermir nodded solemnly. "I don't make these decisions lightly. But sometimes, the road to victory is fraught with difficult choices. Let's focus on finding a solution that minimizes collateral damage."
A slight, appreciative smile played on Aermir's lips as he continued, "When I say I respect you, I mean it. You are the most honest and respectable man I have ever met. But precisely because of this, you are unfit to be Warden of the North. Your inability to prioritize the safety and needs of your people makes you superior to me, superior to all other lords. I bet you could pave a bright path for your enemies if you held them by the throat, but this world has no place for honor. I will always choose those I love over thousands of strangers."
Aermir's words resonated deeply, a stark acknowledgment of the harsh reality they faced in their struggle for survival. Eddard's voice, heavy with reproach, questioned Aermir's assertion, "How do you know they'll attack us after we defeat the Night's King? How can you be so sure?"
He had explained the matter before, but Eddard still couldn't comprehend how his respected lords could do something so dishonorable in his eyes. Aermir replied matter-of-factly, "Because if I were a fanatical follower of the Seven, I would have done the same. Consider this: the North has always possessed the most powerful army in Westeros. Right after the dragons, our people were the decisive factor in most wars; after the Ball, everyone feared us and distanced themselves from us. They stole our talents to keep us weak; they never allowed us to be self-sufficient. Our army is the reason our faith cannot expand. Now, besides this powerful army, we have a powerful sorcerer, and after our battle, I'm 100% certain they will try to assassinate me or launch an invasion. Their long-held dream has been to eradicate the Old Gods ' rule in the North. After that battle, we will likely be vulnerable, while they will still possess elite troops. This will be the perfect opportunity for them to make false demands."
As the meaning behind Aermir's words became clearer, the tension in the room grew increasingly intense. He was tired of beating around the bush with Eddard. Aermir got up to leave the room, but turned back and said...
"I will try my best to limit the destruction, but your help to Arryn is not limiting destruction. You will make me inflict even greater damage on them. If you warn him of my plans again, I will have no choice but to attack them with all my might, and I don't want that. It will render the Vale useless against the Night's King. My lord, please don't interfere."
Jon and Aermir's long discussion had been going on for four days, and everyone was starting to get bored. Aermir suggested, "My lords, while we're still engrossed in these discussions, I'd like to propose a temporary break from the constraints of this room. Rather than let the tension continue, why not organize an activity to lift our spirits?"
His gaze swept across the faces of the Vale lords, gauging their reactions. "I suggest we hold a hunting party—a chance for us to temporarily set aside our current tasks. Imagine: the crisp air of the Vale, the thrill of the hunt, the shared experience of pursuing a common goal. This will give us a fresh perspective."