What If Robert Baratheon Exiled Jaime Lannister to the Night’s Watch

What if Robert Baratheon exiled Jaime Lannister to the Nights Watch? Let's explore the depths of it in the video. Robert and Ned stare at the corpses presented before them. Lord Tywin explains that these are the Targaryen children and he has disposed of them for Robert. The rebel lord can only watch this with an ashen face, his expression slack as he cannot decide if he is disgusted, shocked, or relieved. But Ned has a much easier time deciding. Shame on the House of Lannister for such barbarity. Shame. They were your enemies. They were children. Children, Robert, to die in such a sword way, butchered like some common criminal. Shame. His voice rises, growing unusually angry. It frightens a few of the Lannister bannermanmen. But Lord Tywin is not among them. He draws himself up and folds his arms together. But there is a flash of anger in his voice, not from shame, but simply because Ned dared challenge his house like that. >> And what did you think would happen to them, Lord Stark, that they would live out their days in court? So long as they lived, they would be a threat to the throne. Some ambitious lord would use them to forward their own agendas, and they would have been sucked into this war. It was best that they died now. Dad like this kicking and screaming hacked apart beyond recognition. Is this how the lion behaves? Like a mad beast. And what of the king? What of him? Did you expect us to take him prisoner? The man who started all this conflict. It is not what was done to him as to who did it. His own king's guard. The man sworn to protect him. And yet he opened his throat while you seized this city for your own, while you sat out this war. I will not stand here and be insulted by you, Lord Stark. Your grace. Surely you can see we've done this to serve you. My men have no intention of seizing King's Landing. And we offer it to you. One through Lannister blood. Lannister treachery, Ned wants to say, but feels John Aaron's arm pulling him back. The old lord of the veil shakes his head silently urging Ned to be silent. He looks equally disgusted by this whole ordeal, but also knows this. The Lannisters wish to ally themselves with the rebels, and it would be foolish to turn them aside, as barbaric as their actions were. Ned turns to Robert, looking at him imploringly. The warrior had said nothing since the bodies were presented. He knew that Tywin was right about it, that there was no way these children wouldn't have been used as puppets if they didn't try to rebel on their own. And yet he looks at their bodies swaddled in Lannister cloaks. Not a sign of respect, but to cover up the brutality. >> I will not have Sir Jamie in my king's guard. >> I understand. If you wish to dismiss him, I will not fight. >> I do not merely wish to dismiss him. I wish for him to be sent to the wall as Lord Stark suggested. He is a king slayer, and I will not have men like him in my kingdom. What? This is outrageous. It is unfair. He slew the mad king for you. He slew him for you. So you may claim you always supported my cause while you watched thousands die from castly rock. Where were you when our armies crashed on the trident or when I had to hide from house to house in Stony? I knew where Ned Stark and House Tully were. I even knew where the Martell and Tyrells were. You are not in a position to be making demands. Tywin glares at him, but Ned and John Aaron step to his side, cursing. Tywin throws his hands up in the air and storms off. Jaime accepts this punishment with surprising dignity. He bows his head and follows after. I suppose we can kiss the Lannister Alliance goodbye. That proves accurate as Tywin and his army leave in a matter of days, returning to the Westerlands. They do not support Robert's rule, but neither do they oppose it. Instead, the old lion adopts an isolationist policy. While Ned is proud of his friends for standing his ground in the face of this, it leaves them in a vulnerable position. The Lannisters remain one of the wealthiest and most influential houses. They can seow quite a bit of trouble, which is why John Aaron wished to ally with them. As that is no longer an option, he instead tries to isolate them diplomatically. The Riverlands in North are unlikely to support them, leaving only the Tyrells as potential allies. Robert is instead betrothed to Jenna Tyrell, sister of Mace. Although the king does not wish to marry again, John Aaron persuades him to do it, if only because it will produce a stable line of succession, he does not stop there as the new hand also recognizes the Martell's as potential allies. Many are furious at what happened to Ellia and her children, but it is tempered slightly when they see how Robert had punished the Lannisters. There are those, especially the Red Vipers, who wish to fight the crown in revenge for her, but John Aaron tries to plate them with a visit. He brings with him the bones of Ellia and her children and presents them to the Martell brothers. I come bearing the remains of your sister, niece, and nephew. I also come to offer my most sincere apologies regarding what happened in King's Landing. I must stress that these were not the actions of the king, nor did he approve of them. And yet, he did not punish them. He had the King's Slayer exiled to the wall and rebuked Tywin's attempts to form an alliance. That is the least he could have done. And the yet Jaime is perhaps the smallest offender in this situation. All he did was slay a mad man. And what happened to the mad dogs Tywin unleashed on my sister? Or the old lion himself? Why are they not shivering in Castle Black with the king's slayer? You place a bandage upon a severed arm and expect us to thank you for it. My brother speaks truly. Exiling Jaime Lannister was the correct course of action, and you have my thanks. But our debts are far from settled on that much we agree. That is why I also offer an alliance, a marriage pack between Stannis Baratheon and one of your cousins to help mend the wound further. I will say I am impressed by your audacity for such an old man. You still come here suggesting we join our houses after the humiliation and blood we suffered. Had we not been bound by guest rights, I would send your head back to Robert. You are upset, but please listen to what I propose. Very well. But be warned. Guest rights might save your head, but it will not stop me from having you thrown out of Sunspear. You wish to punish the Lannisters. I understand that. And I will not begrudge you that. But you must see that you cannot accomplish that now. The realm is tired, and if you raise your banners, you will just rally the houses around the west as Tywin will paint the Dornish as wararmongers. You may slay him, but is it worth earning the eye of the rest of the great houses?" Dorne listens to each of these, nodding his head. That much is true, but neither one seems truly convinced or appeased. Their faces appear stormy, angry. However, this time of quiet will not last. When have you ever known Tywin to forgive a slight? Alaner always pays his debts as they say. He will eventually strike against the crown and will eventually overpass his hand. When that happens, we will have to leave to strike, and Adornish will have the chance to exact their revenge. But will they do so with the backing of the crown? The same crown which Tywin so desires. As he finishes those words, the Martell brothers share a look. Both of them stare at one another, considering it. Their expressions are unreadable, but Jon senses a shift in the air. The tension eases as they consider a suggestion. Finally, Doran speaks. I must say, King Robert has chosen his hand. Well, you make a compelling argument. Very well. Dorne shall she its spears for now. But when the time comes, the blood price must be paid. When Jon departs, he is accompanied not by a cousin, but by a niece of Dorne Martell, a young woman by the name of Lyanna. With that, there is a promise of peace and acknowledgement of Robert's rule. Tywin watches all of this from Castle Rock. He does not attend Robert's coronation, nor does he attempt to show any support for the new king. All he does is brood and plot. He has to admit it is a clever ploy on John Aaron's part, as it effectively isolates the Westerlands with the few prospects of an alliance, save for perhaps the Ironborn. The Seven Kingdoms are now closed off to him, and they hope it will force him to eventually bend. Instead, Tywin looks for allies beyond the continent. He soon finds them as he receives a report that the remaining Targaryenss, Viserius and Daenerys, have both fled across the Narrow Sea thanks to Sir William Derry. They have little money and few prospects on their own. They may eventually be hunted down if they do not find any support. So, Tywin reaches out to them. While the realm celebrates the end of the rebellion, he takes a ship to Braavos and meets these children. He finds them hiding in a house with a red door and a lemon tree outside. Beside him, his daughter keeps close with a hood over her blonde curls. When a slot in the door opens to see Tywin, a loud growl escapes from behind. >> What do you want? I wish to speak with you. I know who you have in there, and I have a proposal. >> A bolt can be heard opening from inside, but when the doors open, it reveals Sir Willm with a sword leveled to Tywin's throat. Now, I'm going to give you one chance to convince me why I shouldn't carve open that apple of yours, my lord. I can help the children retake the seven kingdoms. You're going to have to do better than that after everything you've pulled on House Targaryen. Then you know how I was rewarded for my efforts. A son in exile in my house, Sariah. Only because you were a traitorous dog, Lord Tywin. What did you expect from a man who betrayed one king? Now you claim to serve House Targaryen. >> I did serve House Targaryen. For half my life, I served them. I saw the realm through much of Aries madness, even as he began to insult and challenge me. I did my duty until he decided to shame my house. Tell me, would you not have done the same? >> So, what is it you offer now? wealth support and the Westerlands. The gold you stole from Dragonstone is not much, but I can see to it that your charges remain comfortable. They will be kept safe from those who wish to curry favor with the new king and receive an education to help them rule. The time is not right, but what it is, they will find House Lannister to back their claim. And when will the time be right? A year from now? A decade? I know how politics work, but I'm not sure I won't forget about my children. >> The same way any alliance lasts with marriage. >> He nudges his daughter forward, and Cersei removes her hood. Sir William's eyes widen as he sees her. Of all the people, she was perhaps the only person who hated Robert more than her father. She had never forgiven him for slaying her silver-haired prince, even with what their alliance had gone through with the Iron Throne, she had already sworn eternal hatred towards him. But while this alliance is forged in secret, two more are created in broad daylight. As John Aaron finishes his campaign to unify the realm and isolate the Lannisters, the marriage pacts he's created now come into effect. Reena Tyrell arrives from High Garden, young and chatty. She is jovial, loves gossip, and is prone to laughing. In a way, it makes her a good fit for Robert as she is not too serious and seems to enjoy hearing his war stories. The king laughs and grows to enjoy her company, happily spending hours boasting of his exploits and describing his time traveling to the seven kingdoms. While Robert is prone to drunkenness and spends more time hunting than ruling, Mina doesn't seem to mind. She had grown up with Mace Tyrell, after all, and had long gotten used to that. When they are around, the two seem quite happy. As though it were a political marriage, they grow fond of each other. Fond, but they never truly loved one another. Robert never gets over the loss of Lyanna. And though he never says it out loud, sees Mina as a poor replacement for her. Still, this does not prevent them from siring a son. Their eldest son is Lionel Baratheon. He has his father's dark hair and his mother's brown eyes. The two dot on their young air, who grows up in the splenders of court rather than the difficulties of the battlefield. As a result, the boy becomes more accustomed to wearing silks than armor. He spends more time gossiping and talking with the courtorti. Here, he thrives, and Mina is happy to share this love with him. Robert also loves his son. He tries to push him to spend more time training in the yard to develop his muscles. Lionel is not untalented in warfare and grows into an adequate swordsman. Adequate, but not exceptional. He doesn't get his father's strength or his ferocity on the battlefield. When he enters the lists during turns, he more often gets unhorsed than unhorses his foes. Though Robert applauds him, there is always a hint of disappointment in his gaze. But while he lacks his father's ferocity in battle, he fully inherits his mind of war. On the strategy table, Lionel is a different man. Confident, decisive, and merciless. His mother notices this as well and admires her son for it. A sharp mind hiding behind a disarming smile. Mina plays the part of Queen with perfect grace. The truth is well known among the court. She is adored by her son. When they appear in court, they seem perfectly natural. At night, she enjoys telling him stories of the courts of all the ages of heroes, of the splendor and beauty as well as the intrigue and politics of her own time in High Garden. >> Remember my boy, while some might consider gossip vapid, it is information, and like all information, it has value. >> While many just see her as another courtier, one who enjoys the trappings of nobility, it hides a sharp mind like her mother's. She teaches her son how to find gossip at the source and what to do with it. She reminds him that some are just idle talk, but others have kernels of truth. For a time, it seems like their marriage is perfectly happy. The alliance remains strong, and the Tyrell send flowers, gold, and hundreds of musicians. But the king does not linger long in the marriage bed. The life he has is good, loving even. But it also isn't enough for him. There is affection between them, yes, but it is stunted, and his gaze soon wanders elsewhere. Mina does not expect fidelity, and Robert does not offer it. Through her gossip channels, she soon learns about these affairs. Robert's trips to the brothel, some of the serving women, and even her handmaidaidens. She tries to tell herself it is expected for a man of his appetites. She tells herself she had prepared for this. In private, she suffers the humiliation with quiet dignity, pouring her love instead into her child, Lionel. She teaches him how to speak with lords and cordes, how to read the mood of a room, and how to spot betrayal behind a compliment. She does not poison her son's mind against her father, but neither does she glorify him. One person whom Lionel grows close to is his uncle Renley. Like Mina, he shares a love for the court and is happy to take his nephew with him. He helps him select his clothes, takes him to masks and feasts, and introduces him to the world of politics. Like Robert, he takes note of his skill and strategy, and introduces him to some of the bannermanmen who fought alongside Robert so he may learn of their skills. Far and Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon weds Lyanna Martell, niece to Doran. Unlike Robert's union, this match begins with cold diplomacy. They are not lovers. They are partners. And yet, they work well together. Where Stannis is rigid and blunt, Lyanna is serpentine, cunning, curious, and flirtatious, both to Stannis and others around him. She speaks four languages, collects poisons in tiny glass vials, and pens her letters in invisible ink. Stannis does not understand her, but he respects her diligence. her knowledge and her passions and her organization. Yet, he is far from the intimate man Lyanna would have wanted. To Stannis, this marriage is an alliance to further the family. Yet, from the beginning, he understands that she requires freedom, and Stannis is willing to give it up to a point. He puts up with her attempts to be humorous, her attempts to seduce him, and her spending time in court, but he does set boundaries. Stannis understands he is far from the most intimate person, so he suggests a compromise. >> I'm no stranger to a person's needs. I've seen my brother trying and failing to control them for my entire life. I am no septum who will tell you to suppress your urges. But if you are to be my wife, I expect you to temper yourself. If you lie with a man, take care you will not bring any bastards. >> Oh, what if I just lie with other women? >> Women don't result in a pregnancy. Go ahead. But take care not to bring any scandals with you. You can expect me to be as discreet as ever. >> She obeys the bounds he set, not out of fear, but out of understanding. While others might have been insulted, she understands it is Stannis's attempt to reach a compromise with her and to take her feelings into consideration. The two also share a strong sense of justice. They both talk about the injustices faced by House Martell throughout the years. One of their most intimate nights came as a result of the two talking about how much they despised Tywin Lannister over a flag of wine. The result was their son, Stefan. He grows into a fierce and confident boy, forged between his father's marshall skills and his mother's ambition. He trains with his uncle Oberin every few months in Sunspear, where the sun is hot and the weapons fast. By 12, he can disarm knights twice his size. By 14, he is already bloodied his first blade in a Dornish skirmish over disputed borders. Yet, he is not a brute. Both his parents see that, too. Lyanna sharpens his tongue as well as his spear, feeding him books on warfare and the long, bloody history of dynasties undone by their arrogance. Meanwhile, Stannis teaches him about discipline in warfare, how to hold his nerve in battle and maintain order during a march. Across the years, the two boys, Lionel and Stefan, grew close. They spend winters together in Kick's Landing or Storm's End. Lionel, long-lived and thoughtful, always has a book under his arm. Stefan, broad-shouldered and sund darkened, keeps his sparring staff nearby. Their personalities complement each other, the mind and the muscle, the strategist and the sword. They hunt together, study together, and train together. Where one is found, the other is rarely far behind. Their parents take note. Mina sees Stefan, the warrior her husband once was, the kind of man she feared Robert would favor over his son. But Robert does not notice or pretends not to. He drinks. He feasts. He disappears for weeks on hunts that have more to do with taverns than boars. While he loves Lionel dearly, a part of him has quite aware that he is not the warrior his father wants him to be. But Stefon is, still, he is a prince and one the realm can be proud of, thanks to his mother's quiet pride and John Aaron's constant guidance. Outside the inner circle of the royal family, House Tyrell stirs. As the affairs go on, they become more and more difficult to hide from Mina and from the rest of the court. While Mina tries to keep things hidden, paying off women who get pregnant and coming up with excuses for the king. Word soon reaches Mace Tyrell, who is furious upon hearing this, though many in court merely brush it off as the escapades of the king and treat it with amusement. The Lord of High Garden views it as an insult. The Reach is proud, and the Queen's humiliation by Robert's endless string of mistresses is seen as an insult to the entire house. The Tyrells are already dealing with the fact that they have no direct ties to House Gardener. This only adds fuel to the fire, and some of their less loyal houses suggest they are mere bedwarmers. In response, Mace speaks of the broken vows and public shame. He demands that Robert show proper respect or risk losing the Reach's full support. Even the presence of young Lionel, well-loved, well- raised, cannot soften his fury. John Aaron works tirelessly to keep the Tyrells in line, to remind them that power is not held by honor alone, but by alliance. Yet the damage is done. What began as a triumphant marriage between crown and reach now threatens to sour into a quiet emnity. It dishonors me. My sister sits cloaked in shame of the king beds tavern girls like some cells sword lordling. Your sister is queen and her son is heir to the iron throne. That is the true measure of honor. And this honor is laced with insults. What message does this send to the reach? That our flowers are plucked and tossed aside while the crown grins and drinks. >> Mace says nothing more, but the fire in his eyes speaks clearly. The Tyrells may not risk rebellion. Not now. But they will remember. That night, Mina diet with Lionel in her solar. No servants, no noise, just mother and son and a meal grown cold. >> I'm sorry for what they whisper. >> They whisper about him, not you. When you are queen, even the silence becomes a kind of scream. Promise me something. >> Anything. >> Do not shame your wife. Whoever she is, whoever they choose for you, make her feel seen, even if you cannot love her. >> I will. And yet, while their marriage remains stable for now, Mace does not forget. And this drives him into the waiting arms of Tywin Lannister. He sees the opportunity brought about by this division and reaches out to them. While he does not reach out to him directly, he sends small messages to him, reminding Mace that the Tyrells once stood high in the favor of the Targaryenss. Aries had always shown favor to the Tyrells and allowed them to serve with honor. Mace responds to these favorably and sends several sentimental letters longing for those days, and Tywin responds with a simple reminder that those days are not fully passed. Across the Narrow Sea, Viseris grows up with an education fit for a king. While Tywin might not see him directly, he had kept Sir Willm updated on the happenings in court, Pycel had kept him up to date, ensuring that they always remained one step ahead of the assassins. Aside from that, he sends tutors and advisers to the king, ensuring he remains knowledgeable about the state of Westeros. These men advise Viserius regarding the history, houses, and philosophies of the seven kingdoms. This creates a more stable environment for the boy, letting him grow up to be brave and intelligent, but cunning and ferocious. More importantly, still highly ambitious for his kingdom. And every day he looks beyond the narrow sea, aching for the day that he can sail westward. And Tywin slowly lays the groundwork. The Tyrells are not the only ones angry by Robert's rule. Many houses that stood high in the Targaryen's favor are resentful of Robert's rule. His harsh punishments had left them weakened, and Tywin reached out to them, offering generous loans that helped them recover. Meanwhile, the crown also finds itself increasingly indebted to the Lannisters. Though Robert wishes to distance himself from Tywin, he is happy enough to accept their gold when he wishes to hold a turn or a feast. And bit by bit, their debt grows. With that, Mace can approach the Iron Bank with a deal. He shows them how unstable the Crown's debts are and how they will never be able to repay them. But Tywin then comes up with a solution. As their second biggest debtor, he promises to prioritize their payments over his and even uses his resources to ensure that the Iron Throne pays their debts. The Iron Bank is intrigued by this offer and soon agrees to provide him with a loan. In the meantime, Robert continues to waste the crown's finances on feasts and turns. Normally, Mace is happy to enjoy such festivities, but each time an event is held, Tywin whispers to him, hinting that Robert might be using it as a chance to search for more conquests and ignore his wife. It is meant to be a celebration. The Feast of Swords, Robert calls it, named for the rebel lords who won him the crown. A hundred lords are summoned to King's Landing. Musicians play. Tables sag under platters of roasted bore and lemon cakes. And wine flows so freely that even the high septum is said to stumble when he stands. Robert seems at ease. His face is red from drinking. His booming laugh fills the hall and he claps the old war commanders on the back. His queen, Mina, sits beside him with a careful dignity, dressed in green and gold. Her smile is painted on. She satisfies herself with talking with the court ladies. But many of the rumors she hears are about herself. That in Tywin Lannister, the Lord of the West, enters the hall unannounced and uninvited. His appearance draws the attention of every lord present. The great lion of the west has not set foot in the red keep since Jaime was sent to the wall. Some rise in greeting, unsure if this means reconciliation. Others, more cautious, remained seated. >> Let him stay so long as he keeps his tongue behind his teeth. >> Tywin says little publicly. He drinks nothing. He speaks only to those he must until he disappears down a side corridor during the third course. There in a candle at solar heavy with the scent of roses and parchment, he meets Ma Tyrell. Youth shouldn't have come. It draws attention. The times come. The series lives in the realms ripe for the plucking. The boy has grown into a man. Educated, sharp, resentful, yet malleable. He wants the throne and he has the swords to take it. What he lacks are friends in Westeros. That's where you come in. You ask treason. I offer marriage. Daenerys, his sister, was wed to Solores. Think of it. The reach joined the dragon's blood. A queen from Hygon and Viserious eternal gratitude. So grateful he may even name you Hand. And the boy. What of the boy Lion? He is still my blood and I will not allow him to be killed. Mina is fond of him. We must act quickly. Then we capture him. And if all goes according to plan, the Baratheonss will not know what hit them. The boy will be spared. A long silence. Mina does not love Robert. He has never forgiven the king's public disgrace of Mina, nor his contempt for their alliance. But Lionel is his kin, his nephew. More importantly, he must get the support of his sister, Mina, in this rebellion. It is their best chance of securing the Red Keep. As the festivities wind down, the queen prepares to retire to her chambers. However, her guards and servants are dismissed by Mace, who personally escorts her. >> The king has pulled out all the stops for this celebration. Glad to see our people's wine and gold is being put to good use. >> Don't act as if you don't enjoy a good celebration, Mace. >> I would if it wasn't laced with insults to our house. Does Robert truly think he can laugh and jess with me while I know he is dishonoring you? >> You're exaggerating, Mace. >> And why are you defending him? What has he done to earn such loyalty from you? >> He's my husband. It is his duty. Besides, you knew what sort of man he was when you married me off to him. >> I knew him to be a man of great appetite, but I at least expected some dignity from him. It was one thing to do these things in his youth, but the man is a king, and he must act it. I've heard the talk. If he truly wishes to behave like this, then others believe themselves to be better rulers. >> Mace, I certainly hope you don't intend to do something foolish. >> No, simply correcting a mistake I made. Tell me, do you honestly believe Robert is a king worthy of serving. I was approached by some lords here, those who wish to see someone else crowned. and all I am saying is many have legitimate grievances just like you. >> He takes his sister by the hand and they continue to talk. The list of insults and struggles poured on her continues to grow. While some might be exaggerated as Mace uses many of the suggestions Tywin had made. It works as Mina thinks back to the 15 years of marriage. She begins to wonder if there ever was a time when Robert was faithful to her. Even happy memories slowly become poisoned as Maize speaks with her. It doesn't happen right away, but throughout this event, he wins her over by the end. >> And what about Lionel? You say you want a new king. What should happen to my boy? >> Believe me, I do not want anything bad to happen to that boy. >> The assurance is all she requires to join his cause. Mina does not wield the same political power as Robert, but she does have her own abilities. Gossip. Tales of Robert's escapades are no stranger to the court. It is a simple matter to manipulate and twist them. Simple stories of flirtations between Robert and some highborn ladies are now exaggerating to him having affairs. A crude joke is altered to Robert behaving inappropriately around the lord's sister and daughters. Stories of him misruling and neglecting his duties also filter to nobles with petitions. She targets Robert's friends and allies. Those who have served with him for a long time and know his behavior. Many had once tolerated or even laughed at it. But when they hear it is happening to their families, many begin to pause and consider what they mean. A part of her feels bad for what she is doing. But she also reminds herself that men like them had known Robert for years and never once had an issue with it. They had never even offered to comfort her. And while that happens, Mace slowly shifts the royal household. Tyrell guards loyal to him are added to the queen's guards for the upcoming coup, and a 100 reachmen are placed in the city watch. Robert barely notices this, but another Baratheon does, Stefan. He regularly visits the Red Keep and the barracks to drink with some of his friends and notices the surge of fresh faces. He learns that most are men from the Reach, which raises his suspicion. It may well be nothing, but it also could be something. So, Stefan brings the news to his parents at Dragonstone as he dares not tell Robert for fear of creating a commotion in the capital. I spoke with the man at the barracks. There are new names, new uniforms. Too many, most from the reach. And they aren't scattered. Someone placed them intentionally. Watch posts, gates, and corridors near the Queen's Tower. 50 new household guards and nearly 100 men in the Goldcloaks. >> Did you say anything to them? >> Just that I was curious. I didn't want to draw attention, but I've been there often enough that they started watching me. It could just be Lord Tyrell shuffling his troops or it could be something. I know Lord Tyrell grasping and ambitious. He will never sharpen his many blades unless they are ready to use them. Something is coming. I must reinforce the capital. I'll take 200 swords with me. If Mace Tyrell is sending men, he cannot protest if I were to bring my own. >> Take 400, my love. It won't hurt to remind them of your strength. I 400 it is. I'll leave by sunrise. That should be soon enough to draw no suspicion. >> I will send a rider to Sunspear. The Martell will not be caught unprepared. If Mace does something foolish, the Dornish will have a spear at his throat within a fortnight. >> You did well telling me this. Coming from Stannis Baratheon, it is the highest praise. Lyanna rises and approaches Stefan, placing a hand on his shoulder. I am glad you didn't just listen to your uncle Oberin's wild stories. And you, husband, be careful. >> She reaches out and touches his cheek. Stannis takes hold of her hand and nods. >> Don't worry about me. Just cleaning up another one of Robert's messes. Nothing I haven't done before. >> It was his attempt to reassure her, and Lyanna nodded her head, grateful at the effort. It takes a few days to assemble the men and the ships to transport them, but that is too late. While Sir Davos monitors the sea lanes for any suspicious activity, they don't realize the Bravosi had already acted. Ships from the free cities sail into the harbor of King's Landing as always, but many of them bring more than precious stones or animal pelts. They bring cell swords and some disguised to sailors and others secretly transported into the city. And in the dead of night, the Tyrell men clad in the cloaks of the city watch admit a column of cell swords into the shadowed belly of the Red Keep. They move with purpose, blades drawn and orders memorized. Their leader carries a banner of a three-headed dragon. The storm breaks just as the slaughter begins. Thunder shakes the walls. Guards are cut down in their sleep. Servants strangled in silence. Panic erupts in the royal quarters. Robert rushes to his feet and finds a dagger. He jams it into the first man who comes at him, then wrestles his spear away to fight off the attackers. Two more fall before him before a trio of men wrestles him to the ground. They begin to pummel him with kicks until Mina shouts for them to stop. >> Enough. I do not want him harmed. >> Robert looks up in surprise, seeing his wife's face. She is composed, cold, and calculating. The guards all take the king down to the dungeon. The red keep burns, not with fire, but with chaos. And through it, Stannis Baratheon moves like iron. His cloak is soaked, his jaw tight. Stefon rides with him and cuts through the guards, trying to burst into Lionel's room. They find the prince sword in his hand and tell him to get dressed, down twisting staircases, through hidden passageways long forgotten. Stannis leads them through the bowels of the keep. The sound of screams echoes through the stone. Blood stains their boots. His men try to fight their way into the red keep to rescue Robert, but there are far more men than they had expected. Soon they begin to suffer losses, and Stannis worries they might not even be able to reach the harbor. They reach a narrow sallyport and mount up. A blooded man at arms tells them that the port has been seized by cells swords. Cursing, Stannis digs his spurs into his horse. We ride for Harrenhal. Then we regroup and raise our banners in the Riverlands. Wait, what of my father? We can't just leave him. We tried to reach him, but we'll lose many men, assuming we even get to him. But he's the king. I can't abandon him. Lo, your safety is more important now. So long as you live, Mace Tower will keep him as a hostage. But if you were captured, then what's stopping him from simply executing you both? Lionel blinks and tries to think of an argument, but there is none, and all he can do is silently mount his horse as they ride off. The rain lashes the Crownlands like a curse, turning the roads to muck in the fields to shallow graves. Stannis rides hard at the front of the column. Lionel, pale and trembling, rides behind him, flanked closely by Stefan. They had hoped for a clean escape through the sallyport, but the way had already been stained with corpses. Now they are not alone on the road. Hoofbeats thunder behind them. Blades flash in the storm light. The cells swords are in pursuit. They come like wolves, lean and fast, snarling in a dozen tongues. Somewhere in the colors of Braavos, others lease. Some no heraldry at all. They bear the Targaryen dragon. They number almost 600 men, and their commander is a man like no other. He looks like a giant huneed from stone, encased in dull plate. And yet, when lightning flashes, they see his sorco. Three snarling dogs. Sir Gregor Clelegane, the mountain towers above the rest. A top a destrier the color of ash. He swings a great sword longer than most men are tall, and the cell swords part around him as they rush to engage their escort. The fighting is brutal as the rain is as much their foe as the cell swords. Men clash and tumble off their horses. Others stumble from the slick roads or from enemy lances. Arrows whistle from the trees and mercenaries break through their flanks. Rain turns the road into a killing ground. Stannis curses all around him. Men begin to fall. Baratheon men fight fiercely, but the numbers are few. The gods have chosen this knight for betrayal, and they show no mercy. Lionel's horse panics, rearing as a man screams nearby. Stefan is there, dragging his cousin upright, shielding him with his own body. The prince then drives his sword through a cell sword's chest. When he tries to sneak up on Stefan, Stannis looks back. He sees the panic, the press of bodies, the broken formation. The cell swords look ready to surround him. He gallops towards the standard bearer and seizes the banner from him. >> Stefan, take him. Go, father. No, that's an order. And tell your mother I did my duty. >> Stannis wheels his horse, the crown stag, beaten and frayed, still visible in the wet. He does not look back again. Spurring his horse, he charges into the heart of the oncoming host, shouting as he goes. The cell swords hesitate, shocked by the sudden madness of it. Then the mountain sees him and laughs. Stannis glares at the massive night and spits. "Your head would make a wonderful present for my wife." He gallops forward and roars. Two titans amid the chaos. Swords crash in the downpour. The mountain swings wide. Brute strength and terror in motion. Stannis ducks low, cuts deep into his thigh. Blood sprays. He lands another blow to the giant's ribs. But Gregor is not a man who slows. He smashes his pommel into Stannis's chest, breaking ribs. Stannis stumbles, rises. Their swords meet again. Then again, then a fatal blow. Gregor's blade buries itself into Stannis's side. Still, Stannis stands for another breath. He spits blood in the mountain's face and then drives his dagger into his armpit. The mass of knight grunts in pain as Stannis collapses into the mud. He pulls the dagger out, but sees the Baratheon cousins disappearing into the storm. Stefon rides with Lionel, teeth clenched, axe still in hand, his tears sting his eyes. He doesn't dare turn around for what he might see. Around them, a h 100red survivors break from the killing field. Thankfully, the cells swords must break off their pursuit and returned to the secure the Crownlands. These mercenaries were just the first wave. Soon, more troops begin to arrive. The Tyrells and Lannisters both call their banners in support of Viseris as news spreads of their capture of King's Landing. As the city is secured, another ship arrives. Not just bringing more cells swords, but also the beggar king Viseris. He is dressed in all the finery befitting his house and accompanied by his wife, Cersei and Daenerys Targaryen, who meets with her new husband, Loris Tyrell. The young knight looks anything but pleased to see him as they make their way over to the Red Keep and begin their rule. Mace and Tywin both proclaim Viseris as the true king, saying that Robert had squandered his rule. But not everyone supports them. When news breaks that Lionel was able to escape, some houses rally to his side, Storm's End calls for his banners to oppose their rise. In Harrenhal, Lady Went opens her gates to the runaway prince and his followers. She also pledges her swords to his cause, however few they might be. But they are not the only ones to arrive. John, Aaron, Renley Baratheon, and Lyanna arrive in quick succession. The latter accompanied by Oberin Martell and a thousand Dornish men. They gather in the hall of 100 hearths to meet and discuss their plan. But all of them go silent when they hear of what happened to Stannis. >> He said he said he did his duty. >> No, Stannis. >> Auntie, I'm sorry about Uncle Stannis. It's all my fault. >> No, my nephew. This is not your doing. This is cool. It is the work of Tywin Lannister and the Targaryenss and that fat flower. >> And yet all those people died for my sake. He knew what he was doing when he came to your rescue. And he went there anyway because he saw something in you. I see it, too. He died because he did his duty. And I will be spitting on his memory if I do not do this same. >> I see it as well, Lionel. They seek to divide our people so they may rule over the ashes. But we will not let them divide us. I will stand with you, my nephew. As will I, child. I never thought I would see the day when I would need to defy the dragons a second time. But I did so for your father and I will do so for you. I recall our meeting about our alliance, Lord Erin. You promised Dorne its vengeance. Now it's time to collect. Right. Then the Crownlands, Westerlands, and Reach have all declared for Viseris. We cannot risk losing the Rivals, lest our remaining armies be cut off and conquered one by one. The key to that is Herrenhal. We must hold it at all costs. With what? They went barely has any soldiers here. All we have is the Danishment Uncle Oberin brought. The North will fight with us, but it will take them time to raise their banners. The Riverlords, we can call them to arms. If Mace Trell and Taan Lannister march, they could field more than 120,000 men. That is why I intend to ride south and meet up with my army in Storm's End. The Dornish will follow. We can attack the Reach, force them to divide their forces. This might pull away from Mace's army. With any luck, we might be able to fight our way back here. Please be safe, Uncle Renley. Don't worry about me. I don't intend to die. Neither did my father. It's difficult to leave you two behind. Believe me, I know. But I must go. But I am coming back no matter what the fat flower throws at me. You lost an uncle and I a brother, but I'm not going to follow him. John Aaron leaves too to try and gather the veil army, but Oberin and Lyanna remain to help organize the defenses. With that plan agreed to, ravens are soon sent flying to call the riverlords. Yet the answer is muted. House Vance and Smallwood arrive, followed by the Malisters and Pages. Then lastly, the Pipers, but the others do not come. House Tully is trying to hold on to Riverrun and battles the Lannisters along the Red Fork. House Bracken is declared for Viseries and now attacks the Blackwoods. The Freys must their levies, but squad on the crossing, preventing anyone from reaching them. The rest, Mutin, Daries, Ryers, and Goodbrooks, have all declared for Viseris, and their rebel armies soon begin probing the defenses of Harrenhal. The same is true in the Veil and Stormlands, where John Aaron and Renley must first put down rebellions there. The biggest of which are the Grafton, who open their port to allow the Cell Swords to pour into the Veil and force Yonroyce to besiege their city first. Meanwhile, Tywin secretly arms the mountain clans, who raid the mountain passes, turning the flow of knights into a trickle. In a way, it is less a single war and more like half a dozen smaller ones that ravage the countryside. With that, small folk from across the realm are thrown into panic. Many flee towards Harrenhal, where they hear of Lionel's government in exile. At first, Stfan wishes to turn them away, as they will eat up his supplies. And yet, Lionel agrees to let them in. They don't have the men to force them to leave, and even if they did, half the realm is already in rebellion. To lose the small folk, too, would be a death sentence. So, the prince allows them in and uses them to help fortify Herrenhal as best they can. The walls are repaired. The forges burn day and night as armor and weapons are made, and they forage for whatever food they can find. As this happens, Stfan drills whoever they can fight. And Lionel talks with the people, telling stories of how Ned Stark and Renley are already marching there. Now, he recalls his mother's lessons and gossip and stories, how they can make and break someone, and puts those lessons to heart. He spreads stories on the bravery of Lord Stannis and how they escaped despite being outnumbered 2 to1. How men resisted the Targaryenss from Dorne to the wall. And yet soon enough, the foragers ride back and bring some news. There are banners in the distance. They spot the Lion of Lannisters, the Rose of the Tyrells, and the Dragon of the Targaryenss. Stfan hurriedly orders everyone inside and shuts the gate. The royal host camps outside Harrenhal, its banners flickering in the wind. The red line of Lannister, the golden rose of Tyrell, and the black dragon of Targaryen stand side by side. An unholy alliance once unthinkable. Siege towers rise like skeletal giants. Inside the largest tent, Robert Baratheon sits in silence. He looks thinner than before, gray threading through his beard, his left hand still wrapped from a wound he barely recalls receiving. Beside him, Mina sits rigid, dressed in muted colors, her expression calm, but there is a hint of regret in her eyes as she regards her husband. Mace Tyrell looms at the other end of the table. We offer mercy. Your son lays down his arms, hands over the castle, and abdicates his throne. In exchange, you will be allowed to keep Storm's End, though he is no longer Lord Paramount. And you, your grace, take the black. My boy is no puppet. He is a mind of his own. He will not surrender simply because I tell him to. Your boy was never a great warrior. Once he sees the reality of the situation, he might be able to see reason. You of all people know that. You've spoken about his shortcomings in that regard. Robert doesn't answer. He stares down at the map at the silhouette of Harrenhal drawn in black ink. He had built his reign on strength, but his son is building something different. Robert looks at the ink and parchment on the table and pens the letter. An hour later, the letter and the Baratheon King are brought outside where Lionel and his guards ride out to meet them. As he reads it, his face darkens. So that's it then. You simply expect me to accept this defeat and ride off with my head held low after what happened to my uncle? You have nothing to be ashamed of, my nephew. You fought well and did more than any could have expected. Your uncle's death is regrettable, but let his death be the only one in this war. Will it be the only one? You say I shall live, but what of the men who follow me? What of Stfan, Lena, the Red Viper, and the others? They might be allowed to take the black, but that is up to the king and the small folk. Will they be slaughtered for their insulence, punished for simply wishing to escape war? Again, that is up for the king to decide. If he cannot answer my question, then that is all the answer I need. But I will ask you about this, father. This is your handwriting. But is this what you want, boy? Lionel, we've not seen eye to eye in many things. You've always done things your way. My advice is to stick to it and do things how you've done them instead of repeating those old fool's mistakes. Mace's eyes widen and Mina gasps. The guards pull Robert back, but the damage is done. Lionel nods and declares these negotiations over. Inside Harrenhal, thousands gather, farmers and patched cloaks, smiths with s stained hands, women with knives tucked into belts. They crowd the hall, waiting to hear if their prince will abandon them. Lionel Baratheon stands before them in plain armor, the cloak of his house soaked from riding the ramparts. Stefan stands behind him, arms crossed, watching. Lena leans against a broken column, silent but attentive. The Targaryenss have sent terms. They offered me Storm's End, a keep, a title, and a chance to live. And yet, he makes no promise for any of you. When I asked what would become of the people within Harrenhal, Lord Tyrell simply said that it is up to the king to decide. If that king cannot even answer whether he shall rule as just a man or a butcher, then there is only one course of action. We must fight. I know what some of you think. That I was raised in silk sheets. That I am no warrior like my father. That this war was never meant to be my war. He walks forward down the steps until he stands among them. And then he tears up their pardon. You're right. I was never meant to be a warrior king. I was meant to be a diplomat, a host, and a courtier. I will fight now because that is our only option. Beyond our gates are 60,000 men who wish to storm this castle. I know how many of you have come here to escape war. And it is not just to demand that you take up spears and swords. But I ask you this. If we do nothing, then those 60,000 men will slaughter us. Those who survive might be made into surfs or tortured for their amusement. A pause. His gaze scans the faces. Many of them gaunt, ragged, tired. But if you take up your blades, then you shall take up your fate and put it in your own hands. You are no longer small folk. You are the defenders of the realm. And they're afraid of you. Let them learn the old truth. The realm does not belong to kings. It belongs to those who bleed for it. And then someone shouts, >> "I will fight for you, your grace, and I won't let them take my family." >> A boy no older than Lionel stands up and shouts. Seeing this, two old men raise their staff. Then a woman with a suckling babe, a haggarded looking farmer, and then dozens. Soon that turns into thousands. The roar that follows shakes the wailing tower. For many who had never seen their king, to see him standing with them now spurs them forward. When the horns sound beyond, they do not fear. Soon the army attacks. Viseris furiously orders the army to attack on all sides. Lena stands above the gate house, directing each defense like a general. She recalls all the battles Stannis had talked about and uses that knowledge. Now she moves tokens on a board beside her, relaying orders by horn and messenger. Stefan fights along the wall, side by side with Richard Horp. His ax slick with rain and blood. Every time a ladder rises, he shatters it. When a sword breaches the wall, he guts him and moves on. He goes wherever Lionel directs him. Lionel stands at top the tallest tower, surrounded by men with booming voices and a contingent of archers who can fire messages quickly. He watches the battle from a top this purchase, directing men where they are needed. Ober and Martell moves like a shadow at his side, laughing as he spins and strikes with twin blades, showing his sand snakes, the artistry and killing. On the eastern parapet, Lord Mallister holds his line, white hair matted with blood, roaring orders like a man half his age. The river folk who follow up fight with equal ferocity, knowing their homes are at stake. For hours, the enemy surges. For hours, the defenders hold. Only a single breach so far, contained by the smiths and pot boys, now wielding bases and farm tools. When Viseris hears the failed assault, he throws a goblet across the war table. Tywin says nothing, but his jaw tightens. Against all odds, they had held. The siege of Harrenhal stretches into weeks. At night, the stars are shrouded in smoke. By day, the skies pour rain or ash. But still, the walls hold. It is not just strength that Lionel commands, or the ferocity of Stefon's ax that keeps the enemy at bay. Far to the south, Renley Baratheon keeps his word. The Stormlanders joined by Dornish outr rididers wage a brutal war across the reach. Fires burn from grassy veil to Bitterbridge as Renley's hosts strike deep disrupting supply chains inhering lords loyal to Viseris. Castles are besieged or bypassed entirely and food stores are raided and burned. This affects Mace's ability to launch attacks as he must send men back to protect their rear. Yet the true challenge lies in Lord Randall Tarly and Sir Loris who form a perfect war machine. Tarly acts as an iron bull work, halting the army's advance. Loris rides ahead, his cavalry slashing at Renley's attempts to break through. Together, they halt the Baratheon advance, but something is off. Renley sees it clearly during the third clash near the Mander. Loris hesitates. His charge is pulled back early. He is not entirely as bold as he should be, and he doesn't seem to be fighting to win. Renley rides ahead during the next engagement, deliberately exposing himself. While his Dornish men keep Randall occupied, he watches as Loris smashes through his thinned lines and Loris finds Renley underneath the willow tree. You don't want this, Loris. Not really. Loris strikes, their blades clashing, but there's no heat to it, no hatred. Renley parries the strikes and pushes them aside. I swore my vows. I serve House Tyrell. I serve the crown and my wife. That last thing sounds more like a shackle than a duty. I know you, Loris. Tell me how you intend to fulfill your duty of giving her a child. He ducks under a swing and then catches his blade. No, you serve pain. You serve expectation. Everyone but your heart. Everyone but me. Loris falters just long enough for Renley to press close. Take me prisoner then. Win your glory. End the threat. >> For a breath, the sword rises, but it doesn't fall. Renley pushes closer and plants a kiss on the night of flowers lips. Loris's sword falls from his grip as rain begins to fall. >> Then Super King will allow us to live without fear. >> While their offensive begins to regain momentum in the reach, Harrenhal's defenders begin to feel the toll. Rations are thin. Weapons wear faster than they can be reforged. Still, morale holds high. Lionel's stories, his tireless presence, his refusal to retreat from their suffering bind them. Thanking the defenders for their bravery and giving promises and stories of aid to come until the breach. It comes at dawn when a siege tower punches through the southern wall, weakened by relentless battering rams. Cell swords pour in, hundreds of them. Panic ripples through the defenders. Lionol watches from the battlements, eyes hollow with exhaustion. Then, without a word, he grabs a helmet, straps on his sword belt, and descends. Just as one ladder reaches the wall, Lionel is there and drives his sword into the first man to storm it. He fights in the mud with his people. And he fights well, but he is no warrior. Not like his cousin, not like his father. And yet, seeing this, the defenders rally and begin to drive the assault forces back in most spots. Lionel moves to one of the holdouts, urging men to follow him. Then the mountain appears. He carves through the defenders like a plague. The men around Lionel die screaming. Gregor sees the prince and barrels forward. He raises his sword up to strike and then his blades shatters and the mountain swords hack him across the chest. Lionel crumples, blood running down his side. Lena. >> The Baratheon charges. Ober and Martell is not far behind, joined by Lena, her face pale with fury and the sand snakes, blades flashing in the rain. Lena and the younger ones reach for the fallen prince and pull him aside. Stfan and Oberin circle the mountain. This is the man who made my mother a widow and murdered my sister. Together they meet the mountain and for the first time he is outnumbered, outmatched in fury. Stefon crashes into him first, his blade hacking him down. Gregor swings back, breaking Minute arms in half, but Oberin spins in and drives his spear into the joint in his armor. It severs his hamstring. Lena flings a vial of burning venom in his face, and Gregor shrieks. Then Stefon plunges his ax into the mountain's chest, hacking open his battered plate. Oberin rips his spear out and then drives it into his throat. The beast topples, and that alone helps save the wall. For now, the Targaryen camp lows with fire light and song. The air thick with roasted meat, clashing mugs and drunken boasts. Mercenaries howl victory chants. Tyrell bannermanmen cheer and the dragon banner ripples proudly in the wind. Viser stands at the heart of it all, robed in black and crimson, smiling thinly as bards compose songs of the prince's fall. He drinks deeply, savoring a triumph not yet won. But Mina does not celebrate. She pushes through a crowd, finds Roberts in his tent, his eyes staring at the walls of Harrenhal. >> You have to end this. He nearly died. You know what they'll do if he falls. You saw what the mountain did. Command him to surrender. He'll listen to you. >> No, he won't. Not memore. And he shouldn't. >> You'd rather he die for pride. >> No, I'd rather he live for something worth dying for. >> You say that now. Now you believe him. >> I should have years ago. I see him now. Not the boy I thought you should be, but the man he is. >> And what of me? What of what I gave? How I begged your court for scraps of dignity while you chased [ __ ] and glory? Now you would have me lose my son. >> Do not pin this all on me. I was not the one who brought the [ __ ] Targaryenss onto our shores. >> And yet, despite all that, he turned out better than either of us ever were. Mina, I am sorry. I don't know what will happen after this war, but you deserve better than me. I will not ask for forgiveness, only to say whatever happens next. I accept it. They fall silent. The war is too loud for forgiveness. Within the blackened bones of Harrenhal, defeat settles like rot. The defenders are wary, their courage drained with every tolling bell. The breach from the last assault still smolders. Too many are dead. Too few stand and they are all grieving. The men whisper, "The prince is dying." When the attack comes, it is like striking against ice. The defenders crack and prepare to shatter. But then they see him, Lionel Baratheon, a top a pale horse riding the ramparts. His armor is polished, his face flushed with false color. While Dornish men prevent people from getting too close, lay his makeup hides the sickness, the loss of blood. He can barely stay upright, but he holds his sword high. And it is enough. A cry rises through the ranks. Some sobb at the sight, others raise their hands in the air. Stefon looks at his cousin, feeling tears stinging his eyes. Oberin lets out a ragged laugh, and Richard Horp roars in fury. >> Omen, counterattack begins now. >> Stefon takes the vanguard, and the strike is brutal. Baratheon loyalists, Dornish spears, and riverlords crush into the breach, pushing the enemy back step by bloody step. The Lannisters and Tyrells were not expecting this second wind. Their men reel from the strike, unable to comprehend what they are possibly drawing this strength from. But sightings of the prince come back to life soon spread across the wall until Tywin strikes. From deep below, a tunnel had been dug and the wall's mind. It was set up beneath Harrenhal's foundations. A wall groans, then collapses with a scream. Dust and bodies fly as a third of the western battlement crumbles, creating a second wider breach. Stefon rushes to it, rallying a dwindling band. Oberin is with him, spear flashing. Sir Richard Horp hacks through anyone in his path. Lena, bleeding from a cut above her brow, sends what men she can. Still, they begin to fall. Lionel can barely stand now. His vision dims. His body fails. Then he sees it. Over the far ridge, a horn sounds. Not a Targaryen trumpet, not a Tyrell Clarion, a northern howl. From the mists and the treeine comes a wall of steel, 30,000 strong. The direwolf of Stark and the Falcon of Aaron lead the charge. It had taken longer than expected, but they had managed to bypass the Freys, and the Mountain Clans sent to block their path. This is thanks to Davos, who had rallied the rest of the fleet and brought these troops forward. The narrow sea lords are in position, Lord Stark. My veilmen say they are ready. Very good. All troops slaughtered them. >> Ned's army crashes into their flanks like a hammer to glass. Panic tears through the mercenaries. Tyrell men break ranks. Viserius flees toward the rear, but a stray arrow finds him. He falls, screaming into the mud, and no one rushes to save him. Within Harrenhal, defenders surge forward with renewed rage. Stefon tears through the breach, slaying men like a storm. Oberin's spear pierces a Tyrell knight's throat as he fights his way towards the camp. And still they press on. By dusk, the Targaryen host is shattered. Retreat is impossible. Word reaches Mace Tyrell. Remley now surrounds High Garden, cutting off any path home. House Tyrell banners fall. The Lannisters retreat to the Westerlands. The dragon is dead. Lionel awakens 3 days later, wounds wrapped, face pale. Lena watches over him, her expression hard but proud. Stefan stands near the window, bruised and bandaged. You did it. We did it. From the battlements, the banners of House Baratheon, Martell, Stark, and Aaron now fly over Harrenhal. Robert and Mina are both found at the camp, and Ned is leading the army to finish off the Lannisters. It doesn't take long. As with the realm rallying against them, the Westerlands soon fall, and Tywin is executed for his crimes. Mace follows soon after and surrenders where he is stripped of all titles and lands. His seat now passes to Willis. In the aftermath of all of this, Robert and Ma decide to separate. Mina admits she can never forgive Robert for what he has done, but also sees how far her anger has brought her. She is allowed back into High Garden, where she remains a minor member of their court. Meanwhile, the king has thought long and hard about his position and decides to finally give up whoring and drinking. Robert makes the bold decision of retiring, leaving Lionel to rule with Stfan as his hand. That's our theory. Westeros is a land filled with exciting stories and possibilities, and we love exploring them. If you want to accompany us on this journey across the Seven Kingdoms and beyond, then please like, share, and subscribe to our channel.