What if Robert Baratheon Joined Ned at The Tower of Joy

The night is dark and full of theories. What if Robert joined Ned at the Tower of Joy? Let's explore the depths of it in the video. The sands of Dorne crunch beneath the horses of Ned Stark's party. A hard ride of 13 men, mostly Northmen in dented male, a few stormlanders with torn circoats and salt-dried faces. They soon come to a halt as they near the solitary tower that thrusts up from the sand like a spear. The tower of joy, Ned calls it. Beside him, Robert is the first off his horse and approaches the tower, shouldering his hammer and spitting on the ground. Though Ned wishes for him to slow down, the king is not keen on stopping. Not when he's so close. Ned follows closely, quietly, keeping a close grip on his sword. Three white cloaks wait at the tower's foot. Sir Geralt High Tower, carved from stone. Sir Oswald went. Sir Arthur Dayne, Dawn, sleeping at his hip. The men spread into a half moon. Shields tilt. The hawk cries far and thin. >> Lord Stark, you ser. >> I looked for you on the trident. >> We weren't there. >> Why weren't you there? To protect your prince. >> Our prince wanted us here. >> Where's my sister? >> I wish you good fortune in the wars to come. and now it begins. >> No, now it ends. Ned breaks from the lines and springs forward. Sword already moving as he goes straight for Sir Arthur. The sword of morning meets him. Dawn rising up at the last moment to turn his attack and sends a shock through Ned's arm. The force and momentum of the blow leaves Ned stumbling. He turns and sees Sir Geralt coming at him, aiming a low cut at his legs, but Ned manages to catch this attack a hands breath before it hamstrings him. He counters and tries to drive him back, but Geralt only yields ground to catch his breath. Around him, his men are struggling as Geralt cuts Marin Cassell down when he tries to help. Ned tries to take advantage of this distraction, but the white bull rips his sword free and then raises it over his head. Ned is starting to the side and as the blade hits the stand where he was standing, he counters with a thrust at his neck. The Lord Commander gasps, but the blade falls from his hands and Ned kicks his legs from underneath him, driving it across his neck. Across the field, the Stormlanders have Sir Oswald went in a knot, shields jostling, blades stabbing. Went's defense is tight and hungry. Two fell quickly, one clutching a split belly. A third joins them, but Oswell is pressed closer and closer. Robert longs to join in, but his wound slows him. So instead, he observes and watches as a fourth man joins them. And that is where he pounces. The new king sweeps his hammer and takes the knight on the side. It is enough to crush bone and flesh. Oswell goes down, white cloaked, darkening, and the few Stormlanders still breathing stagger back from the fight. This leaves only Sir Arthur, who is surrounded by a circle of these warriors. Yet he does not seem worried. As dawn is like a light against the dark, sweeping and cutting. It cuts through the armor and shatter swords. Men come at him and men die. Even Robert and Ned struggle. The two fight as they have since they were boys, covering each other's weaknesses. Ned focuses on defense, letting Robert batter Sir Arthur again and again. Yet, with Dawn in his hands, the sword of the morning is like the warrior himself, and the two begin to tire as the weight of the war takes its toll. Howland is the only one not to join the others in attacking. He darts between the rocks like a monkey, dancing between attacks and fingering his dagger. But as Ned and Robert both press him, he leaps up and drives his knee into his neck. It strikes just above his gorgot and leaves the knight's eyes wide as his body goes rigid. Clutching his neck, he drops Dawn and falls to his knee. Robert doesn't hesitate and neither does Ned. A hammer cracks his skull while the sword drives through his heart. Yet there's little time to celebrate the victory. The three of them rush upstairs while the survivors tend to the wounded. The stairwell spirals ahead of them. But on the top floor, Lyanna lies on a bed heaped in linen, hair dark with sweat, skin chalk pale. In her arms a swaddled infant, provide small, fierce breaths. Ned stops as if stuck. Robert does not take more than three steps before freezing. When Lyanna looks up, her eyes widen, but slowly she smiles, and the story spills from her lips. The truth, the apologies, the confessions. But this time when she stops, Robert looks sick with grief, staring at her and then feeling his fingers tighten into a fist. Ned has tears in his eyes, but Lyanna grabs his arm. I'm here. >> Promise me, Ned. Promise me you will care for him. >> I shall. >> Thank you, Robert. I am sorry. I was wrong. But do not take out your rage on the boy. >> The boy has dragon blood. >> He has my blood. And he should have been mine const. I loved you. I know I made mistakes, but I would have loved you with all my heart, with everything. >> I know I was a fool for doing this. All this destruction. I never wanted it. I made a mistake. But John, I can at least make things right by keeping him safe. Please. >> I should deny you this. Gods above you deserve it. But I can't. The boy will be safe. >> You're a good man, Robert. I wish I had seen it. Brother, I'm sorry for everything. >> Silence stretches thin. The baby made a small sound, an indignant, fragile sound. Lyanna's fingers twitch, then loosen as the life leaves her. Slowly, the three leave the tower of joy with one more in tow. There is no way to keep it a secret, nor will they. Robert rides hard with tears. Silent, grieving at the loss and the new weight added to his responsibilities. When he returns to court, he announces that the boy is the last son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and that he shall be his heir. The news is like a blade being drawn in a sept. Dozens of voices cry out at once, asking questions and shouting their thoughts on this. The most vocal being Lord Tywin who reminds him that he is promised to his daughter and what shall become of their children. Such a question can have serious consequences. Thankfully, John Aaron helps Nick navigate it. He suggests that if Robert has a daughter, he shall marry Jon and unify their houses, tying Lannisters and Baratheonss to the old lineage of the Targaryenss. Tywin finds this answer acceptable and backs down. Meanwhile, Ned convinces Robert to pardon the remaining Targaryenss. The last thing they need is another family civil war with them. The king nearly overturns a table when he hears this and warns that Ned is pushing his luck, but in the end, he agrees. However, by the time the ravens are sent, the maester of Dragonstone reports that the Targaryenss have already fled. When news comes of this declaration, Sir Willm viewed it as them trying to crown their own dragon, and that this might mean they have no reason to keep them alive. So, the knight urges them to escape, taking even Queen Raela, who remains heavy with child, with them. Though Ned still wishes to make peace with them, there is little they can do about it now. So, Robert turns his attention to the state of the realm. With John, Aaron, and Stannis's advice, they move against those who have stunted Aries's court. Varys is dismissed and warranted to leave and never return. FEL, who opened the gates to Tywin, is rewarded as a traitor deserves, replaced with Crescent, while the alchemists are forced to turn over their head pyromancer for execution after using their wildfire to burn prisoners alive. John Aaron soon becomes the new hand of the king, pardoning those royalists who served out of fear, but punishing those who had served as the mad king's toadies. New members of the small council help stabilize thing and run the day-to-day, while Robert takes care of the newborn child and deals with his new marriage. Even from the start, their marriage is a battleground as Robert and Ned both push for a simple ceremony, deeming it improper to have a large wedding right after a war. And yet, Tywin is unconvinced and wishes to reaffirm Cersei's role as the queen and ensure everyone remembers that. In the end, the pair must concede, and the ceremony that follows is a great affair. An army of performers engraed games is organized to distract the people from their suffering. Streamers line the streets and paint the sky in a dozen colors, while newly sewn banners showcasing the crowned stag of the Golden Lion together are displayed, emphasizing the union of their house. Yet, none of this can hide the unhappiness in their marriage. As the royal couple can barely look at each other in the eye, Robert looks decidedly bored throughout the ceremony, and once the wedding feast takes place, indulges himself more in food and wine than in his new bride. Cersei is equally distant, rolling her eyes and barely concealing her disdain with honeyed words. She keeps her gaze on Jaime, who is mercifully spared any punishment. When Jon is brought forward and placed to sit with the royal family, Cersei protests. She says, "This is an insult to the child to be brought here." Insult? This child is my heir. He has more royal blood than either of us. Besides, you act as though he is mine. This child is Lyanna and Rhaegar. What is there to be insulted over beyond choking on pride? Cersei glares, but his words ring true, at least to the public. Given that Jon is Trueborn, he has every right to be there, and all Cersei can do is stomach it while privately seething. It doesn't help that the boy doesn't even look like Rhaegar. He lacks the silver hair she fell in love with, those intense purple eyes. If he is Valyan, then he looks nothing like it. Things only get worse as Robert actually begins doing on the boy. While he was angry at Lyanna and even contemplated getting rid of him, the more time he spends with him, the more the boy reminds him of her. He has her eyes, the same fierceness in him, the same thoughtful expression, her long face and dark hair. The more he spends time with him, the more he loves him. Robert thinks of her everyday and how he ended up here. Though he grows to love Jon, a part of him remains wistful, that he could never have a child with her. He understands why Lyanna didn't want him. She didn't trust him to be faithful because he'd already had a bastard. But this is his chance to prove her wrong, the chance to show that he would have been a worthy husband for her. Slowly, he drifts off to Maya as well and makes the decision to bring her to court as well. If Jon was his redemption, then perhaps she could have a role in his life as well. Cersei is furious at having to contend not just with Jon, but also with this newcomer as well. This time, there is no denying Meer. Mia is Robert's bastard. He claims as much as he calls it an insult to her. Robert does not deny it, but neither does he stop it either. Maya is his blood, and she was raised alongside Jon Snow. All of this only drives Cersei further into Jaime<unk>s arms. Both of them comfort and desire to lash out and spite her husband. Her father is insistent that they sire a new heir who can marry Jon Targaryen and secure their line of succession. But though Cersei allows Robert into her bed, her love is for Jaime, and the resulting children reflect that, fair-haired and life rather than dark-haired and brrawy. Soon enough, three of them are born, raised alongside the dragon prince. Their second child proves to be a daughter, and when she's presented to Tywin, the old lord nods in agreement. For the first few years of her life, Marcela grows up alongside her husband to be Jon. The two of them get along well enough, chatting amiably as Jon always treats her politely. He is equally kind to her younger brother, Tommen. However, the same cannot be said of her eldest brother, Joffrey. The young prince remains almost an afterthought to his mother and father. Cersei lavishes her attention on her daughter, preparing herself for the day that she will wed Jon. Meanwhile, Robert places all his attention on Jon, who seems more of a son than Joffrey ever was. This leaves the prince without any guidance and longing for attention of his parents. He soon gets his chance as Cersei does not train Marcella in the ways others expect. She does not simply expect her daughter to accept Jon, but to see him as a rival to the throne. She will be the future queen and the mother to their heir of the Iron Throne. Because of that, she must learn how to consolidate power and challenge the king. Rather than showing her how to love him and care for him, she teaches that Jon must be challenged and she must be willing to speak her mind. While some of these lessons are good, she also encourages her to mistreat Maya, making it clear she is even less of a family member than a Targaryen. Though the bastard of the Veil is welcome as a member of the royal family. She is made to work as a cup bearer in the Red Keep, and Cersei takes advantage of that. During one incident, Cersei demands that Mella dump the leftovers of her meal onto the floor and in order to make Maya clean it up. The girl is horrified at the idea and refuses, but Joffrey jumps at the opportunity and scatters the contents of his plate all over the ground even before he is finished eating. Cersei is taken off guard, but actually laughs when she sees it. And the sound is music to her son's ears. While while Mia cleans this, Joffrey realizes he has found a way to get his mother's attention. Soon after, he begins to challenge Ma more. Although several years younger, Cersei reminds her son that he is trueborn and royal. Such words embolden the young prince and he begins to grow more aggressive. Whenever Marcela falters in baiting the young bastard, he takes over. Joffrey insults her openly, challenging them with Cersei egging him on and protecting him whenever Maya tries to fight back. Robert is not always present as he travels across the seven kingdoms, meeting with lords and mediating disputes with Jon Aaron. And yet, Joffrey grows careless. And one day after being trounced by Ma in the practice yard, the young boy raises his wooden sword when her back is turned and strikes behind the head. Unfortunately for him, Robert was nearby and saw this. He immediately pulls the boy aside and berates him for his cowardice. Seven hells. Is that what you think is okay? It's bad enough that you were beaten, but you think doing something like that is going to make it go away? Be a man and accept your loss with a scrap of dignity. >> Enough, Robert. The child was upset. He learned his lesson and it shall not be repeated. >> Upset. I We all get upset, but I never went around trying to bash my brother's head in. >> He's a boy. >> He should be a lion, but he's acting like a rat. Go get out of my sight and take care that I don't see you again. Cersei curses Robert as a brute, but takes Joffrey in his in her arms and guides him away. Meanwhile, the king attempts to do the same to Maya, but the girl storms off, saying she does not need his protection. Robert only looks out in confusion, but Renley pulls him aside and explains the truth. While he thought making her a cup bearer was meant to honor her and give her a courtly life, it also allowed Cersei to torment her. Damn that woman. Can I not just raise my child in peace? She already hoards the other three of them from me. Must she also torment Maya, too? Can you blame her? She's a bastard from an affair. She will naturally be inclined to despise her. And you made it so easy. Of course she would take advantage. Your beloved queen has the maternal love of a dog in heat. Maya doesn't seem to want my protection. Of course she would say that. She's proud and angry. Kind of reminds me of you. And you haven't been paying attention to her. You're too busy focusing on the boy. I get that he is your heir, but you guard him as if he is a pot of gold while she is given a title and remains under the watch of her wicked stepmother. Robert stares at his youngest brother, but understanding dawn on him as he realizes just how neglectful he's been to his eldest. In a way, it is just as Cersei had done to Joffrey. He isn't sure whether to curse or to thank his brother, so instead, he settles for a nod before speaking to Maya. She's in the stables tending to the animals just as she always does when she is bothered. Robert says nothing, sitting on a nearby barrel before glancing at her. >> I'm sorry, Maya. I didn't mean to ignore you as I did. You act like this is the only time you left my mother. You married another woman. She's still in the veil. You know, she still talks about you. >> I, believe me, have been made very aware of that. It is why I wanted to bring you here. So you could have more opportunities and a chance to raise higher. >> Rise higher. What is the difference? In the veil, I worked for whatever highborn lord would employ us. And here, I'm still working for the same highborns. Nothing has changed, father. Just as I am now here in the Red Keep and have to face the wrath of your wife. >> I I didn't realize that. >> No, I know you didn't. The nobility is always blind to our plight while insisting that they know what is best for us. >> Then let me know what you think is best for me. I do wish for you to remain in court, Maya. You are still my daughter, more of a daughter than any of my other children. So if there is a way to help you. Maya considers this and the next day she no longer reports to serve as the cup bearer. Instead, she works in stables, tending to horses and learning about how to manage them. In the morning, she does that and learns to tend to weapons and armor to learn histories and tactics. Meanwhile, in the afternoon, she will learn about the histories, politics, and philosophies of the seven kingdoms. They learn from John Aaron, who sees a bit of Ned and Robert as he raises the two, and yet he is surprised at how eager they are to learn. He even jokes that Mia is already smarter than Robert at his age, much to all their suggestion. Jon is also equally promising with the sword, while Mia is a better rider. Robert pays close attention to the pair, while with Ned visiting them regularly to see their progress. He is pleased to see how well the pair are getting along and how much Jon is growing. He sometimes brings Catelyn and Rob with him. Jon loving the visit from his cousin and his aunt from the north. John, Aaron welcomes the extra pupil during these visits, and the three young nobles prove to be excellent students. Maya becomes as much a companion to them as any of their family. In fact, Jon and Rob even admit that she is the makings of a knight thanks to her skills. From someone who had come from a mere serving woman, this is great, rivaled only by Stannis's own adviser, Davos Seaworth. Maya brings a fresh perspective to their lessons and to the court at large. Robert takes her advice to heart and begins having his daughter accompanying him to share her thoughts as one of the small folk. While some lords b at having to cater to the opinions of both a bastard and a commoner, having the king and his prince breaking her is enough to silence the lords. And her advice proves prudent. She speaks with the people and shows which advice is truly prudent, which reforms work, and whether what the lords claim they wish to do for their people truly reflects the reality. Over time, she goes from a simple royal bastard to a true adviser to the king and most especially to Jon. Meanwhile, Cersei continues to voice her displeasure at having Maya in court, but secretly welcomes this change. After the incident with Joffrey, Tywin takes notice of the growing feud and steps in. Unfortunately, it is in none of the ways that the queen would have liked. What kind of nonsense are you filling your children's heads with? You thought it would actually be wise to have them turn against the Targaryen boy. And it isn't just Joffrey. My sources tell me you also instructed Marcela to do the same. >> I did no such thing. I merely told her to not be satisfied with being the queen, but to take charge and rule in her own right. She must be clever, and I know how to speak to her husband. >> Wise council. What a shame that it comes from one unable to heed it. This scheme of yours endangers everything we've worked for, but do not require a feud with our main allies. Our position is already shaky thanks to Robert's mad plan of crowning that Targaryen boy. We require him to legitimize our claim, which means we need him as our ally. >> So, what do you want? Me to gravel before him and kiss the bastard girl's boots. >> If it means ensuring a smooth succession, I also expect you to thank them for their wisdom after. >> I will not allow my children to suffer such indignity or witness their mother be humiliated like that. >> Worry not. They will not see a thing because they will be in Castasterly Rock. >> No, you can't possibly mean to. >> Yet, Tywin has already made up his mind and orders Marcella to return to Castile Rock so she may be trained properly. He is tempted to do the same with Joffrey, too. But after please from Cersei, he reluctantly lets him stay. And so, the two sib siblings go down different paths from the rock and away from her mother's influence. Myella develops into a respectable young woman. two. The two spend their days buried deep within the halls of Castly Rock, listening to lords petition their requests, where Tywin listens in stoic silence, his face looking like it was chiseled from stone. Sometimes he rejects them. Other times he consents, but they never know until he speaks. Each time he talks, his voice is clipped and always with a warning, a warning tone not to waste his time. When they aren't in the castle, Tywin takes her across the Westerlands or even across the Narrow Sea to treat lords and archons. Yet whenever they go, the sight that greets her is always the same. Marcela watches in awe as her grandfather manages to intimidate anyone. Whether it be the mightiest kings to the wealthiest merchants, all of them humble themselves. She soon learns how to mimic him, showing the same impossible look and the same stern voice. The old lion's lessons go beyond simply appearing strong. He also teaches her how to pack it with actions. He shows her the expenses of Castasterly Rock, their incomes, and how to balance them. He shows how to cut waste and how to instill fear in people. But not all those lessons stick. One of Tywin's concerns is that Marcela might be too soft, too easily cowed, and unwilling to put her foot down. Thankfully, that is not the case. When one knight is accused of extorting his lands unfairly, Marcela has him brought before her and publicly shames him before the gathered ces of the Castly Rock and threatens to have his lands confiscated if she hears any more word of these ambushes. The knight tries to protest, saying he did it in order to meet the demands of Lord Tywin. The princess takes only one look at his garish attire and says that he should be perhaps spend less time on his attire and more time on his administration. And yet, when a foreman is caught stealing money, Tywin suggests having him publicly foggged. However, Marcela has the matter investigated and learns the man was stealing to tend to his son, who was injured in an accident. Rather than punish him, Marcela sends for their own maester to tend to the boy. You have misstepped, granddaughter. If you reward a man for stealing, he will feel emboldened to take twice as much next time. >> I'm not rewarding him, grandfather. If a man sees that his life has value in the eyes of his lord, he will be more willing to dedicate it to us. >> Weeks later, that same maester returns with a report that the child is recovering well. But aside from that, he comes with a bag of gold given from the foreman, half the amount he had stolen. It comes with promises that he shall repay the rest, plus interest. Tywin takes this gold with a cool nod, truthfully not caring about such a trivial amount. Instead, his gaze turns to something more precious. For the first time, he sees something in his granddaughter that he had tried and failed to instill in his eldest children. Wisdom, foresight, patience. In King's Landing, though, John Aaron rules in Robert's steed, it allows Cersei to focus on Joffrey. The prince laments that he was not invited to the journey across the seven kingdoms, unlike Jon and Maya. Robert says it is because he finds the prince too immature, too brash. But as he sulks in the red keep, Cersei sinks in her claws. She fills his head with tall tales and halftruths about how it is because Jon is Lyanna's child and he favors the boy over him. Of how Robert secretly fears the dragon, even in death. He might have defeated the dragon, but he still lives in fear of them. More importantly, she has him trained so that he will never be humiliated by that girl again. While Joffrey is alone, she has the Hound and Jaime instruct him in combat and ensure he will be able to trounce her and that no knight will challenge him. The two warriors know that Joffrey is spoiled and angry, so they pull no punches when they train him. The Hound is a creature of combat, unbothered by the trappings of chivalry or honor. To him, there is only the chance to kill or be killed, and that is what he teaches Joffrey. There is no such thing as dishonorable combat, only ways to win. Jaime is the same, but focuses on honing his style into a weapon. He regularly trounces the prince, offering scathing rebukes, tapping him with the flat of his blades for every poor stance, every improper strike, followed by cool commentary of maintaining a cool head. To Joffrey, it is training. But as their swords ring against one another, there is a strange cold closeness of being with his son. This carries him forward, reminding him of who he spars with and leaves him relentless, instructing the boy until at last he can become a warrior he is proud of. As to what they are training for, neither man is certain. As Cersei and Tywin both wait for the opportunity to strike across the Narrow Sea, the Targaryenss also live out their days across the free cities. The decision to flee right after the revelation of John Targaryen proves to be a prudent one. As Rihanna Targaryen's pregnancy worsened over time, and being in Braavos allowed her access to healers who tended to her, ensuring she survived. Meanwhile, Sir William continues to steadfastly protect the royal family along with whatever men remained loyal to him. Thankfully, he did not have to do this alone as Aries investments allowed the Targaryenss to maintain certain incomes even while in exile, so their lives are quite comfortable. While some of the men whisper of returning to the Seven Kingdoms and leading to a glorious reconquest, the truth was far more mundane. Raela is not interested in reclaiming the Iron Throne. She has seen how ruling had driven her husband mad and led him to do terrible things. She still bears the scars of his madness. She wonders if Rhaegar would have been any better with the things he had done. Though he is dead, and she still grieves him, she also knows his name and reputation have been immortalized before the madness got to him. Though she never says it out loud, Robert's rebellion was the greatest blessing in her life. As for the first time, she is truly free and is happy to spend her time in the little house in Braavos raising her children. Though not a father, Sir William proves to be an adequate replacement for Daenerys and Viseris. He teaches them of the history of their homeland, regailing them every night of his adventures across the seven kingdoms and teaching them of honor and chivalry. Daenerys loves him like a father she never had. But she enjoys her sleepy life in Braavos as well. She has friends she plays with, tutors who help her learn about this place and enough money that they no longer have to worry. She wishes the same were true for her son. Viseris is obsessed with these stories, pleading with the old knight to tell him everything about the throne. He was still old enough to recall their time as royalty and those memories are burned into his mind. He wonders when they shall return and spends every night gazing out the window across the narrow sea. Raila tries to dissuade him from such beliefs as best she can, thinking of how that cursed chair had tried to destroy the Targaryen family. Yet, this proves harder than expected as archons and princes all approach her, secretly offering to back her return. Many proclaim themselves to be Targaryen loyalists and secret allies. They spin tales of how the people chafe under Robert's rule, how many houses long for their return. The one-time queen knows better than to accept these lies. She knew who were her husband's allies, and none of them people showed any interest. Each time they would come, she declines them graciously. But Viseris hears them, and the thoughts of returning home only grow. Finally, after she sends away Ya Mopantis for the third time, after he promises to secure aid of Dorne, Viserius can no longer control himself. >> Yes. I am certain that tomorrow he will offer us 20,000 men. Tell me, when a man like him offers to pay for that many swords, do you think he does it for free? >> Well, no. I'm sure he wants something in return, but what of it? All men do, and he is promising us the iron throne. What could be worth more than that? >> Tell me, is your life here so boring you already wish to take another one? >> Mother, it's nothing like that. It's just that I wish to see the lands of my home. the lands where they once called me prince. >> I understand that. But you are old enough to know why we cannot do that. We are exiles. >> And do we have to remain under that our whole lives? If the stories are true, the usurper is a madman whose rule shall not last long. >> If they are true, then he shall have his own rebellion to contend with us getting involved. So why must we meddle? >> Yes, but only for another unworthy wretch to take the throne father once sat. It was us who led the seven kingdoms to prosperity. It must be us continuing the rule. That is the duty of a prince. >> Our family has also led the seven kingdoms through times of pain and suffering as well, if you've forgotten. But that is not what makes up a prince. You are more worthy than you even realize. You are brave, intelligent, and Sir William says you show promise as a knight. >> It is different to hear it from others. >> Viseris, our lives here are good. Yes, we do not have servants who call us, your grace, or armies to command. But what does it matter? We have peace, and not even Robert bothers us from this far away. Why should we interrupt the peace? And for the first time in a long time, I'm happy. >> I understand. For a time, that isn't the end of things. But in the seven kingdoms, trouble begins to brew as Jon and Maya continue to travel. From a simple companion, the relationship grows to confidants, partners, and perhaps something more. When they stop off at the twins, old Walder Frey speaks of his loyalty to the crown, promising it to always serve the realm and suggests deepening those ties with a marriage pact. He offers his son Danwell or his grandson Black Walder to Maya. Robert barely resists the urge to break a flag of wine over his head for and refusing. Maya barely suppresses her laughter at the thought before being led out by Jon to train together. The courtyard is soon filled with laughter amidst the ringing sorts. Seems like you will be having a new husband soon. Which one do you like more, the stalts or the pig? >> You shouldn't act so confident. It would mean that I will have a creature to send out on you. That is, unless you would be willing to take them off my hands. >> And deprive you of your loving husband. I couldn't imagine it. >> I can more than you'd imagine. >> Maya, we've known each other since we were children. >> I know, and that's why I've seen the best and worst of you. I feel like I know you as well as the back of my hand. If I were to marry any of these phrase, anyone for that matter, it would be like marrying a stranger. How could I possibly do that? >> It is what nobles do all the time. >> And yet I am not nobleorn. They have made that part quite clear. They only value me because of my father and what it might offer them. Is that something I'm supposed to accept? In that regard, I wonder whether the commoners might have had the right idea. >> Truthfully, I agree. Found myself doubting what we do have the time as well. Meanwhile, I've been prepared to marry someone since I was a baby. I like Myella, but never that way. She was closer to a sister to me. >> And what am I to you? >> I I am not certain. >> Well, then, do you care to find out? >> Maya's breath itches. The teasing glint fades, replaced by something vulnerable and raw. She searches his face, the solemn stark features, for the answer. But slowly, Jon smiles and takes her hand in his own. With the other, he brushes a stray strand of hair from her face. In the shadow of a rust stained archway, two pairs of eyes watch. Black Walder and lame Lothar Frey. They see the clasped hands, the intimate closeness, the way the Targaryen heir leans his forehead against the baseorn girls. This is a coin far more more valuable than any toll from their bridge. The raven arrives, a casterly rock. Not long after, Tywin Lannister reads the report, his face hardening. In King's Landing, Cersei shatters a mirish glass vase against the wall. the sound like a scream. >> That mongrel [ __ ] he steals my daughter's future from under her nose. >> They descend upon the red keep together. A golden storm of outrage. In the throne room, Tywin's voice is a low, dangerous rumble. Alongside her father, they make their demands. Maya must be sent away back to the veil. The silent sisters, even across the narrow sea. But she must be gone. Robert seated on the Iron Throne with Jon stiff at his side and Maya standing proud. Robert takes a long sip from his goblet and then sits down. I will do no such thing. This is a deception, an insult. Our pact is our pact was that they were to be wed. I have not consented to any marriage between John and Maya. The pacts may still push forward. >> You expect Marcela, your own daughter, to accept this situation. They are to share a wedding bed. And >> and what? Marriage isn't about love. I think you and I both know that it is an alliance and a responsibility. Nothing more. You do not control their hearts. And I will not deny my heir nor my daughter their happiness before they are forced to grow up. There will be no punishments. There will be no exiles. This discussion is over. You seem to forget that Marcella is also your daughter. I forget nothing, Lord Tarwin, including the fact that you have spirited her off to raise her as your own. I She is my daughter. And yet I have scarcely seen her these past 5 years. If you are so concerned over her well-being, then bring her here so we may discuss this matter with her. >> Tywin's gaze is glacial, but he sees the unyielding set of Robert's jaw. He gives a curt stiff nod, but the promise of vengeance hangs unspoken in the air. Later, in the seclusion of the tower of the hand, Tywin speaks to his daughter. One thing is clear, the path to kingship through John Targaryen is closed to them. Even if Robert permits this marriage, it is tainted and they can no longer rely on them. If they are to press their claim, they must find someone else willing to back them. And thankfully, Jon is not the only remaining dragon. Tywin has long had connections and contacts in Braavos, allowing him to track down the Targaryenss, at least enough to know that they are still alive. And through some men in between, he sends them a letter offering to back his claim and to crown him as a king. In it is a letter explaining his actions. Though he was the one who betrayed Aries, he points out the king's growing madness and desperate situation. He will offer to make amends, promising them gold to raise an army, plus the Westerlands if he sails south to claim this throne. In exchange for that help, he will offer Cersei as a bride and allow their heir to claim the Iron Throne. In his modest, Bravosi home, Viserius reads the gilded words, his heart pounding. He sees his mother tending her garden, a smile of genuine peace on her face. He hears Daenerys's laughing in another room. The conflict is a physical pain in his chest, but the siren song of the throne is louder. The memories of red halls and bending knees. The stories of glory. The whispers of loyalists. They drown out his mother's happiness. He makes his choice. One morning he kisses a sleeping Daenerys on the forehead and finds his mother in the garden. I am going to travel mother to see more of the free cities with Sir Will. >> Rya looks up her eyes searching his. She sees the old fire burning there, the restlessness she feared. Yet she also sees the desperateness in him to see where he came from. And she offers a silent prayer to the gods. A deep sadness settles in her heart, but she only nods and squeezes his hand. >> Be careful, my son. I hope you find what you are looking for. >> Viserious leaves that afternoon with a small bag and a heavy heart. He does not look back at the little house by the canal. He will reclaim his birthright without dragging his mother and sister back into the fire. He boards a ship for Pentos, the weight of a crown he has never won already pressing upon him, and the scheming shadow of the Lannisters guiding his way. Will places a hand on his shoulder and promises to see him on the Iron Throne. In the coming days, preparations are slowly made as gold is discreetly transferred from the coffers of Casterly Rock into the hands of cells sword captains and archons who gathered the armies for Viseris in secret, assembling them across multiple free cities. One reason they use to justify this war is the increasing protectionism the Westerosi have in order to protect their local industries. With Maya and the other small folk merchants suggestion, efforts are made to support local traders and many of the trade privileges that Tywin suggested Aras Grant were removed. Now he offers to bring them back and more. Meanwhile, among the lords, Tywin uses the fact that Jon is slowly growing more infatuated with a woman who is half commoner and upjun small folk and a bastard no less to rile them up. Already Maya was making efforts to reform the way the peasants are treated. If she were to become queen, there is no telling what other changes they might make. Many lords are horrified at this and are responsive to Tywin's suggestion of pushing back against it, especially when he promises his support. He simply asks them to wait for the best time to strike. While these lords see and gather their resources, Tywin makes moves to protect his position. In the dead of night, Jaime and Sir Preston Greenfield rouse Cersei and her children from their chambers and urges them to prepare for a journey. They will head to Casterly Rock and prevent Robert from using them as bargaining chips when the war breaks out. A ship is prepared to transport them, but some gold cloaks notice them and try to stop them, and the two knights must fight their way out. Though highly skilled, they are outnumbered, but Joffrey manages to lend his strength. Gone is the sniveling brat who was taken into Jaime<unk>s service as a squire. In his place is a strong, skilled knight, and Jaime gets to see it firsthand as Joffrey sees a sword from a fallen guardsman and cuts down the first two guards in his path. He follows with another cut that slashes through the leg of another, clearing their path to safety. Jaime watches in awe, his chest swelling, his pride not just at seeing his student succeed, but also his son rising up and becoming more something he something he had molded. Cersei feels the same way, but sees not his combat skill, but the ferocity and hunger in his eyes. The makings of another Jaime Lannister who can serve the realm once she is queen. They eventually reach their ship and disappear into the night. When Robert hears this, he is thrown into a rage. But there's little time to focus on it as they must contend with the arrival of a fleet from the east. Viseris travels from Braavos across the free cities and builds up his army over time. He now has 20,000 cell swords under his command and they set sail riding along the army of Dorne where they with a small Dornish flute is scattered before them in the lands in the fertile reach. When they do make landfall, they are greeted by rebellion. As a Tywin signal, many houses rise up in defiance of the crown recognizing Viserius as their true king. Others withhold their support and insist that Jon Maya be disinherited. Robert responds by cursing them, sending Renley and John Aaron to put down the rebellions in their regions while he gathers the Crownland houses and rides for the Riverlands alongside Jon and Maya. He tries to raise the army while helping Edmir Tully crush the rebellious lords. Thankfully, many houses who were expected to rebel, such as House Derry, Goodbrook, and Rygar, opted to remain loyal as Jon's heritage as a Targaryen helps them. But the biggest factor is the small folk. While many lords lock themselves in their keeps or refuse to send men, every village they go to teams with peasants ready to fight. They rush to greet the princess and the young Targaryen, offering food, supplies, and volunteers. Many of them march out in defense of their lords who order them to remain in their villages. They do this in recognition of the efforts Maya and Jon had made to sincerely improve their living conditions. Thanks to them, reforms have been passed that have tangibly improved their lives, so many choose to volunteer. While they are not trained men at arms that Robert is hoping for, they are eager and far more numerous. He expected to raise maybe 8,000 men. By the time he reaches Riverrun, they have closer to 13,000. Many of them require to be trained and armed, but that is where Stannis comes in. The Lord of Dragonstone proves to be the best candidate in training these new recruits alongside the Blackfish. It will take time, but Robert is confident Randle Tarly should be capable of defeating the Targaryenss on their own. In the meantime, these soldiers cut their teeth upon the rebel lords scattered across the Riverlands. They proved to be ferocious, fighting more than just their lords, but from sincere belief in Jon and their future, allowing them to whittle down the opposition there. If it was just Viserius, this should be no problem. But as the Tyrells move their forces to counter them, Kevin suddenly strikes from the Westerlands, invading Gold and marching to link up with Viseris. He rides alongside Jaime and Joffrey in order to crush them while Tywin remains the Westerlands to block off the Golden Tude and prevents an attack from the Riverlands. The air in the reach camp is thick with the smell of turned earth, horsedom, and blood. The Tyrell vanguard is a ragged bloody mess. At the center of the carnage, a figure in gilded crimson plate stalks among the fallen. Joffrey Baratheon wretches his sword from the chest of a reach knight. He is not the sniveling boy of the Red Keep. He is taller, broader, move, moving with a lethal, coiled grace like Jaime. Even Tywin is off guard at how much the boy has grown thanks to Jaime and the Hounds training. The boy takes this war seriously and fully commits to it, not because he believes in any cause, but because of his mother. She whispers to him every night in his pavilion, showering him with praise, but also whispering that there could be more. Jaime praises him as well, though laced with concern. He does not like how much that his boy thirsts for blood. Not battle, but simply blood. as if he has something to prove. Viseris does not hide his shock, shaking his head in dismay. Sir Willm always spoke of battles in honor and glory. But this, the old knight pales at the carnage, the brutality of Joffrey's tactics. >> Your son, his methods are >> effective. They call him the Red Lion now. They say he's like Sir Christen Core reborn, a true kingmaker, or like Don Targaryen. Fierce decisive, serving the strong right hand of Viseris. Joffrey, you are my champion. You are making the realm in fire, and the people shall remember you for it. >> Joffrey's chest swells. The approval is a drug more potent than any wine. In the war tent at Riverrun, the mood is grim. Robert slams a fist on the map table. Charlie holds them at Mandanda, but he's pinned. Kevin Lannister and a damned boy are chewing through the richest flanks. We march south at the first light and to link with Randall and crush them between us. >> The plan is solid, risky, but solid. Then the Raven arrives. Unfortunately, Tywin realizes this too and organizes a second host for Riverrun. With many lords unwilling to join the war, they cannot afford to leave the Riverlands. Cursing, Robert gathers Maya, John Stannis, and the Blackfish. He questions whether they can risk battle, but Jon refuses to retreat. He says they will fight with the conscripts. When he tells this to the men, the small folk all raise their weapons in support. But not everyone supports this war. Marcella does not ride with the army. She does not see battles, but she sees the aftermath. The blooded bodies left to swelter in the sun. The mutilated corpses caused by her brother. She sees the dead, and the dead all stare back at her as if it was her doing. Tywin sends letters assuring her this is part of the war, that their suffering is to ensure a better future. But she sees none of it, only death and destruction from the people she once thought to rule. The only person who shares her thoughts are Tyrion. The dwarf comfort comforts her when she doubts herself, offering her a shoulder to cry on and a chance to speak her mind without fear. And it is from him that she resolves to act, riding out alongside her uncle. She does not go to join the front, but rides to Lannisport and then boards a ship to travel south. The princess of the rock arrives at Sunspear. She stands before the assembled courts of Dorne, her grandfather's stern poise in her spine, but her words are her own. >> Prince Doran, you see the fires burning in the reach. You hear of my brother's excesses. You know my grandfather's hand guides this war. This is not a war for a throne. It is a war for a family's poison, and it will consume the realm. >> We do, but those wars are far from us. Dawn has not played a major role in the Seven Kingdoms in years, nor do we intend to change that now. The Martell are angry for the slightest done to them, mostly by my father. Do you judge us for it? On the contrary, I am the one who understands my father's cruelty the most. But you gain nothing from staying here, as opposed to what exactly. >> My father promised you justice for Prince Ellia. He delivered you only bones and empty words. I offer you something else. the man responsible. Help King Robert and Prince John end this. In return, when this is done, I pledge that Tywin Lannister will answer for his crimes. >> The lion's scuba has grown teeth. She offers the lion's head itself. >> My grandfather will not die. I will have him sent to the wall. >> A compelling and precise offer. The blood debt is with Ty Lannister, not all Westerman. Dawn agrees. Across the narrow sea in a quiet Bravosi villa, a different mother receives news. Raela Targaryen reads the accounts of the red lion savagery of villages put to the torch in her son's name and her heart cracks. She sees the ghost of Aries in the descriptions and the ghost of her own doomed son Rhaegar in hope all in hopes of chasing the chair. She does not send a raven. She acts. She goes to the one man in Westeros who believes still holds a flicker of love for her. Sir Bonifer Hasty, the pious commander of the Holy Hundred, now assembling with the Lord with Lord Renley's host in the Stormlands. A secret message finds him. A memory of a young queen in a humble night. He remembers when Raila and Daenerys cloaked and hooded Dock in the Stormlands. He is waiting. Sir Bonifer kisses her hand and personally takes them to his lege lord. The young lord is stunned as Raila throws back her hood. >> Lord Renley, I come not as a queen, but a mother. My son marches with monsters, thinking himself a king. I would have him hear my voice before he is slain or damned forever. Grant me safe passage to the front. Let me speak to him. I submit myself and my daughter as your hostages. Our lives forfeit if this is a trick. But let me try to bring this carnage to an end. >> A mother's plea is a powerful weapon. Very well, Queen Riella. I will escort you myself. Let us see if your words can do what 10,000 swords cannot. But know this, there is a chance you are too late. If that is the case, I will not stay my hand. That throne belongs to my brother and his family. >> I understand, but I must at least try. >> As Renley's host turns its march towards the escalating war in the reach, a Dornish host of 10,000 spears mobilizes at the prince's pass. Their banners aimed not at the Targaryen pretender, but at the flank of the Lannister Tyrell Alliance. In the Riverlands, the Trident runs red with blood as well. The force they call the people's host holds the line at the tubblestone crossing. They are farmers, millers, and shepherds armed with hunting spears, scithes, and reforged pitchforks along with spears the Baratheonss could provide. Yet they fight with a fury Tywin Lannisters paid cell swords do not understand. Many expect them to fall in a day, but they hold for 10. When cell swords try to rush them, they are mobbed and clubbed to death. When knights and their heavy horses barrel into them, they scatter only to turn and hurl spears when they chase after. They do not break. They give ground slowly, bitterly, and they take a Lannister man for every two of their own that falls. Tywin watches from a hill, his face stone. He did not anticipate this. He expects peasant ravel to scatter at the first charge. Instead, they form shield walls taught to them by Stannis and Blackfish Bryant Tully. They fight for the boy who walked among their villages and the girl who spoke for them in court. They fight for their own future, for the promise that their lives are more than simple drudgery. And at the center of it is Robert. He fights simply for his family with a hammer in hand that sweeps through Lannister men as if they were ragdolls. Close to his side are Maya and Jon who lead their present soldiers from the front. And when they fight, the small folk turn into a host of demons determined to protect their prince and princess. Across a dozen places they clash in true battles, one that even Tywin must give his full effort to win. In the Green Fork, they muster their tattered host, badly bloodied, but committed to fight to the last. Tywin prepares to commit his reserves and crush them through sheer discipline and steel. A new sound rises from the north. The deep thunderous blast of a warhorn he hasn't heard in 17 years. On the horizon beneath the direwolf banners rides Edard Stark. The Northmen hit the Lannister flank like a winter gale. Bearded men in iron and rust roar and wave battle axes and maces. There is no pageantry, no shouted challenges, only the brutal work of breaking an army. Trapped between the anvil of the small folk host and the hammer of the north, the Lannister formation shatters. Tywin's orderly retreat becomes a route. In the chaos, Robert and Ned lead a charge that rushes the Lannister lines. The mountain leads a desperate rayer guard action. Trying to buy time for him to escape, but it is no use. Not when Robert rushes to face him. Roaring, he sweeps his greatsord at the king. But the Baratheon parries with his haft. He twists and sends the back spikes splashing against his chest plate and then headbutts the mountain. The two clash and Robert barrels into him. Sir Gregor slams the pommel of his blade against Robert's head again and again, rattling him under his helmet before throwing him off. Gregor drives his sword against the king's side, slashing through his plate and finding flesh. Robert cries out in pain, but not enough to slow him down. His face darkens and then he moves closer, ignoring the pain burning across his body before raising his hammer and then smashes it against his head. As he tumbles to the ground, Robert glances over at him and grunts. >> He's all yours. The small folk swarm the fallen mountain, clubs and axes rising and falling against him until the mountain's body is pulp under his armor. Meanwhile, Tywin Lannister is dragged from his horse, his sword knocked from his hand by Ned Stark. This brings an end to the war in the Riverlands. But in the reach, the conflict continues. The Allied host, Lannister Gold of Targaryen Red, is being squeezed. From the east, Randall Tarly has regrouped and presses hard. From the south, a tide of Dornish spears pours through the passes. Their arrival swift and silent as a desert wind. From the southeast, the banners of Storm's End appears. Panic begins to seep through the camp. Knights argue. Cells swords eye the exits. Viseris paces, his hands shaking. The song said nothing of this. Of supply lines, flanking maneuvers, watching allies eye each other with distrust. Of the scorched earth destruction. And then a figure emerges, being smuggled in under the banner of peace. When the hood falls, Viserius stumbles back. >> Look outside, my son. Look at what the crown has brought you. A slaughter house. You are surrounded by lions who see you as the key to their rule. You are allowing it to consume you. >> I have to be king. It is my duty. My birthright. >> Your birthright was a name. A name that once meant something fine. Look at what it means here. It means that boy Joffrey painting the earth red for his mother's applause. It means Tywin Lannister trading your life for his power. Is that the legacy you want to be the last footnote in the story of Lannister admission? I was destined to rule. Mother, >> your father said something like that before. >> Those words rock Viseris to his core. His legs shake and he falls to his knees, shaking his head. With a sudden breath, Viseris removes the makeshift crown and lets it clatter to the ground. He nods. As he does this, Rela takes his hand and guides him away. Later that night, a mysterious fire breaks out across the tent, distracting the guards and allowing the Targaryen family to flee. With Renley being oddly lax about their escape, he demands that a damage report be given before chasing. It turns out that the fire caused minimal damage and all the men are safe, but oddly enough, the Holy Hundred and Sir Bonifer are accounted for. The news of Tywin's capture hits the Lannister host like a physical blow. Jaime Lannister stands in his command tent, now his by default, and he feels the world tilting. He reads the letter left there, bearing the seal of House Targaryen, and recognizes the delicate handwriting of the queen he had failed to protect. You were the bravest of them, Sir Jaime. You chose action when others turned a blind eye. Your act freed me, and I shall never forget it. Though the realm knows you as the king's slayer, I will always call you the queen's savior." Her words echo in him. The bravest of them. Not the finest swordsman, but the bravest. Clenching his fist, he strides towards Joffrey, who is busy planning desperate moves. >> "We'll fight our way out, Uncle. We'll carve a path to the coast where the ships can rescue us, and we can rebuild in the Westerlands. Mother says I am her Damon, her kingmaker. >> Jaime looks at his son, the strong jaw, the green eyes, the skill he himself honed, and sees only a weapon Cersei has sharpened to a killing edge. Meanwhile, Riella had risked everything to save her son. Sit down, Joffrey. Damon Targaryen died alone, hated and failed. Christian Cole is remembered as an oathbreaker and a turncloak whose name is spat upon. Your mother gives you monsters to idolize because she sees the world as a monster's tale. But you are not a monster. You're a knight. You must learn to act like it. >> I am acting like it. I am doing my duty. >> Duty is not doing what you are told. Is doing what is right. The boy you hate, Jon, is winning hearts because he fights for something beyond himself. As is Maya, who has become the hope of our people. There is Queen Riella, who risked everything to save her son. That is not weakness. That is the only strength that lasts. This swore is lost. Your grandfather is captured. Your mother's fantasy is over. Now you have a choice. You can die here, Cersei's monster. A story for fools to shudder at. Or you can end this and become the man you were meant to be. >> I I don't know how. >> You do. You already have. I felt it each time we sparred. I could feel it in how you fought. You were a man I could be proud of. a man I was proud to have called my son. >> Joffrey stares at him. The frantic light in his eyes flickers dim. He realizes that the respect he had long craved from Robert and Cersei no longer matters. Not when he sees the look in Jaime<unk>s eyes, in someone who saw value in him. When morning comes, Joffrey announces his intention to surrender. Alongside Jaime, he rides up to the Baratheon camp and offers his sword to Renley. Alongside Lord Tywin, they are all sentenced to the wall, ordered to serve the rest of their days there. This was done under the suggestion of Marcella as a way to bring peace while she frees Jon from his vows to the marriage pact. In exchange, no further harm is to be done to House Lannister. Jaime and Joffrey accept this with quiet dignity, being led out with their heads held high. Meanwhile, Tywin is initially shocked, but as he stares at his granddaughter, he sees a woman growing into a fierce young lady of the rock. The faintest of smiles forms on his face as though he might not hold the throne. He can at least rest easy. The casterly rock is in good hands. Meanwhile, Jon and Maya both marry and continue their efforts to reform the realm and help the small folk. Robert gives his blessing to this and begins to step back in order to help them rule, but focuses on military matters to deal with descent. The first person to face that is Cersei, who Robert beheads. Across the narrow sea, Raella watches peace unfold with a faint smile. Beside her, Sir Bonifer squeezes her hand and her children join her as they return to their quiet house in Braavos. That's our theory. Before we end the video, a shout out to our channel, Hands of the King, Sir William 1776, Juan Santana, Derpy, NPC, Sith Lord 906, Brandon Larson, Lord Seriel, Curtis, General Marcus, Randomly Entertaining, Brad Grand, Physique, James Dixon, Carter Smith, Sonata, and Joe B. We appreciate you. 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.