The One True Heir

Chapter 5

King's Landing came into the horizon soon enough, much to the delight of everyone. The journey back had taken them longer than the journey to Winterfell, owing to the increase in numbers in the party. They were all sore, tired and in terrible need of a warm bath. The stench of the city was the first thing that welcomed them, and then came the people to watch from the sides. Like how he had been the first to enter Winterfell, Edric was the one to first enter The Red Keep, followed by his brother and his entourage.

"Welcome back, my Prince" Will the Guard approached Edric. "Grand Maester Pycelle has called a meeting of the Small Council. The honour of your presence is requested" the man spoke.

Edric gave a nod and the man walked over to Ned Stark, probably to relay the same message. Edric took off his riding gloves, handing them and his horse to a stable boy. He watched Lord Stark start to walk and rushed to join him.

"My Prince" Lord Stark said, "we've had a long journey. You should go rest. The man here will take me to the small council chamber" the man added.

"The Council waits for you and me, Lord Stark. The realm doesn't wait for us to catch our breath" Edric told him with a smile. The surprise on the man's face made him want to chuckle. He didn't blame him for the surprise, it wasn't the norm for a Prince to sit in a council meeting. "My father doesn't sit in on council meetings. He leaves these small matters to his small council. Lord Arryn had me sit in these meetings since I learned how to read and write. First to just understand how things work, before slowly asking for my opinion and teaching me how to rule in a way. Have been my father's representative in the council since" the prince explained.

The two walked side by side, following Will the Guard to the council chamber. They first go through the Great Hall, where the throne sat. Ser Jaime was there, lingering in front of the throne.

"Thank the gods you're here, Stark," the Kingsguard said after greeting his nephew and Prince. "About time we had some stern northern leadership."

"Glad to see you're protecting the throne," Lord Stark said, his tone suggesting he was anything but glad.

"Sturdy old thing" Ser Jaime commented, ignoring the jab, "How many kings' asses have polished it, I wonder?"

"Eighteen Kings, and one Queen for a while" Edric answered smoothly. "Uncle, excuse us, A council waits for our presence."

"Of course, nephew" Ser Jaime ducked his head and stepped aside. Edric stepped past him, Lord Stark following him after a tense stare-off with the Kingsguard.

"I'd apologize for my uncle, but he is a man grown and he can do his apologies on his own" Edric said once they were out of the Throne Room. "Though I will apologize to you for other reasons. It can't be easy to come here. Where your father and brother were murdered. My uncle Jaime had told me about that day when I was young and insisted on hearing about the kind of man Aerys had been. He was very brave, your brother. Your father too. They didn't deserve to die like that. Nobody deserves to die like that."

"I thank you for it, my Prince" Lord Stark smiled. "Pardon my questioning though, why did you want to learn more about Aerys? I'm sure you've heard enough of him at court already."

"It was something Lord Arryn had me doing. Studied the Kings before my father, see how they were and try to adopt what good they did as kings. He wanted me to be better than the very best of them all" Edric explained.

"And who do you think was the best of them all?" the Hand of The King asked.

"I'd say Jaehaerys l" Edric answered right away. "His rule lasted fifty-five long peaceful years. He stitched back the divide that his predecessors Maegor l had done by alienating the Faith and with it many other Lords. He was able to reconcile them, connected the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms and truly unified them under his banner."