Monster // Petyr Baelish

31. Daddio For King

'I'm sending you two back to Winterfell." Ned told sansa and Arya. He couldnt officially send Rieka home, he wanted to but... he didnt know if she would go. Rieka stared back at him understanding it would be her choice. But she wasnt going to leave her father here alone, no matter how much she wanted to see Robb again. 

"What!" Sansa declared furiously, "What about Joffrey?"

"Are you dying because of your leg?" Arya questioned.

"Please, father. Please don't." Sansa's voice wavered with panic.

"You can't! I've got my lessons with Syrio. I'm finally getting good." Arya exclaimed. Rieka backed away she felt a wave of nauseous flood her, she couldnt stay here. She had to go home and see Robb, she needed to go home. 

"This isn't a punishment." Ned assured them. "I want you back in Winterfell, for your own safety."

"Can we take Syrio back with us?"

"Who cares about your stupid dancing teacher? I can't go. I'm supposed to marry Prince Joffrey. I love him and I'm meant to be his Queen and have his babies." Sansa declared.

"Seven fucking hells sansa." Rieka muttered. 

"Language young lady." Ned countered. Rieka stared back at him. "But yeah..." ned agreed. "Seven fucking hells." Ned muttered. "When you're old enough, I'll make you a match with someone who's worthy of you, someone who's brave and gentle and strong."

"I don't want someone brave and gentle and strong. I want him!" Sansa declared "He'll be the greatest king that ever was, a golden lion, and I'll give him sons with beautiful blonde hair." Sansa went on with a fantasy she had already long since formed in her mind. She was meant to be with Joffrey she was manifesting it.

"The lion's not his sigil, idiot. He's a stag, like his father." Arya said matter of factly.

"No he's not. He's nothing like that drunk king." Sansa declared.

"Hes not not like the king." Rieka murmured.

Ned let out a deep sigh running a hand over his face.

"Come girls. Go pack." Ned told them to which they shouted louder in objection. Except for Rieka she was ready to see Robb again. "Go, stop arguing and pack.' Ned demanded and had their Septa take them back to their chambers to pack.

"Rieka... you have be awfully quiet, so unlike yourself." Ned remarked. 

"Petyr... I like him." Rieka informed him. 

"Rieka-"

"But I want to go home." Rieka agreed. Ned felt a wash of relief. "I miss Robb... I'm sure Petyr will understand, he's a good man he will find someone else in no time." 

"Or he will be pining after you forever." Ned whispered. 

"he will get over me." Rieka assured. "I will make sure they are getting packed up." Rieka pressed a kiss to Neds cheek before walking off and Ned knew that although Rieka was being honest, she did want to see Robb, she was going to miss Petyr more than she was leading on. 

+

''They butchered them as if they were animals they covered our children and pigs and let them on fire. They weren't thieves they didn't steal nothing they even left something behind your grace.'

'He is the king's hand you are addressing not the king' Pycelle corrected. 'the king is hunting.' The man stepped forward dumping out a bag filled with fish.

'Fish... they sigil of house Tully.' Petyr noted. 'Isn't that your wife's house Tully?' Petyr knowing full well it was with a smug look on his face. Petyrs gaze shifted as the door opened and Rieka came in, she had yet to tell him and she was nervous to do so. She gave a small wave close to her chest when she met his gaze. 

''These men were they flying a banner?'' Ned questioned. 

''No your... Hand. the Man leading them was taller than any man by at least a foot taller than any man I've ever met,' the man told Ned. 'the blacksmiths saw them take the head off the horse with a single swing of her sword.'

'That sounds like someone we know. The mountain.' Petyr clarified.

'You are describing ser Gregor Clegane.' Ned confirmed.

'Why would ser Gregor turn though he is an honored knight?' Pyselle asked

"Honored." sandor scoffed. Rieka glanced back at him. "I heard you were heading back north."

"Keeping tabs on me Clegane?" Rieka mused.

"I'm happy to have you starks out of my way." Sandor offered. 

"Lies, you like us, we bring some excitement." Rieka remarked. 

"You are lucky you havent lost your head with the way you talk to Joffrey." Sandor corrected. 

"Fuck that twat." Rieka corrected. "He needs a firm foot up his ass and all the way through to his pompous throat." Sandor snorted a laugh. 

"You northern women." Sandor remarked. 

"Its just me." Rieka assured with a wink. 

''I heard him called Tywin Lannister's mad dog.' Petyr told them 'I'm sure you have as well. Can you think of any reason the lannisters might be angry with your wife?''

"I can think of a little one." Rieka offered from the crowd and Petyr chuckled smiling down at her. She tucked her hair behind her ear as he smiled down at her. 

''If the Lannister's were to order an attack under the kings protection it would be-' Pycelle said cautiously.

'It would be almost as brazen as attacking the hand of the king in the streets.' Petyr informed him. Rieka liked his bravery, it matched her own at times. But Petyr knew how to play this game better than herself, she knew that too. 

''Well...'' Pycelle scoffed awkwardly, he was loyal to the Lannister above all else. Not Varys or little finger, not a stark that was for sure, he didnt trust Ned completely.

''I cannot give you back your homes or restore your livestock but perhaps I can give you justice in the name of our King Robert. Lord Beric Dondarrion. You should have the command send 100 men and ride to Ser Gregor Clegane.'' Ned declared. 

"Say bye bye to brother dearest?" Rieka mused. Sandor shook his head. 

"I pity the fool that has to take on my brother." Sandor corrected. 

''As you command.' Beric agreed. Ned stood up cane in hand, taking shaky steps forward.

'In the name of Robert of the house Baratheon the first of his name king of the Andals and the first man lord of the seven kingdoms and the protector of the realm I charge you to bring the kings justice to the false knight Gregor Clegane and all those who shared his crimes. I denounce him I detained him I strip him of all ranks and titles of all lands and holdings and sentenced him to death,' Ned said confidently,

'My Lord this is a drastic action.' Pycelle informed him, 'it would be better to wait for King Roberts return.'

'Send a raven the castlery rock, master pycelle, inform Tywin Lannister that he has been summoned to court to answer for the crimes of his Bannerman. He will arrive within the Fortnight or we branded an enemy of the crown and a traitor to the realm.' Ned informed them, he nodded to Beric and he was off.

'A bold move my lord and admirable.' Petyr said 'but is it wise to yank the lions tail he is the most powerful man in the seven kingdoms?' Petyr smirked 'Gold wins wars not soldiers' Petyr added

'Then how come Robert is King? And not Tywin Lannister?' 

"Daddio for king." Rieka whispered.