The Dragonborn Comes

14. Family, Duty, Honor

Petyr Baelish

It was strange to see the changes in Sansa as she grew into her newfound courage. Taking my lessons seriously it wasn't long before she started adapting to this new enviroment.

She was truly becoming quite adept at interpreting the things I thaught her and applying them by making them her own. She adjusted rather well to the games of politics played in The Vale of Arryn, and she played her part well. I was Lord of the Vale, after all, and Lord of Harrenhall. She was my student, my pupil, my apprentice.

Of course I thought of her as way more than that. In her I saw the fire I had admired so much in Catelyn. I came to love her fierce determination, her quiet demeanor and perfect ettiquete. She was silent but headstrong, shy but fierceless when the need arose, and above all passionate.

She had already proven her willingness to trust me when she lied to the Bannermen of the Vale when questioned about Lysa's passing. I had never been more proud of her when she put herself on the line for me and pretty much saved my life.

Matters where just starting to come together in the Vale when a Raven came from Kings Landing informing me of the arrival of Aegon Targaryen and his invasion of thr Seven Realms. When shortly after I heard about Darnerys Targaryens assault of Dragonstone, I knew things were about to change. Big time. Not one, but two Targaryen, probably working together to conquer the Iron Throne... that was a gamechanger.

Keeping Sansa safe was my top priority, but I couldn't help but wonder about the possibilities that the current situation offered. Plans were made, schemes tweaked and plots plotted. There were so many things that had to be done, so many actions and couteractions that had to be taken into account.... because everything was possible in the game of thrones. I had proven thay by making it as far as I had. I had done what needed to be done.

There were many things on my mind, but Aegon Targaryens sudden appearance was defenitely one of them. That another Targaryen was actually alive didn't come as a surprise, but the fact that he invaded Westeros before evem Daenerys had gathered her forces did. I had expected him to marry her inmediately, use her dragons and her army and conquer the Seven Realms together.....

But then again the Targaryens were a proud house. Men of honor. Accepting an army from a woman no less, someone who also had a claim to the iron throne... I suppose it could make Aegon reconsider.

I had also heard from Stannis and his appearance at the Wall. The battle with the Wildlings and the turncloak Mance Ryder was of interest to me, and in any way I could take advantage of it. I had reports from the wall in which it beca,e apparent that with the amount of men that Stannis had brought, food shortage would be a prominent problem soon enough. And if the rumors were true, Stannis had other plans in mind that would bring enough trouble already.

Now, however, I had more important things on my mind.

I had to move the court. Sansa and Robin couldn´t stay in the Eyrie any longer. Winter was rapidly approaching and I had to bring them down to the Vale. I had bought myself a year with the Lords of the Vale, and in that time much had to be done. Sansa thought I had them wrapped around my finger, but the truth was far from it. They wanted me gone, and they sure as hell wouldn´t trust the Lord of Harrenhall and known friend and aid of the Lannisters to rule as Lord of the Vale and raise the true Heir of the Vale and Son of Lysa Arryn. By the seven, they would rather see me fly from the moonpool.

"Is Alayne ready for our departure?" I asked a maid that had come into my room to refill my glass of sweetened wine as I was deep in thought.

"She´s preparing Lord Robin... he was....uncooperative" the plain serving girl said as she cast her eyes down.