Inside the hall, a long table separated Aegon and Littlefinger, each seated on one side, while Alayne stood aside and Bronze Yohn took the seat in the middle.
Outside, three of Aegon's guards stood alongside the family knights led by Bronze Yohn.
After the formal greetings, Aegon and Littlefinger got straight to the point.
Bronze Yohn, serving merely as a guarantor, did not take part in the actual negotiations.
Littlefinger began bluntly, saying, "I am merely the guardian of Duke Robert Arryn, acting as the regent of the Vale.
As for the Vale's renewed allegiance to House Targaryen, today we can only reach a preliminary understanding. I cannot make the final decision on behalf of the Vale's nobility."
Bronze Yohn nodded approvingly. Littlefinger was being tactful, not presuming to speak as the Lord of the Vale.
"I won't conceal my intentions," Aegon said, confident yet sincere. "I need the Vale's support. With your cooperation, I am confident that within two months I can take King's Landing and completely end the chaos that plagues the Seven Kingdoms."
"To be frank," Littlefinger replied, "when the news of the Dragon Queen first reached the Vale, I discussed the future of our realm with the lords.
The knights of the Vale do not fear battle, but meaningless war benefits no one, and would only worsen the wounds already inflicted upon Westeros.
Winter has come, and the Long Night looms uncertain.
Therefore, the Vale desires peace—peace under the guidance of justice."
He looked meaningfully at the young man across from him.
Aegon frowned.
At that moment, he found himself missing Tyrion, who had once managed Storm's End for him.
It was clear that Littlefinger intended to name his conditions, yet Aegon realized he couldn't read the man's limits and was unaccustomed to this style of conversation.
If only everyone were as open and honest as Aunt Dany, he sighed inwardly, before tactfully asking, "Duke Baelish, as the protector of the Vale, what are your hopes for the future of the Seven Kingdoms?"
In other words, he wanted Littlefinger to state his terms first.
"I dare not have any extravagant hopes for the Seven Kingdoms—that is for the king to decide," Littlefinger said smoothly. "You are the king of the Rhoynar, the Andals, and the First Men. As for me…"
"I am Robert Arryn's foster father. My only wish is for him to live safely, and for our family's legacy to be preserved under the new dynasty."
In simpler terms, Littlefinger's only demand for leading the Vale to Aegon's cause was that the Targaryens forgive Jon Arryn's so-called 'crimes' during Robert's Rebellion.
Bronze Yohn nodded again, increasingly satisfied with Littlefinger's conduct.
Aegon, however, was somewhat surprised.
From what Aunt Dany and Tyrion had told him, Littlefinger was a scheming, bottomless opportunist—ambitious to the core. He shouldn't have sounded so selfless or detached from desire.
Aegon trusted Dany and Tyrion's judgment, so he assumed Littlefinger was just saying what sounded nice.
"As for the grudges of the past," Aegon replied, "I will not directly declare who is forgiven or who should be punished. My aunt has acknowledged my claim to succession, but she has not abandoned the grievances of our forebears.
When the Long Night comes—or, if it does not, in the second year of the next summer—she intends to convene a Great Council.
At that council, she will openly and fairly examine all dishonorable acts committed since the day my grandfather ascended the throne.
For example, my grandfather's brutal act of burning Duke Rickard Stark and his son alive.
You call him the 'Mad King,' and neither my aunt nor I would deny his madness or cruelty.
My aunt once told me she would see that Duke Rickard receives justice at that council—whether or not any Starks are still alive by then.
If she can forgive the Starks' rebellion, if she can spare Jon Snow and Stannis at the Wall, she certainly would not harm young Lord Robert Arryn."
My poor nephew is behind the times, one might say—Aunt Dany had since learned that Rickard Stark's death was the spark that ignited Robert's Rebellion, making him far from innocent.
Still, the three people in the room reacted strongly to Aegon's words.
Sansa's eyes reddened with emotion, nearly tearing up. At last, she no longer had to fear being fed to a dragon. In her mind, Aegon's statement had removed the greatest obstacle to their marriage.
Littlefinger feigned an expression of visible relief, joy, and reverence.
Bronze Yohn, however, spoke with genuine admiration. "The Queen's magnanimity shames every man in the Seven Kingdoms.
In the Riverlands' time of suffering, she alone provided widespread relief.
By the Seven, even Duke Tully never extended aid to the smallfolk of the Riverlands!"
Indeed, it wasn't just Duke Tully—none of the nobles in Westeros had ever grasped the notion of aiding the common people.
Margaery Tyrell was nearly worshiped as a saint by the citizens of King's Landing merely because, in her name, the Reach had sent "affordable" grain to the city.
Every few days, Margaery distributed her "Queen's Bread of Love" to the poor for free, but the grain shipments to King's Landing were not charitable. If they had been, the city's "brown stew" sellers would have vanished overnight.Feeding half a million citizens for free?Even the Dragon Queen could not manage that.
"I've lived many years," said Bronze Yohn, "and I've seen many rulers, but none as just and kind as her. If she were the one to claim the Iron Throne, I—"
"Ahem," Aegon interrupted gently. "My aunt has already acknowledged that my right of succession stands above hers."
He reminded them deliberately.
In his dealings with Westerosi lords, Tyrion had advised Aegon to mention "Aunt Dany" often.
Tyrion's reasoning was simple: invoking the Dragon Queen's name lent his words credibility, given her reputation.
But in truth, the clever dwarf's deeper intent was to establish beyond doubt that Aegon was indeed the Dragon Queen's nephew.
Left and right, Aegon would speak of "Aunt Dany this" and "Aunt Dany that," constantly demonstrating their closeness. Anyone harboring suspicions would swallow them down.
And indeed, out of genuine respect for the Dragon Queen, Bronze Yohn's face all but glowed with [Recognition for Aegon +1].
Well, perhaps that was just his imagination—but his gaze toward Aegon had undeniably grown warmer.
"Lord Robert Arryn bears no guilt," Aegon concluded. "If he pledges allegiance to me and helps restore House Targaryen, his title and lands will be protected under my rule."
That was the promise Aegon offered.
Bronze Yohn happily announced that today's meeting had come to an end.
Both sides had reached a consensus on the grievances between House Arryn and House Targaryen, clearing the first obstacle on the path to cooperation.
However, whether the final alliance would succeed still depended on the outcome of the Arryn lords' council.
Aegon was deeply dissatisfied with this result.
He felt that Littlefinger had made a fool of him. The man had no authority to make decisions regarding the Vale, yet he had invited Aegon to the Eyrie to discuss an alliance.
If he could truly make the lords of the Vale submit to him on his own, what need would he have for Littlefinger?
As if guessing Aegon's thoughts, when Bronze Yohn proposed holding a banquet for the prince, Littlefinger said, "My lord, the matter between the Vale and His Highness is settled. I have a small personal matter to discuss privately with the prince. Would you mind preparing the feast in the meantime?"
"What matter?" Bronze Yohn asked with displeasure, suspecting Littlefinger of plotting something.
Littlefinger smiled slyly, glancing between Aegon and Alayne with a meaningful expression. "It has nothing to do with the Vale. It concerns my daughter's marriage."
Aegon was taken aback.
Alayne lowered her head shyly, her lovely face flushed like a flower in bloom.
Bronze Yohn's face turned red with anger.
Regardless of whether Aegon's identity was true or false, he now bore the name of "Targaryen," and Yohn was his protector. How could he allow Littlefinger to insult him?In Yohn's view, attempting to marry off a bastard daughter to a "king-in-waiting" was an affront to royal dignity.
House Baelish had shallow roots to begin with, and a bastard daughter at that.Littlefinger's ancestors had been sellswords—much like Bronn—who had been knighted for their service.
If Aegon truly was Rhaegar's son, even Littlefinger's legitimate daughter would only be fit to serve as his mistress.
A daughter of House Royce, on the other hand, might barely be worthy of a royal match.
"Your Grace, you are now the Warden of the Vale," Yohn said, restraining his anger. "Please refrain from such disrespectful behavior."
Understanding his thoughts, Littlefinger remained unbothered and said cheerfully, "If His Highness agrees, I can announce that Alayne's bastardy will be removed."
His meaning was clear: if Aegon consented, he would publicly reveal Alayne's true identity.
Sansa Stark had the right to marry any man in the world—even a god.
However, Yohn misunderstood, thinking Littlefinger meant to make "Alayne Stone" into "Alayne Baelish."
Just like how the Bastard of the Dreadfort, Ramsay Snow, had become "Ramsay Bolton" and inherited the castle.
Yohn looked down on the name "Baelish," but he said nothing. He merely cast Littlefinger a cold glance and rose to leave.
Alayne also stood, curtseying shyly to the visibly uncomfortable Aegon before hurrying after Yohn in small, delicate steps.
Now only two remained in the hall: the composed and calculating Littlefinger, and the uneasy Aegon.
Littlefinger smiled at him and said, "Your Highness, I will be honest with you. I do wish to arrange a marriage between Alayne and yourself.
But I'm not arrogant enough to think a Baelish bastard could ever be worthy of a king.
Alayne is not my daughter. Her true name is Sansa Stark—the eldest daughter of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully, and the sole surviving heir of the North."
Aegon was stunned.
Daenerys had her suspicions about Alayne's true identity but hadn't told anyone.
It wasn't her concern. The last she'd heard, Maester Marwyn had reported that Littlefinger sent someone from Dragonstone to pledge allegiance to her (during old Kevan Black's affair). Daenerys had briefly asked about Alayne's situation but hadn't thought of her since.
So now, Aegon was genuinely shocked.
"Duke Baelish, you're not joking, are you?"
"I swear it," Littlefinger said solemnly.
Then he began painting the picture of a grand vision. "Your Highness, I am not Sansa's father by blood, but I am her guardian. She is also the niece of Lord Robert, and the lawful heir to the King in the North.
King Robb's realm extended beyond the North—it included the Riverlands as well.
In other words, if you marry Sansa, you gain the allegiance of the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale in one stroke.
A sacred marriage is stronger than any oath of alliance."
Aegon's expression shifted. "The North has fallen, and the Riverlands lie in ruins. They would only be burdens to me."
Littlefinger's heart leapt with delight. The fact that Aegon hadn't rejected him outright meant he was intrigued.
Sansa might appear pitiful—homeless and powerless—but in truth, both Tywin and the Queen of Thorns had greatly valued her and the name she carried.
"Your Highness," Littlefinger asked, "do you intend to become King of King's Landing, or King of the Seven Kingdoms?"
"What do you mean?"
"The King of King's Landing only needs to take the capital—and he rules only the capital.But the King of the Seven Kingdoms, like your ancestor before you, is the ruler of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men—the protector of all the realm."
"Of course I am the King of the Seven Kingdoms," Aegon said.
Littlefinger's smile faded into a serious expression. "Then you must resolve the issues in the North and the Riverlands."
(Author's note: In the Seven Kingdoms, aside from the dukes, each region has a Warden—for example, Warden of the Vale, Warden of the North, etc. Normally, the title is honorary with no real power, since dukes already hold full military and political authority over their regions.)
In theory, the Warden is equivalent to a "Grand Commander of all armies."
Of course, "all armies" here refers only to the armies of one of the Seven Kingdoms, not the entire realm.
A duke equals a king within his domain; a duke who is also a Warden is akin to a king serving as his own Grand Commander.
For the monarch himself, this "Grand Commander" title is mostly ceremonial—but in special cases, it can be temporarily granted to another.
For example, Littlefinger—while Robert Arryn still lives—can never become Duke of the Vale, but he can be appointed its "Grand Commander."
The problem is, the Vale lords don't care about Littlefinger's command, and Lord Robert lacks the authority to enforce it.
In fact, back when Eddard was captured and Robb crowned King in the North, Catelyn once suggested appointing Roose Bolton or Theon Greyjoy to lead the northern host—essentially granting the title of Warden of the North to either the Flayed Man or the Chameleon.
Honestly, Catelyn's judgment of character was truly exasperating.
(End of Chapter)
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