3rd Month of 284 A.C. King's Landing
Grand Maester Pycelle
Winter held Westeros firmly in its grasp, the snow covered King's Landing for miles around, the land surrounding the city was completely covered as well, and if reports could be believed this was also true for the other kingdoms. The weather was what had delayed many lords from arriving though now that the moons had passed and the lords of the realm had gathered in their masses. The armies as per the terms of the treaty negotiated by Lords Stark and Arryn were camped outside the city, and as such Pycelle could see their banners floating from where he was standing on the battlements of the Red Keep. Close together were the banners of House Stark and their bannermen as well as House Tyrell and their bannermen, the sun and spear of House Martell and their bannermen were also closely gathered around where the Starks had made their ground. The leaping trout of House Tully, the wierwood of House Blackwood and many other of their bannermen were also camped near the Stark led camp, and floating proudly in the wind was the three headed red dragon on a field of Black of House Targaryen.
On the opposite side of this flying high as well was the crowned stag of House Baratheon, followed closely by the Lion of Lannister the Falcon and Moon of House Arryn, their bannermen were all gathered and there was the surprise of the fox of House Florent and their allies gathered around the camp ground of where the King had ordered his brother Stannis to set up camp.
These observations intrigued Pycelle for it clearly showed who was siding with whom, but what was even more interesting was the banners of the lords in the middle of these two opposing camps who it seemed were undecided. The black iron rods and studs of House Royce of Runestone was the most prominent house in the middle ground which Pycelle had deemed the undecided camp. Along with many other lords from the crownlands, but they would not play that big a role in the council Pycelle thought.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the voice of his lord, and the man who should've taken the throne. "So what are your thoughts on how this will play out then Pycelle? Does the king stand a good chance?"
Pycelle considered this question and then responded. "I do believe that the king will manage to win by the slightest margin my lord. The lords gathered under the Baratheon banner hold more weight than those under the dragon banner. And the lords and the commoners will remember that House Stark was once sworn to Robert Baratheon as well."
He sees his lord nod. "Aye that they shall. For Rickard Stark made a grave error in breaking his vows to Robert Baratheon. Had it been Stannis Baratheon, I would have agreed to his mechanisations. But as it was not to be, many will look and wonder why they would want a babe on the throne who looks more like Eddard Stark than Rhaegar Targaryen."
Pycelle nods. "It is indeed strange that the babe looks more like his uncle than his supposed father. There has been no solid explanation for this, and as of yet, there were no previous marriages between House Stark and House Targaryen to look back on."
His lord hums in agreement and when they turn round and see the Queen glowing beautifully in the morning light, and her brother the knight of the Kingsguard Ser Jaime Lannister whom he knew, his lord wanted to be returned as his heir. The queen nodded her head to them and said. "You wished to speak to me father?"
Tywin Lannister in that moment becomes the fierce Lord of Casterly Rock, the proud man who had ruled Westeros for twenty years. "Yes indeed I did Your Grace. I have asked you here, to look out onto the fields beyond the city and to tell me what you see."
The Queen straightens and looks out casting a scrutinizing eye on the banners and the land beyond them. When she is done looking she looks back at her father and says. "I see the banners of the great houses and their bannermen father. I see those cowards who have not yet chosen a side."
Lord Tywin shakes his head then and says. "They are not cowards Cersei. They are the lords who will decide this council. They are the ones who need to be charmed and wooed. Robert Baratheon will win Royce over with his bluster and warrior values, but houses like Sunglass, Wydman, Graceford, and even Rosby will need to be charmed. That is where you come in, charm them, flirt with them, and promise them the world in exchange for their votes and you will sit that throne by the time this council is over."
And this was why Tywin Lannister should have been king, Pycelle thought, the man saw everything, even the things that he himself had missed. His daughter snorted. "Why should I have to do this father? I am the Queen, Robert Baratheon was crowned king. There is no doubting who the true rulers of Westeros are."
Pycelle saw his lord's face flash anger for a moment and then his voice was calm. "You must charm them because they put your husband on the throne, and without them we are nothing. Now are you with child yet?"
The queen was silent a moment and then said. "We coupled last night father, the fourth time this week. Soon enough his seed will take root and I shall be with child. I promise you, this shall not fail."
Her father nods and says. "Good, for I shall not have the Starks continue their march to dominance. For nearly three hundred years they do not get involved in the south and then suddenly this interest comes. I am not sure what it is, but I know that it will end with this council."
Pycelle nods and then the Queen speaks. "Of course it will end, the Starks are savages, they know nothing of the south and the south does not know them. They will flounder with their savagery and their barbarity. I do not believe they will win."
Ser Jaime speaks then. "And yet they have got the Tyrells and the lords of the Reach with them. The heart of chivalry rides with the Starks, I do not think they would have done that had they thought the Starks savages and barbarians sister."
A smart observation, but of course his lord says. "Stark promised his grandson to Margaery Tyrell, Mace Tyrell would always come once that was done. But yes, the essence of what you are saying is true Jaime. Once this council is done you shall be stripped of that white cloak and will return as heir to the Rock. A marriage must be negotiated for you."
Pycelle sees the protestation about to form on the young lion's lips and shakes his head, and the man is quiet at that. Pycelle trying to cover the silence speaks then. "A marriage, between Ser Jaime and one of Baratheon's main allies, House Waynwood, after all Ser Elys Waynwood has many daughters."
Tywin nods at him and then says. "A smart match one which gives us a chance at perhaps gaining the Vale some way or the other. For now though, there is the matter of this child king. The men sent out to do the job failed, but thankfully had the sense to pin the blame on the king, yet there will come a time when it is brought up and we shall all need to be prepared for it."
Pycelle takes his cue from Lord Tywin. "So far I have gathered a list of six men who could take the fall for this. All of them are from the Lannisport branch, though one does have a relation to the Baneforts."
His lord seizes on this. "And as the Baneforts are no here to defend themselves, Robert will very well act out on this need."
"But what reason would they have for removing the boy and pinning it on him?" the queen asks.
Pycelle speaks then. "The Baneforts have long been antagonistic to House Lannister Your Grace. They might have done this deed as a way of pinning the blame on us and then the King. As we are connected to the king and have reason to have wanted to remove Lyanna Stark and her babe, the king might well look to blame us. Blaming the absent Baneforts does make the most sense. They are one less threat."
The queen nodded and then asked. "Should I be the one to bring this up?"
His lord, shakes his head. "No, wait for the man to bring the accusations up. Only then must you answer with what we have devised here. And Pycelle you are to lay the trail straight to them."
Pycelle nods and then when the king dismisses him, he turns and walks down the steps slowly, he is getting older after all, and continues on his way towards his rooms, getting ready to plan his next move. As he wanders through the halls of the Red Keep, he thinks of the all the kings he has served here, he had come to court first of all as an understudy during the reign of King Maekar, the man had been harsh and cold, but Pycelle, had been young then and foolish. He had returned to the citadel to continue his studies and when he was finally ready, he had returned to King's Landing to serve as grand maester during the latter years of King Aegon the Fortunate's reign. The king had been a good man, a kind man and a good king, but he was not someone who could stand the bitter tide that had come as a result of his reforms. King Jaehaerys had been a nice king, an amiable man and someone with strength underneath the frailty, and he would have been a good king, had he survived. King Aerys, King Aerys was a man with great appetites and not much patience for ruling, and the less said about him the better.
It was as he was walking back to his rooms that he sees the eunuch walking past as well, they both stop and stare at one another for a moment. A battle of wills, seeing who can hold out the longest until the eunuch breaks and smiles. "Ah maester, so nice to see you. Have you just come from plotting with your master then? Who is going to be the casualty today?"
Keeping his face as straight as possible he retorts. "No one Varys, but I do hope you are wrapped up warm for those children you are going to visit. It is quite cold outside and there are wolves about."
The eunuch titters. "Oh dearie me. The winter need not worry me. After all wolves are no match for the wrath of a stag are they not? And besides, I am only half a man, without balls. I do not think the Starks would prey on me."
"That is true, but then I suppose no one wants the stain of you on their teeth or claws. You do run a slippery service eunuch." Pycelle retorts.
The eunuch holds his hands up in a show of mock hurt. "Oh my, Pycelle, you wound me. That is an insult I had thought you were beyond using. I see your time amongst the whores of King's Landing has coloured your language somewhat. Never fear though, I enjoy this little game too much to rat you out. After all I am not the one with the slain lives of innocents on my conscience."
That last barb is one too many for Pycelle and he retorts. "At least I know where my loyalties lie Varys. What is it you people are so fond of saying? Red or black a dragon is still a dragon. It seems there are many dragons about now, the question is which one are you?" with that he walks past the eunuch and straight into his rooms, where he finds a note from Ser Lann Waters asking to meet. By the gods what is this now?