Chapter 57: The Second Mission in King's Landing
King's Landing, the Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast
"Knock, knock, knock…"
"Come in."
As the door to the Hand of the King's solar opened, Jory Cassel, captain of Lord Eddard Stark's household guard, appeared in the doorway.
"Eh, Jory? Didn't I send you to the River Gate? Eh…"
Eddard Stark, hunched over his desk reviewing documents, asked without looking up. But after thinking of a certain familiar possibility, he quickly raised his head.
"My dear uncle, long time no see. It seems you've grown quite fond of your duties as Hand of the King. I'm just curious—why are House Lannister's men still inside the Red Keep?"
Since no one else was present, Jory—currently being skinchanged by Jon—pulled over a stool and sat down.
"You didn't act in Winterfell—I know you were considering family and reputation. You didn't act last time—I assumed you lacked the power. But what about now?"
Jon asked directly.
Before leaving King's Landing previously, Renly Baratheon had already formed a private understanding with Eddard. Though the three crowned stags of House Baratheon stood divided—King Robert, Stannis, and Renly—Storm's End was close enough to the capital to matter.
After Jon's earlier confrontation with Eddard, he had offered several suggestions.
One had been to expose the incest in the broken tower at Winterfell. But when Jon later returned, Eddard had admitted that plan failed.
Before departing the capital again, Jon had advised a direct confrontation with Ser Jaime Lannister, and, if necessary, to coordinate with Renly and quietly prepare armed support.
Yet now, upon returning, Jon found Eddard still unmoved—still trusting.
"I've already spoken with Ser Jaime as you suggested," Eddard replied calmly. "He promised that if I maintain the current arrangement, he will resign from the Kingsguard and return to the Westerlands as Lord Tywin's heir."
Jon stared at him in disbelief.
"He pledged that in time he would wed a daughter of Stannis, and that their children would intermarry with Joffrey's line. Thus the Baratheon blood would be restored to the royal house."
"…Can I swear?"
Jon was silent for a long moment before those words escaped him.
"Jon," Eddard said patiently, "the Seven Kingdoms have only just found stability. I will not plunge them into war again. If we destroy House Lannister outright, endless conflict will follow."
"You confronted him. You uncovered the truth. And you simply let him walk?"
"You once told me he slew the Mad King to save King's Landing. I believe Ser Jaime Lannister is still a knight with a conscience."
"He is Lord Tywin's son before he is anything else," Jon said flatly. "In Westeros, true knights of honor are rare."
Jon could not comprehend this.
Eddard Stark remained who he had always been—an idealist who believed others could rise to his own standards.
"Have you secured Arya and the others? Has Ser Rodrik Cassel returned?"
"You need not worry," Eddard replied. "Our two houses have reached understanding. The future has already changed."
Jon exhaled sharply.
"I know you fear tragedies that have not yet occurred," Eddard continued, slightly displeased. "But we cannot judge men for crimes not yet committed. See? Through patience, we have avoided catastrophe."
"Shall I recommend you for a peace prize, then?"
"What?"
"…Forget it."
Jon rubbed his temple.
"You don't rule the North because you control it. You rule it because you trust it."
Eddard said nothing.
"In any world," Jon continued quietly, "there are men blinded by honor."
But Eddard was still Eddard Stark—lord of Winterfell, who would sacrifice himself before breaking his principles.
"I intend to send Bran to the Vale," Eddard said at last. "To Runestone. Lord Yohn Royce will train him into a knight."
A shadow of reluctance passed across his face. Anything to prevent Bran from becoming the so-called three-eyed crow.
"I have already retained Syrio Forel, the First Sword of Braavos. Arya will learn the water dance. As for Jaqen H'ghar—neither Renly nor I found him. A man like that must never be near the Red Keep."
Jon nodded slowly.
"You still underestimate Lord Tywin Lannister. Jaime is not the true power of House Lannister. You know their greatest secret. That alone makes you a threat."
Eddard remained calm.
"Ser Jaime assured me only he and the queen know the truth. If it remains hidden, it remains harmless."
Jon nearly laughed.
He knew better.
Among the Lannister siblings, Jaime possessed valor, but Queen Cersei Lannister possessed ruthlessness.
Protected by Jaime, she schemed quietly.
Without him, she would strike wildly—and viciously.
"You need not worry so much, Jon," Eddard said gently. "The Seven Kingdoms cannot survive another great war."
He pulled several raven scrolls from his desk.
"I am already stockpiling grain for the coming winter—and for the war beyond the Wall. Houses of the Vale and the Riverlands have agreed to favorable terms."
Jon examined the letters.
The supplies were divided between Winterfell and White Harbor.
For the Battle for the Dawn.
At least this, Jon approved.
"You recall the Blackfyre Rebellions," Eddard continued. "Doubt over bloodlines shattered the realm for generations. I will not ignite such chaos again."
Pain flickered in his eyes—memories of his father, brother, and sister lost in Robert's Rebellion.
"Nobles are not all monsters. Few truly desire war. Lord Tywin is pragmatic. I have offered him stability."
Jon knew the conversation was over.
"I hope one day you do not regret this, Uncle," he said quietly. "Because I am very far from you now."
"Have faith," Eddard replied with firm confidence. "A peaceful realm is a strong realm."
Then he added:
"And with you securing the Stepstones, trade across the Narrow Sea will prosper. That too strengthens the Seven Kingdoms."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics