The Powerful Plesentreis, of Parlimentarian Politics/;
Lord Edmure's red face was not what you had expected to see when you had flown to Riverrun when he had urgently sent a missive to you, asking for you to come as soon as you could. Well you had expected a lot of things. Men running for the walls, to take a look at the great beast you were riding, to see the legends and the stories come to life again as if the Magics of old, like they seem to have for all of them, come back to life.
You did not, however, think to see Lord Edmure with a retinue, not only of men but of a few ladies of the court as well, men and women who, under normal stances, should not have even been with the man who was the Heir to Riverrun. Yet they stood beside him as you dismounted your Dragon.
Ebrion was comfortable in the Riverlands. The last time he was here, he had dined heavily on the great rivers full of fish that were nearby, and he was more than happy, once you had finally focused your attention, not on him, but onto the men of Riverrun, that he began flapping his wings, and flying off into the river, to find more food. Well more Fish, he loved to fish, more than you had expected.
The More things change, the more they stay the same the thought whispered in your head as you sighed.
Lord Edmure gave a very low bow, same as the men and women who were with him. "Your Grace, We are honored that you came with such haste."
His tone was neutral, and you knew from experience that neutrality was the most welcoming, and the most dangerous of tones. But you knew that there was nothing threatening about the man who was called the Floppy Trout by his enemies, and the Rock by his friends.
You, out of instinct gave a smile and felt the strong shatter points around the castle. There were not as many as you had hoped to see. Sure Riverrun was a fortress without equal, save for Seaguard, but all fortresses had weaknesses, same for the people that were within it.
Yet among this group, there was nary a fracture. A worrying possibility, that you were losing your edge.
Or these people were no threat to you.
There is so much that I do not know about this, best play this carefully. The words of caution were something that you played almost instinctively in your mind. To many times you had been blindsided by things outside your control. Now you were going to take control. "I am a bit surprised that your urgency. What problems are needed to be dealt with by a King and his Dragon?"
Edmure was taken aback by the words you had spoken, in fact, he looked almost hurt. "Begging your pardon your Grace, I meant no disrespect to you or your duties, but this is far too important to just not bring to your attention." Edmure was deflecting, in a way, but towards the topic that would be of his discussion. The Reason he had asked you to come.
"Explain?" You asked as you began to walk towards him. "Preferably with some wine."
It was when you noticed the Lady Frey who had somehow become the companion of Lord Edmure, Roslin. She was, small. That much was certain as you dwarfed over her, and she only barely stood to your chest. She was pale, like you, though with a much lighter complexion, and her brown hair and delicate features made her seem far more like a noble lady of a song… well more a little girl, than a lady of a noble house.
"Your Grace, it is an honor to meet you." She stated as she curtsied to you.
"Likewise my lady Frey." You replied. Olyver Frey, the new Lord of the Twins, was nothing short of a good ally in the Riverlands, and one who was loyal. The fact that Edmure seemed to think him loyal enough, or cared about the girl enough to allow her to stay meant she was either skilled at politics. Lord Edmure was a sentimental one, or there was a marriage or betrothal was in the air, and negotiations were in discussion.
It was not your place to play games in the Riverlands, and micromanage things here. Not unless you were needed. "Your brother is doing well as Lord of the Twins?"
Roslin looked down, not embarrassed but clearly a bit frightened. "He's stressed from the responsibilities, he is trying his best to maintain some of the work that my father worked. And trying to find marriage matches for everyone. Those that are remaining in at home, and are not dead, bandits, or seeking fortune elsewhere."
Ah… maybe you can see some more Freys in King's Landing soon. Perhaps there may finally be something of that mercenary idea that you have been having for some time. "Good."
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The Dinning hall, the Great Hall of Riverrun, was very quiet as you and the entourage of Lord Edmure were starting to sit, and you were finally given a small glass of wine. "I am sure you realize that with the Band of Basterds being destroyed Your Grace, there has been a lot of people coming to speak to me, many of them doing the usual measures of not only requests for taxes, but also for other possible future projects," Edmure stated as you swirled the wine around in the glass, before drinking it.
You were listening intently, to the other men in the room, the ones who were not high born, who were not men of means, at least to your untrained eye. But Edmure had brought them, and kept them here so that they would be seen by you. These men are not ordinary men.
"But that is why I call for you today, Your Grace, to hear them out." Edmure finished as you blinked, looking at the wine, and shaking your head.
"Or what accord?" You asked. "Are they going to, play a game, or otherwise, parade me with many of the figures, of the many fantasies that they think could allow Westeros to Change for the better?"
Edmure did not seem very confident when he looked back. "Should we tell him?"
The man nodded. "Your grace, my name is Domhill." The man gave a small bow. The man was old, perhaps older than Pycelle if you were being completely honest, but his hair was far more brown than white or grey. But he had a soldier's build, and his arms, despite being tired and dropping, were still strong-looking, and a shatter point near his head burned, brighter than anything you had ever seen before. "And I nee to tel lyou a story, about the Riverland Republic."
You frowned. What? "There has never been a republic in the Riverlands, for as long as there has been a Riverlands in Westeros." You stated.
Domhill smiled at that. "Is it now, Lord Edmure, shall I give him the short version or the long version?" He asked his lord.
Edmure shook his head. "We don't have months to give him an in-depth history lesson on the Political underground movements of the Republic, and its many forms. So please keep it short. And stick to the very basics as well."
You nodded. "Yes, short."
Domhill nodded. "It began at the End of the Justman's reigns over the Riverlands, during the First Stormlander invasions. There were many castles and townships that were without lords to guide them. The lords had all died fighting against the Stormkings. So they chose to elect abled-bodied men, soldiers, administrators and learned men to take command of those lost and leaderless positions, either waiting for the sons or relatives to return or until the King could appoint new representatives to rule over them. But the Justman King's were not able to exercise their authority over the regions, and soon, these men grew old, and they stepped down, not wishing for the responsibility to fall upon their sons or their other relatives. But soon they began meeting each other at a place called Summerfield Hall, an old ruin near the Castle of Oldstone, to coordinate their assets, resources, and their fighting capabilities, to keep on fighting, even with the King unable to do so. Thus began the first lords of the House. And when they felt too old or were not strong enough, they stepped down, and the people of the keeps, towns, and villages elected a new ruler and representatives."
"They stepped down from power willingly?" You asked. "They were not forced to step down from power?"
"When one is under an invasion from Stormlord's, there can not be a strong man at the helm of the state. And the Lord's knew that. But even when the Trident fell, and the Stormlord's continued their occupation, the Parliament still met, as a secret government, trying to free the Trident and it's people, to find a king of the Justman or Mudd Lines to crown, and rise in rebellion. Alas, that was not to be, and when a traitor deserted his ranks, to make himself a lord, the Parliament was destroyed."
You paused, narrowing your eyes. "Can we skip to the present?" You asked.
The man, Domhill nodded. "Before Roberts Rebellion, Prince Rhaegar had met with numerous river lords and members of this new Parliament and asked for their support. Lord Edmure may not have been privy to our existence, but we have always wished for many more representatives of the interests of Westeros for investments. When he kidnapped Lyanna Stark, we had turned to Robert Baratheon, with our proposals. But we had never heard a reply."
Politics. You took a deep breath. "And you want to propose something to me?" You asked.
"No," Edmure stated. "We are merely informing you of the great change that will be coming to the Riverlands. Many of my lord's, are in agreement with some of these proposals."
"And you may fear that I will disagree with your proposals?" You asked.
Edmure nodded. "If left in the dark. Yes."
"Than what proposals are there going to be?" You asked.
Edmure nodded. "That will be informed to you when we are finished, and the vote is held."
You stood. "I do not like being held hostage without information."
Edmure nodded. "I understand. But I cannot control the will of the Parliament. I promise however, there will only be benefits for the Crown."
For the rest of the meeting, you couldn't help but have a bad feeling about all this.
That, while this entire political revolution that was occurring in the Riverlands was a good thing… you didn't know-how.
Reward: The Riverlands will soon be hosting its first, open Parlimenterly meeting in its history next year.
Due to the massive political and success, along with meeting with many of the leaders and Edmure, the Riverlords and Common Lords feel a great deal of kinship and support from you, with an agenda that is for the improvement of the Riverlands.
Depending on the success of the Parliamentary meeting, this may have drastic political consequences throughout Westeros.
AN: Enjoy.
100 + 17 + 17 => 92
