Kapitel 566: Chapter 566: The Lord of the Vale
Viserys rode atop his dragon, gazing down at the mass of Vale knights prostrate before him. His countenance was serene.
He had foreseen this scene, knowing that Littlefinger's strategy of "driving the tiger to swallow the wolf" had succeeded. Thus, he hastened here from King's Landing.
"Petyr Baelish."
Below, at the forefront of the crowd, Littlefinger stiffened upon hearing Viserys's voice. Tension rippled beneath his dark cloak.
"Your Grace."
All his efforts, all his sacrifices, were for this moment – to rise from a man mockingly called 'Littlefinger' to the esteemed Lord Petyr Baelish.
He still recalled the shock and disdain on Lord Hoster's face when he proposed to Catelyn. Even the red-haired girl he cherished looked at him in disbelief.
Who could possibly marry into the Tully family?
Catelyn's first fiancé had been Brandon Stark, heir to Winterfell. After Brandon's fiery death at the Mad King's hands, she married his younger brother, Eddard, the future Lord of Winterfell.
Littlefinger had never been in Catelyn's sights. Their statuses were worlds apart.
Yet, in a sense, Littlefinger's journey was inspirational. Rising from an unnoticed "worm" to a figure those who once looked down on him now revered.
Now was the pivotal moment of his life. Petyr Baelish knelt before the dragon, his heart racing, his breath quickening.
"You've fulfilled your promise to me."
Above, a light voice floated down, "The Vale is yours."
His heart, which had soared, landed back to earth. Lord Baelish exhaled deeply.
Only now did he realize how much he'd been sweating, his mind slightly foggy, clenching handfuls of soil.
Drawing a deep breath, Littlefinger shifted from one knee to both, deeply bowing his head.
"Thank you for your grace!"
The Vale finally united peacefully under the throne. All Seven Kingdoms, except the North, fell under the Iron Throne's rule. No voice dared to openly defy.
Fun fact: Petyr Baelish was the first governor to be canonized in the kingdom.
To many's surprise, those who fought alongside Viserys hadn't yet been ennobled. With no confidants in the Vale's army, unlike other conquests, the Targaryen forces hadn't attacked the Vale but had taken Gulltown by sea. The Vale surrendered on its own. Hence, Viserys needed a competent, trustworthy person like Littlefinger, reminiscent of Euron Greyjoy in nature.
Viserys's trust was unwavering. Both parties understood each other clearly.
King Viserys I, atop his dragon, arrived in the Vale. The Vale's soldiers surrendered, led by the future Lord of the Vale, Petyr Baelish. This moment was captured by a noble artist, becoming an iconic painting.
While Viserys verbally granted Lordship of the Vale to Littlefinger, the specifics awaited the new regime's policies and laws, to be proclaimed by envoys from King's Landing.
The Vale's army besieging Gulltown surrendered, while inside, the Targaryen army opened its gates.
The sight of the dragon's descent was undeniable. Many Targaryen soldiers witnessed it.
Although they'd seen unrest in the Vale's camp, the cautious General Jeffrey Bracken feared ambushes and refrained from intervening. Only when the dragon landed did they open their gates.
"Your Grace."
Horse hooves echoed. The elderly general, his hair white as snow, approached Viserys and dismounted.
"Congratulations on reclaiming the Vale."
Gazing at the silver-haired young king, General Jeffrey Bracken felt a wave of nostalgia. He had watched Viserys grow every step of the way.
Starting from the boy's bold suggestions that saved Dragonstone's fleet from the greatest storm in history, destroying the usurper's fleet.
Jeffrey's respect for the boy began then. Later, at eight, Viserys discreetly visited Braavos, securing a vital agreement. Viserys overcame countless obstacles, finally reclaiming the Iron Throne, uniting the Seven Kingdoms, and defeating all foes.
"General Jeffrey, you've worked hard."
Viserys's eyes softened. He personally assisted the old general down from his horse.
General Jeffrey's contributions were invaluable in Viserys's rise. As the heir to Stone Hedge, due to a twist of fate, he killed the Lord of House Blackwood in broad daylight at King's Landing. Fleeing the wrath of King Jaehaerys II, he escaped to Essos.
Viserys once asked Jeffrey whether he desired Twin Rivers or Stone Hedge. The once-great House Frey of Twin Rivers had been decimated in the war, while Stone Hedge was his childhood home.
After much contemplation, Jeffrey chose Twin Rivers, leaving Stone Hedge to his niece, Barbara, daughter of the previous Lord Janos Bracken. Once the war ended, he planned to head to Twin Rivers with his retinue.
"Your Grace."
As General Jeffrey and Viserys conversed, the general's son, Hendry Bracken, approached. The vibrant young man greeted the king. Once Jeffrey's illegitimate child, he was legitimized by Viserys and became the heir to Twin Rivers, changing his destiny forever.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein