Bab 36: The Meeting
(Rhaegon's POV)
I sighed, "Oh boy...." I muttered as I walked alongside Robb toward the hall where the Feast was supposed to happen
It was the day after I had that talk with Aunt Daenerys. Robb told me that the Lords have gotten here a bit earlier than expected and were already sitting down at the emergency meeting.
Even know, I have no idea why they're holding such meetings.
Robb walked in front of me and pushed open the doors to the hall and an eruption of voices hit me dead on.
As I walked in, I saw the tables filled with lords as they were discussing amongst themselves, nearly arguing as they had some food and mead on their tables.
At the far end of the room, I saw Lord Stark at the head table, some seats empty but with the ones on the far right occupied by Lord Manderly, Lord Umber, and Lord Bolton.
Lord Bolton was the one that unsettled me the most. Had an encounter with him a few years ago that almost resulted in me having him bathe in Morghul's fire.
The moment that the Lords saw me, they all quieted down.
"It's Rhaegon, he's finally here." One of them said
Robb nodded slightly, "My Lords, Ser Rhaegon is here." He announced, "He will hear what you all have to say now."
I then saw as Lord Stark stood up, "Ser Rhaegon, come and sit next to Robb and I." He gestured to his left
I nodded at the Lords, "My Lords, thank you for coming all this way." I said, "To discuss my future marriage, for whatever reason...."
As Robb and I walked towards the table, I noticed Lord Umber sizing me up with his eyes as Lord Bolton gave me a cold stare.
"Ser Rhaegon, have you heard the whispers???" I heard someone say
As I walked around the table, I saw it was Lord Glover who spoke, "What whispers Milord?" I asked as Robb took a seat next to me, "Is it the ones of unknown origin that drift in the wind from Castle Black?"
The majority of the lords began to murmur amongst themselves, a feeling of desperation was felt throughout the room.
Lord Stark cleared his throat, "Alright, Lord Glover, care to elaborate on that?" He said as I sat down
Lord Glover stepped forth towards the middle of the hall, "Ser Rhaegon." He said, "It is no secret, here in the North at least, that there are whispers about your Uncle, the Prince."
I raised an eyebrow, "A Treacherous threat, Milord." I said, "One that Lord Manderly insists is that of supernatural origin."
Lord Glover frowned, "But it is true." He said, "No House in The North that is allied to House Stark will dare say such insanities about the Dragons. These whispers are warnings."
Lord Manderly told me that there are literal whispers in the wind that foretell the death of my Uncle Viserys. It is because of that, the Lords of the North worry about what direction I will take the realm when I marry.
I sighed, "Let us think that it is true." I said as I looked at Lord Stark, "A treacherous thought, Indeed, but if it is true, what then? I was under the impression that the North isn't too fond of Viserys Targaryen."
"That may be true, he is still Heir." Lord Stark said, "Viserys can be impulsive, rash, and more than impatient. But that does not mean that he deserves death. We must do whatever we can to prevent such tragedy. Whoever is spreading these warnings, we shall find them and question them thoroughly."
"My Liegelord." Lord Grover said, "Nobody knows where these whispers come from. We have sent countless ravens to Castle Black but they claim that they come beyond the Wall. We can only assume that someone or something is trying to send us a message."
"Who? Wildlings?" I asked
"There are things older than the Wall beyond it, boy." I heard the cold voice of Lord Bolton say, "Do not make a mockery of the Northern ways."
I raised an eyebrow, "I wasn't, Milord." I said, "I am aware of Wargs, Giants, and many other things. That doesn't mean I haven't seen them myself. I haven't heard these whispers, how do you expect me to believe them? And for the life of me, I can't seem to understand why this meeting is here in the first place. Who cares who I marry?"
"Ha! The boy is still green, Lord Stark!" I heard Lord Umber say as he stood up from his seat, "You don't understand, right, boy??? You are the rider of the greatest weapon in the Realm, the North included. A very sought-after prize!"
"If I was that, why weren't any of you that enthusiastic to offer your daughters to me?" I asked
"The North already has a Dragon." Lord Stark said, "If Daenerys weren't betrothed to Robb, the possibility of you marrying my eldest daughter would've been considered."
I looked at him, "Well, forgive me for being ignorant, my point still stands." I said, "The North has a dragon, why must you be worried about me? Viserys is Heir and he's about to die, allegedly. Yet this meeting is not about them, but me. So do me a favor, My Lords, open my eyes."
"Winter Is Coming." Lord Stark said as he looked at me seriously, "And The Long Night comes with it."
The Long Night? Mother mentioned that.
I frowned, "What?"
"Aye, that's right, boy." Lord Umber said, "You ain't from here, so I'll let ya in on something. Every Northerner and their grandmummy knows about it, the biggest Winter the Realm has fucking seen. There have been many signs that the North is keeping track of."
The Lords in the room were murmuring in agreement of what GreatJon Umber said.
"This isn't some superstitious shite we just ramble...." Lord Umber said as he walked around the table, "Tis the truth, boy! The Union of Ice and Fire marks the nearing of The Long Night. And only a united North, nay, a united Realm will prevail!"
"The Long Night..." I said as I looked at Lord Stark, "Is this a natural disaster? A stronger and much colder Winter than ordinary? Worse than the Winters the North deals with?"
Lord Stark looked down and nodded slowly without saying a word.
"Aye, that's right." Lord Umber continued as he pointed at me, "You're the only piece of the puzzle left, Rhaegon. We have a dragon already, the Princess's Dragon. When she marries our young wolf here, she will produce more dragon babies...well, you know what I mean. And we'll get more Dragons here. That is the reason the North accepts Daenerys Targaryen."
"And I....?" I said
"If what happens is true, if Prince Viserys does indeed die...." I heard Lord Manderly say, "Which we can't say for sure will happen but whispers like these, they're omens.....terrible omens....You will be next in line for the Throne, Ser Rhaegon. And you have the support of not just the North, but most of the Realm."
"Rhaegar's legacy will pass through you." Lord Stark said, "You have the Stormlands, the Reach, the Vale, the Riverlands, and the Westerlands on your side. All the Great Houses accept you, even if some favor Viserys more. You can, in fact, unite the realm with this simple yet impactful direction."
"The only ones we ought to worry about is Dorne." Lord Manderly said, "They're a direct path from a major trading route from Further East in Essos. If we can have a secured and proper alliance with them, we can secure land and sea shipments."
"Ey, Manderly, how'd ya know about Essos?" Lord Umber said
"We have to well informed about these sort of things, Milord." He replied
I sighed and rubbed my temples, "D-Dorne offered....Prince Oberyn offered his daughter...." I said, "But she's a Sand...."
Lord Stark looked at me, "And with her?"
"A secured and permanent alliance...a much friendlier one..." I said, "In return for my blade and dragon in their time of need."
"Good!" Lord Umber said, "Take it, it doesn't matter if she's a bastard!"
"As a Paramour." I said as I rubbed my head
"What does that mean?" Lord Umber raised his eyebrow
"A Mistress...basically..." I said
"Gods be good....." He said with a chuckle, "You're being offered a mistress only? One that comes with a whole fucking country? You'd be a fucking buffoon not taking that deal, Rhaegon!"
"Call him Ser Rhaegon, Milord." Lord Stark said, "And he's not wrong. I.....may not agree with it, but if Dorne can be secured.....the Realm can have access to proper supplies for the Long Night. We have grain, food, and many other things from the Reach. I've spoken to Robert about this, but if we can stock up on enough supplies from Essos, enough to last the entire Winter, everything will be fine."
"And if it comes within the predicted years...." Lord Umber said, "Our Young Wolf will have sired enough little dragonlings that bring hatchlings. Enough grain to feed us men, enough meat to feed Dragons, and enough mead and ale to make us all fucking happy and patient!"
The Lords began to shout in agreement, laughing as if they've resolved something so major.
Was this it? Was this their whole plot? They just wanted to be stocked up on enough supplies to last a really bad Winter? I mean.....it must be that bad if the North is worrying about it. They're not just worried about themselves, they're worried about the entire Realm.
There was something to this, something they're not telling me.
The whole whispering about my Uncle Viserys.....they still haven't explained that part out to me.
I must get to the bottom of this. I don't believe these Whispers are of supernatural origin. I smell a conspiracy here. The Three Eyes, what Uncle Rhaegar told me....what Mother told me.
I have to get answers while I am here. Even if I miss out on the Feast.
I stood up, "I still want to know." I said, "Your Theories. About the Whispers."
The Lords then got quiet as they looked at me.
Lord Stark looked at me, "Ser Rhaegon...." He said, "We'll look into it and we'll update you on it....."
I shook my head, "No, I want to hear theories. I don't care if I don't believe in your beliefs or make mockery of your ways. Tell me."
I walked around the table and towards Lord Umber, who towered over me.
"So, boy...." He said as he looked at me, "You wanna know?"
"I do." I said, "But call me boy one more time and I'll see what the GreatJon Umber is all about."
He scowled, "What was that?" He growled
"Lord Umber." Lord Stark said, "Enough."
Lord Umber took a step back, "You got balls of steel, Ser Rhaegon." He said, "Without your dragon-"
"I don't need my dragon." I cut him off, "But do tell me, My Lords....by the looks of it, you know where these Whispers come from. You just don't want to say it."
I scanned the room; nobody wanted to speak up.
"The Trees." I heard Lord Stark speak up, "They come from the Weirwood Trees from beyond the Wall."
I turned around and looked at him, "Come again?"
He nodded as he looked at me,
"That's right." He said,
"They're the ones that speak those words."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone