Quick Author's Note: This Chapter is intended to serve three primary and one secondary Purposes. The First primary reason is to showcase Rogar's Goals and Plans for the Vale of Arryn and how otherwise unimportant Characters such as Waymar and Robar Royce will play a part in this and/or provide room for Character and Plot Development.
The Second primary reason is to create a Chapter that improves the overall quality of the story, characters, and development without to much usage of Time-Skip's, POV Shifts, Exposition, etc.
The Third primary reason is to showcase Rogar's progression into a man grown. This Chapter is written in a that will help make things interesting down the line as it shows how certain characters feel about Rogar politically or personally, but it also shows a growing independence and foreshadows his future moniker. Which your more than quite welcome to guess or throw around ideas, so long as you can provide a suitable reason for consideration. Otherwise I'll stick with my current top contender....which you don't get to learn just yet.
The Secondary Reason is to increase the length and depth of this chapter and it's succeeding ones by at least five hundred words on an average write. This is the goal so that I can get more out of a chapter without too much Exposition and too little dialog.
---------------------------------
(Casterly Rock, Lannisport, The Westerlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)
---------------------------------
(Time-Skip: One Year Later: 274 AC)
---------------------------------
(Rogar Arryn POV)
---------------------------------
Rogar was packing his bag, he expressed his desire to return home and live amongst his people once more, and Lady Joanna allowed him a week to get his affairs in order before his journey home. He was going home now, for more than the fact the Defiance of Duskendale was this year, a certain widow had been made, making his return necessary. Myranda Royce was freshly widowed, making him ready to seek out a betrothal. Lady Myranda was freshly flowered and freshly widowed, a nice combination for courting.
Besides which, he liked Myranda Royce's character and her beautifully busty figure of course.
But then again this was more for the sake of appearances and strengthening his Control in the Vale of Arryn for when he was eventual undisputed Ruler of the Vale of Arryn, The Trident, and The North. Even if to get those two extra Kingdoms he had to fuck a child into the belly of Sansa and Arya both, a child per Kingdom...but hopefully it wouldn't come to that, and if it did it would only be necessary to impregnate Sansa. He had a thing for Blondes and Redheads after all.
Still he'd try to make it a happy marriage, mostly for Myranda's sake.
However Myranda Royce was far more important than what one might think, outside of Ysilla Royce, she was the only unwed Royce Women in Cannon and as such had a distinct albeit distant blood claim on Winterfell. Ysilla's was stronger, but She wasn't even born yet. So Myranda would have to suffice. And on another note it granted the Cadet Branch of House Royce with no lands of their own increased stature and influence.
Rogar knew of at least three unwed and eligible Women in his own Families Cadet Branch, yet spurned them in favor of Myranda Royce. Now these Women were directly descended from House Grafton,The Lords of Gulltown. Gulltown was the Vale's only Real Port of any real Value, so this raised a question about why he'd spurn a match with them. The answer was because of the fact that he intended to raise new Castle's and expand, renovate, and update old ones.
He'd name Lord Nestor Royce Lord Of The Gates of The Moon, and Take Myranda Royce for his Lady Wife, bringing House Royce of The Gates of The Moon into existence and He'd upgrade Sky, Stone, and Snow and one day name Waymar, Albar, and Robar Royce's to one of the three Way Castle's before raising two Seats for them specifically.
He wanted to increase the Vale's population and it's military might before launching his plans of revolutionizing Westeros Technologically speaking starting with the Vale of Arryn. He knew how to produce higher quality liquor, better metals and alloys, and how to modernize the Vale's Armies through tactics and training alone.
But for the moment it was time to say goodbye to Casterly Rock and say hello once more to The Eyrie, or The Dreary as he once coined it growing up much to his Father's bemusement at that particular time.
Right now he was a little nervous, it'd been years since he'd been home and seen his father and his future lands. He'd have to make sure that he'd stop in at Runestone on his way home, but otherwise it's a straight shot home...
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Cersei Lannister)
---------------------------------
Rogar was returning home to the Vale. There was a time in Cersei's life where she only imagined Marrying Rhaegar and before him Jaime. But now Rhaegar was denied her, and while she hadn't given up hope of wedding the Crown Prince, she slowly began to entertain the prospect of a marriage to House Arryn, or more specifically to Rogar himself.
She'd never stepped foot inside the Eyrie, but to hear Rogar tell it, it was a Dreary place, one he found distinct lly absent of much warmth, figuratively or literally.
Cersei liked to think she could bring such warmth and color to such a place, and the idea of being alone with Rogar in his bed was far from unpleasant. in fact it proved quite stimulating to her.
A knock at her door broke her from her thoughts.
''Enter.'' She called and in stepped Rogar, his light blonde hair and grayed blue eyes locked into a chiseled if young frame. Rogar when not entertaining her or studying with little Tyrion was to be found training in the Courtyard relentlessly, he'd knocked Uncle Tygett flat on his ass half a month ago with a heavy bash of his majestic Shield. Much the same as he did Uncle's Kevan and Gerion several months before that. His arms were muscled as a result of favoring an otherwise defensive weapon as an extremely dangerous weapon of Defense and/or Offense.
Simply standing there admiring him was enough to break down her ambitions of a Royal Crown.
''I've said my goodbyes to everyone, except for you. Tyrion didn't take it well, but he was happy when I invited him to The Vale of Arryn. As for you Cersei, so long as you Remain no less beautiful as you are now, you will always be welcome in my halls. Goodbye....my love.'' Fogar whispered the last two words so softly she almost didn't hear him, and she lacked any means to respond before he enveloped her lips in a deep kiss.
As soon as it ends he smiles sadly at her before walking away....
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Joanna Lannister)
---------------------------------
Cersei was depressed. Young Rogar had left two hours ago, and was now likely nearly halfway out of the Westerlands.
Joanna recalled the discussion she'd had with Tywin at the Tourney of Lannisport held in honor of Prince Viserys Birth after Young Rogar bested Ser Arthur Dayne in the Pre-Tourney Sparring.
------------------------------------------------------------------
(FLASHBACK START)
---------------------------------
It was the day before the fanfare was set to start. Young Rogar stood beside a Shield several heads taller than him, with a Slightly shorter Longsword in his offhand, but one that wasn't quite a Shortsword. He was stood in front of a panting Ser Arthur Dayne knelt in defeat.
''He's been trained well.'' Tywin notes beside her.
''Not by us, all by his own hand. If The King Rejects us, Rogar might be a better suited alternative. Besides the prince may prove more willing to wed his son to our future granddaughter.'' Joanna said slightly worried that the King wouldn't see the sense in marrying Crown Prince Rhaegar to Cersei and providing a hopeful alternative.
''The King isn't so far gone as to not see the sense of this marriage.'' Said Tywin.
''Even So, Rogar has Targaryen Blood through the Female Line, making him a better match should the King decline our suggestion.'' Said Joanna.
''We'll cross that bridge if we come to it.'' Tywin had replied gruffly but not unkindly.
---------------------------------
The Tourney was over and Tywin and Joanna had been humiliated by the King's refusal. Joanna was more determined to wed her daughter to Rogar, but Tywin resolutely resolved himself to not give up on Rhaegar until or unless the Crown Prince was already wed and with an Heir.
Joanna however had decidedly chosen to broach the matter of a potential betrothal to Lord Jon Arryn, determine his interests, needs, and desires for such a match to occur. A Lannister had never married into the Arryn Bloodline meaning that Lord Jon would require certain caveats and promises to keep face with his Bannermen. It was the way the Nobility of the Great Houses and their primary Bannermen did things after all.
The Arryns like the Lannister's had once been King's and Queen's in their own right, but they never lost a man in the Targaryen Conquest due to having chosen submission over warfare. Thus it was their priority of their people over their Crown's that brought Rhaenyra Targaryen into their World.
Rogar Arryn was well-mannered, quite learned, and as good if not better than Her Jaime at arms and Warcraft. Making him ideal for her little lioness.
---------------------------------
(FLASHBACK END)
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Rogar Arryn)
---------------------------------
(Runestone, Bronze Coast, The Vale of Arryn, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)
---------------------------------
(Time-skip: Three Days Later)
---------------------------------
Rogar was riding Into the Runestone after three days of long and hard travel by sea, and now half a days ride on horseback. The horse had been a gift from Cersei for his last Nameday. It suitably had a golden colouration with silver mixed into the coloring.
He rode in with his fifteen men to the surprise of the Royce Household who had not expected an Arryn to come at all, let alone the Young Heir to the Vale of Arryn. It was about five minutes later that Lord's Yohn and Nestor came to greet him, rather hastily too.
''Welcome to Runestone Lord Rogar, we apologize for not greeting you sooner, we received no word of your impending arrival.'' Nestor bows his head in apology.
''No, it is Not you who ought to apologize, but rather me. Not even my father knows I'm here, or rather he doesn't know that I am in the Vale of Arryn at all. I took ship from Lannisport aboard The Aquila to Gulltown with the intent to come to Runestone to speak with you both directly. I have a matter I'd like to discuss that directly concerns the three of us specifically, may we speak in your Solar?'' Rogar asks.
''Of Course, Young Lord, please follow us.'' Lord Yohn says.
As he passes many a maiden, many if whom bat their eyelashes at him, he smiles only at the forlorn Myranda Royce.
---------------------------------
Sat in the Solar of Yohn Royce, Rogar waited for each man to sit before speaking.
''I understand your daughter is freshly widowed Lord Nestor. I must admit she is my entire reason for coming here. I wish to court her, however out of respect I won't engage in this until a year has passed, for obvious reasons. Consider this an official interest in renewing the bonds of Royce and Arryn for the second generation in a row on my part. Good Day my Lord's, consider my words carefully.'' Without another word, Rogar departs leaving both Lord Royce's flummoxed.
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Nestor Royce)
---------------------------------
Rogar Arryn was strange, granted most children were at his age, but to show up unannounced and express a serious interest in Nestor's freshly widowed daughter. The marriage had occurred against his wishes the fact the sod had died before he could spill his seed made Nestor grateful, but it also caused him the issue of the Fact his daughter was thus tainted in the eyes of Nobility, having your husband die during the wedding was bad luck, but during consummation was considered worse.
Myranda had contented herself to this fate, now The future Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of The East came unannounced and expressed an interest and intent in courting his freshly widowed and tainted daughter?
The boy was an anomaly showed up and expressed the Interest before departing without letting them get a word in. Now the duty fell to Nestor to inform Randa of the Young Lord's interest....
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Rogar Arryn)
---------------------------------
Rogar was satisfied with his visit to Runestone. His goal had been to express interest and intent to Court Myranda before turning on his heel and departing without them getting a word in.
For the moment being an anomaly was the right play, plus it increased the odds of a reciprocated interest in the match. Myranda was never Wedded again in Cannon but that was because she was seen as tainted due to her husband's death during consummation, thus giving him an opportunity to acquire a very pretty, busty, and unclaimed Bride.
He was a lustful individual at heart, and being able to sleep frequently with the beautiful Myranda Royce was certainly less expensive than whoring, a shame Robert never made the marriage he had to Cersei in Cannon Manageable since they had near as many infidelities each.
Rogar wanted to father Myrcella and Tommen, which meant that around the time Joffery was conceived Rogar planned to be somewhere else.
Somewhere....East....
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Jon Arryn)
---------------------------------
Joanna Lannister had expressed an interest in his thoughts regarding a betrothal to Cersei Lannister for his Rogar, and now a Raven from Runestone detailing Rogar's expressed interest in courting the freshly widowed Myranda Royce who was some three or four years his senior.
Rogar had always struck him as...special and gifted. Apparently Lady Joanna felt the same. But Rogar should be allowed the choice to freely choose his own bride, despite the fact that Lady Cersei was certainly a better match for his son.
In any event perhaps it was time to surprise his son with a Welcome home feast? His boy wasn't fond of surprises, but would probably make an exception for him this time, he was a proud father and getting on years after all....
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Rogar Arryn)
---------------------------------
Rogar was at Last within sight of the Gates of The Moon, he was almost home.....
And done. I expect The actual Defiance to occur around Part 3, with Part two being split between the celebration, resulting hangover and Tywin. Maybe one or two others featured as much. We'll see what happens no?
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
(The High Hall, The Eyrie, The Mountains of The Moon, The Vale of Arryn, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)
---------------------------------
(Year: 274 AC)
---------------------------------
(Rogar Arryn POV)
---------------------------------
Rogar hated surprises, and while he was hardly surprised that his father already knew of his impending arrival, he was unpleasantly surprised by the large feast. He expected a feast sure, but not one of such size. House Arryn was the Fifth Richest Family in the Realm, but that was only because of their lesser need for grain compared to Dorne or The North come Winter, I'd they faced the increased Snows/Sandstorms of either then they'd easily drop down to the Ninth Richest family just behind House Tully who was the current number nine.
This made twice now that his Lord Father had gone a little overboard with the spending to his recollection. But the seating of Ned Stark beside him who also apparently hated such grandiose displays on such short notice wasn't necessarily an unwelcome presence.
Rogar knew that if the Defiance wasn't happening now it would soon, so it was time to start Fostering a friendly relationship with Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon.
Ned Stark shouldn't be too difficult, nor Robert, but Robert wws what Rogar would consider....almost bi-polar when it came to certain things.
''Your not fond of such spending either are you Lord Stark? I can tell by your eyes.'' Rogar speaks up.
''No, I'm not, but please just Ned or Eddard is fine, Lord Stark is my father, and someday will be my brother Brandon after him.'' Says Ned.
''Tell me something, your a Man of the North and a follower of the Old God's No? So your surely aware of the defeat of the others but not your greater connection to it?'' Asks Rogar, trying to bring up an old theory.
''Your speaking of Bran The Builder.'' Eddard says with a slight frown.
''No, I'm not actually. I'm speaking of Winterfell. It is said there are Hotsprings or Dragon Eggs hidden beneath your home, but let me propose another theory. What if the source of the heat is actually from the very spot where Winter was actually felled? By all accounts Bran The Builder was as Intelligent as he was skilled, it'd be a clever bit of wordplay no?'' Asks Rogar.
''Why do you say that?'' Asks Ned, and Rogar shows him his full chain of Maester Links, which he'd forged to be used as a bracelet.
''Two years at the Citadel, and Three Valyrian Steel Links. I got them by an extended studying on the background of Magic in addition to my practical studies, which wasn't limited to Valyrian Magic. If there's anywhere inside Westeros that still has strong Magic it's The North. I imagine that the site where a being of Winter personified had been slain or sent to slumber would be a naturally saturated area of Magic. And as the first place of Light in the Long Night it stands to Reason that that is the source of the heat beneath Winterfell. Mind you this is all conjecture and theories, but it does make a fair bit if not a lot of sense. Plus I'm willing to bet a fair sum of Coin that if there's a secret entrance to the sight it's near or underneath the Winterfell Weirwood.'' Says Rogar.
Ned goes to respond but Robert shouts him over.
''Go, I have something else that I need to do anyway.'' Says Rogar as Ned looks torn.
Ned nods his head in gratitude before going over to Robert.
Seizing the opportunity, Rogar slips away as there is something that he needs to do now with his Father's attention on the feast and not him. A test if you will. Having read and collected the books, guides, and watched the show, he knew this was an amalgamation of the Show and A Song of Ice and Fire, The question was whether or not it ended there. At least One Video Game was also in the mix, so what else was there?
He needed to check the Weirwood Throne, The Sept, their Failed Godswood, The Moon Door. and The Maidens Tower, after that a trip to the Gate's of The Moon would be in order if he was unable to get what he wanted.
See the thing that got him into Game of Thrones in the first place was A Online browser game which was an amalgamation of the Show and the books. So seeing as how this place was much the same, and already had characters from at least one game it wasn't to big of a stretch to say that if the other Great Houses had what he was looking for his would too, meaning that if what he was looking for was to be found it would either be within those locations of the Eyrie, or it would be at the Gates of The Moon, and frankly he was betting they were at the Gates of The Moon. It was an Artifact that no one but him knew about, and he knew it was allegedly hidden away by the House Founders. Which meant that The Artifact he wanted if it was anywhere would be at the Original Arryn Seat of The Gates of The Moon.
Still, it was worth a look in the Eyrie.
Now right now the only places he was able to investigate were The Sept, Failed Godswood, and The Maidens Tower, The Weirwood Throne was unreachable because it was located within the High Hall which was where the Feast was still in full swing. And the only reason he was actually searching for the Artifact within the Eyrie was because of the fact that The Eyrie had been built by King Roland I Arryn, The Grandson of King Artys I Arryn, The Man who founded the Arryn Bloodline and reigned as it's first Sovereign King of Mountain and Vale. It was unlikely to be found in The Arryns Summer Castle, but it was at the very least worth a shot.
---------------------------------
(Time-skip: Two Hours Later)
---------------------------------
(The Maidens Tower, The Eyrie, The Mountains of The Moon, The Vale of Arryn, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)
---------------------------------
Rogar had found.....something. Whilst investigating The Maidens Tower he uncovered a hidden Passage that lead to what he sought but also something he did not expect.
It could be said to be a Siege Tunnel if not for two reasons. Those Reasons being that Firstly the Eyrie and The Gates of The Moon had never been breached. Granted Queen Visenya I Targaryen did, but to be frank she technically didn't breach shit so much as skip or bypass the Hassle entirely by just flying up to the Eyrie on the back of her Dragon.
The Second reason was what use was a Siege Tunnel that didn't actually lead to an Exit. Instead he found a Vault so to speak. Mountains of Gems, Jewelry, Coins, and nestled in the center was the Sword. There was no mistaking it nor the Armor behind it. It was the Equipment of Ser Artys I Arryn, The first King of Mountain and Vale. What struck him as odd was that the Armor was limited to it's Helm, Greaves, and Cuirass. As he approached the Set an Arrow was launched at his feet.
''Figures, Alright you fuckers. Get out here, That Arrow's too advanced for something as old as this place. In the name of The House Arryn, face it's Heir with Honor or suffer me bringing Robert Baratheon down on your heads. He will fuck you up.'' Rogar calls out and Men and Women in Ceremonial like but Practical Armor appear.
''Yoy who claims descent of Artys, Identify yourself or die!'' The most Regal one demands.
''I am Rogar Arryn, Only Son and Heir of Jon Arryn son of Jasper. I am Heir to the Eyrie, and Blood of Artys.'' Says Rogar.
''What are the Words of Arryn?''
''As High as Honor.'' Says Rogar with an Eye roll.
''Approach and cut your palm on the Blade of Artys, let your Blood fill the Bowl and then we see if you are Blood of Artys.'' The figure commands.
''Fine, but if you try to kill me in the back My Father will collapse this Vault in on itself in revenge.'' Rogar warns doing as he is bid after a Bowl is offered. As he slices his palm on the Blade, he's distinctly aware of it's similarities to Valyrian Steel such as The Stark's legendary Sword Ice or even more accurately like the Blade of Ser Arthur Dayne, Dawn.
''This Blade, what is it comprised of? I've only seen one blade like it.'' Rogar asks as he cuts.
''Heavenly Ore.'' Is the only response.
''Ah, Meteorite Steel. I once bested a man with decades on me in years and experience. He's the only living man to carry a Blade similar to this. I bested him primarily with my Shield.'' Says Rogar as he cuts his palm. He notes that despite its sharpness the blade slices more subtly than outright slicing as one might assume.
As his blood drops into the bowl it is taken after a small puddle of blood is filled up and formed. The Apparent leader Chants some shit and then burns the bowl in a brazier. As soon as it's Cracked apart from the heat, the Flames burn Blue and White for a few precious seconds before returning to normal.
''You are Arryn. We are bound by our Honor to serve you.'' Says the leader.
''Nifty, just one question....Who in the fuck are you people?'' Asks Rogar.
''The Order of Artys. An ancient sect of Scholars and Warrior Monks from Ancient Andalos who swore Fealty to the Arryn Bloodline. Artys was our Founder, he erected bureaus throughout the land, and his Grandson King Rokand spread it from The Wall to Dorne. King Arthyn however felt our order was becoming to well-known and bid us to go into isolation.'' Says The Leader.
''Arthyn Arryn's Son, Ronnel Arryn surrendered his Kingship 274 years ago. The Arryns have maintained the Vale since that day as Wardens of the East under House Targaryen of Ancient Valyria.'' Says Rogar.
''It doesn't matter, as the one whose Blood Burns Blue and True, you are our Sovereign, our King. We obey you, no other now or ever.'' Says the Leader.
''How spread out are your Bureaus?'' Rogar asks, changing thesubjecttowardssomethingmore productive.
''We have Bureaus in Lannisport, Oldtown, Duskendale, The Plankytown, Harlaw, Moles Town, The Rills, Oldstones, Storm's Run, and at The Crossroads Inn.'' Says The Leader.
''Reactivate the Duskendale, Crossroads, Lannisport, and Oldtown Bureaus. Something big is about to go down at Duskendale and The Reach, Riverlands, and Westerlands will respond quickly. Also look Into setting up Bureaus in the Sewers of King's Landing, White Harbor, Dornish Marches, Pyke, Old Wyk, Astapor, Mereen, Yunkai, Braavos, Pentos, Lys, Tyrosh, Norvos, Qohor, Volantis, Myr, and At Dragonstone. Search out and acquire Valyrian Steel at all costs, and anything with Dragonbone.'' Says Rogar, deciding to take advantage of this apparent Assassins Creed spin off / cult.
''Yes, Lord.''
''I want a Network of Well placed spies, brokers, merchants, and mercenaries at hand. That's your secondary priority. Keep this Armor safe, and this Blade. Until I am Knighted, I have no business claiming it.'' Says Rogar.
''Sire, you should know that King Aryhyn hid some of Artys's Armor elsewhere, the other Bureaus may know exactly where.'' Says The Leader.
''Find out, I have a feast to get back to.'' Rogar instructs.
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Ser Arthur Dayne)
---------------------------------
Ser Arthur Dayne sat in his room in the Kingsguard barracks in the White Sword Tower polishing Dawn, contemplating the effectiveness of the Arryn Boy.
He initially chuckled at the boy's use of a defensive weapon as an offensive weapon. But that Boy was deceptively skilled at using it as he intended.
He knocked him flat on his ass on at least three occasions. Ultimately he yielded due to not wishing to exhaust himself one day before the Tourney began. But the fact remained the boy put him in a position where if he hadn't yielded he would have had to have gotten serious and used Dawn.
The boy had a unique Talent to be sure, but it was untrained and unfocused. Ser Arthur believed he could change that. All he needed was an opportunity for discourse with the boy....
---------------------------------
(POV Shift: Jon Arryn)
---------------------------------
The celebration was cut short by a Raven from Lord Tywin. The King had been taken and House Arryn was to call it's banners and ride odd to support the Royal Host in rescuing the King from the traitorous clutches of Denys Darklyn.
''Kolark. Call the Banners, The King needs us.'' Says Jon resolutely and firmly.
The Order of Artys will come into play more as the story develops. Next chapter coming soon......
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.