Chapter 27 (Revamped)

"What does ruling mean to you?" The husky voice near-whispered into his ear.

Turning around to look at the speaker, Erlend came face to face with the woman who stirred so much emotion in his heart.

Senya's eyes shone with an inquisitive brightness, as she awaited his response.

Distractingly brushing a loose hair from her visage for a moment, Erlend raised his eyebrows at her, "What brought this about?" he asked her curiously.

"I just wanted to know your thoughts on the matter." She said, not before playfully biting her lips at him, the fire in her pupils burning deeply as always.

"Well then… to answer your question. I would say ruling means responsibility, duty, and commitment." She began peppering his neck with kisses, yet Erlend continued regardless. "It means deciding to use the power and authority you have to guide those under you to the best possible future. To rule justly, but also practically. To make decisions that ultimately benefit the realm."

Visenya didn't stop, continuing to smother her partner with kisses and affection. Erlend hummed amusedly at her actions. It almost made it seem like she wasn't the one who asked, "Does that answer satisfy you, love?"

Finally, she stopped for a moment, if only to catch her breath, "I'll show you satisfaction." She latched on to him mischievously.

"Oh, woe is me." He let out a loud chuckle before choosing to fight fire with fire.

…

(Stannis Baratheon, Firmridge)

Erlend Mudd was now King of nearly half of the Seven Kingdoms.

"Stannis…"

The Stormlands were surrounded at all sides by his Vassals.

"Stannis…"

A war was looming, one that he couldn't afford to fight.

"STANNIS!"

Startled, He turned his head to the side to the sight of his beloved wife Jeyne, looking at him with worry, a concerned frown on her face.

"Stannis dear. King Erlend has requested your presence in his solar. He wishes to discuss matters with." Stannis pondered her words for a moment. It was obvious to him she didn't want him to meet with the newly proclaimed King.

An understandable fear, but one that would never come to fruition as long as guest rights were upheld.

After it became clear that neither the North nor the Stormlands were going to kneel and swear allegiance to the new King, Erlend had moved on to the other issues, before dismissing the Council.

The key points of the prior Council had been the cause of the Rebellion, the confirmation of the deposition of House Targaryen and its status, and the rise of House Mudd.

Still, he, like the rest of his bannermen, felt the tension between the two sides. The newly made Royalists were eyeing him and his men like they were morsels to be devoured. It didn't take much thought to know that if something was not done soon, the Stormlands would face a war on all fronts.

The North might be able to survive thanks to their position, though what would happen to the treaty signed between House Mudd and Stark now that there was conflict on the horizon, he had no idea.

"I'll have to Jeyne. We have to deal with this issue as soon as possible. For Steffon." She smiled at the mention of their son, placing her hand on his to show her support. 

They stayed there for a while, as they reminisced, eventually, Stannis rose and moved to change his garb. Putting on a black tunic she provided, he sent her a reassuring look once more before leaving, Baratheon men-at-arms followed him as soon as he left his chambers.

The servant, the one who had informed Jeyne of the Mudd's request bowed his head towards him in respect, before ushering him to follow.

Harrenhal… No Firmridge was bustling with activity, there wasn't a corridor they passed that they weren't met with the sight of Lords and Ladies conversing with each other. Some were in pairs, while most were in groups, with their guards trailing behind them.

While most nodded their heads to him in respect, their eyes told a different story. They were waiting for him to make a mistake. No doubt waiting to pounce, to gain royal favor.

Since the Council, Baratheon, and Stark bannermen had made themselves scarce, rarely leaving their chambers or areas, wanting to avoid causing any incidents. There was a strained truce between the two sides, with hostilities threatening to spill out at any moment. It had always been there, they had been at war with each other just a year ago after all, but since the Council began, things were beginning to come to a head.

Lord Hunter had opened the floodgates, and now he would have to deal with the consequences. He was well aware there was little chance he would be made King, while popular in the Stormlands, the same could not be said with the rest of Westeros. 

Many viewed him as a hard and rigid man, with little charisma, his bannermen would come to his defense no doubt, but Stannis was well aware that he was no Robert. 

His blood ties to the Targaryens and shaky claim to the Iron Throne had not gone unnoticed by both his men and the Royalists. Many of the bolder men had brought up suggestions of declaring him King, but that was quickly put down by their older fellows who pointed out the fact that the de facto Targaryen Head, Rhaella Targaryen, had sworn loyalty to King Erlend and forgone her and her granddaughter's claims.

Just for a good measure, the young 'Conqueror' had confirmed that there was indeed a betrothal agreement that had been signed between the two which made it clear that Rhaenys Targaryen who had a senior claim to his would marry Erlend's future son. 

That alleviated the worries former Targaryen loyalists had for the safety of the Dragons. Not that it had done anything to reduce the pressure on him and his men, rather it placed more pressure on them to come to a decision quickly.

Only Erlend's authority kept his Vassals from doing anything foolish, the same was with his men, Stannis having made sure to keep them in check.

The whispers and murmurs that filled the corridors by those who passed by irked him, but he kept silent on the matter. Fucking Freys, his treachery had nearly doomed his House and thrown the rest of Westeros into chaos.

When they arrived at the door that led to Mudd's Solar, he could see Lord Stark standing outside of it, with a servant next to him. 

There had been no time given for him to speak with Lord Benjen, though they did nod to each other as the servants ushered them in.

The door revealed a room that felt warm, it was relatively bare compared to some of the solars he'd laid eyes upon when visiting the keeps of his Bannermen. Built more for practicality, while also having a touch of comfort, was the best way he could describe it.

Upon their entrance, they were met with a nod from Lord Erlend, who beckoned them to sit on two chairs in front of his desk.

"Lord Stark. Lord Baratheon." He spoke as the servants made themselves scarce as soon as the Lords were in. "We have much to discuss."

"You mean the fact that you want us to declare for you." Cutting straight to the chase, Stannis had little time for pleasantries or small talk.

"Naturally," Erlend said, not bothering to deny it. "Marriages can only do so much to keep my House Safe. A Crown was needed." He looked somber.

So the rumors were true… Either Aery's or the Sealord had been intending to make a move against the Mudds, mayhaps both. It was no secret as each Sealord came to power, their biggest worry had always been for a Mudd to accept the offered crown and strip them of their power, something they wanted to avoid at all costs. 

Aerys was a paranoid madman, there was no need to go anymore into that.

Still, Stannis wanted to point out that Erlend could've been content with the lands already under his control and that he let his ambitions get the best of him. Benjen was likely thinking the same. 

As if reading their minds, the young King shook his head, "Westeros divided would always lead to an inevitable war, either one of my descendants or yours would seek to reunify the continent for glory or ambition." He said.

"So you want to unite all of us now, instead of risking a pointless war happening in the future." Benjen finally spoke.

"Yes, just because we would agree to peace, does not mean our descendants would want to keep it. The Stormlands would likely be the first to go, as for the North it would likely end in a reawakening of the feud between the First Men and Andals."

Stannis gritted his teeth at Erlends words and did his best not to scowl. Yes, the Stormlands would put up a fight, but surrounded as they were, they would be taken sooner rather than later.

"How do you suggest we convince our lords to kneel?" Benjen took a long time to think, before asking the question. Stannis turned to the Wolf lord in surprise that he would ever consider it.

Benjen merely shrugged at him in response, "We have little choice in the matter, it's either we bow or our families suffer. The issue is both our Bannermen are incredibly stubborn and would refuse to kneel unless given a good reason to." he explained.

He could see what the Stark lord meant, his Estermont Uncle suggested they kneel whilst his father-in-law wanted to fight, it was a heated topic amongst his men on what they should do next even without them wanting to make him King.

"You don't have to worry about a 'reason', I already have a sure way to ensure your men will kneel, I just needed your agreement," Erlend smirked at both of them.

Despite being annoyed with Mudd's confidence. "So be it. If you can get my Bannermen to Kneel, then I will swear House Baratheon allegiance to House Mudd." he agreed.

"As he said." Benjen nodded to both of them, before turning his full attention to Erlend. "Of course, as long as you also guarantee Lyanna's and her daughter's safety." 

The Stormlord raised his eyebrows at that, he almost forgot about the woman Robert was besotted with, more worried about his kingdom than some foolish girl.

"She and Saera are safe. According to her letters, she's gotten quite into reading the library at Summerswind Manor." Erlend's tone became warm at the mention of the two. At least he wasn't all ambition, gods know this realm didn't need another Tywin or worse, a Bolton.

"They'll both be moving to Firmridge once the lords and ladies leave." Benjen looked confused at the mention of the second name.

"Saera?" Benjen questioned, there was also a bit of disbelief on his face at the mention of the Library. Then again he'd have thought the same if someone told him Robert entered a library to read.

"Aye, she was named after Jaehaerys daughter and my ancestor Saera Targaryen, as well as Sara Snow, half-sister to your ancestor Cregan Stark." Benjen was surprised yet relieved by this, somewhat assured of her safety.

"I… If you would please pass it on to her, I hope she's safe and that Saera is happy. I would have loved to have them in Winterfell, but…" Benjen said.

"No need to explain Lord Stark, I understand." There was some pity in the man's eyes.

Stannis didn't know how he would feel if he was unable to live within his own ancestral home.

"Just make sure to gather your Bannermen at the encampments by tomorrow. I'll give them plenty of reasons to kneel, I assure you of that." The Stag lord shuddered as he could have sworn that the room became slightly sinister as those words were spoken. "Of course, there's the compensation I'd be happy to provide for your willing fealty."

"Compensation?"

"I'm sorry, What?"

…

(Erlend Mudd, Firmridge)

Erlend walked sedately toward the area where he had instructed Stannis and Benjen to gather their vassals.

Trailing behind him were his most important bannermen; Yohn Royce, Jason Mallister, Horton Redfort, Oberyn Martell, Mace Tyrell, Tyrion Lannister, etc. The farther they were from him, the less prominent position they held within his court.

Naturally, they were all armed, as well as surrounded by his Royal Guard formerly known as the Household Guard. While Erlend needed no real protection, he still had to present an image or at least the perception that he was well protected.

He would have loved to just allow assassins to come at him in the open so he could just get rid of them in one go. Unfortunately, that would reveal some of his powers, so he'd have to settle for killing them without anyone noticing.

Granted, this way of going about things allowed him to be more creative in the use of powers. You can only chuck a fireball at someone for so long before getting bored. Not like he didn't have the Dothraki to test his more destructive and obvious moves on.

Ironically he'd already felt approximately eight assassins, these fuckers didn't waste any time coming after him. Oops, one of them tripped and a very sharp stone went right through his heart. Oh, another was suddenly swallowed by the ground, and another found herself being strangled by the vines. What terrible luck they seemed to be facing.

Having finally made it to the meeting area, he could see many of the disgruntled Lords gathered around. Northerners and Stormlanders looked at each other confused about why they were gathered. Their Lieges had told them to gather in this particular area for no reason.

His bannermen stared suspiciously, even Oberyn who had been messing with his Uncle went silent, curious about why everyone was gathered.

As the gathered aristocracy began to murmur and converse with each other, trying to discern why they were here, a deafening roar came from overhead. 

Erlend didn't even blink nor cover his ears at the sound, his Uncle had a look of understanding come upon his face. The men and women began to look nervous as they tried to find the source of this sound.

Only to see a colossal bronze beast hovering atop of them, Erlend smiled at the serpent-like creature. "You've gotten bigger Jin." her gorgeous bronze scales glittering in sunlight.

It was so sudden that most of those here had little time to understand what the hell was going on.

Walking away from the cowering Lords, he moved to a relatively empty spot where Jinhua glided, as soon as he was close enough, she placed her massive head near his arms so he could pat her.

The lords and ladies, at least those that were still conscious stared in terror and awe at him. The realization had struck them that this enormous beast belonged to him.

"My lord and ladies, I would like you to meet my daughter Jinhua. The Bronze Monarch." he motioned toward his eldest child.

"It's an eastern dragon…" a voice could be heard, but he couldn't discern where it came from. Hell, he was surprised that someone could tell what type of Dragon his daughter was, Eastern Dragons were considered to be myths, unlike their Valyrian counterparts.

Sharp gasps and hisses could be heard throughout the area, especially from those who recognized her type. You'd think they were the serpent-like being present.

Just as those gathered seemed to regain their confidence in the face of this massive dragon, seeing that she made no aggressive move. Several more roars could be heard, as his remaining children made themselves known. 

His more playful children flew around the gathered nobles, encircling them, and staring rather menacingly at the humans. Erlend rolled his eyes at them, he'd instructed them to intimidate them not look at them like they were a particularly appetizing meal.

It didn't take a genius to figure out who they belonged to, as Velskud and Verna came to a stop close to himself and Jinhua.

Benjen was the first to respond, immediately getting on his knees and bowing his head toward me. "I, Lord Benjen Stark, swear to remain ever faithful and loyal to His Majesty, King Erlend Mudd, may the gods strike me down should I ever falter!" His tone was resigned.

Stannis wasn't far behind as he did the same, "I, Lord Stannis Baratheon, swear to remain ever faithful and loyal to his Majesty, King Erlend Mudd, may the gods strike me down should I ever falter!" parroting after the Stark Head. At least try and sound more enthusiastic about it Mannis.

With some hesitation, their vassals swiftly followed suit, swearing their oaths, some followed the oaths made by Benjen and Stannis, while others spun their own versions of it. 

An attempt to stand out, he supposed.

His Bannermen for their part looked relieved that they had already sworn themselves to him in the Great Council. Under the assumption that those who only did so now would seriously lack Royal favor, which they were right about for the most part.

The only reason he even gave Stannis and Benjen some compensation was to smoothen relations between him and their vassals who would feel their oaths weren't in vain.

The truth was that he gave them troublesome territories that would take them centuries to assimilate properly, more than enough time for him and his descendants to entrench themselves properly.

'Now the Seven Kingdoms truly is under my Control' he thought smugly.

======

[Brief Omake:]

Author: You forgot the Iron Islands.

Erlend: Fuck the Iron Islands.

Author: Mf you're breaking the fourth wall.

Erlend: Cope.

Author: I can decrease the size of your dick.

Erlend: I'll ask the old geezer to deal with you.

Author: Shit…. Cleanse!.

'The hell just happened.' Erlend stared at his lords, looking baffled as he couldn't remember what just transpired.

(A/N: Welp, that was a close one.)