Chapter 37

"You conspired with Lord Arryn to fight House Targaryen in the war he was planning to orchestrate? You did this in return for promises of power, wealth, and arranged marriages to other powerful Houses. Is this correct?" asked Aegon with Holster nodding from his position in front of the Iron Thorne after being forced to his knees though he was not shackled like the others.

"It is. Lord Arryn approached me one day. It was a few Moons just before the tourney at Harrenhal. He said the dragon was weak. The weakest it has ever been. The King was slowly losing his mind and going mad. Tywin Lannister was no longer a friend to the Crown like he had been in years past because of Aerys repeated disrespect to him. One for allowing his son to join the Kingsguard, which denied Tywin his heir. The second was denying an arranged marriage with his daughter Cersei and Prince Rheagar. The only one who could possibly stand in Lord Arryn's way was Prince Rheagar when the boy eventually became old enough to become King and take the Iron Throne from his Father. He went on about how the support of House Baratheon and the might of the entire North joined together through marriages and fostering to form a powerful alliance. One capable of challenging House Targaryen when the war started," said Holster with the eyes of the people behind him now looking at his back.

And not all of them were pleasant.

"And you agreed to it? Knowing it was treason? Knowing it was breaking your oath to my House and the Crown?" questioned Aegon with Holster nodding.

"It is true, my House rose to greatness through yours sitting on the Iron Throne ages ago your Grace. But Lord Arryn had assured me House Tully would rise even higher when House Baratheon took the Crown with our help," replied Holster with Aegon looking even more furious.

"And it didn't occur to you to stay loyal to my House? To stay loyal no matter what, and still receive such a reward in the end for that loyalty?" asked Aegon with Holster shaking his head.

"I...didn't think it would matter in the end. I chose the side I believed would win the war regardless if I stayed loyal to House Targaryen or not. At the time, I came to believe that the only way to rise even higher in power was to cast down the old royalty for a new one who would reward us following our victory," replied Holster with Aegon growling now.

"You know the penalty for treason Lord Tully," said Aegon with Holster nodding.

"I do your Grace. The punishment is death and I accept it," replied Holster since he knew after the King had sent him the message to come to King's Landing, it would mean his end.

"No! I will not accept this!" declared Edmure while moving to head toward his Father.

"Get back here you idiot!" said Brynden Tully while trying to grab his nephew, but the fool wouldn't listen.

"I suggest you listen to your Uncle before you say or do something foolish Ser Edmure Tully," warned Aegon with his eyes looking from the Father to the son.

"I will not allow this farce to go on and be one of these people here bending the knee and kissing your ass just to appease your House's wounded pride," said Edmure with Aegon seeing how Holster was glancing back at his son and shaking his head no.

"This is not a farce Ser Edmure. I have the proof. I have the proof in Lord Arryn's own writing about the plan to bring about House Targaryen's fall. Proof through the actions of House Tully during the Usurper's Rebellion when it came to choosing a side. Your Father admitting to everything here and more," said Aegon with Edmure advancing toward him until two Unsullied broke formation in front of the steps and pointed their spears at the man.

"It is a farce! Your House lost the right to sit on the Iron Throne and everyone knew it. I was a young boy back when your Grandfather went mad. He burned people. He laughed as they died and the people wanted him and other incest bred dragons like him gone! And you stand here in judgment of my Father for doing what was right?! You are as unfit as the Mad King and his equally mad bastard son you call a Father!" declared Edmure with many in the room looking shocked at his words.

Even the usually calm Stannis was surprised by Edmure's choice of words and glanced over at Brynden Tully looking ready to punch his idiot of a nephew.

"I think the Trout unknowingly saved our House by directing the dragon's anger at him," whispered Tyrion with Kevan nodding.

"And who do you deem fit to rule Ser Edmure? You? Your Father? Maybe one of these men here in chains? The Seven Kingdoms tolerated ambitious idiots like them and you for nearly twenty years. It will not tolerate filth like you anymore ruining it even further," stated Aegon with Edmure's face going red in the face.

"Filth? You have no right to call me or my Father filth when compared to you and your own fucking family! You are nothing but a royal bastard born from a whore of a woman from the North who couldn't do her duty when called upon for the good of the realms!" said Edmure to the shock of everyone in the room while many of the Northern Lords were glaring at the man.

"Edmure stop!" exclaimed Catelyn knowing her brother was about to say something very stupid and get him into even deeper trouble.

"Boy, shut your fucking mouth before you say one more stupid thing!" stated Brynden Tully angrily, but it was clear his nephew wasn't done.

"No! I will silent no longer. I will not cower before the 'all mighty dragon' like everyone else here. I do not care! I was well aware of my Father's alliance with Lord Arryn. I was in the room when they discussed it and the marriage alliances. Lyanna Stark was suppose to marry Robert Baratheon, but she chose not to do her duty to her family. She chose to be selfish instead of following through with the plan that would have been for the good of her own House. If this so called King's Mother had just married Robert Baratheon just like she was suppose to do, everything would be set right, and all would be well. But your filthy Northern savage of a Mother had to defy everyone around her and run off with your fucking Father! She defied the commands of her House and the Seven! You are proof of it! And as such, you should have died with your Northern whore of a Mother the day you were born dragonspawn!" exclaimed Edmure angrily with the room going deathly silent at his words.

And the room suddenly became deathly cold.

"I see. So that is your position Ser Edmure Tully?" asked Aegon in a deathly voice while his eyes changed color and seemed to blade with a bright fire.

"It is your Grace," said Ser Edmure Tully in a mocking tone when addressing the King before spitting on the floor.

"So be it," replied Aegon before he struck swiftly and unleashed Sith Lighting from hand with enough power behind it to send the man flying.

'By the Gods!' thought everyone in the room who had not seen such an act from Aegon with his power.

"I gave you the chance to retract your statement willingly and not shame your family or your House further because of your words. To prove you were not like your Father in the ways of ambition or stupidity. But it seems you have elected to follow his way of doing and thinking. In fact, I would say you have taken things one step further by choosing the way of...PAIN!" exclaimed Aegon angrily before he unleashed even more lightning on Edmure.

The people around the man ducked down, screaming in fright and shock. They could only look up from their crouched positions seeing Ser Edmure Tully rolling around in pain. He was screaming loudly for the entire room to hear. It was only when Aegon stopped did the screams from the downed man were ones of deep gasps for breath. Catelyn rushed to her brother while Brynden did the same to his smoking body.

"Edmure! Edmure!" said Catelyn while calling his name while her brother moaned loudly in pain and it was clear his body hurt to move even the slightest.

"You just had to say and do something fucking stupid like that. What compels you to act like a stubborn halfwit I will never know," commented Brynden while seeing his nephew was alive, but in a great deal of pain.

"Leave him there. Both of you," commanded Aegon to the shock of both Brynden and Catelyn looking at him shock.

"He is my brother!" protested Catelyn, but flinched when she saw Aegon's angry eyes now staring back at her.

"And he is a fool! Leave him there or you are supporting his words and your House in the treason against the Crown!" commanded Aegon with both Brynden and Catelyn looking at him in shock before slowly backing away from their downed family member.

"Your Grace, in regards to my wife own actions toward you in the past. Let me deal with her in regards to this," offered Ned with Aegon glancing back at his Uncle before turning back to focus on the woman who had wrong him.

"You are lucky Catelyn Tully Stark that my Uncle is your husband. If he weren't, I would not leave your fate in his hands. Consider this a one time act of mercy due to him trying to protect me from those who would do me harm if they knew the truth of my heritage when I was younger," commented Aegon while the woman nodded slowly.

"I thank you for this mercy your Grace," said Catelyn humbly and bowing low in his presence.

"Brynden Tully, step forward," commanded Aegon with the Blackfish looking at him with a hint of worry before glancing at his niece.

"Your Grace?" asked Brynden with a hint of worry.

"You need not fear my wrath Ser. Step forward," commanded Aegon in a more calm tone with Brynden nodding before he obeyed.

"Is there something you wish to ask me, your Grace?" asked Brynden while concerned his answers may result in...whatever that was with Edmure.

"Where is your niece Lysa? Why is Lysa Tully Arryn not here at court per my command for her to come?" asked Aegon calmly with Brynden now looked at his brother before he turned to look back at Catelyn.

Both were just as stumped as them.

"I don't know your Grace. I can only determine she has chosen not to come despite your command no doubt reaching her," said Brynden honestly.

"I find her disobedience to be offensive. And a repeating theme with your House when it comes to authority. All with your brother being the source since they are his children. I'm starting to wonder if the entire bloodline through your brother is tainted in a some way. One of his progeny is filled with arrogance, one is filled with hatred, and the other one is filled with stupidity. The only good news is that the children born from your niece behind you did not inherit any of it. Thank the Gods that Stark blood is stronger then Tully," said Aegon while Catelyn and Brynden winced at the jab to their House.

"And I thought Father's words to me growing up as a boy were cruel," whispered Tyrion with Kevan telling him to be quiet.

"So I am going to fix this problem here and now. At this very moment, I, Aegon of House Targaryen, King of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of Realms, hereby strip Holster Tully, Edmure Tully, and Lysa Tully of all they possess in life. I strip from them titles, lands, and power that comes with being a Lord, Knight, and Lady. I strip from them aid of friends, allies, and any loved ones they may have within or outside of their House. Any aid given to them will be considered an act of treason and will be punished accordingly no matter the person or people who aid them," declared Aegon while everyone looking shocked to a certain degree by this proclamation.

'Gods I hope he doesn't do this to us,' thought Tyrion while glancing at his Uncle Kevan, who was clearly thinking the same thing.

"For you Holster Tully, your crimes against my House is death and therefore you will die as a man without a House to call his own. For Edmure Tully, I hereby send him North to the Wall, where he will spend the rest of his days as a member of the Night's Watch, and among those he once deemed to be beneath himself his entire life. As for Lysa Tully, I hereby state her claim as Lady of the Vale to be void, as she not only had her husband Lord Arryn killed, but had the bastard child with one Petyr Baelish and former Master of Coin," said Aegon with many gasping since they didn't know that part and were shocked by this.

"What?!" asked Holster before he glared at Petyr Baelish, who didn't look ashamed or ready to deny it.

There was no point as far as the former Master of Coin was concerned.

"Your daughter was madly in love with Baelish in their younger years Lord Holster. So much in love, that she would do anything for him. Anything! As such, when Petyr asked her to murder Lord Arryn using the Tears of Lys poison in his food and drink, the woman did it without question. This was all part of an elaborate plan by him to set in motion a long and violent war between two strong Houses. A war between House Stark and House Lannister with their allies from both sides drawn into the conflict," continued Aegon, as he glared at the beaten, yet glaring form of Petyr Baelish.

"Why would my niece do that?" asked Brynden with Catelyn thinking the same thing about her sister.

"Because this man promised her that they would be together when all those who would deny them were dead or unable to do anything about it. Baelish promised she would be his Queen when he was crowned King," replied Aegon with Baelish not even trying to defend himself.

"Why would Petyr do this to my husband's House? Why instigate a war?" asked Catelyn from where she was among the people.

"To kill what you have so he can fill the void," said Aegon with Petyr glaring at him for somehow finding out his secrets.

"I don't understand," said Catelyn with Aegon sighing at the naive woman.

"It is because he loves you! Or did the little stunt with Uncle Brandon with a sword not ring any bells?" asked Aegon with Petyr stiffening at the memory and heard Catelyn gasp since her own mind recalled it too.

"That was years ago. A small crush Petyr had on me. Nothing more," protested Catelyn while Aegon looked from her to Petyr before shaking his head.

"And yet he started problems by implicating Tyrion Lannister in the attempt to kill your son with that dagger you gave him. The same one he put to your husband's throat when the City Watch turned on his bannermen in this very room," countered Aegon while his Uncle was glaring at Petyr since he recalled that memory easily.

So many men died from that betrayal.

'So that cunt Baelish was the one who caused this mess with Lord Stark's wife and myself being accused of attempted murder on young Bran,' thought Tyrion while hating how this flesh peddler tried to use him in such a way.

"What was it you said to me Baelish? I was wise not to trust you?" questioned Ned while Petyr glared at him.

"The plan was to weaken both Houses with a brutal war. A war so massive, it would have drawn everyone into it. This ambitious fool was planning to play all sides to secretly gain an advantage over everyone. He would tip the scales on each side when required so one side would be winning one moment and the next they would be on the defensive," added Aegon while many were glaring at Baelish since they could have easily been manipulated by this flesh peddler without knowing.

Even Tywin Lannister from his downed position was glaring at Baelish since he would have been played by this fool.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself about this Baelish? Or are you just going to sit there glaring at my nephew?" demanded Ned while Petyr spit blood on the ground.

"I have plenty to say on this. But nothing you want to hear Lord Stark," countered Petyr with Ned fighting back the urge to behead him here and now.

"There is also the issue of this man embezzling money from the Crown. It is six million gold dragons in debt because of this man. He has been secretly sending money to various places of supposed business that would bring money back into it, but each place is a farce meant to funnel the finances elsewhere. So when the man eventually saw his chance to make a play for the Iron Throne, he would use that money to cure the Crown of the debt obtained in order to appease the masses so they would be 'happy' under his rule knowing such a debt was gone. That he could boast to everyone about how it was the new King Baelish, who did what King Robert Baratheon, Lord Arryn, and even Tywin Lannister himself could not do," said Aegon with Petyr's glare intensifying at another one of his carefully planned schemes being revealed to everyone.

"But that doesn't explain his plans for me," said Catelyn with Aegon sighing again.

"After the smoke from the war cleared with him as King, your husband and all of your children would be dead through his careful manipulations. Baelish then planned to crown you as his new Queen. All to make you happy again and take the pain away he himself had caused," concluded Aegon with Ned now reaching for his sword with the last bit of restrain gone.

It was only a commanding hand from Aegon that he didn't care it out.

"And it would have worked too. If only you did not exist. If only you didn't interfere with my plans. It would have gone so smoothly. Lord Arryn dead. Robert Baratheon dead. All that was left was for Lord Stark to be sent to the Wall or die during his execution with the war that would have followed taking the rest so I could sweep my poor Cat off her feet to be mine. But no. You had to interfere just when the seeds of my plan were just starting to take root and grow as I intended," commented Baelish bitterly while clearly in his own little world.

"Your intentions are irrelevant. There is no future with you and her together Littlefinger. Every scheme, plan, and idea in your mind to produce what your heart desires would only bring death to all," replied Aegon with Petyr glaring back at him.

"Irrelevant?! We would have been happy together! I worshipped Cat. I loved that woman from the moment I saw her. I would love no other. But Holster wouldn't allow one of his daughters to marry someone like me. Someone without a single coin or important titles to his name. That is why I had challenged Brandon Stark to a duel for her hand in marriage! So I could marry her despite the Holster's objections. I didn't care about his plans to ally with the North or Lord Arryn. All I wanted was to marry my precious Catelyn. After I lost, I went into a rage over losing my chance to marry the woman I love. When Brandon Stark died at the hands of the Mad King, I was so happy in the belief there was another possible chance to marry her. But it was taken away yet again when she married the next Stark in line. If I only had half my resources or connections when Robert's rebellion was happening, your Uncle would have never lived to see its end," said Petyr while glaring at both men standing there above him like they had a right to judge the man for his actions.

He hated people who were above him in power and status. It infuriated Baelish to no end because they were obstacles that could not only stop any plans he had, but could take it all from him if they wanted. Petyr wanted to rule over everything. To be King over all the Seven Kingdoms, if possible, and fuck over everyone in it that looked down on him when he had nothing.

Only now he was going to lose everything. Even his life!

"So when the opportunity arose to set plans into motion in removing her husband and all of the children she had with my Uncle, you tried to take it. Like she was some kind of prize to claim and show off to everyone around you," concluded Aegon with Petyr now gritting his teeth in anger.

"So what if I did? It doesn't matter to me. Catelyn is mine! I don't care who she is married to or how many children she had with her honorable husband. If necessary I will destroy everyone and everything in this world if I can't have her by my side!" exclaimed Petyr with Aegon looking down at him in contempt.

"Difficult to do if you're dead. Uncle, the honor is yours," said Aegon while walking back to his throne with Petyr looking at him in horror while Lord Stark drew his sword Ice.

"Wait! Wait! I demand a Trial by Combat!" pleaded Petyr while Aegon looked on with disgust in his eyes while the Unsullied dragged him to the top of the dais.

"There will be no Trial by Combat because there will be no trial. You are all guilty of your crimes with such undeniable proof that any trial would be a farce," replied Aegon with two Unsullied holding Baelish down.

"No! No you can't do this! Cat, stop him! Stop your husband! Stop the King!" protested Petyr with Aegon not looking remorseful in his decision.

"And why would anyone here wish to help you? After what you did and were planning to do to the Seven Kingdoms Petyr Baelish? Do you think anyone here will help a scheming flesh peddler like yourself? You have overreached and as such, must be put down for it," commented Daenerys while smirking at the sight of Ned Stark ready to give this vile man his long overdue and deserved punishment.

"This isn't over. I have powerful friends. They will avenge me!" declared Petyr though it was clear from his voice it was a man lying to prolong his life.

And failed.

"The North Remembers," said Ned Stark before taking the man's head from his body in front of everyone.

"With this one criminal disposed of, we can now focus on the rest of you here. But before that, there is the issue of who will run the Riverlands as Liege Lord. Since Brynden Tully is the only remaining Tully left with a descent head on his shoulder, I hereby name him the new Lord of Riverrun and the Riverlands," declared Aegon with Brynden looking at him in shock, but was accepting of this decision all the same.

Holster let out a small sigh knowing at least his House would live on through his brother and maybe, just maybe, it would redeem itself.

"Thank you for this mercy your Grace. House Tully swears fealty to your House once more," said Brynden before bending the knee.

"Rise Lord Brynden Tully and return to your seat once more. As for the rest of you here, I don't suppose any of you have anything to say about your crimes?" asked Aegon with Tywin and Cersei glaring at him while Joffrey was trying to say something through the cloth gag wrapped around his face and Jamie looking defeated.

"You will ruin the Seven Kingdoms. You and your mad Aunt," declared Tywin with Daenerys looking at him with a burning hatred while Aegon looked like he didn't care what the man said.

"You have no right to talk to me about ruining things Lord Tywin. You, who sacked this city. You, who ordered the Mountain and Pig Monster to kill an innocent woman and her children as proof of your fealty to the Usurper. You, who thinks the lion is the ruler of the kingdoms. You, are an evil, vile man, who cares only for advancing his House while also using the people around him as stepping stones regardless if your actions turn them into corpses along the way. You sicken me," countered Aegon with Tywin looking furious at him for the insult.

"As if you are any better. Spawned from a Northern whore and siding with your incest born Aunt, who is the daughter of the Mad King. Robert was right in wanting you and your House destroyed. You are nothing, but vile incest bred bastards born with madness that will spell doom for everyone in the Seven Kingdoms," added Cersei while Aegon and Daenerys laughed at her words, which surprised everyone.

"You are going to throw that part of our family's history at us? When you yourself have practiced it such a thing? I didn't think lions were hypocrites too," commented Daenerys, as she felt it was time to make herself known, and stick it to this woman who condemned her House for something the blonde woman was doing herself.

"I don't know what you mean," protested Cersei while Jamie looked nervous and it didn't go unnoticed by Tywin.

"Really? Should I tell everyone here who the real Father is of your three children? Maybe my Uncle would like to say? Or maybe you Ser Jamie? You want to confess to everyone here the truth of who is the Father of Cersei's three children?" asked Aegon with Jamie looking nervous and so did Cersei.

As for Tywin, he narrowed his eyes at his two children with suspicion since it was clear they were hiding something related to Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella. Something they did not want known to anyone.

Especially him.

"They are Robert's children," declared Cersei while knowing all eyes were on her right now.

"Really? That's not what Jon Arryn discovered. Not what my Uncle discovered. In fact, I can show proof that all three of your children are not Robert's true born children. They are in fact of pure Lannister blood on both sides of the parental family. Do you really want to continue this farce and deny it? Or do I have to slowly draw this out and expose your lie to the people in this room?" remarked Aegon with Cersei glaring defiantly at him.

"There is no such proof you filthy dragonspawn. And that so called honorable man next to you is a confessed traitor. No one will accept his word after that day in front of the Sept of Baelor," commented Cersei while Aegon smirked.

"Considering you had his daughter held hostage with a blade to her throat, I imagine my Uncle would have said anything to make you happy," replied Aegon while Cersei snarled at him.

"Regardless, there is no proof you can present here that I cannot challenge," commented Cersei with Aegon smirked.

"Actually, there is proof you can't challenge. Lord Varys, the book," replied Aegon with Varys approaching the King and showing everyone the mentioned item.

"Do you know what this is Cersei? No?! Then I will refresh your memory. This book has stored in it all the lineages of the ancient Houses of Westeros. House Baratheon, House Stark, House Lannister, Umber, Arryn, Tyrell, and more are written in these pages. When Robert Baratheon's bloodline is looked at in this book, you will notice that all Baratheons before him had the ancestral black hair and blue eyes. Each Baratheon was the same no matter the woman who married into the family. Each woman who married into the family had different eye and hair color, yet their children, only showed Baratheon traits," replied Aegon with his eyes staring right into Cersei's own.

"I fail to see your point," commented Cersei while Aegon smirked.

"As I said, all Baratheons have these traits from Robert's bloodline. This includes his two brothers Stannis and Renly. Yet, when it comes to your three children, they show none of the Baratheon traits Robert possessed. Only Lannister traits. Blonde hair and green eyes. Why is that?" said Aegon with Cersei glancing to where her Father was glaring at both her and Jamie.

"Perhaps Lannister blood is stronger," offered Cersei with Aegon shaking his head.

"Unlikely if even a Targaryen's traits could be suppressed by Baratheon. Even Jon Arryn knew something was amiss when he saw how your three children looked nothing like him in any sense of the word. It was why the old falcon kept saying 'the seed is strong' over and over again before dying. It was in reference to Robert's actual children. Sadly, all of them are bastards, but even still, I can present enough of them to show that they all have Baratheon features. Do you want to meet some of them?" challenged Aegon with Cersei looking nervous now.

"They are bastards. They are not important," said Cersei, but it was clear she was getting nervous, if not scared.

Her Father was starting to believe Aegon. She had to turn this around somehow.

"I disagree. Bring in Gendry!" commanded Aegon with everyone turning to see a young, well muscled boy walk into the room toward the Iron Throne.

For many who knew Robert before and during the rebellion, it was like staring at the man back in his prime. The boy was practically the spitting image of Robert Baratheon in his younger years. Stannis could see it clear as day and silently cursed his late brother for being so fortunate having a son with such strong Baratheon features, even if the boy was a bastard. For Ned Stark, it was like looking through an hour glass, seeing Robert the way he was back when they were fostering under Lord Arryn.

"As many of you can see, this boy here is Gendry Waters. Bastard son of the late Robert Baratheon. His features of black hair, blue eyes, and build are all Baratheon traits. My Uncle recognized him almost immediately as Robert's son. Jon Arryn realized it too. And I would imagine Lord Stannis would say without hesitation that this boy is Robert's. Am I correct in that assessment my Lord?" said Aegon with Stannis nodding while seeing the young Baratheon male standing there just behind Holster Tully.

"It is your Grace. Robert's blood is strong within him. He is my brother's son," admitted Stannis while Gendry was surprised to hear this despite Aegon having already informed the young man about this earlier.

"Thank you Lord Stannis for confirming it. As for your three children Cersei, neither of your sons or daughter have any Baratheon features or build. Granted, young Tommen is still a child, but his features are clearly Lannister. And as for young Myrcella, her hair should have been a dark shade of color over the same blood hair as yours. Joffrey's own physical form is thin, weak, and holds none of the strength Baratheon men are known to possess, even at a young age. At the very least, all of them should have had Baratheon blue eyes if they were Robert's children," said Aegon while motioning Gendry to join his Uncle Stannis and saw Joffrey cursing him behind his gag and Cersei was finally silent.