Chapter 11

Brandon Stark

282 AC

Kings Landing

'Princess. There are better places I would want for our first meeting than the black cells.'

Princess Elia stood infront of me with a blazing torch illuminating this accursed place for me and my companions. She is regal and comely in that silk dress if I may say. Heh she's definitely Aaron's type. I don't know how he deceived himself into thinking she wasn't.

'Lord Brandon. I took a risk to see you because of our mutual friend. He is most distressed and asked me to save you anyway I can. I have arranged a aship off the Duskendale. You and your friends will be smuggled there and sent back home. The king has called for your father and he will arrive today.'

Would you look at that. Even from far away Aaron is trying to save my ass. He even got the princess to do it. But alas I can't go. Not when father is here. He remembers when he didn't trust him. A natural son is naturally a grasping one is what others said including his father.

Now its him so desperately trying to save his ass. He has forgone any notion of making it out alive but he can't help but want to take a piece of the mad King with him but alas no chance.

He looks to Elia and really tries to see her. See what his friend sees in her to trust her with his life. He decides to take a chance,

'Can you bring me two pieces of parchment. I need to write letters to two people I let down in the end.'

She nods and disappears into the darkness.

'Hey Elbert. You have to make it out of here. I'm sorry I roped you into it.'

'Never my friend. I wouldn't have had it any other way. Even now you look out for us. If we make it out of here I promise my first son's name will be Brandon. Can you imagine that… Brandon Arryn heir to the vale.' replied Elbert whistfully.

'My lord. I can't in good faith leave you here to die. I'm your squire by the gods. What is that thing you said, a captain always goes down with his ship.' replied Ethan Glover.

'I could never ask for a better one myself Ethan. That's why I name you a knight. Can't really go through ceremonies but we have Elbert as a witness. Go home Ethan. Prepare for what's to come. Tell Ned I love him.'

'When she comes back I'll ask her to get you guys out of here. Do not make me and Aaron's sacrifice in vain. If possible intercept my father in the small time we have.'

'I am sorry. I have to disappoint him for the last time. Take Elbert and the others. I dragged them into this mess.'

'The king is not sane. He most likely would find you guilty.'

'I am guilty. Guilty of trying to protect a sister from your husband.

'Aaron… I thought we would have more time together. Our children running around Winterfell. We had plans to make the North powerful but it was not to be. A brother I didn't get the chance to grow up with but still one. A brother I chose. I'll be waiting for him and you all in the Afterlife. Don't rush to meet me there. Especially you Ethan. You stubborn muke.'

With that silence ruled the cells again. I thought I'll be more aggressive when I'm about to die but its a shame. What did Aaron say again… yes, Welcome death like an old friend.

I just hope the stranger leaves my father alone.

Some minutes later Elia came back with a quill amd some parchment. I told her of my plans for Elbert and the others to escape. She called two maids who unlocked the cells and started the process of getting them out of there.

I poured my heart into my final letters. One for Barbery, one for Aaron, one for Ned and one I left with Elia to give Lyanna one day. She may have been kidnapped or the girl may have had her head filled with songs and tales and decided to forgoe her duty.

After giving them all to Elia and saying goodbye. I can finally rest. I may yet get out of this through trial by combat.

Hours later

The trial of Brandon Stark

My father has been going on and on building my case. Subtle threat here, placate the king there. If this were normal we would walk out alive but I can see it.

Everyone can see it.

He is out for blood.

Consequences be damned. With a blade in hand I can take any of these kingsguards here. It seems father is coming to the same conclusion.

'You should be happy Rhaegar took your spawn as his whore. A dragon takes what he wants when he wants. It seems the biy is finally learning from his king. My disappointment is he chose a lowly wokf to lay with.'

Ahhh no more of this farce. I'm done.

'You dare!!! My house were already kings when the first valyrians were still fucking goats in some isle in the narrow sea. House Stark has tolerated house Targareyan since you came on this shores. Inferior bloodline? Our blood is of The Builder! The Breaker! None of your ancestors even come close. Almost three hundred years of ruling and your rule dances on the knife's edge. Children. Lackwits. Imbeciles. That's all I see in your court,wyrm. You are not a dragon. Could never be. Your house useless. You lost your dragons in little over a century. My house is eight thousand years strong. The history of Westeros is the history of House Stark. Your insepid prince should be begging to talk to a daughter of such glorious history. But I know you. I know I would get no justice in your court. The gods shall decide my fate. I choose trial by combat!'

There were murmurs all around. Some lickspittles shouting the audicity. But I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If I die the North will rise. If I win I get out of here.

My father surprises me by standing by my decision and requesting a trial by combat. Everyone assumed Barristan or Ser Gerold would be the crown's representative but you never know with the sheep fuckers.

'I am the blood of the dragon. My champion is fire!' screamed the King even as he cut himself by moving too much on the throne. He was hysterical, with spit and venom in equal measure falling from his lips. The Kingsguard and gold cloaks apprehended us.

Alchemists came with a huge barrel… is that… it can't be.

HE DARES TO BURN A STARK! A LORD PARAMOUNT!

I keep eye contact with the King. Hatred burning through all of my veins as I stare at the incest ridden fucker. I glance at the crowd as they slowly enter shock. They finally get it.

If he can do this to a Lord Paramount what will he do to me.

A device is put around my neck and then a squeeze starts happening. Slowly I'm losing air… get this off me… it's tightening more.

I didn't learn to kill to die here. Nonononono Father!

They lit the wildfire. He's burning in his armor. There is a sword near me… maybe I can get it and free father.

Almost there… almost… its barely out of reach.

Air…. I need air… no.

Darkness… I'm tired… of struggling… I've struggled enough… I'm tired. To think I died the same day as my father. Poetic. It will take some time for Aaron to meet me I hope I can watch from the weirwoods. To watch over my family… over Barbery.

With that Brandon Stark's eyes closed never to open again.

In the event now called Brandon's Defiance.

With the death of Lord Rickon Stark and his heir Brandon Stark and the message from King Aerys declaring Jon Arryn to surrender his wards the realm was at war.

In the end a rebellion began. Jon Arryn attacked the Graftons who were loyalists to take full control of the Vale allowing Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon escaped to the North and Stormlands to rally their troops.