Chapter 61

- King's Landing - Sometime Later -

"The High Septon has continued to denounce you and the actions done with the Maesters as of late your Grace. From what my little birds have been saying, the High Septon has been calling on the faithful to once more form the Faith Militant. They feel the time for the Crown having absolute power is an insult to the 'one true faith'. Even more so when you allowed for the worship of the Old Gods of the North and the Red God from Essos," said Varys with Aegon sighing.

"The High Septon is an idiot. A greedy idiot hiding behind his religious robes. The man is under the impression that the Faith of the Seven should have complete control over the Seven Kingdoms in terms of religion. That all other religions are either wrong or should remain weak. No. I won't allow it. I have nothing against the Faith of the Seven. What I do have a problem with, are those who claim the religion is the right one, is the best one, and the only one people should pray to when they seek religious enlightenment," replied Aegon with his Small Council nodding.

"How do you wish to handle this your Grace?" asked Tyrion since the incidents within the city being minimal due to the Crown giving so much to the people that they didn't want it taken away.

"Simple. We expose the High Septon along with his fellow supporters for the greedy, arrogant, and sin filled man he is while having our heralds shut down the High Sparrow with our actions in helping the poor. At the same time, we state our reasons for allowing for multiple religions into the Seven Kingdoms was to give people the right to choose their faith. That they are allowed to choose their own faith, but not try to convert others. That joining a religion available to them is a choice within the Seven Kingdoms is a choice. If they wish to follow the Faith of the Seven, they can. If they prefer the Old Gods from the North, they can pray to them. If they wish to pray to the Lord of Light, I won't stop them. What I won't allow, is one of the faiths waging some kind of war against the others. One religion does have the right to impose its Will or faith on the others. I trust such plans were already set in motion when I left to deal with the robed rats?" commented Aegon with Tyrion nodding since it would remove the momentum of the opposition.

"Yes, your Grace. It is one of the reasons the people have supported you over the High Septon and the High Sparrow. Some wish to pray to the Lord of Light while others wish to follow the Old Gods of the North. We have kept any kind of confrontation between the faiths to a minimum, but it is only a matter of time before both the High Septon and High Sparrow decide to take more...aggressive measures," replied Ser Barristan with Aegon nodding.

"Agreed. Which is why we will plan accordingly," replied Aegon since the Faith of the Seven would not allow things to go against them for long.

- Red Keep - Sometime Later -

"You disapprove of my decision regarding your Mother?" asked Aegon with Robb in the room looking at him with a mix of anger and confusion.

The future Lord of Winterfell was filled with mixed emotions. He knew what his Mother had done and planned to do was wrong. Robb wouldn't deny it. Only a fool would deny it after seeing everything the way he did. But the woman was his Mother. She brought him screaming into the world. Loved him. Raised him. Tried to teach him when his Father could not. Granted it was a mixed bag of North and South that came with it in terms of the learning with his Mother insisting he be raised more on the Southern side of things.

The customs and religion being chief among them to grow in the North in the belief it would help make the area be more enlightened. His Father wanted him to keep to his roots in the North, follow the Old Gods, and respect Northern traditions. It had been a bitter struggle between Robb's parents when growing up. The boy's Mother wanted him to marry one of the Southern girls from a high standing House while his Father said only a Northern bride would truly suffice due to the Northern Lords wanting to ensure that the South had little influence on them as possible.

Though given his interest in a certain Targaryen woman, he hoped they would make an exception on the issue since it would tie the North to the royal family even further.

"I understand. I don't like the decree, but I understand it," said Robb firmly though there was sadness and anger in his voice.

"Would you prefer I cut off her head? Burn her alive? Parade her naked through the street from the High Sept to the Red Keep to perform the 'walk of atonement' for her crimes?" asked Aegon with Robb looking at him in shock.

"You wouldn't do that. Not to her. Not to my Mother," said Robb with Aegon nodding.

"Aye, I wouldn't. But if it were anyone else in my position, do you think they would stay their hand on the issue? Would the Usurper Robert Baratheon be lenient in punishing her? My Grandfather Aerys Targaryen? The infamous Tywin Lannister? His daughter Cersei? Joffrey? Roose Bolton? Walder Frey? You and I both know those people would not be so kind to her. Family by blood or marriage, it wouldn't matter to them. What I am doing is more then fair with how things have gone after I took the Iron Throne back for House Targaryen. I know you hate this Robb, but I can't show her anymore mercy or I appear too weak to rule. Nor due I wish to be a cruel to the point where many will think I am my Grandfather reborn. As King, I have to draw the line between cruel and merciful to the eyes of the people. They need to know I am neither a weak King nor am I a brutal one," said Aegon with Robb nodding in understanding since it was the same in the North and what his Father tried to teach for when he ruled as Warden.

"Surely, overtime when years go by and you could lessen the punishment. Let my Mother return to the North," offered Robb with a hint of what could only be a plea.

"I'm sorry Robb. I cannot. What does that say if I did what you ask? I cannot allow it. However, just because I forbid actually seeing her, I didn't forbid writing to the woman," commented Aegon with Robb's eyes going wide in shock.

"We can write to her?" asked Robb to make sure he heard his cousin correctly.

"Of course, cousin. We are family. I can leave that one particular opening for you and the rest of my Mother's family to have despite everything. Though I will insist that any letters from her speaking of treachery and betrayal be brought to my attention should she try to suggest such things. Just because she cannot do anything herself against me, doesn't mean your Mother will not try it with you, Sansa, Arya, Brandon, or even young Rickon due to his impressionable age," replied Aegon with Robb wincing since he knew his Mother was not one to give up on things if there was a chance for victory over the King.

Damn Tully stubbornness.

"I will make sure the others know about this. At least Bran and Rickon won't feel too bitter about this once properly explained," said Robb with Aegon smirking.

"When are you returning to Winterfell?" asked Aegon with Robb thinking it over.

"Soon. I have been gone too long. The North is calling me back. I can feel it in my blood and desire to be home," said Robb with Aegon nodding.

"Take Daenerys with you. She should see more the Seven Kingdoms. To know the lands of each one that should have been her home," said Aegon with Robb looking surprised.

"Are you sure?" asked Robb curiously.

"I trust you Robb. You are a man of honor like my Uncle and your Father. Besides, it is clear the two of you have feelings for one another. Don't think I can't see it. I do. Besides, who better for a Northern Lord to have for a future bride and wife then someone of royal blood in their veins," said Aegon with Robb's face going red and a tad nervous.

"Something you have seen?" asked Robb curiously since he was aware of his cousin's ability to see things.

"No. But its no less true. I do not need to see the future to know one with you will make her happy. That is all I care about when it comes to my family," answered Aegon with Robb smiling at him.

"Thanks cousin," said Robb before leaving and feeling like a great weight was lifted off his shoulders.