The Redfish (Edmure SI) chapter 117

Home

Edmure POV

If someone asked me where was my home, I definitely wouldn‘t say King‘s Landing. But seeing the city that part of me despised, I felt relieved, for I would finally see my family. Yet, I couldn‘t help myself from touching the scarred side of my face and wondering if I should hide it. But chose not to, as there was nothing to hide.

My warship should have arrived a few days ago and brought the news to them of my arrival with Queen Shireen‘s. So, it wasn‘t surprising to see groups of people waiting for us at the port of King‘s Landing. Even from a distance, I could tell it was a grand welcome. But the thousands of soldiers were here to meet with the Ironborn if they dared to do something foolish.

Asha knew better than to risk it all now. She would stay put as long as it furthers her goal. I liked it better, too. She can plan and scheme as much as she wants. As long as she doesn‘t disturb me, I don‘t care. Once I contact Robb and arrange their wedding, I will leave him to deal with her. I am sure Robb will be happy to see Theon return, too.

As the ship docked at the port, I was surprised at how much it had changed. There weren‘t any burned buildings, no desolate streets, nor homeless people lying by the alleys waiting for food scraps. It made me realize how long I have been gone. It was almost a new city at this point. Once I disembarked from the ship, the soldiers lined up for us and made a way.

King Jaehaerys was waiting, with his massive white wolf by his side. I could not see anything that resembled a boy in him anymore. Jason Mallister stood tall by his side, but it was hard for me to face him. Shireen, Davos, Asha, and Theon stepped past me as I stopped momentarily. I knew I was using them as a shield, but it was hard to face them after so long.

“Welcome home.” Arianne didn’t care about the procession, left the King’s company, and approached me.

“I am back.”

“Look at you,” Arianne touched my scarred face. “What did they do to your handsome face?”

“You should have seen the other guy,” I replied as a smile broke from my lips.

“All I care about now is seeing you, Edmure,” Arianne kissed my lips as I felt my eyes water. “Let’s go. You don’t have to deal with this. Your family is waiting and has been waiting for a long time.”

“I am sorry,” I hugged Arianne tightly as our lips parted.

“I know.”

I wanted to stay this way, feeling Arianne’s warmth in my arms, but my desire to see my children was stronger. Arianne separated from the hug and led me through the guards while the royal entourage welcomed their guests. Nobody stopped us as we left the port and entered a carriage Arianne had prepared.

“How are they?” I asked as we rode to the Red Keep through King’s Landing streets.

“They miss you,” Arianne replied, holding my hand.

I could barely remember my children. It has been almost a year since I saw them last. Elia would be seven this year. In the past year, Axel and Geralt would have grown a lot. They were about the age when their training would get serious. I hope I didn’t miss much of it. I wanted to be by their sides when they started—watching them and encouraging them.

“We here,” the carriage driver said.

“Let’s go, dear, the King will return an hour or so later,” Arianne said. “So, you don’t have to worry about him for at least that long.”

I smiled at Arianne’s consideration and left the carriage with her. Walking through the Red Keep, I saw many servants paying close attention to us. It was easy to ignore them as they stared at my scarred face, but Arianne probably remembered all of their faces and would reprimand them later. I had to make sure that she didn’t punish them too harshly.

Soon, we reached the gardens inside the Red Keep, where I saw Elia, Axel, and Geralt playing on the ground. It took only one glance at me for the children to stop playing and running at me. At first, they were hesitant and probably had trouble recognizing me, but once Elia leaped at me for a hug, her brothers followed close behind her. There were barely any words, just tears and laughter.

…

Time flew past fast, and before I knew it, the hour I had before I had to meet with the King had ended. The King returned with the guests and summoned me after he settled them. But before I met anyone else, there was a person I wanted to see first. The last time I saw him, he didn’t have grey hair; his head was covered.

“It is good to have you back, boy,” Jason Mallister said while patting my shoulder and looking at my eyes.

“I am sorry,” I replied by getting to my knees and touching my forehead at his shoes. “Please forgive me. I have let Patrek be killed. I have failed you. Even after all you and Patrek have done for me, I couldn’t repay you and let you down, too.”

Pride meant nothing to me at this moment. I wanted to show how sincere I was. I knew Jason would forgive me either way, but I couldn’t accept it. It was my fault Patrek died, and I wanted to show that I am sorry. Kneeling and bowing my head before the father of the man who saved me countless times was the least I could do.

“What are you doing,” Jason quickly took my head into his hands and tried to lift me. “Quickly get up before anyone sees you. You don’t have to do this. Seeing you, I can tell that my son has done well. I only want to hear it from your lips.”

“Patrek saved me,” I told him as Jason wrapped his arms around me in a hug. “Even after he died, he watched over me until I was safe. He was the bravest and best knight one could call a friend.”

“Did you avenge him?”

“I did. I killed the bastard with my own hands.”

“Good, good,” Jason lifted me to my feet. “That's all I wanted to hear. I am glad that at least he was with you at the end, son. Now, go. The King is waiting for you.”

I nodded and left. Jason Mallister wasn’t a man who wanted others to see him crying. I could only hope that my words brought some closure to him, but I would gladly accept his hatred. There was nothing else I could say and nothing he would want me to do. So, I knew it was better to leave him alone for now.

When I entered the small council room, the king was alone inside. The doors behind me were closed by two guards. I walked up to the table and took a seat. The King stood by the window, looking at something in the distance. I didn’t disturb him and waited until he turned to look at me. When he did, I was again surprised at how little he resembled the boy I had made a king.

“You made plenty of promises in my name,” Jaehaerys said, tiredness eminent in his tone. “I could understand the deal with Shireen, as she did save your life, and with her, we could end this damned war. But why, by the seven and the old gods, did you promise a Greyjoy her title and lands back?”

“I needed her help,” I replied truthfully. “At that time, I had no time to hesitate in making decisions, and I couldn’t doubt myself.”

“I get to give Lady Shireen Storm’s End back and let her rule over the lands from Bronzegate to the Red Mountains, including the Rainwood. The war with the lords at the Marches has stalled lately, and there haven’t been any advances made by our side, so as soon as Shireen can convince these lords to surrender, I will be satisfied.”

“And what about Asha Greyjoy?” I asked.

“I will not blame her for her father’s crimes,” The King answered. “But I can only give her Pyke back and nothing else.”

“Contact Robb. We should see first if he is willing to marry Asha. That way, we both get what we want.”

“That won’t happen. Robb is promised to marry another.”

“Who?” I asked, surprised at the news.

“The Princess of the wildlings,” The King replied, and for a moment, it sounded to me as a joke. “Things have happened while you were gone. Robb went beyond the Wall and brought back the wildlings back.”

“The White Walkers?”

“So, you heard. Yes, Robb saves about a hundred thousand of the wildlings, but to keep them in check, he has to marry their princess. So, we can’t go against that arrangement now. The wildlings are already starting to settle within the North. It would only make their relations more tense.”

It was something I should have expected but failed to foresee. He didn’t think Robb would return them to the North, but it was probably a good decision. Even though I don’t think anyone or anything can pass through the Wall, not with thousands of men protecting it, the Giants could prove troublesome. Especially if they wouldn’t go down without being burned down.

“I will inform her and see if we can change the conditions,” I said. It was my fault, so I should deal with it.

“What should we do with Pentos?” The King asked as he presented me with some papers. “Magister Ilyorio Mopatis is quite a powerful man. He has a high position within Pentos.”

“Ask Pentos for his head,” I answered after looking at the information the King presented.

“That it?” Jaehaerys sounded frustrated with the answer. “Even if we revealed his involvement with the Golden Company, it won’t be enough of a pretext. They will laugh at my offer.”

“Then we go and collect it ourselves,” I replied. “The pretext we will give other free cities is that Mopatis conspired against the Iron Throne, and the other magisters refusing to hand him over are his accomplices.”

“One war after another,” Jaehaerys took a seat before me. “I guess it was unavoidable. Sooner or later, the free cities will start to look at Westeros like it is juicy meat for them to gobble up.”

“And it isn’t like we are going to take Pentos for ourselves,” I replied. “We kill the current rulers and let the other take the position. It will be a warning for the others and a sign that we don’t desire any cities from Esoss.”

“You know how to put it out so simply,” Jaehaerys laughed as he gathered the papers. “Even though I don’t like that you bring wars to me, I am still glad you are back, lord Edmure.”

“I am not,” I said with a sigh. “I am done with this. From what I heard, Lord Mallister is a capable Hand, so you don’t need me anymore. And I no longer wish to get involved in world politics. I have a family to care about and two sisters that have experienced much loss to help.”

“You leaving?”

“Aye, someone has to oversee things in the Riverlands, too,” I said. “But before I leave, I still have a gift for you from Daenerys. I will give it to you at tomorrow’s court.”

With that, I left the king. I was tired of all this political shit and constant fighting. I wanted to return the time I had lost to spend with my family. I wanted to see my children grow up before it was too late. Who knows what the winter will bring? Before leaving for another war, I want to ensure I won’t regret anything anymore.