[Edric's POV]
Most of the food I got was seafood, which I wasn't too fond of at first sight. But… the crabs… they were good. I found myself munching without much of a care in the world. It made me think that perhaps the Wall isn't so bad - at least Eastwatch isn't.
"Sorry for making you watch me stuff my face." I chuckled, watching Loras stand by the wall. "So, how is everyone taking the white walker discovery?"
"Some are startled, others already knew. Most of your men fall in the former."
"I bet the Small Council will take my words and plans with greater urgency now. Truth be told, these Others are likely only a small detachment of their forces. They have a King of their own, you see, and that King is mightier than I."
"How do you know all of this?"
"It's… a prophecy of sorts. He is my nemesis, the ice to my storm. He's not just my enemy, alas, he's the enemy of all the living—his goal to vanquish us all and lock the world into winter. By the time he shows himself, it might be too late to start believing in my words."
"I believe you, Your Grace." Loras looked solemn. "We had hundreds of witnesses as well. I am certain that I can convince Renly of the truth and make him act more urgently."
"And your family?"
"House Tyrell will support the Realm entirely in this matter, doing what we can to aid in its defence and survival. If the Wall is breached someday, everyone below it is bound to suffer. The Reach might enjoy some better days, but it will meet the same fate as the rest if we do not triumph over the white walkers."
"Yes… they are our common enemy." I affirmed. "Greater than all the politicking, feuds, gold, lands, religions, traditions and titles in the entire world. Everything will be meaningless if they win. Everything. Our history, our houses, our bloodlines, our accomplishments. They will all be turned to dust. That is a truth that everyone must come to understand…"
"They must realise that only by complete unity might we see another spring."
"The Gods have given us a most fitting King to bear that burden," Loras replied, nodding. "If it were anyone else, I'm not certain that would even be possible."
"You give me too much credit." I chuckled. "Fear can unite everyone."
"Fear will not give them victory, only disorder. A leader who can inspire men to willingly march to their doom and sacrifice themselves for the greater good… that is another matter. I do not believe in the Red God, but his priestess might be right about one thing. You are the leader that will carve the way forward into the future."
"Thanks for adding to my burden, Ser," I sarcastically remarked.
"I'm sure you can handle it, Your Grace," Loras replied, smiling. "You are the chosen son of the Seven, after all. The Gods would not choose someone feint of heart."
"Heh. I hope you don't get too lonely without my uncle," I replied, munching on some rough, thick and hard piece of bread. I had to sink my teeth in there like a damn dinosaur. "We'll be away from King's Landing for a great while longer. I'd like to maintain order here and ensure the wildlings settle in peacefully. There's also the matter of the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch…"
"Though I do miss the Lord Regent, my duty is to you. I have no discontent regarding that. If anything, you are quite like him."
"I don't know how to feel about that." I chuckled. "Don't start falling in love with me; I don't roll that way."
"No… not in that way."
"In what way?" I blinked, acting surprised.
"Well…"
"Oh, I'm just jesting. I already know." I shrugged. "Why do you think I wanted you as my Kingsguard? Not only were you a prodigy with endless fame, but you also had that… relationship. It's more convenient for all parties involved, no? No one would have to wonder why the third son of Mace Tyrell isn't married, and you'd be around each other all the time."
"I… didn't think you were that considerate nor accepting."
"Do whatever you want, so long as I don't see it."
"Fair enough." Loras let out a chuckle.
"Friends support each other, in the end. If that's what makes you happy… that's what makes you happy. Though, you really are cheating the other Kingsguard with this little loophole."
"I don't think you care too much for that oath regardless. If Ser Arthur sired a bastard, I scarcely doubt you would punish him."
"Punish him?" I laughed. "I'd slap him on his back for finding a woman who'd make him forget his honour and take the bastard as a ward. Alas, he would not be the first to break that oath. As long as he is dedicated to his duty, it doesn't really matter to me."
Loras smiled. "That's why I love you… as a King."
He got me in the first half, I won't lie.
"Don't flatter me." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Anyway, you should tell everyone to take a little break. We'll stay in Eastwatch for a while."
"You need to recover your strength?"
"Mhm… wouldn't do anyone any good if I fell off my horse and snapped my neck in the cold snow."
"I shall pass on the news."
~
[Arthur's POV]
"I… can't do this…"
One of the recruits at the back of the run huffed from exhaustion, falling to the ground. Arthur walked up to him.
"My body's sore everywhere, Ser…"
"That means you're doing it right."
Arthur gave a reassuring smile, offering his hand.
"His Grace once told me 'the pain you feel today, is the strength you will feel tomorrow'. All that pain you're feeling now… it's trying to keep you from achieving the heights that you're capable of. Don't let it keep you down and keep going. Turn that pain into anger and that anger into motivation."
"... Yes, Ser!"
With his spirit rekindled, the recruit took Arthur's hand and the knight pulled him right back on his feet.
"Go on, finish the run and taste the glory of success. You're closer than you think."
…
"Woah… this horse is a bit wild…"
Arthur watched as one of the recruits struggled to tame their horse, getting dismounted. Big Baegel had managed to grab hold of him and stopped the hard fall.
"Stupid greenboy can't ride horse." Big Baegel remarked with a mocking tone.
"Your horse is not just a tool, Brunn. It's a companion." Arthur spoke with a lecturing tone. "You need to earn its approval before riding it. Ideally, you grow so close that you ride as one."
"The others have tamer horses… it's not fair."
"Are you afraid of a little challenge?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "If you can't properly control your horse, how could you consider yourself a royal guard? You can't be forceful, you have to be patient."
He proceeded to grab the reins of the stallion and masterfully earning its trust. Before long, he got on the saddle and showed the recruit how its done. After a lap around the tourney grounds, he returned and hopped off.
"See? This horse, while more unrestrained, is still trained. You tried to skip right ahead to riding it - forgetting the first step. Try again - with patience this time."
"... Yes, ser."
Being free from his Kingsguard duties gave a strange sense of liberty, though he found himself doing far more than he would otherwise. During the day, he would oversee the training of the recruits, putting them through rigorous exercises that Edric himself would do. Arthur hadn't seen these be used by anyone else outside of the people who learnt from him… but they certainly worked, considering his development.
These included pushups, situps, long runs without and with armour, squats, riding lessons and practice melee battles. Though strict, Arthur moderated just how severe the training was and gave sufficient breaks. During midday and the night, he'd provide them with plenty of food and good accommodations from his own purse. They'd often celebrate the nights after a good day's of work and soon, as Arthur's hellish training became more routine for them, they began looking forward to pushing themselves further.
"Hey, ser. How about some of us try sparring you?" A group of recruits approached him. "We need to know how we'd do against a proper knight."
"Sounds like some fly-swatting is needed." Valaegor chuckled, stepping in front of Arthur with a wooden spear. "Don't worry, Ser. I'll humble them personally."
"Don't go too hard on them…"
In ten seconds flat, he beat them all down.
…
The days went on and on, with the recruits steadily improving under Arthur's training regime. Still recovering from his wounds, he watched from the hill that overlooked the tourney grounds. After filling their bellies full of food, a good chunk of the more determined recruits had gone into the night to practice some more - bugging both Taelor and Anguy, who Arthur had recruited to teach them archery.
"Taking a nap, sergeant?" Valaegor stepped next to him.
"No, I'm just watching over them." Arthur shook his head. A glow of pride lit his eyes as he smiled. Their growth gave him a sense of gratification.
"Damn saint." Valaegor chuckled, watching one of them shoot way off target. "There's still much work to be done, it seems."
"You don't shoot a couple of arrows and become a marksman. His Grace used to be quite… awful - but he was determined to improve. Every free hour he'd get, he would grab a bow and some arrows. Under the morning light, in the night, under rain and storm; it didn't matter. It takes time."
"There are some things you can't teach." Valaegor sat down next to him. "You can train them as much as you'd like, but none of them will be half the archer Edric is."
"A tenth would be enough. A hundred men that skilled would turn the tides of many battles to come."
"Fair enough - I walked into that one." Valaegor chuckled. "How is it, being a Kingsguard? Do you have any regrets?"
"Odd question." Arthur glanced at him. "Are you seeking to join now?"
"And give up the sweet taste of women?" Valaegor scoffed. "I'd sooner throw myself to the sea."
"Is it all that important?"
"I bet you're a maid…" Valaegor observed his expression, laughing afterwards. "I'm right, aren't I? You didn't even know what you were giving up - nor will you."
"Your pleasure is temporary," Arthur looked unphased. "You move from one woman to the next - to what end?"
"It's called tasting the world, my friend. To me, you are a blind man trying to tell me how the world looks."
"And how does it look, with all your great sight?"
"It's something you have to experience for yourself."
"Heh." Arthur shook his head. "I suppose I won't know, then."
"You know the funny thing about that?" Valaegor tilted his head.
"What?" Arthur raised a bewildered eyebrow.
"Never say never."
"... Right."
"Anyway, why did you become a Kingsguard? Was it the glory, the honour?"
"I did it to stand by my friend and be the knight I've dreamed of being - to help bring the Kingsguard to their glory. I wanted to aspire others as the great knights of the past aspired me."
"By the Lord of Light, I hate you." Valaegor laughed, spitting on the ground. "You are far too idealistic, Ser. Your lack of flaws makes me feel too inadequate."
"I have flaws, as we do all. I wouldn't be sitting here if that were not true."
"Right. You let me face you on even terms - I respect you for that." Valaegor stroked his chin. "Sooo what are the chances of Edric accepting me?"
"If I accept you, it makes it far more likely." Arthur shrugged.
"Already scouting potential Kingsguard replacements?"
"You'd make one of the worst Kingsguard in history. Besides, I doubt any of the Kingsguard will die anytime soon."
"Funny thing about that." Valaegor grinned slightly.
"... What? Who? Where?"
"Hehe, you believe in R'hllor now?"
"No way in seven hells."
"Aw." Valaegor looked dejected before smiling. "Anyway, there's been worse Kingsguard, probably. My ability alone makes up for it."
"If you were as disciplined as you are arrogant, then you'd be the greatest of them all," Arthur remarked.
"Hahahaha." Valaegor laughed. "You know, you're not so bad."
"Don't try buttering me up."
"No, Sergeant, Ser - I wouldn't dare." Valaegor got up, yawning. "Before I go, you should know that as much as you wish to be a peerless, ideal sword, you are still made of flesh. We were born with cocks for a reason. One day, you'll find the right lady to stick it into."
"Get out of here."
Arthur pushed him forward, and Valaegor almost tripped down the hill. As Valaegor left full of laughter, Arthur was left with his thoughts.
Would I forget my oath? No, I wouldn't… that's not me.
Arthur shook his head.
~Author's note~
Took a little break, procrastinated way too much (that damned Sparking Zero got me) and went through a bit of imposter syndrome... but I should be able to lock in now. This next arc will be kicking things up a notch. This is kinda for my patreons but Dragonsguard+ will have something to vote on regarding Dany's decision in the latest chapter 94. It's quite a big one, but since I saw it going either way, I wanted to see which my patreons would prefer. Shameless plug, I know... but if it's something that interests you, feel free to put your hat in the ring.