[3rd]
"A private audience with the King? For him to take some time out of his day to grace me with his presence…" Jaime Lannister sarcastically remarked, sitting down. "Why, I'm honoured."
"Be sure to cherish this time, Ser." He replied with a similar tone. "You can likely guess why I called you here."
"To support Janos Slynt?" Jaime raised a doubtful eyebrow.
"He has a big mouth, that one." Edric chuckled, shaking his head.
"..." Jaime observed Edric's amused expression, realising that it's a front. "Why would you feint support for Janos?"
"You will see, Ser… it's all part of a little scheme. I need you to play your part, however. I know for a fact that you have no desire for Lord Commander, so why don't you do both of us a favour and withdraw from the choosing."
"And what makes you so certain?"
"You're a brilliant warrior, no one can doubt that, but you've never had a taste for responsibility and politics, which I understand more than you know. You're better off using your Lannister goons to vote for a more fitting alternative."
"Is it your fellow bastard?"
"Quite right. I've heard you have your disagreements with Bowen Marsh, and the other commanding officers aren't all that fond of you. Jon Snow would favour you the most out of all of them."
"How thoughtful of you," Jaime remarked. "Yet you'd give lead to a boy not all that much older than you."
"What of it, Ser? The Realm seems to be doing just fine under me."
"Courtesy of the Small Council. He does not have that luxury."
"The Night's Watch has some good officers to advise him. He has a good head with the right intentions on his shoulders and is nearly a man-grown." Edric shrugged. "Anyway, will you vote for him or keep fighting this losing battle?"
"Does our agreement still hold?"
"I did swear." Edric solemnly nodded. "And I intend to keep my word."
"Though, I'm not so sure how much of an honour it is these days. You lost two Kingsguard in a single skirmish, three of them are youths who were half chosen due to bias from your time in Storm's End and one among them is a woman - the first of her kind. Where even is Ser Barristan?" Jaime questioned, shaking his head. "You sent him away… I'd wager I could best all four of them at once. Mayhaps all five."
"Don't get too arrogant, now. Ser Arthur alone would leave you in the dust."
"Who?" Jaime raised an eyebrow.
"You know who."
"No one of note. It's a shame he isn't here to test your words."
"A shame, indeed. It would've been a humbling experience."
"So you say." Jaime didn't look convinced.
"The future belongs to the youth," Edric shrugged. "In time, my Kingsguard will not be any less worthy than the Kingsguard you joined initially."
"Oh, I doubt that. We were the greatest of all that came before."
"But not the greatest to come. You could be part of that, Ser."
"Hm." Jaime made a slight smile, standing up. "You don't need to soothe my ears with your honeyed words, Edric Storm."
"Indeed… we've stayed from the topic at hand. Will you or won't you pledge your support in Jon Snow?"
"I have a question for you as well."
Shing.
He did not expect him to draw his sword, yet remained unphased as cold steel was pointed at him. Edric tilted his head the other way, amused.
"Now this is rash, even for you."
"Ever since I was escorted to the North, I've been thinking about a great many things concerning you, Edric. I never expected you to come so far North… let alone approach me unarmed. You are too trusting, still."
"Point that sword any closer, and you'll know why I'm not bothered."
Edric grinned slightly, his eyes flickering a deep violet. His confidence gave Jaime a sense of unease.
"What part did you play in King's Landing after I left?"
"Once I woke from my long rest, I joined my father's hunt, killed a good number of the traitors when the city was in an uproar and called for Stannis to blockade the sea beforehand. Coincidentally, my uncle would capture Cersei Lannister and her children."
"So you chose to speak the truth," Jaime remarked. "It was your word that led to my sister's capture.. and death."
"Categorically… yes. My father struck the final blow, one that I would not have. What of it?" Edric questioned, staring into his green eyes. "She tried to orchestrate my father's death, she lied about her children and… she would have betrayed you as well."
"What are you talking about?" Jaime raised an eyebrow, his grip loosening.
"You see, before I went to join the hunt, she wanted to convince me to the side of the Lannisters… offering all sorts of comforts. I feigned interest - but the door certainly was there. In your absence, who truly knows what she'd be up to? If I had walked down that path, perhaps she would have finally had one child who looked like Robert in some way…"
"..." Jaime's mouth widened the more he looked into Edric's eyes. He could not see a slither of a lie. Either he was the best liar he had ever met, or… it was the hard truth. "That can't be."
"But it is. I believe Cersei ever only loved herself - and those who reflected her. You were but a mirror all along."
He withdrew in silence, sheathing his sword and turning away.
"That's treason for… how many times have you committed it, already?" Edric mused, stroking his chin. "I'm the only reason you're still breathing, and this is what I get as a gift. So much for 'A Lannister always pays his debts'."
Jaime paused, glancing back.
"Feel free to hang me if it suits you."
"I did not choose to spare your life, against the opinion of near every lord under my banner, to throw your corpse into a pile of snow somewhere later on. You're better than that - I know there is plenty more you have to achieve in your life. You can still leave a legacy worthy of your talents."
Jaime paused.
"... Truthfully, I don't know how that kind of betrayal must feel," Edric admitted, shaking his head. "It must be devastating. Alas… knowing the truth is better than living a lie - wouldn't you say? If you move on from the past, I will pretend that you never drew your sword against me."
After a moment of silence, Jaime Lannister looked back with courtesy.
"Forgive me for my earlier… foolishness, Your Grace."
"It never happened. You were practicing." Edric shrugged. "Though, the white cloak is a bit further off than before."
"... The bastard will have my support."
Jaime decided, hastily leaving the room. His heart and mind were conflicted beyond words. He had sought answers, yet all they led to was pain. The cold, hard truth was not something he could have ever dared imagine.
~
[Edric's POV, 1st]
The voting had been going back and forth, and the threat that I would pick my own Lord Commander was hastening the alliances. Janos Slynt openly boasted of how I supported him, yet I didn't speak a word of the matter. Meanwhile, Ser Jaime not only had his Lannister henchmen support Jon, but also had them convince others to vote for him. The battle at the Bridge of Skulls seemed to have earned him a great deal of influence - despite his infamy. Rumours spread of why Janos Slynt was removed from office in King's Landing and sent to the Wall in the first place… further decreasing his popularity.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
"I hereby withdraw my name from the choosing and grant Jon Snow my vote." Jaime Lannister declared, being one of the first relevant people to vote. "The Night's Watch needs a more youthful Lord Commander to take the Night's Watch forward rather than keep it in a state of stagnation.
A surge of men would follow, giving Jon the lead.
"What's there to say that hasn't been said? Janos Slynt served as the Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks for years and is most definitely a more fitting leader than a boy."
Bowen Marsh would place his vote for Janos Slynt, followed by Alliser Thorne and a few others - steadily matching Jon's score. The ex-Lord Commander looked quite pleased, though his look would slowly fade. Denys Mallister and Cotter Pyke, the commanding officers of the garrisons at the Shadow Tower and Eastwatch respectively, would both vote for Jon Snow. A great majority of their men voted with them.
With this growing landslide and victory in sight, many black brothers who were on the fence shifted their votes to Jon Snow. Janos Slynt's boasting, despite being a fresh member of the Night's Watch, left a great distaste in their mouths. Jon was the compromise that most of the black brothers were willing to make… for it was undoubtedly a better choice than the corrupt and underhanded ex-gold cloak.
I calmly sipped some water, watching the votes pile on.
It was over a good bit before the last votes, which were just a formality at that point. They were all counted and recorded carefully, before Maester Aemon would speak;
"Jon Snow has both reached and greatly surpassed the two-third majority. He will take his place as 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and serve in his new duties until death."
A wave of cheers followed, with Jon's friends being the loudest of all.
"A brilliant choice, indeed." I voiced my approval, grinning slightly at the befuddled Janos Slynt. "I couldn't be more certain that he will serve you all well. With the voting settled, we can now move forward and restore the Night's Watch's glory. Today marks the dawn of a new era for the brothers in black!"
…
After some celebrating, I took a stroll on top of the Wall with Jon Snow. The lands beyond the wall loomed with mystery and a strange sense of temptation. Something was calling for me - or so it seemed.
"It seems too good to be true," Jon Snow remarked as we came to a stop.
"That you're Lord Commander?"
"Yes. I had thought that not even you could make it happen."
"Oh, but it wasn't just me… I had my fair share of influence yes, but it was your great friend who played off me that changed the game entirely."
"... My friend?" Jon raised an eyebrow.
"He was the one who convinced Denys Mallister and Cotter Pyke to compromise on you as the Lord Commander. I believe you might have an inkling of an idea."
"I might." He smiled at that. "Even so, admittedly… I have my doubts regarding this new station. I do not feel as if I am up to par. You are the worst person to tell this, but -"
"It's fine." I smiled, shaking my head. "Once Kingship was a daunting task for me as well. A mountain of burdens I didn't dare even think of carrying… but here I am. My advice for you would be to kill your fear, Jon Snow. Embrace your new position. Arm yourself with the advice of others more experienced than you and use their knowledge to make your own judgements."
"You are far too wise for your age." Jon Snow remarked.
"... Life can be quite like forging a blade," I replied, looking at the horizon. "Hardships may temper the blade, or break it altogether. The result depends on the metal of the person and by which it is tempered by. I believe you are made of steel not too different from my own."
"You are too generous with your words, Your Grace. I am hardly comparable to you."
"It is not far from the truth, however." I shook my head. "Though, as you are Lord Commander, I am curious as to what you will do regarding Ygritte."
"... What would you do?" He questioned, looking uncertain.
"I once chose a girl over duty without any hesitation. It all ended in tragedy, though it was unrelated to her. If this tragedy hadn't occurred… I don't know where I would be today. Likely, I would not have been King. Mayhaps the Realm would still be at war - all because of one girl. Seeing as you are the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, you are held to the highest standard. So, you cannot have one and the other. You must choose between love and duty - for now."
"For now?" Jon questioned, tilting his head.
"Once the Others are wiped from the face of the world…" I looked at him, shrugging my shoulders. "There will not be a need for a Night's Watch. You will have completed your oath and be free to do as you like."
"I fear that day might never come."
"I'll make it so. They have no place here, and if they are allowed to retreat once more, then they will only return to haunt those who will come after us. Mere victory is not enough. They must all perish."
"It will be a difficult task, mayhaps impossible… the lands in the far north are too cold."
"And I am more determined than those lands are cold." I smiled. "Believe me, I will put an end to them. As for the near future, I will aid you in your leadership and put the Night's Watch in a good place. The Freefolk matter will be completely resolved by then. I will only make south once all is well, and I am certain that you will be able to take the reins from there. After that, the Night's Watch will continue to receive supplies and resources to improve their defences."
"I am honoured." Jon Snow nodded. "I must admit, it is quite refreshing to have a King who takes the matters of the Night's Watch with such severity. Your father wouldn't have bothered to send anything, let alone personally arrive so far up North."
"He was too busy shagging whores and drinking himself into an early grave," I remarked. "Though, if you told him wildlings were invading… mayhaps he'd rouse himself for battle. There were few things he loved more than battle - if anything at all."
"I doubt he would have cared much for a wildling invasion…"
"Mayhaps he would have, mayhaps he wouldn't have. Regardless, there's no need to be so formal with me." I chuckled. "One day, we shall be brothers, after all."
"Oh… of course."
"Anyway, let's get to work! There's much to be done."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"..." I laughed about it, shaking my head. "Gods, if I hear 'Your Grace' one more time in the next five minutes, I'll throw myself off this wall."
"Forgive me… Edric."
"That's better."