By the time I returned to the Red Keep in morning after taking care of all the lose ends which could effect my plan, the castle was in chaos. Servants ran through the halls, their faces pale with fear. Guards stood tense at every corner, whispering amongst themselves.
I didn't get it, did they learn about Little Finger's dead this early? Not possible, Varys setup that the entire thing would look like an assassin's work and his dead wouldn't reveal for few weeks if their contingency's worked.
Stopping one of the passing guards, I asked. "What's happening in the keep?"
The man swallowed. "The king, my lord… he's been wounded."
Wounded?
My mind almost did a summersault at this. In the original story this happened most likely because Cersei arranged it, no clear evidence was given but there could not be a greater coincidence that this incident happened almost immediately after Ned Stark confronted Cersei about….
"Damn you, Stark." By the time it hit me what might have happened, an surge of irritation rose in me.
Before I could ask more, we heard hurried footsteps. Renly Baratheon came rushing toward us, his face grim.
"Thor, you're back," Renly said, barely stopping. "Robert is hurt. He was brought in just hours ago."
"How?" I asked with part irritation and part resentment. Though he wasn't a good king, far from it, but he was a good man. Sort of…
At least he was a good drinking buddy.
"A hunting accident," Renly said quickly. "At least, that's what they're calling it. Ned Stark and the others have been summoned. Robert is asking for you too."
"I'll be there." Nodded. Now only wishing that this was really as Renly said, an accident. Because if not then I have to speed up my plans.
Suddenly helping that wolf doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Maybe I should just let him die? He might be a good man but he is causing too much trouble. Sigh…
If not his death would involve North in the upcoming battle then I wouldn't have even bothered about coming here in the first place. If I wish to get to a more modern world with proper electricity and internet then I can't let North involve in this pointless wars. North need to solely focus on what's beyond the wall.
By the time I entered the king's chambers, I saw Robert lying in bed, his massive frame weakened by his wounds. His face was pale, his breaths labored. Ned Stark stood beside him, his expression grave.
Robert's bleary eyes found Thor. A weak chuckle escaped his lips. "Finally hear yer, what took you so long. I almost died bastard." Robert said with laughter, clearly the fist size hole on his stomach didn't put a damper on this man's mood.
"Apologies, I would have visited earlier but after learning a wild pig did that to you, I need something to help me hold back my laughter. It wouldn't be good for a King's reputation after all." I shrugged.
Those words were enough to left others gawking, even Cersei on the side who I only notice now looked baffled for few second what I said.
After realizing they are supposed to get angry upon someone insult their king, those guard tense up. However Robert laughter after that defused the situation.
"That mouth of yours is sharper than a woman's. Lose those muscles and put a dress on and you'll earn mighty fine in a whore house." Robert shot back.
"Perhaps. Though I doubt it would be men's gold I'll be pocketing. So, to not get chased by a horde of broken furious husbands, I better spend my time on a battlefield." I smiled back. And after that Robert had no comeback.
Grumbling, he just let the matter go and then asked me to come closer to him. Not sure why but I did nonetheless.
"Before Stranger takes me, let's fix at least few mistakes I should have done before. Someone give me a damn sword." He struggled to sit up but failed. Instead, he turned to Ned. But others just kept on looking at him like they were watching a Panda trying to jump.
"I think I'm not dead yet for you cunts to not listen to your king. A SWORD..." Shouted Robert.
A guard quickly stepped forward, placing a blade in Robert's hand. The king gripped it weakly, then looked at Thor. "Kneel."
"Fuck you…."
"hahaha…"
Robert let out a tired laugh. "Ah you remind me of myself too much. Fine, have it your way." He raised the sword as best as he could. "By the Father I ask you to be just. By the Mother I ask you to show mercy. By the Warrior I ask you to show courage. By the Maiden, I ask you to defend the weak. By the Smith you will raise your steel for right and by the Crone you shall be bestowed by wisdom to guard the realm of men. Thor, by my will as King of the Seven Kingdoms, I name you Ser Thor, a knight of my realm."
Robert had trouble doing this. I didn't want to be a knight but seeing him struggling and genuinely believing that this would at least do some good in his long list of wrongs, I just stood still and let him do it.
"Just don't expect me to wear those white cloaks anytime soon, red suits me better."
"Haha… Aye it does. Ned will see to anything you wish to have as per our bet." Robert said with a chuckle. I just nodded to this.
There was a silence in the room after that until Robert finally opened his mouth like he was reminiscing something.
"Lightning Strike." He said taking everyone by surprise but only Cersei, hearing these words, shuddered.
"Some few knew that my first born wasn't Joffrey but a stillborn, fewer knew that he wasn't actually a stillborn." Robert said and this took me off guard.
Who would have thought that Cersei wasn't lying when saying about her first born dying to Catelyn Stark in the show. Quite interesting...
"It was a lightning strike which took him. Like the heaven itself came for my boy. A bolt straight from heaven rained down, curved enough to enter inside the open window, directed to the cradle he was placed. Huh...if I wasn't present there, I wouldn't have believed myself. Like the Stranger himself was after that child's life." Robert said, for the first time I saw real pain in his eyes. For a man who got a hole in his stomach and could laugh knowing he got not much time. That is telling something.
But more than anything, Lightning Strike. This sounds too close for comfort. I secretly glanced at Cersei on the side and to my shock she had tears in her eyes, can't say whether they were real or she learned crocodile no tear Jutsu but it looked real enough.
"Another golden head to my utter dismay I thought when I first saw him. But his eyes... they, they were like a stag. Like yours." Robert said making me stiff for a second.
It's not like this possibility never crossed my mind. I have no recollection of the memories of this body I am in. I thought that I was in Thor's body but I looked too young for that, even if Thor really looked like that, it doesn't make sense why I have to play hard to get a power this body already possesses.
System also said that it was a Thor Template. Thus that means that I'm not in Thor's body? I'm not sure. The fact about his first born died by lightning strike doesn't help in this regard.
'Just forget it, whatever it is, it's past and not even my past. Got nothing to do with it.' I said to myself before focusing on Robert again.
"With you, I for the first time felt like a real father." Robert said with misty eyes, can't believe a man like him was showing tears in front of others.
"I wasn't a good Father to Joffrey or Myrcella or Tommen. I..." He trailed off. Someone really said the truth.
Dying without regrets is better than keep on living with them. Did I have any regret before I died?
"Forget what he did..." He said making me come out of my daze. He knows...
But then I realized that one of the assassins was left behind. So those guards weren't from Joffrey or Queen but him?
Others clearly didn't understand what was going on. Only Robert and Me. He knew I understand and I knew what he was asking for. Can't say I wasn't planning on killing that little shit before I say my farewell to this cursed city but now\...
I just nodded.
"You have my word." Just consider this as a friend's last request. Nothing like a father but I did consider him a friend. It's not like if I wouldn't do it myself then that bastard would survive much long.
The way his personality is, he'll be meeting the Stranger sooner or later anyway.
"Good, now all of you out. I have to talk to Ned." Robert shouted.
xxx
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