We make no promises about finishing this before Winds of Winter comes out
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"Gods, I shudder to imagine what that would do to a man, having to witness the Mad King's... predilections... like that. I would not blame Jaime Lannister should he wish to cast off the mantle of Kingsguard and never set foot in King's Landing again, after all of this. We... shall see what Rhaegar thinks, but I would recommend in the strongest possible words that any in his father's service be given the option to leave without being considered forsworn."

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“Yes. Agreed.” Her mouth twitches. “And, you know, aside from the concerns of human decency and kindness and whatnot, I think it’d be a sound political decision to win the favor of Tywin.”

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"Only if Jaime does in fact step down. If he doesn't, Tywin Lannister might be cross with—Rhaegar or me, depending on details—for not further encouraging his son to leave." He has met many an idealistic man and... he could really see it going either way, here.

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"Long term, yes, it could backfire if it didn't work out the way he wanted, but that would only be sorted out after Aerys is dead, which. I really think is the important part, do any of us particularly care who sits the Iron Throne, so long as it's not him or someone that's somehow worse?"

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"It can't be him," says Alis, hiking a thumb in Zakary's direction.

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"It cannot be me," Zak agrees, much more emphatically.

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"Right. We're all just mad that we had to even be here, really, and would like to go back to doing nearly anything else."

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"We are in agreement. Milady would not believe the number of people in this rebellion who have, ah, made jests about how I should be the one on that Throne."

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"So unreasonable, right, you competently lead one rebellion and suddenly people start thinking you are a competent leader," he says, dryly.

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"Mm. Darling, forgive me, but I think you should try to do as much figureheading as possible. No one's going to want a Stark on the throne, and everyone will be expecting you to flee back to Winterfell the minute the dust has settled. It might buy Zakary some more breathing room."

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"...damn it."

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"What is that sound I hear? Is it the sound of Lord Stark hearing a good idea and being unable to argue with it?"

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"I know. I'm sorry, dear." She pats her poor husband, who is having way too much asked of him because his siblings did stupid things. "Fortunately, if it seems like you hate every second you're here, it'll play well into the northern narrative, so."

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"Truly Alisander is a shining example of a Northman."

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Alis squints at Zak. "I feel like I am being mocked."

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He grins. "You are not. The joke here is that you are in fact a Northman down to your bones even though you have protested this a lot in the past, and you like being one. So here you are, Lord Stark, I could legitimately not think of anyone better suited to be heir to Winterfell." Not even Brandon, though he doesn't say that because for one he didn't know Brandon very well and for two clearly Anavett knew him and loved him.

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Anavett absolutely hears him anyway, and frankly, she agrees. But feels complicated things about agreeing, so. She'll just pretend she didn't hear him not say that. If everyone could please play along with her not engaging with her feelings while they're fresh and complicated and there are things to do, that'd be great.

"You'll do great, and in fact are already doing marvelously, I'm shocked and impressed you managed to drag your bannermen kicking and screaming down here at all, really."

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"They didn't kick and scream very much. ...I did have to duel a few of them." A tiny smile. "Not the Greatjon, or he would have known better than to challenge me."

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"I think you might greatly overestimate the Greatjon's ability to make sound decisions when the opportunity for glory presents itself, Lord Stark, and what should be more glorious than being the one who finally puts you on your arse? You've built yourself a reputation, love."

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"I truly do not understand what you think you could possibly gain by continuing to relentlessly flatter me like that."

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"'Tis normal praxis to relentlessly flatter one's lover with little to no expectation of gain.

"In any event," he continues, turning back to Anavett, "if milady isn't yet fed up with me for flirting so much with her husband, Lord Tywin Lannister was not the only item on my list of potential things she could help me with."

He in fact has a whole lot of other things to ask, impressions to validate, and opinions to hear. He wasn't lying when he said that he believed she had much she could do to help him in his war (and thus in safeguarding Alisander's safety), and this will definitely not be the kind of conversation that will take only a single afternoon's tea. Thankfully, they have time for many more such meetings before they have to march.

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