What If Ned Stark Was Fostered in Casterly Rock, NOT The Vale

Описание: What If Ned Stark Was Fostered in Casterly Rock, NOT The Vale
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What If Ned Stark Was Fostered in Casterly Rock, NOT The Vale? Let's explore the depths of it in this video.

As a mug of ale is placed in front of Richard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell does not stop to drink. His eyes are focused on the splendor of Casterly Rock around him. High tapestries of Lannister ancestors sewn with gold thread hang from the walls.

The high vaulted ceiling is built from marble mined and hauled from across the Seven Kingdoms, no doubt at great cost. Even the chairs and tables they are using now are made and were imported from the Free Cities. These are luxuries that he could only dream of from Winterfell.

And yet, Rickard has little doubt that his host could afford them. Their wealth was most clearly on display not in the room around him, but at the ground beneath his feet, where the Lannisters have been mining the gold veins there for thousands of years. From that, they had turned gold into ports, ships, traders, and armies.

It is the sort of thing he can only dream of in his homeland, the type of future he wishes to claim for his people.

Tywin: You can admire my castle as much as you want, Lord Rickard. I doubt it is going anywhere.

Rickard: Aye, apologies, Lord Tywin. In the North, such displays of wealth are rather rare, except for perhaps White Harbor. Make no mistake, Winterfell is a proud and ancient place. It has served as my family’s home for thousands of years and will serve for a thousand more, but it is a place of iron and stone, not gold.

Tywin: Indeed, though Casterly Rock is no different. Gold cannot build a castle like this, not alone. It requires steel as well. My ancestors don't, it is why we rule this castle and not House Casterly. That is also why I wished to speak with you, my lord. You have made no secret of your desire to create strong ties with the South. I wish to help you in that endeavor.

Rickard: How intriguing. Though perhaps you can start by telling me what you want in exchange?

Tywin: Straight to the point, I respect that. Very well, I seek to secure alliances for the future. For precautions.

Rickard: Should I ask why the Hand of the King is so interested in making alliances and preparations? Is there trouble?

Tywin: Not at all, at least not that I am certain of. But I cannot be too careful with this king. Aerys is unstable and unpredictable. He often has flights of fancy and forgets them the next day. He rules based on those who flatter him instead of those who offer good counsel. Such is not a way to govern the realm, so I must make preparations for any future threats, and the North is worth considering.

Rickard: True, but the North does not provide its swords so easily.

Tywin: A wise proposition. That is why I am here to offer my aid to your people. Though gold is what gave my people their wealth, it is trade and investment that allowed us to keep it. I will provide loans for the North, investing in your infrastructure, and help secure additional trade deals so that your people’s resources are less strained. However, in exchange, I require that you send a son to be warded with me. As a show of this friendship.

Rickard: Yes, yes. We have such wardships in the North as well. However, I am interested in allying with more than just the Lannisters. My desire is to strengthen ties with all of the south, not just the Westerlands. I hope you can help me there.

Tywin: Yes, of course. I still have close ties to the Lord of Storm’s End. I hope to convince him to send one of his sons as well. His eldest is close to your second son’s age, I believe. Perhaps it might open the doors for future negotiations.

Rickard seems satisfied with that, and they continue their talks. Trade deals and loans are brought up and approved. By the end, they also agree that Lord Rickard will send his second son, Eddard, to ward with Tywin Lannister.

Soon after, his talks with Steffan Baratheon also yield similar results as he agrees to send his eldest son and heir, Robert, as well. He uses their old friendship as a way to convince him of it.

The boys arrive in Casterly Rock a month later. The two marvel at the great castle carved into the very mountain. They are equally impressed by Tywin Lannister, who greets them in his great hall.


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