The King who Bartered
Torrhen Stark knew that today would be the end of an independent Northern kingdom, but he would fight for everything he came to fight for regardless.
“King Torrhen,” The sister fucker said by way of greeting.
“Invader,” Torrhen said back. Both shared a slight smile, one filled with respect and disdain in equal measure. “Ladies,” He addressed Aegon's sisters with two small nods.
“King Torrhen,” Rhaenys said respectfully.
“Wolf fucker,” Visenya snapped at him. Both he and Brandon shared a laugh as she was scolded by her siblings.
“I understand that you wish to surrender,” Aegon prompted him to speak.
“Surrender is such a broad term,” Torrhen snorted. “I prefer the term alliance.”
“We have enough men and dragons to lay waste to your home, there is no need for anything but absolute surrender.”
“Aye, all the men from the fools you conquered and nine beasties to match. Quite the force you have. A force you could try and march up the Neck but we both know that you don't know how to navigate through it. Burning the North would see you finish what the Andals could never do: near complete destruction of the First Men and the native species of Westeros like the Children and the Giants.”
“And why should we care about a few measly creatures or you savages?” Visenya rolled her eyes. “The other lords would appreciate it if we did such a thing,” She said to her brother. “It would help further solidify our rule.”
“Your rule?” Brandon scoffed.
“Who asked you to speak bastard? Know your place in the presence of your betters.”
“His place is by my side as he is my brother, and he speaks true,” Torrhen remarked. “You think that we don't have ears? The Southerners don't refer to this campaign as your campaign but Aegon's. They don't see you as his equals -”
“They see you as lesser,” Brandon jumped in. “They all think that you don't belong on the battlefield but in the bed chamber, birthing heirs. We Northmen are hardly perfect but we recognize that women can be strong if not stronger in any situation. And is bastard supposed to be an insult? Is Lord Baratheon not your bastard brother? Or was that a lie?”
Visenya's face became pinched at having been reminded of her brother.
“You still haven't explained why we shouldn't just kill you all,” Rhaenys added quietly.
“Look to the Doom of your homeland,” Torrhen shrugged. “Your family survived that and there are very little Valyrian people left in the world. Could you live with yourselves if you destroyed an entire culture or at the very least, try to? There are still enough people with the Blood of the First Men in the south, but they have forsaken the True Gods of Westeros or they are very few in number to mount a sizable force.”
“Not to mention that the Southern lords despise incest as much as we do,” Brandon grinned when Visenya sneered at him. “Of course, we understand that it is a part of your culture even if we don't like it, but the Andals will never accept it and will hinder you any chance they get. You need only look to what a lot of them did when they invaded this continent.”
Aegon shared a thoughtful look with his sisters before he spoke.
“I cannot disagree with what you have stated but we cannot allow you to rule as King-”
“I won't be king in this alliance,” Torrhen said bluntly. “I will lay my sword at your feet and name you king, but with conditions that should be met if that is going to happen.”
“We cannot agree to anything without hearing them first.”
“Of course,” Torrhen nodded. “The first is this, we keep our customs and gods, meaning no law will be implemented to destroy our way of life. And should an attempt be made by those who follow the Faith of the Seven, you will deal with them permanently and swiftly.”
The siblings huddled together to speak quietly before nodding.
“Granted, but we must ask the the same of you.”
“Agreed. The next condition is that you do not take up the practice of slavery. Your ancestors did so and your brethren still practice this but it goes against common decency and the laws of my people. It would also endanger the alliance that the North has with Braavos. An alliance that has been in place for a long time and one that brings in a great amount of coin, some of which I would be willing to share.”
Braavos would rage at the idea of this but they needed the North just like the North needed them. They wouldn't throw away a friendship that had lasted for almost a thousand years.
“We have not and will never practice the act of slavery,” Rhaenys said as fiercely as a person her size could say without looking ridiculous. “You have our word.”
“Of course, we will need to discuss just how much of that coin you will give to the crown.” Visenya added with a smirk.
“Nothing extortionate,” Aegon gave his sister a warning look. “The North must have a lot of expense to go through I'm sure but we will not be cheated out of money.”
Torrhen nodded, that was fair.
“Should anyone feel that my decision was not within their best interest, you will permit them to leave and will not force them to stay in Westeros.”
“If they truly wish to leave then they may but should they return and wish to remain, it will be to swear fealty to our house. If any of them should return with the intent to cause trouble, they will be killed.”
“Agreed,” Torrhen inclined his head with a small amount of hesitation.
“You expect a lot of people to leave because of this,” Rhaenys looked at him with pity.
“A few of my sons will leave, of that I have no doubt,” Torrhen replied with a hint of sadness before he changed the subject. “There is still one more matter to deal with.”
“And that would be?”
“One of the greatest threats to humanity marches on the Wall. And we need your help.”