In the World of Ice and Fire, the year 298 after Aegon's Conquest is just about to come to an end. But while the year comes to an end, a war has just started. The War of Five Kings is in full swing, but a great tragedy has impacted the realm of Westeros: Ned Stark is dead.
The Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North has been executed for treason. With his death, a lot of things changed.
Joffrey Baratheon is now king, without the truth of his heritage having a chance to be leaked by Ned Stark. This way, he tightens his control over King's Landing. However, killing the man was not a wise decision, not for the war against the North. With his death, the Lannisters lose a powerful hostage. The North is now fully willing to go the distance and destroy House Lannister, despite them believing that Arya and Sansa, of House Stark, remain hostages. Arya is not a hostage, but the Northern host doesn't know that.
The North's campaign changes from demanding the full release of their Lord to secession, where Robb Stark is also the legitimate Lord of his house. But not only that, he is declared as 'King of the North' by the enthusiastic Greatjon Umber. His strategic acumen has already proven to be impressive, as he managed to capture Jaime Lannister and gain a Lannister hostage of his own.
So, the Lannisters only hold their own domain, the Westerlands, and most of the Crownlands, as well as a small conquered strip of the southern Riverlands. Meanwhile, the Starks control the North and most of the Riverlands. Renly commands the full might of the Stormlands, as well as the Reach, with the backing of House Tyrell and their vassals. Stannis, on the other hand, only has the backing of the outlying houses of the Stormlands along the shores of the Narrow Sea, sworn to Dragonstone. At this time, the other three kingdoms, the Vale of Arryn, Dorne and the Iron Islands, have not yet declared their support for any side in the conflict.
.
At the Lannister Camp, which is located near the Crossroads Inn, Tywin Lannister, the Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the Westerlands, is holding a strategy meeting with his generals. They are all seated at a table, with Tyrion, Tywin's youngest son, at the other end. Tywin himself is standing with his back turned to them. No one says anything, no one dares, concerning what they have found out. The Young Wolf, Robb Stark, captured Jaime Lannister.
"They have my son," Tywin says finally.
"The Stark Boy appears to be less green than we'd hoped," Tyrion says.
"I heard his wolf killed a dozen men and as many horses."
"Is it true about Stannis and Renly?"
"Both Baratheon brothers have taken up against us. Jaime captured, his armies scattered... It's a catastrophe," Tywin's brother, Kevan, describes the war. "Perhaps, we should sue for peace."
Kevan's suggestion, while going against the Lion's pride, does make sense. Both Stannis and Renly are vying for the Iron Throne, which an imbecile sits on. So they are fighting a three-front war now, against a bloodlusted Robb Stark. Tyrion flicks his glass off the table and breaks it. Everyone looks at him.
"There's your peace. Joffrey saw to that when he removed Ned Stark's head. You'll have an easier time drinking from that cup than you have getting Robb Stark to the table now. He's winning, in case you hadn't noticed."
"I'm told we still have his sisters," Kevan argues.
"First order of business is ransoming Ser Jaime."
"No truce. We can't afford to look weak. We should march on them at once."
"First, we must return to Casterly Rock to raise-"
"They have my son!" Tywin raises his voice and finally turns around.
No one dares to say anything anymore. Tywin's gaze pierces into all the others' faces.
"Get out, all of you," he commands.
Everyone hurries to leave the tent, not wanting to deal with an angry Tywin at this moment. Even Kevan leaves the tent rather hurriedly. Tywin sits down and looks at Tyrion, who is also walking out.
"Not you," Tywin says, stopping him from leaving.
Tyrion looks at his father and walks forward, sitting in the chair next to Tywin's. However, as he is about to reach for the jug of wine, Tywin reaches for it first, stopping him from taking any. In a demonstration of authority, Tywin fills both of their cups.
"You were right about Ned Stark. If he were alive, we could use him to broker a peace with Winterfell and Riverrun, which would have given us more time to deal with Robert's brothers. But now? Madness. Madness and stupidity," Tywin starts.
He looks at Tyrion.
"I always thought you were a stunted fool. Perhaps I was wrong."
"Half-wrong. I'm new to strategy, but unless we want to be surrounded by three armies, we can't stay here," Tyrion says.
"No one will stay here. Ser Gregor will head out with 500 riders and set the Riverlands on fire, from Godseye to the Red Fork. The rest will regroup at Harrenhal. You will go to King's Landing."
"And do what?" Tyrion asks.
"Rule. You will serve as Hand of the King in my stead. You'll bring that boy-king to heel and his mother too if needs be, and if we get so much as a whiff of treason from any of the rest, Varys, Pycelle-"
"Heads, spikes, walls. Why not my uncles... why not anyone, why me?" Tyrion asks.
"You're my son," Tywin says. "Oh, and one more thing. You will not take that whore to court. Do you understand?"
"Where will you go?" Tyrion asks.
"I will head to fingers."
"The Fingers? Or one in particular?" Tyrion asks.
"Baelish Keep, to be exact."
"For relaxation, trade, or information?"
"For Petyr Baelish," Tywin says.
"Petyr Baelish? What do we want from the littlefinger?" Tyrion asks.
"He shall return to Court. Among all the incompetence and idiocy, we need at least one who is capable."
"True, but I thought you wanted to remove all those who speak of treason. Now, you want to include someone who not even Robert Baratheon could control?" Tyrion says.
"The Crown is in debt. Ever since Lord Baelish left his position as Master of Coin, Robert's spending has plunged the realm into a financial hole. Say what you will about him, but he knows what he is doing. Which is more than what I can say for most men I know."
"But do you think he would agree? He didn't even agree to return when Jon Arryn summoned him, the Warden of the Vale. But that was during a time of peace. Now we have a war going on, he would technically be choosing sides," Tyrion says.
"Which is why I need to go personally. I don't trust anyone else to get him to consider. Now, leave. The sooner you go, the better," Tywin says and leaves the tent.
.
"It's shit," Arla says to Petyr.
"Well, that's a bit harsh, no?"
"No. I can understand why you left when you did. This backwards planet, so filled with filth and backstabbing. At least it explains a lot."
Petyr turns towards her and narrows his eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asks.
"It means that while it may have reduced somewhat, you are constantly thinking 20 moves ahead and planning on all fronts. You are not against sacrificing people you know to get what you want. And this is the reason why you are the way you are. You either do that, or you die," Arla says.
"..."
"Don't look at me like that, I knew what kind of person you were and still fell for you. I can't help it for some reason. And so far, you haven't replaced me with a loyal duplicate."
"You will not be replaced, Arla. I was not aware you had such fears," Petyr admits.
"I don't. I vowed to die for you when I was 14, and I have only grown more dependent on you since. No matter what your reasons were, you haven't forced me to do anything yet. I could leave, and you would allow it. But I wouldn't want that. So as long as you can stand me, you are stuck with me," Arla says.
This was a rare moment where Arla revealed her feelings to Petyr. Growing up and understanding that you are meant to be a tool is hard. But over time, Petyr changed his mind and saw Arla as more than just another tool to use. She noticed this fact, and it was this that made her feel special. She was special in that regard, even if Petyr hadn't realised it initially. He was now well aware of it. Arla was special to him, one of the few things he hadn't planned, but allowed to happen. And that made it all the more precious.
Ironically, it was this level of truth between them that made their bond such a strong one. Arla grew up willing to be the tool Petyr raised her to be, but when he no longer saw her as such, her loyalty and affection only grew. There were no secrets between them, since Petyr never thought things would develop this way.
He pulls her close and they kiss passionately.
"Then let us test those words," Petyr says and walks over to his desk.
He takes out a letter and hands it to Arla. She goes over it, and as she does, her eyes twitch. She looks at Petyr, who observes her with interest.
"Who is Lysa? And why did she want to have you do... those things to her?" she asks.
"She is the sister of a girl who was my first crush. Currently, she is the one who controls the Vale, which is the region we are in right now."
"And the disgusting other things?"
"Well, she might be... infatuated with me... slightly."
"Is that so?"
"Tell me more."
"Really? It's not that interesting. Children of prominent families are sent to other prominent houses to be fostered and learn from them. It is meant as a way to deepen relationships and get the next generation to be close to one another. Not very interesting at all," Petyr explains.
"And you? Were you also fostered?"
"Indeed. My father got lucky, I suppose and got into Lord Tully's good graces in a way. War has a way of getting people together or killing them. I used to own nothing but a small tower and the land surrounding it after my father passed away. Long story, short, I went to Riverrun to be fostered under Lord Tully. He has two daughters, Catelyn and Lysa and a son, Edmure.
Over time, I grew to fall for the young Catelyn Tully, but she didn't see me that way. It was a rather embarrassing situation, since her younger sister, Lysa, did in fact have a thing for me, if you will. I, however, didn't want anything to do with her. A classic. Eventually, the time came when Lord Tully arranged for his eldest daughter, who happened to be his pride and joy, to marry. She was betrothed to Brandon Stark, the much larger, broader and older heir to House Stark of the North."
Arla listens to the tale, genuinely interested to hear the origins of the untouchable Petyr.
"I challenged him to a duel. I had no real armour, or a good sword and was of short stature and weak at the time. He beat me easily, but refused to kill me, because he took pity on me. I refused to consider his option of giving up, as I wanted to win Catelyn's hand in marriage. Needless to say, I lost badly and almost died.
When I awoke roughly a week later, I was called to Lord Hoster Tully's solar, where he told me that I had disgraced him and his House and that I was to leave Riverrun at once."
"Just like that? Without anything? Quite harsh, for a lad who has nothing to his name."
"Perhaps. But not really. This world is cruel and harsh, and weakness is killed off very early on. The truly unlucky ones are abused or tortured. Might makes right in this world, and I understood that at least after the incident. I was lucky as my 'gift' materialised in the powers you know of.
I returned to Baelish's Keep, created several merchant ships, and had the docks constructed. Then I sailed to Essos and began selling a wide range of goods, quickly rising in both wealth and fame among the merchant community. I didn't have to do it, since money was no longer a problem. Nothing was a problem anymore. But it was for appearances' sake. I wanted to experience the rise in power and status. I wanted to meet Hoster Tully, Catelyn and even Edmure again, but with the roles reversed."
Petyr looks into the distance, remembering it. A considerable amount of time has passed since then. He smiles.
"Haha, it was a childish reason to do it. I robbed the Iron Bank of Braavos and then appeared as the saviour who lent them thousands of gold coins, allowing them to keep their little 'accident' a secret. I discovered that it was amusing and enjoyable to be the one who pulls the strings. I set my sights on the bigger stage, other universes, other realities and bigger chessboards... until I found you," Petyr looks at Arla.
"In a way, you changed things. I realised that Master Oogway was not wrong in his way. His vision was limited to his reality, but he was not mistaken. Being the ultimate manipulator was a very lonely experience. No one to trust, everyone to use how I pleased... I didn't dislike it, to be honest. I still don't. But it is different now. I found myself genuinely caring for you and wanting to see you succeed. I pushed you all the more for it. And now, I find myself with what I swore myself I would never have..."
"And what's that?" Arla asks.
"A lack of control."
_____________________________________
So, this is to show that Petyr is serious about Arla. No puppetry when it comes to her. I chose her as the FML because it seemed to be a good fit. She is utterly loyal, very smart and skilled as well. She will only grow more powerful as time passes.
I hope this was somewhat alright.