chapter 159 part 1
Chapter 159: The Long Day
Father, brother, sister… Eddard Stark had bid farewell to many of his closest kin. They had been gone for a long time, but every time he thought of them, his heart still filled with an indescribable bitterness.
Robert, his good friend, his brother… another beloved person was about to leave him. Eddard closed his eyes in anguish, his heart feeling as if it were being torn apart.
"Winter is coming..." Lord Eddard opened his eyes. This was not the time to allow himself to wallow in sorrow. His gaze gradually sharpened.
A serving girl was carefully wiping Robert's face. Lord Eddard took a long look at his sleeping old friend, as if to sear Robert's image deep into his memory.
Once he had dealt with matters here, he would immediately leave King's Landing, a city full of painful memories. He would commemorate his old friend in the Godswood of Winterfell.
Lord Eddard turned around and asked Pycelle, "How much longer can he live?"
Pycelle replied with a somber expression, "Hand of the King, I will do everything in my power to treat him, but the King's wounds are too severe. I can only ease his pain. The rest… can only be left to the gods. May the gods be merciful."
Though he already knew the answer, Lord Eddard still felt a pang of pain in his heart upon hearing it.
"Look after the King."
After giving the instruction, Lord Eddard strode towards the door. Before opening it, he couldn't help but look back one more time at his old friend on the sickbed.
*May the gods protect you...* Lord Eddard averted his gaze.
...
Outside the King's chambers, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard stood a faithful watch.
Lord Eddard spoke, "Ser Barristan, Robert has just drunk some milk of the poppy. Without my consent, no one is to disturb his rest."
"As you command, Hand of the King."
The aged and resolute Ser Barristan seemed to have aged a great deal more. "I have failed in my sacred duty."
Lord Eddard thought back to the old days… when hunting boars, Robert, spear in hand, would always stand his ground without flinching. He would often shout and curse as the boar charged, waiting until the beast was about to pounce on him before accurately and cleanly piercing it with a single thrust.
Lord Eddard reached out and patted Ser Barristan's arm. "Ser Barristan, the King has already told me the reason… even the most loyal and valiant knight cannot stop a drunken Robert."
Ser Barristan was still unable to forgive himself. "When we drove the boar from its lair, King Robert was already too drunk to stand steady, yet he still ordered us to stand aside. And I foolishly obeyed his command."
Renly spoke with a sorrowful expression, "No one can defy my brother's command."
Lord Eddard silently patted Renly, who looked so much like a younger Robert. He was right. At that moment, no one could have stopped Robert. Even if he himself had been there, he could not have done it.
Varys stepped forward from behind Lord Eddard. He gave a slight nod before speaking. "Ser Barristan, I am a bit curious… who brought the wine to the King?"
Barristan frowned and said, "King Robert was drinking from the wineskin he carried on his person."
Varys clasped his hands together, a strange smile appearing on his face. "Then I am even more curious. Could a single skin of wine make King Robert unable to stand steady? His tolerance for drink is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
As Varys's words fell, those present could not help but frown. This was indeed a point of suspicion.
Before anyone could ponder it deeply, Barristan explained, "Varys, His Grace surely drank more than one skin. Whenever he asked, his squire would bring him a new one. I didn't count the exact number, but I know it was many."
Varys nodded, his smile becoming more natural. "What a good boy, so loyal to his duty. King Robert never had to worry about running out of wine to drink."
He added, "Ser Barristan, could you tell me which squire was on duty that day?"
Before the old knight could speak, Lord Renly's eyes shifted slightly. "Varys, the squire that day was Lancel of House Lannister."
Varys first bowed his head to Lord Renly in thanks, then sighed, "So it was him. King Robert's new squire, son of Ser Kevan Lannister, nephew to Lord Tywin, and cousin to Queen Cersei.
"Lancel is a strong boy. I truly hope the good child does not blame himself too much. Children are always so fragile in their innocent youth; of this, I have deep personal experience."
Everyone certainly believed Varys had once been young, but they all doubted whether the Spider had ever been innocent.
No one spoke further, and they departed one by one.
...
The walk was silent. Just as Lord Eddard was about to reach the Tower of the Hand, Renly's voice called out.
"Eddard."
Lord Eddard stopped and looked over. Renly was still wearing his blood-stained clothes.
"Renly, you need to rest."
Renly shook his head with a pained expression. "I'm not in the mood for that yet."
Lord Eddard patted Renly comfortingly. "What is it you need me for?"
Renly's gaze swept the surroundings. "Eddard, I wish to speak with you about some matters, alone."
"Alright."
Lord Eddard trusted Lord Renly and agreed without hesitation, waving his hand to dismiss his guards.
Renly moved closer to Lord Eddard. "Eddard, that sealed letter with the will, does it concern the regency? Did my brother name you Protector of the Realm?"
He lowered his voice and continued, "Eddard, I have thirty personal guards, plus other knights and noble friends. Give me an hour, and I can give you a hundred men."
Lord Eddard stared at Lord Renly for a moment, puzzled. "Renly, what would I do with a hundred men?"
Lord Renly said urgently, "Eddard, to strike first, of course! We must act immediately, while everyone is still sound asleep."
Lord Eddard's face turned a little cold as he frowned. "Renly, what are you planning to do?"
Lord Renly didn't notice Lord Eddard's change in demeanor. His eyes shone with a kind of excitement that Lord Eddard could not comprehend.
"We must take Joffrey from his mother to use as a hostage. It doesn't matter who is Protector; whoever holds the King can command the Seven Kingdoms.
"We must also get our hands on Myrcella and Tommen. As long as we control Cersei's children, she won't dare to make a reckless move.
"Eddard, when the time comes, the council will recognize you as the Regent of the Seven Kingdoms and make you Joffrey's guardian..."
Lord Eddard cut him off coldly. "Renly, Robert has not yet drawn his last breath. For all we know, the gods may spare his life. If Robert passes, I will immediately convene the council, open the will, and discuss the matter of succession."
After a pause, he looked at the man who had become a stranger before him and added, "I will not commit murder and shed blood in Robert's final hours, nor will I commit the sin of forcibly dragging frightened and bewildered children from their sleep."
Lord Renly was stunned for a moment, his face flushing with urgency. "Eddard, this is no time for delay! Cersei will certainly not sit idly by. If you don't act preemptively, I fear it will be too late once Robert dies. Our situation will become extremely perilous."
Lord Eddard did not wish to argue further. "Then let us pray that Robert does not die."
Lord Renly, unwilling to give up, tried to persuade him again. "Eddard, we cannot deceive ourselves at a time like this. We know Robert's condition all too well. We absolutely cannot just sit here and wait to die!"
Lord Eddard said in a cold voice, "Renly, sometimes the gods are merciful."