The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Jaime said, "My lords, the Northmen would never march south."

"Ser Jaime, we have indeed received word from our own people that the Northmen are gathering in the winter villages, with Lord Jon Umber as the vanguard of the army. His Northmen have already passed the First Men's Tomb," Lord Mace said in a deep voice.

"I have a question," Jaime said. "The Night's Watch Commander Jon Snow of the Wall sent a raven, asking us to send troops and supplies to the Wall to help them fight the Others. If the Wall is in dire straits, the first person he would ask for help is not us, but Robb Stark. Robb Stark would definitely send troops to the Wall. So where would the Northmen get the troops to march south?!"

"Ser Jaime, the Riverlands swore allegiance to Robb Stark. Randyll Tarly withdrew his troops, and the siege of Riverrun was lifted without a fight. The Northmen seized the opportunity to march south and retake the Riverlands. This is the best time. Robb is a resourceful commander. You must not underestimate him," the Mountain said slowly.

Jaime's face stiffened!

During the Battle of Riverrun two years ago, Robb's cavalry launched a surprise attack and captured him in the forest, imprisoning him in the dungeons of Riverrun. After the Imp's attempt to break him out failed, Jaime was placed under even stricter guard. Later, to save his life, Jaime offered to become a member of the Night's Watch at the Wall. He was at the Wall when he gained the trust of Duke Eddard Stark and returned to King's Landing.

Duke Eddard hoped that Jaime would tell the King and people of King's Landing what he had seen at the Wall, so that the Seven Kingdoms could gather their strength to reinforce the Night's Watch. Eddard's hope was beautiful, but as soon as Jaime left the Wall, he disappeared.

*

"With the Others attacking, Robb Stark would never have the mind to attack the Iron Throne. This contradicts the fact that Jon Snow sent a raven asking the Iron Throne to send troops to support the Wall. The Stark family sending troops south must be a bluffing conspiracy," Jaime said slowly.

"Even so, it is imperative to elect a Hand of the King," the Mountain said, raising his voice slightly.

There was no deal in his transaction with Jaime regarding who should be the Hand.

Lord Mace looked at King Tommen, "Your Majesty, what is your opinion?"

"I agree to elect a Hand of the King to handle government affairs," King Tommen decided.

Margaery Tyrell gave the King an encouraging and charming look. Her smile was radiant.

Jaime noticed Margaery's look!

Just this look, full of encouragement, love, tenderness, and admiration, would make Cersei burn with jealousy and see Margaery as an enemy. Jaime understood Cersei's character. Margaery had gained Tommen's trust and love, which Cersei would definitely not feel happy about. Cersei may not understand her 'inner self,' but Jaime saw it very clearly.

Children were Cersei's weakness. She loved her children, and this maternal love was pure and selfish. She wanted each child to do things according to her ideas. She could not allow another woman to take her children away, and she would be jealous that Margaery received her children's heartfelt love.

Grand Maester Qyburn said, "Your Majesty, will you personally appoint the Hand of the King, or will the Small Council vote?"

"Let's vote. That's fairer," King Tommen said.

Jaime closed his mouth.

The King had made a decision, and he had to abide by it.

"I nominate Lord Mountain as Hand of the King," Lord Mace said.

Jaime's heart skipped a beat. If Mace Tyrell proposed that the Mountain be the Hand of the King, then the Mountain would definitely be it.

The Tyrell family's influence, coupled with the Mountain's strength, had determined that the Mountain's votes would inevitably win.

But he had a deal with the Mountain. Jaime would not reveal the Mountain's secrets, but the Mountain had to leave King's Landing. If the Mountain left King's Landing, he naturally could not be the Hand of the King.

But what if the Mountain insisted on being the Hand of the King?

In terms of military strength, Jaime was the weakest. The two capable generals who accompanied him to Dorne to bring back Princess Myrcella also came from the Mountain's command: Bronn and Podrick.

The battered thousands of Westerlands troops were no match for the Mountain's Clegane men.

Jaime stared at the Mountain.

The Mountain opened his mouth, "Your Majesty, my lords, I have a bad reputation. The people and nobles fear my strength rather than love my character. I don't understand the law, and I can't handle government affairs. I am not suitable to be the Hand of the King. I recommend the strongest, Lord Mace Tyrell, from an ancient noble family, to be the Hand of the King."

Jaime understood: The Mountain had kept his promise.

Mace understood: The Mountain had kept his promise.

Jaime's gaze towards the Mountain softened. The Mountain's power would withdraw from King's Landing, and that was the condition he had secured.

After consulting His Majesty the King, everyone nominated two candidates for the Hand of the King: Duke Mace Tyrell and Duke Gregor Clegane.

In the throne room, for the first time, a situation arose where the candidates did not compete for the position of Hand.

This was an unbelievable phenomenon. The position of Hand was a high position that people would kill and set fires to fight for. It was absolutely impossible for them to be humble to each other.

King Tommen suggested, "My lords, those who agree that Duke Mace should be the Hand of the King, please raise your hands."

Bronn was the first to raise his hand!

Margaery Tyrell raised her hand second!

Jaime Lannister raised his hand third!

The Mountain raised his hand fourth!

Bernie Clegane and Wagner Gahr raised their hands at the same time!

A total of nine votes, and six votes already supported Duke Mace Tyrell as the Hand.

Even if everyone else supported the Mountain, the Mountain's votes would not be enough.

Mace's face showed an uncontrollable joy! His eyes sparkled!

Grand Maester Qyburn also raised his hand!

Seven votes!

Finally, the child king Tommen also raised his hand!

Eight votes!

Tommen and Margaery were already engaged, just waiting for a royal wedding. Tommen was looking forward to his mother returning to attend his wedding. Mace Tyrell was his father-in-law, the most important person under the King. Of course, it would be best if it was Margaery's father, Lord Mace, so that Queen Margaery would be happy.

Eight votes!

Mace had created a miracle.

As long as he voted for himself, it would be nine votes, unanimously elected as Hand of the King.

Finally, Mace raised his hand. He looked around at everyone: "It is meaningless whether I cast this vote or not. It can't change everyone's will. Since everyone insists on electing me as Hand of the King, it would be disrespectful to everyone if I refused again. Okay, I'll cast my vote too."

Thus, Mace was unanimously elected as Hand of the King!

*

"Lord Hand, I propose that Jaime Lannister be appointed Commander of the Kingsguard, and I recommend Ser Garlan Tyrell, Ser Gerold Hightower, and Ser Gwayne Hightower as Kingsguard to fill the vacancies in the Kingsguard."

Jaime was no stranger to the Hightower family of the Iron Islands.

For hundreds of years, the iron ore in the Westerlands had come from the Iron Islands. Among them, the Hightower family of Hammerhorn was the main supplier. The iron ore on other islands of the Iron Islands was decreasing day by day. Some had been completely mined out for hundreds of years, while the Hightower family's mountains still had amazing iron ore reserves. They were the family with the most abundant iron ore reserves on the Iron Islands.

The meeting proposal was presided over by Hand of the King Mace. Jaime Lannister was unanimously elected as Commander of the Kingsguard, and Garlan Tyrell was unanimously elected as Kingsguard.

Next was the vote on the Hightower brothers.

Bronn was the first to speak out against Gerold and Gwayne Hightower as Kingsguard. The reason was simple: they were Iron Islanders, Ironborn.

Jaime also opposed it in his heart, but he had a secret agreement with the Mountain. The Mountain had made concessions in many aspects, but in some aspects, his requirements had to be met: such as voting to support the Hightower brothers as Kingsguard.

The addition of Kingsguard members was very grand. The Kingsguard brothers needed to personally put on white robes for them, and the High Septon needed to personally preside over the ceremony. The level of the ceremony belonged to the royal family level, and it was extremely honorable.

The Mountain said in a deep voice, "Commander Bronn, if the great nobles of the Seven Kingdoms trace back to the past, the establishment of many families is extremely disgraceful and not noble. The Iron Islands have repeatedly rebelled, but it was not the Hightower family of Hammerhorn who rebelled. We cannot impose our hostility towards the Iron Islands on the Hightower family."

"The Hightower family has not made any contribution to the kingdom!" Bronn said coldly.

The Mountain sat as if others were standing. He stared down at Bronn and said slowly, "You are wrong, Commander of the City Watch. While we are sitting here comfortably in meetings, 10,000 Clegane troops in the Westerlands are fighting side by side with Earl Hightower's 2,000 Ironborn warriors to attack Pyke, Great Wyk, Old Wyk, Blacktyde, Harlaw, Saltcliffe, and Orkmont for the unification of King Tommen. I not only want to recommend the two knights of the Hightower family as Kingsguard, but also recommend Earl Hightower as the Governor of the Iron Islands. Please issue an order from His Majesty the King and Lord Hand and summon Earl Hightower to King's Landing to kneel and submit to His Majesty King Tommen and swear never to betray."

Bronn was speechless!

Commander Bronn's height was in the realm of resisting the Iron Islanders, while the Mountain's height was in the realm of national unification. The royal family's closeness to the Hightower family could exchange for the Iron Islands kneeling and submitting. This was what the royal family wanted most and was the most important national event.

When the Mountain said the words 'swear never to betray,' he emphasized his tone and raised his voice.

Although he killed Kevan, he had always been loyal to the King and cleared the King's side. After the Clegane troops entered the city, except for killing the stubbornly resisting royal family and Hand's guards when attacking the Red Keep, they did not commit any crimes against other courtiers, nobles, or ordinary people.

The Mountain's words left Bronn speechless!

"Your Majesty, Lord Hand, the Mountain is the Warden of the West and Master of War. He has the responsibility to help the country conquer the Iron Islands and supervise the Iron Islands' loyalty," the Mountain said slowly, as if afraid that others would not hear clearly.

"Let's vote!" Lord Mace announced after looking at King Tommen's expression.

"I abstain!" Jaime said. Although the Commander of the Kingsguard did not agree, he did not object either. As the new Commander of the Kingsguard, Jaime's decision made Commander Bronn feel very uncomfortable.

"I object!" Bronn said resolutely.

The Mountain raised his hand first, followed by Master of Ships Wagner Gahr, Master of Whisperers Bernie Clegane, and Grand Maester Qyburn.

4 votes!

With one person objecting and one person abstaining, the Hightower brothers' votes had just reached half, and they still needed the most critical vote.

Finally, under everyone's attention, Lord Hand Mace Tyrell raised his hand!

Five votes!

The Hightower brothers successfully entered the royal family, became Kingsguard brothers, and became the closest comrades with Jaime Lannister.

Unless dismissed by the royal family, the Kingsguard will serve the royal family for life, equivalent to becoming a member of the royal family.

For the Kingsguard, they eat and live with the King, Queen, and Queen Mother day and night. The royal family has no secrets from them.

"Can Captain Jaime trust the loyalty of the Hightower brothers?" Commander Bronn said with a very ugly face.

"I will manage my brothers well!" Jaime said slowly. Without a doubt, as long as the Hightower brothers were a little disloyal, Jaime would kill them.

Jaime was not not smart, not brave, not cruel. He had no interest in the fame and wealth that the nobles desperately pursued, and he disdained fighting. He didn't care about the inheritance of Casterly Rock and the family wealth since he was sensible. Now that his father and uncle were dead, whether he wanted to or not, the responsibility of Cersei and Tommen had to be borne by him.

Once Jaime put his heart into it, he was also a shrewd and difficult person to deal with.

Lord Mace was very happy that he had filled the royal family's most important protective force, the Kingsguard, in the short time he had been Hand!

Except for the Mountain's two Hightower knights that Mace didn't understand, Mace was very relieved about the other five Kingsguard. With Jaime and Garlan protecting Tommen and Margaery, Mace believed that his daughter Margaery and son-in-law Tommen's safety was guaranteed.

Mace said, "My lords...there are several very important things to deal with now: the Northmen's southward march, the Dornish peace..."

"No, Lord Hand, before dealing with other national affairs, I have an internal proposal regarding the Small Council, which is very important!" Jaime interrupted Lord Mace's words.

Mace felt slightly uncomfortable in his heart, "Okay, Captain Jaime, what do you want to say?"

"I propose to dismiss Wagner Gahr from the position of Master of Ships. We must re-elect a Commander of the Royal Navy. This person must understand the most important point: even the Hand and the Master of War have no right to mobilize the Royal Navy fleet to participate in any family's civil war. This time, the conflict between the Master of War and the Lord Hand, the Royal Navy fleet should not have intervened, nor did it have the right to intervene, unless His Majesty the King personally ordered it. No one, except His Majesty the King, has the right to mobilize the Royal Navy."

King Tommen, Queen Margaery, Hand Mace, and Commander Bronn were all shocked!

According to the law, the Commander of the Kingsguard is the only person 'who can speak out against even the King in the Small Council' without being punished for his words.

The law is the law, but Jaime immediately attacked Wagner Gahr, the Master of Ships, under the Mountain's strong presence. Weren't they afraid of the Mountain's rage?

Wagner was from Crackclaw Point, and the people of Crackclaw Point revered the Mountain as their king. Crackclaw Point was an isolated place within the Crownlands, and no one in history had ever conquered the peninsula except the Targaryen dragons.

The Mountain dared to confront Kevan largely because of the full support of the Royal Navy fleet warriors.

But this actually goes against the interests of the royal family.

No one except the King should be able to mobilize the Royal Navy fleet, nor should they be able to.

Jaime and the Mountain spent the entire night at the Mountain's Stone Cell arguing fiercely, all to regain control of the Royal Navy fleet and absolute authority over the Kingsguard.

In this Mountain versus Kevan affair, the Mountain made a mistake, and so did Kevan. The Mountain utilized the Royal Navy fleet, and Kevan mobilized the royal guards of Maegor's Holdfast. Both of them exceeded their authority.

The royal guards of Maegor's Holdfast and the Royal Navy fleet can only be mobilized by one person: His Majesty the King!

Jaime didn't care about Lord Mace's incessant chatter about the northerners marching south and the Dornishmen's rebellion. He wanted to immediately rectify the King's legal authority: first, the Royal Navy, and second, the royal guards of Maegor's Holdfast.

These two major military forces must have their military power returned to one person: His Majesty the King!

Lord Hand Mace did not know Jaime's plan beforehand. This was a new problem. He felt it was necessary to avoid angering the Mountain, but seeing Jaime's expression, this issue could not be bypassed and had to be resolved at today's meeting.

Removing Vargo Hoat from his position as Master of Ships was a tricky issue. Unless the Mountain relented, mishandling it would cause severe turmoil within the royal family, with unpredictable consequences!

Lord Mace stole a glance at the Mountain's expression. The Mountain was neither angry nor upset, his expression was surprisingly calm.

The Mountain's impassivity made Lord Mace even more uneasy.

This major, crucial, and thorny issue immediately revealed the shortcomings of Lord Mace's political abilities.

*

ps: Temporarily owe 1 update, will make it up.

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