Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 116 Robert's Funeral

Upon receiving news of Robert's death, Stannis Baratheon immediately sealed off the island and ordered his fleet to assemble at Dragonstone.

As Robert's rightful heir, he believed the throne was rightfully his, and Joffrey's coronation was a blatant challenge to royal legitimacy.

He drafted a letter declaring his kingship to the various lords in the name of "the rightful king of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men".

At Storm's End, Renly Baratheon, concealing his castration, sets off for Highgarden to marry Margaery Tyrell and, with the help of the Reach, become king.

Highgarden, the Reach nobles were plunged into unprecedented chaos.

Mace Tyrell was arrogant and boastful, having called the Dothraki "wild dogs" and "bandits," and firmly believed that the knights of the Reach could easily defeat these barbarians.

However, Lahallo's victory was a humiliating defeat for the Tyrell family, who suffered heavy losses and were forced to pay ransom and warships.

Old-school nobles like Randall Tarly were extremely dissatisfied with Mace's underestimation of the enemy and his reckless advance, but they had no choice but to support House Tyrell and maintain the overall honor of the Reach.

After their previous crushing defeat, they were all overshadowed by Lahalo, and many lords began to favor scorched earth tactics to avoid encountering the Dothraki cavalry in open battle.

After Renly arrived in Highgarden, "Lady of Thorns" Olenna demanded 700,000 gold dragons from the Iron Throne, citing Robert's unjust plunder of Highgarden ships, and also supported Renly's ascension to the throne.

News of Eddard Stark's death arrived at Winterfell along with Robert's defeat, and the entire North mourned.

At this time, the young Robb Stark led 18,000 troops to garrison Carin Bay, ready to march south at any moment.

In the south, Tywin Lannister, upon learning of Tyrion's capture, personally led an army of 20,000 men along the Golden Road toward the Red Fork.

Another force of 15,000, led by Kevan Lannister, captured Golden Tooth, and Clement Pepper, a Tully vassal, was killed in battle. The army then advanced on Riverrun.

Meanwhile, Tywin Lannister also dispatched a small force led by Gregor Clegane, "The Mountain," disguised as bandits, to plunder the Riverlands.

When Tywin received news of Robert's death, he immediately changed his plans. Unlike the original story where he advanced triumphantly, he led his army to capture Pink City. From there, he could threaten Riverrun to the north and reach King's Landing to the south. He also ordered Kevan on the northern front to retreat and return to Golden Tooth to defend the city.

Tywin was a cautious man, and while shocked, he knew that Rahalo's victory over Robert was no accident, and the threat posed by the Dothraki should not be underestimated.

However, his immediate priority was to ensure Joffrey's secure throne and the Lannisters' dominance; family honor was paramount, and he would stop at nothing to safeguard it.

Upon learning the news, Baron Greyjoy immediately convened the Council of Captains in the Iron Islands. Robert's death meant that the Seven Kingdoms were about to fall into chaos, which was a golden opportunity for the Ironborn to rise again.

Baron began planning a large-scale raid to make the Iron Islands great again, with two primary targets: Lannisport in the west and Deepwoodburg in the north.

Dorn's reaction was as Zen as ever; the horses went on as usual, the dancing continued, and Doran, Oberyn, and others gathered at Flowing Gardens for a simple celebration of this "belated justice."

In addition, while maintaining a neutral stance on the surface, they secretly continued to strengthen their alliance with Lajalo.

Since Nymeria went to the Grass Sea and experienced a fierce battle, the flood washed away the Dragon King Temple, and she was utterly defeated and begged for mercy.

After returning home, he missed Laharlal no more and could no longer stay at home. He was eager to take the Fleur twins to Pentos to settle the score with Laharlal.

...

Amid this tense atmosphere, King's Landing held Robert's funeral at the Great Cathedral of Baelor.

Seven enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the dome, casting colorful light onto the ground, while a rich, incense-like aroma filled the air to mask the stench emanating from the corpses.

Robert was placed on a black marble pedestal, surrounded by seven candles, dressed in a black mourning robe with gold thread, his hands crossed over his chest, and his warhammer resting on his body.

The huge wound on the abdomen had been carefully treated, the internal organs had been removed and stuffed with spices, and two stones with seven-pointed stars were placed in the eyes, symbolizing the seven gods guiding the soul of the deceased to the afterlife.

The archbishop, dressed in a seven-colored robe and holding seven holy oils, stood on the steps to preside over the ceremony.

“We have gathered here today to bid farewell to Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm…” Cersei Lannister stood beside the coffin, dressed in black, her golden hair veiled behind a black gauze, her face filled with sorrow.

Prince Joffrey stood beside his mother, tall and slender, dressed in a magnificent black and gold robe, his crown adorned with lions and stags. His expression held a mixture of impatience and a morbid excitement.

In a corner of the sanctuary, Sansa Stark, dressed in mourning clothes, stood between several handmaids, her eyes red and swollen, her body trembling.

Since her father's "accidental" fall into the water, she has been a prisoner of the royal family, although no one says so publicly.

Jaime, dressed in the white robes of the Kingsguard, stood guard not far away.

The Kingsguard stood in formation, except for Barristan Selmy, the old knight who had been dismissed for being "old and incompetent."

After the archbishop finished reading the lengthy eulogy, seven church attendants, each carrying an incense burner, walked toward the coffin, each taking seven steps to represent the blessings of the seven gods.

Next came the farewell ceremony, where nobles stepped forward one by one to pay their respects to the deceased king.

Cersei was the first; she suppressed her urge to vomit and leaned down to gently kiss her husband's forehead.

Joffrey followed behind his mother, his gaze sweeping over his father's warhammer, a glint of greed flashing in his emerald eyes.

When it was Sansa's turn, she knelt on the steps, tears streaming down her face.

Robb, her brother, is confronting the Lannisters when she is informed that her father has drowned. Prince Joffrey is no longer the elegant heir apparent heir; he insults and abuses her daily, leaving her alone and helpless in King's Landing.

Ironically, no one was truly saddened for Robert; his brothers were all absent, his wife was putting on an act, and his "son" was already eager to seize power.

Sansa cried the most, but unfortunately, not a single tear was shed for Robert.

At the end of the ceremony, the archbishop raised the holy oil, saying, "The Seven Gods have accepted the soul of King Robert Baratheon."

May the Father judge him justly, may the warrior grant him strength, may the blacksmith help him rebuild his life, and may the stranger guide him to the eternal kingdom.

Then, seven Imperial Guards carried the coffin away from the sanctuary and headed to the royal mausoleum.

Cersei and Joffrey followed behind, with members of the royal family and nobles forming a long line behind them.

In the distance, the death knell tolls.

Jaime, along with the other Kingsguard, escorted the coffin through the streets.

Robert was like a bull when he was alive, and as heavy as a mountain when he died. They walked very slowly, covered in sweat.

The streets were lined with people dressed in black; women covered their faces and wept, men wore sorrowful expressions, and children curiously observed the funeral procession.

Robert was an alcoholic and a philanderer, not a good king, but to these ordinary people, he defeated the mad king and brought peace.

Now, he is dead at the hands of barbarians in a foreign land, and all that is in people's eyes is fear.

“Look at them,” Jaime said to another Kingsguard, “as if the Dothraki are going to storm the city gates tomorrow.”

Sir Barristan left, not even recognizing the man beside him.

Jaime recalled the explosion, and even now he still felt lingering fear. Five Kingsguard, the most valiant knights of the Seven Kingdoms, had died just like that, utterly powerless against the explosion.

What can resist that force?

(End of this chapter)