the hardships of king's

7/28/2019 The Hardships of King's

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The hardships of

Kings

By Eli Park


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The hardships of

Kings

By Eli Park


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For my loving family

Who have always stood behind me


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Table of contents

Prologue .. 5

Chapter 1 .. 9

Chapter 2 .. 14

Chapter 3 .. 19


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Prologue

The city of Roetathon was hot and humid. Crowds bustled

along the streets in packs stopping occasionally for charred meat of

dubious origin. Over the past couple of week crowds had flocked

leaving the inns of the city packed and the streets crowd for today

was the crowning of the new King.

The previous king had been an old and feeble man who did

little more then spend his days in alone locked up in his tower. Years

went by without progress and the people began to complain. Crops

were failing, cities dying and the King sat, not lifting a finger,

watching the people starve. The last winter had been a miracle but

somehow the people had made it. The kingdom would last one more

year.


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But there was a reason the crowds came to the city. For the

kings son was a man loved by his people. A renowned warrior, a

scholar, the prince had the support of his people. He had often rode

into the city followed by crates of food for the poor and time to hear

his peoples needs. For the past half decade the people had been

whispering that it was high time for the old king to hurry up and die.

They wanted this new ruler.

In the plaza beneath the Great Temple stood the prince.

Nobles, holy men, guards, and such men flocked around him. The

people stood in a hushed silence as the high priest came out into onto

the plaza with the great crystal crown. It glimmered in the morning

light, carved intricately into the shape of white flame, moving

toward the prince. As the crown drew near the prince rose and

bowed his head.

Finally the crown reached the steps and the high priest called

out to the crowd, We have gathered here today to witness Robert

son of Stefan to ascend to the crown. His father, King Stefan, passed

form us into the arms of the creator one fortnight ago and as the

trueborn heir he will succeeded by his son. He will serve us

honorably and to the best of his ability.


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The crowd erupted in applause and Robert stepped forward.

Thank you for the introduction. I, Robert Stefan-son descendant of

the mountain kings of old swear to lead my people to prosperous

times and a new era. I accept the kingship.

The crown was placed on his head and for those moments the

kingdom seemed secure and in good hands. Cheers went on for what

seemed like hours, but were brought to an abrupt halt. The new

King, who had looked so mighty only moments ago, stopped and

staggered. There was a growing red spot on his splendid robes. The

high priest ran to his aid and it was only then that the crossbow bolt

was noticed. The king tried to call for help but only spit up blood.

Then he called no more.


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The hopes of the people had been crushed in one shot of a

crossbow. Who ever had fired the bolt was long gone and a search

was hopeless. The killer was gone.


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Chapter 1

Today was the tenth anniversary of Roberts death. Petyr

stepped onto his balcony and onto his kingdom. After Robert had

died the kingdom had passed to him, the second son, and the people

hated him for it. They seemed to think Petyr had done something to

kill Robert only for the throne. He had fought for years to prove the

legitimacy of his claim. He was tired. So very tired.

Petyr knew he had never been as strong, likeable, or even

handsome as Robert. But Robert had been an idiot. He had no limits

and would do whatever it took to reach his ideals. He would have

emptied the vaults of the royal family for the sake of one poor man.

But Robert was long gone and Petyr was left to fend for himself.

The past couple of years had been strenuous to say the least.

New conspiracies popping up and threats to the legitimacy of his

seat. His sole comfort was his loving wife Talia. She had married


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him fifteen years ago when his father still reigned. It was considered

a great scandal by many because Petyr wassupposedto marry some

old widow in order to inherit her lands when she died but instead he

broke the pact and married for love. Talia had been comforting and

his best advisor. With her he could say anything. With her he didnt

have to fear for his reputation, without every word under scrutiny.

But she was all that was left to him.

But Petyr shrugged to himself and thought these thought are

far to heavy for the early morning. I need to head down to the throne

room and deal with those scheming lords and backstabbing ladies.

And so Petyr headed down to another tiresome day at court. The

steps down to the ancient throne room of the mountain kings. And

there sat the craggy piece of rock sculpted into the throne that he had

come to dread. It signified his lack of freedom and the mountain of

responsibility. He climbed into the seat and sighed. And one by one

the lords and ladies entered the room to begin court. Old gruff Lord

Caron, the sly and small Lord Arthur, the cruel and cold Lady Eiron

and a host of others who he never wished to see again. Just another

sad cold day at court.


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King Petyr called to the unseemly noblemen My lords please

let us begin court.

He heard a couple snickers and remarks but said nothing.Let

them laugh at whatever cruel jest one of them has made. It makes

little difference I am still king. He continued his the court session

allowing different lords to beseech him in some new request for

more land. Finally the commoners were allowed in to ask questions

of the king. He passed judgment on one after the other. They were

petty squabbles like those of children. Grown men begging for a

chicken he swore his neighbor had stolen. It was nothing if not sad.

Once Petyr had dreamed of being a conqueror, a man to

change the world, but the world had crushed his dreams and forced


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him to live with the vile beings such as the ones before him. But he

soon realized that he was little more then a man. It saddened him to

know that these were the people who ruled the realm. Just a couple

of greedy men who wanted nothing more then a couple extra coins.

But he had dealt with this for years and nothing had changed. There

were many kinds of lords, the loud ones, the scheming ones, the

vengeful one, and the most dangerous of all the stupid ones. Such

men were given power and had no idea what to do with it.

Petyr dealt with any and all of his complainers and hardened

his heart. The day would end soon if only to begin another one. After

the court session Petyr strode upstairs into his bedchamber and was

greeted by Talia, his wife, and fell onto his bed.

He began to share all of the horrifying details of his day his

wife sat in an attentive silence. At the end of it she simply replied

You are too weak. You just doze off and endure your challenges.

Face them like a man!

And at that Petyr turned. He had always depended on her for and

never expected base betrayal. He felt a single tear roll down his

cheek and he knew he could not bear it any more. Petyr lifted his


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head and met his wifes eyes and then grabbed his cloak and ran out

onto the balcony to be alone.

Hour passed and Petyr sat there lamenting his failures. He was

always the second best. Not good enough to replace Robert. Not

good enough to ascend the throne. Not brave enough for his wife. He

sat there and soon his depression melted away replaced by a bitter

taste. He yearned to prove them that he was better then Robert ever

was. He was going to show them all.


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Chapter 2

Petyr awoke the next morning feeling oddly satisfied. He felt

comforted by his new found strength and a little more driven then

usual. He walked down to take his breakfast and found his wife

already sitting in the private dining hall.

Good morning my lord she chirped in an unusually upbeat

tone especially considering her tone the previous night.

Petyr grunted and continued on his way toward the table. He

sat and smiled at his wife with the most wicked look he could

manage.

She frowned at him and continued to eat her breakfast. Petyr

sighed and grabbed a piece of melon. He made idle chat with his

wife all the while thinking of how she had scorned him the previous


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night. He felt as if he could no longer trust anyone. As if he was

insane. But kept this to himself. Petyr held his head high and

prepared for another day at court. But instead of his usual resigned

face today he held an enthusiastic and somewhat devious one. He

intended to root out all of his false councilors today.

Petyr strode down the stairs into the courtroom with a smirk on his

face. As the lords and ladies began to enter the throne room they

noticed something different about him. Petyr could see it in their

eyes and he would show them all today.

He calmly walked into the center of the court and announced

Todays court is now in session

Lord Arthur whispered some cruel jest to the lady next to him

and she started to giggle. Petyr called out Lord Arthur is there

something you would like to tell the rest of the court.

Petyr smirked. That Lord Arthur who had always made jokes

at his expense would finally learn his place.

However Arthur called back My liege we were simply

discussing your most unusual taste in clothing.


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Petyr looked down and frowned. He could not find a single

thing wrong with his attire. And then it hit him Arthur had made fun

of him in front of the entire court and he had responded in the

dumbest way.

The whole room rang with the mocking laughter of all of the

nobles. Petyr had never hated them so much. He would give

anything to duel Arthur right then and there. But he restrained

himself. I am a good king Petyr told himself once again.

But even as he said it he could feel his new confidence

beginning to crumble. But he still shoutedback, Arthur, if you are

going to embarrass yourself in front of the court why would you

bother coming?

Arthur smirked and said I was going to ask you the same

question your grace.

And once again the court erupted in laughter.


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Petyrs anger could not be tested anymore. Out, he shouted,

guards take him out!

The guards obliged and the laughter died immediately. As he

was dragged out of the room Arthur glared at Petyr as did any other

nobles. Arthur was far too popular for his own good.

In his anger Petyr hissed I any would like to join him please

leave now.

Many court members actually did get up and Petyr realized

his mistake. He was furious. But if he did anything he would only

end up making things worse. He ordered to the court to end early

and left foot his bedroom.

His wife waited there the fury and disappointment plain on

her face. She screeched What the hell were you thinking? Are you a

fool or a coward? What man in his right mind would dismiss the

most loved man in court and then ask his friends to leave to. You are

a special kind of coward Petyr. One who instead of running from his

problems pushes them away. You will live to regret this!


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Petyr shrank down dont you think I know, he moaned.

He went to his quiet place and began to think.


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Chapter 3

Petyr emerged after his thought. He had been weak. So weak and

now he was strong. He would use no tricks of confidence. He would not

comply with any court. He was KING! Petyr deserved respect. He needed

it. He strode into his room pushing his wife out of the way.

He walked down to through the throne room past the seat he had

hated for so many years. As he strode by it he kicked it in rage. He would

be unstoppable and Lord Arthur the little piece of shit would soon learn

this.

Out of the throne room and into the yard. The boys were hard at

work training to be knights. He had such dreams once before Robert proved

that he could never be a knight. He tried to push Robert out of his head.

Thank god that muscle bound fool wasnt a king he muttered. Petyr then


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walked into the armory and grabbed his most prized possession. The thing

that made him who he was today. With this he could once again move

forward in life. Out of the armory and once again in the yard he kept on

walking. The squires stared.

Why is he holding that? he heard one foolish boy ask his friends in

rude fit of curiosity.

Petyr then walked up to the tower of Lord Arthur. Now he is in my

grasp Arthur thought. Now I have him. He knocked on the great oak door

and a serving woman answered.

Petyr growled I wish to see his lordship Arthur for a meeting. We

have business to attend to.

Of course your grace. Right away. The lord is in his study. It is the

first door on the second floor, the serving lady stammered obviously

frightened.

Petyr climbed the steps and reached the first door. He opened

without even knocking. Lord Arthur sat there going over some dusty old


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tome. He turned as the door opened and stared at Petyr in mix of confusion

and smugness.

My king what has brought you here to my humble study? Are you

angry for my behavior in court today? I do apologize but my tongue runs a

mile before my mind. Please come and sit and rink with me, the graceful

lord said to Petyr as he strode to stoke the fire.

Petyr decided to play along to this idiotic game after all this

bumbling fool would soon be gone. He sat down in a fine mahogany seat

by the fire and looked around him. The room was not designed for style but

rather for comfort and the pursuit of knowledge. Letters were scattered

across the table and the shelf went up to the ceiling. The book that Arthur

had been poring over was on the failed rebellion that took place 50 years

ago.

Petyr narrowed his eyes. Just another piece of treachery he thought

to himself. And then he knew the moment was his. He reached inside his

cloak and pulled out the crossbow. This crossbow had won him a throne

and now it would secure that same throne.


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Arthur backed away eyes wide in fear. He looked up confused and

scared.

What are you doing your grace? What treason have I committed?

the frightened lord begged please stop

Petyr grinned and bent down to Arthurs ear you thought

you could make a fool of me and turn my lords and ladies on me huh? Well

Im going to stop your little plan once and for all. I will claim the safety of

the realm in a way Robert never could.

Something crept onto Arthurs face You killed him didnt you!

Your own brother is dead because of you. You are forever cursed in the

eyes of the gods. I took no part in any rebellion. I only made a few japes at

court. What are you doing and why.

But Petyr would not answer to scum like that. He stepped back and

cocked the crossbow. The fear in Arthurs eyes grew and Petyr smiled. He

fired the bolt.

This was his final victory and the realm was now safe. He picked up

the blood spattered Lord placed him in the fireplace.


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Petyr had finally showed them.


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Picture Sources

Arthur. "Last Updated September 2009."Arthur's Free Silhouette Clipart Page 3.

ARTHUR'S SILHOUETTE CLIPART, 1 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Apr. 2013.

Cinhype29. "Blood Splatter Clip Art." - Vector Clip Art Online, Royalty Free &

Public Domain. Clker, 24 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2013.

Seamus. "King Seamus Portfolio." SoundCloud. King Seamus, 13 July 2012.

Web. 14 Apr. 2013.

Venezolano, Jess. "Tumblr."Dead Knight. Tumblr, 15 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Apr.

2013.


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About the Author

Eli Park is an eighth grade student at Eastern middle school. He

enjoys fantasy novels specifically ASOIAF by George R. R. Martin.

He spends his free time reading or swimming.

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