What if Robert Baratheon Made Tywin Hand of the King, Not Ned

What if Robert Baratheon Made Tywin Hand of the King, Not Ned? Let’s explore the depths of it in the video. Robert looks over the body of Jon Aaryn and feels a lump forming in his throat as he stares at the body. He does not know how long he has with him as the Silent Sisters will be arriving soon to take him away. The others had already come and gone—at least those who showed up. Renly and Pycelle stopped by to pay their respects, as did Ser Barristan. But others did not appear entirely. Varys, Stannis, and other courtiers. Ingrates, he wants to call them. Jon Arryn has served the realm for years and, in some ways, has served longer than Robert has. But this leaves a less pleasant question. What shall be done now, as the realm is without a Hand? After Jon Arryn is taken away, his Small Council will urge him to name a new Hand, and each one will already have their candidates. He can already hear their voices hammering in his ear. It is so strong that he does not notice the door opening until footsteps ring behind him. Robert is surprised to see Cersei moving to kneel beside him as she begins to pray. Robert: Didn’t think you would show up here, wife. Cersei: It would be unbecoming for the queen-mother not to show her respect to a member of the Small Council. Just as unbecoming if the King were without a Hand. Robert: If you came to show respect, then show some bloody respect. The man is not even buried yet. Cerse: I am paying respects to him. You think Jon Arryn would have wanted the realm he’s managed for years to fall apart because he died? I take it you have some ideas of who to name as Hand? Robert: Sighs. Alright, I was thinking Lord Stark. He’s honorable, intelligent, and loyal. I can think of no man better than Ned. Cersei: Also distant and cold. Ned had not set foot in the capital for almost fifteen years. He would be a stranger to the court. Men would resent him for the favor you show him. Robert: Let them, it's not as if it's untrue. Even in the North, Ned has done more for me than most of these flatterers. Cersei: But why risk alienating them, not when there are options closer to home, and who might not cause so much controversy? Men like my father. Robert: And there it is. Doesn’t Lord Tywin have enough power in the west? Cersei: It is beneath his talents to be a simple warden. Any of his bannermen can handle the responsibility. But the kings of the past have trusted his judgement, and he served them well. Robert: Aye, I’m sure the Mad King thought so. Cersei: He was mad because he spurned my father’s advice. And perhaps we need him more than ever. The crown is in debt, and Tywin knows better than anyone how to manage wealth. Jon Arryn’s death is a symbol of weakness. You will need a strong Hand, one not afraid to remind the people of the crown’s strength. Cersei sees the slight change in Robert’s expression, and she knows she has him. Her husband is always prideful and eager to show strength, even in a matter like this. After a moment's consideration, he agrees to this and orders ravens to be sent to Casterly Rock, ordering Tywin to King’s Landing with all haste. News of Tywin’s appointment soon reaches the other great houses and is met with dismay from many places. The North, Vale, and Dorne all oppose it, some openly and others quietly. They all see the royal court as increasingly dominated by the Lannisters. However, none of them are in a position to seriously challenge them. By the time he arrives, Lord Arryn has been brought back to the Vale, but the Lord of the West arrives with a long train of knights, bannermen, and household. He makes his way to the Red Keep, stopping only to pay respects to his predecessor as Robert commissions a statue of him. When he finds the king, he is on the Iron Throne and looks down at him. At once, Tywin gets to one knee and bows his head. Tywin: Your grace, I thank you for your trust in me. Rest assured, I will not let you down with this responsibility you have bestowed upon me. Robert: I would certainly hope not. I have enough Lannisters in my court, but you’re the one supposed to be the most useful one of them. Tywin raises an eyebrow and says nothing. Instead, he calls for a Small Council meeting to get to know the rest of them and assess the situation. Unsurprisingly, Robert does not take part in the meeting, as instead he hosts the visiting Vale Lords with a hunt. What is surprising is that Stannis is not present as he learns that the Master of Ships has returned to Dragonstone. He tries to brush this aside, though, and focuses on meeting with the rest of the council. He takes stock of the realm's current situation. From the,m they learn that things seem quiet, but there are issues brewing. The biggest of these is that the crown is nearly six million gold dragons in debt. But beyond that, problems with Viserys still pressing his #gameofthrones #gameofthroneswhatif #whatif #robertbaratheon #tywinlannister #nedstark