"I think the strongest option, and I am not alone in this, is the middle path. A king appointed by a Grand Council, a strong Hand, a strong council of advisors, and a regent with a good vision for Westeros. The Grand Council, overseen by the wisest men in the Seven Kingdoms, would find a king accepted by the people, with their own support, who owes his reign to their support rather than in spite of it. It would fall to the Regent to form a council made up of experienced advisors rather than men and women chosen at the whim of Rhaegar or to placate former rebels. The Regent and the Hand can work together to guide the young king and prepare him, to show him that he must be a part of his realm rather than apart from his people. This would be a reign that seeks to return the Targaryens to proper custodianship of their kingdom, rather than to allow them to flout the will of the people, their laws, and their sensibilities."

Hoster took another breath.

"You were right to say that an abdication and a Regency may be exactly what Tywin seeks to begin his conflict, but as you put it, it seems that Tywin's desire for war is inescapable. At least the Grand Council would provide us with a king who the people and lords support, rather than a king who only divides and alienates his realm. Additionally, the realm would be headed by a Regent and a Hand who could work together and draw upon two of the most powerful and well-protected Wardenships in the Seven Kingdoms in defense of the kingdom's security. Peace through the people's mandate and through the support of the greatest houses in Westeros, and all possible if we all work together to prepare this Grand Council."