A/N: Back with a speedy update - a lot quicker than I'd anticipated. Thanks for all my reviews, So many for one chapter is awesome! you guys rock!

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Last chapter had a song lyric hidden in there: it was 'Had it been another day, I might have looked the other way.' from I've Just Seen a Face by The Beatles. (Arya's thoughts when the Black Brothers arrive.) This chapter has another lyric, this time from a song by The Cranberries :)

Enjoy,

xBx

Chapter 2: Aegon

It had been three years since Aegon hand landed in Westeros and claimed Cape Wrath. In those years he had accomplished a good deal, but at the same time, not enough. All of Dorne had privately declared for him, but were yet to stir their armies; six months after he had landed, Arianne Martell, princess of Dorne, had arrived at Lord Connington's holdfast with a retinue and a letter from her father, Prince Doran, offering a solid and strong alliance, and his daughter's hand in marriage as a token of good faith. Aegon saw the unwritten words in this message, easy enough: Make my daughter your Queen, and we shall make you a King.

Of course, Aegon had accepted these terms graciously, he would have been a fool not to – there was no way he could even dream of attempting to take the Iron Throne without the backing of the Martells and Dorne. For the next year, Aegon had quietly begun to amass his force, extending his field of civil conquest to Tarth, as well as winning over a number of Houses originally sworn to Highgarden. The Tyrells were now remaining somewhat aloof in the war: Margaery Tyrell was Tommen's Queen and was battling for power with Cersei who still named herself Queen Regent. Margaery, and her brother Loras of the Kingsguard, were the only two Tyrells now left in King's Landing; all the rest had returned to Highgarden and the Reach, and had not bestirred themselves since – for either side.

About eighteen months after his landing, a number of battles broke out between him and some Lannister hosts. The battles were more skirmishes – Aegon knew his strengths were being tested, that the Lannisters were simply reaching out their feelers to get a taste of what they may be coming up against anytime soon. He didn't attack with full force, but he gave enough strength to send the lions away with their tails between their legs. Since then, the Lannisters and Tyrells had kept themselves safe in their three havens: King's Landing, Highgarden and Casterly Rock. Aegon used this respite to stretch his own hands across the Seven Kingdoms, taking Storms End and Dragonstone into his power, and a number of lesser households of the Reach. Storms End and Dragonstone proved only too easy to take, as Stannis was battling in the far north. Not long after his conquest, Aegon received word that Stannis had fallen – no one quite knew how: some said it were North men who killed him; some said it was the Wildlings. Some told tales of a darker nature still, of Others who come when the cold winds rise.

After gaining a solid holding of castles in the south, Aegon sent ravens to the far corners of the Kingdom, declaring himself the rightful King, Aegon Targaryen, the sixth of his name, and demanding they swear him fealty. He had sent the first round of letters not long after his conquests, when he and a majority of his host had settled in Storms End. He received no replies, and after three turns of the moon, he sent the same again to every corner, except King's Landing. He had been informed by a reliable source that the letter had been received, but that King Tommen saw no threat and deigned not to reply.

This time around he did receive a response, but only one. And not one to please him. The Greyjoy at Pyke, who has the presumption to name himself King in the North and the Iron Isles, offered him peace and alliance in return for letting him keep two of the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon didn't bother to dignify that message with a response. He had received that message six months past, and still no word from anywhere else. When Aegon had first landed in Westeros, Euron 'Crow's Eye' Greyjoy, had a strengthening hold along the Reach, as well as in the North. But when the Tyrells removed their force from King's Landing, they retook their lands with a vengeance and put a considerable dent in the Crow's Eye's numbers. From then on, the Iron Men had contented themselves with keeping control of their Northern holds. Rumour was that Euron had sent his brother to search for Daenerys – this didn't particularly worry Aegon; while Daenerys had dragons, Aegon had the better claim. And besides, she was his aunt: it would not come to bloodshed between them – they were the last Targaryens, no one wanted the other gone.

He was breaking his fast in his solar, when Jon Connington entered, unannounced.

"Your Grace," he said briskly, helping himself to mead and taking a seat. Aegon couldn't help but notice how stiffly Connington was moving. Roughly a year after landing in Westeros Aegon had discovered Jon's secret, and it wasn't long before others discovered it too. The Greyscale had gotten worse in recent months, and now covered his entire left side, though thankfully it was only now beginning to emerge above his collar. The Maesters had done what they could to ease the affliction, but there was no cure, and Aegon couldn't help but worry: This man had been with Aegon for as long as he could remember, raised him as his own son, but it was clear he was not long in this world – "I will see you sit the Iron Throne, that much I am determined on." Jon had told Aegon a few months past, and Aegon had been even more determined than ever to give Jon his wish.

"Come in, help yourself to my mead and take and seat." Aegon said with sarcasm, which was not lost on Jon, who smiled.

"I raised you as my son for near on sixteen years: the habit of familiarity is hard to break, Your Grace, forgive me." He said.

"Any ravens?" Aegon asked, as he did every morning, though he already knew the answer.

"None. I think it's safe to say we won't be receiving any either. Nothing's going to change any time soon." He sighed.

"If we could persuade the Tyrells-" Aegon started: Every morning they had a similar conversation, and every morning it went the same.

"The Tyrell girl is married to Tommen – if the Tyrells make any appearance of a move against the Lannisters, she is dead. They wont risk it." Connington said again, for what felt like the hundredth time.

"What's left of the Tully's are trying to maintain the Riverlands – I'm not sure if the presence of the Brotherhood without Banners are a help or a hindrance to them." Connington commented. Riverrun had been held by the Freys when Aegon had first landed, but in the past year it had changed hands once again: Brynden Tully had returned, with a band of outlaws behind him, and taken it back, slaying every Frey they came across, and sparing no prisoners. There were whispers he had been helped by Lady Stoneheart, but no one had confirmed it. As things stood now, the Blackfish appeared to have a strong hold, and wouldn't be loosening his grip on Riverrun any time soon. Though where the loyalties of the Brotherhood lay, no one really knew.

Aegon shook his head, "We need to approach the Brotherhood, persuade them to take our banners. It's ridiculous; do they even know whom they're fighting for anymore? The dead Usurper and his Hand? The invisible Starks? Who?" Aegon asked in frustrated rhetoric.

"We've tried, it didn't go down well, remember?" Jon reminded him. "And regardless, they're practically impossible to locate. Lady Stoneheart just seems to vanish into thin air. No, the brotherhood are out of our reach – perhaps there is someone out there who can prevail on them to fight for someone living, but until we find that miracle, we must forget them. At present they do us no harm, they keep out of the war for the Iron Throne, so even if they won't fight for us, we know they won't be fighting for the Lannisters either." Jon reminded him.

"The Eyrie?" Aegon asked then, "Do we have any idea where their loyalties lay? Have we made any headway there at all?"

"None whatsoever. Lord Petyr of Harranhal rules the sickly Lord, and while he used to be master of coin for the Usurper and the Lannister cubs, since he left King's Landing he seems to be keeping out of the conflicts. Whether that is by design, or because he is having trouble rallying the Knights of the Vale, I don't know." Connington sighed.

"The Vale have no liking for him, we've heard that rumour many a time." Aegon agreed. "Is it worth sending out envoys to the Vale, to speak to these Knights and Lords away from the Eyrie's eyes? Is the time right to risk it, do you think?" Aegon had voiced this opinion before, but it had been shouted down originally. But that had been a long time ago, fresh out of battle, with the possibilities of more skirmishes on the Horizon.

Connington thought for a moment, "We're currently in a lull – this is as peaceful as the realm is going to get." Jon said with a sigh, "You need more men to be certain of victory. Maybe now is the right time, but it is your decision Your Grace. You must have the final say." Connington said, respectfully.

"You have just as much say as me, Jon. You are still my Hand." Aegon reminded him, and then nodded thoughtfully, "I will write a handful of letters this morning, we can't sit and do nothing when we can be doing something." He decided. "What of the Crossing? Anything new there?" Aegon asked for the first time in a long time, though he had long ago despaired of the Freys.

Jon Connington snorted, "If you are relying on the Freys, your cause is lost." He said bluntly, "The Late Lord Frey will not bestir himself until he is sure of a victory. And he is forever turning his cloak – surely you remember being told of The Red Wedding?"

Aegon sighed; yes he remembered that tale vividly. "Which brings us nicely to the North," he said bitterly. "Are we never to get them on our side?"

"The North is not right without a Stark in Winterfell. Even I can see that, and I've been out of Westeros longer than you have. The North are trying to rid themselves of the Iron Men, stop the Wildlings claiming their lands, and helping the Night's Watch defend the realm against Gods know what."

"We know what they're fighting." Aegon said quietly, "We haven't seen it personally, but why would they lie?" he said, remembering the stories the Black Brother had told them when he had travelled down looking for recruits. The winter was harsh in the North: the snows were sometimes thick this far south, but according to the man of the Night's Watch, up north there had been enough snow to cover towns. And with the snows came the cold winds and with the cold winds came the walking dead, that only fire and Dragonglass could stop. Aegon had sent the Brother on with men from his dungeons, who had been taken in the skirmishes, and all the supplies he could justifiably spare.

The Black Brother had told him of the Lannisters' mocking attitude toward the Night's Watch, and how since the Starks had gone, it seemed they had nowhere to go for the assistance they needed. Aegon knew the Night's Watch took no part in the wars of the Kingdoms – but keeping them happy was bound to come in useful at some stage. The North were friendly to the Night's Watch, if Aegon offered his support and aid to the Wall, it would be something he and the North would have in common. It was an extremely long shot at forming an alliance, and it hadn't helped Stannis when he had attempted the same, but it was the best chance he had.

"We have to face it," Jon continued, snapping Aegon out of his cold reverie, "The men we have now are the only ones we have. It's time to start planning the best way to utilise them. We can keep praying for a miracle, but nothing short of a Stark who has the North at their backs, pledging you their allegiance, is going to help us now."

"The Starks are gone. Dead." Aegon snapped.

"They're not all gone." Connington countered patiently.

"Got one hidden away, have you?" Aegon shot back, losing his patience, "The girls may not be dead, but they're girls. One's a Lannister accused of murdering a King. The other, only the Gods know – half say she married Bolton and disappeared, the other half said she died not long after her father, and Bolton's wife is an impostor. No one knows what to believe."

"The Brotherhood have a third story-" Connington reminded him.

Aegon rubbed a hand over his eyes, before running it through his hair, clearly becoming irritated, "And yet their story ends the same: with Arya Stark's disappearance. I don't care about the Brotherhood, unless they start fighting Lannisters under my banner." Aegon said draining his mead, "Send Rymund for the maps, and gather the council. And summon Arianne – she will want to be a part of this."

"Speaking of Arianne," Jon said slowly, and Aegon sighed, knowing were this was going. "Doran Martell is getting restless."

"I know, he has been restless for some time." Aegon said shortly. "Does he really think I will go back on my word? I will marry her. Once I am King, and not before. Arianne is aware of this, and she even agrees with me. We must focus all our energies on taking the throne."

"I know. And I know Arianne has written as much to her father. But the fact remains, the Prince of Dorne is eager to see his daughter wed, I fear he knows he is living his last days, and wishes to see his daughter a Queen before he takes his last breath."

"Then I suppose we had better take King's Landing in a hurry." Aegon said dryly, rising from his chair, "I will write the letters to the Lords of the Eyrie, and then I shall meet you in the council chamber." Aegon declared, his tone putting an end to further discussion.

Westeros had certainly matured Aegon considerably: Looking back, he was now very aware of what a green summer child he had been. When first he had landed he had been full of pride and had been confident to the point of obnoxious. But now, fighting many battles and struggling through a war for three years had sobered him somewhat, and thanks to the good council and sound warnings of Jon Connington, Aegon had become a seasoned man, a better ruler, and would hopefully become a just and loved King, that Jon would be proud of.

An hour later Aegon entered the council chamber, to find his council already gathered around the table, waiting patiently, the maps he had requested spread out across the table, figurines already in place depicting where the many armies were currently sitting. Every figure rose at his arrival, but Aegon waved them back to their seats as he took his own seat between Jon Connington and Arianne. Also present was Marq Mandrake, Harry Strickland of the Golden Company, Haldon Halfmaester, Laswell Peake and Tristane Rivers, who were now all Lords on his council as reward for their part it besieging important holdfasts on Aegon's return to Westeros.

Three of his Kingsguard were also present: Lemore, Duck and Gorys Edoryen, who had brought the Second Sons to Aegon's cause, permanently. As they sat, Rymund – Aegon's squire – proceeded to pour them all a drink.

"I have written another set of letters," Aegon started, "To be handed to the Lords and Knights of the Vale."

"Forgive me, your Grace," Peake spoke, "But what makes you think this time it will work?"

"Because I won't be sending ravens. I'll be sending men, to deliver them and to speak on my behalf." Aegon said bluntly. "We all know of the discord spreading in the Vale: the place is isolated, and surrounded by Lannisters – is it any wonder none of them have come forward openly? The Lannisters gave them Littlefinger: with the right words in the right ears we can win them over and help rid them of their unwanted Lord Protector. Peake, Mandrake and Strickland, you will take one hundred men with you to the Vale to talk with the Lords. No doubt Littlefinger will know of your arrival and know of your purpose. But if you act fast, and quietly, you may stand a chance of turning his men before he can stop anything. " The three nodded in understanding.

"In the mean time, Rivers, we need to start devising a plan of attack on King's Landing." Aegon announced. There was a collective in-take of breath. "I know it's risky, but that's not going to change. And the men are getting restless. We have an army of five thousand here at Storms End. A year ago we had an army of six thousand, but men are returning to their homes, we waited long enough, it's time to act."

"With Lannisters at the Rock, as soon as we march they will march. They'll reach King's Landing not long after we do, then we'll have Lions front and back." Rivers pointed out.

"It's a risk," Aegon admitted, "But the Lannisters at the Rock are currently concerned with the Brotherhood without Banners, who are causing no end of problems for them. There's hope they can keep the Lions busy long enough to keep them at bay."

"That's one hell of a long shot," Strickland said, ever cautious, "If we could be sure of the Brotherhood," he started.

"Unless you can bring Ned Stark back from the dead, they will not unite for anyone, and will continue to do Lady Stoneheart's bidding. As well as protecting the Riverlands, they are also behind every Frey death that has occurred since the Red Wedding. Whoever Lady Stoneheart is, she's a friend to the Starks and the North, it would seem." Again, they were back to the futile conversation of the Starks.

"Not Lord Eddard, perhaps," Strickland said, "But his daughters may still be alive."

"His Grace and I have already had this conversation numerous times," Lord Connington sighed, "It's futile, the Starks are gone. Pray for a miracle return, by all means, but we need to find an alternative."

"What of Dorne?" Lord Tristane asked, looking Directly at Arianne. "As of yet, you father has made no move to ready the Dornish Army, yet you assure us we have their backing."

"So you do." Arianne said, "My father is weak; he can barely bestir himself, let alone make a move to bestir others and the whole of Dorne knows it. When you decide to march I will send word to Dorne and the army will strike North, have no fear." She assured.

"We can't help but be cautious: the Princess Myrcella is a guest of Dorne, I know you were once planning on crowning her the Queen on the Iron Throne." Tristane reminded her, and the room at large.

Arianne glared, with fire in her eyes, "That was before Aegon's return. Back when we all believed he was dead. Myrcella's betrothal to my brother Trystane still stands, it's true, but they will remain in Dorne – the girl may be a Lannister, but she is sweet and innocent. She has been raised alongside Trystane for the better part of six years, whatever little of her mother she had in her is long gone by now, I can assure you. Trystane will rule at Sunspear now that we know for certain Quentyn is dead, Myrcella will be his Lady, and they will be happy. Why would I fight to make Myrcella a Queen, when to do so I would have to overthrow my own Husband-to-be?" She asked. "It does not seem to benefit me in the least, it would be a folly. Myrcella is a hostage – treated as a guest, but in truth a hostage. The Lannisters will make no move against Dorne, not while we have their precious Princess, which means our Army can move in relative peace."

"When the Dornish army joins us, we may have the numbers to overpower the city. But reinforcements will be wanted from the Vale, if we can get them." Aegon said, returning back to the main reason for this meeting. "Ready your men," He looked at his three envoys, "You will leave at dawn. Take half a dozen ravens with you; send word of your progress when you believe it safe to do so. You may go." He commanded, and Peake, Mandrake and Strickland all rose to take their leave.

"You are determined, to march on King's Landing?" Tristane pressed, when the door had closed.

"I am." Aegon confirmed, "The timing is never going to be better, our Army is never going to be stronger, and the Lannisters are never going to be weaker. We either fight now, or wait and never fight at all." He said, they had finally run out of time, if they didn't make a move now, he knew they never would.

"You know battles better than anyone, Tristane. I'm counting on you to devise the best strategy to take the capitol." Aegon said.

"I best get to work then." Haldon tried to smile, but it game out as more of a grimace.

"Go to the map room, make a start." Aegon said, and then looked to Haldon Halfmaester "Haldon, go with Lord Connington to his chambers, do what you can." He turned to Jon, "There's little of import left to discuss for today, make the most of this opportunity to at least try and make yourself more comfortable." He implored his oldest friend.

"As his Grace commands." Jon sighed, raising stiffly.

"I have things to discuss with Arianne." Aegon said. "I shall see you in the hall this afternoon."

When they were finally left alone, Arianne left her seat and went down to her knees in front of Aegon. She ran her hands along his thighs, "And what might his Grace wish to discuss with me," she breathed, leaning in to kiss him.

"Your father." Aegon said bluntly, moving to stand. Arianne rolled her eyes, and stood once again.

"You certainly know how to kill a lady's mood." She told him, walking over to join Aegon at the side table where he was pouring a glass of wine. "What of my Father?"

"He wrote again-" Aegon started, but Arianne interrupted.

"To demand our Wedding take place," she finished for him, "I know. He is nothing, if not persistent. I swear this is the bravest I've known him – he's never usually this adamant or outspoken."

"We will marry. But I want to be King first." Aegon told her.

"I know you do." Arianne said. "And quite frankly, I want you to be a King first, before we marry." She said bluntly. "You are worried, aren't you?" she asked, "About Dorne's allegiance."

Aegon remained silent, taking a drink. Arianne set down her glass, took Aegon's from his hand and placed it next to hers. "Dorne is yours." She told him firmly, "Just as much as I am." She stepped towards him, running her hands up his arms, and resting them on his shoulders. "When you know what day you are to march, we will send a rider to Dorne to summon the troops. They will march and join your host, doubling it's size and the Lannisters will not stand a chance." She assured him. "We are close." She whispered, rubbing the tip of her nose against his, teasing his lips with hers. "You will be crowned King, we will marry, and the Realm will be ours."

Many a time Aegon had tried to resist her, but Arianne always knew how to make his body overrule his mind. He pulled her to him, capturing her lips with his. He knew it was wrong, knew this sort of behaviour was unacceptable before they were married, but every time he tried to tell her so, she would overrule him.

Arianne pulled back ever so slightly, "What, no objections this time?" she teased.

"I should, but I can't." Aegon admitted, "You know I'm such a fool for you. You've got me wrapped around your finger." He told her, before pulling her back to him.

A/N: A little bit of a filler chapter, trying to get up to date of what's been happening in Westeros for the past three/four years. Next chapter will be back to Arya, and I'll try and get it up asap.

let me know what you thought, hope you weren't too disappointed that Arya or Gendry weren't in this one. Anyone find the song lyric?

xBx