+TWATD+
(King's Landing)
Jamie stood looking over a map of the south alongside his Uncle Kevan who by a miracle had escaped death when Cersei destroyed the great Sept, he had been attacked on his way by two unknown attackers and the delay had saved his life. But he had not been happy since that moment, but he could do little once his Sister had herself declared Queen. She had stripped of been Hand of the King so she could give it to Qyburn a man who indulge every whim without argument, Kevan had stayed only out of loyalty to the family name and the memory of their Father and thus had taken a place as one of the army's leading Generals alongside him. Which to be honest he was pleased about as Kevan in his youth had been a noted Knight of some renown, he may not have been in his Father's league but he was good with military matters as he was in court politics. One thing that bothered him was the fact the two attackers had never been identified, he worried who had sent them after his Uncle and why. The Lannister's had plenty of enemies that was true but for this to happen inside the capital made him worry it was an internal threat, his mind strayed from thinking of the worse answer to his concern as it was too depressing.
"So Uncle where do you think Tyrion will advise a first strike against?" Jamie inquired as he knew like him Kevan had a more easy relationship with his Brother well before he had killed their Father. He knew since then Kevan had a rather more dark view of Tyrion, not that he blamed him as it was difficult not see such a thing for what Tyrion had dared to do.
"You shouldn't need me to tell you that Jamie as it should be clear to anyone where he would advise striking against, not just as a blow against Cersei but also in a sense a blow against Tywin's ghost" Kevan responded bluntly trying not to allow his anger at what his Nephew had done cloud his judgement.
He had never had the same level of hatred and adverse relationship with Tyrion that Tywin and Cersei had; he had looked more favourable on the youngest Son of his Brother Dwarf or not just as Jamie had. He had never understood Cersei and Tywin's need to blame Tyrion for Joanna's death as a baby could not mean to kill anyone it was just bad luck or as some would say a curse from the old gods, he had heard some whisper at the time that it was a just punishment for what Tywin had allowed or ordered to happen to Elia Martell and her Children. No everyone knew childbirth was dangerous for any woman; birthing one baby could be classed as lucky but like his own Wife birthing more than one he classed as lucky. But now Tyrion had committed a crime he could not forgive him for no matter what Cersei and Tywin had done to him over the years nothing absolved him of murdering Tywin, it was an act of Kinslaying one of the greatest crimes in their world and it was in his view unforgivable. Shaking these dark thought he refocused on his oldest Nephew who was looking over the map thoughtfully, he stayed silent waiting to see if Jamie would indeed see the obvious conclusion to his own question.
"Of course how could I have not have seen it straight off when Cersei gave me this task, Tyrion would want to strike at the heart of our family as a final insult to our Father" Jamie stated as the answer finally hit him a few seconds later and he really did feel somewhat blind for not seeing it quicker.
"Indeed he will advise striking Casterly Rock not only as the ancestral home of our family but to remove what he believes still to be a precious resource, the gold mines beneath it" Kevan nodded before talking glad he didn't have to point it out to Jamie who was himself a capable commander and Solider but he had suffered some setbacks since this mess started and it had he noted affected his confidence and personality.
"What do you mean by still believes to be a precious resource?" Jamie asked in confusion.
"The mines are dry Jamie and have been for some time but Tywin decided it was best not to advertise this fact, our family is in debt to the Iron Bank and we need a fresh source of income sooner rather than later" Kevan answered with a sigh not surprised Tywin had not confided in Jamie about this even though Cersei seemed to have some idea he had noted when they had talked once before about money.
Jamie was annoyed to only be learning this now and he did not doubt that his Sister had known about this and just not told him, and yet Father had continually tried to get him to become his heir to the Rock so why not tell him this rather important fact? He wondered. Glancing at the map he suddenly realised that Casterly Rock was then just useful as a garrisoned fortress, but one that could be easily cut off and besieged which gave him an idea. He recalled the meeting just before his last with Cersei when she had told him that Olenna Tyrell had sided with the Dragon Queen in response to her families death in the great Sept not that he blamed her, that meant Highgarden was now a target and a rich one at that. He did not doubt that Cersei had her eye on claiming those riches, and he now had an idea how.
"I have an idea Uncle but I don't know how you will respond to it as it means giving up Casterly Rock if even for a short time" he finally said into the ensuring silence.
"Then let's hear it, I'll take any plan that will end this war quickly and as I said the Rock is useless except as a fortress" Kevan responded so very tired of war and bloodshed having already lost both his Sons in the War of the Five Kings.
He couldn't help blame Jamie somewhat for their deaths as it was his escape and the death of the Karstark boy that had led Rickard Karstark to murder his Sons; sadly in war one never truly considers the consequences of their actions especially when one's life is one the line. He had only a daughter left now and he doubted he and his Wife would be able to Father another Son and Heir, he meant to do all he could to ensure she survived and enjoyed a more peaceful time.
"We garrison a small force at Casterly Rock but make sure to make it look like a vastly important target for us to keep, we'll draw the Dragon's Queen's forces in no matter who she sends the Unsullied or the Dothraki and the cut them off from been able to retreat" Jamie explained. "If she sends them by ships we can use the Greyjoy fleet to destroy her own, it will at least put that crazed bastard to work and with luck he'll get himself killed" he added. "Whilst they are focused on capturing what is now a useless target to use for now, I will lead the army straight for Highgarden and knock the unprepared Tyrell's out of the war" he continued with a smile. "I would bet my life that Olenna Tyrell is still reeling from the loss of her family at the Sept, we can take advantage of that and remove them as a threat and we can them claim the rich resources there for our own as we know the Tyrell's are pretty wealthy" he pointed out. "That should be something that will please Cersei and hopefully calm her down so she will listen to better council that Qyburn's" he finished.
"I wouldn't count on it, she likes Qyburn because he doesn't argue with her and just does as she says" Kevan shot back with a shake of his head. "Sycophants are all she wants now, so they will shine shit up her arse and tell her everything she wants to hear" he added bitterly still angered that his own Niece had stripped him of his position as Hand just to give it to such a man like Qyburn. "Still your plan has merit, we can also reclaim Casterly Rock once we have destroyed the Dragon Queen's armies" he mused. "But we best put this before Cersei before we proceed or she may have both our heads for daring to give up the family seat of power" he warned to which Jamie nodded and both men turned and headed out to the throne room.
"One thing Uncle, who do you think sent those assassins after you?" Jamie inquired quietly not wanting to be overheard.
"If I had to guess it was Qyburn, the man wants to be the only voice in Cersei's ear and having me killed would certainly have removed me but then again had I made it to the Sept I would have been blown up as well and Qyburn would have known that so why bother hiring assassins to kill me" Kevan answered coming to a stop and answering just as quietly. "Then again it could be someone with a grudge against our family, either way we need to watch our backs as we are both targets from whoever was behind it and especially if it was Qyburn" he warned his Nephew. "As I said he wants to be Cersei's only advisor" he stated before he started to walk again to which Jamie nodded knowing he was correct before following.
Entering the throne room they find Cersei reading something which she quickly puts way and focusing on them, thankfully Qyburn is absent which is strange not that Jamie would miss the bastard who in his view was poisoning his Sister with madness. The Mountain stepped forward as they came near with his hand resting on his sword, Jamie felt a shiver pass over him wondering whether the man was truly alive or not? They came to a halt and bowed and then waited for Cersei to speak.
"You have something to say?" Cersei inquired somewhat disinterested as she been focused more on trying to find a way to finally kill Sansa Stark for been part of the plot to murder her beloved Son Joffrey, and seen as both Jamie and Qyburn were against focusing on the North she'd had to look at other options.
"Yes your Grace we believe we've come up with a plan that will make a good dent in the Dragon Queen's forces and remove Highgarden as a threat before they can fully martial their forces against us" Jamie responded disliking the tone Cersei now used with him more and more often. "It was also allow us access to their gold which we know is substantial, but it means sacrificing something that I do not believe our Father would ever have agreed too" he added noting the look of greed that suddenly appeared on his Sister's face at the word gold and he wondered where this dark, power mad greedy witch had been hiding as Cersei had not been like this before.
Or perhaps a small piece of himself whispered she had always been like this and he'd just preferred not to see it, blinded by his love for her. That small whisper was all that remained of the man he had once been before he had been forced to kill his own King, the man who had once believed in honour and Knightly vows of duty and justice. He had been consumed by his love for Cersei, had committed monstrous crimes to ensure her safety and to keep their love a secret such as when he had pushed Bran Stark a boy of ten out of the window of a tower where he was left paralyzed. The boy was lucky to have lived and he should be thankful he had survived, there was no reason to kill a child ever and yet he had tried due to his willingness to do what Cersei wanted. Now with the way she was treating him he had to wonder if it had all been worth it, Cersei's actions had by all rights condemned Marcella and Tommen to death one by poison and the other by his own hand, he still remembered the helplessness as Marcella first admitted she was happy he was her Father and then died in a most brutal way seconds later and he was unable to do anything about it. Tommen had committed suicide after Cersei had blown up the Sept and killed Margaery Tyrell his wife, was this punishment for acts like almost killing Bran Stark? He wondered.
"And what is it we would have to sacrifice?" Cersei demanded to know sharply narrowing her eyes at Jamie.
"Casterly Rock, it will be where Tyrion would advise a first strike and whilst I would usually council against giving up our family ancestral home in this case it could quicken the end of this war" Jamie responded. "And there is another point in that if as I believe the Dragon Queen would use her own ships to deliver her troops to take the Rock then we can use Euron Greyjoy to destroy her fleet which we know to be about a hundred and odd ships stolen from the Greyjoy fleet when Yara and Theon Greyjoy fled the Iron Islands" he explained.
"The Rock as a resource for gold is over your Grace, the mines are dry but I am certain Tyrion does not know this fact as I cannot see that Tywin would have bothered to inform him of the fact and thus he would still believe we rely on it for our wealth" Kevan added in after Jamie finished speaking.
"Yes Father wouldn't have told that murdering dwarf anything, he only admitted that fact to me as he was ordering me to marry the Tyrell boy for the wealth it would give us access too" Cersei agreed after thinking it over quickly.
She no longer cared for the ancestral home as it was useless in her eye, as had been pointed out the mines that had once brought mass wealth to her family were dry. And she ruled King's Landing now as her Son's had before her, this was her home now and the most important city as far as she was concerned.
"You have my permission to put your plan into motion just ensure it works, I will send word to Euron to prepare his fleet for the battle" she quickly ordered. "But Jamie ensure you do bring the wealth of Highgarden back with you as I have need of it for the future" she commanded even as her Brother bowed in response.
"Of course your Grace, one problem however is taking Highgarden with as little loss as possible" Jamie stated making her frown as she hated hearing problems no matter whom from. "I was hoping we could convince one of their vassal houses to aide us if we can find the right Lord" he told her.
Cersei smirked liking the sound of that as betrayal had aided their family in the last war when it offered up the lives of the false King in the North Robb Stark, his pregnant Wife and his stuck up Mother as well as his entire army. Thus she thought why would betrayal not serve them here in this new war, she would summon the Lord's currently in the city and she knew some Lords of the Tyrell's vassal houses were still here. Then she would find the one man willing to aide them, either by bribery or pride she knew there would be at least one willing to turn.
"Begin preparations for your plan and then return here for the meeting I will call of the Lord's still present in the city where we will convince one of those sworn to the Tyrell's to help us for the good of the realm" Cersei ordered confidently.
Jamie and Kevan both bowed and then turned and left the throne room, somehow Jamie doubted Cersei would find it so easy to turn one of the sworn vassals of the Tyrells to her cause as their Father had with the Boltons when he used them and the Freys to massacre the Starks.
+TWATD+
(Winterfell)
Jon saddled his own horse quickly even as a stable boy did the same for Sansa's horse; once he was satisfied it was set he swung up into the saddle as Ghost padded around ready for a good run around the area beyond the castle. Sansa quickly took to her own saddle with a little help from the stable boy and then moved to follow him out of the gates, behind them Sansa's sworn sword Brienne of Tarth and her squire Podrick Payne followed and then several of the castle guards including his new shadow. He would have preferred if it was just him and Sansa and perhaps Brienne but Davos had insisted he taken a unit of guards as well, the man had a point when he mentioned there could be remnants of the Bolton army still in the area as well as raiders so best not to take chances. He had left Davos and the rest of the Council in charge whilst he went on this little trip so he could hear what Sansa had to tell him, he was a little put off by the idea that Baelish already had spies within the castle as it made their home seem less safe.
Above them on one of the ramparts Baelish watched them leave with a speculative look on his face, he was still smarting from been denied a seat on the council for the North and he was unused to be so easily put off. He was also a little annoyed that Sansa had not spoken up in his favour, clearly he had some work to do to widen whatever small gasps existed between the half siblings. It was just too soon to expect her to choose him over her Brother after so long apart, she was clearly basking in been close to family once more and did not see the threat her Brother was. He had already taken from her the rightful place as ruler of the North, the Lord's and Lady Mormont still called her Lady of Winterfell but in his eyes it was a meaningless title with no power that's to Jon Snow's rise to King. He knew Sansa had a thirst for power as he had been working on instilling that within her since he helped her flee King's Landing, but it was clear to him it was not strong enough yet to break her bond with Jon thus he would have to work a little harder so that it would be. Watching the small party head out he wished he had known beforehand they were leaving, he could then have sent a message to the rather large party of Bolton Soldiers one of his spies had found raiding and pillaging the surrounding area. Still he had plenty of time to come up with a better use for them, money of course solved the matter of them doing what he wanted. Turning he headed in as the bitter cold was getting to him, he missed the comforts of King's Landing and his many brothels.
Jon rode to a small glade he knew of from when he was younger, it had been one of his favourite places to come when he was unable to endure Lady Stark's cold withering stares or the whispers of his status as a bastard got too much. He knew he had been far luckier than most bastards who were left to rot once conceived by any high born, thankfully his Father had brought him home and raised as part of his family no matter that it had caused him quite a bit of trouble with his Wife. Ned Stark had never treated him any differently as he had Robb or any of the others or even Theon the Ward he had brought back after defeating the Greyjoy's, thinking of Theon however brought up a mass of anger and rage and yet also a sense of thankfulness in that he'd had the courage to help Sansa escape from Ramsey Bolton. He had no idea what he would do were he ever to come face to face with Theon again, from what Sansa had told him Theon had suffered greatly for his actions against their family and she pitied him for it greatly. He had after splitting from Sansa returned to the Iron Islands, he supposed in thanks for saving his Sister he should wish Theon found some happiness there. He shook those thought of as he reached the glade and quickly dismounted and then helped Sansa down as well when she got her foot tangled and almost fell, once she had her feet on the ground he told Brienne to station the guards around the glade and position herself and her squire within reach of them. Brienne nodded and quickly set to work knowing her Lady and her Brother wanted some privacy for their talk, thus once she had the guards set up she made sure she and Podrick was not too close so as to overhear their conversation. Ghost set off on a hunt for something to eat knowing his companion had no urge to leave the glade anytime soon, blending into the snow the giant Direwolf soon seemed to vanish.
"Ok Sansa we're away from the castle and Baelish and any spies he may have" Jon said quietly as he sat against the tree and watched as Sansa sat next to him and then leaned into him. "What is it I don't know about him?" he inquired keeping his tone low.
"You have to understand something Jon before I start that I was suffering heavily from my treatment at the hands of Joffrey and Cersei and those who obeyed them, perhaps the only kindness I found there were from Tyrion Lannister, Sandor Clegane or as you may know him the Hound and finally Margaery Tyrell" Sansa started hesitantly but she desperately wanted her Brother to understand her state of mind at the time so he would understand why she had kept quiet about so many things she knew. "Littlefinger had passed himself off as a friend of Mother and I foolishly trusted him, when he helped me escape from King's Landing and stated he was taking me to the Vale to my Aunt I of course was so grateful I did what he wanted without argument including posing as his supposed bastard daughter" she explained even as Jon frowned at his. "I dyed my hair black and tried to seem as low born as possible, even when we reached the Vale and met Lord Royce I kept to the story and did not speak up until he told me too" she paused and took a breath before continuing. "Aunt Lysa however was not in a stable state, she was obsessed with Littlefinger and believed he loved her she admitted to me that she poisoned Jon Arryn because Littlefinger asked her too" she admitted she first of the major things she had been holding back. "He also had Lysa write to my Mother to blame the Lannister's for Jon's Arryn's death, he set our family against the Lannister's with her help and I believe although I have no proof he was the one who convinced Joffrey to execute Father" she told him seriously.
Jon was shocked to his core to realise that the very thing that started this entire nightmare his family had endured had come about because of Baelish and his control of Lysa Arryn, to think she was willing to poison her own husband just for a man who in his eyes was a coward and evil to his core. Had the woman been blind or insane to do such a thing, Jon Arryn's death had been the reason Robert Baratheon had wanted their Father to be the Hand of the King and this reason was why he had left with Sansa and Arya. He closed his eyes in pain as he thought of Arya, his little Sister was still out there so where he was certain of it. He dared not even consider she was dead, the idea was just too painful to think of and thus he pushed it aside and wondered instead where she could be and how she had changed in the time they had been apart. Sansa watched the emotions play over her Brother's face the flinch of pain as he considered something and she quickly deduced who he was thinking of, she too wondered what had become of her younger Sister who had vanished at the same time as their Father's execution. She knew out of all her siblings Jon and Arya had always been the closest, sharing a sense of been outsiders and she did not begrudge them that as she had been terrible to Jon back then unable to see that the way she and her Mother treated him was wrong. Jon opened his eyes and refocused on Sansa as now was not the time to dwell on Arya, he also had to not think about the fact Sansa believed Baelish had a hand in their Father's dead or he would ride back to Winterfell and take his head right not thus he indicated for her to go on and focused on what she was saying.
"She was so obsessed that she began to think I was trying to steal him from her due to the way he would touch me and treat me as if I was something he loved when he is truly incapable of such an emotion" Sansa stated missing the cold look of fury that briefly passed over Jon's face at the idea of Baelish touching his Sister in any kind of intimate way. "She threatened to throw me out of the moon door, which is a large hole leading to a huge drop down the mountain the castle is built on in the middle of their throne room where they sometimes throw criminals sentenced to death" she informed him before pausing again knowing this was the worse secret she had kept but forced herself to go on. "Littlefinger caught in the act of threatening me and stopped her, he then grabbed her and threw her through the moon door to her death and then told the other Lords and Ladies of the Vale it had been suicide" she told him noting the way Jon's eyes widened in shock at this revelation which she could understand. "Foolishly still believing I owed him my life and fearing no one would believe me I supported his view of things to my shame, I let him not only get away with murder but cement his rule of the Vale as his dominates my Cousin Robin who is sick and rather foolish due how Lysa coddled him" she finished.
"Gods Sansa why haven't you told Lord Royce any of this" Jon inquired in confusion.
"Because I have no proof Jon only my word and due to be married off to Tyrion and Ramsey I do not think my word carries much wait anymore, plus Baelish has cemented his rule there now and I know he has various Lords and Ladies loyal to him through bribery" Sansa answered understanding her Brother's confusion. "Had I been wiser when this happened I may have been able to ensure his downfall but I was stupid and naïve enough to trust him, then he went and sold me to the Boltons and that woke me up to his true self" she told him hoping her Brother would understand her reasoning for not coming forward. "He will do anything, use anyone he has to get what he wants and that is the Iron Throne with me as his Queen, the minute the North made you its King you became his main focus and will act to get rid of you Jon you have to be careful" she insisted. "He told me this just after we took Winterfell that he wants to be King of the Seven Kingdoms with me as his Queen, he will kill anyone he has to Jon to get what he wants and he doesn't even care that that desire led to the death of my Mother who he claims he has loved since he was little" she went on wanting Jon to truly understand Littlefinger's mind set. "He doesn't care that his desire has led to wars that have killed thousands of people, doesn't care that it has broken families including our own and left the realm vulnerable to what is now coming for us from beyond the Wall" she finished.
Jon stood up and paced a little as he tried to work through all that Sansa had told him, he felt sick knowing she had willingly aided Baelish in keeping things quiet but he understood why. She had been just an innocent if foolish child when she left for King's Landing where she ended up brutalized by monsters and witnessed their Father's execution and then had it shoved in her face constantly by Joffrey, Lady Stark had told her many times that Baelish was a friend to be trusted and trust him she did and he used that to manipulate her into helping him get away with murder. No more than one murder as he recalled she said he had put the idea of killing Jon Arryn into Lysa Arryn's head, two murders and then setting his family on a collision cause with the Lannister's and the wars that followed all could be tied to him and his desire for power. He felt the urge to ride back to Winterfell and execute the man for his crimes, Sansa seeing the look in her Brother's eyes quickly got to her feet and grabbed him back the arms and made him look at her.
"We can't confront him Jon not right now, understand we have no proof just my word and due to my lying before and my marriages to sworn enemies of my house and that of the Vale my word does not count for anything" Sansa insisted gripping his arms tightly. "We need to catch him out, make him make a mistake if we can before we tell the truth as then the others will be more willing to believe us" she added as Jon slowly began to calm and see her point in this. "We have to be patient but vigilant, at the moment Littlefinger believes he has me wrapped around his finger and I will continue to allow him to believe that but Jon I swear to you on Father's bones I will never betray you or our family" she swore looking deeply into is eyes and willing him to see how serious she was. "I need you to trust me no matter what I do or say, I need your trust so we can draw Littlefinger out and make him over confident and thus over reach himself" she implored him.
Jon stared back at her seeing the truth of her words in her eyes, he nodded his head and decided to play this by his Sister's lead as she knew politics better than he did and she knew Baelish better than anyone. "Ok Sansa we do this your way and I will trust you, I'll always trust you" he finally said making her smile wildly. "Your my Sister, thus in this you lead and I'll follow" he added making her smile even wider.
"Thank you Jon" Sansa replied feeling overwhelmingly happy as she hugged him as hard as she could noting Ghost quickly making his back to them with blood trailing around his mouth indicating a very successful hunt.
But there was a far more important hunt to come and that one would hopefully bring Littlefinger to justice once and for all, she felt Ghost push against her and she quickly reached down and ran her hand over his fur and for the truly first time since leaving Winterfell with her Father she felt like herself once more like she was truly home.
"Come on let's head back before we all freeze" Jon said as he stepped away and headed for the horses calling the guards in even as he did so.
Sansa followed knowing that from this point on she had to call on everything she had learned from Littlefinger to ensure he believed she was on his side, she would use the very skills he had taught her to make him slip up so she could finally ensure he got the justice he rightly deserved. She just hoped that when the truth fully came out Lord Royce and the rest of the Lords and Ladies of the Vale would understand why she had lied back when Aunt Lysa had been murdered. Once they were all mounted they headed back to Winterfell at a slow pace with Ghost running along beside them, even as they rode Jon knew he would have to ensure Brienne kept a closer eye on Sansa now he truly knew how dangerous Baelish was.
+TWATD+
(Dragonstone)
Tyrion considered the map wondering what would make a good place to strike that would draw of the majority of the army that defends Casterly Rock; Cersei had few allies now especially after she destroyed the great Sept containing not only the Tyrell's but many other Lords and Ladies from the seven kingdoms. Hence his choices were limited, pouring himself a glass of wine he continued to gaze at the map in frustration. He recalled the last time he had been in charge of coming up with a plan of attack, it had been barely successful and he would never forget the carnage that ensued when Stannis finally got his forces on land. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he took a deep gulp of his wine and continued his search, finally he settled on Lannisport the main seaport of Cersei's forces and a target that could be hit by sea or by land. Yes he thought that would draw the major bulk of the Lannister army out of Casterly Rock, smirking he realised he could split the attack between a smaller unit of the Unsullied and the Greyjoy ships. Nodding his head he finished his wine and headed out knowing the harder part would be convincing the Queen and the others to commit to his plan.
In her room Dany sat at a desk reading some of the history books that had been found in the extensive library she and Missandei had found whilst searching the castle with Greyworm and Ohono the leader of her Dothraki guard, she needed to know just how much had happened in the years since her Families fall from grace. From what she had gathered so far the rule of Robert Baratheon had been rather lack lustre, a personal diary written by Stannis Baratheon stated that his Brother had no real desire to rule and left such things to his Hand Jon Arryn and the small council whilst he focused on drinking, whoreing and hunting. She wondered why the Usurper had become King if he'd had no real desire to rule the Seven Kingdoms, Stannis also went onto say that thanks to his Brother's disinterest the Lannister's gained more and more power through their many agents working their agenda. That she could believe and Tyrion had more or less said the same during one of their many talks back in Meereen, no wonder they had managed to do so much against all the other houses in the wars that had been waged since the death of Jon Arryn. From what she had read from Stannis's book his death brought Ned Stark to King's Landing as the new hand only to be executed on false treason charges, instead Stannis revealed he had been killed for revealing the truth of the incestuous origins of Cersei Lannister's children who were all the product of her affair with her Brother the Kingslayer. That event had started the war of five kings all of which had perished through either treachery or in one case blood magic; she found it utterly horrifying Stannis admitted in his personal diary to having his own Brother Renly killed through such a method. The slaughter of the Starks at the Twins she learned was act of base betrayal, a part of her felt they deserved it for helping to destroy her own family whilst the rest felt the pain the surviving members if any must feel.
It was clear from what she had read the Seven Kingdoms were in ruin thanks to the chaos that had exploded across it, and now an insane Cersei Lannister sat on the throne of her ancestors ensuring the chaos continued. Houses that had existed for generations had either been wiped out or come close to extinction just as her own was, that thought made her wince once more as she considered her belief she would never have a child of her own and as the last Targaryen the last of her house. When she passed it would be the end of her line, had only Rhaegar not taken Lyanna Stark and instead dealt with the issue of their insane Father perhaps their family would still rule and still be prosperous. Putting the book down she stood and walked over to the window and looked out over the now darkening sky, she had told Tyrion she intended to break the wheel that had destroyed so many lives and all she had read so far made that vow all the stronger. There had been too much death, too much destruction and she feared if there was much more then the Seven Kingdoms would burn forever. A knock at the door revealed Missandei awaiting her, she indicated for her friend to enter.
"Your Grace dinner is ready" Missandei informed her wondering why her Queen looked so worried.
"Thank you Missandei" Dany responded and moved to follow her out of the room to the dining area. "I have been reading since we found the library and I've found the Seven Kingdoms are in a much worse state than Tyrion and Varys told me they were, I fear if there is too much bloodshed there will never be peace again" she admitted as they walked.
"That is why you are here though isn't it my Queen to bring peace?" Missandei replied frowning not liking the dark tone her Queen was using. "To stop the fighting and restore order like you did in Meereen" she added.
"Yes but it is never that easy as this Cersei Lannister is as cruel as her Father had been from all Tyrion has told me and what I have ready from Stannis's diary, but she is also growing more and more insane like my Father had been" Dana explained in reply. "She would burn everything just to spite me, we have to move carefully and we must have allies" she stated as they entered the dining area.
Missandei watched her Queen for a few moments as she considered her words and then wondered just where they would find allies they could trust, everything she had read so far indicated that Westeros was full of greedy and treacherous individuals just as Essos had been only worse. Dinner passed rather quietly with very little conversation, but just as they finishing a guard arrived with word of a visitor having arrived wishing to see the Queen. They headed straight to the throne room to find a red Priestess awaiting them, Tyrion shifted somewhat at the sight of her as something about her just seemed wrong to him.
"Queen Daenerys, I was a slave once bought and sold many years ago I am honoured to meet the breaker of chains" the woman greeted them in High Valyrian with a short bow. "My name is Melisandre" she introduced herself and Varys started at the name as it was one he recognised.
"The red priests helped bring peace to Meereen when I was missing, you are welcome here" Dany responded in kind using High Valyrian as well.
"My Queen if I may this woman is the same priest who served Stannis right up to his eventual death, and I have to wonder how it is she is alive when Stannis, his family and his army is dead" Varys pointed out worried by this woman's arrival here.
"I was not with Stannis when he marched on Winterfell to fight the Boltons I left" Melisandre admitted.
"Why?" Varys inquired with interest.
"I made a mistake when I believed that Stannis was the Prince that was promised, the hero who would vanquish the great darkness that is coming" Melisandre answered with a sigh. "The long night is coming and soon it will engulf the entire world if it is not stopped, only the Prince that was promised can stop it only they can bring the dawn" she added.
"But I am not a prince thus I cannot be your fabled hero" Dany countered wondering where the woman was going with all this.
"Your Grace forgive me but your translation is inaccurate that word has noun has no gender is high Valyrian thus the prophecy can refer to either a Prince or a Princess" Missandei cut in gaining Dany's attention.
"Doesn't really sound the same does it" Tyron couldn't help but remark.
"No but I find I like the sound of it better" Dany remarked glancing at Tyrion who smirked and nodded at her knowing why she liked it better.
"So now you believe I am the hero in your prophecy?" Dany inquired.
"Prophecies are dangerous things Your Grace and hard to interpret as I have found out recently" Melisandre answered choosing her words carefully knowing this moment was special and she had to be careful not to ruin it. She had already made far too many mistakes whilst serving Stannis, she could ill afford to make any more with the long night so close. "I believe you Grace you have a part to play in the war to come, but so does another the King in the North Jon Snow" she finally replied and noted how the dwarf startled at the name indicating he knew the man.
"Ned Stark's bastard son" Tyrion explained gaining everyone's attention. "But how is he King when last I knew he was still at the Wall?" he demanded to know as it was impossible to believe one of Ned Stark's children could break his vows.
"That is not my story to tell" was all Melisandre would say. "But he did not break his vow; destiny played a part in ensuring he was free of his vow" she told them.
"You know this Jon Snow?" Dany inquired wondering at the coincidence that the supposed other who was to fulfil this supposed prophecy the red priestess believed in was a Stark bastard or not.
"I travelled with him to the Wall before this madness began, I found him to be a good man much like his Father" Tyrion informed her. "A bit of a brooder but overall someone I trusted even if I only knew him for a short time" he added.
"And why does your Lord of Light single out this Jon Snow?" Varys asked with a frown as he knew nothing about Ned Stark's bastard son which was a rather strange thing to realise. It seemed him been a bastard had coloured his view like it would anyone else, a mistake he should not have made as he well knew anyone could change the fate of the world if they had a the will to do it.
He had been a slave once himself and yet he worked himself up to a position of power, no one's status should not make you incapable of doing great things he thought and this was one of the reasons he supported Daenerys as she too believed this.
"He was Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and unlike any previous commander he allowed the Wildlings passed the wall to protect them from the great threat that is coming, he saw the truth that in reality the Wildings could be a great ally in the war to come" Melisandre answered. "Now as King in the North he has allied the Wildlings with the Northern houses in preparation to fight the true enemy" she added.
Dany despite herself despite her dislike for anyone with Stark blood due her coloured view of them could not help but be intrigued by the sound of this man this Jon Snow, it seemed like her he was willing to do what was nessacary no matter if it clashed with peoples perceived view of how things should be done. "He sounds like quite a man" she found herself saying gaining surprised looks from Tyrion and Varys and a small smile from Missandei and even Greyworm who had been standing silently in the background watching just in case the red priestess was a threat.
"Summon Jon Snow to Dragonstone your Grace, let him tell you of the things he has seen of the things that have happened to him" Melisandre implored her knowing this moment would be the fulcrum of which the world would either fall or rise.
"I will not speak of prophecies or visions as that is not my area of expertise your Grace but I can speak of Jon Snow, he would be a valuable ally and he has just as much a reason to hate my family as you do" Tyrion told her again gaining Dany's attention. "Cersei played a role in the execution of his Father, the humiliation and torture of his Sister Sansa, my Father organised the Red Wedding that butchered his Brother, his Brother's wife and unborn child and Lady Stark" he continued. "They have a saying in the North your Grace the North remembers, and he will not have forgotten these acts against his family and if it is true and he has united the North and the Wildings then he has a large army we could ally with and ensure your conquest of the Seven Kingdoms" he finished.
Dany considered her Hands advice and she had to admit clearly Jon Snow had reason to want the Lannister's dead, she felt sick at learning that an unborn child had been killed due to Tywin Lannister's manipulations. It was bad enough knowing he had ordered the deaths of Elia Martel and her children by the one called the Mountain back during the rebellion; truly the man had known no boundary of cruelty not to cross.
"Then send a raven North and inform Jon Snow his Queen summons him to Dragonstone to Bend the Knee" Dany finally ordered knowing that whilst expecting Jon Snow to comply was wishful thinking she could not allow someone else to claim rulership over any of the Kingdoms she herself planned to rule.
Tyrion shook his head slightly knowing if he sent such a message Jon would never come, he'd had to write a much lighter message and be a bit more Persuasive to ensure Jon came.
"I offer you shelter for the night Lady Melisandre" Dany said turning back to the waiting red priestess who was smiling clearly pleased by her choice.
"Thank you your Grace I accept" Melisandre responded satisfied that she had set events in motion that if they were lucky would ensure the dawn would come. She turned and followed a summoned aide and left the throne room, she wondered how Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen would react to each other once they met.
+TWATD+
(Citadel, Oldtown)
Sam smiled as he wrote down a message to send to Jon who he now knew from one of the Maesters was at Winterfell supposedly King in the North, he didn't exactly know why Jon had left the Wall or even how he had managed to do so without been killed for desertion. Still it was enough to know where he was as he had found something important, the location of a mine full of Dragonglass. He had used every spare moment he could find to read anything the library had on the subject which surprisingly was quite a lot, it seemed Dragonglass had once been something found quite commonly when Dragons existed but with their extinction Dragonglass faded into myth for reasons he did not know. But one of the largest deposits was in a mine hidden under Dragonstone the ancestral home of the Targaryen family which would make sense as they were the ones who brought Dragons to Westeros in the first place and the ones who had commanded them for generations until they died out. Jon had to go to Dragonstone and mine the Dragonglass, he hoped tomorrow to look for other information they could use especially in the area of Valerian Steel and the possible location of any lost Valerian steel swords. Tying his message to a raven he sent it off before yawning, thankfully his shift was over and he could now retire to his room, hopefully Gilly was still up.
+TWATD+
(The Twins)
Arya in the disguise of Walder Frey watched as the celebration got into its stride, she smirked pleased all of the ones she had summoned had come, soon they would all be dead the her family and the North would be fully avenged. Slamming the goblet down on the table she gained the attention of the Freys who quietened down and faced her, standing she looked around before speaking in Walder's voice.
"I am sure you are wondering why I brought you all here when we only recently had a celebration and I am not usually so kind as to give you another so soon" Arya stated. "But I figure it's no fun been Lord of the Riverlands if you can't celebrate with your family, why not enjoy our families prosperity" she added which made the Freys cheer and bangs their own goblets down.
She clicked her fingers at the waiting serving girls who each held jugs of wine, instantly they began to move about the room serving the wine to the Freys. Arya had instructed them to ensure each Frey to have his goblet filled, to ensure that all of them drank when he made her grand toast. She watched carefully as each goblet was filled until finally all of the Freys had fully goblet, good she could continue and get this over with. She had an urge to leave this retched place quickly, plus Cersei and the Mountain awaiting her in King's Landing the last two names on her list.
"You are all here because you are the ones that matter and who will be important to my plans for this great house now that Winter has Come" Arya stated and almost wanted to laugh at the fact that none of the Freys noted she had slipped in the family words of her family into her speeches they were too high on themselves to care. "But first a toast to my family, and this time there is none of that crap wine no not this time this time we drink the finest Arbor gold" she stated gaining a loud cheer from the Freys as they heard this. "Proper wine for proper hero's now stand together" she called out and all the Freys stood up and as one shouted the family words back to her before drinking deeply from there goblets much to her amusement.
Movement out of her eye made her note Kitty Frey Walder's new wife reaching for a goblet, shaking her head she slapped the girls hands away from the goblet. "Not for you girl, I won't waste good wine on the likes of you" she spat mirroring Walder's temper perfectly and making the girl tremble in fright. "I might not be the most pleasant man I can admit that, but I am proud of you the men who helped me slaughter the Starks at the Red Wedding" she stated with a smirk as the Freys cheered and nodded their agreement. "Yes brave men weren't you butchering a unarmed pregnant woman, slitting the throat of a Mother of five and slaughtering your guests who you had welcomed into this house under guest rights" she mused as most of the men continued to nod some were beginning to feel the effects of the poison she had slipped into the wine and were rubbing their throats. "But sadly for you, you did not slaughter every one of the Starks" she stated as some of the Freys began to cough up blood and moan in pain. "That was your mistake a mistake that has doomed you all, you should have ensured they were all dead but you got over confident with yourselves and now you pay the price" she told them with a wild smirk as more and more of the Freys began to cough up blood or fall over dead. "You leave one Wolf alive and the sheep are never safe, for it will return and strike all the harder" she warned them as more and more fell over dead until finally the last fell over as well.
In the span of a few minutes she had wiped out the majority of House Frey bar children, women and probably some distant cousins, she noted how Kitty and other serving girls were looking in shock at the bloody scene. Reaching up she removed Walder's face to reveal her own much to Kitty's even greater shock she was certain. "When you are asked what happened here Kitty you will answer the North remembers, that Winter came for the Freys and that the Starks gained their revenge for their fallen" she instructed before she turned and walked away heading for the courtyard and her horse which she had ensured was ready for departure. She hoped she'd never have to come back here, hopefully the ghosts of Robb, her Mother and all the others killed her were now at peace.
+TWATD+
(North of the Wall)
Meera collapsed too tired to go on and Summer quickly lay down as well obviously at the end of his strength as well, they had made it halfway across the frozen wastes between the forest and the Wall but she could go no further. She glanced back at Bran who she noted had warg into something, she crawled over to his side and took a hold of her hand ensuring his body had human contact so he'd know he was not alone. Minutes passed in eerie silence before Bran's eyes returned to normal and he turned to look at her, she felt his hand take a tighter hold on her.
"We're safe to rest here, Uncle Benjen has led the wights that were following us away in the other direction" Bran informed her. "They've lost our trail" he added.
Meera let out a breath of relief at hearing this as she needed rest and a good night's sleep before she went any further, nodding at him she check Summer's wounds and find to her relief they were no longer bleeding but clearly still troubled the Direwolf. She put on fresh bandages before setting a small fire using whatever wood she could find, clearly some of the tree's had been cut down during a wilding attack and the brought all the way to the Wall to use as weapons or battering rams.
"We should make the Wall tomorrow" she told him to which Bran nodded in agreement. "Do you think your Brother is still there?" she inquired having heard a lot about Bran's half Brother.
"He should be, I cannot see why he would leave especially now that the Night King and his army is marching for the Wall" Bran responded.
"That's if he knows that is their plan" Meera pointed out.
"He knows, I saw him fight and somehow kill a White Walker at Hardhome a Wildling settlement and he saw the slaughter that followed before the Night King raised all the dead" Bran informed her truly amazed at some of the events his Brother had survived. "It was the mission that got him killed by some of his own men, luckily there was a red priestess at Castel Black to revive him, no Jon has to be at the Wall" he decided unaware that he was very wrong in his belief because he had not checked up on Jo for almost a week as he had been too busy trying to stay alive and thus had no idea Sansa had turned up at the Wall seeking Jon's help in retaking their home.
Meera nodded and feeling more and more tired she climbed into the sledge and lay against Bran, but she made sure her sword was close by in case of trouble. Slowly both fell into a troubled sleep but using the body heat they both generated they both were mostly isolated from the cold, this was not the first time they had slept right up next to each other to ward off the cold and both secretly enjoyed the close contact. Summer stayed awake for some time keeping a close eye on their surroundings, finally the Direwolf too drifted off into a light sleep drained of his strength from his wounds.
