+TWATD+

(Citadel)

Sam felt sick after cleaning up after so many sick people held within the confines of the Citadel's lower levels; he'd had no idea he'd have to do this kind of work at the beginning of trying to become a Maester. Maester Aemon had never said anything about what was required to become a Maester and to be honest he'd never asked, but perhaps he should have. This was worse than the chores he'd done for the Night's Watch, still he hadn't just come here to become a Maester he'd come for information and so far he'd already found something of worth and sent it on to Jon. Hopefully Jon could use it to prepare for the coming of the Night King and his army if he could get to Dragonstone safely; finally escaping from his tasks for the day he bumped into a sturdy man who looked like he had seen better days. He wore a black glove on one of his hands and seemed to keep it close to his body, which made Sam curious.

"Are you okay?" he inquired of the man.

"I'm fine thank you just recovering from an infection which I thought would kill me" the man responded honestly. "I came here for treatment due to the Citadel having a vast source of information on various infections, illnesses and other such things and thankfully in one of the oldest areas of the archives they found something to cure me but I can't leave until the Maesters confirm the infection has vanished completely thus I am left to wonder around looking or things to read to keep my occupied between eating and resting" he added.

"If you don't mind me asking what was the infection, I'm training to be a Maester and it might be good for me to learn some of things I may one day face" Sam inquired hesitantly.

The man stared at him for a few moments contemplating his inquiry before he smiled slightly. "It was greyscale, and usually when one has that it is fatal and I know of only one other person who avoided that fate the daughter of Stannis Baratheon" the man admitted.

"They actually have a cure for it here in the Citadel that is not wildly known" Sam said wild-eyed in surprise. "You're lucky" he stated.

"It was not easy for them to find as I said it was in one of the oldest sections of the archives, luckily for me one of the Maesters recalled reading the book the cure was found in a long time ago" the man responded. "I feel luckier than I believe I have a right to be, but I am now impatient to be on my way for I serve a woman who would be Queen of Westeros and soon she will come and reclaim what is rightfully hers" he informed him.

"You mean Daenerys Targaryen, according to the latest news she is already in Westeros" Sam responded having heard the latest news this morning from the same Maester who had told him Jon was now King in the North. "They say she has actual Dragons with her" he said wondering what they actually looked like.

"She does indeed three of them" the man told him with a nod of his head. "Last I saw them they had almost reached full size" he mused.

"You said you serve Daenerys Targaryen, who are you?" Sam inquired remembering he had not gotten the man's name and now that he knew he was a follower of the last Targaryen he couldn't keep his curiosity as to who he was from getting the best of him.

"My name is Ser Jorah Mormont and you are?" Jorah responded seeing no harm in giving his actual name.

"I am Samwell Tarly of the Night's Watch if you really are Jorah Mormont I knew your Father when he was commander of the Watch" Sam replied looking for any signs of familiarity between the man and Jeor Mormont.

"I've heard of your Father as well, he has a very good reputation as a solider" Jorah responded surprised to see some from the Tarly family trying to be a Maester, he would have thought he'd take after his Father and become a soldier as well.

"Jeor Mormont was a good man, fare, brave and uncaring and where one came from especially if you proved committed to the Watch" Sam told him. "My friend Jon was your Father's Steward and eventually his replacement as Lord Commander after you Father was sadly murdered" he admitted wishing that the old man had a better ending that been murdered by mutineers in the bleakness of Crastor's keep.

Jorah closed his eyes briefly in pain at the confirmation of what Tyrion Lannister had told him, his Father Jeor was dead and he'd never get the chance to make things right between them after he had brought dishonour to their family.

"Is it true he was killed by his own men?" Jorah inquired looking Sam in the eye.

"Aye he was on a raging but the men he took mutinied and murdered him, when Jon returned from been a captive of the Wildlings he insisted on taking a squad to Crastor's keep to kill the mutineers" Sam answered remembering the argument between Jon and Throne very well. "Jon made sure all of them were killed, you're Father's murder was avenged" he added. "Before his death your Father gifted Jon was Longclaw your families ancestral blade for saving his life, Jon used Longclaw to extract justice from the mutineers" he informed Jorah thinking it might make the man feel better knowing his family ancestral blade had been the instrument of justice to the men who had murdered his Father.

Jorah was surprised to hear his Father had gifted Longclaw to someone who was not part of their family; he began to get curious as to who this Jon was as clearly his Father had thought highly of him to gift him to sword which had been in his family for generations. At least he thought the men who had murdered his Father had paid the price and been killed in turn, that Longclaw was used to gain justice felt right.

"I you don't mind me asking Sam who is this Jon you speak of who was my Father's steward and then replacement and also the man who now wields my family blade?" Jorah inquired.

"Jon Snow, he's the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark and probably one of the best sword fighters to join the Watch in years, as I said he saved your Father's life from something that before that moment we all believed to be myth" Sam answered even as Jorah frowned at hearing the name of the man who would have executed him had he not fled into exile so many years ago.

Of course as much as he might have wanted to blame Lord Stark for his long exile he couldn't, he had been the one who had broken the law thus forcing Ned Stark to come to dispense the justice the law commanded for one who sold men into slavery. He had been Lord of house Mormont a sworn vassal of the Starks and he had in his stupidity and arrogance thrown it all away, no the blame was sorely his. That Lord Stark's bastard son had gone to the Night's Watch did not surprise him too much as he knew how bastards were mostly viewed in Westeros, although he doubted very much Ned Stark had mistreated his son bastard or not. Clearly he'd been well trained before joining the Watch and gained his Father's eye, perhaps been from the house the Mormont's pledged their loyalty might have helped keep his eye on the young man. That this Jon Snow had saved his Father's life made him hope he'd have a chance to one day meet him and thank him, and thank him for avenging his Father's murder which he wished he could had done himself when Tyrion had told him about it. One thing confused him and that was the mention of the attacker of his Father been a myth, he wondered what Sam meant.

"I never knew much about Lord Stark's children whilst I was still head of house Mormont but I knew he had a bastard son, a source of great curiosity to many as they never expected someone like Ned Stark to break his marriage oath" Jorah mused aloud. "I hope he is worthy of the trust, and confidence my Father clearly felt in him and more so that he is worthy to wield Longclaw" he added.

"He is, believe me he is" Sam assured him. "Jon is a good loyal friend who always does the right thing in the end" he added with a smile.

"Tell me about this myth Sam the one that almost killed my Father" Jorah requested his curiosity finally getting the best of him and he wanted to know just what it was that this Jon Snow had saved his Father from that seemed worth giving him their family ancestral sword.

"Er…ok but we better sit down somewhere it is not a simple answer and more than likely you'll think I'm insane like the Maesters do" Sam responded but led Jorah over to a small table with some chairs around it and sat down so he could at least be comfortable whilst telling this tale.

+TWATD+

(Winterfell)

Jon re-entered the castle having ensuring the Horses were safely back in their stables, he then led Arya, Sansa and the others straight back to the hall. Pausing at the entrance he could see the various Lords were arguing still about not only his running out in the middle of a meeting but his plan to go to Dragonstone himself, letting out a sigh he noted the annoyed look Lyanna Mormont had on her face at the noise as did Alys Karstark and even Ned Umber who looked intimidated by the older men.

"QUIET" Davos shouted having noted Jon finally return with his Sister and the guards including Lady Brienne and her squire Podrick. "The King has returned so please my Lords let us stop the arguing and the noise" he requested.

"Thank you Ser Davos, I apologise my Lords, my ladies but I could not stop myself leaving even if I had tried" Jon said from the doorway knowing Arya was hiding behind him whilst Nymeria whilst large was covered by the even larger Ghost hence hidden from view. "Before we pick up where we left off, Sansa and I would like to happily reintroduce you to our Sister Lady Arya Stark now returned to Winterfell where she belongs" he told them quickly gaining stunned looks from nearly everyone but none more than Baelish who looked slightly pale at the news of Arya's return making him curious as to why.

Jon stepped aside as Sansa moved up and joined him whilst gently giving Arya a slight gentle push, Arya deciding to get this over with and knowing why Jon was doing this stepped forward into the hall so everyone could see her, Nymeria kept pace on one side whilst Ghost came up on the other both eyeing the hall as if daring anyone to try anything against their companion. Her eyes swept around the hall taking note of the looks of surprise, joy astonishment many of the Northern Lords wore, Lady Mormont nodded and smiled as their gazes met which Arya returned and then her eyes fell on Baelish. The nervous look in her eyes was understandable as she recalled very well the last time she saw this man, it had been at Harrenhal where he had been meeting with Tywin Lannister the man who had orchestrated the murder of her Brother, Mother and her Brother's pregnant wife. Baelish had been the one who had proposed the alliance between the Lannister's and the Tyrell's so as to defeat her Brother and Stannis, and she did not doubt not for a minute that the man had a hand in the Red Wedding as well as her Father's death. What was Baelish doing here? She asked herself.

Baelish finally regained control of himself as Arya Stark returned to Winterfell, he like everyone else had believed her long dead and the youngest daughter had never held much interest for him looking nothing like his dear Catelyn. He remembered their last meeting if one could call it that when she was pretending to be a simple low born girl serving Tywin Lannister at Harrenhal, at first he had thought he was seeing things but soon realised the girl was indeed Arya Stark. He hadn't said anything to Tywin at the time because he saw no advantage to himself, nothing he could gain by outing her now he regretted that choice. Perhaps had he done so instead of the Red Wedding which led to Catelyn's death they could have used Arya to force Robb Stark's surrender, and now he had to deal with the fact this girl knew of his dealings with the Lannister's. He couldn't act against her with all attention on her plus the presence of the giant Direwolf guarding her, a Direwolf which was currently staring at him with a rather menacing look in its eyes. Its maddening stare made him nervous but he forced himself to look away, he had to come up with a way of isolating the girl and he had to especially keep her from reforming any kind of bond with Sansa as that would just make it harder for him to seduce the red head onto his side.

"I think I can speak for everyone here Lady Stark when I say it is good to see you return home" Lyanna Mormont said standing up and turning Arya's attention onto her even as the rest of the hall took up her statement and yelled and cheered.

"Thank you" Arya responded looking the young Lady over carefully and seeing something similar to herself in that she was not the shy, hesitant Lady most expected. No she saw strength and a fire within the young Lady, a core of steel and she clearly had the respect of the others in the hall.

Jon nodded and then moved back towards the front table gently collecting Arya as he went, Sansa followed with Brienne and Podrick behind her, Maester Wolkan quickly vacated his seat for the returned Arya who nodded at him and tried not think what his presence meant for Maester Luwin. Sansa retook her seat still trying to get over the stunning surprise of her Sister's return, then she noted how Ghost and Nymeria were now at each end of the table watching the hall and she suddenly smiled at the sight but deep inside she felt the loss of Lady once more.

"Now we can return to the discussion about my trip to Dragonstone" Jon stated having stayed standing and reminding Sansa of his insane idea. "I know the trip will be dangerous I have no doubt of that, but we need that Dragonglass if the North is to survive and as Daenerys Targaryen sees herself as a Queen she will only negotiate with another ruler" he argued.

"That is if she will even accept the idea of another ruler beside herself your Grace" Lord Cerwyn argued. "You said yourself before the interruption that you believed she wanted you to come to Dragonstone to bend the knee, thus forgive me for asking what makes you believe you can get this woman to view you as a King?" he asked gaining some support from various Lords whilst others including Lady Mormont looked worried by the question as it was a pertinent question.

"I won't be going alone Lord Cerwyn just she will have her closest advisors and bodyguards so will I, if I project an image of a King and act like one and give her no reason to try and see me as anything else then she will have to see me as an equal" Jon replied seeing the point the man was making. "No I intend to ensure she sees nothing else but an equal, something she must look at and not look down at" he continued bluntly. "Ser Davos will be joining me as well as a handpicked cadre of guards, I also plan to take Tormund and Karsi as representatives of the Free Folk if they will consent to come" he added before turning to where the Tormund and the other Free Folk sat including Karsi.

Tormund had been watching everything that had happened since the meeting began and felt most of the Lords who were sworn to House Stark petty and arrogant, the very definition of kneelers as they were known beyond the Wall. But they were one or two who stood out like the little Lady Mormont who put these men to shame when she named Jon King in the North, that moment had almost looked like the way the Free Folk chose their own leaders and very unlike how Kneelers usually gained Kings by right of blood. He and the others who had come with him had been pleased to hear of more Dragonglass been found, weapons could be forged from it to fight the Night King and his army and perhaps if they were lucky and the Old Gods smiled on them then they might survive the war to come. Then Jon had run out of the Hall with his Direwolf as if he was on fire and he'd watched the various Lords become loud and annoying as they argued back and forth, Lady Mormont plus one or two others had remained silent and just shook their heads at the foolishness going on before Jon's return with a young girl he claimed as his Sister. Jon had said little of his family except to say he had believed must dead, but there was no doubt the young girl was his Sister as her features so closely resembled that of his friend more so than the red hair beauty he had reunited with at Castle Black. Then there was also the fact she had a Direwolf as well, another giant beast able to tare one's throat out. Now he focused on what Jon had asked of him and Karsi, he had been pleased he had been able to save her as she was able to use her head and see the only way they were going to survive what was to come was side by side with the Crows and anyone else willing to fight. That he had asked showed that Jon saw the Free Folk as their own people and not one of his sworn vassals as they were called, they were his allies not his followers. If going to this Dragonstone was the only way to get the Dragonglass then go he would, he'd do whatever it took to save his people the last of the Free Folk left in the world.

Beside him Karsi was of a similar mind even if it meant leaving her two daughters behind for a short time, they needed that Dragonglass to fight the White Walkers and their army. They had already lost so much to this nightmare out of the legends of old, they could ill afford to lose anymore or the Free Folk themselves would pass into legend. No she would go with Jon Snow the only Crow she trusted and ensure they could gain this Dragonglass and then she would return to see it moulded into weapons they could use, she again thanked the Old gods she had survived the massacre at Hardhome so she could continue to aide her people and especially her daughters and her survival was down to Jon Snow and especially Tormund. She stood up as did Tormund; she didn't miss the wary or distrustful looks she and her fellow Free Folk gained from the Northern Lords and Ladies not that she cared much for their opinion or view.

"We will go with you Jon Snow, we will help you convince this Dragon Queen to aide us" Tormund stated loudly causing some low mutterings from a few Lords who saw his use of Jon's name and not his title as an assault.

"If she truly has Dragons that can breathe fire then we must convince her to be our ally, they could destroy vast lines of the White Walkers army" Karsi added wondering what an actual Dragon might look like as all she knew of them were from half-forgotten stories told by ancient lore.

"Aye they would at that Karsi, now the decision is made and I am going but before I do there is some last business to deal with" Jon stated deciding the move this conversation on as they did not have time to keep arguing the point and he did not want the headache it would cause. "Alys Karstark and Ned Umber please step forward" he commanded and whilst Alys Karstark quickly moved to the front, Ned Umber hesitated clearly afraid before mastering himself and joining her. "It has been decided by myself and the Northern houses that you will each keep your family inheritance but will serve a period of ten years as wards, Lord Hornwood will serve as Warden for you Alys Karstark whilst Lord Mazin will serve for Ned Umber" he informed them and both realised they were getting of lightly considering what their Father's had done. "Do you accept the judgement of the North?" he asked.

"I do your Grace" Alys Karstark responded and then knelt before Jon. "I pledge House Karstark loyal as it has been for generations to House Stark once more, my men and swords are yours to command" she vowed.

"Lord Umber, do you accept the judgement as well?" Jon inquired turning to the young boy who was now the nominal head of House Umber.

"I do your grace, I pledge House Umber once more to be a sworn vassal of House Stark" Ned Umber stated as he knelt. "The men I command are yours as are their swords when you call on them" he added.

Lady Mormont nodded having been listening to the way both had spoken their oaths and had heard no hint of deceit, hopefully both House Karstark and House Umber would survive long enough to wipe this black mark away in the eyes of the other Lords who even now watched the two warily. Jon bid them stand and re-join their peers, he then turned to look at Baelish who as usual was watching everything even though now and again he kept glancing uneasy looks at Arya.

"Lord Baelish please step forward I have need of your help as well" Jon said taking Arya and especially Sansa by surprise by this action.

Baelish had to stop himself from jerking in surprise at been called out, recovering he stood and moved to the centre of the hall noting he was been watched by the various Lords and Ladies. "I am of course at your service your Grace" he said easily even though the words made him taste bile in his throat as the only man who deserved been King was him not this bastard in front of him.

"Lord Cerwyn raised the fear of an attack by the Lannister's in the last meeting and I admit there is a possibility of one even with Cersei's attention now diverted to Daenerys Targaryen, thus we need to know where the southern armies are located and what they are doing" Jon stated carefully having quickly devised this plan to remove Baelish from Winterfell for a small while whilst he was away and unable to keep an eye on the man. "As the only man here who has spent a lot of time in the South and someone I know thanks to my Sister has many contacts he can call on, I ask that you travel South and learn this information and anything else that may help us prevent an attack on the North" he requested knowing Baelish more than likely would have to agree to appease the other Lords and Ladies he was now supposedly allied with.

Baelish wanted to glare at the bastard for daring putting him in a position he could not back out of without losing any respect he had gained from aiding in the Battle of the Bastards, he glanced at Sansa and noted she looked very surprised by her Brother's choice which at least told him she'd had no part of this. As he calculated what to say he suddenly realised this may actually be of use to him, he had few assets here to use as spies and cogs to turn things to his whim. Heading South could allow him to recruit some of his allies there to bring back North, yes it meant leaving Sansa on her own for a short while but he was certainly to be back before Jon Snow and then he could use the time alone with Sansa to turn her fully to his goals. Plus the more allies he had to call on the more easily he could learn things that might help him subvert certain Northern Lords into his service willingly or unwillingly he didn't care which.

"I will do as you request your Grace and find out where the Lannister's forces as well as their allies are stationed and what plans they have for the North" he finally responded with a smile and a short bow.

"I thank you for your willingness to help Lord Baelish" Jon replied although he'd rather shove his sword through the man's heart than smile at him as if he was someone he trusted.

"Your Grace before you call this meeting to a close I feel it is my duty to protest your plan to go South one more time" Lord Glover stated as he stood having sensed the meeting was about to end. "You are our King and we need our King in the North" he stated too much agreement from many of the others.

Before Jon could stand and rebuke the man for again raising an objection to his plans Arya stood up and stared down at Lord Glover, though surprised he decided to stay seated and see what Arya would say and glancing at Sansa he could see she too was curious.

"My Brother has already made up his mind to go and he has told you all he has to go so the Dragon Queen will listen, whilst I am sure my Brother appreciates your concern arguing this point again serves no one and especially not the North as a whole" Arya stated having been quickly bought up to speed by the man beside her called Ser Davos. "If he says he has to go then he does, my Brother does not lie and he knows going is a risk considering past history between the Starks and Targaryen's but it has to be done this way or any chance at an alliance will fail" she continued calmly relying on what she had learned to keep her emotions in check as she spoke to such a large crowd. "No my Lord there is no more time to argue, you must accept this is the right cause of action and move to help ensure all plans to make it succeed are considered before my Brother leaves" she finished and Sansa who had been listening quietly had to admit she was surprised by the calmness and level headed argument her Sister had put forward as it clashed with what her last memories of Arya as a wild undisciplined child, but it was now clear she had grown up and found a balance perhaps.

"Lady Arya is correct and whilst I share Lord Glover's concern over our King going South the choice has been made and he insists he needs to go, thus we must accept his choice and do all we can to ensure he returns to where he belongs" Lady Lyanna finally said into the silence that followed liking the way the youngest Stark had spoken, clearly not one to be intimidated by others.

Finally Jon noted resigned acceptance from many of the Lords once Lady Lyanna stopped speaking, he glanced at Arya who was once more back in her seat smiling. Shaking his head in awe at her ability to get through to them he reached over and gently grasped her hand in thanks, Arya returned the grip smiling even wider at having gained her Brother's thanks but she knew that would not last as she had no plans to let Jon go on this trip without her and she knew he would be set against it but that argument could wait until they were alone.

"Lord Manderly, we will ride for White Harbor in three hours so we can set sail before dark" Jon stated turning to the oldest of the surviving Northern Lords. "The quickly I leave for Dragonstone the quickly I can return, hopefully with an alliance sealed and the Dragonglass we desperately need for the war ahead" he added.

"As you will your Grace, I will ensure Horses and supplies are prepared for the trip" Lord Manderly responded with a short bow.

"I implore the rest of you My Lords and Ladies to begin preparing the North for the war ahead, I ask that all able bodied man and woman, boy or girl and begin training them to fight and to survive what is to come" Jon said turning to the rest of the Lords and Ladies watching him.

"You expect me to place a weapon in my granddaughter's hand?" Lord Glover exclaimed in surprise but again before Jon could respond Lady Lyanna quickly rose looking quite angry.

"I do not intend to be sitting by a nice fire knitting or making hot tea for the men when they come home, I intend to fight just as my Mother would have if she was still alive" Lady Lyanna spat glaring at the larger Lord Glover who shifted nervously having already been torn down by the young Lady once before. "She was a warrior and I intend to follow in her footsteps, I will fight and any boy, girl, man or woman who wishes to join me will be allowed" she added.

"I also have no plans to sit by a fire Lord Glover, I have survived the years I've been on my own through learning to fight and to survive" Arya hissed coming to her feet to join in the conversation surprising Jon and Sansa at her mention of learning to fight and wondered just what their younger Sister had endured. "When this fight comes I will be at the front with my sword in my hand, the sword my Brother gifted me before we parted ways" she added grasping the hilt of Needle and startling Jon who suddenly realised she still had the sword he had given her so long ago.

Lord Glover shifted at been attacked by just by one young Lady but two and he then noted the tall form of Lady Brienne of Tarth also glaring at him, her very presence showed women could learn to fight and he realised he had already lost this fight. He glanced around the room and whilst he noted a lot of concerned looks none dared argue the point, nodding he realised he'd have to comply.

"I will comply with your request your Grace and I ask Lady Mormont and Lady Stark's forgiveness for implying they should sit quietly and wait" he stated with a short bow before quickly sitting down and down the rest of his ale wondering just how fierce Lady Mormont would be should she live through the war the King insisted was coming to become a full woman.

"Thank you all, I must not prepare for the trip ahead and I will hope and pray the Wall and the Night's Watch hold until I return" Jon stated. "As long as they stand we have time, I will endeavour to return as quickly as I can" he added before he turned and headed out of the hall and to his room away of Ghost, Arya, Nymeria and Sansa following close behind and Brienne and Podrick behind them even as the assembly broke up.

+TWATD+

(Dragonstone)

Dany entered the map room knowing that soon her troops would make land fall before marching on Lannisport, she was slightly nervous as this would be the first time her Dothraki and Unsullied wold engage the knights of Westeros in battle. It would be a true test of her army to engage and defeat her enemies, she had faith though they would succeed especially with the Ironborn also aiding in the attack. She stared at the map and found her gaze wondering once more North to where Winterfell was marked, the ancestral home of the Starks. So far they'd had no return Raven to indicate whether Jon Snow would accept her invitation to come to Dragonstone, but then Tyrion had indicated they might not get one and the only sign of compliance would be for a ship of the North to appear of their coastline flying the Stark banner. She wondered just what this Jon Snow was like, Tyrion seemed to think him a good man, someone to trust but she was a bit more unsure that was true due him been Eddard Stark's son. Granted she knew very little truly about the man who had been best friends with the usurper accept what her Brother had told her and his accounts could not be taken fully to heart, tinted as they were by his bitterness and hatred towards anyone involved in the fall of their family. Could she put aside the past to work towards some kind of peace between them, would Jon Snow comply with her request and bend the knee and recognise her as the true Queen of the Seven Kingdoms? She wondered. She didn't know but would Jon Snow come here if he did not intend to bend the knee, letting out a sigh she sat down and contemplated just how much more complicated her life was becoming now she was back in Westeros which was all she had wanted for so long. But now that she was here the pressure and risk were so much greater, rubbing her eyes she wondered if only briefly if she would have been better off staying in Essos if only to avoid the harder choices she would soon have to make.

+TWATD+

(High Garden)

Lady Olenna let out a relieved sigh as she finally saw the pleasing sight of her home once more, she had been concerned of an attack on the way but thankfully they'd not encountered any Lannister soldiers. The Dothraki troops the Queen had sent with them were hopefully more than enough to hold off any attack whilst her vassal houses formed up, combined with whatever Unsullied remained here combined with her own forces she was certain she could hold High Garden. Riding into the courtyard she was pleased to see Lord Tarly and his Son had arrived with his own forces, good not only was the man a good general but had also been one of her Son's most trusted friends. Once the carriage came to a stop she got out and moved straight to him, Randall Tarly and his Son both bowed as she approached but she quickly waved the pleasantries away.

"It is good to see you again Lord Tarly, I trust you are well" she said in greeting.

"I am my Lady and before I move onto more pressing matters allow me to offer my condolences on the loss of Lord Tyrell and your grandchildren, what the Lannister's have done is a crime not heard of since the days of the Mad King" Randall responded sadly. "Your Son was a good friend and I will miss him" he added.

Olenna did her best to keep her emotions in check before responding. "Thank you Lord Tarly I know Mace valued your friendship and I will be counting on your leadership in the trials ahead" she told him.

Randall nodded. "I am ready to serve my Lady but I must warn you before I came here the majority of the Lords of the Reach were summoned before Cersei Lannister where she tried to coerce some of us to betray our oaths to you" he informed her and did not miss the angered look this caused to pass over his Lady's face. "I stormed out in rage as did the majority of the others who are even now either here with their men or on their way, however I am afraid we may have to consider one of the Lords guilty of betraying their oath to your family as I did not see Lord Cuy leave the great hall or King's Landing for that matter" he continued.

Olenna frowned at the news but she knew Lord Branston Cuy had always been a highly ambitious man, her Son had always been cautious around the man and that had shown that whilst he could be somewhat thoughtless her Son had at least had good instincts before he was murdered by the Lannister bitch.

"Ensure should he or his men attempt to enter High Garden they are dealt with, I am in no mood to trust the survival of what remains of my family to someone I cannot fully trust and Lord Cuy has long had ambitions beyond his station" she ordered.

"Dickon go and tell everyone Lord Cuy and his men are not to be allowed entry and must be dealt with" Randall commanded his Son who bowed and quickly left to follow the order. "My Lady these allies you have brought whilst I admit some distaste for their presence I am willing to overlook it due to what forced you to ally with Daenerys Targaryen, my own anger at what Cersei Lannister has done to your family and the hope that this Targaryen can finally bring peace to this land because it is clear to me if Cersei Lannister remains Queen all we'll have is more war" he stated honestly.

"I thank you for your honest opinion Lord Tarly and I believe Daenerys Targaryen will bring peace should she become Queen, the Dothraki and the Unsullied have been taught a little common tongue whilst they were training to use the ships that brought them here so they can be given orders" Olenna told him.

"But will they follow whatever orders I give them my Lady?" Randall had to inquire.

"Yes I believe they will as before we left the Daenerys Targaryen ensured to speak to them and make them understand whilst they are here they were to do as they were ordered by me or whoever I chose to lead them" Olenna responded and Randall nodded in acceptance. "Now I would request you get High Garden ready just in case of an attack Lord Tarly, once that is done you may join me in my study so we can talk over some things" she added before she turned and entered the mansion.

Randall turned and moved to start preparing High Garden's defences, he did not doubt that if Lord Cuy had indeed betrayed them then an attack was to happen soon, it made sense to him for why Cersei had needed to find a Lord or Lady of the Reach willing to betray Lady Olenna so as to make an attack easier.

+TWATD+

(Winterfell)

Jon entered the main study and moved to sit at what had once been his Father's desk, Arya and Sansa soon took the seats across from him whilst Brienne and Podrick stayed outside the room. Ghost and Nymeria quickly moved to sit by the open fire which was already lit, rubbing his eyes he looked between both his Sisters feeling nothing but joy at them all be reunited.

"Jon, what made you send Baelish away I thought you were going to follow my lead?" Sansa inquired.

"I am Sansa believe me but I'd rather be here in case you need me whilst dealing with the man hence I decided to get him out of Winterfell for at least a little while" Jon assured her not wanting her to think he doubted her. "This will give you time Sansa to gain the trust and support of the Lords here, learn which will be useful in dealing with Baelish when he returns although I think it is clear we can trust Lady Lyanna already" he explained. "It will also give you time to prepare plans in dealing with him, Baelish considering what he has done what you told me he has done is not something you take on without plans and support" he told her.

"What the hell is Baelish even doing here, that man is a Lannister puppet" Arya burst out finally having had enough of waiting to ask this question.

"He controls the Vale Arya as guardian of our cousin Robyn Arryn, he is here as leader of the delegation from the Vale who helped us win the battle to reclaim Winterfell and destroy Ramsey Bolton" Sansa explained. "It was him who got me out of King's Landing although it was not due to his desire to help me as he told me at the time, he is not a good man and he is a direct threat to our family especially to Jon" she told her making Arya frown.

"Then why not just kill him?" Arya demanded to know not liking the idea of Baelish threatening Sansa and especially not Jon.

"We can't just kill him as he is guardian of the Vale until Lord Robin comes of age, worse he has full control over your cousin according to Sansa and seen as it was because of him the Vale came to out aide we can't just remove him" Jon answered wishing it was as simple as just killing the man. "We have to make him slip up and show he is not our ally, that he is an enemy but to do it we have to move carefully as Sansa advised as she knows what he is capable of best" he told her.

"He conspired with Tywin Lannister to kill our Brother and Stannis Baratheon, I don't doubt he had a hand in the Red Wedding and our Father's betrayal and death" Arya stated coldly.

"Sansa said as much as we cannot just kill him, we'd more than likely lose the support of the Vale and we cannot afford to do that Arya so let Sansa deal with Baelish when he returns" Jon responded.

"I won't be here when he gets back Jon I intend to go with you to Dragonstone" Arya shot back deciding to accept her Siblings view of things as they knew the political situation better than she did as she'd just come back.

Sansa was shocked at Arya's response but no more than Jon was, both looked at one another before turning to look at Arya who stared back at them calmly awaiting their response.

"Arya, you just came home would you not prefer to stay and help Sansa" Jon argued somewhat half-heartedly as he was still recovering from the shock of Arya's response having not expected it.

"No Jon, Sansa was trained by Mother and others to be the Lady of a castle and she was one who learned all the political crap that was important for such a role it was never something I as interested in and you know that" Arya argued having expected a bigger reaction from her Brother but clearly she had taken Jon by surprise. "But I can be of use to you in Dragonstone, people underestimate me due to my size and been a girl just like they did in King's Landing" she went on and at this Sansa had to reluctantly agree her Sister had passed through the capital remarkably unseen which she had sometimes envied her. "You will need someone who can be unseen to watch for any signs of threat, I can be that believe me I've learnt a lot in the years we've been apart" she insisted.

"She was able to pass unseen Jon, they never had any interest in her" Sansa agreed with a sigh. "Jon whilst I would like Arya to stay here so we can catch up if she really believes she can help you then perhaps you should consider letting her come with you, I know for a fact she came home for you more than she did me because you two were always the closest of us and I do not begrudge either of you that because back when we were young all I ever cared for was been a Princess and thus cared little to really interact with either of you" she told him much to Jon's and especially Arya's surprise although Arya had to admit Sansa was correct she had come home because Jon was here more than because Sansa was as harsh as that sounded. "She'll watch your back and I know you would do anything to ensure her safety, at least this way you won't do anything particularly dumb to risk putting her life on the line whilst dealing with this Targaryen Queen you insist on meeting" she added. "Also seen as I can't go with you as I must remain here Arya can fill in my role of ensuring you are careful, that you think first before acting and ensures you do not put your life at risk by letting your emotions get the better of you" she finished.

Jon considered his Sister's words and had to admit they had sense to them, he would never do anything that would risk Arya's life and he also had to concede Arya could fill in Sansa's role of advisor and help him from making any real mistakes. He didn't want to take Arya as it would be a risky enough trip as it was but he couldn't find an argument he could use that would not either insult or hurt Arya, thus he simply nodded and gave in.

"Ok you can come with me, but you stick close to us and you will have to watch what you say when we finally meet this Daenerys Targaryen because I assure you she will have a temper like we were told was common in the Targaryen family" he told her to which Arya nodded and grinned.

Turning to Sansa she reached over and grasped her hand. "We have a couple of hours before we leave for White Harbor so why not use it to catch up whilst Jon and the others get things ready for the trip" she said to which Sansa nodded in agreement.

Getting up both girls moved to leave but Jon raised his hand to halt them before calling in Lady Brienne and Podrick. "Arya will be going with me to Dragonstone do you think you can spare you squire to go with us to Dragonstone Lady Brienne to act as her guard whilst you remain to guard Sansa?" he inquired and quickly shut down any protest from Arya with a single look.

Brienne was a little surprise to hear Arya would be going with her Brother to Dragonstone but realised considering the reunion she had witnessed between them Lady Arya had not wanted to be parted from her Brother so soon, glancing at Podrick she noted the surprised look on his face at been singled out for a assignment of his own. He had come far in his training she he had been assigned to her and seen as she could not leave Winterfell as that would leave Lady Sansa unprotected, the least she could do was sense Podrick in her stead.

"I can your Grace, he has come far in his training and he will be an excellent guard not only for Lady Arya but you as well" she finally answered.

"Excellent then Podrick gather what supplies and equipment you need for the trip and be ready to leave in three hours" Jon commanded deciding not to argue with the suggestion of Podrick been his guard as well who nodded and then after a glance and gaining a nod from Brienne to do as he had been ordered rather nervous at been given such a task on his own and yet also vowing not to let either Lady Brienne or King Jon down. "Also when Lord Baelish returns Lady Brienne I want you to watch him closely, he is dangerous especially to my Sister thus keep your on the man" he added to which Brienne nodded in understanding knowing the man could not be trusted from the moment she had met him.

"Jon" Sansa went to protest but Jon cut her off.

"No Sansa, Lady Brienne is your sworn sword but she cannot fully protect you if she does not truly know where the threat is coming from" Jon argued. "I suggest you tell her some of what Lord Baelish has done once we leave so she understands just how much of a threat he is and can protect you better" he added to which Sansa reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Brienne watched both Lady Sansa and Lady Arya left their Brother's study and quickly followed after nodding in understanding of his orders, she followed the two young women to Lady Sansa' room where she took up her station and waited wondering all the while what Baelish might have done to make Jon Snow the King so concerned especially after he had acted like he had trusted the man back in the hall, clearly a lie designed to get Baelish away from Sansa and Winterfell whilst he was at Dragonstone unable to act if needed.

+TWATD+

Jorah watched Sam leave still thinking over everything the young man had told him of his time at the Wall and the things he had seen, he would truly like to dismiss it all as insanity but he couldn't because Sam sounded to be of sound mind for that to be the case and he doubted he would have been allowed to join the Citadel if he was truly insane. That made the only obvious thing to believe was that it was all true, the Night King, White Walkers and their army of the dead were all real and not myth as once believed. That his Father and this Jon Snow had fought them and more fights would come especially once they reached the Wall, he would have to tell the Queen all about this once he was allowed to return to her side. She would need to know of this new threat and he just hoped she would not believe him insane as he had wanted to believe Sam was, closing his eyes he rested his head back and wondered just when he would finally be allowed to leave the Citadel to return to his beloved Queen even though he knew deep inside she would never love him back.