Chapter VII.
Author's Note- Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate it. Another chapter will be up later today and its got some of the first battle scenes
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Jon watched with a bit of trepidation as they approached the Twin Towers of House Frey from the north. The march had not taken all that long, and the army seemed to be in high spirits. From the other side, they could see that the host of Riverlords was approaching the south keep of the Twins. Dany had affixed a letter carrying box to Jaehaella's claws that enabled them to send word to the Tully forces on the other side of the river. They needs must approach this very carefully. Jon did not wish to resort to force where Lord Walder was concerned, and hoped that the appearance of so large a host commanded by the rightful king as well as the presence of dragons would be enough.
The previous night, Ser Brynden Tully had joined their host after finishing up some arrangements in the Vale. He had come to join Lady Catelyn's side, and aid them in whatever way he could. He also brought word that Riverrun was under siege by a Lannister host commanded by the Kingslayer himself. Edmure Tully's host was defeated and Edmure himself was captured at the Golden Tooth. He informed them of a way that might avoid an assault on the Twins and speed things along, as the troops were desperately needed to relieve Riverrun. That also explained why the host of Tully men on the other side of the river was much smaller than had been anticipated. Apparently, Lord Frey had been sent orders to immediately march his men towards Riverrun, as well as assist in their own host's crossing. That Lord Walder had ignored his liege-lord's direct orders was an act of treason. Ser Brynden, in the name of the Tully's had the authority to have Lord Walder attained for treason. With Jon's own backing, it would be completely legal to install his heir Ser Stevron Frey as the new Lord of the Crossing. Jon would simply have to get a fair number of his men inside the great hall.
In the distance, they could see a party of outriders emerging from the northern keep carrying a flag of peace making their way towards them. Jon decided that the Royal Family as well as the Starks would mount their horses and meet them showing a united front, with all four legendary members of the Kingsguard resplendent in their full regalia. He hoped Ser Stevron was as different from his lord father as he had been portrayed. He walked over to Dany, and helped her mount her steed, before walking over to mount his own black stallion. His sister was on his other side, with the Kingsguard mounted directly behind them. Lord and Lady Stark, Robb, and Ser Brynden were behind them. He gently nudged his horse into a trot as they slowly made their way towards the advancing Frey party.
It was only a small troop of Frey guardsmen leading three nobles towards them. Lady Catelyn informed him that the older man amongst them was in fact the man he had hoped to meet, Ser Stevron Frey, heir to the Crossing. He had a slightly weasel-like look about him, but he did not appear to overly pompous or grasping. In fact, Jon thought he looked to be exceedingly ordinary in all respects for a man well past his sixtieth name day. As he approached, Jon noticed he was unable to hide his shock at the appearance of some in their number. It was obvious he recognized all four of his Kingsguard. Jon decided to draw the elder man out of his shock.
"Good day to you Ser. Are you perchance Ser Stevron Frey, heir of the Crossing?" Jon asked.
At Jon's question, the man seemed to snap himself out of his stupor of gazing at his Kingsguard; three of which the man had thought long dead.
"Aye, I am he. Lord and Lady Stark and Sers Barristan and Brynden I recognize; however the rest of you are unfamiliar to me," Ser Stervron said.
Ser Barristan maneuvered his horse up a bit and began introductions.
"Lord and Lady Stark you've met. This is their heir, Robb Stark. The Blackfish, you know. Lord Stark's sister; the Dowager Princess of Dragonstone Lyanna and the Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. The Knights of the Kingsguard: the Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent, Ser Arthur Dayne, and of course I am Ser Barristan Selmy. This is Her Grace Queen Daenerys Targaryen and His Grace King Jaehaerys III Targaryen, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros," Ser Barristan finished explaining.
If they thought he was shocked before, it was nothing compared to Ser Stevron's shock now. With Lyanna Stark standing there before him, it didn't take the man long to figure out that Jaehaerys must be the son of Lyanna Stark and Crown Prince Rhaegar. If that was indeed the Princess Rhaenys, and given the fact that he did indeed recognize the long-thought dead members of the Kingsguard as well as Lyanna Stark, it was more than likely that it was truly the princess. As she appeared to be supporting her brother, the supposed King Jaehaerys, then he imagined it would not be long before they had the support and the backing of the full might of Dorne. The Riverlands were already supporting them. He did not doubt that the Reach would soon follow, as that region was filled with Targaryen loyalists of long-standing. Tywin Lannister had no idea of just what and who he was truly up against.
Ser Stevron knew that his father would never overcome his own sympathies. The ancient man was full of both admiration as well as fear of Tywin and the Lannisters as a whole. He would never truly bend the knee and give this group his honourable allegiance. In fact Ser Stevron could easily imagine the old man giving only token fealty and later committing some nefarious act of base treachery. When that happend, and he was certain it would; they would all burn. The Targaryens were not Reynes or Tarbecks. The Lannister strong-hold on the country would be quickly coming to an end; and his father would doom their entire family. He could not allow that to happen. He would help do what must be done to show his family was loyal to this son of Rhaegar.
"It is an honour to meet you Your Grace, My Queen," Ser Stevron said giving a bow to Jon and his bride.
"I understand you and your host's need to make for Riverrun, as I would be there myself to give aid to my liege-lord were I in a position to do so." He told them to let them know that if it was up to him, he would have answered the Tully call to arms.
"Pardon my impertinence Your Grace, but do you truly have dragons with you? The men at the keep swore they saw one fly over, but as they have been extinct for over one hundred years it all seemed almost too fantastical to believe," Ser Stevron asked. If the Targaryens and Starks truly had living dragons, he could not allow his father the chance to end up destroying his entire house.
Jon wore a smile that was almost dragon-like itself, before he whistled sharply between his index and smallest fingers.
Ser Stevron looked about for a moment, not seeing anything. Then, he heard it. The sound of leathery wings beating loudly. He was not sure of where the large black and red beast had come from, but it was turned into a near dive from high above them. Jon was tempted to roll his eyes; his dragon could occasionally be rather dramatic. He landed almost silently next to Jon and Daenerys; fully facing Ser Stevron. The man was gazing at the rapidly growing scaled beast in absolute wonder, and healthy dose of fear.
"Ser Stevron, I shall be blunt as we have little time to waste on needless amounts of meaningless pleasantries. My host and family needs must cross that bridge in all haste. I mean no offense, but I am well aware of your lord father's politics, as well as his need to extract payment to cross that bridge. If coin was the only concern, it would of course be no issue. However, you and I both know it would be something much different. He would try to contrive this marriage or that regarding my family. I am obviously already wed, and both my cousin Robb and my sister are already betrothed elsewhere. (That was a blatant lie, but he needn't know that.) No one will be forcing any marriage on my younger cousins I was raised as brother to. Your father was ordered by his liege-lord to bring his men to Riverrun. As he is not being besieged by enemy forces, his inaction is an act of treason against House Tully." Jon told him before carrying on with what he hoped would end this farce.
"Therefore, by my authority as King of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and head of House Targaryen I hereby declare Walder Frey guilty and attain him of treason against the realm. He is immediately stripped of his title and authority as Lord of the Twin Crossings of House Frey. He is to be taken in to custody and remanded at my pleasure. I appoint the former Lord Walder Fery's heir, Ser Stevron Frey, as the new Lord of the Crossing and head of House Frey. What say you Ser?" Jon finished.
Ser Stevron stood there motionless as a statue for some moments considering his options. This boy standing before him was giving him the perfect opening to correct all the wrongs his father had done to their family name. If he did not acquiesce, this army would besiege their keeps, and they would eventually fall no matter what. If he used his dragon, well the beast was no where near fully grown; but that did not mean it couldn't still inflict heavy damage. He himself was already an old man. He had been waiting patiently for his lord father to die for decades upon decades at this point; and the old lech still clung on to life with a fierceness that was unheard of. Even if he became Lord of the Crossings right now, he would most likely not survive all that long anyway given his own advanced age. He could however make a difference. He could restore the honour to his house and family name while there was still time. He could do this by being one of the first large houses of the South to welcome and support the return of the dynasty that forged Westeros. Decision made he faced the King.
"Your Grace, I understand and thank you for saving the honour of my house. As the Lord of the Crossing, I give Your Grace and his forces leave to utilize our bridge in whatever means you require. Also, I hereby pledge the undying loyalty and fealty of House Frey to our liege-lord Hoster Tully as well as His Grace King Jaehaerys III Targaryen, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. All of our men-at-arms are yours to command Your Grace," Ser Stevron said after laying his sword at Jon's feet.
"We thank you for your fealty and support My Lord. House Frey shall not be forgotten for the loyalty you have shown me. Now, how do you suggest we take your former lord into custody? Perhaps you could bring us to him for introductions and after I charge him of treason and name you as successor? Will your guards risk a fight for their old lord?" Jon asked.
Ser Stevron thought on that for a moment, then replied, "They will not risk their lives for my father when it is merely changing a matter of the rightful lord succeeding a little a head of schedule. Not with an army and dragon's here, and after House Tully's call for us to join them."
So it was that Jon, Daenerys, Rhaenys, Lyanna, Lord and Lady Stark, Robb, the Blackfish, and the Kingsguard found themselves entering the south keep on the other side of the river closer to where the Tully host was located. They did not bring any of their other men with them besides the Kingsguard as they did not wish to appear frightening. Aegarion was with them as well. He never would have been allowed in if Ser Stevron had not ordered they Frey household guards to be silent about the matter. Entering the great hall, Jon saw the wizened old form of Walder Frey sat upon a dais and throne-like upholstered chair. The old man had stringy white hair, beady eyes, and the general appearance of an old and particularly unpleasant weasel.
"Lord and Lady Stark, welcome." The old man wheezed out.
"I must say, it was quite a surprise to hear you were here Lord Stark. Last I heard, the King had you arrested on charges of treason and you were supposed to be rotting away in the Black Cells, heh heh." He chuckled out.
Jon stepped forward then, determined to end this quickly.
"As you can see, my Uncle is quite at his liberty. Now, I must ask. Why have you ignored the summons of your liege-lord to move your forces to Riverrun. What gives you the right to dare to so blatantly ignore your over-lord?" Jon asked him, caring not in the slightest how forceful and condescending he sounded. He loathed this man on sight.
Apparently he took the man by surprise. He must be used to too many people dancing to his tune to pay the toll.
"How dare you speak to me like that! Some whoreson's bastard. Aren't you the 'oh-so-honourable' Lord Eddard Stark's bastard? You let your whorespawn bastard speak like this Stark?" The old lech questioned his Uncle.
"I am Jaehaerys III Targaryen. The only living son of Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and his wife the Princess Lyanna Stark of Winterfell; King of the Seven Kingdoms. I find you guilty of treason for failing to answer the call of your liege-lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun. You are hereby attained and stripped of you lands and title, and are to be placed under arrest." Jon said as he wanted this over quickly.
Lord Walder's guards unsheathed their swords as the old man began screaming profanities at him and ordering his guards to take his head. Aegarion then moved from behind the group to stand at Jon's side and the guards were stopped in their tracks at the sight of the black dragon. Ser Stevron then came to join Jon.
"I declare Ser Stevron Frey as the new and rightful Lord of the Twin Crossings of House Frey," Jon said in a tone of finality.
"Guards, take my Lord Father in to custody. He shall remain as the King's prisoner until such time as his fate is decided," Ser Stevron ordered the guardsmen.
The six Frey guards stood there for a moment. You could easily see the debate going on in their minds as to whom they should obey. Looking at Jon, and then at his large dragon however; they made up their minds quite quickly to acknowledge Ser Stevron as their new lord. The entire castle could hear the belligerent yells and threats that spewed from old Lord Walder's mouth as he was shackled and led away. He was threatening them all of bringing down the wrath of Tywin Lannister upon them for daring to treat him thus. Jon had not an ounce of pity for the old man. He had brought this all on himself.
Once that was out of the way and Lord Stevron was properly installed in his father's seat, Jon's army did not stay and rest. They were much needed in Riverrun, and so they crossed the bridge to the south bank of the river and continued their march. Jon and his council had decided to leave behind a garrison of five hundred men to stay with Lord Stevron and make sure nothing happened to the bridge that could impede their forces ability to easily march north or south; the men were also staying to guarantee that no for of treachery was able to come from the Twins.
