Chapter 7. News From Afar

King's Landing

The war of the Five Kings. That is what they are calling the war. King Joffrey who is rumored to be a bastard and has no claim to the iron throne. Then there is Stannis Baratheon who has more claim to the iron throne than Joffrey. Robb Stark the King in the North who has been defeating the Lannisters on the battlefield. Then there is Balon Greyjoy the King of the Iron Isles who attacked the North out of spite. And finally the King beyond the wall Mance Rayder who united the Wildling Clans under one banner.

After losing several major battles to Rob Stark Tywin Lannister retreats to Harranhall. From there he prepares to march to King's Landing in order to reinforce the capital against Stannis. Tyrion Lannister manages to hold the defenses and rally the troops of King's Landing. They hold the city and when all seems lost Tywin arrives with his army and the Tyrell forces as an ally. With Stannis defeated Tywin does not have to meet Robb Stark on the battlefield as he now has time and numbers on his side.

Tywin is named Hand of the King in the place of Tyrion and meets with the small council to discuss the war and other matters of the crown. "My lord a moment…" A man says to Verys as he makes his way to the Tower of the Hand. Verys reads the letter and burns it.

"Last report the young wolf is marching on Harrenhall…"

"It would be the perfect time to crush him!" Joffrey says.

Tywin just stares at him, "I underestimated the boy one too many times I will not do so again…He has no ships and Balon Greyjoy attacks in the north…Theon Greyjoy has betrayed him…We wait him out and let him fight his way to us…"

"What of Stannis?" Petyr Baelish asks.

"Stannis sits in his castle with his red priestess burning his own men…He is no threat to us at the moment…Houses Estermont, Seaworth, Connington, and Wylde remain loyal…The remaining Houses have sworn to the King Joffrey. They will not raise arms against Stannis as he has a sizable force at Dragonstone…Houses Tarth, Trant, Gradison, and Errol have broken allegiance and sworn themselves to…" Verys pauses looking into the eyes of everyone gathered allowing the tension to build. "Daenarys Targaryen…"

Joffrey laughs, "I thought all the Targaryens were dead…"

"Not all my King…Daenarys Targaryen has three Dragons…20,000 men of Quarth…10,000 unsullied warriors…and 4,000 men of the Titans Bastards…Her red three headed Dragon flies over the cities of Quarth, Astapor, and Yunkai…She is a week away from marching to Mereen…"

"Baby Dragons…"

"Yes that grow bigger each day...She also has two seasoned knights counseling her…Sir Barristan Selmy and Jorah Mormount…"

"Selmy that old shit…" Joffrey says.

Tywin sighs, "Have any of the other Houses sworn allegiance to her?" Tywin asks.

"None that I am aware of your grace…"

Dorne – Sunspear

Prince Doran Martell of Sunspear holds court. His brother Prince Oberyn Martell stands before his Lord Brother with his paramour wife and bastard children. "Six kingdoms at war and as usual Dorne remains neutral…Are we not great warriors of Wetsros…Our words Unbowed…unbent…unbroken. Daenarys Targaryen grows in strength power and influence across the sea…I say we give her our support…Send our ships and finally avenge our sister on those fucking Lannisters…"

"I am to be married to a Lannister!" Prince Trystan Martell said speaking up. It was love at first sight for the both of them. Oberyn looks at Trystan, "Are not they to become our allies?"

"She is beautiful nephew…but one golden haired cunt does not make up for the rape and murder of your aunt and cousins…"

"ENOUGH!" Doran says, "We will send an envoy to Daenarys Targaryen…If she is mad we will support Joffrey's claim to keep peace…"

"Why not support Stannis if she mad…You know what they say about Joffrey Baratheon…"

"I want peace in my last days…Not war brother…"

"War is all around us…Sooner or later we will be dragged into it regardless of your wishes…Especially if the Lannisters learn we are sending envoys to Essos…"

Doran smiles, "These are my commands brother…Obey them…If Daenarys Targaryen is worthy then Dorne will follow her to war…In the meantime get ready for I am sending you to King's Landing for a wedding…"

Doran looks at his royal vizier who taps a staff on the marble floor, "Court dismissed!"

"Father may I come with you to King's Landing?" Tyene Sand asks.

"No you will stay here with your sisters…"

"Father send me to speak with Daenarys Targaryen…" Ryu Sand says walking with his half-sisters behind Oberyn and Ellaria.

"My Lord Brother will choose who is to go…"

"Yes but if I go I can speak with Daenarys Targaryen about Tywin Lannister and the dog Sandor Clegane…"

Oberyn pauses, "Go but if you are caught I will deny everything…"

"Have I ever been caught father?"

Prince Trystan walks beside Myrcella Baratheon in the gardens, "You were not at court today…"

She smiles, "I am sorry I wanted to send a letter to my mother…Stannis attack on King's Landing failed…" She pauses and grabs his arm to stop him, "Tell me the truth. Who will your family support?"

Trystan sighs, "My father does not wish to go to war…And I say this because I love you and don't want you to worry…Please do not betray my trust…There are factions within my family who want revenge for my aunt and her children…"

"They were killed in the rebellion?"

"Raped and murdered by the Mountain Gregor Clegane…"

"Can I help?"

"How?" Trystan asks. Mrycella just smiles.