[Ironrath]
Asher: "My father had other children?!"
"Yes. They were sent to the north grove. It's located beyond the wall."
"The north grove?"
"He told me on his death bed that it must never fall. I have no idea what it holds or why he places it as such an importance. I met with a mysterious individual back in Eastwatch. He also told me that north grove is of importance."
"Who was this individual?"
"I never met him before. He appeared to wear a grey cloak with what looked like to be Night's Watch clothing. He rode on an elk."
"An elk? This all sounds like some fairy tail, Gared."
"I know it sounds mad but it's all true. The bastard children of your father have been holding the north grove for years."
"I don't like the sound of 'the bastard children'. If what you're telling me is true, then they're my family. I'd like to meet them."
"I told them to wait outside."
"Very well, bring them in."
Gared brings Josera and Elsera Snow to meet Asher.
"My Lord." They both bend the knee.
"Stand up. I was told we are family."
"Yes, my Lord."
"No need for formalities." A smile covers Asher's face. "Welcome home!" He hugs them, filled with happiness.
Elsera: "Thank you. We're happy we finally get to meet our family."
Asher: "You need to meet with Ryon and Talia as well as your uncle!"
Josera: "Of course! but we must discuss something important first."
"Yes, Gared was informing me of it just now. There are other things I must tend to first, we will discuss this later."
Asher walks back to the great hall with Josera, Elsera, and Gared.
"Excuse our absence" he speaks to Daenerys.
"Not at all. What was so important that you couldn't discuss in front of us?"
"Family business. There is a location in the north that my father places great importance in."
He turns to Ryon, Talia and Malcolm, "Everyone, this is Josera Snow and Elsera Snow. They may not have our names but they are family."
Everyone stares in shock.
Malcolm: "Family? Your father has bastards?"
"Yes, it appears so. They were left in charge of the north grove. That is what we were discussing."
Malcolm: "The north grove?"
Gared: "We don't have information concerning what it holds. We do know however, it's of great importance if Lord Forrester kept it hidden."
Asher turns to Ryon. "Where is Lord Glenmore?"
"He was taken to a room to rest."
"Go check on him." Ryon leaves. "We must celebrate our victory. We will discuss other matters later."
Daenerys: "I agree" she smiles. Asher walks up to Malcolm and instructs him to prepare the room for a feast.
"Asher!" Ryon runs to the great hall. "I found Elaena. She was locked in a room but she refuses to come out. She seems afraid."
Asher: "Where? Take me to her."
Asher reaches Elaena's room. "Elaena.. we have taken Ironrath and Highpoint, the whitehills are all dead, there is nothing to fear."
She looks at him in hesitation.
Asher: "Ryon, bring her father here."
Lord Glenmore enters the room. "My daughter!"
"Father!" She runs to hug him tightly.
"We will be having a feast to celebrate our victory, join us."
Lord Glenmore looks at Asher and bends the knee. "Thank you, my Lord! I am very gratefu..."
"Yes, yes" Asher smiles.
Night comes. Everyone is in the great hall, with the main table filled with food as they eat and drink.
Malcolm is sitting near Asher. He whispers to him, "is Gwyn still in her room?"
"I believe so."
"Poor girl. You know I was thinking, you need a bride. You need to father children to continue the family line."
"Uncle, I'm not worrying about that at the moment."
"Hear me out. Gwyn is a wonderful and beautiful woman. Her family is dead, with no where to go. You've known each other since you were children."
"You actually think she will marry me? The family that killed hers?"
"Why not? She understands, it was war. She did not like her father's actions."
"She did not like ours either."
"We are the victims, Asher. She understands that, she will come around soon and with nowhere to go, she would be lucky to marry you."
Asher sits quiet.
Malcolm: "Think about it. I will speak with her."
Duncan: "A toast!" he stands up. "To Daenerys Stormborn for providing her dragons to help our victory!"
"To Daenerys Stormborn!" everyone shouts.
Daenerys smiles, "Thank you all but it is Malcolm that you should thank for convincing me."
"To Malcolm!" everyone replies with laughter.
Asher: "And to Gared and Lord Glenmore!"
"To Gared and Lord Glenmore!"
Everyone continues to eat and drink to their heart's content. The next day, Asher meets with Daenerys privately in the great hall.
Asher: "I want to fly to Barrowton."
Daenerys looks confused. "Why?"
"I have to avenge my friend. The Whitehills framed her and the people of Barrowton killed her for gold."
Daenerys understands as she nods. "Very well, I'll come along."
"No, I need you to stay here. This is my fight."
"Be careful, do not do anything stupid."
Asher walks outside to Rhaegal and mounts him.
Malcolm: "Asher! Where are you going?"
"To avenger her. SÅvegon."
Rhaegal flies away towards Barrowton.
[Barrowton]
"What a beautiful day it is" a soldier manning the entrance thinks to himself. Villagers go on with their typical days; people drinking, others working. A huge flame hits the main gate.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?" soldiers scream.
Rhaegal lands, allowing Asher to walk inside Barrowton. Everyone stares in fear.
"I'm looking for a woman. She goes by the name of Beskha. I will not hurt you if you tell me where she is."
"Attack him!" the commander of the soldiers yell but no one listens.
Asher: "Really? That is your instinct? To attack a man who just landed with a dragon?" Asher looks at Rhaegal, "Dracarys." Rhaegal roars as he burns the commander alive, making him scream so loud that no one dared to move a single step.
"Do not let me ask you again."
The villagers remain quiet in terror.
Asher: "Rhaegal..."
"WAIT! WAIT! She's dead, she's not here! She was executed for treason!"
"Ah, so you admit that this town executed her."
The remains quiet.
"DO NOT MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF!"
"Yes! Yes, we executed here!"
"Tell me, was she executed for treason? Or were you bought from the Whitehills to execute her and allow my little brother to be kidnapped?"
A villager replies, "the Whitehills paid us. You have to understand, we are trying to survive."
"By killing and selling innocents who visit your town?"
No one replies.
Asher walks away and mounts Rhaegal. "I sentence all of you to death for the execution of an innocent and for allowing the abduction of a child."
"Please! PLEASE! They threatened to kills our families!" a soldier begs.
"Yet you took their gold without hesitation... Dracarys!"
Rhaegal burns the entire town along with the villagers and soldiers. He roars once more before they fly back to Ironrath.
[Ironrath]
Malcolm: "They've returned"
Asher: "It is done. We do not ever speak of this again, understood?"
Malcolm nods.
"I spoke with Gwyn in regards of wedding you. She accepted."
"Really? I am surprised. Why?"
"Why don't you speak with her yourself. She is waiting in the great hall."
Asher enters the great hall. "Gwyn."
"Asher."
They stare at each other.
"Gwyn..."
"Don't. I have made my peace, I want to move on. I expected something similar of this to happen when the battle began."
Asher remains quiet.
"I will marry you if you would take me as your wife. The truth is, I have always been in love with you and I do not blame you for my family's death. My father has brought it onto himself for the troubles he caused your family."
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes, do you?"
"I would happily take you as my wife."
She smiles.
"My Lord... oh sorry to interrupt."
"Not at all Gared."
"We must discuss..."
Asher interrupts, "Yes, come." They sit on the table along with Josera, Elsera, and Duncan.
He looks at Josera and Elsera as he addresses them, "You have been manning the north grove your entire life correct?"
Gwyn: "The north grove?"
Asher: "I'll brief you about it later Gwyn. So, as I was saying" he looks at Josera and Elsera.
"Yes."
"What do you know of it?"
Josera: "Not as much as you may think we know. We did not go deeper inside, we were told to remain at the entrance in order to prevent any intruders."
"Ok, tell me what you do know then."
Elsera: "There is a great power within. Our father stressed that we must protect it at all cost or it will cause the fall of House Forrester. Also, I have noticed that my blood magic is much stronger there."
"Gared?"
Gared: "I can say from first hand experience that she is right. It felt different. The atmosphere there was not the same."
"Why did you leave it empty then?"
"Coldhands, the individual I told you of before, is currently protecting it during our absence."
Duncan: "I believe we should go deeper in to see what we can discover."
Asher begins to think of a solution. "Very well, as the Lord, I appoint Josera, my brother, to be the King of the North Grove, serving under House Forrester."
Josera: "King? I am very honored but I am no King."
"You are my brother."
"I am a bastard."
"You are a Forrester." Asher hands two pieces of papers to Josera and Elsera. "From this day forth, you are to be Josera Forrester and Elsera Forrester. I have legitimized both of you to be officially part of the family."
They look on in shock and happiness. "THANK YOU MY LORD!"
"No need for formalities, we are family. Gared, I appoint you as Josera's sentinel."
"You do me a great honor, my king!"
"Tell me, do you trust this 'Coldhands' individual?"
"He seems to be trustworthy. The lord commander of Eastwatch trusted him."
"Ok then, he will be the knight of the North Grove, to serve by your side as you all protect it. I want us to know more about that area. You shall conquer it and update me on what you find."
"Yes, my Lord."
Daenerys walks into the great hall. "I will be on my way back to Meereen. Thank you for having me as your guest."
"Leaving so soon?"
"I have a city to rule."
Asher nods, "thank you so much for your help and for staying."
"I trust that now we are allies."
"Of course. If you ever need help, House Forrester stands by House Targaryen."
Malcolm: "I believe this is farewell once more."
"Goodbye uncle. Stay in touch." They hug.
Asher: "You better come to my wedding!"
Malcolm: "Of course, send the invitation. I wouldn't miss it for the world" he smiles.
Malcolm mounts Drogon along with Daenerys. Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion roar as they fly away back to Meereen.
(Guest room)
Lord Glenmore whispers to Elaena, "I want you to marry his brother, Josera."
"Father?"
"House Forrester is currently a powerful house with powerful allies. We must keep them as our allies. You would be queen of the north grove."
"But Father..."
"At the very least, meet with the man. Get to know him better and then decide. I will speak with Asher."
"Ok."
(The Great Hall)
Duncan: "What of Highpoint, my Lord."
"I am appointing my brother Ryon to rule in Highpoint."
"Ryon?!"
"Yes, he is more than capable of taking the role."
"But, my Lord."
"Do not question me Duncan."
Gared: "I can provide him with an army, its not much but it should hold Highpoint."
Asher: "You need that army to protect the north grove."
"My army has grown large with whitehill and glenmore soldiers. I insist, my Lord."
"Very well."
Lord Glenmore: "My Lord, may I have a word with you?"
"Of course."
(Ryon's room)
Ryon walks in and is startled. "Who are you?!"
"I don't mean any harm please. My name's Tom."
"That doesn't answer my question! Are you a spy? You served the Whitehills?"
"No, I swear."
Ryon grabs Tom and brings him to the great hall.
"I found a spy!"
Duncan: "a spy?"
Tom: "I swear I'm not!"
Asher: "What in the seven hells is going on?!"
"I found a spy hiding in my room!"
Asher looks at frightened Tom. "You worked for the whitehills boy?"
"No I did not. I was saved and brought here by Maester Ebbert but I remained loyal to your house!"
"Loyal? Where are you from?"
"King's Landing. I knew your sister, Mira."
Asher: "Mira? How is she? We must get her out of that city, she is not safe there!"
Tom: "I'm sorry but, she is dead."
The room became quiet.
Asher: "Dead?"
"She was beheaded for treason."
Duncan: "We will avenge her, my Lord."
Asher remains quiet for a moment. "I will rain fire on King's landing, I swear it on the old gods and the new."
(The next day)
Gared: "Well, I will be on my way."
Asher: "Thank you for your service, my friend"
"Of course, my Lord. I will report to you on my journey through the north grove."
"Be cautious, we do not know what lurks in there."
Gared extends his arm for a handshake. Asher grabs and pulls him for a hug instead.
"Safe travels, my friend. I expect you to return for my wedding."
Gared smiles, "Of course." He waves goodbye as he marches back to the north grove with his army.
(The Great Hall)
Lord Glenmore: "I spoke with Asher. He notified Josera and he is interested if you are."
Elaena looks on. "I will meet with Josera first before I make any decisions. Thank you father."
[The North Grove]
Coldhands: "Welcome back."
"Thank you for guarding the area until I returned."
"Yes of course. I have found something that will definitely interest you."
"What?"
"You will be surprised to know that the north grove holds an ice dragon."
"An ice dragon?"
"Yes."
"Do you mean literally or metaphorically?"
Coldhands stares with a serious expression. Gared remains quiet.
"Where is this ice dragon?"
"Deeper in. It is quite a long journey, but I have chained him to prevent his escape."
"Prevent his escape? But this must be his home. Why would he escape?"
"I was told that he did escape before by the grovians."
"Grovians?"
"The people who inhabit the north grove. Apparently there are more ice dragons however, they do not know of their whereabouts."
"There are people in there?"
"Yes. The north grove is it's own small world. The Grovians believe there is also a power hidden within. It's merely a myth; it hasn't been confirmed."
"A power? What do you mean?"
"They describe it as some kind of force that holds the north grove together. A god as you would say."
"A god?"
"As they say, yes. The north god. It appeared as if your ancestor explored the north grove."
"How is that?"
"I'm not sure, but I found banners of House Forrester on a castle."
"We must send word to Asher immediately. Also, you are to be appointed the knight of the north grove."
"By whom?"
"Lord Forrester. There will be a dubbing ceremony. We spoke privately before I left, he plans to visit the north grove."
[Ironrath - The Great Hall]
"My Lord, we have received word from Gared."
"Ah, he arrived to the north grove? Very good news. I am glad."
Duncan hands Asher the note sent by a raven.
"What is this? Is this true?"
"It appears to be so."
"Did you send an invitation for the wedding?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good. We will discuss it further once he arrives. Will Daenerys be able to attend as well?"
"Yes, we received a letter from her this morning."
"Very well."
[The Iron Wedding]
And so the wedding day arrived. Everyone who were invited attended. The location was chosen to be in the woods behind Ironrath. White flowers were hung from branches and wrapped around the trees with lights to set the mood. The groom, King Asher, awaited for his bride on top of a huge trunk that had been the remain of a fallen tree. Behind him, the biggest and oldest ironwood tree stood. A true symbol of House Forrester. The bride began walking down the aisle with Duncan Tuttle walking alongside her. Her dress was long and white, shining bright, matching the scenery. She approaches Asher and stands near him on the tree trunk.
Malcolm: "Who comes before the old gods this night?"
"Gwyn of House Whitehill. A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessings of the gods. Who comes to claim her?"
Asher steps forward with happiness taking over his face.
Asher: "Asher, Lord of House Forrester. Who gives her?"
"Duncan, of House Tuttle. Who is her brother's sentinel."
Malcolm: "Lady Gwyn, will you take this man?"
Gwyn: "I will take this man." She and Asher smile looking at each other.
Everyone cheers in happiness as Asher places a beautiful cloak on her. A feast is prepares after the wedding. Lord glenmore approaches Asher.
"My Lord, I apologize this might not be the time or place but may I have a moment with you?"
"Of course, Lord Glenmore."
"I believe my daughter and your brother have been speaking for quite a time now. They are both in agreement to marry."
"That's great news! We should set the date very soon."
(The next day)
Asher sits on the king's chair in the great hall, wearing his crown. Duncan walks in.
"My Lord."
"Ahh, Duncan. Come, we have much work to be done."
THE END
Here's a small treat; a map showing the travels, beginning from chapter 1 to the final chapter, of all the main characters. The picture below is of bad quality. If you'd like a much better quality, i provided a link to the HD full sized map (add periods between drive-google, and google-com)
drivegooglecom/file/d/0B8S_AMWjnzCMeG1janJxYjN5WW8/view?usp=sharing
Thank you for everyone who read. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.