Chapter 12: Chapter 12 - Even Death Can't Part Us
Jon Snow
He saw the huge black double doors in front of him and took a deep breath. He placed both hands on one of the doors and pushed it open. As soon when he entered the room, he shocked at the sight in front of him. He looked at the Dragonglass Throne and he saw his beautiful wife, sitting on it before him; she looked just as powerful and beautiful as the first time he saw her. His felt his heart rate rising when he saw the baby in her arms.
He gasped at the sight before him and choked out in a voice just above a whisper,
"Dany?"
Her gaze left the babe in her arms and her eyes met his. "My Dragonwolf," she murmured with a serene smile on her face.
He could not believe it as he walked up the carved stone steps to get to the Throne. "How… How are you here? Where are we? Are we in one of the seven heavens or seven hells?" He felt the tears beginning to form in his eyes and noticed her eyes were glassy as well.
"You know where we are… We are on Dragonstone, my dear husband," she answered tenderly with a chuckle as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through the babe's silver-blonde curly locks.
He looked at the baby in her arms and realized it was their baby... The baby in her arms was their son… It was their sweet babe, Rhaegar.
Jon was confused, "How? Why am I here? Why?" However before she could answer, the anger from the pain and heartbreak broke to the surface as he gritted out, "Is this some sort of sick, fucked up joke? Some way for the Night King can make me even more miserable! Some way to torment me by making me see everything that I have lost!" He could no longer look at her… he closed his eyes and looked down and willed the tears behind his lids not to fall.
She smiled and stood up. She shifted the babe to her hip and pushed his chin up with a single finger from her free hand. Once their eyes met, she stated in a soothing tone, "No, my sweet dragonwolf, I am truly here... With our sweetling… our baby boy, Rhaegar."
Jon's gaze left hers when he heard his baby boy squealing, with a toothless smile and purple eyes twinkling in delight. He then looked back to her and could no longer keep the tears away as he fell to his knees in front of the Throne. "Daenerys, I am sorry ... I am so sorry," he whispered in a raspy tone as he clung to her legs like a small child.
"There is nothing to forgive my love; it was not your fault. You did what you had to do," she stated gently with a slight smile on her face.
He looked at her with tears cascading down his face. She squatted down in front of him and he noticed she had tears falling as well. He wiped the tears that had begun to trickle down her face with the tips of his fingers, then he pulled her and his son close and paced a chaste kiss her on the cheek. He tried to keep his voice from cracking as he mumbled in her ear, "I... I failed you, Dany… I failed our son…" He sighed before he continued, "I was a horrible husband and father… I did not protect either of you… If I…"
She cut off his rambling when she pulled away from his embrace, placed a hand on his shoulder looked him in the eyes and declared, "Jon, you did what you had to do… There is nothing for me to forgive… You need to forgive yourself for what happened… It was not your fault."
"I can't Daenerys… I will never be able to forgive myself… I made a vow to protect you, to protect Rhaegar… and I failed...I should have been there… If I had been by your side, it would have never happened… Or if I would have taught you how to wield a blade…" He stopped his maundering speech, exhaled and met her gaze and softly stated, "Dany, every time I shut my eyes, I see nothing but those fucking blue eyes staring back at me. I see..."
She stopped him. "Jon, you did what you had to do… You know it was the right thing, the only thing… By doing what you did, you were able to buy more time… Save more people… I know it is painful, but it was the right decision."
He was frustrated… He did not understand how she did not blame him… He stood up and walked down the stairs not looking at her; as much as he loved seeing the Dany he fell in love and his son it was still painful… and he felt responsible for their deaths. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he began to pace around the room. After several minutes, he finally looked back up to her and his son and gritted out, "Why am I here? Why are you both here? You are probably not even real! This is just some fucked up joke!" He then noticed the earnest smile on her face.
She then started walking down the stairs as she spoke to him in a soothing tone, "Jon, I am real. Rhaegar is real… We live inside of you… You and I are bound to each other for eternity,,, Rhaegar and I are a part of your soul."
Jon looked down at his baby boy… Gone were the smiles and baby giggles from a few minutes ago… The babe now had a quivering lip and tears falling from his amethyst eyes. He felt guilty that he had upset his son, he rushed over and cooed, "I am so sorry, my boy… Papa is sorry… I love you my sweetling." He watched as the tears stopped falling and a smile once again graced the boys face. He felt a smile spread across his face as well… No matter how shitty of a day it had been, the smile of his son had always had the effect on him; when his son was alive, he could always bring him from his melancholy with one of his smiles. He then bent down and pressed a kiss to his son's forehead, hoping that the babe would be able to feel how much his Papa loved him.
He then looked at his wife and saw tears staining her cheeks as he pulled her face to his and kissed her lips. After he broke the kiss he whispered, "I wish I could be here with you... Be with you in the afterlife... With you and our baby boy... Daenerys, I broke our promise... We said together..."
She shook her head. "No, my wolf… It is not your time… You are exactly where you are supposed to be… I know what happened after I was gone... Tyrion and Tormund were able to stop you from putting the Catspaw Dagger into your own heart... And I am glad that they did..." He watched her sigh and thenhe looked so deeply into her eyes he could swear she was looking into his soul as she stated, "Jon, if you would have killed yourself you would have never returned to the past..."
He just felt the tears falling down from his eyes once more. His gaze never left hers as he breathed out, "I… I do not understand, Dany. How... How is it even possible that I am here with you?"
She smiled as she tenderly touched his cheek, wiped away one of his tears and spoke, "As Melisandre said, I am the princess who was promised… I am meant to be with you, the prince who was promised." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, when he opened them; he noticed she now had a teasing smirk on her face. "You know, Jon Snow, usually when man's wife dies he finds a new wife to warm his bed… I do not believe I have ever heard of the man going to his past life to find and marry the same woman." She looked at him with raised her eyebrow and added, "Your new wife is beautiful." They both chuckled.
"Aye, she is and she is fucking stubborn!" They both burst out in true laughter. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him for a kiss. After the kiss, he placed his forehead on hers and quietly said, "I miss you Dany... You and Rhaegar so much..."
She cut him off. "Jon, we miss you too…" as she spoke, he placed another kiss to the top his son's moon-kissed hair. "And I never thanked you…" she added quietly.
He was confused. He looked at her with a furrowed brow and asked, "Thanked me? Thanked me for what, Dany?"
He saw the smile on her face, as she answered, "I never thanked you for saving me from Drogo... You returned to the past and one of the first things you do... You sail across the narrow sea to Pentos to save me from my brother and his evil plans."
He smiled and kissed her on the mouth. "I love you, Dany… I could never see you suffer at the hands or your brother or Drogo… I knew that I had to save you… We are better together." He said as he took her hand in his, "I made a vow to you… and I was raised to be an honorable man, and what kind of husband would I be to let you suffer." He pulled her into his arms and held her for several moments in a comfortable silence.
She had he head on his should when she broke the silence, "Jon, you need to tell her... I mean the younger me the truth… It is not fair that you are keeping this from your wife… About what you did in the past… and about why you did it… She deserves to know."
He looked at her with a bewildered expression and sighed, "Dany if I tell you, the current you the truth... I… I am afraid that you will see that I am a monster… That I became a monster"
She took his head in her hands, looked in his eyes and firmly stated, "You are not a monster Jon… You did the right thing..."
He took a deep breath and then whispered, "I want to stay here with you and Rhaegar… I am scared Dany… I do not think that I am strong enough to face what is coming…"
She shook her head, "No, my love… My Dragonwolf… You do not belong here with me… You are currently right where you belong, with the living me."
He was surprised by this. "Dany, I cannot leave you… I do not want to leave you."
"You are not leaving me... You are staying right where you belong with me. In the world of the living."
"But what about you?"
She looked at him and smiled. "You will return to me when your fight is over. When you have done your part we will be together again."
He smiled and nodded. "Gods I will miss you… I love you both so much." He placed another kiss on her mouth.
"I love you so much my dragonwolf..."
He saw the tears on her eyes. He then saw blue eyes behind her. The next thing he knew he saw the ice spear through her heart… and the rest of the nightmare that plagued him every night.
"Noooo!" He screamed as his eyes snapped opened.
Jon felt the rage inside him rising to the surface and his eyes turned golden-orange. He looked around his surrounding as he tried to calm his breathing but he still panted and felt like he could not draw a true breath. He looked next to him and saw his wife peacefully asleep. 'Thank the gods I did not wake her.' He sighed and pressed a soft kiss to her temple as he vowed to himself, 'I will not fail you this time… I will not let the Night King take you from me again.'
He knew there would be no return to slumber, even with his wife laying safely next to him, so even though the sun had not yet broken on the horizon, he got out of the bed donned the first clothes he found and left their chambers. He needed to clear his mind, so he headed to the only safe place he could go to vent his frustrations and anger, to the training yard to practice his swordplay.
Unknown to him, the moment he closed the door of their chamber, Daenerys opened her eyes. She could not believe what she heard from his mouth while he was asleep. 'Please Dany ... Do not do it! If you hurt him… I swear on my Father's grave I will kill you myself!' She took a deep breath... Trying to figure out what happened in her husband's dreams.
Illyrio Mopatis
The winds were kind and seas were calm, therefore it took only four days for Illyrio's ship sail across the Narrow Sea from Pentos to King's Landing. The sun had just began to rise when his ship dropped anchor and he saw his friend, Varys, waiting for him off to the side of one of the docks. As he disembarked the vessel, he smiled at his friend and his friend returned with his own tiny turning up of the lips.
When he reached King Robert's Master of Whispers, he greeted the man with a slight bow of the head and a genuine smile, "My dear friend, Lord Varys, it is good to see you!"
"Illyrio, my friend how have you been?"
"I have been very well, thank you Lord Varys." Illyrio noticed that his friend raised an eyebrow at this response.
"Does your visit pertain to the news what my Little Birds have sent to me from Pentos?" He saw his friend looking around trying to make sure no one was observing them or trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Illyrio knew that this conversation was not safe to be had where they were, even though the sounds of the workers on the docks would make it difficult for anyone to overhear what they had to say. Therefore, he took a deep breath looked his friend in the eyes and softly stated, "There are too many ears my old friend… I think it would be wise if we speak somewhere more private."
A sly smile of appeared on Varys's face as he nodded in acknowledgment. His friend wordlessly escorted him thought the shit-covered streets of King's Landing, going in many different directions, which Illyrio figured was to positive that they were not being followed. After a long walk, they finally reached a discrete white house, next to a stream, which emptied into the Blackwater Bay. His friend checked their surroundings once more to ensure they were indeed alone.
"Please after you, Illyrio." Varys insisted as he pushed open the wooden door. Illyrio quickly entered followed by the eunuch.
The Master of Whispers silently led them through a maze of old passages that finally opened up to where King Robert stored the dragon skulls that once used to decorate the Throne Room. When they reached this room, the spider spoke, "So tell me, my dear friend, just how did our plan fail?"
He took a deep breath before he answered, "I presume that your little birds informed you that Khal Drogo was murdered." He saw his friend raising his eyebrow.
"Brutally murdered you mean? I heard from my little birds, that not only was his head severed from his neck, but that his left arm was cut off as well... A most gruesome death I would say… Do you care to explain what happened?"
He took a deep breath and walked around the Dragon Skull trying to figure out what to say first. He then looked at his friend finally knowing what to say. "Khal Drogo was murder by a man named..." However, before he could say the name his friend completed his sentence.
"Aegon Targaryen..."
He nodded his head and exhaled as he answered, "Yes, his name is Aegon Targaryen."
He saw his friend taking a deep breath before he calmly spoke, "So this Aegon Targaryen brutally murderers Khal Drogo? He took our rightful King, Viserys, as his prisoner. Then you treat him like a Royal guest? He has married and bedded Daenerys Targaryen... and I can presume she will soon be, if not already, growing his child within her womb? Our plan has failed a large amount I would say."
Illyrio felt the smile growing on his lips as he shook his head. He watched as Varys's eyes grew wide in disbelief as he mumbled, "Care to explain?"
"Our plan has not failed. It is not even close to failing, my old friend... It has greatly improved actually." He mused. He looked at his friend took a deep breath, knowing how confused Varys was by the perplexed look on his face. "Let me start from the beginning my old friend."
"Oh please do, my dear friend Illyrio, as I see no way that our plans are not foiled."
Illyrio nodded and walked forward. "The young man, Aegon Targaryen, is a trueborn son of the deceased Crowned Prince Rhaegar Targaryen."
He saw his old friend raised his eyebrow. "The boy's head was crushed against the wall by the Mountain as an infant! I was there when his body was presented to King Robert... How... There is no way that boy is alive."
'Oh my dear friend when you meet him you will have a story of a lifetime! I am still surprised that your little birds never were able to uncover the truth!' He thought to himself. However he knew he could not give away too much of his King's heritage because he asked him not to tell the master of whisperers, that he wanted to tell him himself. "I would love to tell you the tale, my friend, unfortunately, I am not allow to share that information… This is because My King would like to tell you of his heritage for himself… "
He saw that his old friend was surprised. "Your King?"
He smiled and nodded his head, "Yes, he is a trueborn Targaryen... The son of Rhaegar Targaryen and heir to the Iron Throne… We can be thankful that Viserys Targaryen is not the true heir."
He watched as his old friend took a deep breath before he said, "My little birds told me that this boy... This Aegon Targaryen, has successfully hatched a Dragon egg... and that he has been granted Khal Drogo's Khalasar by his death... Do my little birds sing a true song?"
He nodded as he placed a hand on Balerion the Black Dread's skull. "Yes, it is true… I have seen his Dragon with my own eyes… as well his blood Riders." He could tell that his friend was baffled by the confirmation of the information he had received from his little birds.
After a few moments, Varys muttered with a look of awe on his face, "He truly has a Dragon?"
Illyrio smiled widely and nodded. "Yes he has... a grey dragon and he has named the dragon Sarogon... Fierce little beast." He chuckled before adding, "And it is growing at an extremely fast pace."
"Does this Aegon Targaryen have the same madness that plagues Viserys Targaryen or the Mad King before him?" The Spider asked with a furrowed brow.
He smiled and shook his head as he placed a hand on the Master of Whisperers shoulder, looked in his eyes and said, "No, my dear friend he is not mad. He is quite kind once you get to know him." He chuckled as he remembered how angry the king was at him for trying to sell his beloved wife to the rapist Khal Drogo. "But, he does seem to have a Dark Side..."
He saw his old friend raised his eyebrow. "Dark side?"
Illyrio nodded, as he recalled what had happened. "He would hunt down anyone and kill them if they ever dare to hurt his family... especially his wife, Daenerys. If you ever raised a hand to her he would cut you in half like he did with Drogo." He felt shivers in his spine remembering what his King said to him if he ever tried to hurt his queen. He noticed that his old friend had a smile on his face.
"His family?"
"Yes, my friend. The King is very protective of his loved ones." Illyrio answered evenly.
"Has this, Aegon Targaryen, informed you of his goal?"
"The King has informed me that he needs to retake his rightful Throne and unite the Seven Kingdoms… in order to fight the threat beyond the wall."
"The threat beyond the wall?" Varys inquired with a furrowed brow.
He took a deep breath knowing he will sound crazy. "His Grace has informed me that the Night King and White Walkers are real. That he has seen them with his own eyes and that he had fought against them... According to him, the Night King has an army of dead filled with men, women, children, giants, horses and mammoths… And that he is coming to the wall and will not stop until he has killed everything in his path."
He could tell that his friend was thinking hard, as if the information that he provided added another piece to a puzzle he was trying to solve. "My little birds have sung to me that the King in the North, Eddard Stark, has reported that his two eldest sons have gone missing beyond the wall… That he sent them to investigate some disturbing reports he had received from Castle Black and from his Northern most bannermen... Are these reports what your King speaks of?"
Illyrio was shocked. 'So the king is right an army of dead people and creatures… That the army of the dead was truly coming to the wall. We need him now more than ever as our King.' However, instead of saying that aloud, he smiled and nodded; he knew that both of Eddard Stark's sons were safe in Pentos. Then something Varys had said left him shocked, "Eddard Stark is King in the North? I was unaware that the North was in rebellion against the crown."
"Oh, no my dear friend… King Robert granted the North their Independence." The Master of Whispers stated.
"Why? Why would King Robert give up one of his Kingdoms?" Illyrio questioned as he thought, 'This may be beneficial to my young King… The North is his home…'
"Apparently the Crown Prince tried to rape one Lord Stark's daughters and murder the other… and in exchange for his son's life, King Robert gave up the North."
"That is an unexpected development," Illyrio mused as his mind was racing. 'King Aegon will be very upset when he learns about the Prince Joffrey's actions… gods help that boy if the rightful King is ever alone with him.'
"Yes it is… However, my friend… You never did inform me what your King desires of me… Why he sent you across the Narrow Sea to speak with me in person?"
"I have a simple answer to that question, my dear old friend. King Aegon wishes a personal audience with you." He saw that his friend was surprised by his answer.
"And why does he wish to meet with me?"
Illyrio smiled, "The King is aware of your many talents and he wishes for you to serves as his Master of Whispers... He wants for you to serve as his spy in the capital... he want you to give him information on what the king is currently doing or he is planning to do... He wants for you to be one of his advisors."
"Why would he wish for me to become one of his advisors? And why would I meet him?" Varys questioned.
"He told me that I should tell you that he knows you do not serve the King; that you serve the realm… That you want what is best for Westeros... he also told me to ask you if you would rather let a king rule the seven kingdoms who does not give a fuck what happens to his kingdom? One who does nothing but drink and fuck whores? Or would you like to serve his mad son, who is actually a bastard sired by the queen and her brother Jaime Lannister? Or do you want a true king who cares about the people of Westeros and wants to help us live through the next Winter?"
He watched as his old friend's eyes flew open. "How does he know that... how could he know who I serve... and how would he know that Prince Joffrey is nothing more than a bastard?"
Illyrio's cheeks hurt because of the smirk on his face as he answered softly, "He knows a great many things, my old friend. That is why he is so interesting." He saw his old friend nod so he continued, "Come with me when I leave for Pentos. Share an audience with My King... You will want to meet Aegon and Daenerys Targaryen... The rightful King and Queen of Westeros. Let them show you that they are the best hope for Westeros... I believe that they are the rulers this country needs."
He saw his friend take a deep breath and nod. "Alright my dear old friend Illyrio... When do we leave for Pentos? I am intrigued to meet your King and Queen."
"Tomorrow, just before first light... Get your things ready my old friend,"
"Then I will see you tomorrow on the docks, my old friend. I bid you a good day." However, before Varys could leave, he grabbed his arm and stopped him, because he remembered what else, he wanted to ask of his old friend.
"My dear old friend sorry to stop you on your way out, but may I ask where Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys dragon eggs were hidden?"
He saw how shocked his old friend was by his question. "Why my dear friend?" Varys asked with a knitted brow.
He then smiled and proudly stated, "My king already have hatched one dragon from an egg, which was left to him by his sire... He also holds three more dragon eggs and plans to hatch them as well... I mentioned to him that you were able to hide the dragon eggs that had belonged his siblings..."
"Siblings?" His friend asked.
"Yes, Aegon and Rhaenys... Can you please give me the other two dragon eggs?"
His old friend exhaled and nodded. He watched Varys walked behind the skull of Balerion and moved a few chests. Once the chests were moved, it revealed a hidden wooden door on the ground. His friend grabbed hold of a metal ring and pulled the dusty door open. A slight smile appeared on his friend's face as he removed the eggs from where they had been hidden for the last eighteen years. The spider then gently handed him the dragon eggs, one at a time.
Illyrio took the blue eggs first, and placed it it a burlap satchel. However, he was surprised when Varys handed him the red one... felt different... it was not as heavy or cold as the blue egg or the eggs he had gifted the Queen at her wedding. He shook his head and placed it in the sack with the other egg.
Once both eggs were safely in his bag, he looked at his old friend smiled and said, "I remembered correctly, you had told me that the blue dragon egg belonged to Princess Rhaenys and the red egg had belonged Aegon."
His old friend simply gave him a slight nod and and half smile.
"Thank you, my friend for giving me the eggs." Illyrio said respectfully as he patted the satchel containing the dragon eggs, "I will see you tomorrow, just before first light, on the docks."
His old friend nodded and said, "I will be there."
Illyrio then watched as Varys turned and left the dusty old abandoned room. He then adjusted the bag on his arm, and made his way out of the chamber. He smiled to himself, knowing that his King and Queen will be glad that his quest was successful…...
Lord Varys
Varys walked through the castle and was on his way to the small council meeting. As he walked to the chambers where the meeting would be held he thought about everything Illyrio and told him and how he had more questions than answers. 'Why did Illyrio name Aegon and Rhaenys this Aegon Targaryens his siblings? Did Princess Elia have twin and one sent away for his safety? Did Prince Rhaegar have a child with the Lady Lyanna? However, if he did, the child would have been a Blackfyre or some other bastard name not a Targaryen. Where has he been for the last eighteen years? Why does he care so much for his wife Daenerys Targaryen if he just met her? Why does he have a dark side? Who is this family he speaks of? How did he hatch his dragon named Sarogon?' He then took a deep breath trying to calm his spinning mind, knowing that his questions would soon be answered. However, the suspense was maddening.
When he finally arrived at the council chambers, he took another deep breath and pushed the door open. When he opened the door, he saw Renly Baratheon the Master of Laws, across from him sat Petyr Baelish the Master of Coin, as well Grand Maester Pycell sitting at the end. He smiled at them he soon realized that they were both having a discussion before he disturbed them and quickly made his way to his seat. Lord Baelish and Renly returned the smile, however Grand Maester Pycell coughed dryly in greeting.
"Lord Varys, it is good to see that you finally able to join us in this important meeting," Renly said as the eunuch pulled his chair out from the table and sat down.
The Master of Whispers slightly bowed his head and gave a polite smile as he spoke, "I apologize for my tardiness, my lords. I unfortunately had other important matters that I had to urgently attend to."
The Master of Laws nodded, Lord Baelish had an unnerving smirk on his face and the Grand Maester again coughed in response.
"Lord Varys, we were just discussing the contents of the raven scrolls that arrived from my brother last night... It states that the North has been granted Independence for the Seven Kingdoms because of crimes committed by the Crown Prince, my nephew, against Sansa and Arya Stark." The King's youngest brother stated.
The Master of Whispers nodded and replied knowingly, "Yes, I am well aware of this… unusual situation."
"Do you know how this happened? Do you know what exactly my nephew did, that my brother found that his only option at peace was to grant the North independence?"
Lord Varys alternated his gaze between the three men as he spoke, "My Lords, Grand Maester, my little bird have sung a song to me… One that states that the Crown Prince tried to… dishonor… Lady Sansa Stark and that he also attempted to murder the younger Stark sister, Arya." When he said these words, he head the Grand Maester gasp and then begin to cough, Lord Baelish sat there with a tiny smirk across his lips, and the Master of Laws eyes were open wide in shock.
"Why would he do such a thing?" Lord Renly asked in a whispered tone.
"Apparently, my lord, the Crown Prince did not take kindly to the news that Lady Sansa did not want to marry him," Varys stated in his wistful tone, "So he cornered her in Winterfell's training yard and attempted to force himself on her… If my little bird is correct, he told Lady Sansa that he was the Crown Prince of Westeros, therefore he could have whatever he wishes or desired… And that he wanted her..." He paused for a moment before he continued, "Then the younger girl, Arya Stark, told him not to touch her sister and to go away… And if he did not follow her wish, she would cut his face." He took a deep breath and saw the surprised on Lord Renly's face and the look of amusement on Lord Baelish's face. "You are smart men, so I take it you have figured out that the Prince did not listen to the little wolf's warning because he again tried to force himself on the girl… he even ripped her dress and exposed her breasts and began to touch her inappropriately. That is when Arya cut his face with a little sword. She told him if he does not leave them alone, that she will kill him herself. The girls then began to leave and that is when Prince Joffrey grabbed his sword and was about to strike Lady Arya… but his attack was prevented when a direwolf came from the shadows and bit the Prince on his sword arm."
Varys was amused at the surprised look on all three faces.
Again, it was Renly, who broke the silence. "A direwolf? I thought that there were no direwolves south of the wall."
The Spider nodded his head once and said, "Yes, if my little birds are correct, each of King Eddard Stark's six children has their own Direwolf."
"The other day you informed us that a Dragon has been seen in Pentos and now you tell us there are Direwolves south of the Wall… Why is this happening?" The Master of Laws questioned to no one in particular. He then shook his head and said, "I am sorry, Lord Varys, you were busy explaining to us why my brother is now King of only six kingdoms... Please continue."
Varys smiled faintly and nodded before he continued, "It would seem that the beast was protecting her companion. Prince Joffrey ran directly to the Queen and told her lies... The Queen quickly gathered everyone, all of the visiting Lords and Ladies, all of the Lannister's and members of the Royal Party, in the Great Hall for a trial of sorts… Once Lord Stark arrived with his daughters, Queen Cersei demanded the Stark girls be punished for their actions against the Prince and that the direwolf needed to be put to death…"
Varys took a moment to look at the bewildered faces, and then continued, "Once Lord Stark stated that Prince Joffrey had attempted to rape his daughter there were a great number of angry Northern Lords and Ladies… Of course, the Prince denied the accusation… However, Lord Tyrion stepped in and told them what happened; apparently, he was a witness to the entire situation... The Northern lords were furious and demanded the Prince's head or that he should be sent to the Wall… However, the King and Queen did not accept those punishments. Of course, this angered the Northerners, and they all declared that they would not follow a King who tried to kill and rape their Lord's daughters… Therefore, King Robert asked what would take for the North to move past his son's actions… And that is when they ask King Robert for their Independence. His once best friend, Eddard Stark stated that he could never be loyal to a King that almost raped and murdered his daughters… and much to Cersei's displeasure, the King agreed and named Eddard Stark as King in the North." He then took another deep breath.
"This... This… The news of what the Prince did cannot be released… If the Kingdoms find could cause a Rebellion against the throne! We need to do something and fast!" the Master of Law exclaimed.
"The prince must be punished for his actions." Lord Baelish stated, still with the hint of a smirk on the corners of his lips
"Punished?" Maester Pycell coughed out, "He is the Crown Prince! The King and Queen will allow harm to come to him!"
He watched Lord Renly sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke, "You are right, Grand Maester, the King and Queen will not punish him… However, we do need to do something... We need to get ready for war. If we are not ready we will soon see a Dornish King or Stark King on the throne."
They all nodded. 'Add Targaryen King to that list my dear Lord.' Lord Vary pondered to himself, but before he spoke Lord Baelish, the master of Coin made his presence known.
"Lord Renly, I think you are seeming to forget the main threat the Throne faces at this time..." He saw the master of laws raised his eyebrows
"Who?" The King's brother questioned.
Varys saw a wide smirk form on the Master of Coins face as he answered, "The man across the Narrow Sea... The man who is calling himself Aegon Targaryen…"
"At this time, he does not appear to be a threat." Renly stated.
'Oh but he is.' Varys said to himself
"My Lord, if the rumors are true he has a real dragon. He has a Khalasar of over 40,000 Dothraki Screamers... He has married Daenerys Targaryen... and he names himself as the true heir to the Iron Throne."
"I am well aware of the rumors that he has an actual living breathing dragon and a Khalasar… However, Lord Baelish, have you forgotten that the Dothraki will not cross the Narrow Sea… I believe they call it the 'poisoned water'. He is nothing but a pretender." The Master of Laws stated.
He silently observed as the Master of Coin shook his head in disagreement. "Lord Renly. I have received word that the Dothraki call him the rider who mounts the world. That they believe he was sent to them by the Great Stallion... and that he will be the greatest Khal who has ever lived… I would only guess that they would gross the Narrow Sea for him."
"If that is true, my Lord, the savages will follow him where ever he wishes to go," Grand Maester Pycell interjected, and Varys could see that he had fear in his eyes.
"Well unfortunately my Lords, Grand Maester... I can do nothing to him in this very moment…" Renly said with a sigh. "I can give no commands... You all know what my brother stated in the raven... That he personally wants to approve any plans concerning how we will finish off the last Targaryens… So we are stuck here, unable to do anything while the Kingdoms fall apart and there is a threat just across the narrow sea."
"My Lord, there is nothing we can do until the King or his Hand arrives in King's Landing, which could be up to a month."
"I am aware of this Lord Varys." The Master of Laws answered and then loudly exhaled before asking, "Grand Maester, has my brother, Stannis, sent any word from Dragonstone?" They all looked at the Grand Maester Pycell.
The old man coughed before he answered, "He has my Lord. He stated that will come back to the Capital once the King has returned."
He then saw the smirk on the Master of Law face as he mused, "Of course he will wait until the King arrives... Actually, with his hate of the city I am surprised he even agreed to return at all." Renly then stood from the table and stated, "I think this meeting has gone long enough." All of them nodded in agreement. Renly then continued, "Well, I guess that we will reconvene once my brothers and Lord Tywin Lannister arrive in King's Landing."
After The Master of Laws adjourned the meeting, he and the Grand Maester were quick to take their leave, leaving Varys alone in the room with Lord Baelish.
"So, Lord Varys... Tell me, what matters were so important that you were late to the small council meeting?" The Master of Coin asked as he raised an eyebrow.
He took a deep breath and smiled as he nonchalantly said, "I was talking with one of my little birds."
Lord Baelish pushed for more information, "About?" He asked with a smirk.
'Oh, aren't you a curious one, Lord Baelish?' The Master of Whispers mused to himself before he answered, "I have received word that the King in the North Eddard Stark is going beyond the wall to investigate disturbing reports he has recently received... Apparently, he first sent his two his eldest sons... However, they seem to have vanished beyond the Wall... Therefore, he also intends to find out what has become of his heir and his bastard."
To his surprise, he saw the disappointment on the Master of Coins face, so he pushed, "You seem disappointed my Lord?" He saw that the Master of Coin was shocked when he asked this.
Lord Baelish was uncharacteristically mum for a for moments before he said, "It is nothing my friend... I just… I have known Catelyn Tully since I was a small boy... Knowing that her son is missing is a tragedy… She must be beside herself with worry."
He then nodded. "Yes, it is a tragedy, isn't it."
He then saw the disappointed face on the master of coins face disappear and turned into a fake smile as he stood from the table and said, "If you would excuse me, Lord Varys, I need to attend to some matters."
He smiled and nodded. The Master of Coin then took his leave.
He soon after also left the small council meeting room and went to prepare for his journey across the Narrow Sea, to meet the Dragon King and Dragon Queen…...
Gendry Waters
It was early morning and the sun had just began to rise over the battlements of the grey stone castle. Gendry and his new companion, Winterfell's blacksmith, Mikken, had worked endlessly for the past four days melting down the Stark ancestral Greatsword Ice, and then constructing the molten Valyrian Steel into the two new longswords, as requested by the King in the North… His new King. For a nameless bastard from Flea Bottom he was still amazed how welcoming the King and his family had been towards him and for the first time in his life he felt like he truly was where he belonged.
Gendry and Mikken waited patiently and the two swords finally cooled enough to attach the two new pommels that he had constructed. As he lifted one of the twin swords he took a few moments to admire the smoky grey appearance of the blade in awe of its deadly beauty as it glistened when rays of sunlight touched the surface, 'it looks almost like storm clouds,' he thought to himself. He then attached the black direwolf with golden honey eyes pommel to its hilt, while Mikken attached the brown direwolf with the same honey pummel to the hilt of the other sword. After the pommels were attached, the two smiths laid the swords on the craft table.
The young smith pulled up the edge if his apron to wipe the sweat off his brow and let out a sigh of relief. He then looked at Mikken and smiled widely as he announced, "The blades are finally done!"
"Aye, they are… And they are beautifully crafted as well, if I must say," The older blacksmith said with a smile. He then placed one of his hands on the young man's shoulder and said with an honest tone, "You truly have a wonderful gift, Gendry."
He smiled at the compliment and nodded, "I thank you for your kind words, Mikken"
"Well, young man, they are true... We best let the King know his new swords are ready," The older smith announced with a proud smile.
"Aye, you are right.
The young blacksmith was proud of the work, but he was still nervous at the thought of presenting the swords to his new King.
"I will take the swords to the King in a bit... I just need to wrap them and break my fast... and maybe just rest for a few minutes..."
"Aye, I could also use some rest as well." Mikken said with a kind smile, after a few moments her added, "By the way, I wanted to thank you."
Gendry was perplexed, he looked at his new blacksmith companion, raised his eyebrow and asked, "What for, Mikken?"
The blacksmith smiled and let out a small chuckle before he said, "For teaching me how to work with Valyrian Steel. It is truly an honor to be one of the few men left in Westeros who now knows how to properly melt and reforge Valyrian Steel."
The young blacksmith smiled and replied, "Mikken, if it hadn't have been for your help I would still be working on those Valyrian Steel swords!" Gendry said as he pointed at the two swords on the table. "So, I am more than pleased that you now know how to work with Valyrian Steel." The two smiths smiled at each other and were getting ready to wrap the two swords in white cloth when they were disturbed by a loud banging sound just outside of the forge.
They both looked at each other confused because they were not expecting anyone to come to the forge. The next thing he heard was the sound of a young girl's voice.
"Nymeria, stay. Wait for me!"
The two smiths heads snapped towards the front of the forge as the youngest Stark girl sauntered inside. Gendry did not really know much about her but had seen her before and noticed she would sometimes watch him and Mikken as they worked with the steel. He was also surprised that the direwolf pup, which was quite a bit larger than a small dog, sat patiently where her companion had told it to sit as she walked into the forge.
"Princess Arya," his fellow blacksmith greeted the young Stark girl with a bow of his head and a smile.
"Good morning, Mikken," the girl happily replied as she looked at the other blacksmith. She then whipped her eyes towards him and said, "You must be Gendry Waters... the blacksmith from King's Landing that my brother sent for?"
"I am, mi'lady... I... I mean my princess." Gendry hastily corrected himself, afraid that he had offended the Princess and would have to leave the place that had quickly become home. There was a silence in the air as they both looked at each other.
"I am sorry, Princess Arya," Mikken said kindly, breaking the silence, "Is there a way that we can be of service to you this morning?"
Arya looked back towards the older blacksmith and smiled. Gendry let out a sigh of relief as she cheerfully answered the question.
"Yes, Mikken ... My father wanted me to ask you two if you could make training swords for us... I mean me, my sister, Princess Sansa, my littlest brother Prince Rickon, my mother, Queen Catelyn and his Hand, Lord Tyrion. We would like the training swords to be made in the Braavosi style... just like my Needle."
He looked from the Princess to his fellow blacksmith and sighed as he thought to himself, 'So much for getting a little rest in... Luckily training swords are much faster to make than a normal sword... but what the fuck is her Needle?'
Mikken smiled at the young princess and answered, "It shall be our honor my princess... We shall have them completed in about two days."
As Gendry turned his gaze from Mikken back towards the Princess, he thought 'At least Mikken know what she means by this Needle.' When he saw the Princess he smiled because of the stupidity large smirk on her face. He then watched as her eyes doubled in size. He turned his head in the direction she was looking and realized that she was eyeing the the two new Valyrian Steel longswords.
"Are those the Valyrian Steel swords you made for my father and Uncle Benjen?" She asked as if she was praying the answer would be yes.
"Aye, they are," Gendry answered. He then watched as she made her way over to the table and traced one of the hilts with the tips of her fingers. Gendry felt pride in his work as her eyes danced with awe. However the moment was short lived when she grasped the hilt with her hand and went to lift the sword from the table. As the sword started to fall he gasped, envisioning the young Princess cutting her self on the razor sharp blade. He let out a sigh of relief when she placed her other hand over the hilt as well and placed it back on the table.
"Please... be careful, my Princess... If your father knew that you were hurt he would punish me... he would probably make me leave Winterfell or take my head!" Gendry exclaimed in a little rougher tone than he intended. He sighed in relief when he noticed that she still had that ridiculous smirk on her face, but then anxiety returned when her face went happy to solemn in the blink of an eye.
"I'm no Princess and I'm not a lady... That's not me."
"You are the daughter of the King in the North, of course, your a Princess, mi'lady... I mean my Princess," he fumbled out.
He then snapped his head towards the other blacksmith as he heard him laughing.
"She is right... She is no princess or lady... She is a she-wolf just like her Aunt Lyanna before her." The Old blacksmith said though his bout of laughter.
He looked at the girl and saw her smiling and chuckling as well. 'Wow this place is so different... I am definitely not in King's Landing anymore.'
This statement was confirmed a few moments later, when the young girl looked at him and stated, "I would love to have my own Valyrian Sword or dagger one day."
He smiled as he laughed out, "You are not quite a normal girl are you... not a normal lady or princess."
"I am going to become a warrior princess like Visenya Targaryen or Daenerys Targaryen"
Gendry was surprised by her words, 'Daenerys Targaryen? I know who Visenya Targaryen is, but I have never heard of this Daenerys Targaryen.' He brushed his thoughts aside and instead said, "You know what... I'd be happy to make you a real real sword one day... When you are bigger I mean."
Arya laughed and so did Mikken when he said this. Gendry was confused, but he got his answer when Mikken said, "I have already made her her first sword... a skinny little blade she named Needle."
Gendry felt himself blush in embarrassment. 'Well that explains what she meant by her Needle.'
"Thank you, Mikken and Gendry... If you would excuse me, I really need to get going... I am going to break my fast with my family."
With those words, the young Princess left the forge. Gendry watched as she and her direwolf ran off, back towards the castle.
"Come on lad, let's get these swords wrapped up for the King," Mikken said to him.
Gendry turned his gaze from the girl and her wolf and back towards the older blacksmith. He nodded wordlessly, grabbed the white cloth and prepared to wrap one of the newly reforged Valyrian Steel Longswords...
Eddard Stark
The King in the North, Eddard Stark was in Winterfell's Great Hall breaking his fast with his family, Queen Catelyn, Arya, Sansa, Rickon, and Benjen, and Lord Tyrion, his hand. Everyone appeared to be in good spirits as they were eating and laughing. Ned sighed, knowing that he would be leaving for the Wall later that day. He looked at his new Hand and saw that the Dwarf of Casterly Rock appeared to be happy being in Winterfell. He loved that his Hand has helped his family when they needed him and that his children were beginning to accept him as a family member, as if he were an adopted uncle. He was currently telling them a story about his childhood, which had the whole table laughing.
After Tyrion had finished his story, the King of the North looked at his wife and smiled as he asked, "Cat, has Syrio began your and the children's Water Dancing lessons yet?" He had a smirk on his face and looked at his wife Queen Catelyn waiting for her answer. There was comfortable silence, which is when Tyrion spoke.
"Yes, Queen Catelyn I would also like to know how the Water Dancing is coming along," he smiled at his Hand and saw the smirk on his face knowing that his wife hated it because she is a lady. They both looked at his wife and which is when she rolled her eyes trying to hid the ghost of a smile on her face as she sighed and then answered, "Lord Tyrion, you are part of the pack and part of the Stark family… However, you do not want push your position so soon." Which caused the entire table to burst out in laughter.
"I am sorry, your Grace for asking," Tyrion said as he continued to chuckle.
He watched as a true smile appeared on his wife's lips as she nodded then exhaled before she looked between the two men and answered, "It is strange learning the art of Water Dancing… and I am quite surprised that I am actually enjoying the lessons… Especially if they will help me to defend myself if need be." She then directed her gaze straight towards his Hand and added, "Lord Tyrion, you should join our lessons."
Tyrion nodded. "I would find Water Dancing quite interesting, but I am afraid I have no sword… and I am a little on the small side so a normal sword just would not do…"
"You do not have to worry about a practice sword, Lord Tyrion… I asked the blacksmiths to make you one this morning." His youngest daughter interrupted proudly with a satisfied smirk on her lips.
Ned was amused to find his Hand speechless for a few moments. When Tyrion finally found his voice, he could hear the gratitude in his tone as he spoke, "Well my Princess, once I return from our trip to the Wall, I will be honored to attend some Water Dancing lessons with you."
Arya then jumped from her seat and Tyrion a hug, and Ned could have sworn that the Imp's eyes had turned glassy as he returned his youngest daughter's embrace.
His youngest daughter then informed the rest of the table that the new training swords would be ready in a couple of days. As she told the family, Ned looked around the table and noticed that Rickon was very excited about having his first training sword, but he was surprised to see that both his wife and eldest daughter seemed to be excited as well. Seeing the excitement on everyone's faces brought a smile to his face as well.
After a few more minutes of discussing the new training swords his head was pulled towards the front of the Great Hall as Maester Lewin entered sack that appeared to be full of scrolls.
"Good Morning, Your Graces." The Maester greeted him and his wife with a slight bow of his head once he reached the table.
Ned could tell that the kind old Maester had some business that needed to be discussed, so he asked, "What is it Maester Luwin?"
A weary smile appeared on the Maester face as he handing him the bag and said, "Your Grace, you seem to have received several correspondences that require your attention."
Ned was curious when he looked inside the bag and saw many scrolls; each was sealed with a different sigil. He noticed that there was one from most of the major houses and several minor houses from each Kingdom in Westerso. He took a deep breath, knowing that these scrolls would need to be addressed sooner, rather than later, and he had a good guess as to what was written on each of those scrolls.
The King looked at his children and forced a smile as he said, "Arya, Sansa and Rickon go on to your lessons with Syrio…." He saw that his children were surprised but they nodded.
After his children stood up from the table, Arya and Rickon excitedly ran from the Great Hall, however he noticed that and his oldest daughter Sansa, was looking at his wife.
"Sansa, is everything alright?" His wife asked with concern in her voice.
"Mother, aren't you coming with us?" Sansa asked shyly.
His wife looked at him, and by the look in her eyes he could tell that she wanted him to answer the question for her. So the King stood from the table and walked towards his daughter. When he reached her he knelt down, put a hand on her shoulder, looked her in the eyes and said, "Sansa, I need your mother to help me with the raven scrolls today."
His daughter wordlessly nodded in understanding.
He then let out a sigh of relief, gave his daughter a small smile and added, "Will you please let Syrio know that your mother and Tyrion will not be able to attend this morning because I need their assistance and we have urgent matters that need to be discussed?"
"Of course, Father," she answered with a slight smile of her own.
He pulled his daughter in for a tight embrace and kissed her brow. When he let her go he pat her shoulder, smiled and said in an encouraging tone, "Now go on... make me proud."
"I will do my best, Father," she replied with a smile before she turned and left the Great Hall.
After the child had left the room, he turned around and headed back towards the table. As he walked he noticed that his wife, brother, and his Hand appeared confused.
When he sat down at the table, Tyrion looked at him and asked, "What is it, your Grace?"
He took a deep breath as he opened the bag and the emptied all the raven scrolls onto the table and said, "We seem to have received several messages this morning." He then took another deep breath, looked into the faces of Catelyn, Benjen and Tyrion and continued, "I believe that all of these are requests for marriage alliances."
He noticed that Lord Tyrion had a look of disbelief, his wife had knitted brows, and Benjen was trying unsuccessfully to suppress a smirk. Ned and Benjen knew that this was their chance helping Jon making alliances.
"We need to go through all of them and see which offers will be most beneficial for the North in the coming wars," The King announced as he grabbed one of the scrolls. He looked at his wife, brother, and Maester Lewin who all nodded in acknowledgment. He looked at his Hand, Lord Tyrion and noticed that he had a perplexed look on his face.
"Coming wars, your Grace?" Tyrion asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ned took a deep breath, 'I cannot let him know the truth yet,' he thought as he looked at his Hand, hoping he could not press for more information as he answered, "Aye, your Sister, Queen Cersei, will most likely want her revenge on the North... The North is strong but we need more alliances if and when war does arrive."
His Hand smile sadly and said, "I see my dear friend... You are smart not to underestimate your friends or foes."
Ned nodded, "Aye, I do not." He turned his gaze back at his Queen, who took a deep breath.
"Ned, I thought we agreed we would let the children decide who they marry."
He took a deep breath and nodded. "Aye, will let them... However, we know that we need alliances, Cat. We will read through all these letters... We will choose the ones that can offer the North the most support, then ask them to bring their son or daughter to Winterfell... This way we and the children can meet their intended... if we like the character of the potential match, we can let the child decide if they agree or do not agree to marry... If our child agrees to the match we will allow for them to marry when they come of age, if they do not agree... well, then we will have to respectfully decline the offer and look for the next best choice."
He saw his wife surprised smile and she nodded in agreement.
The five of them then quickly started opening and sorting through the scrolls. It did not take them long to sort the scrolls into piles of potential choices. Overall, all the offers except two seemed genuine... and those two betrothal requests made Ned's blood boil in rage.
The first one that angered him was Roose Bolton's request that he legitimize his bastard, Ramsey Snow and then allow the bastard to marry his daughter Sansa. As he read the scroll he closed his fist so tightly that his knuckles turned white... All Ned could think about was how Ramsey had repeatedly raped Sansa when Littlefinger had had sold her to Roose in her past life. However, receiving this request had reminded him the he would have to do something about the House that was plotting against him and House Stark.
The other marriage request that made him furious was the one he had received from Walder Frey. He could not believe that the Old man had the audacity to ask for any one of his children to marry one of his many children or grandchildren... He even asked if he would be willing to 'Marry his bastard, Jon Snow, to one of his trueborn daughters,' and he said would pay Ned the girl's weight in silver. 'Gods help us, that is one sick old man!' Ned thought to himself as he threw the scroll on the table.
After he took a deep breath a small smile did grace his lips because he knew that his son, Jon, was already married to the love of his life... To a young woman whom he has heard to be the most beautiful women to ever live and who had been the mother to Jon's son in his past life. He was excited to meet his new good-daughter, Daenerys Targaryen... and hoped that one day he would be able to hold his grandchildren in his arms... However, Ned knew that it would most likely be years until they were meet.
He was pulled from his long thoughts when he heard the sound of his wife, Catelyn, pound her fisted her hands on the table. She then angrily exclaimed, "I cannot believe that Walder Frey and Roose Bolton dare try to make a marriage betrothal to any of our children! After what they did to our family!"
Ned looked at Benjen and Maester Luwin who both appeared upset by the requests as well. He then looked at Tyrion, and who appeared confused as to why they were so upset about these offers.
He moved over to his wife and whispered into her ear. "Cat remember Tyrion does not know what happened... We need to keep that way for now."
Cat looked at him and nodded, then turned her gaze to his Hand, smiled and said, "I apologize for my tone Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion returned the smile, "It is fine your Grace."
He took a deep breath and then took two scrolls from the top of the pile; the two he felt were the best option for the North. He placed them both in front of the other four people gathered around the table and watched as they looked at the two raven scrolls.
"Our best options for the North are the offers from Martell of Dorne and House Tyrell of the Reach." He took a deep breath and grabbed the raven from the Tyrells. "Lord Mace Tyrell has proposed the hand of his daughter, Margaery to my heir Robb... He states that she will one day make a lovely Queen of the North and that she would give my son many beautiful children."
He looked at Tyrion who smiled and agreed, "Your Grace, that marriage alliance would be a great alliance for the Reach and the North. The Reach is well known for their food production and for their armies."
He then looked at Maester Luwin who smiled and nodded. "Lord Tyrion is right, your Grace. The Reach has a large army and is the largest producer of Grain in Westeros... It would be very helpful for feeding armies at times of war as well as boasting our stores for the Long Winter that is predicted by the Citadel."
He was glad that everyone appeared to be in agreement of this proposal. "Maester Lewin, could you please get me some parchment, an inkwell and a quill?"
"Of course, your Grace." The Old Maester answered as he quickly went to retrieve the requested items.
As he waited for the Maester to return he thought to himself, 'Robb did tell me he will only marry for an alliance for Jon's war for the Throne,' he smiled when he thought of the man his son has become.
When the Maester returned with the requested items he wrote a letter addressed to Mace Tyrell, even though he knew his mother, Olenna, was the true force behind the Reach.
Lord Mace Tyrell,
I have received your request of alliance through the marriage. I am willing to accept the offer of your daughter Margaery and my oldest son and heir, Robb.
However, before I can accept this generous offer, my wife and I would like to opportunity to meet your daughter, whom we have heard is a true golden rose. I am aware that you are a busy man, but I would like to invite you, your mother, Olenna, and daughter Margaery to Winterfell so we can meet in person and discuss terms of this alliance that may one day allow your daughter to become Queen in the North.
I am preparing to go on mission beyond the wall to investigate some disturbing reports, I have received. Therefore, I will be unable to entertain guest until I have returned. I will send another raven when I leave Castle Black to inform you when I will return.
I look forward to hearing your response and to meeting you and your lovely daughter.
Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King in the North
When he was done, he looked at the kind Maester who smiled.
"Maester Lewin, I need for you to send his letter to Lord Tyrell," the King said in an authoritative tone.
"Of course, your Grace. I will send it as soon as we have concluded this meeting" The Maester answered as he took the scroll from the King's outstretched hand.
He looked at his wife who he knew was surprised. He was aware that she did not agree that he just arranged a marriage for their eldest son but knew he would have to tell her soon that Robb had informed him, before he left for Pentos, that he wishes only to marry for an alliance that would aid his brother in unseating the Lannisters and Baratheons from power. He then noticed that his Hand, Lord Tyrion also appeared surprised by his action. Ned gave them both a weary smile as he said, "I know that Robb would want me to do what is best for the North and for his family."
After those words, his Queen and his Hand stayed quiet but nodded in understanding. He then grabbed the letter from House Martell. He took a deep breath and said, "I will ask Doran Martell to send his second son, Trystane, to Winterfell... This will give us and Sansa a chance to meet the young man. Then if we believe him to be a suitable match, we will her decide if she wants to marry him."
He looked at his wife who then saw her frown turn into a smile and nodded. He then looked at Tyrion who also smiled.
"That seems to be a good idea, your Grace. However... I am surprised as to why you are not requesting his eldest son, Quentyn for Sansa's hand?"
Ned smiled as he said, "I feel that Trystane would be a better match, considering he and Sansa are closer in age."
The Dwarf of Casterly Rock, nodded and agreement and the King took another piece of parchment and started writing.
Prince Doran Martell,
I have read your request for the marriage alliance. We would like to entertain a betrothal between your second son, Trystane, and my eldest daughter, Sansa.
I must inform you I told my children they could choose who they wish to marry. You may send Trystane, along with his personal guards and a representative from House Martell, to Winterfell, so that our children can meet. If my Queen and I feel this is a suitable match after meeting your son, and Sansa agrees, then I will accept your request of a marriage alliance.
I am preparing to go on mission beyond the wall to investigate some disturbing reports, I have received. Therefore, I will be unable to entertain guest until I have returned. I will send another raven when I leave Castle Black to inform you when I will return and at that time, we will be happy to receive you at Winterfell.
I look forward to your response
Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King in the North
He took a deep breath, rolled the parchment into a scroll and handed it to Maester Luwin. "Please, send this message to Prince Doran Martell... I believe these will be the only two responses I have for now... later today, if you could, please send replies to the other requests, respectfully declining their offers at this time."
"Of course, your Grace. I will head to the rookery now." The Maester, gave him a slight bow of his head, then took his leave to send to two scrolls to House Tyrell and House Martell.
After the Maester left, he sighed, knowing that he had so much to do before he left for the Wall. He then looked at Benjen who smiled widely and Ned rolled his eyes but also smiled. It was then that he saw that Lord Tyrion had picked up the scroll from Walder Frey and was reading it with a furrowed brown. Ned sighed, knowing that that his Hand would suggest accepting a marriage alliance between Jon and one of the old man's daughters or granddaughters.
"Your Grace... Walder Frey states that he would be willing to make an alliance by marrying one of his daughters or granddaughters to your bastard, Jon Snow! This is an excellent opportunity!"
Ned looked at his wife Catelyn and brother Benjen, with pleading eyes, but neither offered their assistance in the situation. 'Gods what should I say,' he thought before he exhaled and said, "Aye, I know."
Tyrion raised his eyebrow and asked, "Your Grace, why don't you send a raven to Walder Frey as well? You are King now... You can legitimize your bastard... make him a Stark... which would probably make the Old man even happier... he is even offering the girls weight in silver!"
Ned took a deep breath and looked at his wife who smiled and nodded in approval of Jon being legitimized. He then pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to prevent a headache as the thoughts swirled through his mind, 'Jon is already married and already has a name... what strange rumors would be said in the other kingdoms if I legitimize Jon after eighteen years?' Ned sighed again then answered, "I know I can legitimize, Jon... but I will not... I will not dishonor my wife or her family in the Riverlands... I have already pained her enough by raising my son alongside of our trueborn children... Jon is not a Stark."
He saw his wife was about to protest but he shook his head, she stopped herself nodded. However, she gave him a look, letting him know that they would be discussing this later. The sound of Tyrion's voice pulled him away from the silent conversation he was having with his wife.
"Your Grace, even if you do not legitimize your bastard, you can still accept Walder Frey's marriage request... An alliance with the Frey's would be beneficial to the North because if war does arrive, you will need the bridge at the Twins to travel South."
He smiled and shook his head no as he mused to himself, 'Jon's dragon will be able to take care of that,' before saying out loud, "Thank you for your counsel, Tyrion. However, my son, Jon Snow, has told me he does not wish to marry..." He was then cut of by his hand Tyrion.
"I do not understand, your Grace... Does the boy not like women?"
'That is definitely not the case, considering he is already married to a beautiful Targaryen Princess... should I tell him that Jon is already married... no, I cannot... if I do he will start asking more questions... he will want to know where Jon's wife is, because she is not here...' So he smirked at his Hand, and told him something that the old Jon would have told him, "Jon does like girls, however, he does not wish to bring more bastards into this world."
Tyrion shook his head, and Ned could tell he was not willing to give up the fight. "Your Grace, if he marries he can have another name than Snow... Even if you do not give him the Stark name, you can give him a new name."
'He is getting curious... Gods I hope he will drop this for now,' he thought as he shook his head and said, "I am sorry Lord Tyrion but that is my decision. Jon has told me he does not wish to marry and I will not force him to do something he does not wish to do... and besides House Tully is loyal to House Stark. Lord Tully is the Liege Lord of the Riverlands, and House Frey is one of their bannermen..."
He watched as his Hand was searching his mind for a retort, but they conversation was halted when the doors to the Great Hall opened. They all turned their gaze towards the doors and he saw his new blacksmith entering the room with a smile on his face and two packages wrapped in white cloth.
"Your Grace!" Gendry said with a smile as he walked towards the table where he was sitting with his counsel.
The King quickly got up from his chair and went over to the young Blacksmith. "Gendry!" He happily exclaimed, "Do you have news for me on my swords?"
"Mikken and I finished them this morning... I have them here, your Grace," he answered as he lifted the two packages he held in his arms.
Ned turned his head towards the table at the sound of a chair scraping across the stone floor and saw Benjen walking over to them.
"Swords? What swords, Ned?" Benjen asked with a furrowed brow.
He looked at his brother and smiled. He then looked back as Gendry and said, "Come on lad, let's set them down on the table."
The blacksmith nodded with a smile, and walked towards the table with him and his brother.
When Gendry places the packages on the table he unwrapped them and proudly said, "Two new Valyrian Steel longswords as requested, your Grace... One for you," he said as he handed Ned the sword with the black Direwolf pommel.
Ned drew his new sword from it scabbard and was blown away by the beautiful craftsmanship. He was in awe of the rippled pattern in smoky blade and the intricate design of the direwolf on the pommel. He smiled and Gendry and said, "This is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined... Thank you, lad."
"You are welcome, your Grace," the blacksmith answered with a smile. He continued to smile as he grabbed the other sword from the table, looked at his brother and said, "And one for you, Benjen Stark..."
Ned smiled as he saw the look of disbelief on his brother's face. He swore he saw tears in his eyes as he removed the Valyrian Steel Sword with the brown direwolf pommel from it scabbard.
"How... How did you make new Valyrian Steel swords Ned?" Benjen mumbled as he admired his new sword.
However, before he could answer, his wife started speaking. "We heard that Gendry had been trained in melting and reforging Valyrian Steel... so we offered him a position in Winterfell's forge... We then had him reforge Ice into two new Valyrian Steel Swords... one for you, Benjen and one for my husband."
He still saw how surprised his brother was as he whispered as he looked at the sword, "You did this for our Journey beyond the wall..."
"Aye," The King answered with a smile as he watched his brother began slowly swinging the sword with a smirk on his face.
"Thank you ... brother... This means more to me than than I could ever express with words."
"You are welcome... I will do anything in my power to keep my family safe," Ned responded with a smile.
Benjen then looked at Gendry and said, "Young man, this is truly amazing work... You did a marvelous job... Thank you."
He watched Gendry smiled and nodded.
"Gendry, my brother is right... this craftsmanship is remarkable... I don't think you yet understand how important this task was to me and my family. We will forever be thankful for your service to House Stark and the North... and know that you will always have a place here as long as you desire."
"Thank you, your Grace... I am truly thankful to be here... For the first time in my life I feel like I have a home..."
He then walked over to the blacksmith and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Again... This is truly amazing Gendry, and please give my thanks to Mikken as well."
He saw the blacksmith smiled and nodded. "I will, your Grace... I guess I had better get back to the forge and help Mikken with the training swords for your family." With those words Gendry left the Great Hall, closing the door behind him as he left.
There was a comfortable silence for a few moments and Ned took the opportunity swing his new sword. He was surprised how much lighter it was compared to Ice or normal sword. The silence was soon broken when his Hand began to speak.
"Your Grace, Benjen... I have always heard that all great swords have a name... What will you two name your new swords?"
The King smiled as he admired his Valyrian Steel Sword, and he could only think of one name. "I will name mine Frost," He decided. He then looked at his brother, who was smiling at his sword as well.
"That is a good name, brother." Benjen said as he looked up from his sword and towards him, "And I will name mine Winter Storm."
"After Winters Wolf?" Ned asked with a raised his eyebrow.
He saw his brother smiled and nodded as he confirmed, "Aye, after Winters Wolf."
"Winters Wolf, your Grace?" His Hand asked with a knitted brow.
"Aye, after one of on my son Jon's, Valyrian Steel swords."
"Swords?" Shock clearly on his face.
He smiled and nodded. "Aye, one of his swords is named Winters Wolf."
He saw his hand take a deep breath. "And his other sword?"
"Dark S..." but before he was able to tell the truth Benjen finished his sentence.
"Storm... I think it was named Dark Storm... Right Ned?" He said with a knowing smile.
"Aye, the swords are named Winters Wolf and Dark Storm." Ned answered as he gave his brother a silent look of thanks.
The King then looked at his Hand, and could tell he wanted to ask more questions, so he cut him off before he could ask. "We best be getting ready to leave Lord Tyrion. We will begin our journey to the Wall later today."
He saw his hand smiled and nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. I will take my leave then to finish my packing."
"Aye, I will meet you in the courtyard after our midday meal."
Tyrion nodded, and was about to take his leave when their attention was pulled back to the table by his wife's voice. "Ned, there is one more scroll."
Ned then turned to his wife, who was still sitting at the table, and he was surprised when she held up one last raven scroll that had not yet been opened. He walked over to the table, sat down and took the scroll from his wife's outstretched hand. When he turned the scroll he saw the it was sealed with the sigil of Reed. He took a deep breath and opened the scroll. He quickly read through it and smiled. He then looked at his wife Catelyn and gave her the letter to read. After she read through it she sighed, and had a slight frown on her face but nodded in agreement.
"If you would excuse me I need to send a raven too Howland Reed, letting him know that our son, Bran may marry his daughter, Meera, when they both come of age."
He saw the surprised look on Benjen and Tyrion's faces. He then heard the doors opened again and saw Maester Luwin enter.
"Maester Luwin I was about to go and look for you." The King of the North called to the older man.
He saw the Maester raised his eyebrow, "What do you need, your Grace?"
He then smiled and said, "I have one more letter I must write." He took the quill and another peace of parchment and started writing a letter addressed to Howland Reed. After he was done writing he looked at the Maester and smiled.
"Send this letter to Winter Town. There is a young man named Jojen Reed waiting for this message."
"Of course, your Grace." The Maester replied as he took the letter from Ned's hand then and left the Great Hall.
He then sighed knowing that his son Bran was know betrothed to Meera but understood that it was necessary for the future. He then turned his gaze back at his wife who still had a frown on her face. He then looked towards his hand and his brother, who appeared perplexed as to why he would accept a betrothal that did not help to secure an alliance for the North. He decided to address it at a later time, so he instead said, "Benjen and Tyrion you best be getting ready. We will soon travel to the Wall."
They both nodded and then took their leave. When he turned back around, he saw that his wife was still looking at him. He sighed and waited for her to speak.
"Ned, do you care to explain why you are so willing to accept Tyrell's offer without Robb's consent? We did not let Robb have a choice in his betrothal..."
"Aye, that is true... However, before Robb left, we had a conversation. He told me he will only marry for a alliance that would aid his brother... and besides Cat I heard that Lady Margaery Tyrell is one of the most beautiful young women in all of Westeros. I have also heard that she is kind and has a big heart to help others." He exhaled as he closed the distance between then, and then in a soft tone added,"We need allies Cat, for the Great War that is coming." His wife taking a deep breath and nodded. He smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
After the kiss she looked him in the eyes and asked, "Ned why did you not legitimize Jon to Jon Stark?" He then smiled.
"Cat... You know why I cannot make him a Stark... He already has a name... He is the true Crown Prince... Aegon Targaryen... Also, if I legitimized him now, after eighteen years, it would cause rumors to start once again..."
"Ned... I treated him horribly... All he ever wanted growing up was to have a name... and to have a Mother's love... If I had known... I could have loved him like he deserved..."
He smiled at her, "Cat, I know you feel horrible about your treatment of Jon... But it is my fault... I just wanted to keep him safe... If you did not treat him badly, it would have caused rumors..." He watched him wife sigh, and gave a sad nod in agreement. He then kissed her forehead once more, then said, "I need to get ready for my quest to the Wall."
He watched her nod. He smile at her then turned and left the Great Hall to finish preparing for his quest beyond the Wall.
Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys knew that she should be up, preparing for the day and putting on her sparring clothes. However, she was still laying in bed, thinking about what her husband had mumbled in his sleep...'Please Dany... Do not do it! If you hurt him! I swear on my father's grave I will kill you myself!'
She felt tears that had welled in her eyes starting to trickle down her cheeks... She wanted to know why Jon would ever threaten to kill her. What did she do to dishonor her love to him? She was thinking about who she was going to hurt that would evoke such a reaction from the man she loved. 'Was it his best friend Samwell Tarly? Was it their good friend and Hand, Tyrion Lannister?' She sighed... She wanted to know... needed to know what had happened... What she had done to her lover... What did she do that was so horrible that it haunted her husband's dreams... She sighed again because he had vowed that he would never tell her.
After a few more minutes of brooding, she got out of the bed to ready herself for the day. She walked over to her chest, and noticed that the servants had laid out her sparing clothes for her. She put on her small clothes, followed by her breeches, silver shirt, and the her boots. Once she was dressed, she looked at her reflection in the mirror, sighed once more in an effort to shake the lingering thoughts, before she walked to the door, opened it and left her room.
She walked through the halls of Illyrio's manse in search of her husband. When she found him, he was speaking to Ser Jorah Mormont in the hallway outside of the kitchen. She smiled as noticed that they both appeared to be in good spirits, laughing while having a conversation. She walked over towards them and her husband saw her approaching he gave her a smile so big that it reached his eyes. The old knight also gave her a smile and after a good morning greeting he took his leave, leaving her alone with Jon.
She then saw her husband holding his hand out for her, and a natural smile spread across her face as she took his hand. To her surprise, he pulled her hand, bringing her to his chest and he kissed her roughly on the lips. When he broke the kiss she pulled away and giggled. She then looked at him, and murmured, "Good morning, my love."
His face lit up with the beautiful smile that caused her heart to fill with love and her sadness and curiosity to fade away.
She felt how his hands traveled down to her waist and then he pulled her back flush with his front and kissed her on the mouth once again. Soon their tongues were battling each other which cause her to moan into his mouth as he growled into hers. When she finally pulled away and giggle again and took deep breaths in an attempt to calm her growing arousal. She looked up to his eyes and saw the desire in his eyes as well. His hands then meandered from her waist to her ass and when he pulled her close. She smiled contently as she placed her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and felt happiness coursing through her body because she was being securely held in the warm embrace of the love of her life.
"My love... How did you sleep?" She asked as her head left his shoulder and looked up at him.
She saw him smile again. "I slept wonderfully," he murmured into her ear.
She smiled at him and said, "I'm glad you slept well." She then placed her head back onto his shoulder and thought, 'Will he ever tell me what happens in his dreams? And stop lying to me?' She closed her eyes and snuggled into his shoulder, trying to wash away those thoughts as his strong arms tightened their embrace. When he tightened the embrace he also squeezed her ass and she could feel his growing bulge pressing into her lower abdomen. She smiled as he pressed kisses her head over and over again. He then placed his head on hers and there was a comfortable silence between them being in each other's arms. After a few tranquil moments she was about to suggest they go back to their chambers but he husband spoke first.
"Let's go break our fast, my love," he whispered in her ear.
She looked up at him, smiled and kissed him once more on the mouth before she pulled away nodded. He took her arm and guided her to the kitchen.
They soon entered the kitchen she saw Sarogon eating some fish that had been left out on the counter. She smiled as she walked over to their child and scratched his chin. She turned her gaze back at her husband who smiled at her.
"He's growing up so fast... he can barely sit on my shoulder anymore." He mused as he walked up behind her, put his chest against her back, wrapped one hand around her waist and used the other to love on the dragon as well. She smiled as she looked at Sarogon, purring as he nuzzled into Jon's hand.
After a few minutes, he took his hand away from the dragon and used it to encircle her waist. He then stated to trail open mouthed kisses from her cheeks down her neck, which cause her to giggle and smile. She turned her head to look at him and placed her lips on his. Jon then turned her around so their chest were pressed together. She wrapped her arms behind his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. They kissed each other passionately and Dany began to feel the slickness pooling between her thighs. She was in the process of moving her hands from around his neck, with the intention of unlacing her husband's breeches when she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat behind them. She whipped her head to the sound, and saw her good-brother Robb, standing in the doorway.
"I see I'm interrupting something. Do I need to come back to break my fast after you two are done?" He asked.
She felt the blush rising in her cheeks as her husband tucked his head into her neck and chuckled. When he pulled his head from her neck, he looked at brother and said, "No, its fine Robb we were about to break our fast... Do you wish to join us?"
She looked at her good brother who had a smirk on his face. "I would like nothing more brother... I did come to the kitchen so that I could break my fast."
Her good-brother then walked over to them, first embracing her husband and then her. After he pulled away she looked at him, smiled and asked, "How did you sleep, good brother?"
"Wonderfully... and the two of you?" He asked with a smirk and raised his eyebrows knowingly.
"I slept very peacefully." She answered with a smile.
"I slept peacefully as well, brother." Jon answered before turning around to get a plate.
As her husband began to fill his plate, her good-brother looked at her. She knew he was silently asking how Jon slept the night before. She shook her head, letting him know that he did not sleep peacefully. She saw him silently sigh and also nod, letting her know that they should talk about it in private.
She turned around, walked to her husband and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek as she grabbed her plate for herself and began to fill it with a variety of foods. He mouth began to water as she placed some fresh fruit, a honey cake and some bacon and fried eggs on her plate. When she was done, she walked over to the table and sat down in a wooden chair next to her husband. Robb joined them a few minutes later and the three of them had a pleasant conversation as broke their fast. They spoke the time Theon and Robb took Jon to a brothel for his name day... and how upset Theon got because Jon would not do anything with the whore because he thought of himself as a bastard. She smiled as she remembered that Jon has only ever bedded two women in their past life; herself and a wildling girl named Ygritte. She felt a little jealous knowing that is old lover was still breathing in this new life, but smiled knowing that Jon saved her not the wildling girl.
After they finished breaking their fast, her husband kissed her on the cheek, which made her blush as she smile at him. He then took her hand and kissed it before he stood up. Once he was on his feet, he looked at her apologetically as said, "I need to go see how my horrible uncle... Your horrible brother is doing... I will meet the both of you in the training yard shortly."
She watched as her husband then walked over to Sarogon, who quickly jumped onto his shoulder. He smiled at the two of them and then left the dining room with he dragon. When she was sure that her husband was gone and out of ear shot, she turned towards Robb, who had a worried look in his eyes.
"Tell me what happened Dany?" He pleaded.
It felt good that her good-brother called her Dany and not Daenerys... it made her feel like a true member of the pack. She was glad that they became good friends and in the week that they had known each other, she was beginning to feel what it was like to have a true sibling.
She sighed, as she stood-up from her chair, and began to pace around the room. She did not know exactly how to tell her good-brother what had happened. After a few moments she turn and looked at him and quietly said, "He... He seemed to have the nightmare again... but this time, when he woke-up this morning he screamed out loud..."
She looked at her brother who raised his eyebrow and softly asked, "Was... was there more than just screaming?"
She then remembered those words that he had mumbled before he woke... and again the thought of those words sent shivers down her spine. 'Dany do not hurt him!.. I swear on my father's grave if you hurt him... I will kill you myself!' She sighed as she felt the tears trickling down her face. She looked at her good-brother who quickly stood-up, walked around the table and embraced her.
"Dany... tell me what is wrong?... What happened this morning?" He asked, with his voice dripping with concern as she buried her face into his shoulder, refusing to let go of his embrace. When she finally calmed herself down, Robb let go of the embrace and looked at her into the eyes and said, "Please, Dany, tell me what happened..."
"Robb... He... He mumbled something horrifying in his sleep..." She whispered.
"What did he say Dany? Talk to me..."
She took a deep breath. "While he was sleeping, he said these words 'Dany do not hurt him! If you hurt him I swear on my fathers grave I will kill you myself!' I am scared Robb... I don't know what I did... But it had to have been something terrible!"
When Robb did not respond she glanced at him and saw a look of surprise on his face. She then took a few steps back from him, turned around and tried to calm down. She took a few deep breaths before she started talking again. "I first thought it might be Samwell Tarly or Tyrion Lannister..." Suddenly a realization hit her, she spun around and looked at her good brother with fear in her eyes as she gasped and whispered, "What if ... What if it was Rhaegar? What I killed our son?"
Robb rushed over to her, embraced her as she started to cry once more and said, "You would never kill your son Dany..."
She cut him off. "I would never have hurt our baby boy... I would never kill our son... I would have done anything in my power to make sure he remained safe..." She pulled away, took a few steps back, looked at her good brother in the eyes and said, "I... After I was killed... The Night King must have changed me into a wight... I must have been the wight that stabbed our babe to death..."
She saw the look in her good-brother's eyes, telling her he wanted to say something or wanted to protest but was interrupted when Ser Jorah Mormont entered the dining room. She turned around and wiped the tears off her face, not wanting anyone to see that she was crying.
"Lord Robb... There was a raven what arrived for you... it is sealed with the sigil of House Stark... it says it is from the King in the North." The old knight handed him the scroll.
She was surprised by this, 'The last King in the North was Torrhen Stark... who knelt to my ancestor...' she thought to herself only to be pulled from her thoughts when she heard her good brother chuckle. She looked his direction.
"So my brother's plan must have worked." He said to her between chuckles.
"Plan?" She asked him with a furrowed brow.
She saw her good-brother looked at her and nodded. "Aye, Jon knew that Joffrey Baratheon, the bastard of a prince, would do something stupid... Something that would anger the Northern Lords which could lead to the North's Independence and Father being named King in the North." She saw him smile as he said the next words "We will have the full support if the North behind us to help take back the Iron Throne, Dany."
She was surprised by this, "The North will aid us in the war for the throne?"
Robb nodded, "Aye, that was our plan... I mean Jon's plan from the start... for the North to be independent when you travel back to Westeros... Father will also be working to secure other alliances."
She felt her heart rate rising. 'So my husband has learned how to be an excellent player in the Game of Thrones?' I believe I will need to ask Jon more about his plan on retaking our throne.' She was then pulled from her thoughts when she heard her good brother spoke to the old knight.
"Thank you Ser Jorah ... You may take your leave."
The old knight smiled slight and nodded his head, then said, "Please, let me know if you need anything, my Prince." Robb chucked as Ser Jorah then turned around and left the room.
After he had left, she watched as her good-brother open the scroll and began to read. As he read she watched the smirk fall from his face, and was replaced by a myriad of emotions. When he was finally finished reading she could see his eyes wide open and his arms were shivering. She was confused as to what was wrong so she walked over towards him, as softly asked in a concerned tone, "Robb, what happened? What is wrong?"
She then saw him swallow hard as he looked down at the scroll. He then looked at her and gave her the raven scroll and simply said, "Read it."
She was surprised but nodded. She opened the scroll and started reading it.
Dear Robb, I have bittersweet news. Jon's plan worked... However, Joffrey is even more cruel then I had imagined... The bastard tried to rape Sansa and murder Arya... Arya would be dead if Nymeria had not intervened by biting his arm, which made for an uneasy situation. The Northern Lords was furious when they learned what happened and asked King Robert to make the North independent. Which was granted in exchange for Prince Joffrey's life. I have named Tyrion Lannister as my Hand... Jon said he is a good person as well as a good friend. I'm glad to hear that Daenerys has been saved from Drogo and her brother Viserys. Please help Jon to keep my good-daughter safe, as I would like to meet her and my future grandchildren in this life. Robb, I have other news. Lord Tyrion has been reading an old Valyrian book and has proclaimed that the shooting star in the sky is a symbol of the return of The Prince who was Promised. Also, he states that according to this book, Jon's dragon is not an Ice Dragon or a Fire Dragon... he states it is a Hybrid Dragon, which will breath fire or ice based upon its rider's emotions. The rider's eyes will change color based on his or her emotions... Eyes will be a dark blue color for calmness or happiness for breathing ice or an orange-red color when the rider feels lost or heartbroken or rage, which leads the dragon breathing fire... He also stated that if the rider is filled with too much with rage, both the dragon and the rider will be uncontrollable and will kill anything in sight... anything that stands nearby, whether it be a friend or family (including his wife) or foe. You need to help him remain calm him... otherwise no one will be able to help him. No one will be able to stop him. I will be leaving Winterfell in a few days, to accompany Uncle Benjen on his mission beyond the wall. Gendry has arrived safely and is busy reforging Ice as we speak. I miss both of my sons, and hope to hear from you soon. Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King in the NorthShe was mixed with emotions while reading the letter... she felt anger at Prince Joffrey for what he had done to Jon's younger sister. She felt love that she knowing that her Good-Father cared about her wellbeing, and smiled, knowing that she now also had a father and a true family. She then but soon was now felling confusion and fear taking over her. 'Jon... I need to speak to Jon. He cannot keep this thing from me. If he does not share... I will lose him forever.'
She sighed and sat on the chair again. She heard her good brother walking over towards her.
"Dany ... Has Jon's eye color ever changed?" Robb asked with worry in his tone.
She looked up into his eyes, exhaled and nodded before she breathed out, "More than once."
"When did you notice his eye color change first?" He asked softly.
She took a deep breath. "The time I noticed was the night of our wedding... Before the ceremony his eye color changed to a dark blue color."
He smiled and sat next to her. "That is a good thing... If what my father said is true, that meant he was happy... calm."
She smiled and nodded.
Robb then asked her, "Have his eyes ever changed to an orange color?"
She took another deep breath and nodded.
"When... When did this happen Dany?" She could hear the concern on his tone.
"His eyes change orange every time I asked him about his dreams... and every time he has tried to hide what happened in his dream."
"We need him to share what happens in his dreams Daenerys. If we do not ... We might lose him forever."
She took a deep breath and nodded.
"However, Dany... By doing this we need him to open up on his terms, not ours." Robb said with a frown on his face.
She knew he was right she took a deep breath and whispered, "You are right, Robb... we cannot push or we might lose him." she looked at him and saw his frown turned into a sad slight smile.
"Now, Warrior Queen let's go join my brother at the training yard for our sparing session. Otherwise, Jon will be furious."
As he said this she saw a goody smirk on his face, which made her laugh. He then help her up from her chair and they both took their leave from the dining room to join husband her husband in the training yard.
As they walked through Illyrio's manse, she told herself that she would become a warrior queen... she would not fall in battle this time... she would not make her husband have to kill her mindless body in this life...
Joffrey Baratheon
They have been traveling for four days along the Kingsroad on their way back home, to King's Landing. Joffrey was frustrated because they kept stopping, and would only travel about 50 miles per day. Tonight they had stopped somewhere just outside of the Borrowlands... only about are two hundred miles south of Winterfell, however, that was not enough for the Crown Prince. Joffrey was walking around the makeshift camp with his sworn sword, the Hound, and uncle Ser Jaime Lannister following closely behind. As they walked, they past by several common folk as well as some children. He noticed that all of them were looking at him as though he were a common thief. 'These peasants! They are all traitorous bastards... I cannot wait until the day I can take their heads for glaring at me as they are...'
While they were walking someone threw an apple on to his face and yelled, "Get out of the North you rapist!"
Joffrey did not see which one of the peasants threw the apple, but as he wiped of the apple juice from his face he then saw all the common folk shouting at him. The Hound quickly moved in front of him shielding him from further rotten fruit. The Crown Prince was furious. He felt like his blood was boiling as he screeched at the top of his lungs, "Who threw that! Who threw that! I changed my mind... I don't care who threw it... Dog bring me all their heads!"
He then noticed his father, red faced and frowning as he stomped a angrily towards him. Joffrey swallowed hard as his father approached, with Ser Barristan trailing closely behind... he could the King was pissed and was about to embarrass him even further.
When his Father reaches him, he grabbed him by the tunic and roared into his face, "Listen to me, you stupid boy! You can not kill everyone who treats you like shit!"
He laughed and shook his head, "Father I'm the Crown Prince! Mother told me I can do whatever I want and have whatever I wa... awhhh"
He was shocked into silence when his father as he slapped him across the face. He placed his hand on his face as his eyes welled with tears... He to cry, but he willed the tears not to fall... his Mother told him that in order to be a good leader, the people needed to fear him... and if they saw him crying like a little bitch, they would never follow him... and he could already hear the Northern peasants laughing as his father scolded him like he was the child of a whore.
"You, thinking that you can do as you please is the reason why we lost one of the Seven Kingdoms! We may even lose more because of what you did... because of your stupidity! You really are a dumb cunt... I swear sometimes I think that your mother fucked someone else to create you!" His Father yelled and then slapped him across the face once again.
"I am the Crown Prince! The Seven Kingdoms will fear me and they will follow me!" He gritted out through his teeth.
He looked at his Father, he noticed the his nostrils were flaring, his face was as red and he swore steam was coming out of his ears as he shook his head. He took a deep breath, the slowly spoke in a gruff tone, "You... tried to rape the one of the daughters of a man who was my best friend, the Warden of the North... well now King of the North... and then when you did not have your way, you attempted to murder his other daughter! No one will ever follow you. If the other Six Kingdoms find out what you did... they will be a rebellion... they will all want to be independent." His Father then took a couple of steps back and was taking slow deep breaths.
He silently nodded his head, but thought to himself, 'I'm am the Crown Prince... I am the true heir to the seven kingdoms! When I become king I will have my revenge on the North! I will kill all of those Stark peasants!' He was pulled from his thoughts when one of the children of the common folk bumped into him.
"I... I am s..sorry, Milord," the young child stuttered.
He felt as his blood boiled of frustration. 'He dares call me milord? I'm the prince! He is supposed to call me my Prince!' He placed his hand on his sword and roared, "I am not a Lord! I am your rightful Prince, and I will have your head!" He was about to pull his sword from it's scabbed when he saw his father looking at him with shock fury in his eyes.
It did not take longer than a second before his Father closed the distance between then and slapped him across the face twice more. Joffrey brought his fingers to his lip and wiped away a trickle of blood. He regretted what he did because now the tears were falling down his face, making him look weak in front of the stupid Northern common folk. Just when he thought the situation couldn't get any worse, his Father lashed out at him again.
"Listen to me you bastard!" He gritted out as he smacked him once more, "You has better start acting like a leader instead of a spoiled little bitch! You had better start showing me that you will be a King that the people look up to... If you do not start acting like a proper King, I will give your little brother Tommen, the Iron Throne and send you to that damn Wall!" His father then smacked him so hard that that he fell to the ground. However, his Father did not let him stay down, because he pulled him up by the tunic, looked him in the eyes and continued, "We need the kingdoms to be united more now than ever! Aegon Targaryen, who has a fucking living, breathing dragon, is just across the Narrow Sea, plotting his return to Westeros! He has named himself the True Heir to the Iron Throne... Do you actually think he will stay at Pentos for long?"
He was shocked by what his father said, he could not speak, so he shook his head.
"He is said to have a Khalasar more than 100,000 thousand Dothraki savages! He has also married Daenerys Targaryen! I can not have my heir raping and murdering young girls! I need an heir who is kind and a warrior! Joffrey if you do not change your ways I will send you to the Wall! Do you understand me!"
He opened his eyes wide in shock, not believing what his father said. "You will not send me to the Wall!" He squeaked our when he found his voice.
He saw the redness in his fathers face. "If it means that if I need to send you to the Wall in order to kill the last dragonspawns, then that is what I shall do! Not even your mother will be able to save your sorry ass!"
He was surprised and swallowed down the bile that was rising in his throat. However, before Joffrey could retort, they were disturbed by his Father's Kingsguards.
"Aegon Targaryen, your Grace?" He saw as his father looked at the Kingsguard member with a scowl on his face.
"Yes, Ser Beristain! Are you still loyal to those dragonspawns?"
He saw the old knight man swallow and shake his head as he said, "No, your Grace... but Aegon was killed during the sack of King's Landing."
"I know that... but somehow... there is a man with a dragon, across the Narrow Sea with a dragon! Can I count on you if the war arrives?"
"Of course, your Grace." The old Kingsguard answered as he bowed him head.
"Good." His father then turned his gaze back towards Joffrey and gritted out as he waved a finger in his face, "I am warning you Joffrey... If you don't shape up soon you will be at the Wall before the summer ends." His Father then sighed and walked away with Ser Barristan as the Hound and Ser Jaime escorted him to his personal tent...
Cersei Lannister
The sun hung low in the horizon when they finally made camp for the night. The Queen of the six southern kingdoms was thankful to be out of the fucking wheelhouse and sitting in her tent. However she was frustrated to still be in the North and she was still angry that the Traitorous Stark Dogs... Angry at their plotting and scheming against the Crown... and furious that they were able to trap her beloved Joffrey, causing him to lose his temper which led to their banishment from the largest of the seven Kingdom, which rightfully belonged to her son.
She walked around her tent trying to figure out how she will have revenge on the Stark dogs. She stopped to pour herself a glass of Dornish Red, to a sip and contemplated... she knew they needed to die... but how. She took another sip of her wine as she pondered just how she would achieve her vengeance... should she have them poisoned them or stabbed to death in their beds. She finished her glass of fine and smiled when she concluded the best way to make the Starks pay... She will have Sansa and Arya Stark assassinated for their actions against the Crown Prince... and she knew just the right man for the job.
She sent one of her guards to find the man... he was a just common sell sword who she had travel with them... because you never can know when you will need an assassin... He was disguised as one of the cooks so no one even knew he was really a killer. She poured another glass of wine as she waited. After about fifteen minutes the man entered her tent along with the guard she had sent to find him.
"You wanted to ask me something, your Grace?" Her sell sword asked.
She looked the man in the eyes. He was not much to look at, he was not strong and lean like her brother, but she had every confidence that he would be able to complete the task."Yes, I do." She said coldly and evenly. She then turned her piercing gaze to her guard and authoritatively said, "Leave us... and when you do take ten paces away from this tent."
"Yes, your Grace," the guard answered before he bowed his head and took his leave.
Once they were alone and away from prying ears she poured the assassin a glass of wine, smiled at him and as she handed him the glass of wine said, "Please sit," as she gestured towards the small table just in front of him. Once he was seated, she continued, "How would you like to have a pile of gold dragons?"
The man smiled exposing his yellow teeth. "I would like nothing more, your Grace."
She smiled as she opened the small wooden chest that was sitting on the table. She watched the man's eyes grow wide when he saw exactly how much gold she was talking about. She then closed the box and the man looked up at her as she said, "You may have this if you kill two little girls for me."
"Who is it that I need to kill, your Grace?" The man asked as he raised a questioning eyebrow and took a sip of his wine.
She smiled as opened the other box on the table and took out the Valyrian Steel danger. She ran her fingers down the side of the dagger as admired the rippled pattern in the metal and how it contrasted with the black bone handle. She then placed the dagger in front of the assassin, looked the man in the eyes and calmly stated, "The daughters of the King in The North... Sansa and Arya Stark."
The man nodded and smiled, showing her his rotted yellow teeth as he said, "It shall be done, your Grace." He then picked up the dagger and put it into his sword belt.
She smiled wickedly as she slammed the chest containing the gold coins shut and stated, "Good... You shall receive your payment after you have completed your task... and you can also keep that dagger."
She saw as the man nodded, finished his wine and then left her tent without another word. She smiled and then poured herself some more wine into her empty golden goblet. She then sat down on a chair and smiled, knowing that she will soon have her revenge on the North. She was enjoying the tranquility of the moment, sipping her wine when suddenly she heard the tent's flaps open. She looked up from her wine and saw her cousin, the King's squire, enter.
"Your Grace, a raven has just arrived for you... It is from Casterly Rock and is sealed with your father's sigil."
'Fuck... Father will be demanding answers... he will want to know why we have lost the north.' She thought to herself as she took the scroll from Lancel's outstretched shaking hand. Once she had the scroll she wordlessly nodded her head, signaling for him to leave. When he left the tent, she sighed and opened the scroll.
Cersei, I have heard the news that we have lost one of the Seven Kingdoms because of your son's arrogance. I am disappointed that you allowed this to happen... You need to teach him discipline! Your son must learn how to control himself... how to become a good king... otherwise we will lose the six remaining kingdoms before the damn boy can even sit on the throne. If you do not discipline him and teach him right from wrong, will send him to the Wall myself! Because of your stupidity and coddling of the boy, the throne is vulnerable to a rebellion. I will see you at the capital soon to discuss this and other urgent matters with you... I would like to hear from you and your brother, Tyrion, betrayed his family and became Hand to the King in the North. Tywin Lannister, Hand of The King, Warden of the West, Lord of Casterly RockShe felt the rage returning to her veins as she tried to calm herself by taking another sip of wine... It was not helping. 'I have to see Jaime... he will know what to do,' she thought as she stood up and went to in search of her brother's tent.
Cersei pulled her cloak tighter over her shoulders as she walked through the camp. When she reached his tent, she told her guards to stay and she pulled open the flap, and entered unannounced. When she entered, she saw him, he was in the process of removing his Kingsguard armor.
When their eyes meet, he sighed and softly said, "Cersei, this is not the best time... When we are in a camp and there is no privacy."
She let out a laugh and then in a quiet but rough tone stated, "That is not why I came here... I came here to discuss the matter of my husband."
She could see the look of surprise on the face as he walked closer to her, wearing only breeches and a thin cotton tunic as he asked with a knitted brow, "Your husband?"
An evil smile spread across her face as she nodded. She then began to pace around his tent as she spoke, "I was thinking, Jaime. Maybe it is time that my husband took a permanent leave..." She stopped her pacing and looked him in the eyes, and was shocked when he did not seem to share her enthusiasm.
"You mean to poison your husband?" He asked in a disapproving tone as he forcibly exhaled and looked down at the ground.
"What is wrong Jaime? I thought this was something that you, of all people, would want? We could be rid of my husband... and we could be together..." she added as she rubbed he hand down the side of his face and lifted his chin so he had to look her in the eyes.
"Yes, it is... I hate seeing how he treats you... but... Cersei, I do not think it is the best time to kill your husband?"
"And why not Jaime?" She gritted out through her teeth.
She watched as he frowned and sighed before he answered quietly, "We need him at the moment... Do you honestly think, after Robert has died, the kingdoms would immediately follow Joffrey? After what he did it is going to take time to regain the trust of the people... Therefore, we need the Fat King alive... in order to stop the other six kingdoms from rebellion against the Throne... As long as King Robert lives we still have time to sort out the vile actions of our bastard son." She could not believe what she just heard she wanted to protest but was cut off by her brother. "And besides Cersei... Have you not heard about the a man across the Narrow Sea?"
"What man?"
"The young man calling himself Aegon Targaryen... He is a much bigger threat to deal with at this time... If the rumors are true, the man has hatched a dragon, he has married Daenerys Targaryen... and has an Army of Dothraki screamers..."
"He is nothing than a pretender..." she snapped as she cut him off.
"A pretender, who has a dragon, who is married Daenerys Targaryen... and who has a large army... Cersei we both know if he is a true Targaryen or a Blackfyre or even a pretender... if the Kingsdoms are not united, he will easily conquer Westeros... Cersei, he calls himself the true heir to the Iron Throne... and if he proves himself to right, the Targaryen Loyalist will swarm to his side... Our son Joffrey has no Baratheon or Targaryen blood in his veins... the only Kingdoms that might aid us are the Westerlands and the Stormlands."
She took a deep breath opened her mouth and was about to talk, but he held up a finger indicating that he was not done. When she closed her mouth he continued.
"War is arriving Cersei... The Targaryen are coming to Westeros to take back their throne. And as much as I hate to say this, we need your shitty husband to help us to fight the war against the Targaryens... We cannot kill him, because if we do, the kingdoms could either declare their own independence or join this Aegon Targaryen's side... they will not care if he is trueborn or a bastard... they will see him as someone better than Joffrey." She wanted to protest but her brother continued with pleading eye, "Please Cersei... Do not poison him until we speak with father. We must seek his counsel before we decided what we should do."
She sighed and reluctantly nodded, knowing that her brother was right for now.
"Now Cersei, is there anything else you wished to discuss with me?"
She shook her head, smiled at her brother lover, and then said, "Good night, Jaime I will see you tomorrow."
Which made her lover smile. After he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, she left his tent and walked back at her own makeshift shelter.
'I will never allow this, Aegon Targaryen, to take the throne that belongs to my Joffrey,' she thought as she began scheming ways she could get rid of this pretender who calls himself Aegon Targaryen...
