Eddard
Ned's son sat before him Jon his other son was leaning against the wall behind him they were still inside Frey's. Well supposed it was Lloyd's now but Ned was still angry none the less Jon however was not helping the situation his son was leaning against the wall by the door grinning at Lloyd. Lloyd meanwhile looked like a chastised child despite him being in his armor. A gift from his grandfather no less and though Ned had his own issues against Tywin Lannister. "Lloyd what were you thinking? Attacking one our allies like that?" Ned finally spoke after the deathly silent that he knew only made his son feel scared.
"I was insulted he insulted our family and tried to force my hand to marry one of his spawn" Lloyd defended his actions.
"For that you attack his keep? and now Rickard Karkstark is dead Lloyd. Had you not been so lucky the Tully's did not side with the enemy" Ned evenly responded.
"But he didn't!" Lloyd tried.
"You did not know what would happen you acted on your own accord" Ned said.
"But" Lloyd tried his armored shoulders sagged.
"No…I should send you to Winterfell Lloyd" Ned said staring intently at Lloyd opened his mouth to protest but snapped it closed.
"I understand father…I will march back to Winterfell on the morrow" Lloyd resigned himself to his fate. Ned smiled a little.
"But the men tell me you are an honorable man and will continue to fight by your side if asked." Ned finished and Jon smirked behind him shaking his head. "What have I always told you two?" Ned said his voice gravely.
"If you are going to ask your men to put lay down their lives for you" Jon.
"Don't be strangers to them" Lloyd finished smiling slightly. "Truly father? I can still fight with you" Lloyd asked.
"Yes…we need all the men we can Lloyd the realm in is in shambles we must prevail" Ned finished placing his hand on Lloyd's shoulder.
"He's right Lloyd I've seen it myself Aegon killed Staffon" Jon said his voice low and an undertone of sadness.
"Gods…I knew I didn't like that bastard the first time I saw him" Lloyd frowned. He liked Staffon he wanted to have a relationship with him like his father with the king but now…he would claim Aegon's life and bring his head back on a pike to décor the Red Keeps walls. Family comes first for a Lannister and Staffon was family. His mother had taught him a man must be willing to do anything for his family.
"You two can catch up and meet me and Lord Stannis in the great hall in two hours we will gather there and discuss our next plan of action. Be prepared my sons our toughest battles have yet to come.
Aegon
Dorne wasn't a bad place when you spent enough time in the desert heat Aegon had been cleaned up his wounds cleaned. His robes had been replaced with a more free form style. The color and the space helping him to keep cool his sword at his hip he had been practicing a bit lately. Mostly with the household guard and now and then Oberyn would personally train him. Aegon frowned he was in the old palace garden. Some children were playing in the gardens and some curiosly looked at him though they kept their distance looking at him. Sighing the young dragon turned and was about to head back inside to find his aunt Arianne. She had said she wanted to ride with him and made him promise her a race. Before he left he found a small girl barefoot and dirty cheeks with tan skin not unlike his mother or Arianne. He blinked and she returned the gesture hands behind her back the little girl brough her hands forward and offered him a flower. Aegon blinked but offered a small smile and knelt his knee touching tile. Taking the flower form her the small child smiled at him and spoke.
"Your very pretty" she smiled at him with a gaped tooth smile. He felt his lips quirk upward a little more.
"Why thank you but, I'm a boy not a girl I can't be pretty" he said. She titled her head and boldy reached out touching his long shoulder length hair. He blinked surprised not used to such intimate contact much less with a stranger commonborn.
"But you have pretty hair like a girl! I wish mine was" she frowned and tried patting down her long tangled hair. He chuckled and ruffled up her hair and she smiled at him with cute brown eyes.
"Well I got this hair from my father I heard he was…pretty as well" he tried and she giggled behind her fists.
"Ah are you bothering the king little one?" Aegon's aunt Arianne entered in her celasious curves and robes. Standing Aegon shook his head and patte the girl's head who smiled to Arianne.
"Arianne! No I was just telling him he had pretty hair" the girl explained. Arianne smiled her lush lips puliling back to reveal her perfect teeth. How is she not married I swear Aegon thought warily she was rather beautiful.
"Well he is a very beautiful young man the best of my sister and his father I would say" she winked at him and Aegon blushed self-conscious.
"Please walk with me your grace our horses should be ready" she bowed politely and Aegon nodded back.
"Aye let us go we will meet again little one" smiled Aegon.
"Bye Arianne bye pretty king" the girl waved and returned to her friends the children all awed and started asking questions about the young man.
"You love children Aunt?" Aegon started a conversation with Arianne. She responded with a rich laugh.
"We all love children though I suppose only Oberyn could be said to love them most" Arianne said fondly.
"When his latest daughter was born you should have seen him cooing at her and playing with her my father demanded his presence once and I quote him mind you he told him to shove a sock on it he was busy" Aegon could not help the laugh that came to him and Arianne joined him as well.
"My father was less than pleased as you can imagine but well Aero was forced to nearly drag Oberyn before him" Arianne laughed at the memory her uncle was a fierce fighter but when Aero had gotten his hands on him he had slung him across his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"I find it hard to believe Prince Oberyn was ever caught much less by Ser Aero Hotah" he had seen the captain of the Martell a few times and the man was very broad perhaps not like The Mountain that rides but certainly like the The Hound. "I saw him fight he is very swift catching him seems impossible." Aegon said. Arianned agreed with a smirk.
"Aye he's called the Red Viper for a reason he fights like one and is as hard to catch as one. Oberyn is truly Dornes greatest warriors…don't tell him I said that his ego would only explode" she rolled her eyes her uncle was too overconfident sometimes.
Reaching the stables their horses ready the two rode out together into the desert sands with Arianne riding straddle and already taking the lead Aegon not one to be outdone leaned on his saddle to catch his beautiful aunt.
Doran
"The boy is hardly ready…how goes his training Oberyn?" The older Martell asked in his chair behind his desk. He and his brother were in his solar. Oberyn drank from his cup of wine and thought it over for a second before answering.
"He is better than before…not better than Roberts…deceased son but he could hold his own against him now I'd say" Oberyn answered truly.
"What of our forces then what do you think?" Doran asked his brother having led a company of sellswords Doran deferred to him at times for military matters.
"Strong, we strong armed a good twenty thousand men and twenty ships a good number but allies are still required. Perhaps the Lannisters?" Oberyn inquired Doran thought this over.
"Doubtful Tywin Lannister is a man who seeks power above else we have nothing he wants and he will not back the 'losing side.' In our current situation we do not stand a chance against the might of the rest of Westeros" Droan said leaning back on his wheel chair. This was not the war of conquest or the ones that proceed it when the Targeryen Dinasty tried to take Dorne by force. In a defensive war they could best them all but they had to leave Dorne and fight to take the throne. Oberyn spoke.
"We have no allies and the boy still requires further training so?" Oberyn finished with an inflection.
"We wait…Robert Baratheon will no doubt want to deal with his brother….Oberyn gather our forces and march to the border we will let Robert and his brother kill each other before we attack them at their weakest." Oberyn chuckled and stood leaving his empty cup on the center table from his seat.
"Very well I will try to leave in a month's time and march to the border." Leaving Doran alone the old lord of Dorne sighed and leant on his elbows. I'm too bloody old for this he thought to himself privately.
"Should I go as well?" a voice spoke to him from behind. Areo spoke the man had been silent like a statue while he and his brother conversed.
"Aye lead the vanguard and keep my brother safe that hot headed fool is going to get himself killed his daughters don't need to be left fatherless at a time like this. Nodding Areo bowed and left to his usual duties.
Lyanna
Thrust, thrust, thrust and, parry she disarmed another man turning on a dime she battered the sword that would have stabbed her back and she swung her gauntlet fist smashing it into the helmet of her opponent. Thanking the armor she quickly moved away parried her other two opponents coming for her. With quick strikes like lightning she disarmed the one on the right and then she jumped back avoiding a swing for her midsection. Frowning behind her helmet she struck but her opponent battered the attacks like child's play and he pressed forward. Finally she cursed out loud as she swung hard and was disappointed that her opponent twisted himself to the right and stepped up to her holding his blade to her neck. She should have expected this she supposed her opponent was Robert Baratheon her husband had always been a warrior though he preferred his Warhammer she knew her thinner rapier would not hold against him. Originally she wanted to use a long sword but she failed miserably and Robert intervene with her training. Woman if you're going to fight you have to do it right he had said with a growl. Taking her long sword from her hands he gave her a thin rapier and she improved much easier.
In all honesty she had thought Robert would be against her training though he indulged her and rather enjoyed hunting with her and riding with him he never wanted her to fight. But her son was dead now a pang of pain was felt on her chest but she dismissed it. Allen and Lisa were still inconsolable. By her orders Jamie had been assigned to watch Allen almost twenty four seven guards posted at his room as well as Lisa's. Robert had a sword strapped on him at all times even during meetings with the council and taking a meal. When going to bed he would hang his sword by their bed post when she thought her asleep he was awake she could feel the protective embrace on her tighten and his head shift ever so often keeping vigil. The attack had shaken her husband more than she could have ever thought he was also restless all the time and even more short tempered than usual. The meals he would take alone when the servant girls would flirt with him he now took his meals alone and she had to save a poor girl that he nearly hit. His fury was not exactly being contained only growing. She supposed she was no better removing her helmet she smiled at her husband and he returned it but the light did not reach his eyes. Robert gods my heart aches as well but you will destroy yourself if you keep keeping the pain inside. Lyanna thought her husband was not a king neither was she a queen they both knew that better than anyone she was not a 'proper' lady of the court. She snorted if anything he good sister Cersei or Elia made better ladies. Lyanna briefly thought of Cersei on Roberts arm before shaking her head in another time in another life perhaps.
"Robert" Lyanna spoke and her husband snaped.
"I can't take this anymore Lyanna! Im caged in here like a bloody animal just making a hole on the ground! Ned and Stannis are out there doing the kings work!" Robert stabbed his sword into the ground and began walking away leaving his wife to sigh to herself. Didn't he think she felt the same way? She wanted to kill the little white haired shit herself. Lyanna flinched a little remembering Elia she was in even lesser spirits. Though it would seem Cersei had been keeping her company and shared then a somewhat similar pain. Cersei after all left her children behind and now both her husband and son were off to war it was never easy. The grip on her sword tightened before she sheathed the blade and left to remove the light armor she wore. Her endurance was coming along nicely she could hold her sword longer and she could even run farther without tiring herself out. The court offcourse was aflame with gossip about the queen. The scandalous and very inappropriate manner in which she was behaving and frowned on it behind their dainty hands all of them disapproved. Offcourse fighting and ruling is for men women are just good for looking pretty and fucking to these southners. Lyanna thought bitterly, she missed the north and she missed when she was young she would sneak away from her septa and play sword with Brandon and Ned. Now free of armor she continued her musings and made her way to the great hall to find herself some food. Arraving on the great hall she found some food and sat herself down and ate. Though she would have liked to tear into her food and give the southern stuck up bastards a show the years of manners just kicked in and she ate her food in dainty bites and sips from her cup of wine.
Her and Robert had taken to wine too much lately Robert drank it like water and he was drunk fighting or most recently they would fuck drunk mostly him than her. "Do you mind if I join you my queen?" a voice asked turning her good sister Cersei smiled cooly at her and Lyanna always the warmest smiled and gladly accepted the company. Her thoughts where to sour and she rather not think about their situation further.
"Please Cersei you insist in formalities" Lyanna smiled. Cersei had seen a true smile on Lyanna enough times on her back in Winterfell and before her son died to notice the light in her eyes was still dim. She offered a wry smirk herself to try and keep her good sister in good spirits.
"You insist on such familiarity I find it a rather fun verbal spar" Cersei offered Lyanna chuckled shaking her head.
"Please join me and my husband sparring with some practice swords" Lyanna smirked back and now Cersei chuckled.
"I'm afraid swordplay is not my forte it was always my brother's pass time not mine" Cersie shot back.
"Ah than what pastime do you enjoy? Gods please do not let it be sowing" she japed. Cersei shook her head her grin growing slightly.
"The gods no I remember risking my father's wrath to sneak away from my septa from that boring…hobby" Cersei gave a mock shudder and Lyanna lifted her cup in a toast.
"To sowing then" she said, Cersei grabbed herself a cup from the gray that was given to Lyanna with a jug of wine and another cup she poured herself the wine and raised it to clank it with the queen.
"May the seven and the old gods curse it to the seven hells" Cersei agreed and clanking their glasses wine swishing the two women laughed to themselves Cersei spoke revealing her hobby almost embarrased. "Riding, Ned and my children pushed me to it and now I really enjoy a good ride even if the crisp winds of the north leave my lips more cracked drier than a Silent sisters cunt" Cersei offered the raunchy jape an Lyanna almost spat her wine and laughed banging her fist on the table.
"I suppose I won our verbal spar then good sister?" Lyanna grinned. Cersei offered her cup in relief.
"Ah I will concede defeat another toast then….to victory" the last part was more solem and a heavier tone to it. sighning Lyanna lifted her cup all she could hope for now was that she supposed.
"Aye to victory and our sons and husbands to return to us safe" Lyanna offered. Clanking their cups the two women drank to their hearts content the afternoon away.
That night Robert entered their room and he had a conviction about him Lyanna however knew why. You're leaving…and you are leaving me behind to avenge our son she thought to herself Robert sat on the bed and Lyanna who stood by the window joined him sitting down and offering him her hand which he took graciously. "Lyanna…I" he began and Lyanna cradled his face scruffy but freshly shaven. Sighing I am sighing plenty lately a fleeting thought came to her.
"I know Robert…so go. Go and come back with the head of my son's murderer and our banners flying high and your armor on" Lyanna said. Robert smiled and kissed her fiercely soon it turned into passion and by the end of a better part of two hours their clothes laid about the room and twos sweaty naked bodies laid on top of the sheets.
"Guard our boy Lyanna…and our baby girl guard them and my throne we cannot lose this city and…I hate to entrust your safety to the kingslyaer but I cannot stay here any longer Lyanna" Robert murmured against her skin as he placed lazy kisses on her shoulder neck and breast.
"I will hold the Red Keep as will Jamie but I do not think Allen is ready to be crowned…he's too young Robert" Lyanna sighed.
"Aye…don't worry the small council will take care of most of the running of the daily business I leave the rest to you and the kingslayer will see about the defense of the city." Kissing her husband goodnight she knew he would ne be there the next morning he would be gone before the sun would rise in close embrace they fell to a dreamless sleep.
Brienne
The wedding was extravagant and the Tourney was just as joyous though she doubted half the people here really were on King Renly's side. Brienne was awaiting to see the king after defeating Ser Loras Tyrell a great swordsman no doubt but in the end he lost. As the prizes for the Tourney were given Renly called her forth. "Brave knight Ser Brienne of Tarth you fought vilantly and defeated Ser Loras Tyrell no easy feat I assure everyone" Renly smiled smoothly. "What do you want for your victory Ser Brienne if it is with in my power to fulfill it I will move the earth and the heavens for it" he smiled very charmingly at her. Had she been a blushing maiden she would have well, blushed but she was a knight so she remained unphased.
"I wish to be part of your royal guard my king" she said head held tall. Renly smirked spreading his arms in his fine expensive clothes. The queen Margery was beside him and offered her a smile of her own though Brienne did not muh but to nod in her direction.
"A reasonable request very well! Ser Brienne of Tarth I gladly welcome you to my rainbow guard I entrust my life in your capable hands" Renly graciously smiled and bowed slightly the people clapping around them. The nobles all saying how gracious and noble their king was a few of the commonborn however still whispered Robert Baratheon's name as their king. She would not let him hurt her king however. Her armored knee hit the ground and she spoke head down hand at her sword by the hip the other in a fist by her breast.
"In my honor I pledge my life to you my king that I shall guard you with my life and give it in your service" Renly was slightly taken a back none of his knight not even Loras had done such a thing bowing in respect once more he quickly recovered from his shock and spoke.
"I thank you and welcome your sword into my fold Ser Brienne now let us feast and celebrate my union to my beautiful wife. Queen Margery!" the roars went up the wine flowed like the Trident River and much merriment to be had. Brienne had taken her place by the king refusing a sit only one cup of wine and in a crisp manner she guarded her king as befitting a knight of the kingsguard.
Eddard
Jon and Lloyd where the last to join them in the meeting taking his place by his father and Jon by Ser Barristan who was next to Lord Stannis. Harrion Karkstark and his brtohers Harrion the late Lord Karkstarks son now the new lord. Lord Roose Bolton and Hosteen Frey who secured the alliance of the four thousand men that Walder Frey was once going to offer. Lloyd felt his lips twitch upward a little and Hosteen Frey seemed rather…loyal Ned supposed to Lloyd. Though Ned was proud as he was disappointed at his son for gathering that amount of respect and loyalty from his men.
"Having the Twins gives us a great advantage should the war move north. For now however we need to deal with Renly and Mace Tyrell" Stannis said the lords noticed no remorse or any type of sadness was in his voice when speaking of Renly as a traitor. Ned briefly looked in Stannis direction before adding his two golden dragons into the conversation.
"I agree we must split our forces and force Renly to fight a two front war" Ned said and placed a finger to the map placed at the center of the table. From the Twins he traced the Kings Road to Kings Landing. "We should march to Kings Landing and split from there" tapping the ancient city Ned made a B line towards Storms End.
"By now we outnumber the rebel army at least by ten thousand men" Ned finished Stannis nodded and traced from Kings landing to Highgarden.
"I will take my forces and lay siege to Highgarden with any luck Mace Tyrell will abandone Renly with his tail between his arse and scamper back to Highgarden to break the Siege." Ned nodded Roose Bolton spoke up.
"My guess is Mace Tyrell took most of his forces to secure the Storm Lands. Am I to assume not all the Lords are loyal to Lord Renly?" Roose cooly observed.
"Aye we have almost half the houses still loyal to King Robert but the ones that are loyal are being besieged as we speak. I will break the siege on any castles on my way to Storms End and bolster my numbers with theirs" Ned said circling his finger around the Storm Lands.
"I will have to fight my way through the Reach reaching Highgarden will be a…problematic affair" Stannis glared at the Rose Road Stannis hummed Ser Davos Seaworth who was not too far away from his Lord inspected the map.
"What of Aegon and the Martels? While we scratch and piss at each other they wait to pick us off from what remains" Lloyd added his thought Hosteen Frey agreed.
"We are doing their dirty work and our men will be tired and will want nothing more than their homes before winter gets to them" Hosteen made a lot of sense they could not afford to drag out their war by fighting everything in their way. For most parts if fighting could be avoided they would do bypass their enemies.
"That is where I have an important assignment for you Lloyd" Ned said.
"Tywin Lannister currently holds himself as a wild card. Lloyd I need you to get him on our side…I fear he will ask for a great price…my son give whatever he asks of you" Lloyd frowned thinking what his grandfather could possibly want.
"Very well father what then?" asked Lloyd.
"Take half of Lord Tywins army and support Lord Stannis to take the Reach…we need to secure the Sunset sea in case the Martels attack us by sea" Ned produced a letter and gave it to Lloyd.
"I fear this is a mistake but…send Theon back to Baelon Greyjoy with this letter. Theon was raised with us and I believe he knows what honor is" Jon tensed and sent Lloyd a withering look. Lloyd however felt convicted.
"Offcourse father Theon is my brother as King Robert was yours" Lloyd smile.
"This is not wise Lord Stark…Baelon Greyjoy cannot be trusted he will stab us in the back the first chance he gets" Stannis protested.
"Lord Stannis my trust is not on Baelon but on Theon. He is a good boy and I know he will be a great man he will be loyal to us Baelon will not put his heir in jeopardy" Ned argued back. Stannis gritted his teeth.
"Lord Stark your confidence on the boy is admirable but it's Baelon Greyjoy I do not trust. Come now there must be another way" Stannis argued against the idea.
"Lord Stannis…we do not have a fleet and especially not one large enough in the Sunset Sea" Ser Davos joined in the opinion of asking Baelon for his Iron Fleet. Stannis grounded his teeth before answering with barely concealed displeasure.
"Pray your trust on this boy is well placed Lord Stark. Otherwise we will all regret this" Stannis frowned before moving on to final logistics.
Royce
Jeor Mormont stood on the raised platform by the elevator that led up to the wall. Royce was in his full gear dark fur cloak and all, Longclaw at his hip his hand at the pummel on the head of the bear. The young Knight of Dorne stared as his brothers tied their breeches tight slipped on thick boots fastened cloaks and strapped swords on. Looking to the right from the raised platform Royce suppressed a sigh and shook his head as Grenn was strapping or at least attempting to strap on a light steel plate. Jeor looked at Rocye who shrugged with a grin. Royce had become rather attached to Sam and the fact that the boy looked up to him and Royce was slowly re-shaping him into a man worthy to be a brother of the Nights Watch. Grenn and Eddison part of his crew of misfits where all with him on helping Sam become a better Nights Watch brother.
Not four hours later the gates to the Wall opened and two hundred men marched in formation. Near the head with the old bear Royce turned back the formation was jagged in some places and some men didn't march but slugged their way through. Sighing he prayed to the seven that they would all be fine. Entering the forest Royce fell a chill not coming from the cold go down his spine and tighten his hands on the rains on his horse Jeor spoke noticing the boy tensing up. "Ease up on the rains son whatever is out there you have your brothers to fight with"
"I know Lord Commander…I just fear it might be more than what we can handle" Royce said they weren't ready to face the wildlings much less the white walkers and their undead.
"Have faith son if you do not have faith in your brothers, they will have no faith in themselves…we will break and then all will be lost" the old bear advised with one of his rarer smiles. Royce took it with pride and his nerves calmed and a sudden sense of optimism replaced the dread. Royce thought over eyes narrowed with determination as the forest stretched around the watch he muttered to himself.
"We are the watchers on The Wall" The Ranging had begun the Brothers where on the offensive.
Okay lol been a while but yeah sorry now to answer some questions I didn't answer em before because I got a little distracted sorry lolz. Let's get down to it ladies….and gentlemen I'm not sexist.
Q: Ruling Kings Landing.
A: First sorry I didn't answer before I was thinking if it was going to be plot spoiler or not but seeing as it won't affect anything here it goes. With the Hand away and as you saw in this chapter Robert deciding to join the fight the seat of power is open. By Roberts's orders the small council will take over the major responsibilities but this is a feudal society so little Allen at the ripe age of 8 at this point in time I think because I think a year has passed by this point. Taking traveling and the moving of massive armies on bloody foot takes time. But were about to see more of Little Allen and him being a king as well as little Lisa. This also marks the beginning of another war which is Little fingers and Cersei's war for control of the city.
Q: Tywin coming into play.
A: Well in my honest hopes I want him to be in the next chapter. That cold calculative son of a bitch is one of my favorite characters and I want him to join but…what price is he going to ask? I challenge you guys on the reviews to give me your best guess at what Tywin Lannister is going to ask of Lloyd Stark.
Q: Dorne against the world.
A: I addressed that in this chapter Doran if nothing else is a cunning and smart man. He won't pull a Bealon Greyjoy and fight against Robert motherfucking Baratheon with the whole power of Westeros at his back. He knows Robert isn't marching down to conquer but to burn sack and pillage Dorne. Though great at a defensive war he needs to take Kings Landing to put Aegon on the throne he can't sit back in Dorne. Worst as I said he knows what's coming if Robert sets foot on Dorne and that is death and destruction Roberts fury is NOT something you want to have aimed at you Rheagar xD and what's left of the Targeryen dynasty can tell you that lol. Robert as well has Lyannas permission AND wants him to raise Sunspear and anything in his way to the ground.
After all Hell has no fury like a womans scorn worst one that lost her son.
Fun tid bit Lyanna is practicing as you noticed she I'm hoping to turn a bit like Arya. I want her to learn how to fight she wants to protect what's left of her family after all. Elia is the one I feel like shitty bad for also I have plans for Rheaneys sorry no Dany this chapter but she is on the next one if it makes you feel better lol.
Alright REVIEW PLEASE I REALLY LOVE TALKING TO YOU GUYS SO PLEASE REVIEW AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGE I ISSUED.
Tell me what you think Tywin wants from Lloyd or hell hes got the hands power of approval what does Tywin want in from Westeros and Robert!