Now I'm done with uni I'll try and get chapters out faster, but I'm working 5 days a week so we can only see what the future holds. I have finalised the chapters in this story, and there will be 30 in total. The plot has all been laid out as well, and it's allowed me to think about more stories that I can write. Today for example, I had a thought about a Tyrell OC.
On to the chapter however. This is the second of three 'filler/subplot' chapters, so after Chapter 14 we will move on to the Greyjoy Rebellion! Not sure what I'm going to do for that yet, but I'll do my best to make it good for you all.
As always, everything belongs to George, Dan and Dave.
287 AC
The purge of the Mountain Clans had been raging for two years, but Roland had mainly left it to the Generals of the Vale. As much as he wanted to fight, there had usually been no need for him to risk himself as it had been fairly mundane. The Vale Knights would take the mountain after a month or two now they knew what they were doing, offer a surrender which was usually refused, and then move on to the next mountain. The last report from Nestor Royce said that the only Clans left were the Howlers and the Burned Men.
As much as he wanted to be with his men fighting, Roland was glad of the time spent with his family. Little Alyssa was almost 2 years old now, and was fast on her way to becoming a real blonde beauty. Ilene had also recently gifted Roland with a baby boy. Denys Arryn was only a week old, but he was strong and healthy, and Roland had named him after his kinsmen because he still felt guilty about the death of Denys, the Darling of the Vale.
"Papa! You aren't looking!" Alyssa said sternly, a cross look on her face.
"I'm sorry sweetling." Roland chuckled, as his focus returned to the little girl, playing with her dolls. He noticed Ilene smile from next to him. The two had found a strong bond from the birth of two children, and while Roland wasn't sure if he loved Ilene, he was very fond of her.
"Do you think the King will want her for the Prince's wife someday?" Ilene asked.
"For Joffrey? If Ned hadn't birthed a girl I'd not be too sure, but Robert and Ned were always closer, and he still feels cheated that Baratheon and Stark weren't joined before. My money will be on Joffrey and Sansa being wed." Roland explained.
"A shame, Ally would make a sweet Queen." Ilene said, chuckling as the little girl dropped one of her dolls.
"I wouldn't wish that vipers nest King's Landing upon her." Roland said. "My Father hates it there."
"But still, an Arryn as Queen."
"Sounds good, but in practice…" Roland sighed. "If I had my way, while Baratheon has strong Lannister blood, I wouldn't wish any of my family upon them."
"You really hate them don't you." Ilene noted.
"They kicked my mother out because she looked like her sister, they belittle us every chance they get. Yes, I hate them." Roland sighed, smiling over at Alyssa who was looking up at them concerned. "Keep playing, Ally."
"Have you heard from your father recently?" Ilene asked.
"He sent a raven a few days ago actually, apparently, Robert didn't just sleep with Delena Florent, he sired a child. She gave birth not long ago to a son." Roland sighed. "I thought he'd change, but apparently not."
"That reminds me, what is to happen with Mya? She's 6 now."
"I want her educated." Roland said. "Gods forbid it ever happens, but she is Robert's child and has a claim to the throne if the worst happens to his trueborn child."
"Very well." Ilene said, smiling down at little Denys. Roland thought this was a good time to bring up another bit of news.
"I'm going to help out with the last of the Mountain Clan purge." Roland said. "When the news comes of them moving on again, I will prepare to leave."
"Leave your children? Denys is too young to be Lord of the Vale Roland; you'd risk yourself for a formality." Ilene said unhappily.
"The last mountain is the home of the Burned Men. They started this, I want to end it personally." Roland said. "You didn't see the Sept, it was horrible."
"I didn't see it immediately, but I helped with the rebuilding, I oversaw it all." Ilene snapped quietly, so Alyssa couldn't hear. "I know what vile creatures they are, but leave it to Lord Royce."
"This isn't up for debate Ilene." Roland sighed.
"Well, you can explain to Alyssa why you might not come home." Ilene said unhappily, rising. "I'll be in my chambers; Denys needs a feed."
"Of course." Roland sighed, watching her leave. Alyssa watched her go too, and looked questioningly at Roland.
"Mama is angry with Papa because he needs to go away." Roland explained, patting his knee for her to come and sit on his lap. "The fighting in the mountains is almost over and I need to be there."
Alyssa looked sad as she took it all in, and looked up at Roland. "Can I come too?"
"No my sweet child." Roland chuckled. "It is too dangerous, and I need you to look after your mother and brother."
"When will you be back?"
"I don't know when I'm leaving yet Ally." Roland said, kissing her forehead. "But after I go, it won't be longer than three months I promise you."
Alyssa smiled sadly, and reached her little arms up to cling to his neck. Roland hugged her back, praying that he would come back to his children.
The battle didn't last long. Valemen were boosted by the knowledge that this was it, and the Burned Men were few in number. Roland himself slew Timmett, the leader of the Burned Men in battle with a sword through the gut.
It was after the battle however that Roland would remember most. The Knights of the Vale were searching the mountain caves for any sign of who supplied the weapons, when Roland ran his hands along the wall of Timmett's personal quarters. Gasping, he pulled his hand back and noticed his hand had been sliced. Shaking his hand and licking the blood off, he was shocked to hear a rumbling from the wall, and stepped out of the way of falling dust as the wall made way for a passageway. The Blackfish rushed to join him, and stood aghast at the sight.
"What in Seven Hells…" The Tully gasped, and Roland stepped through into the passage. It was a long and winding path that led further into the mountain, but finally they came to a dead end. "All for nothing." Ser Brynden complained.
"I'm not sure." Roland shook his head, and ran his cut hand over the wall, hoping he was right. He was, and the wall moved away, showing Roland and the Blackfish into a small burial chamber.
The room was decorated with an old version of the Arryn sigil and various weapons, and in the middle, was a stone sarcophagus. Roland moved towards it, noticing the carving included a crown. Trying to remember his history lessons, he gasped as he knew where he was.
"We're in the burial chamber of Artys Arryn, the man who united the Vale and became the first King." Roland exclaimed.
"How do you know?" Brynden asked.
"It's unclear on what is legend and what is history, but the stories state that after being crowned he took one of the Children of the Forest to wife, and had good relations with other magical beings." Roland explained. "When he died other Children must have given him this burial chamber and protected it by magic, only to be opened by a child of Arryn."
"So you're telling me, that I'm stood in some magic room with a 6,000-year-old corpse." Brynden said. "I'll meet you back outside Lord Roland." The Blackfish shuddered, and left the room. Roland just nodded his assent, not taking his eyes off of the sarcophagus. He reached down and pushed the lid open slightly.
The smell was horrific, and inside was nothing but the dust of decomposed bones, and leftovers from the clothing and other materials that Artys was buried with. Roland was surprised however to see a dull, but still intact sword. Roland reached down and grabbed the hilt, noticing how light it was he brought it out of the sarcophagus and swung it around a bit. The sword was surprisingly intact.
"Valyrian Steel." Roland whispered, staring at the sword. The hilt showed a falcon, with the wings forming the cross guard and a blue sapphire detailing the centre of the sword. The handle was blue and silver too, a true Arryn sword.
Roland left the room, grabbing various treasures that he thought could be used, he left the tomb, returning to the outside of the mountain.
There he found the Blackfish again with Yohn Royce, and they both rushed to Roland's side when they saw him.
"My Lord, are you ok?" Yohn asked concerned.
"Yes, yes I'm alright." Roland confirmed. "I think I've found an ancient Valyrian sword of House Arryn."
"What?" The Blackfish asked, and Roland showed them the sword. "6000 years that's been in a tomb, and it's still sharp?"
"It seems that way." Roland nodded.
"Remarkable. Absolutely astonishing."
"Have you a name for it, My Lord?" Yohn asked.
"I can barely believe I've just found the tomb of my ancestor, let alone think of a name." Roland chuckled. "Mark the mountain with Arryn banners. This is to become Arryn property from this day forward."
"At once My Lord." Yohn nodded, before leaving to see it done.
"A Valyrian sword does need a name." Brynden agreed.
"I know, I'm thinking." Roland said, before coming up with one. "Talon."
Brynden thought for a moment, then grinned. "A fine name for an Arryn sword."
Roland grinned in relief, and his thoughts turned to heading home.
They got halfway down the mountain when Roland noticed something. Halting the party and dismounting he went over to the side of the path to inspect some of the flowers. His time in Casterly Rock had made him wise to some knowledge of mining, and this was all brought back now. Nestor Royce was called to him.
"Nestor, what do you see in front of you." Roland asked, challenging Nestor.
"Flowers?"
"Yes." Roland laughed. "But look, further up the mountain, the flowers look similar, but not, at the same time. Do you see?"
"Sort of, the colouring and sizes are different." Nestor noticed.
"Aye. I grew up in Casterly Rock in my early years, and the one thing that stuck with me is that Lannisters are good at spotting sites for mines. The ore in the ground changes things about the surface."
"Are you saying there is gold in this mountain?" Nestor asked.
"No, I'm saying there is something in the mountain." Roland said. "It may be gold; it may be something else I don't know. Mark the spot and gather some men. I want every inch of the surfaces of the mountains combed for similar distortions."
"Yes My Lord." Nestor nodded, before grabbing a large group of men and pulling them to one side to explain their task.
Roland mounted his horse again and rode for home. Hopefully something would come from this discovery, but right now he wanted his family more than anything.
Almost as soon as Roland had sent word to Jon of the success in the mountains, the Hand of the King had announced a visit back to the Eyrie. In Jon's letter he had stated it was high time to meet his grandchildren, and see the successes Roland was having on the Vale. When he arrived, Roland immediately threw a huge feast to honour the birth of Denys, victory in the mountains and the return of Jon all at once. Numerous Lords and Ladies were still at the Eyrie before heading home to their castles, and Roland stood up to speak to them all.
"My Lords, My Ladies, Ser's and everybody else in the High Hall tonight. This last couple of months has brought around a number of joyous moments. Lord Jon is back with us, where he belongs for a short amount of time. The future of House Arryn has arrived in the shape of my son, Denys. And we have also rid ourselves of the pests that are the Mountain Clans! I ask you all, to drink a toast with me to celebrate." Roland announced.
The room erupted in applause, and Roland sat back down in the middle of his wife and father. Denys was being held by Jon, and Alyssa was sat next to her grandfather peppering him with questions. Roland grinned at the picture. He knew his father was great with children, but he hadn't had the fortune of knowing his child until Roland was almost a teenager, so seeing Jon with his grandchildren filled Roland with so much joy. He stood up and went over to his mother, on the far side of the High Table.
"Mother." He smiled.
"Oh Rolly, this is wonderful!" Lynora grinned happily. "Who would have thought it when we were in that small house in Lannisport."
"I know." Roland laughed. "Everything is mad, I can't believe what happened to me, how much has happened."
"Well so long as you don't take it for granted. You know what it's like to have nothing, and now you have everything it seems." Lynora smiled.
"Are you happy, Mother?" Roland asked.
"What?"
"Are you happy here, in the Eyrie."
"Of course I am." Lynora smiled, taking Roland's face in her hands. "I'm with you, I'm with Ally and Denys. I have a life here."
"I'm just making sure. I know I'm not there as much as I'd like to be and I'm sorry." Roland said.
"My boy." Lynora said, hugging Roland. "You're important, I understand. Ilene looks after me when you aren't here and I have the children too, trust me Rolly I never expected my life to be like this, it's much better than anything I could have hoped for."
Roland smiled, hugged his mother one more time and went back to his seat. Lynora was joined by Jon not long after.
"Just think, if I hadn't stumbled into you that night, none of this would be happening." Jon said. "Thank you, for all this."
"Lord Jon, it isn't all down to me." Lynora laughed. "I went from that night expecting to be shunned completely for giving my maidenhood away out of wedlock, thank you for taking us in."
"I mistook you for your cousin Genna didn't I?" Jon laughed. "We raised a good child."
"We did, My Lord." Lynora said.
"None of that now." Jon waved off. "Now, tell me all about my grandchildren." He asked, and Lynora began rattling off all sorts of stories about Alyssa and Denys, while the pair stared at Roland and his new family happily.
It was good catching up with his Father, Roland had missed some of the discussions they often held in the past. Roland learned all about Stannis Baratheon's wedding and Robert's lust. He learned about the new prince and how he cried every time Robert picked him up. He then told Jon all that had happened over the last 3 years, from marriage to war.
"I'm proud of how you handled the Mountain Clans, for too long they've been raiding and murdering our subjects, no more." Jon grinned toothlessly.
"After I saw that sept I knew I had to do something, but it was the steel and armour I found that worried me. Someone funded them, and we were lucky." Roland said.
"I'll get Varys to get look into it." Jon nodded. "Now, show me this sword you found."
Roland walked over to the corner of the room. He had asked the blacksmith to create a sheath for the sword, and he had not disappointed. An intricate royal blue design with small falcons detailing the sheath. Taking out the sword, he carefully handed Talon to Jon, who looked at it in awe.
"I gave it a clean, but it's as good as new. It's true what they say about Valyrian Steel, the edge is as sharp as a newly forged weapon."
"Remarkable, to think that generations of Arryns missed out on this." Jon said. "You must show me the tomb."
"I will do, I've had the mountain claimed for us, we can always use it as a personal retreat." Roland suggested.
"Good idea." Jon smiled. "I'm proud of you, you've settled in so well and your family is marvellous."
"Another on the way as well." Roland smiled. "Ilene told me a few days ago."
Jon clapped his hands in excitement. "Congratulations my boy! Seven hells you're fertile!"
"Father!" Roland exclaimed sheepishly.
"It's a compliment! I only wish I could have been so fertile, you may have had some siblings." Jon sighed.
"Don't think that Father." Roland said, smiling sadly. "There's still time for you and Lady Lysa."
"Lysa." Jon scoffed. "The poor girl can't stand me."
"I'm sure that's not true."
"It is, I won't force myself on her and we've not shared a bed since the night of Joffrey's birth." Jon sighed.
Roland got up and poured his father a well needed cup of wine. Handing it too Jon, he tried to think of something to say, but was interrupted by Maester Ryman announcing Nestor Royce was back. Nestor was shown into the room.
"Lord Arryn, Lord Hand." He said politely. "I did as you asked, Lord Roland and the entire mountain range was scouted. 40 sites were discovered."
"40?" Jon said, surprised.
"Aye." Nestor said excited.
"You're sure?" Roland asked, and Nestor nodded. "Fantastic news, but we need to make sure they'll be worth it. We can afford to open one mine now, and we'll see the products of that one before opening more. If you agree Father."
Jon smiled. "This is your land now son, if you feel that is right, I trust you."
Roland grinned, and reconfirmed the order to Nestor, who walked off briskly to see it done. "40 sites, no matter what we find, we can make a small fortune by selling that."
"I'm just glad you discovered it Roland, I can guarantee none of my ancestors would have understood what to look for." Jon laughed.
"Finally, the Lannisters do something for me that I don't hate." Roland laughed.
"Today is a proud day. To the Vale." Jon toasted, raising his glass. Roland repeated the phrase, and clinked glasses with his father.
The title is for the scene where Jon meets his grandchildren in case anybody was wondering, the past, present and future of House Arryn all in one spot.
I think I've done my research on ore correctly? I know that what is in the mountains has been found in mountains on Earth, and the distortion of plants and things happens too. I will say it isn't going to be gold, but something else.
The Mountain Clans are no more also, baring a hundred here or there. The purge was literally that.
The Valyrian Steel sword is AU too. House Arryn never had one as far as I'm aware, but the stories about the Winged Knight are such I'd find it hard that coming from Essos, he wouldn't have something of the kind. Let me know what you think of that. I know it's a bit farfetched, but the Children had magic and according to legend, the Winged Knight had good relations with all kinds of magical creatures.
Nice to have Jon back for a bit too. I really do enjoy writing Roland/Jon scenes, almost as much as I did Torrhen/Catelyn in my other story.
Any comments or anything, remember to leave a review!
Reviews:
Vulcran: Roland named him Denys as he still feels guilty.
The Mikaelson Cupcake: Yeah, I'm trying to portray them as best I can. It's hard to picture an actress with a generic face, but I see her as Eva Green in the later parts of this story, and Kat Dennings looks the most like she does while being younger in my eyes. He's a double father now too! Things are moving faster as time moves on.
XBolt51: Timmett, son of Timmett, is the one in the books yes, so I've used his dad, and I'm saying that Timmett is a name that's passed down generations of Burned Men.
Brandon of House Stark: He's going to have himself a proper little family! Only 25 as of this chapter and a third kid on the way.
syed: Spoilers.
Charles Ceaser: Maybe, or maybe it's someone else. We won't find out for a few in-story years.
WeylandCorp 4: Your request gave me a good idea actually, so at some point, when Roland and Ned see eachother again, I'll include a scene with Jon for you.