The Whispering Woods 298 AC
Jae.
There had been some annoyance when he made it clear he would not use Brankardix on the Lannister's he had tried to tell them that Tywin was the true power, though that seemed something only his cousin understood. But in the end it was neither of them who had been convincing enough and it was the Greatjon who won the argument for him.
"I came to fight and while I'll enjoy seeing Lannister's burn, I'd like to wet my sword first."
"Mother not doing her duty father."
"Don't speak of your mother that way boy." the Greatjon replied with a slap and a laugh.
That was it Northern diplomacy in action, all settled with a yell and a slap and now as Jae hid amongst the tress beside Robb they waited for the Blackfish to do his thing. Jae looked at the men who made up his cousin's honor guard, Daryn heir to Hornwood, Eddard and Torrhen Karstark, Lady Dacey and the Smalljon too had volunteered but Robb sent them to fight alongside their kin. As for Jae he had declined when Lord Reed had suggested he ride with him, not out of any great bravery but he needed to be seen to be alone.
Had he brought his Kingsguard with him then anything he did today would be tempered by their presence, Jae riding into battle with Oz or Gerold, with the Bold and The Sword of the Morning, nothing he did after that would matter. To everyone it would be them they saw and not him and he needed the stubborn northmen to see him, to see him fight alone beside them. He had another motive too, Jaime Lannister, he wanted him alive and unhurt and there was no one in Robb's army skilled enough to beat him.
They could kill him of that there was no doubt, but beat him, take him unharmed, no there were maybe three men who could match his skill and two of those were with his mother. Even he was not certain to do so, but he did have certain tricks and knowledge that others did not and so he sat waiting and listened to the whispering around him.
"What's taking so long."
"Do you think he's failed."
"The Blackfish will lead them here have no fear.
Jae turned to his cousin who looked nervous though was doing his damnedest not to show it, he nodded to him and closed his eyes saying a prayer to the gods 'Should i fall protect my family'. An hour later the riders came the Blackfish leading them in, they had over 6,000 men here over 2'000 of them cavalry, Jaime rode in with maybe 2'000 or so. As soon as the entire force entered the valley the arrows flew, horses fell and men with their heavier armor were crushed beneath them. When the horns came from where the Mormont's where they attacked en masse, the cavalry led by his cousin swarming the Westerlanders in front of them.
He knew some men looked out for sigils during a battle, some looking for the glory of a kill, Arthur had told him this many years before and Jae had listened and learned his lesson well.
"Glory is all well and good, but the key and only meaningful thing you need to take from a battle is your life my king"
So he struck and he moved, his sword cutting through armor as if it was nothing, Valyrian steel meeting castle forged left only one winner. Even where he not as well trained as he was the steel gave him an edge and with his training he'd not yet met his match today. He cut down men one after the other, how many he couldn't say only he killed them all, Lord, Knight or cavalry man it made no difference. He saw Jaime then, his golden armor sticking out in the night sky, he was moving his horse in a circle looking at the field and then he realized it.
There would be no way out of this trap and another lesson, this time from Gerold came to mind.
"When all is lost you try to hurt the enemy as much as you can, the Bold went for Maelys thinking the battle lost, seeing the chance to end it, to end the fight in one swoop, that's why we protect you my king should you fall then we are lost."
He charged his horse knowing in that instant what Jaime would do, he was closer though and he would get their first he saw Daryn Hornwood and Eddard Karstark form up to protect his cousin, Torrhen behind them. They would be no match, should Jaime make it to them one or all of them would die, he felt his horse give an extra burst and as he turned he saw Hornwood lose his footing. The clang of the swords rang out as his blade met Jaime's before it could finish the Hornwood heir.
He saw the arrow hit Jaime's horse and watched as he jumped off moving away from him and towards Robb, both Karstark boys standing in his way facing Jaime down. Jae jumped from his own horse and rolled as Eddard lost his sword and once again his sword hit Jaime's before he could finish the job.
"It seems you wish to test your steel against me boy." Jaime said and then looked stunned when he saw his armor.
"What's wrong Ser Jaime never face a man with nicer armor than your own?"
"Indeed, it'll look good on my wall." Jaime said and they began to move.
Jaime had him on strength but Jae beat him on speed and so he used it, as he moved he saw he was getting more and more annoyed though he could have sworn there was a smirk on his face too, around them there was chaos and a man moved with a lance towards Jaime.
"No back away." Jae said and the man did so, evidently riding a dragon made people a little wary of you.
"Want me for yourself do you, trying to make a name for yourself boy."
"I already have a name Ser Jaime, should you be lucky, I may even tell you it." Jae said and they moved as one.
The swords clashed over and over, neither getting a hit, around them the battle was fading almost over, they had won. Jae could feel the eyes on him and so he began to show off, he knew it was careless but he needed to prove a point. It caught Jaime by surprise though and he took the opportunity his blows forcing him back more and more. He looked for weaknesses, signs of fatigue, anything to end it without needing to kill or harm him, in the end he knew what to do.
"In battle unlike sparring my king, you concentrate on living, you focus on what's in front of you. All those lessons we take they reinforce your own instincts, but faced with battle, you rely on muscle memory as much as your thoughts."
So taking Oswell's advice he moved his attacks to force Jaime's instincts rather than thoughts to be the deciding factor, he moved faster and faster, aiming high and then at his middle, never once going low. When he saw the opening he took it, he aimed high yet again while moving forward, Jaime instinctively moved to the side and thrust and he swept his legs catching him completely by surprise. Once he was on the ground it was over, he stood on his hand stopping the sword from being raised and placed his sword at his throat.
"Yield."
"To who am I yielding for you are no northerner."
"You're yielding to a king Lannister." his cousin said as he, Grey Wind and his honor guard arrived.
Barristan.
He recognized these fields, they were at most a day from Highgarden and he found himself almost as excited as he had been as a boy. To see Gerold again was something he looked forward to eagerly, while he knew it would be an awkward conversation with his Lord Commander, he cared not. Spending time with his brothers had been the happiest of his life, it had been something he looked back on fondly as he guarded the Stag, he had mourned all of them, Jonathor and Lewyn, even the boy Jaime Lannister had been once.
But it was the three of them he missed the most, the not knowing how they'd died replaced by joy at finding they'd lived. Arthur had been annoyed with him, Oswell too, but he'd been annoyed with them too. Over the days they'd spent traveling though it had almost been like it used to, days spent guarding a worthy queen and nights sitting around the fire talking to each other, even their newest member Kalors had earned his respect, the man showing himself a worthy addition to the ranks. As he looked to see Sansa Stark he thought to those unworthy, to the one he'd killed.
He was too old for this, climbing through tunnels and yet he felt younger than he had in years, when he reached the room he was surprised he'd never known of this entrance. Anyone could just climb in and be within striking distance of the king, when Jaehaerys was crowned they would need to find all these entrances and seal them off. He opened the door and saw there were no guards, so moved swiftly to Sansa Stark's room.
He felt the cloth in his pocket, hopefully he'd not have to use it, opening the door he found her in her bed sobbing, he looked at her and she him and he thought she would scream but she recognized his face.
"Ser Barristan?"
"It is my lady, we must leave, your father and sister wish to see you, Lady Jeyne too."
"Arya, you've seen Arya?"
"I have my lady, she and Lady Jeyne are together, your father will meet us soon."
"But, the king, he's going to release father he promised to be merciful."
"That boy knows no mercy, if your father was lucky enough to keep his head, what do you think the king would do?"
"He would allow him go back to Winterfell, to be our warden as a gift to his queen," she said softly.
"Do you know the penalty for treason child?"
"Death." she said sniffling.
"They claim your father committed treason do they not?"
"They do, but he wouldn't, my father wouldn't". she shook her head.
"I know he didn't, but they wish him to admit it do they not?" he said and she nodded "Then they have to punish him, so he'll either be killed or made take the black but either way you'll never see your father again, is that what you want?"
"No, no, I must see him, I must talk to him" she said worriedly.
"Then come with me child, come and we'll speak to him together and after that you can decide what to do."
She nodded and he turned while she dressed, as they were leaving though Trant arrived.
"Barristan the old, where do you think you're taking the kings toy."
"Turn back Trant and you may still see the morn."
"I always thought you past it old man, you better go back to bed girl the king won't be happy to see his toy trying to escape"
The fight if you could call it that was over in a lees than a minute, Barristan dragged the dying Trant into Sansa's room as she looked at him in shock. But hearing Trant say what the king would do to her made her join him rather than run away. Barristan almost smiled at the irony, Trant was derelict in his duty leaving her room unguarded and now he was given away all the king's secrets in his last moments, the man was a stain on the white cloak and not of the Kingsguard.
"You not drinking Barristan?"
"I find I don't have the taste for it anymore, serving Robert put me off."
"Drink old friend it's a far better king you serve now." Oswell said handing him the mug.
"You think the king Safe Oswell?"
"Ha, you have no idea Barristan he guards us almost as much as we do him."
He drank two more mugs and while he didn't get drunk he did enjoy himself, Arthur sat with Lyanna and Kalors spoke to Lady Jeyne. Lord Stark and his daughter retired early and he thought it was more because of Sansa than her father. When he slept he dreamt of a night many years earlier, all seven laughing and joking together, the happiest times of his life and one's he'd never thought to see again.
The next morning he saw Highgarden in the distance and he realized that he was dreaming no longer.
The battle of Riverrun.
Robb.
Seeing his cousin fight the Kingslayer was like nothing he'd ever seen before, nothing he'd even heard about, he supposed being trained by the Sword of the Morning paid off. The story of the fight had done the rounds and knowing they had a swordsman that good as well as being a dragonrider had raised the spirits as much as winning the battle and the captures they'd made. He was glad his cousin had not been hurt, even more so when he had heard how he'd put himself in the way to protect both Daryn and the Karstarks.
Seeing Jaime Lannister fight they would have been no match for him and both of them knew it, a part of him wished to agree with his mother that Jae had done it to gain favor, if he had it had worked. But Robb didn't believe that was the reason, Jae's armor was distinctive he had cut down almost as many men as Grey Wind, tale of that alone was enough to win favor, he had helped because he could. He knew more about the Kingslayer than any of them and he knew they wished him alive and Robb knew they may not have been able to achieve that without him.
"We're ready my lord." The Smalljon said as they got ready for the attack.
"My cousin?"
"He's riding with my father, they're going after the sellswords."
"He mentioned something to me about them, some guy called Hoot."
"Hoat."
"Aye that's the one." Robb said.
"Unlike my father, I'd prefer to see the dragon in action." the Smalljon said.
"Aye me too, he's right though Tywin's the threat, we don't need it here."
"Aye."
"What do you think of him?"
"Your cousin, he's all right for a dragon." the Smalljon said laughing.
"You met him before right?"
"Met him and Ser Arthur Dayne, though didn't know it then."
"It doesn't bother you he lied?"
"Ha, you know I asked my father that, he didn't actually lie you know, never corrected us when we made suggestions though and never told us anything that weren't true other than his name."
"Still, he wants us to kneel." Robb said.
"We were already knelt Robb, at least now we're knelt to one of our own." the Smalljon said and he nodded.
"Give the order." Robb said and the horns blared and they attacked.
Grey Wind rode beside him the two of them raced forward, he held his lance in his hand and it stuck home immediately, the first men caught unaware as was the second, the third broke it with his sword. Drawing the sword Jae gave him he was amazed both by it's lightness and just how effective it was, it cut through armor as if it was nothing, during a clash of swords with a knight he managed to break the man's sword while his own was undamaged.
Around him it was pure chaos, they had caught the besieging army completely by surprise and without the Kingslayer to lead them there was no clear chain of command, which only added to the confusion the men were feeling. Grey Wind was like a pack of wolves rather than a single Direwolf, he tore through men, horses, anything that got in his way, panicked screams filled his ears as he rode on. He saw the walls of Riverrun ahead of him and almost cheered as he saw the riders run out, the rout almost complete.
As Dawn broke the battle had been won, this side of the siege had been broken and tired and covered in blood, Robb looked around to see if he had lost many men. He was stunned, around him westermen lay dead, dying or captured yet northern casualties seemed almost insignificant. He looked to the other side of the keep and saw patches of fighting still going on. As he sat looking he was joined by his uncle and Lord Tytos Blackwood who had led the sortie from inside the castle.
"Lord Stark it's good to see you, you too Brynden."
"Aye it's good to see you Tytos." the Blackfish said.
"Is it done uncle?"
"Aye nephew, I've rarely seen a victory like it before." his uncle said with a proud smile.
"My cousin?"
"I've not heard. Come lets ride to the castle it'll be there they head once they're finished."
"I should ride to him." Robb said.
"You're in no shape to help, go with Tytos, I'll ride and find the dragon." the Blackfish said and he and some men rode off.
Jae.
When the horns sounded he rode and rode hard, the Greatjon kept up with him which stunned him as the man and horse he rode upon where both giants. He looked as the man's greatsword was pulled out the thing almost he same size as he, ahead of them lay sell swords and free riders, he looked but in the darkness couldn't see the goat's colors. When he had heard that the Brave Companions had been here he had asked for this, this is where Hoat was and he owed the man a debt three years in the making.
He closed his eyes and searched through Brankardix's better ones to try and make out the banner, but even his dragon couldn't find it. For the first time since he was born he and his dragon were at odds, Brankardix wished to have him aboard him, to rain fire down on his enemies, but Jae had told him now was not the time. While he reluctantly agreed, when he realized that Jae intended to ride a horse into battle this angered the dragon and even now with him flying above looking down. Jae could feel his anger and worry.
"Come on Lad, do you want to live forever." the Greatjon shouted from beside him as the men in front tried to form up.
"I'd like to see morning at least." Jae said and the man's laugh bellowed over the sound of the horse's charge.
Jae had forgone a lance as he hadn't trained in one though he could probably wield it, instead he raised the weapon he had been trained in, it's Valyrian steel glistening in the moonlight. To anyone looking it was all they'd see, his horse was black as night and the Valyrian armor he wore was the same in this light. He wondered what the first man he encountered thought, or did he even get the chance to as Jae's sword took his head.
One of the advantages for the northmen facing sellswords was they didn't wear heavy armor like the Westerlanders, the fight was more an even one because of it, though the fighting he found himself in was anything but even. The Greatjon wielded his greatsword as if it was the knife he used to cut his meat and those unlucky enough to face it felt his full fury. Beside him Jae's sword sung, it whistled through the air and the song it sang was death.
"Argggghhh" he turned to see the Greatjon fall as his horse was impaled on a lance.
Jae watched as the man flew through the air his sword flying from his hand, he turned to ride back and reached him as he stumbled to his feet, thankfully he was just winded. When he saw the men come towards him he knew that he'd not make it to his sword. So he dismounted from his own horse and together they moved towards the discarded blade, Jae out in front offering a protective barrier. The men arrived and they were still ten feet from the greatsword, four men stood in front of him and Jae drew his knife.
"Stay behind me, when you have your chance run." he shouted to the Greatjon and motioned to the sword on the ground.
"I'm no craven boy." the Greatjon said angrily.
"You're unarmed, you can kill more of them once we get your sword back in your hands, stay behind me and then make a break for it." he shouted and the Greatjon nodded.
The first man split off trying to circle behind to get to the unarmed Greatjon, while the other three moved slowly towards him. Jae waited until the man was just to the left of him and taking his knife he threw it underarm catching the circling man unaware, the throw was true and he watched the man fall to the ground.
"Now go." he shouted and the Greatjon ran towards his sword.
Jae faced the three men and the fight began, the first came in and he blocked his strike, trying to use the man's momentum to swing him into one of the others, the man a blue haired Tyroshii seemed too clever for that though. Jae felt something hit his chest and smirked when he saw the dagger fall to the ground, thank the gods for Valyrian steel.
He moved quickly then, moving to the side he thrust against one and parried against the other, he moved again and this time the angle was right, the other two would need to go around the one in front to get to him. They'd find out by the time they did it was too late, Jae hit the man with three strikes so fast that he only countered the first, the second took his sword and the third his life. He grabbed the man before he fell and pushed him into the one to the left knocking him off balance, something he would not regain.
As the man stumbled Jae's sword pushed through his chest and he fell to the ground as lifeless as his friend, it left Jae with one man to face and he never gave him a chance, perhaps had he the man may have surrendered. But Jae was upon him and the fight done in seconds, the slash down his middle opening him completely. As he looked around to see if there were more coming he saw the Greatjon had regained his sword and come back to help.
"I see you don't need my help?" the Greatjon said with a smirk.
"No, but I'm thankful all the same." Jae said and the man nodded.
"Well come on then, there are men down there who need killing." the Greatjon said as he patted him so hard on the back he almost knocked him to the ground.
Jae followed him down and was soon in the thick of things, though the battle itself didn't last long, the sellswords fought for coin and they valued their lives, when they realized it was over they surrendered. The free riders too had enough, it was just after dawn broke that Jae found no one left to fight, he saw one man wearing the Brave Companion's marks and made his way to him, grabbing him by his breastplate he shouted at him.
"Hoat where is he?"
"I don't know, somewhere in this god forsaken country."
"Where." Jae said raising his sword.
"I don't know, I don't know, I swear it." the man said almost crying and Jae knew he was telling the truth.
"Come on, we should get to the keep maybe they'll know more about this Hoat there." the Greatjon said walking over to him and Jae nodded.
He looked around and as they walked he received nods from some of the men, more now than he had before, he had fought and bled with them now, they respected him for that at least.
Margaery.
When news came a party had been seen on the hills she felt her excitement rise, this was it, she'd was about to meet the man she'd be spending the rest of her life with. She dressed more quickly than she had ever done, her hair she had made up in a simple yet elegant style, then together with her cousins she went to join the rest of the family. Ser Gerold was wearing his white cloak for the first time, his armor polished and sparkling and the Valyrian sword her brother so admired rested on his hip.
"My dear you look beautiful." her mother said her smile full.
"Thank you mother."
She stood nervously as they were led into the courtyard, a large dark skinned man, a tanned one, an older man and then one she recognized as did her family when she heard the gasps. Ser Barristan, he had the Bold with him, if that wasn't even more proof of who he was then nothing would be. She looked through the rest but couldn't see him, there were two girls who were ignoring each other, a brown haired man who she saw her father look at confusedly and a brown haired woman who's presence made her grandmother catch her breath.
She turned to see Ser Gerold look almost as confused as her father was, though his was tinged with worry until she saw the tanned man smile at him. As they got closer she heard her brother whisper "Arthur Dayne, it's the Sword of the Morning" almost sounding like the boy he'd been once had been reawakened. Before her father stepped forward though the brown haired woman did and Margaery thought her incredibly pretty.
"Lord Tyrell, Lady Tyrell. I am Lyanna Targaryen and there are things we must discuss." the woman said firmly.
"My queen, of course. Highgarden is yours." her father said and she smiled as he didn't stumble over the words.
"Is his grace not with you?" her grandmother asked straight to the point as usual.
"My son has an important mission to take care of my lady, he shall arrive in ten days time."
"Ten days?" her father asked.
"Ten Days my lord."
"Lord Stark I had not thought to see you here?" her grandmother then said to the brown haired man.
"My lady, I am most happy to be here." he replied with a smile.
As they walked back into the castle she saw Ser Gerold speaking with who she now knew was Ser Arthur Dayne and another man who must be Ser Oswell, the dark skinned man walked with Ser Barristan. The king's mother walked with her brother and the two girls and she was of half a mind to go speak to them, but she knew her grandmother would wish to have her close by. Once inside Garlan offered to show them to their rooms, but Lord Stark and the king's mother along with Ser Arthur asked to speak to them.
So Garlan escorted the others while she walked with her mother and her father, Willas and her grandmother walking ahead of her, eventually they made it to their solar and as she took her seat so did the others. On one side was her entire family barring two brothers, on the other Sers Gerold and Arthur and the Starks, or was the kings mother a Targaryen as she had claimed?.
"We had expected his grace to be with you?" her father said trying to sound annoyed.
"As had we my lord, but unfortunately we do not control events and they are ever changing." Ser Arthur was surprisingly the one to speak.
"Where is his grace?" her grandmother asked directly.
"Forgive me my lady, but I cannot tell you that. Only that he is where he needs to be and shall be here in ten days as we said, on that you have my word." Ser Arthur said.
"There is somewhere he needs to be more important than here?" Willas asked.
"My lord, my son has many thing to consider, however he knows the import of being here, so yes you can take it that for his own reasons there is somewhere else he needs to be and for mine own we cannot tell you yet, where that is."
"This is most strange indeed." her father said.
"More strange then a hidden king?" she heard her grandmother say with a scoff "How are we to know that his grace isn't negotiating another wedding alliance somewhere else and we aren't just been used as a distraction?"
"My lady who else do you think him negotiating with? the Lannister's perhaps, maybe you think my son capable of treating with the lions who killed his siblings, or perhaps you think him negotiating with the North, even though my brother and niece are here now with us?"
"It seems the she wolf has fangs, good, we'll need them in the coming days," her grandmother said and smiled at the king's mother.
"Careful my lady, wolves and dragons can do a lot of damage in a rose garden" the king's mother said and Margaery saw her grandmother almost gulp.
"My queen, I believe we've gotten off on the wrong foot, my grandmother and family and I myself were most eager to meet with his grace and perhaps our disappointment has forced us to be less welcoming than we should." she said smiling at the woman who looked right at her before smiling back.
"Perhaps, we are also tired from our journey too and I'm sure we can discuss things in a more positive fashion once we've refreshed ourselves."
"Of course, maybe I could show you to your rooms my queen." she said and the queen gave her a truer smile this time.
"Of course, I look forward to getting to know my future gooddaughter and please call me Lyanna."
"Lyanna," she said smiling.
Nodding to her family she stood up and escorted them from the room, walking alongside Lyanna she could see just how beautiful she was and given how she'd handled her grandmother just how fierce too, She wondered if the king took after her in either, she knew from Gerold that he had dark hair, but did he look like the Starks or the Targaryens? Lord Stark was not ugly by any means, nor was he what she would call handsome and while it may be shallow, she did wish her betrothed to look good.
"You're wondering about my son?" Lyanna asked.
"I'm sorry my queen, I didn't mean to stare."
"It's Lyanna we're to be family soon, what do you wish to now Margaery?" she felt her chest rise at that, they were not here to play her family false, they were here to make her queen, to marry her to the king.
"Ser Gerold has told me much of his grace, but more how a man would see him, not how a woman would." she said nervously.
"You wish to know if he's handsome and good?" Lyanna said and she nodded while biting her lip.
"I may be biased my dear," Lyanna said and she giggled as she realized asking his mother may not get a completely truthful answer "I cannot say if he's handsome though I think he is, as for him being good again I believe he is more than anyone I've known. What I can tell you that is completely truthful is he will treat you well my dear, he will ask for and respect your opinion. Something not many men do."
"Is he safe?" she asked worrying all of a sudden that he was in danger.
"Never." Lyanna said laughing before seeing her face drop "Oh my dear you misunderstand, my son is, he never shy's away from danger, as you see his Kingsguard are here not with him, why do you think that is?"
"I...He's on his dragon isn't he?" she said.
"Clever girl, he is and I've no doubt he'll be in danger wherever he is, nor that he will arrive here in ten days as he said he would." Lyanna said and Margaery nodded.
After leaving Lyanna and the others at their room she hurried back to where her grandmother and family were holding court, as she entered the room she heard her father argue that they should reopen discussions with Renly.
"I think they're playing us for fools, where is this king and his dragons." her father said loudly.
"My dear what have you learned?" her grandmother said ignoring her father when she saw her.
"They're telling the truth grandmother or the queen is the best mummer I've ever seen."
"What makes you say that?"
"She wishes to be my friend grandmother, wishes we get along so that when her son and I are married there is no conflict, she was making an effort when she could have just been polite."
"And you?"
"I wish to be her friend too." she said honestly.
"Good, far better you get along with your future goodmother than don't."
"Mother, Renly."
"Is a fool and why have you not brought my grandson back here where he belongs Mace?"
"I sent the letter, he should have returned." her father pouted.
"Go send some men Mace, bring him her before he's taken hostage."
"Renly would never." he father said indignantly.
"It's not Renly who worries me, go." her grandmother said and her father did as he was bid.
Margaery took a seat beside her grandmother and brothers, all of them willing for her to give them any snippets she learned.
"Where is the king?"
"I believe he's on his dragon grandmother and whatever he's doing is dangerous."
"How dangerous?" her grandmother asked and Margaery was surprised at the note of worry in her voice.
"He'll be here in ten days grandmother, queen Lyanna is not worried."
"Good, we should spend time with them until then, those girls too."
"I'll try to get close to Ser Arthur." Garlan said and she heard her grandmother snort.
"Boys and their swords my dear." her grandmother said while rolling her eyes and Margaery laughed.
Jae.
He had washed and changed and it was after breaking his fast thath he had been called into a solar with Robb and some of the northern and Riverlords. With the castle now in the hands of the Tully's again people had started to arrive with tales of the carnage Tywin and his dogs had unleashed upon the Riverlands. He had heard some already the night before. He had been surprised how tired he'd been from the battle, not physically but mentally, needing to stay alert lest it cost you your life was taxing, during the celebration the night before he had slipped off and found a quiet space and slept.
As he walked into the solar he saw the Blackfish, a red headed man who must be Robb's other uncle, the Greatjon and Robb himself, so not a full council then. He looked to the corner to see Lord Blackwood who had held the castle during the siege and nodded as the man smiled back. Taking a seat he waited to see what this would be about.
"We're discussing our next moves." Robb said with a small smile.
"Don't let me stop you." he said laughing which got a small laugh in return.
"You should have stayed last night cousin, with you gone there was talk of declaring the North independent."
"I'm sure your father would be happy." Jae said rolling his eyes.
"Don't worry lad we shut it down." the Greatjon said patting him on the back.
"We need to declare for you Jae, tonight."
"You gonna bend the knee cousin?" he said looking at him.
"My father already did, he's the liege not I."
"The rest of you?"
"I told you my family fought against you boy." the Blackfish said.
"It was also my family who raised yours or does your memory not stretch that far, is it only the mad king you remember and not Harren?"
"Aye I remember lad, I also remember your grandfather setting men on fire." The Blackfish said and Jae jumped up but the man held his hand out "I remember as well that you rode and took the Kingslayer down, you rode and helped take my families home back, it's not just the North that remembers your grace." the Blackfish said with a bow.
"Uncle?" the red headed man said.
"Enough boy, I told you you're not lord here and you're father has made his choice, if you disagree then you can bring it up to the king or his dragon, or do you forget who it was who freed you?"
"My nephew freed me." the man said petulantly.
"Aye and I've knelt, so you break faith if you wish, but next time the North won't come for you." Robb said.
"My lords aren't going to like this." Edmure said.
"Then we can ride somewhere else and the Riverlords can take their chances against the Lannsiter's alone." Robb said quieting down his uncle.
Jae smiled at his cousin, gone already was the slightly nervous boy he'd met days ago.
"I'm not kneeling to you." the Greatjon said as Jae turned to look at him "That damn fall hurt my leg to much, you'll have to accept a nod your grace." he added before laughing.
"I thank you all for you faith and fealty." Jae said softly. "Any word on the infantry?" he said looking to Robb.
"Tywin beat them no doubt, but we don't know how bad, Lord Bolton won't have set them all against him though. How long until your forces get here?"
"Within week I'd say, they'll march fast once they land."
"The dragons?" the Blackfish asked.
"Rhaegon and Ellanys are with my aunt and Brankardix is off feeding to the south, but he will be here within the hour."
"So what now?" Robb asked but they were interrupted by a steward.
"Pardon my lords, Lord Edmure a rider wishes to speak to you, he's ridden hard my lord."
"Send him in." Edmure said.
The man no boy that came in was bruised and battered, he'd ridden hard all right and looked almost out on his feet, as he looked around the room Jae could see the panic and hope in his eyes.
"My lord's you must help, it's going to fall without you." the boy said shakily.
"What is?" the Blackfish asked.
"The castle, the siege they're going to take it, my family is there, my sister and mother, please you must send aid."
"What castle?" Jae asked.
"Darry my lord."
"Who's besieging it lad, Lannisters?" the Greatjon asked.
"No my lord sellswords." the lad said and Jae felt his heart drop.
"What banner, what banner are they flying?" he asked hurriedly.
"A goat my lord, a black goat."
Jae didn't wait for anymore, he was already walking from the room calling Brankardix to him, he had to get there, had to stop him, they couldn't fall to him, Hoat couldn't get his hands on Darry. He was pacing an empty patch of ground when Robb, the Blackfish and the Greatjon came to him.
"We'll have men form up, we'll be there by the morning your grace." Robb said.
"No it'll be too late, Hoat can't take it Robb, you don't know him, if he gets inside the things he'll do, no I'll deal with it."
"You're going to use the dragon?" the Blackfish asked.
"I am, I can't let them fall, not them." he said shaking his head.
"What's so important about Darry?" the Greatjon asked.
"Ser Jonathor, Ser Willem, they gave their lives for my family. Ser Willem protected my aunt for years until i found her, I owe them my lord, more than I can ever repay I owe them."
As Brankardix landed he saw the Blackfish look at the dragon in awe, he turned to mount his dragon before turning back to Robb.
"I'll be back this evening, arrange the meeting in the hall, it's time I declared."
"I will your grace. Be Careful."
"I'll be on a dragon Robb it's those on the ground who need to fear not I."
As he climbed up Brankardix's wing he could see those around the castle stop to stare at a dragon in all its glory, with a few flaps of the wings they were in the air and he heard men cheer below him. Word had already spread it seemed, no matter it wouldn't reach Hoat before he did. It took them less than a hour to reach the castle and had Hoat not been such a poor warrior it would have fallen by now, he flew over the encampment and as he reached the tent with the Bear outside it Brankardix roared.
He saw him then, tall and gaunt and his long beard flowing in the wind, he looked through Brankardix's eyes and saw the coins around his neck, just as Ser Richard had told him. He laughed at the arrows which bounced off Brankardix's scales and looking at Hoat through his dragons eyes he readied himself.
"Dracarys." he said and the Qohorik was covered in flames, the tent behind him burning up.
Brankardix didn't stop there, over and over Jae said the word and over and over the flames fell, out of the corner of his eye he saw men on Zorse's trying to escape, they didn't make it far, the flames covering them. It had taken but minutes and Jae had no idea of the number of men, horses, zorses and other animals he'd burned only that when he landed Brankardix would feast well.
After landing and climbing off the dragon he walked towards the castle gates seeing them open to him, a man, woman and small child came out surrounded by some guards and more men and women. As he walked to them he saw the man kneel, the others doing likewise, he bid them rise and took of his helm.
"My name is Jaehaerys Targaryen, where is lord Darry?"
"I am here your grace." the man who knelt first said looking at him with tears in his eyes.
"My lord, Riverrun is free and the Riverlands will follow, there are men on the way to help you garrison your castle. I wish I could stay longer but I have duties to attend to, perhaps we shall speak soon."
"I thank you your grace, as does my family."
"Your family has no need to thank a Targaryen ever my lord, it is us who should be thanking you. I do so now, I promise your sacrifices and the losses your family has suffered because of mine will be rewarded, I give you my word on that."
White Harbor.
Dany.
She looked to the men in front of her they watched her warily but they were polite and friendly and the two girls looked to be staring at her like she was some exotic creature. As she walked to them Jon Connington and Ser Richard walked behind her, Grey Worm and his detachment of unsullied surrounding them. She felt Missandei's nervousness beside her and smiled and touched the girls back to relax her.
"Princess Daenerys welcome to White Harbor." the large man said.
"I thank you for the welcome my lord, I'm afraid as much as I'd love to enjoy more of your wonderful city, I shall not be staying long." she said and saw the two girls frown.
"I understand princess, I shall do all I can to ensure you make it to your destination without delay."
"I thank you my lord. Have you received any word from my nephew?"
"I have not princess, other than informing me that you were to arrive."
"Very well. Lord Jon perhaps you can coordinate with Lord Manderly while we make preparations."
"At once princess." the griffin said and she turned to walk back to her ship.
She had spent two days trying to learn the customs of the nobility of Westeros, when Jon had told her they'd probably want to feast her a part of her looked forward to it, while another had no wish for it. Her nephew had by now probably been at war for days, while she had no fear for Jae he was her only kin and she needed him safe. it was then she remembered the Maester at the wall, Aemon, Jae said his name was.
She was so close, she could jump on Ellanys's back and fly there by days end, but no she needed to be with the army, she was a Targaryen and she needed to do this. It was midday when she set off with the first mounted group, they would ride on and set up camp before the others would catch up. They had been riding for only an hour and she was almost as bored as Ellanys was above her and then she decided she could take it no longer. She called for her dragon and smirked when the guides Lord Manderly gave them ducked when she landed.
"Ser Richard, I'm going to fly I'll meet you at the camp."
"Of course princess, I'll see the men there."
"I know you will Ser."
A few minutes later she was flying through the air, her white fur coat was wrapped tightly around her, her hair tied in a simple braid behind her head, she was glad that Jae had visited the North and made provisions for the men. Her unsullied would bear anything, but in this cold they'd have wilted and she was glad they had the far warmer clothes and tents with them. She like Jae didn't feel the cold too much, the wind however was annoying and so she pulled the hood over her head.
She flew for almost an hour or so, heading north along a river and over a large wooded area, feeling thirsty she reached for her water only to find the pouch empty, she directed Ellanys to land by a stream and got off. Feeling her dragons own hunger she told her to go feed while she rested and got her water and when Ellanys flew off she walked to the river and began filling the pouch. She sat down on a large rock beside the bank and quenched her thirst.
Dany could feel Ellanys's excitement as she chased her prey and smiled, it was not more than a few moments later that she heard the barking of dogs and the screams and looked around to see the source. There running towards her was a naked girl being chased by vicious looking dogs and to Dany's horror, men, she stood up and put her hand on her sword readying it if needed. She had a terrible feeling it might be and cursed herself for allowing Ellanys to leave, she hoped her dragon could feel her need through their connection.
"Help me, please they killed my sister, they want to kill me." the girl said tears streaming down her face.
"Who are they?" Dany asked as the hounds stopped a fair distance from where Ellanys had landed, obviously aware of her scent as they looked at Dany warily.
"Snow, Ramsay Snow."
Dany took off her coat and wrapped it around the woman and then moved in front of her as the men made it to the hounds, all of them were ugly but as she saw the fearful way the girl looked at the pale one in the lead, she thought that this was this Snow person.
"Looks like we caught you." one of the men said grinning, his yellow teeth looking disgusting even from a distance.
"Forget the whore and take a look at her, now that's a tasty treat if ever I saw one."
Dany walked forward with the girl now shivering behind her and the pale man stared at her licking his fat worm like lips.
"You have my toy, give it back or do you want to play too?" the pale man said and the girl shuddered against her.
"You must be Ramsay Snow." Dany said smirking.
"Bolton, Ramsay Bolton trueborn son of Roose Bolton and heir to the Dreadfort." he said angrily.
Dany closed her eyes, Ellanys was too far away she'd not make it and there were too many men here, as much training as she had she'd not be able to take them all. One or two of the men also had bows and in her haste to fly she had stupidly forgotten her armor. She saw it then and smiled, the black shape moving faster than even Ellanys, she watched as Rhaegon landed to the left of the men, saw the fear register in all their eyes, even Ramsay's
"My name is Daenerys Targaryen and in the name of his grace Jaehaerys Targaryen, I sentence you to die," she said and Ramsay started to laugh "Dracarys." she said loudly and as Rhaegon turned his head the flames followed immediately.
It was over in less than a moment, there wasn't even time for them to scream, she almost felt sorry for the hounds until she realized they'd been chasing a naked woman through a forest. Who this Roose Bolton person and this Dreadfort place were she had no idea, but she'd speak to Jae about them both. The girl beside her was crying tears of what she assumed were gratitude based on her smile, she led her over to Rhaegon and despite the girls nervousness they lent against him while awaiting Ellanys's return.
"You can come back to my camp, I'll make sure you see a healer and are dressed, there are northerners there who can help take you home to your family." Dany said and the girl shook her head.
"I have no family left, he killed them all."
"I'll find a place for you then, you can stay with me." Dany said as Ellanys landed, her dragon almost chiding her for her foolishness.
"I know Ellanys, I know." she said as she helped the girl climb the dragon and they along with Rhaegon took to the air.
Jae.
It was early evening when he arrived back in Riverrun, as it had when he left Brankadix's arrival caused a stir, though seeing him step off the dragon seemed to calm things, he walked into the gates and was met by Lady Dacey and her mother.
"We've been waiting for you."
"I see that." he said with a laugh.
"Your mother I'd like to see her." Maege said.
"Fancy riding a dragon my lady?"
"What, that's not what I, wait you mean go up on that thing?"
"If you'd like, when I return to Highgarden I could take you with me."
"No, there's not a damn thing that would get me on that." Maege said laughing.
"Very well my lady, it'll be a while then, probably when we go for Kings Landing."
"She is well though?"
"She is my lady, I'll pass on your good wishes."
"You do that your grace, now come these fools need to bend the knee so we can get on with this damn war." Maege said and Dacey laughed as they walked.
He walked with them into the Great Hall and saw his cousin sitting beside an old man who looked very ill, to his left his aunt and her brother sat along with Arya who smiled at him, the Blackfish filled out the high table and to the right of the old man there was an empty seat which he was directed to.
"How fares Darry?" the Blackfish asked as he took his seat.
"Free my lord, Hoat and the Brave Companions are no more."
"Good I've heard tale from Lord Piper of what that animal was doing, you did a good thing ridding the world of him your grace." The Blackfish nodded.
"Any word on the battle?"
"We lost half the men, but Tywin fell for the trap though he's taken Harrenhal." Robb said pointing to an older woman sitting in the back of the room."
"He couldn't have taken it so soon?" Jae said.
"No he'd taken it before we ever got here, he's just retreated there for now."
"Fuck."
"Fuck indeed." Robb said before standing up as the room quietened.
"My lords, we've taken back Riverrun and my cousin has just come from Darry where he broke the siege and freed the castle there." Robb said to cheers "Which brings us to why we're here now. It's time for us to declare a king and I can think of no one better than the rightful king, my cousin Jaehaerys Targaryen." Robb said and the arguing began.
"You would have us declare for a Targaryen,"
"What of what they did to Lady Lyanna."
"I'll not support the mad kings kin."
The voices rose, some supporting him, some against and then Jae slammed his hand on the table and the hall went silent.
"My mother was not kidnapped, nor was she raped by my father and the next man to say so is free to face me on the grounds outside this castle. My mother married my father, they sent letters to tell the realm of this though they never made it. After the fall of Kings Landing my mother along with the three Kingsguard guarding me took me from Dorne and raised me in Essos, always with the intent to come back and claim our throne."
"You lost the right to the throne after the conquest." a Riverlord said and Jae tried to make out who it was.
"Did I? Was it just conquest Robert claimed the throne by or was it the blood he shared with my family? Blood that he spilled, blood he tried to spill more of by sending assassins after my aunt when she was but a babe. There's none more cursed than a kinslayer and yet you all knelt at Robert's feet." he said and saw some drop their heads in shame.
"Your grandfather murdered our liege lord, he murdered Brandon Stark and I'm supposed to follow you." it was Glover again and Jae looked angrily at the man as his brother who grabbed him and pulled him back down to his seat. Damn the man for refusing to go back and defend his home he thought as he answered.
"Yet you seem to forget that the man Aerys killed was my grandfather too, Brandon Stark was my uncle, you're so quick to condemn me for one half of my blood, but what of the other. Am I not a Stark as much as I'm a Targaryen, Or would you prefer to forget that fact?"
"I lost kin in the war because of your family." another Riverlander said.
"Did you lose more than me my lord? I lost a brother, a sister, a grandmother and grandfather. I lost an uncle and I lost my father, is there a man or woman in this room who lost more than I? if there is please stand up, no, I thought not.
"What of Stannis or Renly?" another man said.
"You are free to choose who you like my lord, support me or not, however should you not then you make yourself my enemy and not my friend. But it is as you wish, leave if you want, I'll not stop you, maybe you'll be lucky, maybe I'll lose and you wont have to pay for your treason because mark my words I will be king."
"I fought with you on the field, stood side by side with you then. I've seen what you did for the watch." the Greatjon standing said to questions from around him "Aye none of you even asked about him did you, I was there when he delivered aid to the watch, Maege your brother is Lord commander tell them."
"Aye its' true, for three years he's been supplying the watch, where was Robert then? where was Stannis or Renly? yet Jaehaerys from all the way in Essos made sure the watch was better off than it's ever been."
"While Stannis and Renly bickered and Tywin razed the Riverlands, my cousin stole into the Red Keep and rescued my father, he rescued both my sisters, Arya you see here beside me only because of him. Then not only did he do that, but he came to our aid, told us of the Iron Born plot to reave while we were south. He captured the Kingslayer and defeated him in single combat. My father has knelt already my lords and I'll not go against his wishes."
"Just because the North may kneel doesn't mean we should" another Riverlander said and Jae couldn't help shake his head, for a region that had been pissed on by Tywin Lannister's second army, they really did have a high opinion of themselves.
"I am still Lord Paramount of the Riverlands am I not? Without his grace's aid we would be lost, House Tully will stand with House Targaryen once more my king." Hoster said.
"As will House Bracken."
"And House Blackwood."
"House Reed will stand with Lyanna's boy, now and always." Lord Reed said nodding to him.
"House Mormont knows no king but the king from the north whose blood is Stark." Maege Mormont said loudly.
"House Umber will stand with King Jaehaerys, the King from the North." the Greatjon's voice boomed.
"The King From the North, The King From the North, The King From the North" the voices reverberated around the hall as Jae stood there looking on.
A/N: As always thanks to those who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up next Jae finds a new friend and speaks to a lion before finally meeting his future queen.
Biohazard: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
Silent Mayhem: Cat is proving to be Hoster's daughter, Jae offers her and her family the best possible match especially with the Lannister's out of the equation. She's not really doing anything wrong here other than trying to break a betrothal and not just being grateful for what Jae has done. So trying to wrangle something extra out of the deal is nothing too far off, we may not like it, but it's how things were done.
We will see more of Jeyne when Jae arrives back at Highgarden, with her father dead she has no future so to speak so Jae will speak to her, as for what she does/says about Sansa we shall see.
Sansa actually would be in some ways even given her naivety a perfect bride for Olenna, simply tying the North to the Reach alone would be worth is espeically with Jae as King. One of the supposed canon reasons why she liked Alerie is that she allowed Olenna to run the Reach rather than as lady of HIghgarden get nvolved in things. Sansa is young enough to learn from her mistakes and here at least she's had someone point them out to her and seen the cost of them. What that means for her from here on in we'll see.
Lyanna can and will, here speaking to Ned in their second conversation it was hard to bring up, no matter the rights and wrongs of things, her actions contributed to the loss of her father and brother and she's lost 15 years with Ned. To just in the second conversation they had (the first being an argument) open her heart and explain it all would imo have been unrealistic, it was emotional talking to her brother after everything, so it raised up those emotions.
She will explain it all as we go.
Now that's Lyanna's excuse, my own is well i perhaps have a reason why everything not been explained just yet, a reason we'll see soon.
On your last point, given Jae has been sent back from the gods to save the world which fell and given he's the only one who can do so, I'd say her elopement was more than worth it, here at least. Jae's line when he showed them the dragons for the first time, when he called himself the prince that was promised and song of ice and fire, both Arthur and Lyanna smiled at that because it proved Rhaegar right, it proved Lyanna right, that here at least it is worth everything that's happened.
: Like father like daughter, i agree on that about the Tully's, Hoster wangled himself the best deal possible, Cat here is just trying to do the same and the Blackfish is being ornery, but unlike Ned this time they're dealing with a man with dragons.
Lord Villareal: It's hard to write the line between him kneeling as he had to and him testing which he did so it's good it worked. We'll see the meeting next chapter.
Dunk: I didn't wish for Robb to be completely sidelined, yes Jae has planned and planned and has dragons, but the Whispering Wood/Riverrun were his and so let them be his, Jae had his own moments to shine 'll see Jae/Jaime speak next chapter.
One thing with Roose is he respects power and there's nothing more powerful than dragons, however he may have an issue with Dany lol.
Cat still needs to speak with Ned and he won't be happy, especially with the Sansa part.
Victoria: Thank you my friend so glad you're liking this. We shall see Ghost soon.
Princess: So glad you like it.
Vwchick: I like both Roslyn and Olyvar and Perwyn the other brother, they're the good Freys, i do have a match in mind for Roslyn she'll be Marge's lady in waiting so we'll see a lot more of her.
Darkgriffin: Thanks so much for saying that, really glad your enjoying it.
Ighagoan: Thanks so much, it means a lot that you like not just one but both of them.
Mhaelowen: Next chapter we'll see him, he's been busy trying to find someone.
Xan merrick: Thank you my friend so glad you liked it.