Riverrun 298 AC.
Jae.
The dreams he had the night before were fresh in his mind, dreams of his grandfather that bore deep into his soul, dreams of Jaime Lannister and he wondered why he was being sent them. Unlike the usual dreams that Bloodraven sent him he didn't appear this time, he didn't offer context and instead Jae was bombarded with images. He saw some of his grandfather's greatest hits, his fascination with fire and what it did to him, seeing what he did to his grandmother once he got excited.
He stood outside the doors while she screamed inside the room, while the Kingsguard stood and did nothing, it sickened him, seeing Arthur, Oswell and Gerold, seeing Barristan, Lewyn and Jonathor and seeing Jaime Lannister. Seeing the youngest of them be the one to raise the most concerns, to try and do something only for it to be waved off "But not from him." the phrase raised his ire. It was he she needed protection from, she they should have protected, not him, never him.
"Burn Them All."
"Bring me your father's head."
"Aren't we supposed to protect her."
The words burned into his brain, he saw the wildfire, saw the plans his mad fool of a grandfather had and just when he thought it could get no worse he saw it, saw his uncle tied by the neck struggle to get to his grandfather as he burned. Jae ran to the privy as he woke, he felt the bile rise making it just in time as he retched, he sat on the floor as the images filled his head, a blond woman laying with multiple men Jaime Lannister included, the same woman mocking him when he wasn't there. He shook his head as finally an image of clarity came, the woods, he needed to go to the woods, there was something there he would need going forwards.
He dressed as quickly as he could his normal clothes not his armor, he hooked his sword and knife to his waist and headed from the room, outside stood two guards in Stark colors, his cousin having insisted. He walked and they followed, out of the keep was his intent and he had only made it a few feet when he saw his cousin speaking to a guard.
"Jae, can you tell them to let me leave. I have to go, I need to go to the woods, she's there, I think she's there." Arya said excitedly.
"Who?" he asked.
"Nymeria, she's in the woods, I..I dreamed of her." Arya said her voice soft almost as if she expected to be mocked.
"Come with me, I'm going out there myself." he said and she smiled.
"Your grace, I was told to keep Lady Arya inside." the guard said.
"It's fine, tell Lady Catelyn and my cousin she's with me." he said and almost laughed when Arya practically stuck her tongue out at the guard.
"Thank you Jae." she said as they walked.
"I'm just glad someone's not calling me your grace." he said back.
"Well I knew you before you were a king, I mean I knew you before I knew you were a king," she stumbled over her words and this time he did laugh.
They walked out from the castle and were heading out through the gates when they came across Dacey and her sisters, they looked at him and without saying anything they followed and he couldn't help shake his head. Despite himself the only time he'd be allowed to be alone anywhere from now on was when he was on the back of his dragon. They walked towards the woods and Arya explained what happened with the wolves, how Joffrey had tried to hurt her friend and then her, how Nymeria had saved her and how Sansa had lied because she was in love with the poncy prince.
"She can be so stupid some times." Arya complained.
"She's your sister Arya, family is allowed be stupid." he said and she laughed telling him tales of Bran and Rickon before getting sad once again.
"What is it?"
"Bran he fell, he can't walk anymore."
"Maybe we can do something about it." he said and she looked at him.
"The Maester tried there's nothing he can do."
"Then it's just as well I'm not a Maester isn't it." he said with a smirk.
He felt it then when he reached the edge of the forest, a presence, he almost instinctively placed his hand on his sword, but in the end the presence seemed friendly, it felt like Brankardix, but different, more icy then warm. He could sense Arya's disappointment when they didn't find Nymeria straight away, how she wished to race into the woods to search for her, but he wouldn't allow that, something was coming and they needed to wait.
Sitting down on a nearby trunk he spoke to Arya, to Dacey and her sisters and to the guards, he told them of Dany and the army she was bringing and of Ellanys and Rhaegon, how his son and daughter were different but the same as their brother. He wasn't surprised the Mormont girls asked on Ser Arthur the man's fan club ever growing, his legend still strong after all these years. But he was happiest speaking on his mother, watching Arya tell them of her especially.
"She carries a sword and father said she was the best rider he'd ever known, so it must be true." Arya said her own hero worship still strongest for her father.
"My mother said the same, said she was half horse and no one could keep up with her." Dacey said.
"When we were in Myr we stayed in a manse. I remember the first time she brought me riding, me, my mother and Arthur, I expected Arthur to be the best of us, being a knight who rode in tourneys and all. But it was my mother who easily was, she was born to be a horsewomen." he said fondly "Later that night she told me of the Knight of the Laughing Tree."
"The what?" Arya asked.
"You all know of Harrenhal right? Of how my father and mother met?" he asked and they nodded "What you may not know is the why of it. Aerys was a mad paranoid fool, he saw conspiracy everywhere, when a mystery knight rode and beat three knights he demanded they remove their helm. When they didn't he ordered the knight captured and to be brought before him, but there was no sign of the knight, just a shield with a Weirwood on it, it's face laughing." Jae said
"The laughing tree." Arya said laughing herself now.
"The knight was my mother." he said to gasps.
Before he could continue though they heard the rustling and out of the woods a grey and a white wolf came, Arya ran to the grey one and threw her arms around her before any of them could do anything. The white one just stood there looking at them, he found himself walking towards it, kneeling down and looking into its eyes, whatever it was he had been missing, a part of himself he had never even known about was found then.
He reached out his hands and began to touch the wolf, began to rub it's soft fur and feeling it almost fold into his touch. At the back of his mind he could see it, see the connection being formed, it was almost instant but as he stood up he knew, the wolf was Ghost and he was his.
"Ghost with me." he said as he turned and he and Arya, the wolves and the Mormonts headed back to the castle.
"He was the last of them, when we found our wolves he was the last one, we thought it odd there were six not five and the others became ours. I think father hoped he might be his, but he was yours wasn't he?" Arya said smiling.
"I think he was." he said.
"A Dragonwolf." Dacey said then and he smiled, a truer thing had never been spoken.
As they entered the castle he saw the northmen look at him, saw them see the white wolf walking beside him and he was sure he saw even more pleased looks then before. His aunt was waiting with his cousin, both wearing looks of disapproval until Robb saw the wolves and then looked at him. Beside him the Greatjon was almost beaming, looking at the white wolf as they walked towards them.
"If there were ever any doubt." the Greatjon said and Robb laughed.
"Aye, a Stark and a Targaryen your grace." Robb said.
Highgarden 298 AC.
Margaery.
She had spent the last few days trying to get to know the King's mother and his family, Sansa was a nice girl though incredibly naïve and whatever was going on with the other girl neither would speak on it. Still she did her best to be as friendly as possible though she found it hard to listen as Sansa would speak on and on about Highgarden and it's beauty, not that she didn't agree but it wasn't what she wished to speak of.
Garlan had finally achieved his dream of sparring against Ser Arthur and Margaery looked on in anticipation at just how skilled the knight would be. She knew her brothers to be fine swordsmen, Loras was the better lance but Garlan had him beat with a sword. He had almost pestered the Kingsguard to spars, Gerold being family had given in not long after he arrived, Kalors was skilled but Garlan had him beat and Oswell refused but merely to annoy according to Lyanna.
The fight against Ser Barristan was almost even but the Bold edged it and she knew her brother took pride in that, Arthur at first refused to spar and it had taken her asking Lyanna for him to finally agree. So they stood there and just seeing Arthur holding Dawn in his hands, even she who was not awed by such things found herself excitedly looking on. Her mother and father watched on both in pride and worry while her grandmother sat looking on eagerly.
"My queen may I sit with you?" Margaery had asked and Lyanna nodded.
"Your brother is s fine swordsman Margaery."
"He is but this is Ser Arthur Dayne my queen." she said and Lyanna smiled.
"Lyanna, Margaery please." she said and Margaery nodded.
"Ser Arthur taught his grace did he not?" she asked.
"He did, from when he was far too young for such a thing."
"It worried you seeing him spar?"
"Jae always worries me, it's the curse of being a mother Margaery. One day you'll have a child of your own and know what I mean."
A babe, a prince or princess, just the thought of it made her smile, she would be bringing the newest king or queen into the world one day. Before she could think on it more or the spar could begin she heard gasps and laughter and looked to see what it was causing the excitement.
"Tell your men to lower their bows my lord." Oswell said and she looked on as an eagle flew overhead though it was far larger than any she had ever seen.
"Syrax." she heard Lyanna say happily as she stood up and the eagle landed beside her "Where have you been girl?"
She saw Willas look at the eagle with excitement her brother's interest in hawks no doubt drawing him to the large bird, it looked vicious, as if it could at a moment's notice just rip you to pieces and yet Lyanna petted the bird as if it was the tiniest sparrow.
"Margaery come meet Syrax." Lyanna said and she nervously approached slowly reaching her hands out to touch the bird it's feathers feeling so soft against her fingers.
"She's beautiful my queen, is she yours?" she asked.
"She's Jae's." Lyanna said and for whatever unknown reason knowing the eagle belonged to her betrothed had her feeling more comfortable touching it.
She watched as Ser Oswell walked over carrying a plate of uncooked meat that she hadn't even noticed he had left to fetch. As Lyanna took some pieces of it and fed the eagle she looked to her to do the same and Margaery found herself giggling at how gently the bird took the meat from her. It was as if the bird was afraid of hurting her as it's beak barely glanced against her fingers, once they were finished feeding it, Lyanna asked for parchment to be brought.
"Perhaps you may wish to send my son a message Margaery, Syrax will find him always."
The idea of doing so made her nervous, what would you say to your future husband, a man you'd not yet met? But when the paper was brought she wrote a small note and together with one from Lyanna they tied it to the eagles leg. Once the eagle had it's correspondence it took off and soared, she never even thought to ask how an eagle from Essos would find the king, just took it as fact that it would.
"Upstaged by a bird Ser Arthur." she heard Garlan jape.
"Shall we Ser?" Arthur said a soft smile on his face.
Her brother nodded and she looked to see Lyanna look on nervously, she had noticed the closeness her future goodmother shared with the knight but had put it down to the time they'd spent together, it seemed it was more than that. She couldn't blame the woman, Arthur was handsome and of an age where they fit together, she looked on as the spar began.
Garlan preferred to practice against more than one man, to ready himself for war he had always said, but Arthur had fought for his life more than once, he had fought in melees and in spars against the very best. Watching him against her brother was like watching a master of arms fight a small boy, the thing was she could tell and so could Garlan that he wasn't even fully engaging in the spar. He brushed aside Garlan's strikes as if they were nothing, he moved out of reach and after waiting a respectable time he disarmed her brother and won.
"I yield Ser Arthur." Garlan said and she was pleased to see his smile was true.
"Another time perhaps?" Arthur said and Garlan nodded.
After Lyanna had spoken with her brother some and also to both of the girls she found herself walking with her through the summer garden, the flowers blooming in their fullest making her smile. They walked silently at first, Mira, Elinor following behind, she knew Sansa wished to join them but Lyanna had spoken to her and so she had stayed back. When they reached the swinging seat they both sat down, Ser Barristan and Ser Kalors standing guard.
"I wished to speak to you as a mother to a future gooddaughter." Lyanna said.
"Of course Lyanna." she said with a nervous smile.
"This wedding, you and my son is it what you wish for?" she asked catching her by surprise.
"It is my queen."
"Not for your family Margaery, for you, speak true nothing you say to me will leave here I swear it."
"I know it's what my family wish for me Lyanna, I know it's my duty and what I've been prepared for my whole life. But I want it too, if what you say is true then I want it too. Jae sounds like a good man, a man who will treat me well."
"He will."
"Then it's what I want, Love I don't know what that is, what it feels like, will I find it with Jae I hope so, but I don't know." she said honestly.
"I hope you do, you both do. But should you for whatever reason wish to back out, should you wish to not marry my son, tell me Margaery and we'll find another arrangement that will please your family" Lyanna said and Margaery looked at her confusedly, were they having second thoughts?
"May I speak freely my queen?"
"Margaery it's Lyanna and yes always."
"Do I not please you, is that what it is, have I done something wrong?" she asked worriedly.
"What? Oh gods no, oh Margaery forgive me that wasn't, that wasn't what this was about." Lyanna said and hugged her tightly alleviating some of her worry.
"I don't understand."
"You know I was betrothed to Robert by my father right?"
"I do."
"It was against my wishes, he was the last man I ever wished to marry, but my father was adamant, he wished our family to have southern connections, was convinced it would help the North and my feelings didn't matter. Well you know what that led to and while I don't regret one moment I spent with Rhaegar and everyday I see my son I think it all worthwhile, I still…."
"You blame yourself?" Margaery said and Lyanna nodded.
"I do, we tried our best, sent letters, ravens, but for some reason it made no difference, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of Elia and the children, of my father and brother, of Rhaegar. All those lives lost, had my father, had I, I don't know." Lyanna said shaking her head.
"You don't wish for me to be forced into marriage against my will?" Margaery said then as she realized.
"I don't and I know Jae certainly wouldn't." Lyanna said and Margaery hugged her even more tightly than she had hugged her.
"Thank you." she whispered.
"For what?" Lyanna asked.
"For thinking of me, Margaery and not Margaery Tyrell, for thinking of my wishes and hopes." she said.
"Always." Lyanna said.
Riverrun 298 AC.
Jaime.
The cell he sat in was far better than he had imagined they'd give him, he had expected a damp dank cell and yet he had been treated much differently. Even the food they gave him was edible, he knew how prisoners were treated, how they no matter their birth were often left at the mercy of their captors. He may be too valuable to kill, but that didn't mean he would receive any favorable treatment and yet he had been given some for some reason.
The cell even had a rather comfortable bed, certainly not the bundles of straw or cold stone floors of other cells he'd seen as he was brought here. If it weren't for the damn chains he'd be almost back in White Sword Tower as the chambers there were spartan at best. The one downside was they gave him sliced meats, he had hoped for a chicken leg or something with bone in it, something he could fashion into a weapon, but they seemed far smarter than that.
The night before he had been visited first by Lady Catelyn and then by her dolt of a son, both asking the same stupid questions. He had smirked and laughed, he had been his arrogant self right up until that damn wolf had almost made him piss his pants. Of course he had attacked Ned Stark in the streets of Kings Landing, what else did they expect him to do, they had taken his brother, not that the damn trout even considered the consequences of that folly.
Yes he had pushed the boy out of the window, but they didn't know that and so he had laughed at their questions and waited until they had gone before he wallowed in his guilt. As he slept that night he dreamed of the boy as he fell, he dreamt of her as he always did, but his dreams always went back to the same place, the throne room and Ned Stark's face as he dubbed him the Kingslayer. Waking up the next morning he was surprised at the meal that had been placed beside his bed, eggs and bacon and he ate greedily.
"It's surprising that no matter how things are hunger remains the same Ser Jaime." A voice said and he looked to see him sitting there in the darkness.
"A meal such as this may be my last, I may as well enjoy it boy." he said as he recognized the armor.
"Indeed, though it need not be the case Ser?"
"If you expect me to turn on my family boy then you're a bigger fool than you look."
"I expect you to be who you are Ser Jaime, nothing more." the boy said before leaving.
The dreams came again that night, dreams of being knighted by Ser Arthur, of taking on the Kingswood Brotherhood, dreams of being given a white cloak and of standing with his brothers. He dreamt of a beaten down queen, her eyes looking to him for something for anything and the shame he felt when he turned away. Finally he was there sitting on the throne the kings body laying in front of him, the blood dripping off his sword.
"I kept it warm for you Stark."
He woke in a cold sweat, felt the chill in the room and saw the moonlight shining through the small window that was out of reach, he turned to find a mug of water being held in front of him and he drank it down. Watching as the man, no boy who held it moved back into the darkness.
"You come to haunt me again boy?"
"No Ser Jaime, just to speak."
"Then speak and begone and leave me with my ghosts." he said angrily.
"Do you think it would have been different had they known?" the boy asked and Jaime gulped.
"Known what boy?" he asked nervously.
"Why you really did it?"
"I've done so many things, perhaps you'd be willing to elaborate." he said with a smirk hoping his voice was steady.
"Ah, but there's only one thing which matters to all of them is that not so Ser Jaime?"
He looked at the shadow of the boy, his face obscured in the moonlight, his voice sounding familiar and yet he did not know this boy, nor where he came from.
"People will see what they wish to see." he said bitterly.
"That's true Ser, a Kingslayer rather than an honorable knight, perhaps the truest of them all." the boy said and Jaime bristled.
"Don't mock me boy."
"I wouldn't dream of it Ser, for I know what's in your heart and what these others do not." the boy said and once again he was gone.
The third night the boy didn't come and Jaime hoped his sleep would be full, it wasn't though and the images he was hit with made him sick. Cersei with his cousin, with Lancel of all people, naked and writhing on a bed, he saw her bent over with a knight behind her and on her knees in front of another. He saw her reject him when he returned beaten and bruised, his hand missing and watched in horror as she pushed him away.
"She's been fucking Kettleback and Lancel behind your back brother, all these years while you've been true, she's been fucking anyone she wished while you were elsewhere. You poor deluded fool, she loves no one but herself, I told you years ago. You've become Robert to your own Jaime, except Cersei's new Jaime's are many and numerous." Tyrion's voice said as he laughed.
"Get out of my head." he shouted when he woke up. "Leave me be. Leave me be."
He sat beside the wall for most of the day, feeling the pressure build, he almost screamed when the boy arrived this time, but he knew he was dreaming still when he saw what the boy was wearing. Red and Black with the three headed dragon emblazoned on it, he was so busy looking at that he didn't even see the white wolf or notice the boy's eyes.
"Leave us." the boy said.
"Your grace he's dangerous."
"I have Ghost I'll be fine, leave us I wish to speak to Ser Jaime alone."
"Leave me be." he said weakly.
"I'm afraid not Ser Jaime, there are things I must say, things I must speak on, it's time we spoke the truth you and I. Let us be truth tellers together." he said sitting down.
"Don't, I don't, don't speak to me." he said his voice full of panic.
"Let's talk first of how I beat you, I'm sure a fine swordsman such as yourself would be interested in that at least?" the boy said and he nodded.
"I was trained by the White Bull and the Black Bat, I've sparred with Barristan the Bold, but most of my life I've been trained by one man, would you like to know who?"
"Who?" he asked curiously.
"Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning." the boy said.
"You lie, you speak of dead men, of good men and you have not the right to do so, my brothers need not have their names brought into this, don't use them to torture me boy."
"You know, I had the greatest Kingsguard ever to guard me, three men good and true, my father picked them for the job, well two anyway my grandfather stupidly sent me the third." the boy said laughing "But I always wondered why, why them, what did my father know of Oswell and Arthur, what did he see in them he didn't in others? Was it just his friendship with Arthur? Was it knowing the character of the men?"
"You speak of your father as if he was my prince boy, what do you hope to achieve by selling such lies."
"My father was your prince Ser Jaime, you served him well, now serve his son." the boy said and he almost laughed until he saw the boys eyes, saw the deep indigo he had known once many years before.
"It's, its', impossible it can't be true." he said shaking his head.
"Impossible is only something we've not yet seen Ser Jaime. My name is Jaehaerys Targaryen, trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Targaryen and for ten and five years my life has been leading to this moment."
"It couldn't, they couldn't Elia, the children, he wouldn't have."
"An annulment Ser, both of them willing for their own reasons, my brother was supposed to be king but your father's men ensured that would not happen. He, my sister, Elia, your brothers will blame you for their deaths by I do not because I know."
"Know?" he said his breath hitching in his throat.
"I know why you killed a mad king, I know why you sat on a throne, I know the truth of you Ser Jaime, what it is deep in your heart, what you wish for more than anything."
"What?" he said.
"Redemption Ser Jaime, redemption of a fallen knight."
Harrenhal 298 AC.
Tywin.
He paced up and down, trying to make sense of things how had he managed to end up here, Jaime captured, Tyrion gone to Kings Landing to try and rein in another mad king, this wasn't how it was supposed to be. His legacy stood on a precipice, his dynasty ready to collapse and he was relying on a toady like Littlefinger and the damn roses to ensure it didn't fall. Less than a week ago he was ready to deliver the coup de grace to the young wolf, ready to destroy his army and move on to deal with Robert's brothers.
One week ago.
They had marched and marched quickly, beating Riverlords wasn't even a challenge, houses fell, castles were taken and onward he marched, Jaime would take Riverrun and he would crush the young wolf. As he sat in his tent that night the reports came in from his outriders and he smiled at the naivety, only a young foolish boy would give him exactly what he wished on, a full frontal battle, this war would be over before it begun.
He sent word to make ready, Tyrion would lead the van and with luck at least get an honorable death, and then he would move to deal with the stags. He allowed himself an extra glass of wine and slept well at the thoughts of the upcoming victory. Upon waking he broke his fast and had his squire prepare his armor, the gold gleaming as he walked to his white horse. He rode to where Kevan and his other generals were waiting having picked this hill so he could oversee it all.
"My lord." Ser Addam said.
"Ser Addam you have the flank, bleed them but do not give chase, when this army is done for I intend us to march and join with my son."
"Of course my lord." Ser Addam said and raced on to join his men.
"Are you sure that's wise brother, would it not be best to finish them here?"
"It would Kevan, but once we smash their army they'll disband, no one will follow the young wolf once we give him a bloody nose." Tywin said and Kevan smirked.
When he saw the northern forces though he was stunned, this wasn't a large army, there were no more than 2,000 men here, he realized it then he'd been played, where the larger infantry force had gone he had no idea, but he feared it.
"Jaime." he whispered softly.
He was sitting in his command tent with his men an hour later when word came, the battle had been a rout though the losses minimal, less then a thousand northerners had fallen, the rest melted away into the woods. When Tyrion came in a mark on his forehead from where he'd been wounded he felt a momentary swelling of pride, even a shriveled lion can roar he thought. He sat as they discussed the potential places where Robb Stark could go, but he knew it deep in his gut where he had.
"My lord a message for you." one of his guards said handing him a scroll.
Siege at Riverrun broken,
Ser Jaime and most of out commanders captured,
Retreating with 500 Men.
He fell back into his seat in disbelief, his worst nightmares coming through, his heir, his golden heir in the hands of savages.
"They have my son." he said loudly to gasps.
"We should sue for peace."
"We can arrange a hostage exchange."
"With who? What hostage do we have to exchange and who of an equal of my brother, As for peace, there's your peace, Robb Stark is winning in case you've not noticed." Tyrion said knocking over a wine glass.
"The have my son." he shouted "Out all of you." he said loudly and they moved to leave "Not you." he said to Tyrion.
"You were right, I shouldn't have underestimated Robb Stark, I need time and I need someone in the damn capital who knows what the hell they're doing." he said as Tyrion poured himself a glass of wine.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"You are a Lannister, now behave as one and Tyrion should anyone get in your way?"
"I know head's, spikes."
"Good. And Tyrion do not bring that whore to court."
"Yes father."
Now.
He had waited for the demands from Robb Stark and yet they'd not come, waited for the next move and yet there was not one. He for the first time found himself in a quandary, he had almost 20,000 men and yet he knew not what to do with them. Clegane was off foraging and he had yet to hear word back from Hoat and his men, sellsword's reliability being it's own problem. Stannis and Renly had yet to move though he'd heard Stannis hadn't been able to bring his bannermen to bear and he smiled at that, Dragonseeds had no love for stags.
As for himself, he had sent a delegation to Riverrun, he needed to know Jaime was well and what it was Stark wanted, he needed it done before Eddard Stark reappeared, that man was just dumb enough to take Jaime's head. He sat and ate his meal and wrote scroll after scroll, he formulated plan after plan in his head. When the messenger came he almost laughed out loud at the idiocy of the message.
Darry siege broken,
Hoat and he Bloody mummers are no more.
The White Dragon flew in and burned them all.
"A dragon." he snorted.
Riverrun 298 AC.
Robb.
What his cousin's fascination with the Kingslayer was he knew not, but he allowed him to visit as he wished, though given his cousin was his king now was it really him allowing anything?. When he had seen Jae walk with Arya the wolves beside them he had been stunned to see not just Nymeria had returned but the white wolf also. Seeing that same wolf walk beside his cousin had not only made him smile, but had made the northerners even more sure of their choice to bend the knee.
When Roose Bolton had arrived back with his forces he had been glad to see so many had survived, he had worried he had sent them all to their deaths, but the ruse had worked and battle was only to be a last resort. He had been as upset as Daryn at the news of his father's death, though Roose had said he had died well, not that it made much difference. Seeing Roose bend the knee to Jae was a sight in of itself, rarely had he seen the Lord of the Dreadfort seem so cowed.
But it was what he was looking at now which had him, his mother, the lords of the Rivrerlands and the North smiling almost as broadly as his cousin was. The army was unlike any he'd seen, the men in the black armor, Unsullied Jae called them marched with a discipline he'd not know possible. Behind them marched an army of men, former Westerosi knights and lords, the Company of the dragon. It's cavalry alone made his own look tiny in comparison, it's men armed and armored far better than either his or the Riverlords.
"I see now what you meant when you spoke to Glover." he said to Jae smiling as the Glover lord looked on with an open mouth.
"Look above cousin." Jae said and he saw them then, all three of the dragons flying and almost playing together, Jae's white one and the blue he said belonged to his aunt and the black who was riderless.
"Had I not seen Brankardix I'd have called you a liar cousin." he japed.
"I know."
He looked at Arya who was staring in awe and then he saw who it was she was looking at, the woman was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, her hair a silver that shined, the armor she wore just like Jae's. Beside her rode a blond woman and a dark skinned young girl and either side of her were knights. He watched as she jumped from the horse and ran to Jae who hugged her.
"Welcome to Riverrun Dany." Jae said.
"Your grace." she said and he saw his cousin smirk when she curtsied.
"Lakoes, Missandei it's good to see you."
"My king." the blond said and the other girl smiled.
"Your grace it's good to see you well." a redheaded man said
"You too Jon, Ser Richard."
"Your grace." a dark haired man said.
"Dany allow me to introduce you to my family, Lord Robb Stark heir of Winterfell and his mother Lady Catelyn Stark."
"My lord, my lady."
"Princess," he said kissing her hand.
"And this is Arya," Jae said and his sister just stared at the girl.
"Which one is yours?" Arya asked.
"What?"
"Dragon Dany, Arya wants to know which one is Ellanys."
"She's he blue one." Dany said pointing to the sky as Arya stared at the blue dragon.
Once the introductions were done they headed inside the castle, there would be a feast that night and he was glad that the army seemed well supplied, he didn't think they could manage long with what they had stocked. Arya was walking with the princess and peppering her and the two other girls with question after question, Robb noticed Dacey look at him and then the princess almost resignedly, he smiled at her and mouthed 'talk later' to her before showing everyone to their rooms.
Jae went with the princess and the red headed man, Jon Connington he had found out was alive and well much to people's surprise, the dark haired man Ser Richard followed. He went to speak to Dacey but instead found his mother looking for him, so went to her rooms to speak to her. He found her looking out the window, watching as the men set up tents, a strange look on her face.
"You wished to see me mother?"
"Aye I did, what think you of the princess Robb?"
"She's very beautiful, I guess what they always said about Targaryens is true."
"Aye it is, she'd be a fine match."
"Mother." he said shaking his head.
"I've given up on Sansa and the king. I understand that, but we should get something Robb. A princess, if the Tyrell's are getting a king we should get a princess at least."
"No."
"Robb."
"No mother, I'll not be a part of this, you see their army right, their dragons, they don't need us. Jae was right they could take the damn country without us and even if they could not, my heart belongs to another."
"Who?" his mother asked.
"Lady Dacey."
"A Mormont, you'd turn down a princess for a Mormont." she said shocked.
"I'd turn down a queen for Dacey, so don't even try it mother, I mean it."
"What is it with Starks." his mother said sighing "Fine if you're happy and Lady Dacey is who you chose then I'll accept it."
"Thank you mother." he said walking over and giving her a hug which she returned.
He left the room not too long after and went searching for and found Dacey on the battlements, she was staring out at the army and he thought she'd not looked as beautiful as she did right then. He looked at her as the sun went down and watched the golden light reflect off her hair, smiling he moved forward.
"They're impressive aren't they." he said and she turned and gave him a soft smile.
"Aye, we've picked the right side."
"Family is always the right side." he said and she nodded.
"I thought you'd be with the princess?" she said softly.
"I'm with who I wish to be with." he said taking her in his arms.
"I understand, I mean, she's a princess, I'm just…"
"The woman I want to spend my life with."
"Robb you don't have to say that."
"I want to, Dacey I've told my mother, father will give his blessing I know he will, what do you say?" he asked and saw her smile.
"To what." she said smirking.
"Marry me?"
"Aye, all right then." she said kissing him.
Riverrun 298 AC.
Jae.
He was so happy to see Dany, so relieved she made it unharmed, not that he really believed she could be, but still not seeing her for the moons they'd been apart did make him worry, so as he sat he began to explain things.
"My uncle and cousin are with my mother and Arthur and should be at Highgarden by now, according to Varys it seems the Tyrell's have taken our offer." Jae said.
"So you're to be married?" Dany asked.
"It would seem so."
"And?"
"And what?" he asked looking at her as she smiled at him.
"Are you happy about it Jae?"
"I…it is what it is Dany, I'll worry about happy some other time."
"Jae?"
"Dany, had father lived, had Aegon and Rhaenys, had things turned out differently. I'd still have more than likely married based on politics, Varys says she's smart and funny, she's beautiful and she cares about the people. I could do much worse." he said and she nodded.
"Why did you come here your grace, we didn't expect it?" Jon asked.
"I had a vision, my cousin was about to do something which would have hurt the North and cost him his life, I couldn't let it happen." he said and Jon looked back and him and gave him a short nod.
"So how do things fare my king?" Ser Richard asked.
"Hoat is dead Richard, I did it myself."
"Good, his men?"
"All of them, I...I used Brankardix."
"Why?" Dany asked.
"He was besieging Darry, I couldn't let the castle fall, not to him."
"For Jonathor and Willem." Jon said with a sad smile.
"Yes."
"Thank you Jae," Dany said reaching over to place her hand on his, Jae looked at her knowing how much Ser Willem meant to her.
"The North and Riverlands have declared for me." he said then to smiles all round.
"With us and the Reach that's more than enough, what do we face your grace?" Jon asked.
"We beat the Lannister second army here, smashed it, Tywin has retreated with the first to Harrenhal, Stannis and Renly have both declared themselves as Kings but most of Stannis's bannermen are with me and Renly only has the Stormlands."
"Have you declared publicly?" Dany asked.
"No not yet, let Tywin think he knows his enemies, by the time he realizes it'll be too late."
"So what now your grace?"
"Tywin attacked the Riverlands far quicker than we thought, so you know what to do from here Jon."
"I do, wish it wasn't this one though." Jon said.
"What's wrong with this one? Dany asked.
"Timing princess, it's all about timing." Jon said and Jae nodded.
"There's something else you all need to know."
"What?"
"I captured Ser Jaime." he said and Dany stood up angrily.
"Where is he, have you killed him yet, please tell me you've not, I want to kill him myself Jae."
"Dany, we're not killing him."
"What, you can't, he killed my father, your grandfather." she said pushing her finger into his chest.
"Who was a mad evil man who killed my other grandfather and my uncle. Dany listen, why he did it, I know why he killed him."
He told them then everything he knew, saw both Jon and Richard look at each other and knew then the truth of it, they had known some of it at least. Dany however was still to be convinced, so he dared not tell her what his other plans for Jaime were just yet. He did however get her to agree to leave him make the decision, he allowed them to refresh themselves before heading to the meeting with Robb and his lords, they would make their further plans now and he would leave on the morrow.
Before he left though he walked back down to speak to Ser Jaime one more time, finding the man sitting silently on the bed, he almost smiled at him when he saw him before schooling his features.
"Ser Jaime."
"I..I don't know what to call you?" Jaime said.
"Well how about Jae for now." he said and Jaime nodded.
"What would you ask of me Jae?"
"Just that you listen."
"I will."
"Your family will lose this war Ser Jaime. I have the men and I have dragons, three of them and the last time a Lannister faced dragons you know what happened?"
"The field of fire." Jaime said shaking his head "Dragon's there's not been dragons in.."
"Over a century, listen Ser." Jae said and called for his sons and daughter, the roars were louder than thunder and he saw Jaime's face as he realized he was telling the truth.
"By the gods." Jaime said incredulously.
"By the gods indeed. As I said your family will lose, but I don't wish to wipe them out and I'll not ask you to go against them, you won't get a chance to I'm afraid."
"You mean to save some of them?"
"Your youngest son and daughter, your brother, even your sister, your oldest I can't see hope for and as for your father, well he needs to pay for Rhaenys, Aegon and Elia."
"You expect me to believe you'd let them live?"
"Believe it, don't believe it, it matters not, it is what it is Ser Jaime."
"Why would you?"
"Because I'm not your father Ser, I will not become him. I have no quarrel with any of your family other than he and the boy who sits my throne. I don't care about your sister, I know you love her still, even though you know the truth."
"The truth?"
"That she has never loved you, all your life you've loved one woman but she loved herself even more than you loved her and all you ever were was an extension of that love."
"How could you possibly know what's between me and her, how we love each other." Jaime said scornfully.
"The same way I know of Rossart and the wildfire, the same way I know you sat that throne out of shock and despair at what you'd been forced to do. The same way I know that you thought them safe, thought that your father would take them prisoner and use that to claim the throne."
"I...I...how could you know." Jaime said looking at him in shock.
"I've seen things Ser, been places you can only imagine. I've flown on a dragon, walked among the ashes of a fallen empire, seen Aegon and his wives. I've spoken to my father and wept over my mother, sister and brother." Jae said and looked as Jaime looked to him his eyes searching for a lie or madness.
"I don't know what it is you want of me, I don't know."
"When this war is over Ser there will be a trial, people will call for your head, you know this right?"
"Yes." Jaime said softly.
"I wish to make you a different offer, join me, not now, but then, join me in the fight that's coming, stand beside me Ser, stand beside me and fight for the dawn for I've dire need of your blade."
"You wish me to be…"
"I Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of my name, King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm do hereby ask you Ser Jaime Lannister to don a white cloak and join my Kingsguard and to guard my back in the war yet to come."
"My…My King." Jaime said as he tried to kneel while looking at him tears falling from his eyes.
"I shall see you soon Ser Jaime, take care for you and your brothers will have much to talk about." Jae said as he left.
He was walking from the cells when he felt it, so he turned and ran to the battlements, signalling to the archers not to fire as Syrax came flying in, she landed beside him and he was surprised to see Robb run towards him.
"Your grace what's wrong?"
"What? Oh it's nothing, I just didn't want to risk them shooting her." he said as he stroked her feathers.
"Her? The bird she's yours?"
"She is, Robb this is Syrax, Syrax, Robb." he said and laughed at the expression on his cousin's face.
He untied the scrolls and asked for meat and water to be brought and then he carried Syrax into the castle, smirking at the stares he got. He made it to his rooms to find Dany and Arya there along with the white wolf who looked at him annoyed. Placing Syrax on the table he reached over to the wolf and stroked it's fur, apologizing in his mind to it which it seemed to understand.
"Ghost is upset with me." he said softly and the wolf almost nodded.
"Why?" Arya asked as Dany just stared at the white wolf.
"I, I left him alone for too long, he says we're…we're pack." Jae said and smiled.
"Aye, just like me and Nymeria, tell him." Arya said looking at him.
"Tell him what?"
"Tell him you'll not leave him again." Arya said determinedly.
"I'll not leave you again Ghost I promise." Jae said and the wolf licked his face making the others laugh.
"So you get a wolf now too." Dany said trying to sound put out.
"He's a Stark." Arya said leaving no room for doubt.
Jae walked over to Syrax and introduced her to the wolf, it took a moment, but it seemed they came to an agreement between them. Looking to the scrolls he saw the three headed dragon on one and the golden rose of Highgarden on another. He opened the one he assumed from his mother first, leaving the other for now.
My son.
We've arrived without incident and all is well
Gerold has reached an agreement with the Tyrells
The reach is yours.
Be safe and come back soon
Your mother.
"The Reach is ours, my mother and your father and sister are at Highgarden and safe." he said looking first to Dany and then Arya.
"Who's the other from?" Arya asked.
"I don't know." he said opening it.
Your grace
Forgive me for writing to you this way
Your mother has told me much about you
And I find myself looking forward to meeting you in person
I hope this letter finds you safe and well
Please know my thoughts are with you
Until we meet,
Your betrothed
Margaery.
"It's from Lady Margaery." Jae said and he blushed as both girls giggled.
He spoke with them both for a few minutes before the guard came to ask him and Dany to head to the meeting.
"Syrax I'll be back in a moment." he said and he got up to leave Ghost walking alongside him.
He met with Jon and Richard on the way and Dany followed while Arya reluctantly went off on her own, arriving at the room he walked in and found Robb waiting with his lords and his mother, surprising him that she would be here. He said nothing and waved them to sit when they rose, before taking a seat and beginning.
"I've just received confirmation that my mother, uncle and cousin are safe and well in Highgarden." Jae said to smiles and relieved looks from Robb and his aunt "I'd like to introduce you all to Lord Jon Connington and Ser Richard Lonmouth who are in charge of our army and my aunt Princess Daenerys Targaryen." Jae said and once the introductions had been made Robb spoke
"Knowing my father and sister are safe is welcome news. But what is our next move your grace?" Robb said and Jae smiled.
"Eager for more war cousin?"
"Eager to go home your grace." Robb said.
"Aye that we all are your grace." The Greatjon said.
"Very well, With Tywin bedded in we could attack Harrenhal, but it'd be far easier to lure him out, Jon." Jae said.
"It would your grace, the best way to do so is to attack the West, but we also need to free up the Riverlands too." Jon said.
"My lords are most keen to return to their keeps." Edmure said and Jae saw Lord Mallister and Lady Whent agree.
"Our men will begin there." Jon said "While the northern army moves into the West here." he added pointing to the Golden Tooth.
"You wish the North to invade the Westerlands?" Robb asked before looking to Jae.
"We wish it to look as if the North is invading the Westerlands cousin, we don't need to take any of it, but look as if we're marching all the way to Casterly Rock." Jae said and Robb smiled.
"So Tywin would be forced to come out and move to stop us."
"So he would think of it, though it won't be you he'll try and stop." Jae said.
"I don't understand your grace?" Robb said.
"We're not the only army in this war cousin, while we're doing this I've no doubt Stannis will go for the capital."
"He doesn't have the men." Maege said.
"Stannis may not yet, but he'll take Renly's I've no doubt of it. He'll beat him and mop up the reminder of his army and then, he'll go for Kings Landing because he thinks it key."
"Is it not?" his aunt asked.
"Not to the war aunt, Tywin is key to that, once he's beaten it doesn't matter who has Kings Landing, be it Lannister or Stannis they'll fall, but I don't intend to let him get that far." Jae said and began to lay out his plan.
Once he was done he left Jon and Richard to speak to the Northmen and he and his cousin turned to walk from the room.
"Can it even be done Jae?" Robb said as he walked with him from the room.
"It needs to be timed right, everything is timing. I need the distraction and the Unsullied and the rest will fall into place."
"What of the Reach?"
"I told you I didn't need the North to win this war, what makes you think I need them?" Jae said and Robb looked at him confused.
"Then, I don't…. why make their daughter a queen?"
"I need to win the peace too Robb."
He slept well that night, dreamed of brown hair and eyes and whispers of a name, he woke while it was still dark and dressed quickly, calling Brankardix down he fixed the harness to his son, checking it to make sure it would work. He introduced Ghost to the dragon and watched as the two got to know each other before heading back in to break his fast and say his goodbyes. Dany had placed their men in charge of Ser Jaime and he thanked her for that before going to speak to Arya.
"Why can't I come with you?" she said angrily.
"Your mother has only just gotten you back Arya, she wishes you to stay and I can't go against her on this."
"Why not you're the king?" she said not looking at him.
"Arya, look at me." he said and she refused to look his way "Arya?" he said again and this time she did. "I promise when this is all done, I'll spend time with you, you could come stay with me in the Red Keep if you wish, my mother would love to have you with us and so would I." he said and she said nothing.
He turned to leave and she ran to him grabbing him in a hug.
"Promise." she said and he nodded before mussing her hair and getting slap from her in return.
After saying goodbye to everyone he helped Ghost climb up onto the dragon and tied him into the harness, the wolf not happy but preferring it to the alternative, he'd need to find a better solution for this soon he thought. It was but a moment later they were in the air and he laughed at both the look on Ghost's face and at Syrax who was flying ahead of him..
Highgarden 298 AC.
Jae.
He had been in the air for a few hours, Ghost had actually fallen asleep, the wolf so comfortable and bored by the idea of flying he had slept, Jae couldn't help but smile at that. He had been worried that Ghost would struggle against being tied to the dragon, that he be uncomfortable and become agitated only to find the complete opposite. He had flown over the Stoney Sept and Bitterbridge and followed the Gold Road and then he saw it in the distance Highgarden.
The castle and the grounds it sat in where perhaps the most beautiful he'd seen, the sheer lushness of flowers and plants surrounding it was incredible. Jae had been to the North where everything was dark and grey, he'd spent almost his entire life in Essos where the sun beamed down and made everything sparkle. But looking at Highgarden he could see a place that had he grown up in it his life would have felt more like a dream, than even Valyria would have been.
Flying over the castle itself he circled a few times before heading to the hill, he saw them there, Arthur, Gerold, Oswell and Barristan, and smiled as he brought Brankardix in for a landing. Once done he untied Ghost who woke up immediately the wolf instantly jumping from the dragon's back and landing on the ground. He shouted down to Arthur and his Kingsguard not to worry as he saw their hands reach for their swords.
He climbed off the dragon himself and looking at Brankardix he told his son to go feed and find somewhere to rest up before he walked down the hill to where his knights were waiting. Ghost walking alongside him to worried and questioning looks, he saw the horses become panicked so he reached out to them and calmed them down and then spoke to Arthur and Gerold.
"My king," Gerold said smiling.
"Gerold it's good to see you." he said smiling back.
"You too my king, all is well?"
"Better than that, thank you Gerold I hear your mission was a success."
"It was my king, yours?"
"It was, we have the North and the Riverlands Sers." he said turning to Arthur and the others.
"We do?" Arthur asked.
"We do." he said smiling.
"The wolf my king?" Oswell asked looking warily at Ghost.
"It seems you have a new brother Oz, Ghost here is my protector also." he said while rubbing the wolf's head the simple act relaxing Oswell and Barristan.
"Barristan, it's good to see you." Jae said looking to the Bold who nodded back.
"You too my king,"
He mounted and they rode and he began to tell them about Tywin and their plans while Gerold told him of the Tyrell's, he looked to his Lord Commander and once again thanked him gratefully while they rode. Riding through the town surrounding the castle was an experience in of itself, Jae dressed in his Valyrian Steel armor with Arthur in his, the rest of the Kingsguard's own armor polished, their white cloaks pristine, it was clear who he was and what this represented and he could see the people speak animatedly to each other as they passed.
Once they reached the Castle he found himself riding through a labyrinth of sorts, a maze and finally he was there, he looked to see his mother, his uncle, cousin and Jeyne. Before he saw the Tyrell's, the large man must be Lord Mace, the blonde woman beside him his wife and Gerold's grand niece Lady Alerie. Beside her stood a young man with a cane and another slightly younger man who wore a sword and then he saw her and his heart skipped for a moment.
She was incredibly beautiful and the smile she wore made him glad he'd not worn his helm, her brown eyes and long brown hair were straight from his dream and he almost couldn't stop staring at her. Before he had a chance to make her uncomfortable given how long he was looking at her he saw the woman beside her smirk, Lady Olenna seeming to enjoy his reaction to her granddaughter.
He dismounted and his Kingsguard took up position, he saw the Tyrells' take a knee, the women in mid curtsy and he bid them rise, he saw his uncle smile when he saw Ghost while the Tyrell's and their guards looked wary. But once again him reaching out and rubbing the wolf's head seemed to have the desired effect and they calmed as he moved towards them.
"Highgarden is yours your grace." Lord Mace said and he nodded.
"I thank you Lord Tyrell for your welcome of both me and my family."
"May I present my wife Lady Alerie your grace."
"My lady, surely a woman of your beauty cannot be kin to my Lord Commander." he said as he kissed her hand.
"My uncle is a handsome man your Grace." she said blushing.
"He is my lady." He said smiling at her and noticing Gerold smirk.
"My son and heir Willas." Lord Mace said turning to the man with the cane.
"Lord Willas, I have heard you breed horse, hound and hawk, I look forward to speaking to you of them, as you see I'm no stranger to fantastical animals." he said looking to Ghost.
"I can see that your grace, I have met your eagle too. I look forward to meeting a dragon also."
"I'm sure we can arrange that soon enough my lord." he said matching the man's smile.
"My son Ser Garlan." Mace said moving on to the other man.
"Your grace an honor." Garlan said.
"Ser, I've heard many a tale of your ability as a swordsman, would I be too forward asking for a spar?"
"You would not your grace, I would be honored to spar with you." Garlan said.
"My mother Lady Olenna," Mace said as he introduced him to the queen of thorns.
"My lady if things had turned out differently and my grand uncle a wiser man then we would already be kin, I thank you for the opportunity to right that wrong." he said and saw Olenna smile genuinely at him.
"It seems you're a far wiser man then he your grace." she said.
"I hope so my lady."
"And lastly my daughter and our golden rose, Margaery." Mace said almost beaming now.
"My lady, I apologize for my delay in meeting you, while the days I've spent elsewhere were important and not without their benefits, I feel them wasted next to those I could have spent getting to know my betrothed." he said and kissed her hand.
"Your grace honors me, perhaps we can spend some time together soon and make up for that we lost."
"It would be my honor and distinct pleasure my lady." he said and she smiled and he realized he was still holding her hand.
"Mother." he said kissing her cheek before moving on to speak to Sansa, Jeyne and his uncle.
As they walked inside he found he was walking with Lord Mace and Lady Margaery while behind him others walked in no particular order, once inside he turned to speak to them again.
"My lord, my ladies, I know this is most irregular, but I would beg your pardon and ask your forgiveness. I know we have much to discuss, but I was hoping I could change and wash first, could we meet in say two hours or so?"
"Of course your grace I'll ensure a bath is made ready for you." Lord Mace said and as they were leaving Jae turned to Lady Margaery.
"Perhaps my lady once our meeting is done, we could speak?"
"I'd like that very much your grace."
"Please call me Jae my lady." he said.
"Margaery."
"Margaery." he said softly while smiling at her.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed, up next Jae and the Tyrell's come to an agreement, while Margaery gets to know her future husband. Dany meets a flayed man and Stannis arrives in the Stormlands.
Guest: I figured Barristan may still refer to a girl as a Lady or others may simply rather than the informality of a first name, but i get the point.
Daryldixon: Thanks so much.
Biohazard: Glad you liked it.
Paulies: Thanks for saying that, in canon it's hard to like the Lannisters, but it can be fun when you're not doing canon to mess with things, here some will be ok but mainly we're dealing with Canon Tywin, Cersei,Joff and they're just not likeable.
Phsphorous: They've met now and the next chapter will have a lot of interacton between them as well as formality being dropped.
Lord VIllareal: Hope you enjoyed the Jaime pov, i always thought it would be best, we'll see more of him too. Lyanna was never gonna let Olenna get a run on her, in the end they really don't need anyone's help so she knows her position.
Clayvus: Glad you liked the battle, we'll see more soon, as for Dany killing Ramsay it was a spur of the moment thing for me writing that way, i looked at the map seen where i would have had Dany land and was like, hmm Ramsay could pop up here, once he did Dany was not letting him off no way.
Foxy: I do love that vow, so trying to play with the words to get clsoe to it was fun, Ramsay/Hoat i just dislike them both, they serve no purpose other than to mutilate people, war is bad enough without them and neither are even good villains in the classic sense.
Wsbenge: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
Dunk: Hope you liked the talk between Jae/Jaime, glad you liked the battle scenes, it was my first real attempt and I was a bit worried. I get the feeling Ramsay was alwasy going around calling himself that, at least when in situation he was or thought he was in control. I think with Roose, his deal with Tywin was later than this and here he's in a much worse position. As for dany well she and Roose will cross paths next chapter.
Just a Zombie: Thanks for the advice, i will try and incorporate that as we go on. I hadn't thought of it that way but it's an interesting point. Glad you like the work.
Victoria: Thank you my friend. The North i think would be stubborn and testy true, but in the end he's a stark and also has dragons, they would i think come around, i also think having northern blood on the Iron Throne is huge for them. They may moan a bit, but the alternatives are so much worse. We'll see more of Jaime as we go on and LF is on his way to Highgarden too so we may learn some more about the rebellion.
MSLady: I know, they got pissed on by Tywin, like badly, in the end basically all knelt to him and yet they still have this over inflated sense of themselves.
VWchick: Thanks. If you mean Olyvar and Roslin and Perwyn, they're almost the only ones who are likeable. I just can't stand Ramsay, he serves no real purpose other than to gross us out. With Bran one of the things Jaime has in his favor and even though Jae doesn't know he did it here, is that Jae can actually fix it, so it becomes less of a thing too. Anyway i hope you like my plans for Jaime.
Xand007: Thank you my friend, I wouldn't dream of doing that, i can live with a bittersweet ending if it's done well, or a happy one. In fact had they given us a happy all is well here's roses and chocolate ending in Season 8 it would have been a million times better than what we got. We could have moaned that they did so, but it still would have been better as it would have at least pleased some of the fan base to see Dany and Jon as king and queen. Instead they crapped on us all, here i won't ever do that.
Aussie: Thanks so very much so glad you liked it.
Aferbliss: really glad you enjoyed it.
Princess: So happy you liked this.
Infininty Mask: Hoster is basically dying, they basically dragged him out so he could say that, it's almost his last act, he knows should he die and not have pledged his house then his legacy is basically over with, Jae could strip them of the LP, cast them down. So it's almost like a final act from him.
Ice is still in Kings landing, in canon Tywin melted it down before Joff married, so it's still there, Varys is elsewhere.
He may have, he has basically the most important books in the library from Valyria, but if he has the secret he hasn't found it yet. He instead gathered a multitude of swords, daggers, spear heads and ingots so he's been handing them out because of that.
Xan Merrick: thank you my friend glad you like it.