Highgarden 298 AC.
Lyanna.
Jae was taken to a room to wash and while he did that she waited for him to come speak to her, Arthur and Gerold were guarding Jae while Barristan and Kalors waited with her, Oswell off seeing to other matters. She sat in the room alone with Ned, Sansa having gone off to take part in some lesson or other, both of them eager to find out what happened. All she knew was that the North and Riverlands had declared for Jae and all was well, though to both her and Ned it wasn't enough information.
"You never could sit still for long." Ned said as he looked at her foot tapping on the floor.
"That's probably why I could never be a proper lady." she said laughing.
"You were always a proper lady Lya." he replied with a smile.
"Even when me and Benjen put the sheep dung in Brandon's mattress?" she asked and Ned looked at her and burst out laughing.
"I knew that was you, you realize I got a tanned arse for that." he said and she smirked.
"Well then you should have joined us shouldn't you." she said sticking out her tongue at him before they both laughed loudly.
"He looks well Lya, whatever happened he doesn't look hurt or upset by it."
"No he doesn't." she said nodding.
It wasn't as long as she thought it would be before Jae came into the room with Arthur and Gerold, his hair still wet, he carried both a sheathed sword and a glass jar of something in his hand and placed them both down on the table. She looked at the white wolf walking beside him, it's sheer size proving him not to be a normal wolf.
"Mother." he said then walking over to kiss her cheek.
"All is well son?"
"It is, uncle I have a letter for you from your wife and son and one for Sansa also." he said handing Ned three letters.
"Thank you your grace."
"Please uncle, at least in private call me Jae."
"If you insist your grace." Ned said and she chuckled as Oswell, Barristan and Kalors walked into the room.
"Jae the wolf?" she asked looking at it's red eyes.
"His name is Ghost, he and Arya's wolf Nymeria met up with us in Riverrun." Jae said "He's friendly mother, just like Syrax and Brankardix." she reached out to stroke the wolf's fur feeling it lean into her touch.
"Arya's wolf is well?" Ned asked.
"She is uncle, Arya told me what happened, it seems Ghost here was part of the same litter?"
"Aye he was, he ran off just before Robert came North, I sent men to find him but there was no sign, it seems he was looking for his own Stark." his uncle said and Jae nodded.
"Your wife and son are well and Riverrun is once again back in the hands of the Tullys, the Northern lords and the Riverlords have declared for me." he said and Ned nodded.
He then told them of meeting with Robb and Catelyn and the northern lords, of telling them of Ned's rescue and of the Iron Born threat, how he told them of his army and then how Robb made the plans for the Whispering Woods. While Ned looked on proudly, she and the Kingsguard glared at Jae when he told them he had rode into battle beside his cousin.
"Jae, you were supposed to stay away from battles, or if need to take part then to be on Brankardix." she said and Arthur nodded.
"Your grace how are we to protect you when you do such rash and reckless actions." Gerold added.
"I know Gerold, I know, but it had to be me, none of the others could do it, none of them could have captured him and the Northern Lords needed to see me fight, not you, me." Jae said.
"Captured?" she asked.
"Ser Jaime was leading the Lannister forces, I wished him caught alive, none of the others could do that it had to be me."
"You captured the Kingslayer?" Ned said.
"I captured Ser Jaime, yes." Jae said back an odd look on his face.
"Where is he?" Arthur asked.
"He's in the dungeons in Riverrun, Dany, Jon, Richard and the men arrived and she has our own men watching over him."
"What happened at Riverrun?" Ned asked.
"With Ser Jaime and some of the more senior commanders taken prisoner, we had the advantage so we took it and broke the siege."
"You fought again?" Arthur asked.
"I did, I told you the north needed to see me fight, if we were to win them to our side that's how it had to be."
"Why, your uncle already declared for you?" Ser Barristan asked.
"Mother?" Jae said as he looked to her for an explanation.
"He's right Ser's the North values and respects strength, Ned's word carries so far, but for them to follow Jae he needs to show them he's worth following."
"We only find our true friends on the battlefield." Ned said and Arthur nodded.
"With Riverrun's siege broken, we began to make plans when a rider came telling us of a castle being besieged by the Brave Companion's, the castle was close to falling and I knew we'd not get there quick enough so I took Brankardix and broke the siege" Jae said softly.
"You used the dragon?" Kalors asked.
"It was the only way, I couldn't let it fall not to them. I couldn't let him get his hands on their family." Jae said shaking his head.
"My king, which castle?" Oswell asked a note of worry in his voice.
"Darry." Jae said and she saw each of the knights bow their heads before looking back at him and nodding.
Once he was done with that he told them about Tywin's retreat to Harrenhal, seeing Oswell's worried look she watched as Jae walked over to tell him that Lady Shella was safe and well at Riverrun, he laid out his plans and she watched as Gerold grimaced.
"Can it be done in time my king?" Gerold asked.
"It can but it mean's I'll need to fly on Brankardix to make it there."
"Alone?" she asked.
"Unless one or more of these fine men decide they won't allow me to go alone." he said with a chuckle.
"I'll go with you." Arthur said, as did Oswell, Barristan, Kalors and Gerold.
"I can't take you all, Gerold you're Lord Commander I'll leave it to you."
"Take Arthur and Barristan, they're the best swords my king."
"As you suggest Gerold." Jae said and looked at the wolf "Yes you can come too." he said and she laughed when it wagged it's tail happily.
She told him then of the Tyrell's and of their price and how they'd almost agreed straight away, when it came to speak about Margaery she was happy to see him perk up some, almost seeming eager, which was a good sign.
"I think we shouldn't keep them waiting any longer, Mother it's best if I do this on my own, well with Arthur and Gerold I mean." he said and she couldn't help but smile at how he almost seemed afraid to tell her to stay away.
"It is, you're a king Jae, go shown them a king my son." she said and he leaned forward to hug her before they turned to leave.
The Stormlands 298 AC.
Stannis.
She had looked into the fires and they had needed to leave for Storm's End, Davos had told him as had Ser Axell that he had not the men to trouble his brothers forces, but she had promised him a victory. So they had set off and now he rode to the parlay with Renly his poor weak green brother who should be by his side, who should be supporting the true king. He took comfort in the fact that the roses he knew his brother had courted had abandoned him, leaving his brother lost for direction.
Stannis though was anything but lost, he'd seen it in the flames, the white dragon flying high over the battlefield, seen the blue and black follow in it's wake. She had told him he was the prince that was promised and he would wake dragons from stone and he had seen them and they were magnificent. Only the chosen could command such beasts and he was chosen by a god to save the realm, nothing would get in his way, nothing left to chance, for if he fell then humanity itself would fall with him.
"My king we do not have the men to take the castle." Axell said as Storm's End came into view.
"The castle will fall Ser Axell have no fear, my lord shall light the way." Melisandre said riding beside him.
"As you say my lady." Axell said his doubt clear on his face.
Stannis rode in stoic silence, he was a king and would soon have his kingdom, the great war was coming and he would be ready. He saw him then his traitorous brother, surrounded by men, loyal men who should be his by right. Lord Estermont's and Errol, Lord Varner and Tarth, he looked at them all with disdain. Beside Renly rode a Tyrell and he shook his head at the sight, this was the family who besieged their home, who feasted while they starved and Renly openly welcomed one of them into his company, his bed too if Melisandre was speaking true.
"Brother have you come to pledge fealty?" Renly japed and Stannis ground his teeth.
"I've come for what is mine by right, it's time to stop playing at war boy and join your banner to mine own."
"Why would I do that brother, I've seen your army, if that's what you call it. Where are your bannermen? If they don't respect you enough to follow you then why would I?"
"I am the rightful king?" he said his voice rising.
"Yet it would seem you're the king no one wants, join me and I'll name you my Hand, together we can take the Lannisters down." Renly said smiling.
"You would usurp you brother's crown?" Axell said annoyed.
"My brother has no crown, just like he has no army." Renly said causing those with him to laugh.
"You have until the morrow." Stannis said.
Renly reached into his cloak and Stannis's hand automatically went to his sword's hilt only to see his brother smile as he took out a peach and offered it to him.
"You should try this brother I swear you've not tasted anything so fine as a peach like this." Renly said and Stannis grimaced looking at him.
"You dare mock me boy? Keep your damn peach."
"A man should never refuse to taste a peach. He may never get the chance again. Life is short, Stannis. Remember what the Starks say. Winter is coming." Renly said as he turned to ride off.
"You should be careful my lord, look to the shadows for the night is dark and full of terrors." Melisandre said and Renly burst out laughing.
"So it's true, I'd not have believed it had I not seen it with mine own eyes. I never thought you had it in you brother, it seems a little bit of Robert is in you yet." Renly said and rode away.
"The damn insolence of the boy, who does he think he is." Axell said angrily.
Stannis didn't reply, just rode back to his camp with Melisandre and Axell and his guards, arriving back he headed straight for his tent. His fury was plain for all to see, he had forgone food so Renly could eat all those years ago, he had starved so his brother would not. Yet it had never brought him respect from the man, never brought him love and now brought him nothing but mockery. He paced up and down and looked down at the map below him, he had not the men, they were right all of them.
He was still pacing when she walked in, the wind outside was howling and yet she wore the same red dress and nothing else. She looked at him and walked over to the brazier beckoning him to join her, once he did she told him to look into the flames. He saw Tywin Lannister behind the blackened walls of Harrenhal, saw himself leading an army at the gates of Kings Landing, the flaming stag banner waving high, he could almost taste it just how real it was, how close it was. He saw them again the dragons flying high, fire raining down and it was glorious, he was the prince that was promised, he would be the king the realm needed.
"You know what we must do my king" she said when the flames died down.
"There is no other way?" he said softly, reluctantly.
"There is no other way." she said and he nodded.
Their coupling was hard and animistic, he had never dared take his wife this way, never felt the pleasure he felt now as he did so. She lay face down over the table and behind her he thrust with all his might, felt her squeeze down on him, felt his blood begin to boil. It was over too soon, far too soon. He felt more tired than he ever had as he drank the cool water and fixed his breeches, when she stood back up he was amazed to see her unmarked, her hair perfectly combed where but a moment ago it was disheveled.
As he sent for Davos he saw it and for the first time he questioned what he was doing, where once there was a smooth flat stomach, now it was as if she was with child, a small part of him rejoiced. But the larger part knew this was no son of his being brought into the world, this was the price he would pay for his throne.
"Your grace you asked for me?" Davos said as he walked into the tent.
"I did, I have a job for you Ser Davos, a smuggling job."
After explaining things he watched as they both left the tent, he lay down and closed his eyes and tried not to look as the small boy grabbed his hand, tried not to look as the boy cried out in hunger and pain. He tried not to look as the hand held a peach and as blue eyes smiled back at him as he took it, instead he opened his eyes and walked back to the brazier to look at the flames, a dragon was what he sought.
Storm's End 298 AC.
Loras.
The parlay was a waste of time just as he knew it would be, Stannis to stubborn a man to stand down, as they rode back though they were in high spirits, he, Ser Robar and Lady Brienne making up Renly's guards. Once back at Storm's End he wished for nothing more than to take the worried frown off Renly's face, but he knew they had plans to make and so he waited for now. Ser Cortnay walked in with the raven scrolls which he watched Renly read.
Around the room the Lord's of the Stormland's looked on eagerly, it was an impressive army his love had under his command, though Loras felt shamed that it was not greater. His father had sworn they would support Renly's claim and even the thoughts of Margaery as queen filled his heart with joy. Yet for some unknown reason their ravens went unanswered but for a demand for him to return home. His family may have abandoned Renly but Loras never would and he smiled when he saw Renly's own light up his face.
"It seems the old lion's paws have been stepped on by a wolf my friends, the siege of Riverun has been broken and Tywin has retreated back to Harrenhal." Renly said to cheers.
"We should offer terms to the young wolf your grace, should he join with us we'd outmatch the Lannisters and others would be sure to follow." Lord Estermont said looking at Loras with spite.
"Indeed my lord, send a message to Lord Stark seeking a parlay, tell him we march together to Kings Landing and I offer him justice for his father in return for his fealty." Renly said.
He has never looked so kingly as he does right now Loras thought, looking on as Renly gave orders to those around him, there was no man better than his love to wear the crown and he would see it through. Renly set things up for the morning as they would ride out before dawn, but for now they ate and drank, though sparingly of the latter. Once done he hoped to spend some time alone, but Renly seemed too worried for bed it seemed.
"My love what ails you so?" he said walking over to him as he looked out the window of the hall.
"I fight my brother on the morrow and while I hold no great love for him, he is my brother still."
"He refuses to support the true king, that is treason Renly."
"I know Loras, but am I a kinslayer if it's not my hand?"
"No and it shall not be your hand which does the deed, I shall do it as is my duty as your Lord Commander." He said kissing him softly on the lips.
"As you say, who's on duty?" Renly asked mischievously.
"Robar and Brienne." he replied.
"Brienne the beauty, I don't think she's guarded my door yet, not when we're alone."
"No, should I send her away?"
"It may be for the best my love."
He walked to the door and as he opened it he looked, back seeing him reflected in the moonlight, turning then to speak to Robar and Brienne he heard a scream and all three ran back in swords drawn. The shadow moved faster than they and before they'd crossed the room, Renly had fallen, Loras's screams louder than any sound any of them had ever heard. He reached him as he was taking his last breath, looking as the shadow smiled and moved to the window.
Loras didn't see Brienne and Robar chase after it, nor hear the screams of the others as they arrived to the room, for him sound was a distant fleeting thing. What words Renly said to him were lost in silence and he looked on through tear filled eyes as his love breathed his last. He didn't hear Brienne or Robar explain about the shadow assassin, nor the Lords speak not of sorrow of Renly's death, but of what they should do next.
Looking around the room he saw that apart from himself the only one who shed tears for their fallen king was Lady Brienne, Robar was shocked and stunned and the others quickly began to drift away. How long he held him in his arms he didn't know, nor how Brienne and Robar managed to drag him away. His sense of loss was absolute, his heart torn in two and how he moved he couldn't tell, only it was light out and he was riding hard, for where he knew not. But he knew what it was he sought, what it was his soul needed, vengeance.
Highgarden 298 AC.
Jae.
He walked through the halls of Highgarden looking at the tapestries and gold leaf all around him, Arthur and Gerold led the way with Oswell and Barristan behind him. In his hand he carried the sword and the jar and he had changed from his armor. The clothes he wore were newly made, black leather breeches, a red silken shirt, a black overcoat buttoned almost to the top. On his side his sword rested while on the other his dagger, he wore a chain with a wolf and a dragon around his neck and a pin of the three headed dragon over his heart.
But it was the crown he wore he knew would attract attention, the Valyrian steel glistening, the rubies shining brightly. It was the first time he had worn it and now it was on his head it would rarely be removed and though the crown was light, he felt the weight of it still. This was what he was meant to be, what he was born to be, a dragon king returning to take back his families throne. Everything they had done had lead them to here and they had miles to go still, but he felt it, for the first time he felt truly a king.
Reaching the door a servant bowed before opening it and Arthur and Gerold led the way, Barristan and Oswell turning to close the door behind him and guard it from the outside. They walked into a room where the Tyrell's immediately stood up, Lady Olenna looking him up and down while her grandsons did likewise. Lord Mace and Lady Alerie stood smiling while his eyes were drawn to Lady Margaery, the small lopsided smile on her face for some reason making her look even more beautiful.
"Please my lord, my ladies, sit." he said as they did so.
"Your grace I hope you found your accommodations to your liking." Mace said almost worriedly as he and took his seat, Arthur and Gerold standing behind him at either shoulder.
"They were my lord and I think you for them, it was most refreshing after my journey." he said with a smile.
"Yes your journey your grace, would you care to tell us what it was that was you deemed more important than meeting your betrothed?" Lady Olenna said to gasps though he chuckled surprising them all.
"I needed to put a lion in it's cage my lady, now would you care to discuss that or would you prefer we get down to business." he said and saw the smirk that appeared briefly on her face.
"I think business first your grace." she said with a nod.
"Very well. Lord Willas, I believe Ser Gerold offered you a seat on the small council?" Jae said and saw Mace look a little confused before Willas answered.
"He did your grace." Willas said looking to him.
"I would name you my Master of Winter my lord." Jae said to stunned silence.
"Your grace?" Willas asked.
"It is a new role my lord, but one who's import is second only to the Hand himself and in times of winter it could be argued more important. The role requires you to co-ordinate with all of seven kingdoms, to ensure preparations are made for the upcoming winter and food stocks and other things, such as firewood, blankets and a warm place to stay are provided for those that need them."
"I thank you your grace." Willas said a little doubtfully.
"I can see my lord you doubt my truthfulness here?" he said with a small smirk.
"No your grace, I..its just we'd not heard of such a thing."
"Indeed not, it seems my forebearers were most lax my lord. To show you how important this role is to me I shall explain it in more detail.
Each kingdom will be required to place aside one tenth of their income every non winter year to be held in a winter fund, the crown will ensure this is done. The Master of Winter will appoint overseers to each kingdom to collect and manage these funds, he will appoint men underneath these overseers to handle various different tasks." Jae said and saw the excitement on Willas's face.
"Your grace that seems like a large undertaking it will take time to get the kingdoms approval." Willas said.
"It will and as my mother and uncle are so fond of reminding me Winter is Coming." Jae said to a laugh from Margaery which made him smile at her "Which is why we'll establish a large fund to get things started. Three million gold dragons should suffice I believe for the upcoming winter." Jae said and this time Olenna almost choked.
"Where do you intend that coin to come from your grace?" she said pointedly looking at him.
"From my own personal account my lady." he said and they all looked at him incredulously.
"You have three million gold dragons?" Olenna asked and Jae couldn't help but smirk at how shocked she had to be to drop his title.
"No my lady, I have far more than that. " he said and Gerold chuckled behind him "So my lord, are you willing to be my Master of Winter?" he said to Willas who was smiling now.
"It would be my honor your grace." Willas said and he nodded before turning to Lord Mace.
"Lord Mace, as Lord Paramount of the Reach you are I'm afraid far too important to the realm to be stuck doing meaningless tasks in a small council role." Jae said and watched as Olenna smirked and Mace's chest puffed out "But however much I'd like to leave you to your duties, I find I would be wasting a man of your talents should I not find a role for you in my administration, one which I feel you are uniquely qualified for my lord."
"I am yours to command your grace." Mace said and Jae thought he was about to explode given the sheer look of pride on his face.
"Which is why I'm naming you my Chief Foreign Liaison."
"I am honored your grace." Mace said and Jae could tell he truly was even though he had no idea what he was just asked to do.
"From time to time my lord, your own duties permitting of course." he said and Mace smiled and nodded "I shall need you to meet with foreign dignitaries and represent the crown, show them what we here in Westeros are all about my lord. Can I count on you?"
"You can of course your grace, I am grateful for the honor and won't let you down."
Jae looked to see the small nod both Margaery and her grandmother gave him. Both of them realizing he'd basically just asked Mace to occasionally feast someone he'd send his way, a position of no importance, though one that looked very much so.
"Now I'm sure you have some men and women from the Reach you'd like to see appointed to roles my lady, as have I. Between us both I have no doubt we can decide who is best to think their patronage came from House Tyrell and whose from the crown."
"I'm sure we can your grace." Olenna said.
"Before we move onto the more personal." he said sharing a glance with Margaery "There is the question of Loras?"
"I would like to see my grandson offered a position in the Kingsguard." Olenna said.
"That my lady is the one request I must deny for now at least." Jae said and noticed Margaery's face drop a little.
"May I ask why your grace?" Olenna asked.
"My lady, your grandson is at present standing by Lord Renly's side, should he take up arms against me I cannot have him in my Kingsguard, surely you understand?"
"I do, but my grandson shall return well before then your grace."
"Then we can revisit this then, if that's is acceptable?"
"It is your grace."
"Good, Ser Garlan may I see your sword?" Jae asked and Garlan looked at his grandmother before nodding and handing him his sword.
"A fine blade Ser, but not worthy of a great house such as yours, perhaps this may serve you better." he said and handed him the sheathed blade.
He watched as Garlan looked at the golden roses on the hilt, the ruby which served as the pommel and the curved guard which resembled thorns before he drew the blade.
"This is Valyrian steel your grace." Garlan said in amazement looking at the blade.
"It is, in honor of House Tyrell's continued loyalty to House Targaryen I present you with this sword Ser, may it serve as the ancestral blade for House Tyrell for years to come."
Jae looked around to see the proud smile on both Mace and Olenna's face, but Garlan was the one who seemed the proudest, the swordsman in him overjoyed at the idea of wielding Valyrian steel.
"You honor us your grace." Mace said.
"It is only what you deserve my lord."
He reached down and grabbed the jar bringing it up to the table, looking on as they turned to watch him.
"Lord Willas I heard about your accident, I would like to offer you this my lord." he said moving the jar towards him.
"Your grace?" he asked confused.
"Tonight my lord before you sleep, drink the contents of that jar, you'll feel even more tired once you do. So I suggest you do so when you're abed. When you wake in the morn your injuries should trouble you no more." he said and Margaery looked at him and then the jar eagerly.
"Your grace, for true this would help my brother?" she asked and he nodded.
"It would my lady, I'd not lie about such a thing. The contents of that jar will heal your brother's injuries you have my word on it." he said and she almost began to cry making him wish to lean over to comfort her.
"I can't, how, this is impossible your grace, we've had many Maesters try and none could help." Willas said while his mother and grandmother looked at them both.
"When I was in Valyria my lord among the many things I found there was the great library. I took as many of the books as I could and they cover a variety of subjects including medicine. The Valyrian's were far more advanced than ourselves and some of that knowledge it seems has been forgotten even by my own family."
"This is, it's magical?" Willas asked.
"It is my lord, but it works, my uncle's leg was broken in Kings Landing. When we found him he could barely use it, as you may have seen he has no such problem now."
"I don't know what to say your grace." Willas said.
"There is no need to say anything my lord, we are to be family soon." Jae said and glanced once again at Margaery.
"Speaking of which." Olenna said and Jae couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course my lady, I have but one request to be made in relation to the wedding." Jae said and Olenna nodded.
"Which is?"
"I am quite willing to leave the details of the ceremony itself to my mother, yourself, Lady Alerie, and Lady Margaery of course." Jae said looking to both his future goodmother and his betrothed "My one request is this, should for whatever reason Lady Margaery wish to call off the wedding, then we all respect her decision." Jae said looking to Margaery.
"I don't understand." Lady Alerie said looking from him to her daughter.
"I do and we accept your request your grace." Margaery said a large smile on her face.
"Then my lady, I look forward to spending time together so we can get to know each other better before then."
"As do I your grace perhaps you would join my grandmother and I for lunch?."
"It would be my pleasure to do so my lady." Jae said a genuine full smile on his face.
Riverrun 298 AC.
Dany.
Grey Worm and the unsullied had set off early that morning, their destination the Crownlands to await further instructions. Jon and Ser Richard had taken most of the Company to begin the retaking of the Riverlands with most of the Riverlords eager to join them. But they and Lord Robb and the bulk of the northern forces had begun to get ready for their own march into the west and as she walked to see them off, she found herself in the company of Arya Stark.
The young girl had almost been her shadow over the last few days, ever since Jae left she had followed her. At first in the shadows, but once Dany had sent Missandei to bring her to her, now she walked beside her mostly, her wolf walking alongside her. As they turned a corner they were approached by a man wearing a flayed man on his chest, two guards with him. Arya's wolf growled and Arya herself stiffened as the man walked towards them.
"Princess, Lady Arya." the man said his voice almost a whisper.
"My lord?"
"Roose Bolton your grace, Lord of the Dreadfort." he said a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes.
"My lord, it's an honor to meet you." Dany said her voice steady though she knew now who the man was.
"Your grace." he said with a small bow as he walked past her.
He had just gone out of sight when Arya turned to her.
"He makes my skin crawl" she said and Dany laughed.
"Mine too, he is one of your family's bannermen?"
"He is, there are terrible stories about them, about what they do or did to people".
"I can well believe it." Dany said turning to Missandei "Make sure Ella is well guarded." she said and Missandei and two of her guards went off to make sure the girl was safe.
"I was going to go speak to the dragons Arya, you wish to join me?" Dany asked.
"Can I?" the girl asked excitedly.
"Of course, but you need to be careful."
"I can be careful, I was with Jae's dragon." Arya said smiling.
"Brankardix is a softie, just like Ellanys, it's Rhaegon you need to be wary of." she said and the girl nodded.
They walked out to the courtyard and then out of the castle itself, passing by men and some women who were packing up and getting ready to set out, along the way soldiers turned to look at her and Arya. Both of them made quite the sight, Dany in her Valyrian steel armor, she'd learned that lesson well, her sword hanging on her waist, while beside her Arya strolled with Nymeria.
When they reached the hill she waited and Ellanys and Rhaegon came not too long afterward, both playing in the air before they landed. She brought Arya over to Ellanys and the dragon purred at her touch, Arya stroking her neck too. As they were doing this though Rhaegon's head suddenly appeared and caught her by surprise, his eyes looking at them both, she stepped in front of Arya but the black dragon pushed her aside.
"Arya be careful." she shouted.
She looked on in amazement as the black dragon allowed Arya to stroke his head, as he purred when she touched him, before moving back once again. Arya was standing there just staring at the black dragon as he stared back at her, before he turned and took to the sky. Once he did Dany ran to the girl's side to make sure she was unharmed.
"You are well?"
"I am, that was amazing, can I do it again, can you call him back, It felt different than Ellanys why was that?"
"I don't know, Rhaegon is the wildest of all three, he can be a law onto himself some times." she said looking to the black dragon as he flew.
She really didn't know what had gotten into the black dragon, she'd need to speak with Jae, this was not something she understood. Arya had no Targaryen or Valyrian blood that she knew of, so why would Rhaegon be interested in her, was it just knowing she was Jae's kin? Would that be enough to interest the dragon?.
They met Missandei when they walked back down to the castle, the girl nodding to tell her Ella was safe, Dany smiled to see Lakoes with her. Their relationship it seemed having become known to some of those around them and to have scandalized some of the more devout of them. Arya had just said if it meant she didn't need to marry then perhaps she should find a girl too, which had made them laugh.
"Lord Robb's looking for you Dany, they're ready to set off." Lakoes said and she smiled at her as they headed back down the hill.
Once they got there, Arya ran over to where her brother was speaking to her mother, Dany gave them time to say their goodbyes before heading over herself.
"Lord Robb it seems you are set." she said as he turned to her.
"I am your grace, though hopefully the feint works."
"I'm sure it will my lord, Jae has spent a lot of time working on these plans."
"I look forward to seeing my cousin again soon." he said a large smile on his face.
"I'm sure he feels the same, if you see Syrax my lord then you'll know my nephew seeks your return."
"I leave my family in your care your grace." he said and turned to walk away, as he did so she saw Lord Bolton mount up.
"Lord Robb a note of caution, be wary of that man." she said motioning to the flayed man banner.
"We always are your grace." he said as he mounted his horse, Grey Wind walking beside them as they set off.
They had eaten well that night but a little less boisterously without the large northmen around, she had almost two thousand of their men staying at Riverun with her, half of them cavalry. With another one thousand or so Rivermen to back them up, but she also had two dragons and that would negate any numbers that could come against them. They were sitting there when the Maester walked in and handed Lady Catelyn a sealed scroll, she watched as the woman read it before she handed it to her.
His grace Stannis Baratheon, the first of his name, king of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm does hereby demand Lord Robb Stark and Lord Hoster Tully to come bend the knee to the one true king. Failure to do so will be considered treason and is punishable by death.
Ser Davos Seaworth
Hand of the one true king.
"This man is a fool." Dany says throwing the scroll on the table.
"Lord Stannis is a capable military commander your grace." Catelyn said looking at her.
"But not a politician my lady, you don't get people to your side by threats, not unless you have overwhelming force, Lord Stannis doesn't even have Dragonstone's bannermen."
"No but he has the Stormlands now." Catelyn said pointing out the seal on the scroll.
"I thought Lord Renly had the Stormlands?"
"He did but somehow they're for Stannis now."
"Jae was right then," she said smiling.
"Your grace?"
"My nephew said Stannis would take Renly's men, that he was a warrior unlike his brother."
"His grace knew this would happen?" Catelyn said surprised.
"My nephew's been planning this war a long time my lady, there's not a lot he's not planned for should it happen."
Highgarden 298 AC.
Margaery.
They arranged to have lunch together, she, her grandmother and Jae, once they'd left the room and he kissed her hand once again, she turned to see Garlan still staring at the sword, while Willas held the jar in his hands.
"Do you think this will really work?" Willas asked no one in particular.
"It will." she said determinedly.
"How can you be so certain?" her grandmother asked.
"Why would the king have brought it up if it was false? we didn't know of it, no one asked for it. For him to bring it up and it not to work would show them in a bad light." Margaery said and her grandmother nodded.
"We should ready ourselves for lunch, come with me my dear." her grandmother said as they left the room.
They walked down the hall and to her grandmother's room's, stepping inside the room her grandmother called to the servant and asked for the cook to make preparations for lunch. She took a seat and when her grandmother dismissed her guards she waited for her to speak.
"What did you think of him sweetling?"
"He's not what I expected, he seems far more assured than I'd imagined."
"He is that for sure, his offers, the thoughts behind them, they surprised even me."
"Why grandmother?"
"His thinking, it's far more long term than I'd expected, I had thought he'd speak more on the war, on what's to come directly but it's almost as if.."
"The war's a forgone conclusion." she said with a smile while her grandmother nodded.
"I don't know whether that's overconfidence or is it just simply the facts on the ground and that concerns me some."
"Perhaps we can ask him more on the war over lunch?" she said and her grandmother smiled at her.
"I would have thought you'd wish to get to know your betrothed better over lunch my dear?"
"We can do both surely." she said laughing.
They spoke a little more and once the servant came back they walked to the small private garden they'd be having lunch in, she took her seat and awaited the king eagerly. She didn't have long to wait and he arrived a little early which made her happy, as she moved to stand up he shook his head and bid them keep their seats.
"I know we have to go through all the formalities in public, but I think we can dispense of them here between us." he said with a smile which she found made his whole face light up.
"As you say your grace." her grandmother said.
"Please call me Jae my lady, we're to be family soon."
"Then you can call me Olenna."
She looked to see Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur standing watching making sure they were both protected and undisturbed. Her grandmother had the twins standing even further back, both because of protocol and she wished this to be far more private.
"That request you made about my granddaughter and the wedding, what makes you think we'd force her into a marriage against her will?" Olenna said and Margaery looked in shock at her grandmother who winked at her.
"No reason at all Olenna. It's for my own piece of mind and for Margaery's that is all. My mother was betrothed against her will, had things turned out differently she'd have been married against it also. I'll not force anyone to do the same." he said and smiled at her.
"How honorable of you." her grandmother snarked and Jae began laughing.
"I had thought Ser Gerold was japing when he mentioned your barbs, it seems you live up to your moniker." he said and her grandmother laughed loudly.
"As for the wedding itself, we'd prefer it sooner than later." her grandmother said.
"As I said, if Margaery is happy with the arrangement and you can arrange it then I'm happy to marry whenever you deem it so." he said before turning to her.
"In another life I'd have liked spend time with you Margaery, to get to know you far better, we could have attended balls and tourneys together before we were wed. While I'm sorry we've missed out on that, I hope we can make up for it in the future." he reached over and took her hand in his.
"I'd like that very much Jae." she said smiling back at him.
They ate some more before her grandmother brought up his reasoning for arriving late.
"So this important thing you had to do before you came here, care to enlighten us?"
"I needed to meet with my cousin, to bring the North to my side."
"Was not your uncle able to do so?" she asked turning to him.
"The North is different, they'll follow my uncle's commands but also him because they know him, they believe in him and trust him as they've fought with him. They hadn't fought with me." he said.
"Hadn't?" her grandmother asked.
"Until now, we fought against the Lannister cavalry in the Riverlands, I rode with my cousin. We then broke the siege at Riverrun where I fought alongside my uncle's bannermen."
"You took part in the battle?" she asked a worried tone in her voice.
"I had to, I needed to earn their respect and I had another reason."
"Which was?" her grandmother asked.
"I needed to capture Ser Jaime." he said and both of them looked at him in shock.
"Did you?" her grandmother asked eagerly.
"I did." he said softly.
He told them then that the Kingslayer was in Riverrun's dungeons that the Northern Lords and the Riverlords and both their lieges had declared for him. That his army had arrived and were freeing the Riverlands as they spoke and that Tywin had retreated to Harrenhal.
"It seems your delay was most advantageous Jae." her grandmother said a large smile on her face.
"It was. I actually have one more request to make of you Olenna, though this is of a more personal nature."
"Really I'm old enough to be your grandmother." her grandmother japed forcing her to blush and Jae to smirk.
"There's a man on his way here, I'd like him apprehended when he arrives."
"What man?"
"Petyr Baelish." Jae said.
"Littlefinger is coming here?" her grandmother said surprised.
"He brings a proposal from the crown, a marriage between Joffrey Waters and Margaery." he said looking to her.
"Oh, this will be fun. I think I'll very much enjoy working with my future king" her grandmother said.
Once they were finished lunch he turned to her.
"Margaery I was wondering if perhaps we could take a walk, you could show me Highgarden, with a chaperone of course." he said looking to her grandmother who nodded.
"I'd be delighted to Jae." she said smiling as he took her hand to help her to her feet.
They walked back through her grandmother's room and she sent a servant to fetch her mother, before they walked towards her mothers private sitting room. They arrived just as her mother and father walked out both staring at them with expectant looks on their faces.
"I've asked Lady Margaery to accompany me on a walk my Lord, my Lady, with your permission of course?"
"Of course your grace." her father said nodding.
"I shall accompany you as well your grace." her mother said with a smile.
"I shall be honored my lady." he said kissing her mother's hand.
The three of them and the Kingsguard walked down the hall and out into the gardens, she turned left to show him some of the apple and peach trees, along with the flower garden.
"It must have been incredible to grow up in such a place." he said as they looked out on the flowers.
"It was, my brothers and I used to play over there." she said pointing to a small grove "I liked nothing more than to run through the fields with them when I was but a child." she said wistfully.
"While I spent most of my time sparring or in lessons, mother and Arthur would take me out when we could, we'd go look at the sea or spend time in an orchard. It wasn't as large nor as colorful as this but as a boy it was as if it had no end, as if you could see apples on into the horizon."
"Was is difficult growing up there, I mean did you have a hard time of things? " she asked curiously.
"Not at all, mother, Arthur, Gerold and Oswell and then Jon, none of them allowed it to be. Dany had it far harder than I."
"Dany?"
"Daenerys my aunt, she, we couldn't be together, it was too dangerous and for a time they had it almost as good as I, but Viserys was, he was like my grandfather and after Ser Willem passed it got worse."
"We heard such tales of him, of how he was the mad king reborn." she said and then held her hand to her mouth "Oh I didn't mean it, please forgive me, your grandfather."
"Was a mad paranoid fool who almost cost my house everything and cost me most of my family. I know who he was Margaery, so there is no need to apologize." he said smiling at her.
"Dany, I mean Princess Daenerys she is well now?"
"She is, I look forward to you both meeting?"
"Will she be coming to the wedding?" she asked blushing when saying wedding.
"It depends when it is, I, if she knows she'd come, Ellanys and she can be here in hours. I…."
"Jae?" she asked looking at the frown on his face and wanting to wipe it off.
"I wish we could do this right you know, marry in the Sept of Baelor, invite the whole realm to see it, it's what you deserve, I'm sorry its' not like that." he looked at her sadly.
"I dreamt of marrying in the Sept, marrying a king becoming a queen, I was told that was my destiny, what I deserved. But over the years my dreams changed."
"Changed?" he asked confused.
"Now all I want is to marry a good man who'll love me." she said looking at him before quickly looking down again.
"I promise to do my best to be that man Margaery, to spend the rest of my life being that man and to love you and you alone for all of it." he said as he reached out to raise her chin before leaning in to place a soft kiss on her lips.
Her mother's polite cough stopped her from kissing him back and both of them blushed before giggling. He took her hand and held it in his, looking to her mother who nodded in approval before they walked some more. Jae told her of his plans for the future, of changing how things worked, he asked her what she thought of Maesters and the Faith, of how the poor were treated, of how things could be made better.
By the time they were finished it was almost dark and she was shocked they'd been speaking that long, it seemed their time together had moved far quicker than that. He walked her back to her room and as they stood in front of the door he kissed her cheek, her mother making sure it went no further than that. He escorted her mother back to her own rooms while she went into her own, laying down on the bed she felt something in the pocket of her dress and as she reached her hand in to take it out she looked at it in surprise.
The chain was thinly strung gold, more delicate than she'd ever seen, the piece at the end though took her breath away, it was a golden rose wrapped in the embrace of a three headed dragon. The rose's stone was a golden diamond while the dragons eyes were rubies, each of them so small and delicate that she had no idea how they'd been worked on. She held it in her hands and smiled at the thoughts he'd been embarrassed to give it to her, that he'd snuck it in her pocked instead. Closing her eyes she held it to her heart and smiled before whispering.
" A good man who'll love me."
A/N: As Always thanks to those who've read and reviewed this. Up next Jae spends more time with Margaery and his new goodfamily, Tywin plots and Tyrion arrives in Kings Landing and Jon Connington and Ser Richard take a castle. While a Mockingbird and a broken rose arrive at Highgarden.
MsLady: Yes, but there are a couple if things going on here, 1. Jae has the ability to fix Bran's injuries and 2. He cares nothing about anything but the Great War, it's the only important thing and he's seen or knows Jaime must be a kingsguard in that beside him.
LordVillareal: We'll see Olenna's pov next. Jae is dealing with what's to come more than anyting else, all of this is just to set up for the Great War, he needs Jaime by his side there, needs him as a Kingsguard, why? we'll see. Ghost is like yeah, dragons so what lol. As you see Loras is riding hard for home.
Clayvus; Wanted to do something different for Robb and here with changed circumstances it allows for it. Dany is with Lakoes, she's not going to be having a pairing, Jae was told she'd not bear children while in Valyria.
Biohazard: Thanks so much.
Paulies: I somewhat agree, though I'm a big Jaime fan, especially post Cersei.
Blackwidow: Thanks so much.
TImepadardox: Tywin has outriders and men all over the Riverlands, he also holds some castles. While obviously the Bran push is a terrible act and he rightly should be condemned for it. I've no issue with the attack on Ned other than it's stupity, they took his brother, kidnapped him and he lashed out, it's no different than if you were out and someone hurt your brother, you'd lash out and attack that person. Now politically, logically it was stupid, but it was to show how much Tyrion meant to him and so in that respect it worked. Also Ned basically stuck his tongue out at him and admitted she did it on his orders, making it even more likely that Jaime would act.
Jae doesn't expect him to go against his family, he made it clear here, if anything he basically told him, look this is your life now, you'll stay here until the war is done, i intend to see everyone apart from Joff/Tywin is safe, it's like the best offer he could get.
He's not asking Jaime to rise up against his family or even take part in this war, but to stand with him in the next.
Jae is also in a way playing on his father's last words to Jaime, to look after his family, as for why Jaime should put faith in him, well Jae has to show him that, plus he has no choice, he has the option here, take the offer, or be executed, it's pretty basic.
Now as for him attacking the Riverlands, he was technically acting on behalf of his king, if anything he's fulfilling his KG duties here, they don't just guard the king, in war they lead, Prince Lewyn commanded the kings forces at the Trident, so Jaime attacking the Riverlands is basically the same thing. The Ned part we've covered above, KG or not, Cat kidnapped his brother and Ned said it was on his orders.
On the visions part, every single thing Jae does is defined by the visions it's what sets him on the path he's on, should he not accept one part of it then what's the point. He follows it through because he's seen the benefits of doing so.
For some reason he knows he needs Jaime's sword, he needs a Jaime who believes in him and himself, to get him there he's willing to give him the White Cloak, he'll deal with the political fall out as it comes because in the end he cares only about winning the Great War and for some reason to do that he needs Jaime Lannister.
Ned, Cat, Robb and others will be pissed, but that's his job to deal with, better them pissed than he lose though.
Foxy: Thanks so much, we did suffer a severe lack of logic in the show, gods it was horrible to watch at the end.
Infinite: Tywin won't get the chance here. As you see he has healed Willas. Dany will worry more about Roose, about what she didn't tell Robb and about him going forward. It's Cersei you win or you die.
Zoom: A Targ worrying about Incest may be a tad hypocritical though, Oh you slept with your sister, yeah as did your grandfather, had he not you'd not be here remember. As for it being an ok thing and him doing it to save his own life, it's pretty clear in canon that's not the case, Grrm lays out the reasons he did it and at no point does he make the leap you've just done.
Jaime is a tragic hero in canon, he's a deeply flawed one, but that's how he's written there, Grrm shows his inner struggle with what he's done, what he's become and paints the picture quite clearly, you dislike it or don't agree with it or my version so be it.
Here Jae has his own reasons for why he needs Jaime Lannister alive, needs him believing in himself and needs him wearing a white cloak, anything else doesn't really matter as he's the one making the decision.
Daspeedforce: True and Jae doesn't know that, but not that it matters anyway since he can you know fix him. But again what he did doesn't actually matter to Jae, he needs him and that's all that does and he needs him in that role, he's willing to go against everyone, to risk himself in a fight to ensure he was captured uninjured because he needs him, everything else is just background noise to that.
Natso: Thanks so much, i try lol.
Princess: Glad you like it.
VWchick: It seems some aren't of the same mind lol, I agree it's pretty clear to me given how his arc in the books is going that's the plan with him, it was pretty clear in the show until the end too. Jae has to think of what's to come too, he plans for winning the war after this mean he needs Jaime redeemed, so he's gonna try and redeem him.
Ausisie: Can't not have some Ghost.
Dunk: Jae has the 8,000 Unsullied and almost 8,000 cavalry, Robb a little less then half of that. He has 1,500 Bowmen and six thousand Infantry with another thousand or so ancillary staff.
On Valyrian Swords, He's given Robb one and now Garlan one, Each of the KG have one as does Ser Richard and Jon Connigone. The tips of most of the Unsullied spears are Valyrain steel too. Kalors has a Valyrain steel Double Axe. Dany, Lyanna and Arya all have thin Valyrain steel swords and Arya, Jae and the Kingsguard have Valyrian daggers. There are about another ten or so swords left, a dozen daggers and some various weapons perhaps a dozen or so.
With Jaime he's also trying to make it as easy for him as he can too, he won't have him fight his family, he doesn't need him for it, more for what comes after.
We'll be seeing more Jae/Margaery next as well as an Olenna pov.
Xand007: Thanks my friend and now you have me wishing I'd called it that lol.
XXdragon: Thanks so much, glad you came back.
Guest: So be it, it is what it is, you don't like it, then no one will take issue with you not reading it.
Xan Merrick: Thanks my friend glad you liked it. It seems some didn't like the Jaime/Jae part of the fact he's been given an easy ride so to speak. I hadn't thought that of Ghost but your so right, he's wearing his own White Cloak and is the loyalist of them all. I'll find it hard not to think of him as that now, he was a KG for Jon Snow when he had none.