Hey guys thanks for reading! Theres going to be lots of war so I am trying to keep it interesting with different prospectives and types of war going on. Let me know what you think! Thanks again for reading.
Jon arrived at the wall a few weeks ago, he always thought the men who took the black were noble but most of these men were criminals and what was his crime believing a lie everyone had told him.
Renly sentenced him to death about seven times but could not do it and Stannis had gotten away so he still had to fight with him for the stormlands and decided to send him to the wall. He was probably lucky Renly had him because Stannis would have done it. He did worry about Shireen unsure where she was or what her future held.
He found his mind was far from his struggles and with Daenerys he supposed they were not married anymore now that he had taken the black but it did not mean he worried about her any less.
He worried about Stannis finding her. He worried about Renly finding her. He worried about Dark magic consuming her those dragons were something dark he was sure what else was born in fire will people burned to death.
When he was walked through the court yard seeing stormsend for the last time, he saw the bodies piled up. Bodies of people he knew bodies of people under his command that he failed to protect like his maestor who died in the crossfire, he saw guards he had known all his life, the young boy who brought wood for the fireplaces, so many faces he had known. He saw Lord Velyron in his silver and sea green pale and lifeless with blood splattered across his handsome face, he had always thought the man irritable but he was sad he never got to go home to his son he had spoke highly of, instead he died because of a rebellion Jon felt he was to stupid to see coming or maybe just trusting.
The bodies hadn't stopped at stormsend. He had arrived in a panicked time at the nights watch, a wildling armys was coming the summer knights of Renly's who brought him left as soon as they could and the knights watch was desperately in need of leadership. For once Jon did not have time to over think he just did and most of them were so scared they were happy to take orders from him. It was the first-time giving orders felt right, but winning one night meant nothing they were still out there waiting.
"Still brooding our we Bastard?" Ser Alliser Throne asked Jon could tell why he was so hated he was a man of no humor and was mean spirited he got some sick joy when they told them Jon was not really the lord of house Baratheon but a bastard. "Why don't you get back to your training!" He spat.
"I was raised the heir to house Baratheon I already know how to fight." Jon said simply.
Allisser grabbed him by his Tunic pulling him close. "It was not a chose, and you are not a part of house Baratheon anymore, I'd call you Jon Storm but the Stormlords don't seem to want you anymore. You are reborn a member of the nights watch and you will die a member of the nights watch and probably soon. I guess that makes you Jon Snow?" Alliser snickered before pushing him down.
"Get back to training Lord Snow, I don't know if you heard but the dead our coming!" He said simply.
"Are you alright." A kind voice called, and Jon looked up to see the maester.
"Yes, I am." Jon told him as he got up.
"I need this one to come help me move some things." Maestor Aemon told Ser Alliser.
"Are you sure you are not just looking after your own brotheren?" Alliser asked.
"We are all brothers here." Aemon reminded. "Now if you don't mind ser Alliser I've tried willing the crates to move and it seems to be no use." He told him with a smile.
"You are just interested in who sired the bastard." Allisser said annoyed he was hear because Rhaegar Targaryen had decided he was a traitor he couldn't do anything to the dead king but he could torment his son for it.
"I'm interested in him being young enough to carry things upstairs without killing himself as I would." Aemon told him.
Allisser grumbled as he walked off.
Aemon gestured for Jon to follow him up to the Maestors cordiors. "Move that crate of books from that chair to over there." The old man said with his usual smile.
Jon did as asked.
"Good now sit down." Aemon said with a calm smile. "Never mind Allisser Thorne."
"He hates me for who my father was but I never even knew Rhaegar was my father, I only ever met him once." Jon said frustrated.
"I know Rhaegar was sure he needed three children, he sent me a letter promising me it was complete, I thought he was speaking of Cersei's son, I think he always meant you." Aemon told him.
"It hardly matters now what he did or did not think about me." Jon decide lowly.
"I suppose not, what about what you have decided about yourself?" Aemon asked.
"What do you mean?" Jon asked.
"Well all men who are forced here have a simple choice, either they except there new life or they don't." Aemon said.
"I was raised to be lord Baratheon all my life, to make life or death decisions for stormsend but I failed because I wasn't made for it to play the conniving game of decite they all seem to know except me."
"But you lead last night, how did that feel. You could grow in ranks here, you would not be the first Targaryen Bastard to be lord Commander. My uncle the Bloodraven was-"
"I was able to do it because I had to but….the nights watch is no different, lies and decite, and agendas behind your back." Jon told him.
"The only other kind is being besmirched right to your face." Aemon said in his soft voice.
"I think I'd prefer it." Jon admitted.
"Well Evening is coming Jon, and Mance raiders forces will come again and again until there is not left of us, if I were you. I would decide what you need to be before then." Aemon told Jon.
"Thank you Maestor Aemon." Jon said standing again.
"There was a great sadness to Rhaegar, I see it in you." Aemon admitted. "I wonder if you are similar to your brother?" Aegon asked.
"Aegon? I Don't know. When I met him his father sent him away, and through out this war people who were sworn to come to his aid didn't."
"Every man faces struggles it seems Targaryen's either are victorious of theres or destroyed by them. If you should ever see him again you ought to tell him that there was a bleeding star over the sky when he was born. Rhaegar thought this meant he was the prince who was promised."
"Wh-why are you telling me this." Jon asked startled.
"Rhaegar was certain the dragon needed three heads, he has three trueborn children. King Aegon, princess Rhaenys, and you."
"The bastard?" Jon asked.
"My uncle once said every bastard has his day." Aemon promised.
The men shouted in the court yard of an oncoming attack. "Yours might be today." Aemon said as Jon rushed into position.
"Are you thirsty for battle nephew?" Oberyn asked from his horse as they rode acrossed the green fields.
The Redwyn fleet was now blocking the blackwater, Aegon's Allies sailed towards them in due course, but Aegon could no longer wait for those who were supposed to follow him to do as they promised. He was going to have to take it starting with the reach: The last best source of trade for Kingslanding.
"No." Aegon admitted one handheld the reigns of the massive Red Dornish Sand Steed as the other patted its neck. "I do not long for any bloodshed. I can still smell the bodies burning on Dragonstone its not something I enter my men in lightly." Aegon promised.
"Yes What a devious ploy to kill a man in his castle." Oberyn said glaring towards Tyrion.
"Clever though, that's why I keep him he is clever." Aegon told his uncle firmly.
"Not very clever, not when you account for the fact I tried to burn a dragon." Tyrion mused but then he looked more seriously at Aegon. "You care about the common solider that separates you from men like my father but that does not what distinguishes you, plenty men care about there soldiers, Eddard Stark, Robert Baratheon, Robb Stark, Jon Baratheon, Jon Arryn and so fourth. So, come now, what does distinguish our king from the other claims?" Tyrion asked the group with a devious smile. "In fact lets make it a drinking game." Tyrion said shaking his flask.
"He is the rightful king." Oberyn said as though it were obvious.
"Everyone believes they are the rightful king." Tyrion reminded before tossing the flask the prince caught it drinking from it.
"He's the best man." Arthur said getting an adoring smile from the king he raised since he was a boy.
"That's your opinion, and a sentimental one at that."Tyrion said making Arthur give him an annoyed look but Aegon only laughed as he handed the flask from Oberyn to Arthur who gave Tyrion a look before drinking.
"You are truly raising my spirits before battle." Aegon teased he looked back at the large troop amassed in his name.
"Well go on show us how clever you are." Varys said unamused as he fanned himself.
"I was sure you would get it Varys. He is whats best for the realm, all Elia's grace, kindness and wit accompanied with the way Targaryen's are strong and absolute. As well as your own qualities such as your good nature, lack of blood lust and of course your determination, truly anyone less stubborn then you would be dead by now." Tyrion said with a smile.
"You do take after your mother." Oberyn told his nephew with a sincere smile in the place of his usual cocky one. "You may look like your father, but your mother was good like you, she gave alms to the poor and hated bloodshed. She said fools use swords because they do not understand the power of the quill." Oberyn said as Aegon listened happily to talk of his mother he never truly knew.
"I suppose we are soon to make her very disappointed." Aegon said bitterly.
"War is inevitable especially for kings." Arthur told him.
"True, but I don't have to like it." Aegon grumbled.
"No, you are not the type, you are good." Arthur said proudly.
"I will enjoy it enough for both of us." Oberyn mused patting his nephews back it was odd for Oberyn to be ridding next to Aegon in his black chain mail with that proud red dragon across his chest after hating Rhaegar for so long but it was not the boys fault.
Tyrion whipped away sweet dripping from his face he though it was unfair that the heat seemed to not faze Aegon, Arthur, or Oberyn in the slightest and he almost wished he was fanning himself like Varys when suddenly Aegon, Oberyn, Arthur and Varys stopped Tyrion got his horse to stop a few steps later looking back at them about to ask why they were stopping in the middle of a field but he realized why they were stopping when he saw there eyes set on the hill past Tyrion. Oberyn and Arthur versed in the ways of war seemed sure where Aegon only seemed to have a feeling and Varys seemed sure as well he did not fight in battles, but he knew the signs.
"Send a scout over the hill." Aegon called Oberyn sent one of his men.
"Well, I wish you all the best, I think I will begin setting up back behind enemy lines." Varys said simply. "Come Tyrion."
"I will see this through." Tyrion said as he watched the Dornishmens horse race up the hill. They were hoping to get to Oldtown before battle, but they were days short. Tyrion was determined to do this, but it did not clear his nerves. "If I could get that flask?" Tyrion asked before having it passed back to him.
The rider returned telling of the Tarly flags.
In less then an hour a treat was called.
Lord Randyll Tarly Rode up with Lord Costayne and Garth and Humpfry Hightower as well as armored guards. Lord Randyll already looked annoyed that Aegon dained to enter the reach. Aegon, Ser Arthur, Prince Oberyn, and Tyrion meet with them with a small guard of their own.
"My lords there is no need for anyone to die today, you know I am Rhaegars eldest son and by right your king, bend the knee to me now and I will hold no grudge against you, you have my word." Aegon promised.
"What is the word of a man who kills his own father. As a kingslayer you are damned and are unfit to wear the crown." Lord Randyll told him with a snarl.
"So my sister and father chose their lie. King Aegon could not have killed the late king he was on Dragonstone and there are plenty of witnesses to testify to it." Tyrion told them.
"All staff and guards of his?" Lord Consayne asked.
"It is a vile lie! Its very purpose to create westerosi bloodshed." Aegon said.
"What are you, afraid of a battle?" Lord Tarly asked with a breathless ugly laugh.
"Your all my subjects I do not wish to have to put any of them to the sword. I will make exceptions for Tywin, Cersei, and Joffrey as well as my fathers' true murderers, you could join me in justice for him." Aegon told them.
"Dornish have been shedding blood in the reach for centuries." Tarly growled.
"Unless you bend your knee for my nephew it will continue." Oberyn promised with a cocky smile.
"We are reasonable men of high birth surely we can come to an agreement without bloodshed." Aegon said assured calmly.
"We will see you on the battlefield!" Lord Tarly barked.
"You are a reasonable man, not these others." Arthur muttered.
"You do not have to fight, surely you know in your hearts I am your rightful king, bend now and you will keep your heads, titles, and lands after the battle I cannot promise the same." Aegon told them Lord Consayne looked to Randyll nervously he did not want to lose his lands or head for the Tyrells.
"What color is your helm?" Randyll asked to ageon.
"Why are you asking about my helm?" Aegon asked surprised such a hard man would care about such a tedious thing.
"I intend on finding you on the field boy!" Randyll said Arthur and Oberyn's eyes gave him a look as sharp as daggers.
" YOU DARE-" Arthur started while Oberyn threatened to rip him into pieces Aegon silenced them with a hand.
"My helm is black there are red three headed dragons on my armor in rubies on both my shoulder blades and across my chest." Aegon said fearlessly. " Are men do not have to die lord Tarly only you or I, we could duel." Aegon suggested.
"War is glorious, I would take it from none of my men, boy!" Tarly said simply.
"I may be a boy lord Tarly but you are a foul." Aegon said simply. "I will see you on the battle field."
The battle was a bloody one, there was something very unbalanced about all the dead bloody bodies lying in a field of the most beautiful wildflowers.
Early in the battle arrows rained down on them. Aegon covered with his shield but his horse was spooked and bucked him off. Aegon was able to land on his feet and began again on his feet through the battlefield. When Arthur saw his king do this, he two dismounted. "Stay close to your king!" He shouted at what remained of the kingsguard but all that the four of them could really do is try and keep the man Infront of them from killing them just as Aegon was doing.
A man in green ran towards Aegon with a sword and a smile for he was sure he was about to become famous. Aegon quickly dodged his attack and ran him through the side him he was trained by Arthur Dayne the sword in the morning after all. The man fell down blood sputted from his lips. "Please end it" He begged hoarsely.
With a nodded Aegon did just that before being knocked to the ground and loosing grip of his sword. He was quick rolling over in the nick of time before being stabbed through. He heard Arthur calling his name but he had no time to answer every thing he had going into moving before each sloppy attack as the large man stabbed at the ground. Aegon tried to reach for his fallen sword and was hit in the arm with the sword he cried out in pain. The large man smirked at him Aegon took his distraction as opportunity the man did not wear full armor and was practically defensless when Aegon kicked him in the groin as hard as he could Aegon jumped up.
A Dornish kingsguard stabbed the big manthrough with a spear before being slaughtered himself without a sword to protect himself Aegon whipped of his helm smacking the man with it over and over before he fell to the ground. Aegon dropped his helm grabbing the mans sword.
"Are you alright?" Arthur called finally getting sight on his boy again as he shredded through men as though he was cutting cake.
"Fine." Aegon promised moving forward.
"Stay close." Arthur instructed.
"Believe me I am not trying to hide from you." Aegon promised as another came at him.
It went on like that for what like endless time with the sun against his back. The violence just got more grueling and no matter how bloody the corpse it would fall down and lay in the lovely flowers for some reason seeing that turned his stomach more then every near death experience.
He was huffing loudly as his latest oppents fell to the ground when he heard. "Targaryen!" He looked up to see old lord Tarly charging at him.
Arthur moved forward.
"He's mine!" Aegon declared he was the reason all these men were out here dying because he would rather have blood shed then words of reason.
"Maybe you're a man after all!" Randyll Tarly scoffed for the would be conqourer he dropped his steal and removed Heartsbane from his scabbard letting the Valyrian steal shimmer in the sunlight.
"Aegon!" Arthur called forced the sword in his left hand through his enemies eye while his right hand threw dawn to his boy it sliced into the ground infront of Aegon he grabbed it in time to pull it out and defend himself as Lord Tary tried to take him by surprise, dawn was inches from his face but kept heart beater away he was able to move back and the swords hissed against each other before finally parting but in seconds they were back together.
"Maybe your not just a pretty girl like your father, boy!" Tarly laughed as he stricked relentlessly at Aegon who met every mark.
"Don't talk about my father! He was King Rhaegar Targaryen and I am not your boy Lord Tarly, I am king Aegon Targaryen the 6th of his name!" He growled out before smacking Dawn against Hearstbane as hard as he could creating a large ring of the mystic metals, neither sword gave out but the old man's hand did.
Aegon put the sword to the old man's neck. "Surender!" He told him a man ran at Aegon's side with his left hand he threw the dagger from his side into that man's eye.
Lord Tarly did not know how to surrender he moved for his own dagger thinking Aegon was distracted he moved Dawn against his throat ending lord Tarly.
"Arthur!" Aegon called hoarsely covered in Lord Tarlys blood. "Dawn!" he gasped.
"Keep it for now." Arthur told him with a proud smile for his boy. He had found another sword and was wielding to again."
"Very nice move Nephew!" Oberyn called from where he was snapping another man's neck.
Aegon tried not to look at that instead focusing on what was ahead of him as the next man came to try and kill the king and the next and next. At last a horn field the air sounding the Retreat. "Forward!" Aegon called and he and his men persuade until the white flag was flown the hightower brothers came to surrender and relief field the tired survivors.
"Your sword." Aegon said reverently giving it back to Arthur.
"Not many a man would insist on its return." Oberyn said.
Aegon looked forward as the surviving leaders were brought forward and bent the knee. "I except your surrender." Aegon said watching the relief in their eyes. "Take them but treat them with respect." He told the guards.
"Our brother Baelor will have Oldtown ready for Seige, you won't take it and he wont open the gates!" Humpfrey declared.
"Or course he will I have two of his brothers." Aegon said simply waving them away.
"Has anyone seen Tyrion?" Aegon asked with a groan as he turned and walked backwards through the battle.
"What is he doing?" Oberyn asked.
Arthur gestured to a squire. "Go find the kings sword, it has a silver handle the guard and handle are shaped like dragon heads and it has red eyes, the kings father gave it to him its utmost important you find it have all your fellow squires searching." Arthur said the boy nodded going off yelling out the order with a new purpose.
"Where is Tryion?" Aegon asked again.
"Worry less about the Emp, I have been to oldtown before the walls are impressive." Oberyn said.
"I'm sure the tower is high to uncle, its to be expected." Aegon teased making his uncle smile and offer his a cask of wine.
"He doesn't need wine he needs that cut looked at." Arthur said like a worried father.
Aegon but his hand toward the searing pain on the back of his head, he didn't even realize it until now or that when he was puched down he smacked his head.
"Lucky I still had the helm on or the bloody rock would have killed me." Aegon said but Arthur did not enjoy the joke.
"I will go see how many captured can move and fight." Oberyn said with a nod before going off.
"Your death does not amuse me Aegon, come." Arthur said he took him to where they had a make shift infirmary going into the tent set for the highborn. There they found Tyrion with his sliced face.
Daenerys needed an army and allegiances were hard to find almost everyone picked a side, so she went to the place where the leader was taken from them, where a debt was owed. The Greyjoy ships swift and narrow could crawl across the rivers as easy as the sea. They went along until the opening of the trident they traveled down to the red fort.
Daenerys did not take the small ships or the long voyages easily she had never been one for sailing as a child but she found herself able to bare more then she thought possible.
Targaryen Sails were made at one port or another replacing the Baratheon ones which replaced the Greyjoy ones before that. Daenerys couldn't help looking up to her own sigil and wonder if Aegon was looking at it as well, for surely Rhaenys was not poor Rhaenys who was taken hostage by the Lannisters after her husband was murdered. Something Daenerys supposed they shared now. They both had dead husbands and it was all because of the Lannisters. Daenerys was sure to get her revenge but when she looked up at her house sigil, she felt uneasy.
"And your sure you are against King Aegon?" Jon Connington asked he sword to her up and down he did not know about Jon's true identity but he obviously loved Rhaegar and was never far from Stormsend. She did not question him about it she needed every ally she had.
"I don't know if I'm against Aegon, I am for my revenge." Daenerys told him.
"Then what your grace are your plans once you have had it?" Jon Connington asked.
"Why did Aegon look West instead of East to the land of his fathers?" Daenerys asked looking behind her to the east.
"Essos is much vaster than Westeros and much wilder harder to control." Jon Connington said to the young girl.
"So he was thinking small?" Daenerys asked getting a smile from the old Lord, he had to give the girl credit she was bolder than most men.
"I will Avenge the wrongs had upon my family, I will rescue Rhaenys and then I will start new in Essos." Daenerys declared Westeroes had so many ghosts for her.
"And you Start here why?" Jon Connington asked.
"Because this is how the river flows. Do we have enough men to make a difference?" Daenerys asked.
"Yes, every stop we make we find more willing to follow the mother of dragons." He told her she watched the little things fly in the air.
"They are growing quickly but they must grow faster." Daenerys said simply before looking down at the river before ahead of them. They were a little bigger then dogs.
"The support is good but the sellswords, especially those who can hold a bow will win the coming fight."
"And they won't have archers?" Daenerys asked.
"Not at the ready, they wouldn't set up archers for siege not one like this anyways." Jon Connington promised.
The talking died out mostly as they neared and Jon barked orders for battle. Daenerys found herself thinking of Jon how he would do this. He was raised a lordling after all he was raised to lead, she was raised a princess to follow and obey and it seemed to have gotten her nowhere. She obeyed Rhaegar, and then Viserys, and Then Jon and it never got her anywhere. It was her time to lead.
She called in her dragons the littlest did as told the green dragon landed at her feet, but when the largest black dragon decided to keep flying the second largest that was a dark blue landed above the sail. She sighed Dragons were hard at listening no matter how she loved them she was learning that the hard way.
"We are going up Your grace, you may want to go below deck." Jon Connigton told her.
"You said there wouldn't be arrows?" Daenerys said softly trying not to show fear.
"No but it won't be pretty either." Jon Connington promised being handed his own bow.
"No, I will stay with my children!" She said decidedly.
Soon they were in the midst of the frey camp they rained arrows before the freys learned what was happening trying in a panic to rally but there was no order just Chaos as Daenerys ships sailed right around Riverrun defending her from the Freys leasing Arrows all around them but it was not enough for a full retreat, not yet.
Daenerys looked at the tents and wooden siege weapons. She gave the order in Valaryion. "Dracarrys!" She cried out they were more then happy to follow this order flying from the flag shipping across the land burning the Frey and Lannister men with there tents and siege towers like kindlings, they were small still but there fire was hot.
It was hours after the siege when the Blackfish agrees to Parlay.
Daenerys notes the Direwolf banner proudly next to the Trout.
"Young Lord Stark maybe dead but he is not forgotten in this castle, Family, duty. Honnor don't stop when the family dies even if it took a child to remind me of that." Brynden admitted.
"Nor have I forgotten him or my cousin." Daenerys promised.
"Surprised you knew them at all, Lady Baratheon it seems your husband doesn't know how to read a raven scroll or call his banners."
"I am not Lady Baratheon anymore."
"I heard as much." Brynden admitted.
"Then you know I am not here as lady Baratheon." Daenerys said firmly.
"I know that your nephew told me he ordered your husband to send aid to Riverrun, didn't think it would happen but hear you are. Mayphaps you have the balls your husband doesn't." Brynden said.
"Have care of how you speak of the dead infront of his widow!" Jon Connington spat.
Daenerys averted her eyes she had been so made Jon would not send the men. It was hard being mad now, being mad at a dead man. She felt responsible for his death he was so well loved she was the one who was hated by the people of Stormsend.
"Dead? He is not dead? He was given to the nights watch." Brynden Tully told.
"Does this change things?" Jon Connington asked.
Daenerys heart ran like a horse, he was still alive. He had taken the black. He never listened to her when she begged him to go to war, her kept his people well taken care of while outside of the stormlands Westeros burns.
"No it changes nothing." Daenerys said simply.
"My kind of girl." The Blackfish chuckled.
"I am not your girl I am the blood of old Valyria!" Daenerys hissed she watched his eyes soften she looked behind her as some of his me reverently brought forth a body. The similarities between the dead man and the Blackfish were undeniable.
"My Nephew, Lord Edmure Tully. They hung him the moment you started your attack." Brynden said.
"I am so sorry." Daenerys said covering her mouth.
"Don't be. He has been dead now for weeks everyday standing high where I could see him with a noose around his neck. Everyday I asked the Gods to let him die and end his suffering." The Blackfish said he closed his nephews eyes and gestured for them to take him inside. "I thank you for that, and for ending the siege."
"I am not Aegon." Daenerys said her eyes followed the poor dead man. "I did not bring my men here out of goodness or duty as he ordered Jon's."
"I did not think it." Brynden admitted it. "Princess why don't you tell me why you are here."
"I will go with you, with all my men to the twins and we can bring down there ugly castle, but once we do. I expect you to follow me into my battle with all the strength of the riverlands." Daenerys demanded.
"The Lannisters?"
"Will die bloody." She assured.
"Then I humbly accept." Brynden promised.