Highgarden 298 AC.

Jae.

The more time he spent with Margaery the more he found that he not only liked her, but that the vision he saw of the future, of how it could be for him, was something he not only wished for but needed. She was smart and knew as much about the politics of the realm as he, Jon or even her grandmother did. But unlike all of them she approached it differently, more with her heart than her head, she saw sides they didn't, saw ways to bring people on board that he hadn't even considered.

She knew of the wives and daughters, of the sons, where he and Jon may look at what the Lord would seek for an alliance or to remain loyal, she knew whose son wished for which match, whose daughter was friends with whom. He found he learned more about the great and lesser houses talking with Margaery, than he had with his advisors and he knew then just how great a queen she would be.

As they rode to the hill, she sat on her horse nervously, her usual dress replaced by breeches and a warm jacket, both in the color's of her house and to Jae's mind making her look just as beautiful as the dresses had. When they reached the hill he helped her off the horse, Arthur and Barristan looking on with Garlan as he did so. Arthur dismounted holding the reins and Garlan looked to the sky worriedly, but Margaery had a determined look on her face and though he could feel her tremble slightly she walked to the top of the hill with him unhesitatingly.

"I promise you, he won't harm you Margaery." he said reassuringly and she nodded.

"What does it feel like, to be up there, to see the world from up high?" she asked him as he felt Brankardix getting closer.

"It's hard to explain, perhaps you can try to tell me once we return to the ground." he said and she laughed.

Brankardix landed a few moments later and Jae leaned into her and whispered in her ear "I'll protect you always." she nodded then as he led her to the dragon. Leaning into his son he told him, "She is me, she is us." and Brankardix gave him his approval. Taking Margaery's hand he placed it on the dragon's neck and watched her face as she felt the warmth of his son's body, as she felt the dragon's breathing and heard him purr.

"He likes you." Jae said and she shook her head.

"You're just saying that."

"No, he does, that sound, that's him being happy, he only does so with those he likes." Jae saw the smile appear on her face "Are you ready?" he asked and she nodded.

Brankardix laid his wing down and Jae helped her climb up, he had learned his lesson with Arya and so placed the fur lined cloak on Brankardix's back and directed Margaery where to sit, showing her where to grab hold with her hands. He took his place behind her and felt her breathing grow quicker when he put his arms around her to grab the spike.

"Sōvegon."

The little gasp she gave when Brankardix flapped his wings was adorable, the excited laugh she gave when they were in the air even more so, he directed the dragon towards Highgarden and soon they were flying over her home. He could barely see her face, but could feel her excitement through his hands as he held her tightly. After a few moments he flew lower down over the Mander and told Brankardix to fly slowly.

"Sōvegon Paez."

Allowing her to get used to the speed for a bit and to ensure she was comfortable for the next part, he readied to take her far higher into the sky.

"Are you ready to go higher?" he asked and she nodded enthusiastically "Eglikta." he said to Brankardix and the dragon responded immediately.

Within a few flaps of his wings Brankardix had taken them to the clouds, Jae was even surprised himself by how easily his son had managed it, Margaery had squealed in excitement as they did so, her initial nervousness now long gone. He flew in the direction of Horn Hill eager to see if Tarly had set off, It was Margaery who noticed them pointing down and Jae saw Tarly had managed to garner quite a large number. He turned for Ashford and found the men already gone, it was when he closed in on Cider Hall that he saw them.

"I think Loras is with them, but I dare not land just in case they react fearfully." he said and she nodded in agreement.

Turning back and heading for Highgarden he felt her lean back even more into him, his head almost resting on her shoulder, she actually caught him by surprise when she turned her face to his and kissed him. So much so that he pulled away only to see a look of hurt appear on her face, forcing him to smile and then kiss her even more strongly than she had him. But the back of a dragon was no place to get lost in a kiss, even if his control of Brankardix may allow it and so he reluctantly stopped.

When they arrived back it was after noon, they been flying for a number of hours and when Brankardix landed and he helped Margaery off he could feel her stiffness. But the look on her face, the way she jumped into his arms and threw her own around him, and how happy she sounded belied how uncomfortable she may feel.

"Thank you Jae, thank you for allowing me share that." she said as she kissed his cheek repeatedly.

"We can do this again should you wish to?" he said and she nodded eagerly before kissing his cheek once more.

He thanked his son and held Margaery's hand as she did so too, Brankardix purring even louder now, before his dragon took to the sky and flew North. Walking down the hill still holding her hand Jae saw the smirks on both Arthur and Barristan's faces as well as the larger smile on Garlan's. He helped her to her horse and she looked almost disappointed that this was to be her mount now, before they began to ride back to the castle.

"Tarly is on his way as is Ashford and Fossoway." Jae said and Arthur nodded.

"You saw Loras?" he heard Garlan ask Margaery.

"No Gar, we saw Lord Ashford's men meet up with Lord Fossoway, Jae said Loras is with them."

"Why didn't you land and speak to him?" Garlan asked and Jae answered.

"Seeing a Dragon come land in front of them may have been too great a surprise, men have been known to fire first and ask questions later and I'd not risk Margaery to a stray arrow Ser." Jae said and Margaery smiled softly while Garlan nodded.

"How long do you expect them to take to get here your grace?" Garlan asked.

"I'd expect your brother the day after tomorrow, the others within a couple of days after that."

They arrived at Highgarden a little later and Margaery was both eager to tell people of what the dragon ride had been like and to no doubt bathe and change. Jae spoke only briefly to people and agreed to spar with Ser Garlan after lunch, before heading to speak to his mother and uncle. He found them in their rooms and was surprised to see Ghost and Syrax there. His eagle seeking his attention as soon as he entered, while Ghost looked at the bird like he was already done with her antics.

"How have you been girl, yes, yes I missed you too." Jae said stroking her feathers before turning to rub Ghost's back.

He lifted the eagle off the ledge they'd built for her and carried her to his seat, letting her head rest against his chest as he stroked her feathers. His uncle looked at him and shaking his head with a smirk on his face and Jae couldn't resist teasing him.

"What's wrong uncle never seen a boy and his eagle before?" Jae said and his mother snorted.

"If said eagle was normal sized and didn't look like it could carry even me off then perhaps, but you treat her like she's a small singing bird which she's clearly not."

"Syrax is a sweetheart uncle." Jae said and she cawed as if to prove the point.

"How did things go with Lady Margaery Jae?"

"She was nervous at first mother, but in the end she was a natural."

"Is it wise your grace, having her so comfortable around the dragon?" his uncle asked.

"It's the same as with Ghost uncle, or any of my cousin's Direwolves, they need to be used to those we care about, to be comfortable around them and even to know what they mean to us. But their loyalty will always be to us first, unless we tell them otherwise."

"Aye, I saw that with Nymeria before Arya had to send her away." his uncle said sadly.

"Well she's back now uncle." Jae said and his uncle nodded.

"Are they on their way?" his mother asked.

"We should see them over the next few days, then we'll need to explain things to the Lords of the Reach."

Garlan.

He stood anxiously waiting for the king, on the balcony above his family were watching, all of them cheering for him no doubt, all except one, though her couldn't fault he for it. He had been impressed with Jae from the moment he saw him, but still a part of him was wary, he could turn out to be like the lion, or worse yet his mad grandfather. But it was clear he was nothing like either and seeing how he looked at Margaery, how he brightened up when she looked at him, Garlan would be happy to have him as a goodbrother.

Now though as he arrived he was more eager to test his steel against his own, fighting Barristan had been an experience, fighting Arthur a dream. To fight a man trained by the Sword of the Morning, a king who may have the skills to back it up, was something few would be able to boast of and something he could tell his own children one day. He wished they could wield their blades, the king's Valyrian Steel against his own, but his grandmother had refused and so Thorn would need to wait a little longer for it's steel to be tested.

"Ser Garlan to five or a yield?" Jae said as he stood facing him his blunted sword in his hand.

"Either your grace." Garlan said and Jae nodded.

The first point caught him so much by surprise he wasn't sure it had happened, it was only seeing the sword come at him again that proved to him it had been true. To say the king was quick would be to do him a disservice, even Arthur's strikes weren't this fast. It took him a moment or two to be able to keep up and in that time he'd lost another point, the feint and thrust to his stomach coming almost exactly at the same time.

At least with the third he made Jae work for it, he parried strike after strike, only to be caught with a spinning move he'd never seen before. One moment Jae was attacking his left side and then the right and then all of a sudden he spun and was to his side, the strike catching him on the shoulder. Garlan needed to be quicker, to be surer in his strikes and so he moved as fast as he could. His feints weren't working so he relied on strikes and caught Jae on the shoulder earning his first point.

While it didn't make Jae angry, it did make him quicker and more determined and it was sheer luck he moved out of the way and caught Jae with a retaliatory strike earning his second point. It was to be his last though as Jae scowled and then what he had thought had been fast before, soon became a blur to him. He was caught with three strikes so quick he barely recovered from the first of them before the other two had landed.

"The match is yours your grace." he said and Jae nodded.

Garlan looked to see the surprise on his father and wife's face's, his mother looked relieved he'd been unharmed while his grandmother was stone faced. Margaery though was smiling broadly and Garlan just laughed to see it. He watched as Jae walked to Arthur and spoke to him before the knight nodded and they walked back to take up their positions. Garlan looked on eagerly then knowing they were going to spar together.

He knew Arthur had held back in his spar against him and he wondered if Jae had too, given the quickness of the last strikes, if Jae had it was until that point and then he remembered the scowl on his face. Was he a bad loser? Was that it, had Garlan's strike caught him by surprise and annoyed him? He walked to the balcony where Leonette came to check he was well and after giving her a kiss on the lips, they then walked together to Margaery and Queen Lyanna.

"His grace is very accomplished my queen." he said and Lyanna smiled.

"Arthur put a sword in his hand from almost as soon as he could walk Garlan, he's trained him for hours everyday, anyone would be accomplished after that and please it's just Lyanna."

"Lyanna." he said with a small smile "It's true, but you need the basic talent and it's clear his grace has that in spades." he said and Margaery nodded slightly, probably not even aware she'd done so making Leonette laugh.

They turned to watch the fight seeing Arthur and Jae begin to move, he had thought Jae quick, but seeing him from outside of the fight itself was far different, and it could be appreciated even more. How he had managed to keep up with him he didn't know, but looking on now he was sure of two things. Arthur and Jae had held back against him in their spars and neither was doing so now. The blades were flying so fast and so quick that it took him a moment to realize they weren't using blunted blades.

"By the seven." he said as he looked closer.

"What?" Margery asked.

"The swords, that's Dawn, they're using edged blades." Garlan said and both his wife and sister gasped.

"They always do, not once have the harmed each other, I doubt they'll do so now." Lyanna said and he saw the relief on Margaery's face and as he turned around his grandmother's too.

Looking back at the two men was like watching true art, true beauty as far as Garlan was concerned, he didn't even hear Willas when he arrived with Lady Sansa, nor see him hand his grandmother the raven scrolls. So enraptured was he in what he was looking at he didn't even hear his name be called, the fight went on for some time with neither getting a clear edge. When finally he heard Jae yield and looked to see Dawn held barely a whisker from the king's throat.

"So not today either then Arthur." the king said with a large smile and Garlan saw the Sword of the Morning grin and nod.

"No my king, not today."

As Jae and Arthur walked up the stairs to the balcony, he saw his grandmother read the notes, a smile on her face meaning it was obviously good news. His wife turned to him to ask him if he was all right as he'd not answered her and he laughed saying he was too absorbed in the fight making her pout adorably.

"Men." she said making Margaery giggle as Jae arrived.

"Word from Oldtown and Golden Grove your grace, House Hightower and Rowan have already left and should be here by week's end." his father said after his grandmother had given him the notes and her permission to do so.

"That's wonderful news my lord, with them and the other houses it would seem most if not all your bannermen shall be here within the week."

"The men of the Reach are loyal your grace." his father said.

"Then their lord should be proud of the job he has done." Jae replied and he thought his father was going to burst given the look of pride which appeared on his face.

With the spars over with and the news their lords were on their way, Margaery and Leonette along with Lyanna and the rest of his family went off, both to see to the preparations for their arrival and to discuss plans for the wedding. It had been decided that as soon as they all arrived and were told about Jae, the wedding would then take place and his mother and the queen had been frantically preparing things.

Garlan spoke with Jae and Arthur for a little bit, before he too headed off, his brother would arrive soon and he found himself eager to speak to Loras, eager to see he was safe and well and to find out what had happened to Renly.

The Battle of Oxcross 298 AC.

Ser Stafford Lannister.

As he turned in for the night Stafford felt the men he'd assembled though poorly trained, were at least eager and he had managed to assemble a large enough number of them to make a difference. Lord Jast had been dismissive of them and Roland was Roland, the lord of Crakehall as firm and unyielding as ever. They had assembled all they could, the West had been scoured of able bodied men from the sea to the mountains, and soon they'd march to face stags or wolves.

Who Tywin would send them against he cared not, only that he hoped to have time to put the men through more training while on the road. More drills, more discipline so at least they'd stand and not flee when faced with the enemy. As he lay down on his bed and swallowed the last of his wine he thought of Myranda and wished it was her he was laying beside. His sleep was fitful and his dreams were terrible, the sounds of wolves howling in the night haunting him.

Jumping up he realized to his horror that they weren't just dreams, the howling of the wolf was all too real and that could mean only one thing. The North wasn't waiting for them to bring the fight, the North had brought the fight to them. He dressed as quickly as he could, though his armor was barely on him as he ran and jumped onto his horse, he saw the fires around him, heard the panicked screams as men fell and felt his own panic begin to rise.

"Ser Stafford, your orders." he heard a voice call out to him.

"Ser Stafford."

"For fucks sake, will someone give me a damn order." he heard the voice shout loudly.

"Form up, to horse, we need to ride out amongst them." he said and was glad to see the nods he received in return.

Almost twenty men he gathered together ready to ride and then he saw them and he knew he was fucked. Riding towards them must have been five hundred and the man leading them was larger than Crakehall, he could see his men's spirits sag, could see their resolve falter.

"Men of the West, those men have come to our lands and intend to murder you and your children, they intend to defile your wives and daughters, do you intend to let them?" he shouted.

"No."

"No."

"For the West."

"For Lord Tywin."

The shouts reverberated around him, his twenty had been joined by another ten and almost a hundred on foot.

"Glory or death." he shouted as he gave the order to charge at the northerners who rode towards him.

Lord Roland Crakehall.

He was in the thick of it, around him was chaos and he was glad that his sons were elsewhere, his greatsword was in his hands and he was swinging for all he was worth, he may fall here but if so he'd not do so alone. The Northmen were fierce, he saw men with Bear sigils, and men with the flayed man and that made even him flinch, the Bolton's reputation well known to him. On the hill above he could see just how perilous their position was, they weren't outnumbered but the men they faced were anything but green.

How they had managed to get here was something he'd worry about should he survive this day and given how the tide of battle was going that wasn't a guarantee. But with his men around him he pushed forward and for a moment it seemed like there was some light at the end of a very dark tunnel. The Northmen seemed to hesitate, seemed to hold back and Roland saw the chance for if not a victory, then perhaps a glorious retreat.

"There men, there is our objective." he shouted pointing to the hill.

"My lord, you wish us to attack?" one of the men said his face ashen.

"We attack, we either win or we break free, but we attack, defense here is not an option." he said and turned the man's face around to show him the truth of things.

Around them far in the left it was clear the battle there had been lost and Antario and his men were done for, Stafford's in the right were being overwhelmed and it left them as the only force not yet beat. But they were in no position to help and so it was forward they'd go, maybe they'd be lucky and capture an important Northern lord on their way, or maybe not and they'd just escape with their lives, either way they had but one choice.

"FORWARD." he bellowed and they moved as one.

It was when he reached the hill he saw it and realized he was late, far too late and the day was already lost. The man rode the horse as if he was born to it, the grey wolf beside him almost as big as the horse was and while they rode, he was on foot and they'd not survive the cavalry charge. He looked to the men around him, saw the fear in their eyes, turning back he shook his head and smiled.

"None So Fierce." he shouted and ran forward with all the speed and strength he could muster.

He made it no more then a quarter of the way, he swung his great sword but the wolf was faster, far too fast, it couldn't be real he thought. He heard the screams around him as he was dragged to the ground, felt the teeth as they bit into his shoulder, his pauldron still sitting in the tent where he'd left it. Looking into the wolf's yellow eyes, looking at it's snapping teeth now covered in some of his blood, he wondered why it didn't finish him.

"My lord, I'll accept your surrender now." a man said and as he looked past the wolf he saw it wasn't a man at all, a boy, red haired and blue eyed, the young wolf had come to collect his meal.

"My men?" he asked.

"Have already surrendered my lord, it seems seeing their lord taken down by a wolf cost them their courage." the boy said with no sense of recrimination or scorn in his voice.

"Terms?" he asked as both wolves looked at him, though it was the human one who answered.

"To be offered by our king, though I shall treat you and your men far more respectfully than you may I if our positions were reversed.

"Then I offer my surrender Lord Stark."

"My men will show you to the rest of the prisoners my lord, the battle is done."

As he was being helped to his feet he watched the young wolf pet the grey one and smile as he turned his back to him.

"Wait, your king, you've declared for Stannis?" he asked and saw the boy smile.

"No my lord, it's a dragon we serve, King Jaehaerys Targaryen, the third of his name."

A Targaryen, it couldn't be they were gone, Jaehaerys, who the hell was Jaehaerys and why would the Starks follow a Targaryen king.

"You'd support the dragons after what they did to your aunt, what they did to your grandfather and uncle?" he shouted confused.

"My aunt lives my lord, it's her son we support, it seems your lord didn't manage to end Rhaegar's line after all."

Rolland felt himself almost sag, he cared not for Tywin and his fate, but only hoped that Lyle would be elsewhere when the dragon made his move, for anyone who stood in his way would surely burn.

Highgarden 298 AC.

Olenna.

Jae continually surprised her, but perhaps not more so than how he handled Littlefinger, she had assumed he'd have executed him given how he'd acted when he saw him, had almost expected it. Seeing the man soil himself had been both disgusting and hugely entertaining. But instead he'd just seen the man to his cell and had a Kingsguard and his own guards watch over the man. Not once had he mentioned him, not once had he visited him, just left him in the cell for the past few days.

She however couldn't resist going to see the man, seeking him out to find out just exactly what it was he'd done to incur a dragon's rage, what had pleased her most when doing so was she had not been the only one. Each time she had gone down to see him she had found Lord Stark hanging around almost building up the courage to face the man, which given what she knew of Eddard Stark didn't make sense. But then she had figured it out, he wasn't building up the courage, he was trying to rein in his temper and today she finally got some idea of why.

"My wife trusted you and you used that trust to betray me." Ned Stark shouted as Ser Gerold looked on.

"Of course I did, what else was I supposed to do? Join you in your foolish attempt to put Stannis on the throne, god's how stupid would that have worked out for us all since there's a dragon coming to claim it now. One your own sister birthed, a bastard king for a bastard throne."

"My king is no bastard, but speak more if you wish, I'll enjoy your execution so much more then." Gerold said his voice even.

"Execution? On what crime, what have I been accused of? What charges do I face?"

"Treason." she said then showing herself.

"Ah the grasping vines show their thorns, what treason have I committed? I served my king as is a lord's vow, I acted on his orders and by all the laws of men and gods I am innocent of any treason." he said smugly.

"You forget Lord Baelish it was a dragon who wrote those laws, a dragon whose throne was taken, any man who served the false king can be accused of treason." Gerold said and Baelish laughed.

"Then Lord Stark should worry about his own head, for he served him more than I."

She was about to say something when Jae arrived, he walked to the cell looked in and spat on the floor beside Littlefinger.

"Drink up my lord, for your time is coming to an end."

"Ah the lizard shows his claws, so little lizard finally come to tell me why you've placed me here."

"In good time my lord, in good time. Sleep well tonight lord Baelish, tomorrow you go on trial, I'd practice those clever words of yours for you'll surely need them."

She watched as Jae turned to walk away and saw the little gulp Littlefinger took, turning to walk after the king she heard Lord Stark mumble something and then walk away. She caught the king near the top of the steps, he'd walked slowly to let her catch him she was pleased to see.

"You have questions my lady?"

"I do your grace."

"Jae." he said smiling as they walked.

She held her questions until they reached her rooms, Arthur walking behind them silently all the way, once they got there she asked if Jae wished for a drink and he shook his head taking his seat.

"What did he do Jae?" she asked getting right to the heart of the matter.

"Where would I start, you know of Kings Landing, of Jeyne?"

"I do some of it, your uncle, but Jeyne?"

"The crown gave her to Littlefinger to take care of, to do with as he wished. He intended to turn her into a whore."

"She's but a girl." Olenna said and Jae nodded.

"Thankfully we got there before she had faced any of the worst." he said "But my own issues with him go further back, he's responsible for most of it. Oh there were others, Jon Arryn and Robert and Tywin himself of course, but they came after in some ways, the deaths of my uncle and grandfather are because of him, their blood is on his hands."

"I don't understand."

He told her then of letters sent and intercepted, of Baelish and Lysa and the woman's love for him, he told her of the letter he had her deliver to his uncle Brandon, of the tale he'd had her tell. He had practically hand delivered Brandon Stark to Aerys and that indeed was the start of it all.

"How could you know this Jae?" she asked.

"I see things, dream things."

"Dream them?" she asked confused.

"Have you ever heard the full story of how my family survived the doom?"

"I know your ancestor moved his family to Dragonstone before it happened, he and the Velaryon's came from Valyria if I remember correctly."

"They did though the Velaryons had come before even then. but it was more than simply that. Daenys the dreamer, Aenar's daughter had a vision of the doom, a vision so true that my family sold up what they had and they and their dragons moved to Dragonstone. Twelve years later Valyria fell and of the forty only my family survived."

"And you too have these dreams?" she asked stunned.

"Mine are different Olenna, but I have them too. The night before Baelish arrived I saw the truth of things."

"But you have no evidence, you can't convict him based on a dream."

"Lady Olenna, I have no intention of convicting him." Jae said with a smile.

So it was an hour later she found herself, Lord Stark and her son sitting in their seats while Petyr Baelish was brought to them to face his judgement.

Littlefinger.

He had been outplayed, outmaneuvered simply because he had no idea of this new player in the game, this new wrinkle to his plan. A dragon lived and by all accounts had tied the rose's up in a neat little bow, no doubt offering the golden rose a crown. But what army did he bring? What was his strength? So far other than his name and some guards he had seen none, but the withered old rose wouldn't have agreed to a deal just for the name.

Mace would, he'd no doubt of that, in less than a heartbeat Mace would accept a marriage betrothal from a son of Rhaegar, the last dragon as all had thought, though now proven to be wrong. But Olenna would look for more, she'd need more, Ned Stark brought the North and the Riverlands too perhaps, so there was that. Would that be enough though? He tried to work it out in his head, two kingdoms plus Targaryen loyalists and now the Reach.

Tywin was fucked that much was clear, but he, he could use this, he could turn this to his advantage, he needed to be clever though, needed to allow them show him what it was they knew. Once they made their move he could counter and he had an added gem to throw them, the Vale was too big a prize for them to resist. He smiled as he was brought to clean himself up, even more so when he was allowed to dress, as they led him into the room he looked to the Targaryen who was sitting on a chair waiting for him.

"My lords, I hereby charge Lord Petyr Baelish with the crimes of treason and kidnapping." the boy said as he stood up and Petyr looked to see Lord Stark shake his head.

Petyr almost laughed, just as he had yesterday when Stark came to see him. The man still had no head for politics or how people may act, questioning his honor as if that mattered when the sword fell to take you head. He looked to see Sansa sitting beside Margaery, her red hair even brighter than her mother's had been, her eyes bluer and his heart ached, he had loved Cat once, had thought her the most beautiful thing in the entire world.

But Sansa was fairer still, she'd grow into an even more beautiful woman and his mind went deep to it's darkest places as he found himself laying in that bed all those years ago. Only now it wasn't Cat's face he saw as she comforted him, but her daughters' and he needed to look away lest he lose his wits.

"How do you plead Lord Baelish." Stark said and he decided it best to answer simply for now.

"I am innocent of these false charges my lord."

He had to sit when the boy called Jeyne and her evidence was damning, but there were little gaps in it he could use and so he concentrated on those.

"My lady, let me say how sorry I am for your ordeal." he said smiling at her while she glared at him.

"You were responsible for it." she said bitterly.

"How so my lady? Was it not the queen who ordered you into my custody?"

"Yes but you took me against my will." she said her voice cracking with emotion.

"Which I do not dispute, only that it was upon the queen's orders was it not?"

"It was."

"While in my custody, were you harmed my lady? Were you caused physical pain?"

"No, but I was threatened."

"Indeed but never harmed?"

"No." she said looking to the King.

"You say you were taken to a brothel and would have been forced to work as a whore is that true my lady."

"It is."

"But were you ever touched, were you ever sold to a man?"

"Only because we rescued her before you had the chance Lord Baelish." the king said and he smiled at him.

"As you claim your grace, however the question still stands." he said turning back to Jeyne.

"No I was never sold but it's as his grace says, only because you never got the chance."

"Or perhaps because it was never my intent." he said smiling as he looked to Lord Mace.

"What do you mean Lord Baelish?" Mace said taking the bait.

"I was ordered by my queen to take Jeyne to my premises, a brothel yes but I had no choice but to follow a command from the queen. Once there yes I told her that she would be sold, but I did so expecting for the queen to check up on the girl, I needed her to believe it so the queen would." he said before stopping and shaking his head sadly.

"So you're suggesting you were playing the queen false?" Olenna said.

"I knew Jeyne was a good friend of Lady Sansa's " he said turning to smile at the red headed girl "The last thing I would do would be to harm her."

"You dare claim to be friend of House Stark after what you did?" Ned Stark said loudly.

"I never claimed that my lord, I am however a friend of your wife." he said and smirked inwardly as Olenna's hand grabbed Ned's before he could jump up.

Jeyne was helped down and then he waited while Lyanna Stark took a seat, wondering where they were going with this.

"Mother, please tell this court of the letter you gave to Lady Lysa." the king asked and he began to panic.

He listened as she told them of the letter telling the truth of things, the letter Lysa had told him about, the letter he had told her to destroy. Looking at the king he knew then were this was going, the letter Brandon got was the one he had Lysa write, the story the one he had her tell. But that letter was gone, there was no proof, they had no proof, and so he waited and asked no question of Lyanna Stark to people's surprise.

"I would beg the court to allow me to ask Lord Baelish some questions." the king said and after some discussions they gave their approval and so he took a seat.

"You and my uncle Brandon were enemies my lord would that be true to say?

"It would, we loved the same woman and in my haste to prove that love your uncle cut me down, so yes I would call Brandon an enemy your grace, I bear the scar to prove it so." he said relishing the squirming Ned Stark did when he declared his love for Cat.

"It didn't pain you to see him dead?"

"It did not."

"You and Lady Lysa Tully were close were you not?"

"I was close with both Lysa and Cat." he said smiling at Sansa and seeing the anger rise on Stark's face from the corner of his eye.

"Is it fair to say Lady Lysa was infatuated with you my lord?" the king said and he wondered how he knew of this.

"A childhood crush your grace, nothing more."

"Like your own with my aunt, my lord." and Petyr found himself glaring at the king.

"As you say your grace." he said composing himself.

"So should you ask Lysa to destroy a letter, to bear false witness would she have, back then I mean?"

"I cannot say your grace, but perhaps."

"Did you?"

"No."

"You didn't ask her to destroy my mother's letter?"

"I did not."

"Didn't ask her to compose a false one naming my father a kidnapper?"

"I did not."

"I name you a liar my lord." the king said angrily.

"On what evidence your grace? Do you have the letter? Is Lysa here to call me false?"

"I…"

"My lords, Your Grace, I believe this to be a misunderstanding" he said and stood up.

"Lord Baelish, his grace didn't give you permission to rise." Olenna said and he looked to the king who nodded.

"Your Grace, I know not where you heard such things, nor what makes you believe them, but I state my innocence is clear. Are there any other charges? He said looking to the king who looked lost.

"Your Grace?" Ned Stark said and he saw the king shake his head.

"Then I move for a judgement my lords." he said and saw them look to each other.

"Innocent." Lady Olenna said.

"Innocent." Lord Mace said.

"Innocent." Lord Stark said as the king glared at them and then stormed out of the room, Lady Margaery and his mother racing after him.

Another petulant boy, he could work with that, he watched as Stark took his daughter and she smiled at him as they too left the room and he felt a flutter in his heart at how much like her mother's the smile was. Lord Mace too left quickly leaving him alone with Lady Olenna and her giant guards.

"You really are a slippery one Baelish." Olenna said and he just smiled at her.

"His grace is mistaken, I played no part in this, however his arrival changes the game somewhat."

"It does."

"Perhaps I can offer my own support for him now, though would he accept it?"

"Not from you he wouldn't, but why would he even need it?" she asked curiously.

"I can bring the Vale to bear."

"How?"

"He wasn't entirely wrong, Lysa's infatuation is a newer thing though, should I ask I believe I can bring her on side."

"For a price."

"My lady everything we do is for a price is it not." he said and she laughed.

He left an hour later, his guards had been unharmed but would need to be replaced, not one of them had actually tried to defend him. Still he'd need them to get back to the Vale, Lord Paramount of the Vale and Warden of the East, a marriage to Lysa all but assured, the ladder clear in his focus once again.

As he rode from the Reach he smirked thinking of the petulant boy, he could easily work around him and soon there'd be someone new on the throne. He smiled then thinking of the red headed queen sitting beside him, her name on the edge of his lips daring to be spoken aloud.

"Sansa." he said dreamily as he rode down the Gold Road.

Loras.

He saw it in the distance, he and the outriders along with Lord Ashford and his personal guard, the captain of the Lord's guard leading the full force of the army a day or so behind them. As he saw the sheer number of men around his home he grimaced, it had been a bitter realization when he saw Ashford's army formed and ready to march. His family had found a new king to declare for and left Renly to fend for himself, left him alone and now were finally readying for war.

Who that king was he cared not, his king was dead and he'd not serve another, no the only thing he served now was revenge and he would ensure Stannis paid for what he'd taken from him. Beside him Robar and Brienne looked almost excited at the prospect of the fight they'd soon be a part of. They too were seeking their own vengeance for their fallen king. As they came closer he saw the banners more clearly, the striding huntsman of House Tarly prominent.

"Who have you declared for my lord?" he heard Robar ask Lord Ashford once again.

"No one Ser, I've declared for my liege and await his orders."

They were met by his family who welcomed Lord Ashford warmly, when she saw him his sister broke all protocol though and he welcomed her embrace, as he did his brothers, though he looked on stunned when Willas walked without a cane.

"Willas how?"

"A long story brother, you look well." Willas said and despite himself he smiled.

"Brother, Ser Robar Royce and Lady Brienne, my friends, can you see they're treated well." he said moving to his mother who hugged him tightly before he looked at his grandmother.

Both of them stood silently before he hugged her and felt her hug him back, he was angry with her, disappointed and he could feel the same was true with how she felt about him.

He heard his father say to Lord Ashford that the king would meet them tonight and he wondered how that was possible. Unlike the others he'd figured it out on the way, it was to be Joffrey Lannister his family would support, Margaery to be queen no doubt. They'd not support Stannis of that he was certain and Robb Stark may win some battles but he'd retreat back to the North rather than take the throne.

He followed his brothers and grandmother to their room, looking around he couldn't see where Margaery was, she must have stayed outside he thought. When they reached the rooms he took a seat as did Willas, Garlan stood though and he saw it then the sword at his hip.

"New sword?" he said and Garlan nodded taking it from it's sheath.

"This, this is Valyrian Steel." he said looking at the ripples in the blade "Where did you get this?"

"The king gave it to me." Garlan said smiling.

"Joffrey, you sold yourself to the Lannister's for a sword, Renly should have been our king."

"Renly was never going to be king Loras and you were a fool to think so, you were told to come back here." Willas said.

"I stayed with my king." he said angrily.

"There is only one king and he'll be here in a moment and Loras I shall warn you just the once, be respectful." his grandmother said and he glared at her before nodding when she refused to break eye contact with him.

He was about to ask who this king was when Margaery entered laughing and joking with a dark haired man who had deep indigo eyes. He looked at the black outfit he wore, the dragon brooch and the red accents and knew then he was a Targaryen, Behind him walked four men, Barristan the bold, a man who was even older than the famed knight, a fair headed man and a tall Dornishman and when he saw the cloaks, the armor, he began to realize who they were.

"Your Grace." his grandmother said rising as Willas did too glaring at him to do likewise, Loras hesitated but not for the reasons they may have thought, instead he had just noticed the Dornishman's blade.

"Please sit." the dark haired man said just as he did manage to rise "Ser Loras it's good to see you well, I'm not sure if I've arrived before or after you've been told of me?" he said and Willas answered.

"Before your grace."

"Then perhaps I should do the honors. My name is Jaehaerys Targaryen, the men you see around me are my Kingsguard, Ser Barristan I believe you know?"

"I do your grace." he said looking to the others and hoping he was right.

"This is Ser Gerold Hightower Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Arthur Dayne."

"The Sword of the Morning." he said almost reverently.

"How come no one ever says The Black Bat that way." Ser Oswell said and the king chuckled.

"One day Oz, one day." the king said and Loras looked at the smirk on his face.

"Jae and I are to be married Loras." Margaery said and despite the sense of bitterness he felt at them picking this new king, his sisters happy smile trumped it for now

"I congratulate you both and wish you the best." he said genuinely.

"Ser Loras perhaps you can explain what happened with Lord Renly, I know Stannis has declared himself king and the Stormlands have fallen, but is Lord Renly held prisoner or did the worst happen?" Jae asked and he looked to him sadly.

"Renly is dead, he was murdered by a shadow." he said to confused looks from everyone but the king.

"Lady Melisandre she is a shadow binder too Gerold." the king said to Ser Gerold who nodded.

"The shadow Ser Loras did any of you catch it with your blades? Ser Gerold asked.

"I did not Ser, perhaps Lady Brienne or Ser Robar did."

"We'll need to speak to them both, Barristan perhaps it's better if its you for now." Gerold said and Barristan nodded before he turned and walked from the room.

"I don't understand, Shadowbinders, a shadow what does this mean?" his grandmother asked.

"It means I was right not to declare yet and from now on none of us goes anywhere unless we're with someone who carries Valyrian Steel." Jae said.

They spoke some more and finally the king, Arthur and Gerold turned to leave though Oswell would be staying to guard Margaery. He watched as Jae kissed his sister's cheek and walked from the room and found himself unsure of how he was supposed to react. A Targaryen king guarded by the greatest knights who ever lived, the greatest swordsman who ever lived, Renly paled in comparison as an option to his family.

Still he was his love and they'd left him alone, had they came then perhaps he'd have marched sooner, perhaps he'd still live. Though shadows and Shadowbinders suggested that the fight was far different than he'd imagined.

"So this is who you abandoned Renly for?"

"Renly was never an option, you deluded yourself and almost convinced your father to place this house in it's greatest jeopardy ever." his grandmother said.

"How, what does he have other than his name?" he said and he saw both his brother and sister frown at him.

"You mean apart from his father's Kingsguard, an army, Ser Jaime as his prisoner and our support." Garlan said.

"He's the reason I limp no more Loras, my leg he healed it." Willas said.

"He has dragons Loras, real life fire breathing dragons." Margaery said and he looked to her ready to laugh "I flew on one myself brother, flew over Highgarden and Ashford, saw Lord Alyn's men on the road."

"Why didn't you land. Why didn't you speak to me?" he asked.

"How would you all have reacted seeing a dragon, Would your archers have held their arrows?" his grandmother said.

"Loras he is our king and I wish you to be with me, to be my Kingsguard." Margaery said and he looked at her unsure of how to reply.

"I'm tired and need to bathe, can we speak later on this?" he said and Margaery nodded as he got to his feet.

"Loras tonight we declare him our king in front of the Reach, you will be there with your family." his grandmother said and he nodded knowing he'd no choice.

As he walked from the room he wondered what Stannis would do when a dragon came looking for him, how would he and his priestess respond to a dragon's fire.

Jae.

He was with his mother and uncle and he felt excited at what was about to happen, inside the great hall the lords of the Reach had assembled, a feast would begin soon and he would be presented to them. He was dressed in his best, the Valyrian crown on his head and finally Margaery and her family arrived. He got up and took her arm in his as the Kingsguard surrounded them on all sides. Lord Mace would accompany Jae's mother and his uncle would walk with Lady Alerie.

"Shall we my king." Margaery said and he smiled at her.

"We shall my queen." he replied and she nodded as they walked.

He heard the hush as the herald readied to present them and then finally the sounds of heads turning and chairs being moved in their direction as his name was called out before people took to their feet.

"His Grace King Jaehaerys Targaryen, King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm and his future queen Lady Margaery Tyrell."

"Lord Mace Tyrell and the Queen mother Lyanna Targaryen."

The rest of the introductions went by in a blur and he heard the whispers as he and Margaery made their way to the high table, heard the excited talk when people recognized his mother and the Kingsguard.

"Ser Gerold."

"The Sword of the Morning lives."

"That's Lyanna Stark all right I remember her from Harrenhal."

"Rhaegar's son."

"The son of the dragon."

As they took their seats he motioned for the Lords to take their own and then he stood up looking out into the faces, thanking both Margaery and Olenna for making the seating clear and the descriptions they'd given him. Arthur and Gerold stood behind him at either shoulder, Kalors behind his mother and Barristan behind Margaery while Oswell stood behind his uncle, Gerold picking the men and their positioning.

"My Lord's no doubt you have many questions and there will be time spent with each of you so you may receive the answers you seek. But I shall speak now to a truth kept hidden for my safety.".

He looked out to see each of them looking at him eagerly, smiles on some faces as his father's features were recognized, eagerness on some at what he may say and intrigue on most of them.

"My mother was never kidnapped, those of you who knew my father will no doubt have long suspected this to have been false. My father and mother met and fell in love and with Elia's blessing married in the light of the seven and the old gods of my mother's family. After the sack of Kings Landing Ser Gerold, Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell knowing the danger I was in and fearing for my safety after my brother and sister's deaths, faked our own and took my mother and I to Essos.

For fifteen years I have waited and planned to return and take what was stolen from my family, to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of my brother and sister and their mother. I along with my Aunt Daenerys and loyal men such as my Kingsguard, Lord Jon Connington, Ser Richard Lonmouth and many more have planned and prepared and now the time is upon us."

He looked around the room once more, seeing the lords look at each other, he saw Tarly and Rowan nod at each other, saw Baelor Hightower smile and Ashford look pleased. Lords Fossoway and Redwyne, Oakheart and Merryweather, Caswell and Mullendore all of them looked to him.

"My uncle Eddard Stark and the Lords of the North have sworn to me, his goodfather Lord Hoster Tully and the lords of the Riverlands have sworn to me. My men are at present ensuring the Riverlands are a place where Lions fear to tread."

He heard the laughter around the room as he said it, even the stoic Randyl Tarly having a smile on his face.

"Lord Tyrell has pledged his fealty and called you his loyal bannermen. You the loyal lords of the Reach who fought for my father. I come to you now and ask you, will you fight for his son?"

"Yes." a few voices called out.

"Will you fight for his son?" he said a little louder.

"Yes." more called out.

"I am the son of the dragon my lords, my father's blood runs through my veins, the future he sought, the future he promised you all is there for us to take and so I ask you again. Will you fight for his son, will you fight for me?" he said and this time the room rang out in cheers.

"Fire and Blood." Jae shouted and Lord Mace and his sons and even his uncle shouted it too.

"Fire and Blood."

"Fire and Blood."

"Fire and Blood."

He waited until the cheers died down and then nodded to Arthur who moved in front of the high table, Gerold too doing the same.

"My lords, soon we shall feast and celebrate but before that there is something I think you should see, so I ask for you to join me outside for a moment if you will."

Jae walked back out of the hall to where the large double doors which led to the main balcony were already open, he waited until most of the hall had cleared. All of the prominent lords standing there, while behind him men looked over each others shoulders and then he pointed to the sky.

"My lords of the Reach, the dragons have returned." he said and heard the hush as Brankardix flew toward them.

"No it can't be."

"It is, that's a dragon."

"That's a dragon."

Brankardix flew closer to the balcony, close enough so they could see his son clearly, his white scales standing out against the moonlight. Jae gave the signal and Brankardix roared loudly, the vibrations sounding across the night sky and then he flew higher.

"Dracarys." Jae said and his son released his flames into the sky.

Against the moonlight the flames burned brightly, illuminating the sky for what seemed like miles around, he heard the astonished gasps behind him, heard the lords speaking to each other excitedly, some even fearfully.

After a few moments he told his son to go rest, his work for the night done and Brankardix did as he was bid and flew off. They made their way back to the great hall and the feast began, Jae ensuring no one felt left out with his rewarding of dishes. When the feasting was done he waited until the music was being set up and nodded to Oswell who left and returned a moment later with the harp. Kalors placed a seat in the middle of the floor and Jae walked over and looked at it, his father's harp ready to be played once again.

It had been his mother who suggested the song and Jae felt his heart tremble at the thoughts of playing it in front of her.

"They'll remember it Jae, whatever doubts they have, hearing you play it they'll remember your father."

"Are you sure, we don't need to mother, we don't need to if you're not sure?"

"I'm sure, besides I'd like to hear it again, hear it, if it's our son who's singing it."

As he played the opening notes he could feel it, looking to his mother he saw her smile softly and so he played the song his father had all those years ago.

High in the halls of the kings who are gone

Jenny would dance with her ghosts

The ones she had lost and the ones she had found

And the ones who had loved her the most

The ones who'd been gone for so very long

She couldn't remember their names

They spun her around on the damp old stones

Spun away all her sorrow and pain

And she never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave

Never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave

They danced through the day

And into the night through the snow that swept through the hall

From winter to summer then winter again

'Til the walls did crumble and fall

And she never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave

Never wanted to leave,…

When he was done he saw it, she was right, his speech and the dragon, his mother, all of it had made them want to believe and yet somehow it had not been enough to remove all doubts. Now though there was none, he was Rhaegar's son, he could see it in how Tarly looked at him, how Rowan smiled. He looked to see his mother wiping a tear from her face, to see Lady Alerie and Sansa and Jeyne do the same.

Margaery though was almost crying openly, though the smile on her face showed her happiness not sadness and Jae took comfort in that. As he took his seat beside her he reached his hand out and held hers making the smile on her face even brighter. They danced later that night and she leaned closer into him, allowed him to hold her tighter and he felt that future he dreamed of getting ever closer.

He spoke to some of the lords and knew he'd need to speak more to each of them privately. As he went to his room though he felt him in his mind and knew it was time, Arthur and his mother joined him, Oswell and Barristan on duty for the night while Kalors and Gerold slept.

"Where is he?" his mother asked.

"About a quarter of the way to Oldtown.

"The men?" Arthur asked.

"They'll do as they were told," Jae said and Arthur nodded.

"Do it." his mother said and Arthur nodded.

Jae closed his eyes, his son moving swiftly towards his target, they had stopped to rest in a field, as he felt his son reach out to him, felt his voice in his head Jae told Rhaegon to land but not harm the men.

"Yes father."

He smelt the fear of the men, could hear the cries and screams as Littlefinger was dragged by them in front of the dragon and then the men scurried back to their horses and were gone. Littlefinger tried to run, but Rhaegon was used to smarter deadlier prey than this weak man. The dragon jumped and within a second he had him, his claw grabbing him and then they were in the air, the screams of the man lost within the sounds of the dragon's wings flapping.

It would take his son days to reach his destination and he could feel his joy shared with his own at the suffering the man would face for his actions.

"I will see him there father, then we can fly together some more." his son said and showed him Arya rubbing his neck.

He turned to his mother and nodded and she smiled, Arthur placing his arm around her.

"That man tried to bring the doom to our family, let him find his own in our homeland." Jae said.

"Valyria." Arthur said and Jae nodded.

A/N: Thanks as always to those who've read and reviewed, Up next a wedding and Tywin receives news of Oxcross and plans his move while Stannis puts the finishing touch to his plans.

Daryl Dixon: Should have said it as scooby doo "Ruh Roh."

Guest: Olenna asking the king if a girl he's showing an interest in is a mistress, love or just someone he's sleeping with on the side in private is not the king allowing her liberties, she has every right to ask that, as would Mace or Alerie. They are marrying for an alliance, had she not asked that question she'd have been derelict in her duty to her granddaughter and if anything for Jae that would make him worry more.

Olenna with Lyanna was political, here it's personal if you can have your future family question you personally than there's somehting wrong, it would be like Garlan making a comment to Jae about treating Margaery well, on the face of it that's a threat, but it's to be expected from her brother, father, mother etc.

Had Olenna stood up in front of a group of people and did the same thing then you'd have a point, but she said nothing until they were in a private room.

Princess: Thanks so very much.

Biohazard: Glad you liked it.

Silentmayhem: Rhaegon is the baddest of them all. I agree with Robb up until he did the stupid with Jeyne Westerling, but in so much of the other things he showed a clearer understanding of what it would take, he even less than a few months into his role ordered for ships to be built, something Ned Stark never does in all his time as LP. I will do a Jeyne pov in the wedding, Mycella maybe a bit later. Cersei lives in denial largely, she sees the Red Keep as everything, KL as everything and has no concept of things outside that comfort zone.

Xand007: Thanks so much my friend. We'll see LF's actual fate very soon, but it won't be pretty. Jae's war plans are dependent on certain events and actions, we'll see them begin to play out next chapter and the war itself the chapter after.

Svenion: Sorry my friend.

Vwchick: Hope you liked the LF bits here, as for Robb while yes he did go against orders, strategically/tactically he did the right thing, Jae will be pissed but also at himself too.

LordVillareal: I think knowing of Jeyne, of what she went through and Jae seeing her himself in KL makes him more invested and making a future for her is relatively easy, with Robb it's a bit like the Edmure thing which i hadn't realised but we'll see how Jae responds. Sansa i never thought stupid, certainly naive and it cost her, but they had all the tools to wisen her up and didn't so Olenna will be different.

Paulies: LF is so screwed he'll suffer greatly. Roose needs the conditions to betray, it worked in canon, but dragons, Jae's army, The Reach coming on board, Roose can do the math so will bide him time or perhaps come up with a different plan.

Dunk: Robb was right in what he did, tactically, militarily and strategically, but like Edmure he went both against an order and didn't know the full picture, we'll see how Jae reacts to the news. We'll see Stannis and KL and the battle the chapter after next. Hope you liked the LF part, we'll see his actual fate soon.

Aussiekay: Thanks so much and yep totally up shit creek.

Jayley: Thanks so much, after the show i wanted to play around with things, go a different route and have some of my fav characters (Arthur) in a story also we see so many Jon/Dany or Jon/Sansa it's nice to do different.

XXdragon: Must have been an error, glad you got to read it though and hope you like what will happen to LF.

Infinity mask: Olenna is in a much different position than the north or riverlands, with them Jae was bringing them help they seriously needed, in some ways they ended up being even more subservient because of that, The Reach hadn't taken part in anything and was in no danger other than if they'd done a different deal. Also Olenna is both the power behind the Reach and Jae's future wife's grandmother so there are personal things going on there.

It's like comparing a personal alliance to a political one, they're bound to be different, hell we act very differently with our in laws or prospective in laws, especially when we're trying to put on our nicest faces.

Illuvar: Thanks so much, so glad you liked it.

Xan Merrick: Thanks my friend. Jeyne needed her future resolved and it's actually not hard for Jae to do it. Tyrion's problem is he was for most of it on the wrong side. Glad you liked the Olenna part, I do think she'd be like Warging, can i do that lol. With Rhaegon it's such a nice thing to have in your arsenal and for that poor soldier, Jon C's words really struck home then, holding out hope that Tywin could win fades quickly seeing a dragon. Hope you liked the LF section here, we'll see his actual fate soon.