Kings Landing 298 AC.

Grey Worm.

His men marched into the city at his queen's command, the gates opened in front of them until they saw who they were, but by that time they were theirs. They headed for the fighting, watching as the dragons led the way, but in the end, there was very little fighting to be had, these men in their steel dresses, gave up far too easily. On the king's orders, he led men away and then moved into the city itself.

Here at least men tried to fight, but his own men were more than a match for them. They had faced more resistance from far fewer men when the queen ordered them to take Astapor, here men were more cowardly he felt, more afraid of death. For him, though he knew the one unmistakable truth, the one fact these men did not realize was that all men must die, for him and his though it would not be today.

"Torgho Nudho, we've taken the roads and the large castle." Red Flea said and he nodded sending the man to inform the king.

He moved forward, then out of the corner of his eye he saw them, two men in white cloaks, three in gold, and a man wearing golden armor, they moved through the streets heading for the water and so he called his men and followed. The men moved fast but he and his moved faster, surer, even though these men were more aware of their surroundings.

"Kill them." the man in the golden armor said his voice high like a girls "Kill them now." he said again.

Grey Worm moved faster now and found the men facing a group of people, some men, some women, but mainly children, all of them unarmed and seemingly hungry. In his mind he saw the whips, he saw the chains and collars, he saw masters and slaves and in the blink of his eye, his spear caught the nearest gold cloak as he moved to the group of people.

"Ossēnagon lī qilōni ȳdra daor obūljarion, mīsagon se tolie . " (Kill those who don't surrender, protect the others.) he said to the unsullied with him and they moved forward.

His men moved forward, the men in the gold cloaks were no warriors, they fell almost as one, the two in white moved forward, the one in the golden armor hiding behind them. Grey Worm had trained with Arthur, with Gerold, with Oswell and Kalors, he'd seen what white cloaks could do and so he prepared for a battle. It didn't come, all these men had in common with those far better men was the color of their cloaks it seemed.

"Surrender." he said as one of the white cloaks lay injured and the other threw down his sword "You too." he said his sword facing out, his men with their spears raised as he looked at the man in golden armor.

"I am your king, you should be on your knees before me."

"Not my king," he said as he moved forward, smacking the man in the head with the hilt of his sword he looked down at him "Unsullied do not kneel.".

"Gūrogon zirȳ naejot se dārys" (Take them to the king) he said as one of his men took the unconscious man and the others took the injured and the one who'd surrendered.

Grey Worm looked to the people who seemed both relieved and scared, and then he heard the dragons in the sky.

"You safe now, king here." he said and moved away from them, there was still work to be done in this city tonight.

By the time he'd made it to the large castle the morning daylight had come, he had killed some men tonight, though not as many as he had expected, the fight had been more about finding them, than killing it seemed. He walked up and saw his men standing guard their spears out, to one side he saw his queen's dragon was here and he felt happy at that.

"How many have fallen?"

"Less than 50 Torgho Nudho." Red Flea said and he nodded.

He walked into the large castle, though after seeing the pyramids in Astapor he found it far smaller than he had imagined. This was the new home of King Jaehaerys, the home of the king of all this land, yet he had been in larger pyramids, owned by men who controlled far less. Though just like his queen, Jaehaerys didn't need anything other than himself to show who he was.

"You are unharmed Torgho Nudho." he heard his queen say as he stepped into a large room.

"This one is my queen."

"How many were not?" she asked.

"Less than 50 have paid the price this night my queen." he said and she looked at him sadly.

"Tonight we shall give them to the gods, will you get me their names?" she asked and he nodded as she led him to the front of the room.

Sitting on the steps in front of a large chair was the king, with his two white knights behind him, around him more of the knights who followed Jaehaerys stood and Grey Worm was glad it was not these men he'd faced.

"Torgho Nudho, I believe it is you who I am to thank for the capture of a runaway king." Jaehaerys said with a smile as he stood up and walked to him.

"This one found him running my king." he said and the king laughed.

"But not fast enough, I thank you and your men, I am in their debt and yours, is there anything I can give you to repay it?"

"I serve my queen, I serve you my king, I ask for nothing more." he said and the king nodded.

He watched on as the king spoke to his queen, waited until he was dismissed before finding somewhere to rest up, he was tired, cold, and disliked this place already. He wanted nothing more than to go home, but he would stay for as long as his queen commanded, he would stay as long as she wished it so.

Kings Landing 298 AC.

Jae.

He had finally entered the Red Keep itself, once they were sure there were no hidden assassins waiting for him, no hidden knives in the dark, no corners left unchecked. Even after that was done. Arthur and Barristan were even more fully on alert than he'd ever known them to be, he knew this was coming, Gerold had already done so a little while he was in Astapor, but he knew it would be much worse now.

Dany almost giggled at him, she'd had to deal with it while he went north and her own unsullied guards were around her always, though even they gave her more room than Arthur and Barristan did to him. He'd no doubt face big objections when he told them his intention to go collect his queen, not that he'd listen, but still, they'd speak them. Varys was helping where he could, both in making sure certain servants were kept away and in keeping him occupied while he had waited.

Now though he was finally walking into the Throne Room, finally seeing it for himself, the Throne he'd come back to reclaim, his family's legacy. It really was an ugly thing was the first thought he had, damnable ugly, but from here he could do what needed to be done, and so he felt the excitement as he moved to it. The closer he got to it though, the more wrong it seemed, so he instead turned and sat down on the steps in front of it.

"Perhaps it's better to do it when everyone is here." he said and Varys nodded.

"As you say, your grace."

"Joffrey and Tywin, who's guarding them?" he said turning to Arthur.

"Ser Clarence picked the men himself your grace, as he did the men guarding Stannis."

"The others?" he asked and Dany answered.

"I sent some of the unsullied to add to them, we have god knows how many prisoners, but they are well guarded."

"They way we got in before Lord Varys, it's blocked off?"

"No your grace, but your men are guarding it."

"We should send the ravens…" he said and then stopped when he felt her presence "There is a balcony here?" he asked and Varys directed him to the one outside, where she flew and landed her happiness in seeing him clear.

"I thought she had flown to Driftmark?" Dany asked as he stroked Syrax's neck.

"She did, she's back already, once she's rested and eaten I'll send her to my cousin, tell him to bring the northern army here." he said and she nodded.

"Riverrun?" she asked her voice even, though he knew she wished to see Lakoes again.

"Ravens, Lord Varys, can we send them without Pycelle?"

"I can see to it your grace, should we inform the realm?"

He looked to Dany and then Arthur and Barristan, all of whom nodded at him and then he turned to Varys and gave him a nod, watching as he left not a moment later.

They spoke then on the trials that would need to take place, before Grey Worm arrived and they spoke to him some, once he had left he turned to Dany and his guards.

"I know what you're all going to say and I understand, but I'm going to do it anyway so you may as well know." he said and Arthur looked at him smirking.

"You're going to collect your bride my king." Arthur said and he nodded.

"I can be there and back within a few hours, certainly before it's dark, also this will take care of the worry that she or my mother would feel too." he said and then turned to Dany "King's Landing is yours until I return aunt." and she laughed at him.

"Oh a present and I got you nothing."

He shook his head and walked to the courtyard, eyes closed he called for his son, Brankardix and his brother and sister had taken to rest in the cave his dragon had found before. His son though wasn't tired and so he and Rhaegon came at his call, Ellanys staying behind, seeing them in the distance he couldn't help but think what the people of the city must be, the dragons were truly back.

Jae looked out at the city in front of him, they would need to prepare somewhere for the dragons to come and land. Somewhere they could do so safely and without causing any panic, he shook these thoughts from his head though when his sons landed in front of him. Climbing up on Brankardix's back he set off, hoping to find Margaery quickly, he knew the longer he was gone from here, the more Arthur and Barristan would worry, so he resolved to stay only for as long as it took to explain the events.

"Fly my son." he whispered as Brankardix roared.

Beneath him he saw some banners, some people waving, while he didn't have their trust yet, while he didn't have their full faith, he at least had them willing to give him a try, for now that would have to be enough, for what was to come it wouldn't be. He flew over the Kingswood and saw the Rose Road, closing his eyes he looked to Rhaegon, feeling his son's joy at flying with him once again.

It took them a few hours to see them, even from this height the army which marched seemed massive, Jae felt some regret at the fact they were marching for no reason. The first war was over, they would in time need to prepare for the great one, looking down on the army of the Reach, he hoped they'd be ready when the time came. He flew lower, allowing them to see him, but not close enough so the horses would panic.

"There my son." he said and Brankardix and Rhaegon flew to a nearby hill.

It didn't take long for the riders to come to him, he saw Garlan and Randyl Tarly, Mathis Rowan and Ser Baelor along with a dozen men at arms, including Ser Oswell. Patting his son on the neck, he leaned into him and told him and his brother to wait, to rest, he wouldn't be too long and he began to walk down the hill.

"Your grace, all is well?" Ser Oswell said as he arrived first.

"All is well Ser Oswell come, I have much to tell you all." he said and Oswell nodded as a soldier brought him a horse.

Quickly mounting he rode with his goodbrother and the black bat, nodding to Tarly and Rowan. He saw a tent had been very quickly erected and smirked at the size of the thing. But then seeing his wife standing there looking at him, he found his attention diverted immediately. Margaery wore riding gear, though it was unlike any he'd ever seen before.

The breeches, the coat, all of it was both elegant and practical and surprisingly to Jae, he found the image she presented to be one he very much enjoyed. He quickly dismounted and was torn between running to her and walking in a kingly fashion, in the end, he found himself doing both. As he started to walk and then ran, grabbing his wife and kissing her deeply, much to the amazement of those around him.

"You are well my king?" she said flushed when he moved his lips from hers, as he stepped back a little and held her hand in his own.

"I am my queen, more so now I've seen you." he said and she smiled as his mother arrived.

"Your grace." his mother said and he let go of Margaery's hand to hug his mother and whisper "It's done, everyone is safe." in her ear.

Turning back to Margaery he took her hand once again and they walked into the tent, Olenna and Mace already inside, he took his seat, Margaery beside him and waited for the others to arrive. Ser Gerold, Ser Oswell, Kalors, his mother, the lords, it took some time for everyone to make it to the tent, turning down refreshments he began to inform them of the events.

"My lords, my ladies, forgive me for my abrupt departure and even more abrupt arrival, but the tidings I bring should explain both.

Kings Landing has fallen, Tywin's army is defeated as is Stannis's, we have won my lords, the war is over." Jae said and heard Margaery's sigh of relief, saw Olenna's smile and Gerold looking to Oz proudly.

"Your grace, Tywin, Stannis?" Randyl Tarly asked.

"Are in the dungeon's awaiting trial Lord Tarly, as are Joffrey and many others."

"I don't understand your grace, how?" Mathis Rowan asked.

"My lords I have planned for this for most of my life, for the last three years extensively. There was an opportunity to end this quickly, I took it, had I not been able to, then we would have faced a far longer war.

But this doesn't diminish the importance of the men of the Reach, only enhances them, for without your support Tywin wouldn't have been placed in such a predicament." he said and saw some nods and some questioning looks.s.

"What now your grace?" Olenna asked.

"Your men may return to your lands my lady, yours too my lords, but I need you to ride to Kings Landing still, there will be a crowning of myself and my queen." he said looking and smiling to Margaery "And trials need to be held, I hope I can count on you all."

"Of course your grace." Tarly said followed by Rowan, Baelor and the others.

"Then if you'll forgive me, my lords, I'd like to speak to my wife and mother." he said and they all turned to leave.

He waited until the had all gone, looking to Mace who was torn between following and staying and he was sure he'd have done the former if Olenna hadn't glared at him. Once they were gone he was left inside with his family, his mother, wife, and his good family all sitting there.

"What happened Jae?" his mother asked before anyone else could.

He explained the plan he had, how he'd managed to arrive with Dany at the right time, how they'd caught Stannis's attack and Tywin's arrival just at the right time. When he explained the use of dragons he expected someone to speak up on it, but no one did.

"Timing." Margaery said and he smiled "It was all about timing."

"Most things are my queen." he said turning to look at her "Which brings me to my reason for flying here. When I address the people tomorrow, I'd prefer to do so with my queen by my side, given that Kings Landing is perfectly safe and that it would take a moon or more for you to arrive, I wondered if you'd prefer to arrive by dragon."

The smile and nod she gave him were all he saw, he almost grabbed her so eager was he to be back on his dragon, but the doubts and questions came from around them all, her grandmother being the key culprit.

"You can't mean to just fly there, surely it would be better to arrive with the rest of us." she said to Margaery who shook her head.

"Better than arriving on Dragonback grandmother, if the people see me with Jae, see me on his dragon, then see me tomorrow as their queen, what could be better than that, what could leave a larger impression than that?"

"I agree Olenna, Arthur and Barristan are in the Red Keep, the unsullied and men of the company control the city. The people need to see the king and queen, they must know that a new regime has taken over, it's far better for them to see her grace now with his grace, than to wait for a moon to see her." Ser Gerold said and Olenna looked to him.

"Can you take Loras too, your grace?" Olenna asked.

"You doubt I'd protect my queen, my lady?" Jae said his voice steady but his eyes glaring at her.

"Not at all, your grace. I'd just sleep more comfortably knowing her brother was with her." Olenna said and he looked to Margaery who nodded.

"Very well, Ser Loras, I hope you have a strong stomach." he said with a chuckle which Margaery matched "Could you all give me a moment with my wife before we prepare to leave?" he said and one by one they left, his mother hugging him once more.

"I'm so happy to see you." Margaery said embracing him once they were alone.

"As am I, you, are you ready for this?" he said looking into her eyes.

She nodded and he kissed her again, this time slower, taking more time to enjoy each other's lips without people looking on and staring at them. It was even harder to break away from this kiss he found as he did so reluctantly, both of them equally flushed now. Jae wondered if like him Margaery was thinking of the night ahead, thinking of sharing a bed once more.

"We should go, it'll take us some time to get there." he said and she nodded.

"What can I bring Jae?" she asked and for a moment he had no idea what she meant.

"Oh, I hadn't thought, not much I'm afraid, I can perhaps if I'm lucky get Rhaegon to carry a small chest, but really one or two changes of clothing is the most, we'll need to have some made." he said and she nodded.

Arya.

He was going to do it again, he was going to leave her here again and she was incredibly annoyed, even more so because he was taking that stupid Loras with him. Margaery she could understand, it was sickening seeing her cousin kiss the queen, or the way his eyes would go when he saw here, stupid even. But she could understand that, but Loras, why would he take him? why not her? she had already ridden a dragon, she wasn't scared like Loras was.

"I'm Sorry Arya, I can't take you yet, I'll see you soon though."

"Please Jae, I don't even know any of these people, other than aunt Lyanna, please take me with you." she said her eyes as big as she could make them, her lip quivering.

Jae looked to her, to the dragon, then to Margaery who smiled and to Loras who shook his head. Who did he think he was, he wasn't in charge, Jae was, it was up to the king, not stupid Loras. She looked back to her cousin who had his eyes closed and she wondered what was going on, but when he opened them and smiled so did she.

"Fine, but you do as you're told once we get there, no running off Arya. I mean it, you stick close to me, or what we spoke about before, I'll have no part in it." he said and she was so happy she couldn't even remember what they'd spoken about.

"I will, thank you Jae, Thank you."

"Very well, go say your goodbyes to my mother, you're leaving her here alone, she may not be happy about it." he said and she felt guilty at that.

She watched as Jae said his goodbyes to his Kingsguard and lady Olenna and some others, while she walked to say hers to her aunt.

"I'm sorry aunt, I know you'll miss me, but I have to go, I'm sorry." she said and Lyanna just laughed.

"You really are a wild wolf aren't you, go but do as Jae says Arya, be safe niece I'll see you soon."

Jae came and spoke to Lyanna for far longer than she had, before kneeling down and speaking to Ghost, then the four of them made their way to the dragons. She looked to see the black dragon looking at her, something tied around his back, but before she could see what it was she was already climbing Brankardix. Margaery took her place in front of Jae, and so she took the place next to them with Loras sitting behind her.

It wasn't very long until they were in the air and she found annoyingly that she couldn't see much, but she was warmer without the air in her face. Looking to her side she could see the black dragon flying close to them, his eyes more on them than anything in front of him. Behind her, Loras shook nervously and she sniggered, first-timer, she was far braver than him on her first time she thought proudly.

She actually fell asleep, only waking when they were coming in to land, she cursed Jae for making her sit here, she'd missed it all, missed the whole flight. As they landed she and Loras got off first, Jae helping Margaery and she looked around nervously, having hoped never to come back here again. But this time it was different, this king far better than the last and so she found herself much happier to be entering the Red Keep than she would have believed she'd be.

"Arya?" she heard Dany's voice and ran to her hugging the princess much to her delight.

"I didn't know you'd be here, Jae didn't tell me." she said and Dany laughed.

"Of course he didn't, his mind is far too wrapped up with his wife." she said and Arya's brow creased when she looked at her cousin smiling as he held Margaery's hand and talked to Varys.

"Come on, let's get you to your room, you hungry?" Dany asked and she nodded.

The room was different than her last, closer to the king's own rooms, Dany told her it had to be as she was part of the royal family now. She could have done without the guards, but she had promised not to run off, so she would at least try and keep the promise. Hearing what had happened to Cersei though, that Joffrey was locked in the dungeons, made her want to break that promise, she wished to see them both, to laugh at Joffrey, to look upon Cersei's body.

"She poisoned herself, she was found sitting on the throne." Dany said as they were walking to Jae's room.

"Good." she said "What of the others, Joffrey, Tyrion?"

"Tyrion was badly injured, he's recovering under guard, Joffrey's in the dungeons."

"Can I see him?"

"No." Jae's voice said and she looked at him angrily as they walked into the King's rooms.

"Why not?".

"You'll see him when he's being tried, no one goes to see them now, not even me Arya, you understand." he said and she nodded "Now come let's eat I can hear your stomach rumbling from here, you're even louder than Brankardix." he said laughing, stupid she thought, as she too laughed.

She found herself laughing so much during their meal, Jae was being silly, both with Margaery and with her and Dany. Every so often he'd glare at her as if he was upset and she'd wonder what she did wrong, only for him to pull a funny face and make her laugh. He was also telling stories, some of them about Dany which made her go red in the face, only for her to then get her own back and tell some of Jae.

By the time he walked her to her bed she was exhausted, he promised her the guards would stay outside her room all night and that they'd break their fast together on the morrow, maybe even have a spar. As he put her in her bed, he mussed her hair up and she giggled some more, before he knelt down beside the bed to speak to her.

"If this is what you want, then I'll make sure it happens, but be sure all right." he said and then she remembered what it was he'd promised her.

"It is, good night Jae." she said more eager than ever now to foster here with him and Margaery, to have the good memories of this place take the place of the bad ones she had.

"Good night Arya, I'll see you on the morrow."

Kings Landing 298 AC.

Margaery.

She lay in the bed, her husband sleeping beside her, she knew she should wake him, that the day they had ahead of them was perhaps one of the most important either of them would ever face. Jae looked so peaceful though, so content, something which she herself was more than, she brushed her fingers over his face, moving his hair back so she could look at him.

When she saw the half-smile appear, she couldn't stop her own from matching it, leaning forward she kissed him, laughing when he grabbed her and rolled her beneath him.

"Jae, stop." she said when he began to tickle her, her laughter much louder now.

"No." he said tickling her more.

"Jae." she said breathlessly and he stopped now, looking at her as he leaned over her.

"Good morning wife."

"Good morning husband." she said as he kissed her and she felt his tongue seeking entrance.

She knew if anyone could see her, they'd see her smile, see her blush as she thought of his tongue and the things he had done with it the night before. She couldn't resist it and when he began to get too amorous she pinched him, forcing him from her.

"Really?" he said with a chuckle.

"Yes, we must get up Jae." she said and he shook his head and pouted adorably.

"I am king now, I order us to stay in bed." he moved closer to her and began to kiss her neck before moving to her ear and whispering huskily "Don't you wish to stay in bed wife?".

She shuddered, more than anything she thought, but she knew they could not and so pinching him again she laughed at what he said when he grabbed her hand.

"You're lucky I love every inch of you, attacking a king so, why you could lose your dainty little hand for it." he said kissing each of her fingers.

"Ah, but my sweet husband loves me so, he'd never allow anyone to harm me, is that not so?"

"It is." he said and she kissed him again, finally ready to face the morning.

"I shall need to have my things brought to my chambers later." she said as she looked around for her small clothes.

"Your what?" he said looking at her oddly.

"These are the king's chambers, the queens I believe are down the hall." she said and she saw him frown.

"You wish to be apart?" he asked.

"No, I..I just assumed." she said her heart racing at the idea he'd not wish separate chambers.

"Well I'd like this to be our chambers, if you would?" he said and she nodded happily.

"Very much so." she said and the smile he gave her was full and true.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Famished."

"I have no idea what we do about that." he said and both of them laughed.

"Call one of the servants, I'm sure they'll set you right."

A few moments later, he was dressed while she was not, he left and sent her some handmaidens to help her, her own would arrive in a while, but these would do for now. Sitting down she fixed her hair herself and found she liked it, while the handmaidens took one of the two dresses from the chest she'd brought with her, she had picked the red and black one, wanting to match her husband's colors.

It wasn't Jae but Dany and Arya who arrived to take her to break her fast, her goodaunt japing with her about the night she had and also pointing out the small bite mark on her neck. The room she brought her too was far too elaborate for four people to break their fast, far too decorative, and must be the main private eating area of the royal family.

"Here should do." Dany said and she wasn't in the mood to disagree, her hunger and the fact her grandmother wasn't here to correct her, overruling propriety.

"How was your first night here your grace." Dany asked her inquisitive smile and raised eyebrow telling her she knew exactly what she and Jae had gotten up to.

"Exhausting." she said and Dany laughed loudly making Arya look at them both.

The food arrived and then Jae did too a moment later, shaking his head annoyed over something, he smiled at them though and sat down beside her rather than at the top of the table.

"What's wrong?"

"What?" he said "Oh, the kitchens here, the food, the stocks, they'd have let the people starve, but they wouldn't have gone short at all." he said.

"We can distribute some of it if you like, order more to be delivered now that things are more secure."

"We will." he said smiling at her, his hand reaching out to take hers, and then a few moments later they began to eat.

Ser Arthur walked in a few minutes later leading Lord Varys behind him, the man handing Jae a note which he looked at and then handed to her.

His Grace King Jaehaerys and Her Grace Queen Margaery of the Houses Targaryen and Tyrell do hereby request all loyal subjects to come to Kings Landing and swear fealty. The Lannister army is defeated, the Baratheon army is defeated, anyone who does not willingly come will be considered an enemy and will face the consequences.

Jaehaerys Targaryen, King of the Andals, Rhoynar and First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm.

Margaery Targaryen, Queen of the Andals, Rhoynar and First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm.

Margaery couldn't believe it, he had told her they would rule together, that she was his queen, but to see it written in front of her, she looked at him saw him nod and handed him back the note.

"Very good work Lord Varys, it has been sent?"

"It has your grace."

"Things are set for later on?" Jae asked.

"They are."

"Where?"

"The Sept of Baelor your grace, it's the most public place to address the people." Varys said.

"Very good my lord, the queen and I wish to have food sent out to those who need it most Lord Varys, I know it's not your purview, but until the proper people arrive, can I ask you to handle it."

"You can and it shall be done, your grace." Varys said bowing to Jae before turning to her "Your grace."

They ate and during the meal she found herself nervously thinking about the day to come, they would address the people first, something no other king or queen had done. Instead of being welcomed by the lords and ladies of Westeros, it was to be the smallfolk who'd welcome them, even before they'd officially be crowned, it was to them Jae looked first.

If that wasn't the sign of how they were different than what had come before them, that they weren't like the Stag or the Lion's, that once again it was Dragons who ruled, then nothing was. Her grandmother had told her tales of Rhaegar, of how he spent time among the smallfolk, how he'd cared for them, it seemed his son too felt the same. It made her even more proud of him, more excited for the future, and for the changes they'd bring.

Riverrun 298 AC.

Ned.

He had bit his tongue for most of their time together, not said what was on his mind, a part of him still not wishing to speak on it. But after eating and hearing from Edmure, after learning of how the Riverlands had suffered, of how the North may have suffered, when they were alone he could hold his tongue no longer. So as he looked at her in the room they'd been given he had no choice but to speak up.

"Why Cat?"

"Ned?"

"Why did you do it?"

"He tried to kill Bran."

"Did he?"

"I.."

"I told you to leave it Cat, to allow me to deal with it, look what you caused." he said trying to keep his voice in check.

"I didn't, it wasn't me, this was the Lannisters." she said and he looked to her, was she really that blind.

"How did you expect Tywin to react, you took his son, he may not have liked the imp, but he was his son."

"I never thought..." she said and he interrupted her before she continued.

"Aye you didn't and you risked my life, the girl's lives because you didn't think."

"Ned, I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't bring back Jory, nor Vayon or the Septa, Cat, have you any idea what your so-called friend did, what he did to me, what he wanted to do to Jeyne?"

"Jeyne?" she asked and he couldn't believe she'd not thought of the girl, though to be fair to her he had not either.

"Baelish wished to put Jeyne to work in those places he owned." he said and Cat shook her head.

"I didn't know, Ned, I didn't know." she said her tears falling.

"I know, but even after that, the boys' Cat, you left the boys alone, given what Jae said was about to happen, to you, to Robb, to them, to the girls, gods, I was about to lose my head, all because you didn't know, because you didn't think." he said and she collapsed to the floor, crying and heaving as she did so.

"I'm sorry, oh by the gods, I'm sorry." she said the tears flowing freely now.

A part of him wished to walk from the room, to leave her there and allow her think more on things, but he couldn't, he didn't have it in him. He may not have agreed with her but she was his wife, he loved her and she didn't do it from malice or with bad intent, so he moved to her and helped her up, her feet unsteady as she fell into his arms. Moving to the bed he lay down with her watching as she curled into a ball, his arms around her as she sobbed against his chest.

When he had fallen to sleep he couldn't tell, though it was still dark when he woke up alone, he looked around the room but she was nowhere to be seen. Moving to the door quickly, he found the guards to be Tully men and they directed him to the Sept. He found her there, praying in front of one of the statues, the mother he thought but couldn't be sure.

"Cat, come let's go back to bed." he said and she shook her head tearfully "Cat." he said more softly now and reached down to help her to her feet.

She was quiet as he walked with her, his arm on her shoulder holding her close. After bringing her back to their room, he helped her to bed, helped her undress and she looked to him almost pleadingly. He had missed her terribly and knew she had missed him also, their coupling was desperate, almost panicked, but by the end, it was different, softer, more a cleansing than anything else.

"My lord, my lord." he heard the voices at the door, leaving her asleep he got up to answer finding the steward standing there.

"What is it?" he asked irritably.

"It's the wolf, my lord, it's growling at the gate."

"The wolf?"

"Your daughter's wolf my lord."

"I'll be there in a moment." he said and walked back to dress, turning to see Cat was awake.

"Ned, what is it, is something wrong?"

"Nymeria's at the gate, they're worried."

"Arya, has something happened to her?" she asked her voice panicked.

"No Arya is fine, it's just the wolf, Cat." he said kissing her softly before leaving.

When he got to the gate the wolf was snarling at anyone who came close, even he wasn't immune to the wolf's snarls, eventually though she seemed to calm and allowed him to lead her inside. Though he could have sworn she looked at him angrily still, he arranged for food to be given to her and kneeling down he told her they'd see Arya soon, which seemed to calm her more.

After breaking his fast, he was glad to see Cat come back more into herself, though he could see the effects of what he'd said to her were still there. He headed to speak to Edmure, eager for more news of what was going on in the Riverlands and beyond. Finding out that more and more of the Riverlands had been regained from Tywin's men, Stone Hedge, Raventree Hall, almost all except Harrenhal, had been taken back, made him feel relief that the tide seemed to be turning their way.

"This is excellent work my lord." he said.

"Your nephew's men did most of it, Jon Connington and Ser Richard Lonmouth are leading them."

"Lyanna told me they were with them, good men she called them." he said and Edmure nodded in agreement.

"They seem to be, as does he despite my misgivings."

"Misgivings?"

"He's a Targaryen." Edmure said and Ned bristled.

"You'd prefer a Lannister on the throne Edmure." he said and Edmure shook his head.

"No Ned, I was just speaking as to how I felt when I heard, I was overruled, thankfully." he said and Ned felt glad of it, had he not been then the Tully's would have lost more than the Riverlands he was sure.

"What of Robb?"

"I don't know, other than he was sent into the West to make it look like he was invading."

"But no word?"

"Not yet no."

"Jaime Lannister is here, where?" he asked and Edmure had him escorted to the cell he was in.

The men guarding him were Jae's or his aunt's, not Tully or Northmen, and he was checked for weapons before he was brought into the surprisingly good room they'd placed Jaime Lannister in.

"I was put in the black cells for no crime, you, they put in here." he said bitterly as he looked at the man in front of him.

"I have your nephew to thank for my conditions Stark, had it been your wife or son who made the choices, I'm sure I'd have been treated just as you were."

"Aye, but you'd have deserved it." Ned said.

"Would, I for what, for what reason would I have deserved it?"

"For Jory, for my men." he said angrily.

"What of my brother Stark, or does the fact he was taken by your wife not place the blame where it truly belongs."

"Damn you Kingslayer, I'll see your head removed from your body for what you've done."

"Really, got someone to beat me in a trial by combat Stark? I don't think you have, other than your nephew." he said laughing and he wished to hit him so badly, but the man was a prisoner and to do so would be dishonorable.

So he left and headed back, only to be drawn to the gates once again this time by men on horses returning. He hadn't seen Jon Connington at the Battle of the Bells, the two men had not faced each other. Hoster had and he wondered how it must have been for Cat's father to welcome the man who'd almost killed him into his home, Denys Arryn had and it had cost him his life.

As for Ser Richard, he had met the man once in Harrenhal, he and Robert had gone off looking for the Knight of the Laughing Tree, he wondered if the man appreciated finding out later on it had been Lyanna he was trying to find. As he looked at the two men now they seemed in far better spirits, far better, and he wondered what it was that caused them to be that way, until he saw the man they had chained and dragged behind the horses.

"Lord Stark." Jon Connington said.

"Lord Connington. Ser Richard, how?" he asked looking at the Mountain.

"Our king sent help my lord." Ser Richard said and Jon Connington laughed.

"Rather big help was it not Richard?"

"A story for another time my lord, we need to find somewhere to place the man, the king will wish to bring him justice when the time comes." Ser Richard said.

The dungeon they placed the mountain in was more like he'd have expected, the chains they draped him in making him practically immobile. The guards they put on him were both to ensure he didn't escape and to keep the Riverlanders away from him. They wished him to be presented in Kings Landing when the king took it, though Ned wasn't sure when that would be.

It was a few days later when the answer came, the raven scroll clear, Tywin was beaten, Stannis was beaten and Ned couldn't believe it was done so easily, so quickly. The Riverlords too seemed stunned by the news, but not Jae's own men, they seemed to accept it as if it was a forgone conclusion he'd have won, it was only that night talking to Jon Connington he found out why.

"My king has planned this to the last detail Lord Stark, every step, everything we've done, you wouldn't believe the hours we spent going over tactics, over different possibilities, different outcomes."

"But still to do this, this quick, does it not give you pause, what if the letter is some trick, some way to bring us to Kings Landing only to find out something has happened to Jae?" he asked, the one piece of doubt still in his mind, but Jon Connington just laughed.

"Look at the end of the letter Lord Stark, do you think anyone other than my king would place his queen as an equal, you were at his wedding were you not?"

"Aye, I was."

"What say you now?" Jon asked and he smiled.

"I need a drink, this is a celebration is it not." Ned said and laughed along with the other men.

Kings Landing. 298 AC.

The Vanquished few.

Tywin.

He sat in the cell, trying to figure out how it had gone so wrong, how it had come to this, the mighty Lannister army beaten, defeated, his daughter dead by her own hand. A part of him doubted it for a second, but he knew the truth, Cersei had killed herself, she'd never have accepted being taken. In a cell beside him, his brother Kevan who had followed where he had led, was no doubt doing the same as he.

Down some more crying and whining before occasionally shouting out he'd have their heads, was his grandson, the boy he'd put his faith in, the boy who should be king. Yet he would never wear a crown again, never sit a throne, he'd be lucky to keep his head, as for himself, he had no doubt he wouldn't be so lucky. Losing his head was perhaps the very best thing he could hope for.

Or was there another way, was there some way he could save himself, save his family, perhaps, perhaps there was, but it would depend on whether or not this new Targaryen was his father's son, or his grandfather's.

Stannis.

He had come close, so close, he had almost tasted it, both the crown he would wear and the dragon he would ride, now both were just out of reach. Since they'd thrown him here, he'd thought more, wondered more, dreamed more. Renly haunted him, every time he closed his eyes he felt him, heard him, could see him and almost touch him.

"You killed me brother, cursed is the kinslayer, cursed are you."

"It wasn't me brother, it wasn't me." he'd call out.

"Then who, was it not your wish I die. Was it not you who sent her with your knight?"

"I slept, I was asleep, it wasn't me."

"You should have taken the peach brother." Renly said laughing loudly.

He shook his head, he should have, they should have worked together, together, brothers should be together, but he and his never were. Renly abandoned him to court the roses and Robert abandoned him for a wolf, what was he to do, where was he to go. He was the rightful king was he not? The chosen of the red god? The world needed him to save them, didn't they?

He was no longer sure, no longer as certain as he had once been, but he feared he had been wrong, feared he'd been led astray and now he found he feared for Shireen. His daughter was innocent, pure, gentle and sweet, he should have been her father, that should have been enough and now because of that fact alone, she was in danger. His own brother had allowed the Targaryen children's killers to roam free, would this Targaryen do the same if someone killed Shireen?.

"R'hllor protect my daughter, save her, if you can't save me then save her I beg of you." he said as he closed his eyes and waited for Renly to come yet again.

Davos.

The sun beamed down on him, his mouth dry, the small rocks he lay on barely kept him from the water, but he hadn't burned and he hadn't drowned, which was more than he could say for most of the king's fleet. For his son too, Matthos was gone he knew that, as for Dale and Allard he feared the worst, Devan at least made it past the fire, though that would have led to its own problems.

Not that he was without his here either, it was too far to swim, he was tired, cold, hungry and yet it was the thirst which he knew would end him. A man dying of thirst surrounded by water, the world loved its jokes, he sat up and felt the pain in his old bones. He had been unhurt by the battle, yet he had lost almost everything he held dear, once again the world making a joke at Davos's expense.

"Why don't you just kill me." he shouted out as loudly as he could.

"Why would we do that?" a voice shouted back and he looked to see a couple of men rowing towards him.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Patrek, this is Gared." the younger of the men said.

"Davos." he said back as the older handed him a skin filled with water.

He drank it down slowly, dabbed his lips and emptied some on his face.

"Who are you with?"

"The king." Patrek said back.

"Which king?"

"The only king, Jaehaerys Targaryen."

Jaehaerys Targaryen, who the fuck was Jaehaerys Targaryen he thought as he looked at the men.

"Come Ser Davos Seaworth, the king wishes to see you." Gared said and Davos looked at the men, then the rock and knew he had no choice but to go with them.

Melisandre.

She was dragged through the streets, her clothes tearing some as she fought against the unyielding men who captured her. She had spat, clawed, tried to get away knowing these men to be the godless men they were. How the Lannister's had hired them she knew not, how they had gotten them here without her god knowing was beyond her. But she feared what it meant, not for her own life but for her god's chosen. Where Stannis was, what had happened, where the dragons had gone, all of this she was unaware of.

But she knew they'd kill her, knew this was to be her end and while she longed to meet her god, she feared meeting him after failing him, after taking his chosen so close, only to fall at the end. She saw it in the distance, the Red Keep, the prize her prince had sought and she prepared herself for what she was about to face. Looking around the streets though, she was surprised to see the faces were smiling, happy even, but it was the banners which flew which surprised her most of all.

"Why are they flying the dragon banners?" she asked the two unsullied who held her arms.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Who are you taking me to?"

But she received no answers, no replies, not even a look from either of the stoic men, instead they just moved her forward, ever forward. When they reached the Red Keep itself she saw the banners even more clearly now, they were everywhere, the three-headed dragon flying high from the highest towers. As she looked up she saw them, the white one leading the way, a black one and a blue following, they were magnificent, imposing and deadly and she dropped to her knees.

"Azor Ahai." she said as they dragged her inside.

Tyrion.

How long he had been unconscious, he didn't know, how hurt he was he didn't know, what was to happen to him, that at least he could guess. Where the unsullied had come from he couldn't tell, nor who these other men were that guarded him. Surely Stannis couldn't have gathered them, he didn't have the coin too as far as Tyrion could ascertain.

Could they be his fathers? Could he be that lucky? He doubted it, simply on the basis that it was clear he was a prisoner and not a guest, not a son recovering from his wounds. The Unsullied were the worst gaolers he could have asked for, incorruptible, silent, they simply did their job, they guarded and he was stuck here, As for the others they were little better, they were Westerosi men and that was all he could be certain of.

Though they at least spoke to him and he had been fed and allowed wine, though in smaller doses than he would prefer. He was close to losing it, close to going out of his mind, simply because of the lack of conversation, even the man they sent to see to his wounds, only asked questions about them. But when things were at their worst, it wasn't Bronn, or even Shae who came to visit, making his worry for them both increase, instead, it was Varys.

"You look well my lord." Varys said looking at him sympathetically.

"I was never much to look at anyway Varys." he said and was unsurprised the eunuch didn't laugh.

"My sister?" he asked and Varys shook his head.

"Took her own life, she poisoned herself while on the Iron Throne."

He felt a momentary sadness, before the image of Mandon Moore came into his head, he was certain it was she who sent the Kingsguard to kill him.

"My father?" he asked slightly more concernedly.

"He, your uncle, your cousins, and your men are awaiting trial, my lord, as will be your brother upon his arrival."

Jaime, Jaime was coming, on that, he did smile at least, though the fact he was to be tried upset him, until he thought more on it, a trial by combat, let them try to beat his brother there.

"Shae, Bronn?"

"Are safe and well my lord." Varys said and he breathed a sigh of relief at that "As is your young squire, but it's not their neck's I care about, it's yours."

Tyrion looked at the man, shocked a little that he would say such a thing, he had considered Varys a friend, a confidante, even with the games they played. He had never considered that the man truly felt the same, though he had hoped he did. To hear him say this made him feel somewhat better, somewhat less alone than he had been.

"Why?"

"Because I quite like the head that rests upon it." Varys said a small smile on his face.

"Who do you serve Varys?" he asked wondering if he'd get the right answer now.

"Who I always have Tyrion, the realm." Varys said as he heard people arrive outside and the door being opened.

The man who walked in wore a crown unlike anything he'd ever seen, he was dressed in black and red, the chain he wore, the pin, the three-headed dragon symbol clear. But this man was dark-haired, dark-eyed, he looked nothing like a Targaryen. Behind him stood a Kingsguard who was clearly Dornish, is that it, was it Dorne who were behind this, was this man a Dornishman too?.

"Lord Varys." the man said and then looked to him.

"Your grace, I was just about to speak to Lord Tyrion about his future."

"Do I have one your grace?" he asked looking to the man who Varys called king.

"As much as we all have Lord Tyrion, sit, there is much we need to speak on, your future being just one part of our conversation." the man said and Tyrion wondered just who he was.

A/N: Thanks as always to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up next we check in on the North as the lords and ladies of the realm arrive in Kings Landing and Jae and Margaery are crowned before we get ready for the trials to begin and Dorne receives an invitation it can't reject.

Biohazard: Thanks so much.

Guest: What you mean one of the pov and most important characters in the books may be special, yes god forbid you do that in a story, i mean, by that logic, it could be used for any single character in any fic. Arya is not super special here, why you would think that is beyond me, she is what she is, how she's portrayed I have a reason for, I've not shown everything yet, perhaps after I do and provide my explanations a comment like that would be more apt.

Glad you liked the battle.

Guest: Remember Nettles or any of the other dragonseeds, you know those people who's Valyrian blood was far more diluted than a Bartheon with a Targaryen great she can ride a dragon, if they can ride a dragon, control a dragon, then perhaps I can choose who rides a dragon here too, I've not yet explained it, i've hinted at it, it's there among the story what I plan to do with the other dragon, it won't break lore, nor is it something I've not been setting up for a long time.

Lord Villareal: He did leave the youngest at home and brought four with him, two captained their own ships, one was Stannis squire and the other his first mate basically, I can understand it, also, they would have won the battle easily, had their been one. As you see he was found and will be heading to speak to Jae, as for Stannis we'll see his trial soon. On Tywin that's it exactly, he went from glory to not in seconds, so you can see him trying to deal with it here. Tommen willl live in this, he was hidden by Tyrion to be protected, he'll be brought back soon.

Bookish: I had thought of letting her live, but in canon she was about to kill herself, so given they lost, I think she'd follow through.

Guest: That's also one of the other reasons I allowed her to die this way, it gives Jae an out.

Vwchick: Mel is still delusional, Stannis is getting a little clarity, that was my thing with Cersei, if things had happened like this, this was her plan, here nothing allowed for her to not carry it through. We'll see Jae's plans for Tyrion next, glad you're liking Margaery here, I agree out of them all i think she'd have made the best queen and I include Dany in that, not the monstrosity that they turned her into at the end, but Canon Dany i don't think would have been as good a queen as Marge.

Anime: It kinda is, next up some world building, and more prep for the war that matters.

Princess: SO glad you liked it.

Dunk: Thanks so very much. On the battles, i had never written one before this fic, never imagined how to, it's been a good experience as it's given me time to see what works or doesn't and I'm glad it was here rather than in TDC. The confrontations are coming, we'll see Jae and Tywin/Joff next chapter. Mel/stannis are somewhat delusional still, but Stannis is getting some clarity.

Ace: There will be some of that, he needs to prepare for the war but also he needs to make things better so they can handle it simply on a logisitical level, he needs the people to have a better life, otherwise they'll not survive what's to come.

Paulies: Yes he does.

Infinity Mask: Rhaegon won't be riderless, I hope people like my plans for him. I'm funnily enough not a fan of Arya/Gendry, i think it's far more a show thing than a book thing and the age difference is odd to me, It's Jon/Arya in some ways, think of it like that, age wise.

Hoguie: I wanted that to be clear, Dany is on her own path too, she will follow Jae, defer to him when necessary, but her own path is to be a queen in her own right, so I wanted that to be clear.

Valena: It took me another chapter to get to the trials as there is stuff i wanted to include first, but as you see stannis is not the only one surprised how things have gone.

Guest: Dorne will be making an appearance next chapter.

Xan Merrick: THanks so much my friend. We'll see a lot more of Marge being a queen as we go, Davos as you see lives still and Jae will speak to him soon. Cersei is dead, its better this way and we'll say where Tyrion goes from here. With Jaw he had so many different variations of his plan to take the throne back, he knew he had the men to win a long prolonged war, knew with the dragons he could make it much shorter, the only thing he was worried about was the timing, to arrive just when needed, but with the dragons he had an edge. Mel is still delusional, though Stannis is coming out of it at least.