Dorne 298 AC.
Doran.
The news coming out of the capital couldn't be real, it couldn't be true, dragons, a hidden king, the lions fall, all of it, he didn't know what to make of it, didn't understand it. He had reached out to the Company of the Dragon through intermediaries years ago, had tried to find out who it was they were supporting but to no avail. When Viserys fell, when Daenerys was lost, his plans, his hopes for vengeance, had all come to naught.
But then the princess remerged and though the stories took time to reach him, reach him they did, Astapor, the unsullied, an army the princess had an army. With those, with the Company, with their own spears, they may be able to do it. So he had sent Quentyn with the offer, Dornish support in return for her hand, it was the best she could do after all.
Things accelerated way beyond him though, way quicker, way faster than he could have imagined they would and he found he couldn't match the pace of events. The Falcon, the Stag, then the Wolf fell, war was upon the realm once more, and it had taken everything he had to keep Oberyn from riding off to offer Robb Stark their men.
"The Young wolf fights for vengeance, for justice, is that not a common bond we share brother?"
"It is, but he will lose and the North will fall Oberyn, should we be with him when he does then Dorne will fall too."
In the end, Oberyn had agreed with him and stood down, but when the boy won victories, when the Kingslayer was captured, hearing that the Mountain was ravaging the Riverlands, had all been hard for him to take. For Doran it was the other things which confused him, the tale of the dragon attacking, the mention of a man in incredible armor, the news was scattered and confusing.
Now though as he looked at the raven scroll, as he read the words over and over, as he tried to give meaning to them, he found his mouth dry and his mind confused. Oberyn was riding here and he needed to see this, his brother having spent time in the nearby brothel was thankfully closer by than usual, as Doran found he had no patience anymore. As for Arianne, he had no doubt Sunspear had received the same raven, no doubt the realm had received one similar.
"Your brother has arrived my prince." Areo said taking his attention away from the piece of paper.
"What's so important you drag me away from the delights Lapora has to offer." Oberyn said a smirk as always every present on his face.
"There are more important things than a new whore Oberyn, read."
He handed him the scroll and watched his eyes read over the words, watched the expressions change, delight, eagerness, anger, all of it no doubt what he himself had been like only moments earlier.
"This cannot be true, Jaehaerys Targaryen?" his brother said shaking his head, just as he had himself.
"I do not know what to make of it, but it answers questions I've had, questions I've tried to get answered but have been unable to."
"Questions?".
"The Company of the Dragon, I had thought Viserys and Daenerys, then with what happened, I knew not. Later on I was sure it was Daenerys again, but now it's clear they serve this dragon and not the other."
"He is their son, he had a son with her, after shaming Elia so, and now this boy, this bastard sit's the throne Aegon should sit, the throne Rhaenys should sit." Oberyn said and Doran prepared for the rant to begin.
Instead, though his brother calmed some, looking to him for guidance, to see what it was that Doran had in his mind.
"He says he has the Lions awaiting trial, the Mountain and Lorch too, do you believe him, brother?" Doran asked.
"I do not know, what did your spies tell you of the war?"
"Little and what was told was far too late Oberyn, I did not know of this hidden dragon and it vexes me that I still know so little."
"I must go, I must find out, if there is a chance of vengeance, of justice, I must go." Oberyn said and he nodded.
"But meeting this king Oberyn, you cannot be so blatant in your feelings, you cannot be so blatant in your disgust."
"I know, I can hide it when I wish, what of Dorne?"
"I do not know brother, they wish us to kneel, to bow, offer us favor to do so, payment for the debt we're owed, but this boy, this king, I cannot bow to him, I will not."
"Nor I, I shall go, I'll bring a large accompaniment, see what the lay of the land is, take our vengeance and then see what moves we should make."
"The princess, brother, seek out the princess, perhaps we can see her crowned if she is willing?."
"And if she's not?"
"We have another princess with a claim do we not?"
Oberyn just nodded and was gone and Doran spent the rest of the day looking the scroll over and over.
His Grace King Jaehaerys and Her Grace Queen Margaery of the houses Targaryen and Tyrell, do hereby extend an invitation to House Martell. It is time for Dorne to come back to the fold, to come swear allegiance to the crown as is their duty. Dorne has suffered at the hands of the Lions, we offer you consideration for that fact, a chance to participate in the trials of those who wronged us both, a chance to see justice brought to Tywin Lannister, Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch.
Justice for Elia, for Aegon, for Rhaenys.
Lord Jon Connington,
Master of War.
The idea of justice, of vengeance, made his appetite rise that night, he ate far more heartily than he usually did, drank far more feely. Whatever the future brought, the man who killed his sister, who butchered his niece and nephew would pay and for that, he was grateful for it, even if it was to a bastard dragon.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Olenna
They had arrived almost like conquering hero's though they had fought no battles, won no war. Instead, it was just seeing the Tyrell banners which had people cheer, seeing Lyanna Stark ride on her horse with the white wolf by her side, with the Kingsguard surrounding her.
"Queen Lyanna."
"The White Bull."
"The Black Bat."
"Hail to House Tyrell."
The chants made her smile, her house being recognized in such a manner, people cheering for her, hearing them outside cheering for her granddaughter and the king.
"May the gods bless good queen Margaery."
"Thank the seven for King Jaehaerys."
She was eager to find out just what exactly had gone on in the moon it had taken them to get here, seeing the Red Keep in front of them she smiled, all her life she had aimed to have a Tyrell sit on the Throne, and now she had one, the best of them. When the carriages stopped she was surprised to see Margaery and Jae both outside waiting to meet them, eager to see them given the look her granddaughter was given them.
Protocol be damned she thought as she greeted the king with a hug while doing the same to her granddaughter, something which it seemed pleased the king mightily. They were escorted into the Red Keep, Jae speaking to his mother, while she moved ahead of Mace and Alerie to speak to Margaery.
"All is well granddaughter?"
"More than well grandmother." Margaery said her smile beaming.
"The king, you, you are happy?" she asked though the smile on Margaery's face made that clear enough.
"Very much so."
She walked with her into the Maegor's Holdfast, her family being set up in chambers close to the king, she found herself once again smiling at that and this time her granddaughter noticed.
"That's the third one since you got here." Margaery said.
"The third one?"
"Third smile grandmother."
"You'd begrudge an old woman some happiness?" she said smirking.
"Never grandmother, it pleases me to see you so." Margaery said.
"And it does me you child." she said.
After settling in and washing and changing they were asked to join the king and queen in their private solar, she, Mace and Alerie walked there to find Ned Stark, Lyanna Stark, Catelyn Tully, and Edmure Tully already there. The others having arrived just before they had it seemed, she took the seat her granddaughter had saved for her, Mace and Alerie sitting behind her and the king smiled at her before he began to speak.
Just as he began, his aunt came in hurriedly an expression of both exasperation and annoyance on her face.
"You were going to start without me?" Daenerys said.
"You seemed occupied aunt." Jae replied his smirk telling her exactly what it was that occupied her.
"I was welcoming her that's all." Daenerys said a small glance to the door as she did so.
"Did I say different.?" Jae said and she was glad when both he and Daenerys laughed.
In the corner she could see Ser Oswell and Ser Gerold, the Lord Commander surprisingly not by his king's side, instead behind him stood Ser Arthur and he had a face like thunder.
"I asked you all to come to explain some things, some which may not be welcomed by those in this room." Jae began and she looked to see Margery reach out her hand and place it on his.
"What things your grace?" Ned Stark asked.
"We will soon have a crowning, once more lords have arrived, and after that trials, Lord Tywin, Lord Kevan, Lord Stannis, some of their men and the Mountain and Amory Lorch."
"You have Amory Lorch?" Ned Stark asked.
"He is among the prisoners Robb is bringing with him uncle." Jae said.
"My son is safe, he is well?" Lady Catelyn said and Jae nodded.
"He is aunt, he and the Northern army encountered Tywin's reserves, they defeated them capturing some of the Lords of the West, the ravens have gone out asking the others to swear their fealty."
"What of the Kingslayer?" Ned Stark asked and she saw Jae look to Margery and then to Daenerys, Ser Arthur's frown becoming even more pronounced.
"I shall handle Ser Jaime's punishment personally." he said and she felt the question on her lips and asked it without thinking.
"I don't understand your grace, is he not to face trial like everyone else?"
"Ser Jaime is a unique case, my lady, he and I have an agreement, one which I know will cause some distress but one which just like everything else I've done is not only necessary but vital."
"You are letting him off, you are letting him go free, after what he did, you intend to release him?" Daenerys said angrily and she saw both the Starks and Tully's look on with the same angered look on their faces.
"You know why we're here Dany, why it had to be like this, you think I get to decide it all, you think we're not dealing with things even I cannot understand completely?" Jae said and she wasn't the only one who looked at him in confusion."
"He killed my father, Jae, He killed my father." Dany said angrily as she stormed from the room.
"Arthur, mother please." Jae said and both of them got up to follow her.
She watched as Gerold walked and took Arthur's place and then as Jae looked to his uncle who it seemed was also on the verge of walking out.
"Uncle, the same force which sent me to speak to Robb, the same force which sent me here on the day I arrived. The same force which allowed us to take this city, to end a war so easily, is the same one which decides Ser Jaime's fate. He will have a trial, I will hear a case against him, but I will speak up in his defense and I alone will decide his fate."
"As you command your grave, if I may be excused." Ned Stark said.
"Of course uncle, I hope to see you at dinner tonight."
While keeping their courtesies, not Ned Stark, not his wife, nor Edmure Tully none of them seemed happy and she doubted they'd eat with them tonight. Once they had left Jae sighed and she was glad to see Margaery lean forward and whisper in his ear, glad to see the smile appear on his face.
"That could have gone worse." he said laughing then and she couldn't help but join in.
"Indeed it could your grace." Mace said and she glowered at him knowing he had no idea of what just happened.
Truth be told she wasn't sure if she understood what had just occurred, Forces? What forces was he speaking of? Ser Jaime would be a problem, his aunt, his uncle, other men and women of the Riverlands all of them would raise the issue, she hoped that like with everything he had done up to now, the king had planned for this contingency too.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Robb Stark.
When Syrax had arrived he had read the scroll in disbelief, it was over, the war was over, Tywin and Stannis were both Jae's prisoners, Jae and Margaery king and queen, and he and his army to move to Kings Landing. When he had called his lords in to tell them the news his disbelief had only been multiplied by theirs. All of them standing there looking at the scroll as if the words would change, as if the news would fade away.
"Har, it seems the lad was right, he didn't need us after all, yet he wishes to reward us anyway." The Greatjon said.
"Or perhaps it's a trap?" Lord Glover said and Maege shook her head.
"You think with us turning up with an army that we may not be safe Glover? I'd welcome walking into a trap with the men and women of the North, whoever laid it would soon shit themselves." she said and he along with the others laughed.
"My lords, our king has summoned us, our fight is done, I say we go and see Stark Blood on the damn Iron Throne, we go and kneel to my cousin, to the King from the North." Robb said.
"The King From the North." the lords cheered.
It took them longer than he had hoped, but passing Riverrun, hearing that the houses were back in Riverlands control, hearing that Harrenhal was free gave them extra impetus. For him, it was a little bit upsetting to find he'd missed his father and would need to wait longer to see him, though Dacey took his mind off it very quickly.
"Do you really think he'll give his approval?" she said her legs wrapped around his back not allowing him to move.
"I do and should he not well I'm friends with a king." he said smiling as he felt himself harden once again.
"I don't know if I should be flattered you rose again so quickly, or worried you did so upon mentioning your cousin, he is handsome after all." she japed and he laughed.
"No, this." he said as he moved inside her and began to thrust "Is all down to you my love." he bit her neck as she moaned loudly.
"Thank the old gods for that." she said as they both began to laugh.
Seeing it in front of him, seeing the walls as they neared, the banners flying high for all to see, the Three-Headed Dragon standing proud, he felt the relief build, the sheer knowledge that it was over, that his family was safe, filling his heart with joy. The ride through the city he kept restricted to just the lords and their guards, Maege, The Great and Smalljon's, Roose, Galbart and Dacey, along with the Manderly's was all he brought.
They were met outside the keep by the king himself much to their surprise, but it was seeing his mother, his father, seeing Arya, almost all his family there in one place. He wondered where Sansa was, but seeing his father's smile and the proud look on his face, he found himself moving towards him before he remembered the king.
"Your grace." he said and Jae just looked at him.
"Go greet your family cousin, we can speak later." he said and Robb thanked him for that.
"Father." he said and felt himself being wrapped in a hug he had thought never to feel again.
"It's good to see you son." his father said and his mother grabbed him a moment later, followed by Arya.
He waited as his father greeted the lords, each of them happy to see him in the flesh, to see the truth of his cousin's words made clear. Jae had them escorted inside, but the lord's peeled off giving him time with his family. Seeing her about to walk off in the to direction though he couldn't allow it, grabbing her hand he almost dragged her with him, eager to speak to his father on the news.
He was called to the King's solar later that night, alone and before dinner, sitting down in front of him he could barely contain his joy. Not only had his father welcomed the match but he seemed incredibly proud that he had picked a northern woman for his bride, that it was a Mormont making it seem even more so. He was about to say something when his cousin must have noticed his expression and spoke first.
"You look happy cousin?"
"I am your grace."
"Jae."
"Jae." he said in reply "I'm to be wed to Lady Dacey." he said and his cousin rose to his feet embracing him to his surprise.
"Congratulations cousin, I wish you all the good fortune and happiness I can." Jae said and he nodded.
They sat back down and Jae looked at him more seriously now.
"What happened in the West Robb? Why did you attack when I asked you not to?"
"We had no intent to, but then we heard of the reserves being readied. of the army being formed. I ordered the attack to stop them from supporting Tywin, to stop them from shoring up his army."
"Without orders to do so?" Jae asked and his tone was questioning rather than accusing.
"I had to think on my feet, had I left them alone they could have engaged us on unfavorable grounds or made their way towards your own forces."
"How many losses?"
"We suffered less than a hundred, they about two or three thousand, though most surrendered."
"I wish you had not attacked." Jae said and when he moved to defend himself raised his hand to silence him "But I find no fault in it and am glad you and the North didn't suffer any losses. It was a great victory cousin, you should be proud, but next time wait for the orders." he said and Robb nodded.
"Is that all your grace?" he said a small smirk on his face.
"Eager to be somewhere else, my company not the type you desire?"
"Is mine yours Jae, or is there someone else's company you'd prefer to be in?" he said and both of them chuckled.
"You're right, come let's spend time with those we'd rather spend time with."
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Jon Connington.
It was good to see the king again, to see him so happy with his queen too was something Jon took pleasure in. Seeing the Three-Headed dragon wave from the Red Keep, the dragon banners on the wall, both he and Ser Richard had found themselves lost in nostalgia seeing it. Seeing the Black Dragon fly over the bay, he wondered where the other two were, though he was happy to see Rhaegon again.
Were it not for the black dragon then he may not be here and certainly, the Mountain would not be. The dragon playing the biggest part in subduing the Mountain that Rides, almost as if it too hungered to see the man brought to justice. He was standing on the walls, looking out at the sea when Richard joined him, the man carrying a mug of ale which he welcomed.
"He's an incredible sight is he not?" Richard said as Rhaegon dropped down into the water.
"He is, though to see him you'd be forgiven for thinking him gentle."
"He is anything but." Richard said laughing.
"To the Black Dragon, we salute you." he said and Richard raised his mug to do likewise, Jon smiling as he pictured the Mountain's face.
Riverlands, outside Harrenhal, a moon or so ago
The mountain himself led these raids or so their outriders had told them and so Richard and he had gathered a force ready to deal with him. Broken down into groups of fifty, he felt it enough, the Mountain rode with less than a dozen, though he himself was worth ten.
They had waited for a day and a night, he was cold and stiff and he knew then this was when it would come, that today would be the day. The seven are funny that way he thought, they'd play their jokes on you, test you, make you doubt yourself, but faith would win through in the end and he had faith to spare these days. It turned out he was right as word soon came that the Mountain rode for a nearby village.
"To Arms." he shouted and he and Richard mounted and rode hard to capture the king's most wanted prize.
They arrived there before he did and set up, looking out at the men as they arrived, once they knew he couldn't leave they attacked catching him by surprise. Watching him wield that greatsword one-handed though was a sight he wished he had never seen. He took men down as if they were nothing, the sword cutting through their armor easily.
"Clegane." he shouted trying to distract the man, trying to buy time for his men to reform.
The Mountain fell for his bait, though in mere moments it was not something Jon was glad of, only Griffin's Bite stood between him and death, the Valyrian steel blade proving a match for the man's strength. But even that only bought him so much time, he would fall today, he knew it, though he fought on with all he could. The roar came out of nowhere, the shadow drew close and the Mountain on seeing the dragon fled.
He looked on tiredly doing his best to gain his breath back, the Mountain's men had fallen, the man riding off alone, his horse moving as fast as it could given the weight on its back. But the Black Dragon moved faster and when it set its flames in front of the Mountain the horse bucked and the monster flew from it landing heavily. Ser Richard joined him as the dragon landed and they readied to ride out.
"Come Jon." Richard said and they moved only to see Rhaegon heading their way.
When the dragon got close it dropped what was in its claws, the sound making a loud noise as the Mountain crashed to the ground. He was unconscious for three days which gave them plenty of time to make him secure. All in all they had lost twenty men trying to capture him, twenty good men, to capture one who was very much not so, and had it not been for the dragon, they'd have lost many more.
King's Landing now.
Finishing the ale he walked with Ser Richard back to his rooms, he was tired and there was so much more to be done, the first war had been far easier than even his king had hoped. He himself hoped the next one would be far less hard than they both expected, they had time, they could prepare, but the great war was coming and only his king could stop it from being the last one for all of them.
The North 298 AC.
Deepwood Motte.
Larence Snow.
The army arrived a moon ago and he and Lady Sybelle were stunned by the number of men who came, two thousand ready to defend the Motte from what was supposed to be an invasion of Iron Born. Larence thought that was going to be the most unbelievable thing he heard that night, but from there it got even more fantastical.
Tales of dragons, of Lady Lyanna Stark being alive, of a hidden son, a hidden king, of Ned Stark being rescued. Had they been just telling him he'd have believed them to be playing a jape on him, but they were speaking to Lady Sybelle and so he felt they must at least believe what they said, at least believe it to be true. Either way they didn't have to wait long, their scouts saw them as they arrived and they waited for them ready to defend the Motte, defend the North.
He had never seen an Iron Born before, never seen a long ship, now to see so many of them out there, at least five and twenty of them stretched out as far as the eye could see, he found himself terrified. Had they arrived without the men here, then even the Motte would not keep them out, Larence shuddered at that, the Iron Born's reputation well known to any man in the North.
"You stay close to me boy." one of the men said and Larence felt a fool and a craven as he knew it was fear which made him forget the man's name.
The sounds of battle were numerous, the noises heard throughout the night, Larence stood on the battlements looking out as fires flared, as flaming arrows flew. He carried water from one man to another, went for food when he was asked too. He couldn't sleep, though he found to his surprise that some could. The night seemed to go on and on and he found the darkness, the sounds, all of it combined to make him fear that he'd not see morning.
When the dawn broke, when the sun rose, he like the men on the walls of the Motte rejoiced, looking out he could see it, see the results of the battle. On the sea ships burned, some had clearly retreated, but most burned, he waited with the men until the others began to return. A few at first, then more and more, some carrying weapons they'd taken, until finally some arrived leading prisoners.
"Is it over?" he turned and asked Daryn and it shamed him remembering now the man's name was the same as his brother's, though his mind being free from it's fear perhaps it should not.
"Aye, it is, go break your fast boy, then get some rest, we'll feast this night." Daryn said with a laugh.
Winterfell 298 AC.
Ser Rodrik.
The news had come in from Torrhen's square, from Deepwood Motte, and from Moat Cailin. The Iron Born attacks had failed, the North was safe and free, combined with the news that Lord Stark, that the girls had been freed, that they were safe and the mood in Winterfell had never been higher. For Rodrik though it was the news that Lady Lyanna lived, that she had a son, a king, that he found most intriguing.
He had never bought into the story of her being kidnapped, it didn't fit the wild girl he knew and though men were stronger, they'd have needed to kill her to keep her prisoner he felt. To find out now after so many years she was alive and well, that she along with her son were moving to take the throne, he wasn't sure how he felt, or how he should feel about it.
On one hand, Stark blood on the Iron Throne could only be good for the North, that the boy had rescued Lord Stark, that he had rescued the girls spoke well of him. On the other, he carried the blood of Aerys too and until he met the boy, he wouldn't be able to tell which he favored, the dragon or the wolf.
"Another raven?" he asked seeing Luwin rush down from the rookery.
"Aye Ser, this one from the king." the Maester said holding up the raven to show the seal clearly.
Seeing the Three-Headed dragon was a shock to him, but he followed the Maester to the Great Hall eager to find out what the raven said. Lord Brandon sat the table, his brother off playing with his wolf no doubt and as always when he looked at the young lord he felt pity. To go through life without the use of your legs would be hard enough, to do so at such a young age was a tragedy.
"My Lord a raven from the capital." Luwin said handing Brandon the scroll.
He waited while the young lord read it, seeing the smile on his face, thankful the news was good at least.
"It seems the war is over, my cousin sit's the throne properly now." Brandon said and nodded when he asked to see the scroll.
It was true, they had taken the throne, that and the boy had been married too, seeing the way the queen's name was written here he could see Lyanna's influence clearly. A woman as equal to a man, a surprising thought but one he had no doubt Lyanna would have allowed her son to see. He smiled at the news that everyone was safe, the war was over and there was peace once again in this troubled land, he hoped it would last a long time.
The Merman's Trident 298 AC.
Wyman.
Being summoned to face a king was a new experience for him, being asked to come pledge fealty not and he had hoped his son's presence would have sufficed. But no, after the first raven declaring the king and queen and calling for fealty came a second one addressed to him personally.
Lord Wyman.
I ask you to come join us in Kings Landing, you welcomed me into your home, I shall return the favor. I have need of you my Lord, work for you to do, so come pledge your fealty and let us begin the important work that needs to be done.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
It was far simpler than he would have expected this summons from a king, a simple request, but one he knew he couldn't deny. His granddaughters had asked to come along and despite himself, he couldn't refuse them and so the ship was made ready and they had left with great haste. He hoped to make it in time for the crowning and he knew Wylla and Wynafred did too.
The waters were calm and the wind on their side and he found himself wondering if the king had the favor of the gods given how quickly this journey seemed to take. It seemed as if a force greater than he demanded that he arrive on time and the ship sailed far easier than any voyage he'd ever undertaken. Arriving at the docks in King's Landing he found to his surprise they had a day or two to spare.
Though that paled into insignificance compared to the surprise of having the king standing there ready to greet him personally. He was well aware of how great an honor that was, of being singled out so and it made him proud and a little wary of the reasons behind it. Stepping down off the ship, he saw his sons stand with the king all of them laughing jovially.
"Your grace, it's an honor." he said taking a knee.
"Rise Lord Wyman, we have much to discuss." the king said and he nodded before greeting his boys.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Margaery.
The dress she wore was in her husband's colors, by her choice not his and she felt happy to do so, happy to wear the colors, happy to show how she felt. That they would be crowned together, that he wished for her to share not only his life but his throne too, was more than she had ever hoped for, more than she'd ever dared wish for.
A good man to love her, that was all she had ever wanted, yes she had hoped to be queen, she knew that for her grandmother this was the realization of all her dreams, and she felt happy she could do that for her. But in the short time she had spent with him, in the moments they had been alone together, she found each of them had made her realize the truth of what she really wanted.
It had never been to be the queen she could see that now, it was to be his queen, to be by his side, for without him this day wouldn't be possible. Looking at herself in the looking glass she was unsurprised to see the smile on her face, unsurprised to see the shininess of her eyes, she was happy and she knew now that this was what true happiness looked like.
"Your grace the carriage awaits." Ser Barristan said and she moved to the door.
"The king?".
"Beside the carriage my queen." Ser Barristan said and she swore she saw a half-smile on the knight's face.
He had spent the night at meeting after meeting making plans, all of which she knew where of the future. They had agreed that in order to get ready as quickly as possible and to ensure they were not tired this day, that for one night at least they would spend it apart. So she had slept alone in what she had thought would have been her chambers, and he alone in theirs.
As she walked out, as she saw him smile at her, she wondered if like her he had found it difficult to sleep the night before. A moment after he helped her into the carriage she found out he had.
"That was a terrible idea." he said and she chuckled knowing what he was about to say.
"What was my love?"
"Separate chambers, whoever came up with that was an idiot." he said and she looked at him.
"Was it not your idea my love?" she kept her face as straight as she could.
"See, an idiot." he said and she broke out laughing as did he.
"You look beautiful Marge." he said leaning in to kiss her.
"You look very handsome too my love, nervous?"
"Eager." he said and he took her hand in his own.
The Great Sept of Baelor was full no doubt and outside the crowds swelled, the people calling for them as the carriage passed. Since they had addressed the people outside the Sept they had won them over, the food which arrived for them, the fact that Jae was paying out of his own account for more, all of it won them favor.
But it was the simplest acts, the speaking to them, the willingness to listen, she found herself as eager as her husband to make their lives better. Jae had asked her to come up with plans to do so, food for orphanages, education, better sewage and buildings for them to live in, he had promised to give her coin for it all.
They walked down the aisle, the High Septon waiting for them, the crowns on two pillows in front of them. Jae had asked his mother to crown them both, and she looked to see Lyanna waiting for them. They both knelt as everyone rose, the High Septon ready to begin, the oils ready for their anointing. The service was quick or at least to her it seemed to be, the words passing over her head like the wind.
"Rise, Queen Margaery Targaryen, Queen of the Andals, The Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm." the Septon said as Lyanna placed the throne on her head, but Margaery stayed kneeling.
"Rise, King Jaehaerys Targaryen, King of the Andals, The Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm.".
She felt his hand in hers and they rose together both turning around to face the assembled lords and ladies.
"I give you His Grace King Jaehaerys and her Grace Queen Margaery, long live the king and queen." the Septon said.
"Long live the king and queen."
The feast that night was long, after being crowned they had gone and spoken to the crowd, Jae allowing her to make the proclamation as he would do the same to the lords. She had told them that the new reign would bring them prosperity and hope, that no longer would a child hunger or not feel safe and she hoped they could live up to their promise.
After the lords had sworn their fealty and apart from the Westerlands and Stormlands, they had named their Wardens and Lord Paramount's, the feast began and she was beginning to feel tired. Jae too, though he seemed to have a twinkle in his eye over something.
"What?" he said when he caught her looking at him for the fourth or fifth time.
"What has you so amused my king?"
"Noting my queen, I was just thinking which of us was going to grab the other to run from the room first?" he said and she giggled.
"Would that be kingly of you or queenly of me?"
"Hmm, we are king and queen are we not, is not everything we do kingly and queenly?" he said and she laughed fuller now.
"Not everything." she said a little huskier now, seeing the look in his eye change from a twinkle, to hungry and finding herself excited by it.
"My lords, my ladies, my queen and I must bid you goodnight, please enjoy the festivities," Jae said and grabbed her hand, she couldn't help it and when he ran so did she and not even her grandmother's scowl could stop her laughter as she did so.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Jae.
He looked down at her laying there, the cover just slightly on her, covering some but not all of her and he thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The daylight had only just broken and a part of him wished for nothing more than to just lay there in bed with her, but he had work to do, a viper to deal with and then the lions.
So leaning down he placed a small kiss on her forehead, smiled when she did, wondering if it was the dream or his kiss which had made her smile so and then he walked down to speak to Oberyn Martell. That the man had arrived at the Red Keep now was frustrating and he knew he had done so purposely, he had arrived to see if the king would rise to speak to him, or if he could use it as a slight later on.
Jae was in no mood for a snakes games, no mood for Dornish pride, they would get one chance to play nice, only one, and only that because of his brother and sister, because of Elia. He found the man standing waiting in the Throne Room, a beautiful woman by his side along with some girls, the infamous Sand Snakes, he thanked Jon for that lesson. Walking to the Throne, Ser Arthur, Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell all walking with him he stopped and turned, deciding now was not the time to sit.
"Your grace." Oberyn said with no respect whatsoever.
"Prince Oberyn." he said matching the man's tone.
"May I present mine own Paramour Ellaria Sand." he said looking at him closely.
"My lady, a pleasure." he said kissing her hand.
"My daughters, Obara, Nymeria, Tyene."
Jae welcomed each of them, then turned to look at the prince who was looking at his knights and Arthur in particular.
"I had hoped to see some dragons?" Oberyn said and Jae felt the white wolf then as it moved through the rooms, he had left Ghost with his mother while they settled in, but the wolf was a law upon himself at times.
"You'll need to make do with a wolf for now." he said and noticed the scowl before Oberyn turned at the gasps behind him.
"Is that a Direwolf?" Oberyn said a moment later.
"It is, Ghost to me." he said and the wolf moved towards him and then turned facing the prince.
"You have the Lannisters, your grace?
"I do, The Mountain and Amory Lorch too."
"Dorne would like them, your grace."
"I'm sure they would, but why would I give them to Dorne?"
"For justice." Oberyn said abruptly.
"For vengeance you mean."
"That too."
"Lord Tywin, The Mountain and Amory Lorch will be tried and convicted for their crimes."
"I thank you, your grace, as does Dorne." Oberyn said and this seemed somewhat genuine.
"They will request a trial by combat, you know this?"
"I do, I'm willing to act as the crown's champion in this." Oberyn said and Ellaria gasped.
"We're well covered for champion's Prince Oberyn, but I will take it under advisement."
He watched as the man glared at him, before once again schooling his features.
"I shall swear fealty on behalf of Dorne today your grace." Oberyn said and he nodded.
"Myrcella Waters, I wish her brought to the capital Prince Oberyn, you will write to your brother to ensure this."
"Myrcella is engaged to my nephew your grace, she and he have become very close and wish to wed." Oberyn said and Jae looked to him.
"I will consider it, after I've spoken to the girl Prince Oberyn, not before."
"As you say, your grace." Oberyn said and Jae noticed the way his daughters and paramour stiffened.
"Have you found accommodations Prince Oberyn or should I find some for you?"
"We have made arrangements, I thank you, your grace."
"Then until later, Prince Oberyn, Lady Ellaria, ladies." Jae said and watched as the prince nodded before turning to walk away "Lord Varys you can come out now."
"Of course your grace." his master of whisperers said as he walked out from behind a panel.
"They need to be watched, carefully, I trust this is no issue?"
"No your grace, the information I provided is true then?"
"It would seem so, though if I can sway Oberyn, Doran may follow."
"How do you intend to do that your grace?" Arthur asked slightly worriedly.
"On that, I have no idea." he said chuckling and moved to walk to go and see the lions.
Ser Jaime was just like he had been in Riverrun kept in a far better cell than anyone else, walking inside he could tell the man had wept, that he had not slept and were it not for his brother sitting there with him, he'd have doubted he'd have spoken to anyone. Jae had quietly allowed him to stand vigil for his sister, he had told him he was sorry for her death, for as much as that helped.
"Your grace." Tyrion said standing up.
"Lord Tyrion, Ser Jaime, forgive this interruption, but I came to inform you of events to come."
"I thank you, your grace, as does my brother." Tyrion said while Ser Jaime just sat quietly.
"I have told Prince Oberyn to write to his brother, my own ship will sail to Dorne to bring Myrcella back here, she and Tommen will both be treated as we agreed."
"Dorne is willing to allow her to return?" Tyrion asked almost surprised.
"For now I have something they want more than her my lord, although Prince Oberyn did suggest the betrothal to be more successful than you imagined. Would it please you should it still occur?" he asked and Tyrion and even Jaime looked at him.
"You would allow the marriage, your grace?"
"If it's really what Myrcella wishes I see no reason to deny it."
"There are many your grace, but I thank you for the offer."
"Which brings me to your other nephew and to your father."
He watched as Tyrion sighed and Jaime barely paid attention, before he continued to speak.
"Your father will lose his head, but he will no doubt request trial by combat, you know who he'll pick." he said to Tyrion while looking to Jaime.
"I do."
"It will be refused by me as we discussed, Ser Jaime's own trial prohibits him from serving as a champion, so he will pick Clegane then will he not?"
"He will your grace."
"Good."
"Joffrey your grace?"
"The wall." he said and Tyrion nodded.
"My uncle, my cousins?"
"As agreed, though will your uncle Kevan go for it?"
"Threaten his family, your grace."
"Thank you, Lord Tyrion, Ser Jaime." he said turning to leave.
"What's to happen to my brother your grace?" Tyrion asked worriedly, he had expected Jaime would have told him, apparently not.
"I made Ser Jaime an offer in Riverrun, there will be a trial, I'll speak up for him and set the record straight on things, after that he becomes what he always wished to be, a Kingsguard."
The Red Keep 298 AC.
Ser Davos.
The ship had brought him to the capital, he hadn't even been treated as a prisoner, he had no chance of escape anyway, but they didn't guard him, didn't have him followed. So for the journey which was surprisingly longer than he had expected, he was allowed roam this ship and look at it in awe. He had never seen the like of it before, the size, the speed, the sheer scope of it, unlike anything he had ever even heard about.
He had laughed when they told him it was from Valyria, that the king himself had brought them to it and sailed with them years before. The Dragon's Lament, a good name though it was Stags and Lions who were lamenting now. Over dinner one night he had gotten to know more of the king and these people, they supported him faithfully, truly, without hesitation and he wished to know more.
"Why support the king so, what has he done to make him so worthy?" he asked Patrek.
"I was held prisoner Davos, taken by the Iron Born, I, Malora, Maron, all of us would have suffered, Malora and Ariane both did as you can imagine." Patrek said and Davos looked to the two girls, he knew exactly how they suffered and shook his head.
"What has this to do with the king?".
"The king rescued us, less than two and ten Namedays old and he rescued us, he not only freed us Davos, he gave us the choice to join him." Patrek said.
"The others?" he said looking to Gared and Shalla.
"Ask them, Gared, Shalla come over here for a moment."
The older man and woman did just that, taking a seat beside Patrek, Malora too came over a moment later.
"Davos here wishes to know why you follow the king." Patrek said a soft smile on his face.
He had been stunned by what they told him, it couldn't be true, could it? If so could he do it again, was he able to do it again? These were the thoughts in his head when they neared King's Landing, though they were not the only ones when he saw the fleet which sailed just outside Blackwater Bay. He had not seen a fleet assembled like it, it put their own to shame, with these ships alone the king could probably take over most kingdoms.
Unlike The Dragon's Lament though, those ships stayed outside the bay, not risking the debris inside and Davos almost cried upon seeing the result of their attack. How many men had lost their lives here, how many needlessly? He closed his eyes and said a prayer for his boys, for surely he had lost them all here.
"Come Ser Davos it seems the king really wishes to speak to you." he heard a voice say and opened his eyes to see the dock in front of him.
There were men there and the one in the middle, the one standing beside a giant white dog, could only be the Targaryen king. Behind him stood the Kingsguard, three of them all standing to attention, along with a number of knights and guards. He wondered who it was the king was waiting on, who had earned such a welcome.
As he was escorted off the ship and brought to stand in front of the king, he was shocked to find it was him.
"Ser Davos Seaworth, I've been waiting on you." the king said a smile on his face.
"Your grace?"
"Come Ser Davos, there is much we need to discuss."
He found himself back on The Dragon's Lament a few days later Devan standing beside him, he was back sailing, this time to Storm's end, behind him sailed the Royal Fleet under the command of Admiral Velaryon, the former Bastard of Driftmark, Aurane Velaryon. In his hand a letter addressed to Selyse and one to Shireen, an offer and one he hoped her Florent uncles and aunts would accept.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Stannis.
It was to be today then, he looked down at the bed surprised at the clothing they'd given him, though a shave was not permitted, still, they allowed him to wash and they'd fed him far better than he'd expected. He was led into the Throne Room surrounded by these eunuch warriors, none of them smiled or talked and he found he quite liked that, what he'd have been able to do with such men.
Around the room stood, lords, ladies, men of the North, the Reach, the Riverlands, even some men of the West he was surprised to see. Up ahead he saw the Rose of Highgarden sitting with her family to one side, pride of place which was not surprising given the crown on her head. To the other sat the Starks and the Tully's which surprised him until he saw Lyanna Stark and then looked more closely at the boy who was sitting in his rightful place.
The boy was a Targaryen, he was sure of that now, his vague memories of Rhaegar showed some of him within the boy's features, though there was Stark there too, a bastard, a bastard sat his throne. He looked to the men on either side of the boy king, Eddard Stark and Mace Tyrell, a follower and a fool, he could at least count on Stark's honor making this trial somewhat fair.
"Lord Stannis. You are brought before His Grace King Jaehaerys Targaryen to answer for your crimes, how do you plead?" Jon Connington said and he looked to the Griffin.
"I am the rightful king, not this boy." he said staring at the Griffin and then the boy king.
"How is that my lord, does your blood claim beat mine own?" the boy said.
"A bastard's claim." he spat and there were gasps but the boy held his hand up silencing them.
"High Septon, what say you to such a charge, am I a bastard like Lord Stannis claims?".
The fat man stood forward and the look he gave him left him in no doubt that be it for coin or his own embracing of R'hllor, this man was no friend of his today.
"The letters, the certificates, all are in order your grace, your father's marriage to the Queen Dowager was and is legal and accepted by the faith."
"So Lord Stannis, my blood claim it seems beats yours, so how are you king?"
"Your family lost the throne by right of conquest boy."
"Then I just won it back did I not? Or were you and the Lannister's not defeated?"
He stood there stewing silently grinding his teeth while waiting for the boy to speak again.
"Lord Stannis, you rising up to assert your claim is no crime, you knew not of my existence and even had you, were still within your rights to rise, so on that, I can find no fault in your actions."
He looked at the boy incredulously, then if he was not here for that, why was he here?.
"You are however charged with a much worse crime, bring in Lady Melisandre." the boy said and he looked on as she was brought in.
She had been treated well it seemed, her hair just as he remembered it, her dress clean and new, she walked in with her head high and looked at him and smiled, making his britches tighten despite the circumstances. Standing to his side she looked to the boy king and then to him.
"Lord Stannis, Lady Melisandre you are both charged with the murder of Lord Renly Baratheon, how do you plead?". the boy said as the room hushed.
"You dare charge his chosen, you a mere boy, you sit in judgment of your betters, Stannis is the Prince that was Promised, Azor Ahai, he has brought dragons to life from stone." Melisandre said and he saw the boy look to a silver-haired girl who was laughing.
"Has he indeed, it's funny that I don't recall seeing him anywhere close when my children were born, nor anywhere when I and my aunt took our first ride on them, and he certainly wasn't anywhere close by when my queen and I flew on them, I'd have remembered that." the boy said to laughs.
"You are a false prince, a charlatan, do not put your faith in this boy, he will doom us all, only Stannis can save us." Melisandre said looking around the room for support.
Stannis and Melisandre were both surprised when the boy got up from the throne, he held his hand up so the Kingsguard stood back and moved towards them. Looking him in the eye Stannis could see regret in his eyes and he wondered why he looked at him so.
"I understand the prophecy far better then you do witch, far better than Lord Stannis, I've seen what is to come." the boy said and Stannis felt his eyes drawn to him "You, my lord were led astray, the teaching of the red priests, the visions they see, are open to interpretation you see, unfortunately like the witch herself, your visions were an illusion."
The boy reached out quickly grabbing the necklace on her neck and with a dagger in one hand cut through the chain, pulling it away in his hands. He, Melisandre, the lords and ladies in the room, all of them looked on in shock and horror as she changed in front of them. Gone was the red hair replaced by grey, gone the beautiful skin and firm body, instead, in front of them stood a woman who's age must be a hundred namedays at least.
"I see you Melony lot seven." the boy said and that more than anything made her crumble.
Two men came to hold her up and she looked to the boy, her eyes pleading, he handed her back the ruby necklace and she tied the broken parts together around her neck. She was back a moment later, the beautiful woman he had thought she was, the boy moved back to the throne and sat down facing them once again.
"How do you plead Lady Melisandre." he said.
"Guilty your grace." she said looking at him differently now.
"Please tell the court what you did and how?".
She explained it then, how they had killed Renly, how she'd used blood magic, Kings Blood, how they'd created a shadow to kill his brother. When she was done Ser Davos was brought in confirming her story, telling of sailing to Storm's End and of what he'd asked him. Once he was done, the boy turned to Mace Tyrell and Eddard Stark.
"How find you the defendants Lord Tyrell?"
"Guilty your grace."
"Lord Stark?"
"Guilty your grace.
"I vote guilty also." the boy said before turning to fact them.
"Lady Melisandre, you are hereby banished from Westeros never to return, go back to Volantis my lady, speak to your red priests, tell them they shall be needed when the time comes, them my lady, not you."
"I thank you your grace." she said and was escorted from the room, the ship already waiting for her, he was not surprised she never looked back at him.
He though watched her as she left, the image of her red hair, of her body, blinked away in a moment, he turned to look to the king ready for his own sentence.
"Lord Stannis, have you ever tasted a peach?". the king said holding one in his hand and he looked at him in shock.
"I..I.."
"A man should never refuse to taste a peach. He may never get the chance again. Life is short, Stannis. Remember what the Starks say. Winter is coming." the king said and threw it in the air, he reached up and caught it, biting into it, feeling the juices flow down into his mouth.
"I thank you, your grace."
"Stannis Baratheon, for the crime of Kinlsaying. I Jaehaerys Targaryen, the third of my name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the realm. Do hereby sentence you to take the black and serve the rest of your life as a watcher on the wall."
"Your grace." he said taking a knee, the peach juice still flowing down his face.
"Lord Stannis, I wish you good fortune in the fight to come."
"As I do you, your grace."
A/N: As Always thanks to all who've read and all who've reviewed, Up next the second part of this chapter, the lions face justice, Jae makes plans while Oberyn tries to get the lay of the land and Varys watches from the shadows.
Guest: Arya is a little girl who's cousin has a dragon and so she wishes to spend time with her, time with Dany too, so seeing him go to leave her yet again she's annoyed by it. It's far more exciting than spending time with her mother or Sansa. Jae has given her a sword, taken her for a dragon ride, with the possibility of her being with him of more, hell in our world, being the uncle, cousin who gives a present would get the same favor.
As for Jae, she is his family, that alone is important enough that he wishes her happy, but as for their connection and why it's so strong, it's hinted at through the story, it's almost clear in the very first chapter of the story, and will be explained once we get further into the story.
In terms of Robb, yes he was his closest companion, but the bond with Arya was far stronger, that's clear in the books, he doesn't spend time thinking much on Robb at the wall as he does on her, she's one of the last things he remembers when he dies, she was the reason he marched from the wall, Robb he went back to the wall, Arya he was marching for.
On Shireen, you're missing or confusing Genetics with dragon blood, the seed being strong allows for the Baratheon Gene to shine through, yes, in terms of the looks, but Jon's looks are Stark supposedly yet we have no issue with him being the a rider, Nettles was brown-skinned, a dragonseed, yet she is able to ride a dragon. We take no issue with that either, yet Shireen maybe being able to ride a dragon becomes one.
If the seed is so strong in her, then why does she have the florent ears? Why does Edric Storm also? If a dragon seed many many many times removed from the bloodline can tame, ride a dragon, then the great-granddaughter of a Targ should be able to too.
Guest: Tyrion hid him away, Jae has him now.
Biohazard: Thanks so much.
Lord Villarreal: I wanted it to be the one person who would just go, eh no, lol. It always bugs me that it's not addressed in stories, we see Ned just welcome her back as if nothing happened. On Kevan, you can see Jae has spoken to Tyrion about him, we'll see what happened in that convo soon, on Stannis, I hope you like this.
Vwchick: Jae/Marge are smitten kittens. I had thought of it with Ned, but it just didn't seem him to me. We'll see the rest of the trials next week, I needed to make sure everyone was here for them.
Daryldixon: So glad you liked it.
Guest: As you see that's the plan for Joff.
Princess: really glad you enjoyed it.
Purported Grey: Thanks so very much, really glad you liked it.
Guest: We'll see Gendry soon.
Guest: Shireen is important, as is Tyrion and Arya, Edric Storm is not really, so I don't know what I'll do with him here.
Guest: The things which killed LF were firewyrms it's what killed Aerea in canon.
Qui: A Typo on my part, it's been corrected thanks for telling me, but yes the year is 298 AC.
Aussie: So glad you enjoyed it.
Xan Merrick: Thank you my friend. Grey Worm was shocked by how bad the White Cloaks were, in taking them so easily, Jae had it timed just right, the dragon was shock and awe, the fight almost gone out of the Baratheon's anyway by Tywin's arrival, and Tywin just caught completely by surprise. The Unsullied just move and do their job, it's why they're perfect for this. With Jae's plans, there were others were the army may have been needed, it just turned out that they like the army weren't needed here.
With Arya, she'll get to see Joff next week. It always bugs me in Ned lives stories, that it's not brought up more. I really wanted that in the Davos scene, the idea of all these kings and when he gets put on the ship the only one standing is one he knew nothing about.
