Game of Thrones

The Moon's Child

Chapter 28

Divergent Paths

305 AC- The Crownlands- King's Landing

With a heavy heart he walked along the boardwalk, there were thousands of Dothraki and Unsullied pouring onto ships, looking to leave this city. He was not interested in their ships. He came to a single ship, a carpenter carving what looked like a Direwolf into the ship's bow. He took a moment to look at the painted sails, the proud direwolf of House Stark flying in the breeze. He identified himself to a sailor on the dockside, and with a deep breath the Lord of Storm's End climbed the gang plank, taking him to the ships deck. No one paid him much heed as he moved around the planks, he cast a glance to the ship's mast, and there she was. Pointing to something on a chart a member of her crew hurried off. "Milady" He said softly, she turned and looked at him with her wide brown eyes. "Or is it Captain now?"

"Gendry"

…

They had retired to the captain's quarters, she stood there awkwardly, as did he, neither really knowing what to say. "You disappeared pretty quickly, after The Dragon's Pit."

"It felt awkward" She said honestly "I didn't know what to say."

"Hello would have been nice." There was a sadness in his voice

"I'm sorry Gendry."

"Nice ship." He looked around "Where are you taking it?"

"West" She looked out of the window

"How far West?"

"Until I find what's West of Westeros." She gave a slight smile "Some of the crew say the world's round, and you can sail all the way back to Westeros."

"I hope the world is ready for you." Gendry smiled before turning to leave

"I thought you were coming to ask me to marry you again." She half joked, and immediately regretted it.

He paused and looked back over his shoulder "If I thought you'd change your mind, I'd never stop asking."

"I wish things were different." She choked up slightly "I wish I was different."

"I don't." He sighed "Because then you wouldn't be you." She took a step towards him and he stepped back "I don't know what you're looking for Milady, but if you do make it all the way around the world and find yourself back here… well Storm's End hasn't moved in a long time. You'll know where to find me."

"You should find a Lady who'll love you and give you everything you want."

Gendry smiled one last sad smile "You'll always be my lady."

She felt the tears streaming down her face as the cabin door closed behind him. She sobbed aloud once, before composing herself and going back to her charts.

….

305 AC- The Crownlands- Kings Landing

The Red Keep was still largely a ruin, some areas had been hastily prepared for use, but one area had remained largely untouched. Beneath the lowest level, lay the black cells, those unfortunates who had wronged Cersei Lannister had been killed before the castle fell. The new King Brandon Stark had said he would not be refilling them, however this was not entirely true. For there was one new guest in this dark place. Ser Podrick Payne wheeled the King down a crudely constructed ramp, praying he did not over tip his wheeled chair. A series of flickering torches lit the way along a corridor.

"Forgive me Your Grace." Podrick addressed him "But this man is a war criminal. Why don't you put him on trial?"

"I have my reasons Podrick" Bran spoke coldly "You are sworn to secrecy."

"Yes Your Grace." Podrick placed an iron key into an ancient lock and turned , the lock screamed into life as Pod heaved the door open. The air was stale, a scurrying across the floor suggested the rats were happy enough. There was a frail figure, hunched in the corner, he wore a simple black robe and sandals. His head was heavily bandaged, as he rocked back and forth on the shelf that passed for a bed down here.

"Is it my time?" The voice was genuinely curious, a little croaky from a lack of water but almost friendly in its delivery. "Are you going to kill me now?"

"No." Bran said coldly, the torchlight from the corridor showing him in silhouette "You were a maester once."

"I was young man." He nodded as he focussed on the light, he made out Bran's wheel chair. "Are you hoping I can help you with your condition?"

"No" Bran answered him "No one can help me with that."

"You are the boy from Winterfell aren't you?" The man asked "Brandon Stark?"

"I was." He pondered "But I am your King now?"

"Where is Daenerys Targaryen?" The man asked with a raised eyebrow

"Dead." Bran said simply "Killed by Jon Snow."

The old man chuckled "Who would have thought it. So Your Grace, pray tell, why haven't you seen fit to kill me?"

"I found something of yours Qyburn… during repairs on The Red Keep."

"Very unlikely Your Grace, other than the clothes on my back I have nothing in this world."

"Are you sure Qyburn?" Bran asked "I'm fairly certain this belonged to you, it's about over seven foot tall, frightfully ugly… a little fire damaged."

"Ser Gregor." Qyburn spoke coldly remembering his giant hand forcing his head into a pillar, leaving him for dead.

"He shouldn't exist Qyburn." Bran stared off into the distance "And yet he does… I want you to make him work again. If you are able?"

"I'm sure I will be quite able Your Grace." Qyburn smiled slightly "Yes I'd rather like to become acquainted with Ser Gregor."

"For revenge."

"I'd like to think I am more enlightened than that Your Grace."

"Of course" Bran nodded "Tell me Qyburn… can you make more?"

"More?" He said with a slight grin "Yes Your Grace, I'm sure I can help you with that."

….

305 AC- The Stormlands- Nightsong

"Be careful Kendra" Lilly called to the babe as she fell down in the yard chasing a black goat, she struggled to her feet and toddled on a couple more steps before falling forward again. The Little Lord of Nightsong helped her up and held her hand and the two ran off after the goat together.

Lilly sat on a bench in Nightsong's courtyard, and smiled as the two children played "You don't go to her when she falls?" A voice asks as Lilly was joined on her bench by a woman with violet eyes and greying black hair. Ashara Dayne smiled politely.

"She has to learn." Lilly said matter of factly

Ashara watched the toddler holding the little Lord's hand, she was drawn to her eerie blue eyes. "A beautiful child." Ashara nodded politely. "How old?"

"Two now, and my sister was a beautiful woman," Lilly pointed at Kendra "She's the mother."

"The father?" Ashara asked.

Lilly shrugged "She was a popular woman as well."

"I see." Ashara nodded "You're the first Wildling I have ever met."

"Lucky me" Lilly grinned "So what do you think?"

"You don't seem very wild." Ashara looked her up and down "What brought you South of the Wall?"

"The Crows." Lilly smiled slightly "The King Crow sailed to Hardhome and scooped us all up in his ships. Well, not all of us, the dead saw to that. Took us beyond The Wall. To these Kingdoms, where everyone is so much more civilised."

Ashara ignored the last remark "You seem to have settled in well. Pretty dresses, a place in a castle, sharing a nice soft bed with a Lord's Reeve. Quite far removed from what you were used to?"

"Have you spent much time North of the Wall?" Ashara stared back and did not answer "Then how would you know?"

"May I be blunt Lilly?"

"Why not? I can't imagine you are used to being told no."

"The Child." Ashara was blunt as promised "We hear whispers that she has… unique qualities."

"She's magic" Lilly said simply

"What is the extent of her… abilities?"

"Don't know yet?" Lilly shrugged "But a lot of people are interested in her."

"Yes." Ashara had a raised eyebrow "I saw one of them burning to death outside the Walls. Your idea?"

"No" Lilly said, frustration evident in her voice

"You think The Reeve and his fat friend will be able to protect you both forever?"

"I don't need protecting" Lilly shot back, a hard expression on her face "It's true I enjoy the pretty dresses, the castle, the comfortable bed. Even the perfumed Southern kneeler I share it with. But don't think I've forgotten how to open a throat from ear to ear. How to tear ears from a head or a nose from a face. My father was chieftain of a warband, a brother in arms of The King Beyond The Wall. He didn't name me after some pretty summer flower. He named me Lillith, a Goddess worshipped by the First Men long before they knelt to The Old Gods. If the time comes for me to take up a spear again, you'll see why they call us Wildlings."

Ashara sat in silence for a moment "How old are you Lilly?"

The Wildling shrugged "Eighteen I think. We don't always count the same up North."

"At last." Ashara allowed a grin to creep her face "Someone interesting."

…

305 AC- The Stormlands-The Kings Road

Gendry rode close to Une, they had been riding for a couple of days now, but not alone. The new Prince of Dorne and his army had also taken The Kings Road South. Prince Martell and several bodyguards rode up to the two Storm Lords.

"We'll join The Prince's Pass from here." Prince Martell motioned across some fields.

"It was nice to meet you." Gendry nodded "Safe travels"

"No need for goodbyes Lord Gendry." The Prince shrugged "You're coming with us."

"I'm going to Storm's End." Gendry smiled nervously

"No you are not." The Prince shook his head

"Yes I am." Gendry replied, the confusion evident in his voice.

"This is awkward." Prince Martell scratched his beard "I am afraid I am going to have to insist."

A wave of realisation swept across his face as he saw the Prince's bodyguards bring their hands to their swords. "Une" He called out as he drew his sword. He raised it high and felt a strong grip on his wrist yank his sword from his hand. He turned to see his fellow Stormlord holding his sword. "What's this?"

"For what it's worth, I am sorry My Lord."

"Sorry for what?"

"Lord Gendry." Prince Martell began "It pains me to say this, you will be returning to Storm's End, just not yet, and not alone. First you will accompany me to a meeting."

"As your prisoner?" Gendry asked nervously

"As an honoured guest Lord Gendry. Now I'm afraid I'm going to have to tie your hands."

….

305 AC- The Stormlands- Griffin's Roost

Nestled at the southern end of Cape Wrath, the small but strong castle of Griffin's Roost is accessible by land and sea. A small jut of land known as The Griffin's Throat, allows for easy disembarking from the sea. It is along this stretch of land Salladhor Saan walks towards the castle. He looks back over his shoulder to see his fleet anchored off the coast, along with vessels from Bravos, Pentos and Lorath. He walks up a small carved staircase to the Sea Gate of Griffin's Roost.

"Brother Saan." A voice greets him

"Tycho Nestoris" Saan greeted him with a handshake "We're all here?"

"Not yet.." A voice answered, as grey haired man in a fox fur lined coat

"It's been a long time Fox King." Sann shook his hand.

"Illyrio Mopatis is here, as is Ryslik H'Ghar." Nestoris continued.

"We've had word from Martell, he's on route with the prisoner and ten thousand men. Connington has collected his as well, and is on route. Ashara Dayne will be joining him."

"Good" Saan nodded "The Ninth is on my flag ship. We'll be ready to reveal him soon."