Kings Landing 298 AC.
Ned.
He had been called to a meeting with his nephew, one which his lords, his wife, and his goodbrother all wished for him to both ask for boons and to make clear their displeasure about Jaime Lannister. As he walked to the king's solar he tried to get his own thoughts on Jaime clear in his head, his own issues with the man, only to find his mind going back to the Throne Room ten and five years earlier.
Given what Jae had revealed during the trial, among the many people that Jaime Lannister saved that day were him, the northern lords and their men. They had arrived at the city as Aerys had sent his men out to set the wildfire off, he had even spoken to Varys to see where it was positioned and knew now that they would have perished. While it didn't make him any more forgiving of what Jaime Lannister had done to his men, it did make him look at the man differently.
"Lord Stark." he heard Wyman say and was surprised to see his old friend walking in the same direction as he.
"Wyman?"
"Young Olyvar here told me the king wishes to speak to me." Wyman said and Ned nodded, both of them and the squire walking to the solar together.
Ser Barristan and Ser Oswell were on duty when they got there, and barely a moment after Olyvar walked inside to tell the king they were there, they were brought inside, the king sitting at his desk with Tyrion Lannister who was now his Hand. Another issue his lords had brought up with him, saying it should have been he who was named while not bothering to ask him if he even wanted it.
"Uncle, Lord Wyman, please sit." Jae said and they took their seats.
"Your Grace." they each said one after the other.
Jae offered them wine which they refused and then poured and gave them both some juice which they accepted before he turned to speak to him.
"Lord Wyman, I and my uncle will have some more private things to discuss in a few moments, so perhaps it's for the best I let you know why I've asked you to come first, if that's alright uncle."
"It is your grace."
"The North played a big role in my taking of the throne, you Lord Wyman helped my aunt's and my own men depart and march most quickly and I've found you to be an honest, clever, and earnest man."
"I thank you, your grace." Wyman said and Ned wondered where he was going with this.
"As I've already said to Lord Tyrion, I am need of such men and so Lord Wyman Manderly I would name you Master of Coin." Jae said and both he and Wyman were stunned.
"Your Grace, you honor me." Wyman said.
"I hope you still think so when you're doing the work, Lord Wyman." Jae said with a small laugh.
"I look forward to it, your grace." Wyman said.
"Perhaps you and my Hand can speak together Lord Wyman, he'll inform you of the state of the crown's finances and then if you would, perhaps, go visit the queen, she has already begun plans for the changes that need to be done, I'd like you to go over costings with her."
"At once, your grace, and I thank you again for the honor."
"I am most grateful you've accepted my lord, I look forward to working with you in the future." Jae said and Wyman stood up bowed and he and Tyrion walked from the room.
Jae poured himself another glass of juice, though Ned hadn't finished his and wasn't really in the mood for another.
"Uncle, forgive me for that, but I wished Lord Wyman to be named in your presence."
"That's quite alright, your grace."
"Uncle, can you tell me about Bran?"
"Bran?"
"I've heard some of what happened, how he fell from the tower, but the Maester, the injury, all I've been able to ascertain is that he cannot walk again, is this so?"
"It is." he said sadly.
"The injury uncle, was it his bones, was it like your own?"
"Luwin believed so, aye."
"The potion I gave you, there have been no ill effects?"
"No, I don't understand." he said as the realization dawned on him "You think this could help Bran, that he may walk again?"
"According to the books yes, you, Lord Willas, both of you I gave the potion to and you've both recovered with no ill effects. I think it could work with Bran too. In a few moons I intend to travel to Winterfell, it's partly why I've asked you to come here today, but I will bring the potion too, it's worth a try is it not?".
"It is, I thank you Jae." Ned said not even realizing he'd called him by his name.
"The second thing I wish to speak on is Arya, uncle, she wishes to foster here, I would like her to do so with your leave."
"You want my daughter to stay here?" he said surprised.
"I do, she can be part of my wife's ladies in waiting while also being allowed be herself, be who she wishes to be, it's what she wants uncle and I'd also like to have some family close by."
"I do not know if it's a good idea, your grace, I had intended to bring my entire family home."
"I understand uncle, would you consider it anyway?"
"I will."
"Thank you. This brings me to the main reason I asked you here. What do you know of the Long Night uncle?"
"I've heard the myths and legends." he said confused as to why he'd ask him of such a thing.
"What would you say if I told you that everything I do, every move I've made is because of the Long Night?"
He looked at him almost about to laugh until he saw the seriousness in his nephew's face, then a small part of him began to worry. In his talks with Lyanna, she had spoken of Rhaegar's belief in the prophecy, she had surprised him when she made it clear she too believed. When she had called Jae the Prince that was Promised, he had put it down to a mother's love for her son, looking at Jae now he wondered if there was more to it.
"May I be honest, Your Grace?"
"Always, uncle."
"I'd say it was a crock of shit." he said and Jae laughed loudly.
"Well, that's honest." Jae said and he laughed a little himself.
"Uncle, I'm about to do something that will make you, your lords, maybe even the realm either think I'm as mad as my grandfather or that it's part of some nefarious plot I have. I called you here to tell you about it before we meet with your lords and I tell them."
Walking back to his rooms a short while later he passed Arya and Tommen Lannister in the hallway, the two of them mock sparring with wooden swords, Nymeria and some of Jae's men standing there looking on. The smile on Arya's face was one he was glad to see, one he had only ever really seen when she was doing things a lady shouldn't do. If Jae could get her to act a lady while allowing her to be herself, would it not be best to let her stay? Would her mother not see it?.
He smiled at her when she saw him and walked the rest of the way to his rooms, he needed to get his lords ready for the meeting the next day, no doubt there would be those in the room who'd not remember they were speaking to a king. But he wondered to this proof Jae said, to what it could be and to how it would allow his lords to agree to what it was he wanted.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Oberyn.
The meetings went on and the princess wasn't invited, each day she sat even further apart from the king, each night she drank a little more and seemed more sullen. When the king ordered her men to patrol the streets their ensuing argument was heard around the keep, they were her men, not his, he didn't get to order them about the princess had yelled. The king responding that while in his kingdom they followed his orders which had sent the princess storming off and flying from the city on her dragon.
Seeing that alone, the princess on the dragon with the black one flying alongside, he began to wonder if it came down to it, would two follow her or the king. Unless all three were together, the black and the princess's blue always flew as a pair, the white starting to look ever more isolated. He sat in his room waiting for Nym to arrive, she of all his girls being the one who had gotten closest to the princess.
"My love, what is it your thinking so seriously on?" Ellaria said when she walked into their room.
"The princess." he said softly.
"Was I any other woman and you any other man, I'd be deeply offended." she said with a chuckle.
"She and the king do not seem best pleased with each other."
"No, you mean to speak to her?"
"I do, Myrcella will arrive soon and when she does that option will be lost to Dorne."
"You think the king will do her harm?" she asked concernedly.
"No, but he'll not allow her and Trystane to marry." he said and she nodded.
"The princess's tastes do not lean towards men, Oberyn." Ellaria said.
"No they do not, but a royal marriage only needs to provide an heir, she can keep her friend close, besides this way we would always know the heir was Quentyn's." he said.
It took another hour for Nym to arrive and the news she brought with her convinced him, it was time to speak to the princess, time to judge her mood for himself.
"She was that angry?" he asked.
"She was furious, he assigned her his own guards and took away her own, she feels a prisoner, father."
"Her men are loyal to her though are they not?" Ellaria asked.
"They are, incredibly so, but they are outnumbered and she'd not see them hurt. Instead she has asked for ships to be made available, she means to sail back to Essos, her and her men."
"The king is allowing this?" he asked surprised.
"I believe he sees her a threat father better she be far away than here, she and the queen do not speak either." Nymeria said.
"Then perhaps it is the Roses who see her a threat." he said smiling "This is very good Nym, very good, I shall speak to her tonight, will she come to the brothel?"
"I am sure I can convince her." Nym said and Tyene snorted "What?"
"You've been unable to convince her so far, or has she shared your bed yet?" Tyene said a small grin on her face.
Oberyn laughed as his daughters went back and forth with their teasing, soon he would sail back to Dorne with the old lion and the manticore and perhaps with a betrothal too.
He, his guards and his daughters made their way to the brothel that night, Chataya giving him the entire place for the large pouch of gold he had paid her. Once inside he drank some wine, perused the evening's entertainment finding the woman's daughter once again to be the one who caught his eye, and he waited. He didn't have to wait for long, the princess along with two of her unsullied entered, her face full of thunder as she took her seat.
"Princess." he said and Nym smiled at her receiving none in return.
"Prince Oberyn." she said curtly.
"Forgive me princess but is there something wrong?"
"Wrong, wrong, the only thing wrong is my fool of a nephew trying to ruin my life." she said as she clenched her fists angrily.
"The king has displeased you in some way?" he asked.
"He wishes me to marry, no, I say that wrong, he orders me to marry. Some fool of a knight from the Vale, Ser Harold Hardyng, apparently I am the price of the Vale's acceptance of his rule." she said and he reached his hand out and placed it on hers comfortingly when she gave him permission.
"I am sorry Princess, I had heard you wished to return to Essos?" he said and the princess glowered at Nym "Forgive my daughter princess, she spoke to me out of concern for a friend." he said and watched as Daenerys features softened, a small smile on her face.
"Forgive me Prince Oberyn, my mood is not how it usually is." she said.
"Was Nym right, is it in Essos you see your future?"
"I was to be queen, my nephew agreed. I would help him take this place and then he would help me take Essos, but it was a lie, it was all a lie, he's just as Viserys was." she said shaking her head.
"You could still be a queen, with help you could even be a queen here." he said and she looked at him.
"You speak treason Prince Oberyn." she said though her voice wasn't angry, in fact, it seemed almost eager.
"Dorne, like yourself, is unhappy with the king, princess. We'd prefer another sit the throne, one who we have never had an issue with, one who is not the living embodiment of the shaming of Dorne."
"Even where I interested in such a thing, he is my kin, I'd not be a part of him being hurt." she said and he nodded.
"People are hurt all the time princess, accidents happen, even to kings."
"What would Dorne want for their support?" she asked and he smiled.
"A marriage." he raised his hand when she glowered "One which would be more favorable and would allow the queen to continue to live how she liked and with who she liked."
She smiled and then looked to the door, where they came from he had no idea but there were far more of them than of his men. Spears were soon pointed at necks, Obara had been taken down with the butt of one to the back of her head, Nym, Tyene forced to their knees as was Ellaria. Before he even had a chance to move, before he reacted, the white blade of Dawn was at his own neck, Ser Arthur Dayne looking at him.
"My nephew would like a word Prince Oberyn." Daenerys said standing up and walking to the door "Be thankful he's more merciful than I, you would not wish to wake the dragon."
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Ser Arthur.
After Oberyn was taken to the Red Keep, after his paramour, children and men were taken to a different location, he walked to his rooms his night done with, his heart as it had been for the last few days was still in conflict. Jae's decisions concerned him and for the first time he found himself questioning his king on what he did, rather than on what he had done.
He had at times spoken quite harshly to Jae, out of all of them he, it seemed, had the freedom to do so. Ser Gerold was too respectful and only when the King's life was in danger would he speak up, Oswell would make japes, but he would at times talk down to the king, he, on the other hand, would at times straddle the line between Kingsguard and adoptive father and at times it would be hard to know which role he was more suited to.
His love for the boy, his wishes for the king, his duty to him, all of them had come into conflict more since they'd taken the throne than they had ever done before that. Usually, their quarrels were more of a father/son nature, lately, they were over decisions the king made and the ramifications of them. Jaime Lannister and now Dorne, both of these not sitting well with him, as he reached his room, as he sat down on the bed, he sighed waking Lyanna.
"Arthur is that you?" she asked sleepily and he almost laughed.
"If not then we need to change your guards." he said and she did laugh.
"Come to bed my love." she said and he stripped and got in beside her "What's wrong, what has he done now?" she asked and he felt good knowing she knew him that well.
"He had me arrest Oberyn, they planned to replace him with Dany." he said and she glared at him angrily.
"You're upset because he arrested a traitor?"
"No, I'm upset because he won't tell me his plans, I'm Dornish, Lyanna, it is my country, if it were the North, if he had some plan for the North and you didn't know of it, would it not worry you?."
"He does." she said shaking her head "You know how he works Arthur, the things he's seen, how events need to occur, he does things we don't understand all the time, but has he been wrong? Has he done something to make you question him?"
"Jaime Lannister." he said and she looked at him.
"You still blame him for Elia and the children?"
"He should have gone to them, he should have rescued them."
"He was a boy, you said that yourself, a boy who'd just killed a king, who knows what he was thinking, have you spoken to him?"
"No."
"Then go, speak to him, ask him those questions you have in that pretty little head of yours." she said and he laughed.
"What now?" he said and felt her grab him pulling him on top of her.
"Mmm, not now." she said.
Being with her was everything he had imagined it to be, her taste, her body, how they moved together, all of it far more than he had ever believed it could be. While he wasn't a maid when he joined the Kingsguard, unlike some of his brothers he had lived up to the vow and he had been chaste for years. Until a week ago when he finally, when they finally, couldn't resist each other any longer.
They had slept together before that, they had done things to each other, brought pleasure to each other, but they had resisted from going all the way, but now with the wedding in sight, knowing they would soon be husband and wife they could no longer stop themselves. As he rolled over, as he looked at her as spent as he was, as he took her in his arms, he felt the worries fade away even if only briefly.
He woke alone surprised that he'd slept that long, he washed and dressed and then without breaking his fast he headed to Jaime's rooms, it was time to put one ghost to rest at least. He found him alone, his former protégé surprised to see him at the door, surprised even more by what he said next.
"How about a spar?" he said and Jaime nodded eagerly.
They walked down to the sparring yard and he was happy to see it relatively empty, though he knew once word spread he and Jaime were sparring it would soon fill up. He took out Dawn and waited while Jaime took out his own Valyrian steel sword, his Kingsguard blade, and then with a nod they began.
The swords flashed in the air, Jaime quicker and more focused than he had ever been, while within the first few exchanges unbeknownst to himself Arthur had begun to smile. He blocked the strike from the left, parried the next and then made his own thrust, the quickness, and Dawn's reach almost catching Jaime by surprise. As they fought the yard filled, Northmen, men of the Reach and the West, Riverlanders, all looking on.
He began to put spins into his moves, to arc his blows more, to give people more of a show, something Jaime soon caught onto and began to match. How long they sparred for he wasn't sure, but every strike, every clash of the swords, every feint and parry, made him feel he was stepping back in time. He half expected to hear Gerold scold them, to hear Barristan snort as he had done the last time they sparred, he almost expected to see Rhaegar stand there, to hear him applaud when he won.
In the end, it was Jae who was standing there, Jae applauding when he caught Jaime's blade and twisted his own making it fall to the ground, Dawn pointing at Jaime's neck. Jaime's smile as true as it had ever been as he nodded to him.
"I yield, the day is yours Arthur."
"We should talk, Jaime." he said taking the blade away, the clapping stopping and the crowd moving on to do whatever they had distracted them from.
After drinking some water he and Jaime walked to the wall which overlooked the bay, the sun beaming down on the water, the reflection making him think of Starfall and the Torrentine.
"You should have saved them." he said and heard the strangled gasp from beside him.
"You think I've not spent every day thinking that Arthur, you think I don't wake thinking of Elia, of Aegon, of Rhaenys."
"Why didn't you go to them?"
"I thought it done Arthur, when I actually thought of it that was, I thought it done, they were safe, surely they were safe, but after when I found out when I knew the truth, what was I to do?"
"I don't know."
"All my life I wanted to be you, Arthur, you were everything that was good, everything that was right. I wanted to be Ser Arthur Dayne but someplace along the way, I became the Smiling Knight." Jaime said and Arthur saw the tears fall from his eyes as he did so.
"You still have a chance." he said and reached out placing a hand on Jaime's shoulder "Don't waste it brother." he said as he walked away.
Kings landing 298 AC.
Jae.
He stood by the tree, feeling the crown on his head even heavier than usual, he waited and waited until eventually, the man arrived, Bloodraven smiling as he did so.
"Things are difficult are they not young king?"
"Very much so."
"You have followed what was shown though, for that you have my thanks."
"It's good to have someone's" Jae said and Bloodraven laughed.
"A king does not bow to the wishes of men Jaehaerys, you are a king, a king with the most important task any who've worn that crown has ever faced. Explain yourself when you can, but remember, you are the king that the realm needs, not they, not any of them, you. I, the Children, the Free Folk, the Seven Kingdoms, our fate is in your hands, heavy lies the head that wears the crown Jaehaerys, but you were born to do so."
"Will, you ever show me the rest, the things you've not shown me, the reason why I need a dwarf as my Hand, why I need Ser Jaime at my back or Ser Davos on my council?"
"Should we all survive this, should we be lucky, I'll show you all there is to see young king, should you wish it of me then."
"So now I've another reason to win." Jae said and Bloodraven laughed loudly.
"Indeed, go deal with the Northern Wolves and the Southern Snakes, I shall see you soon young king, the time has almost come when we must meet."
He woke to find his wife already dressing, looking at her as she took off her small clothes he almost jumped out of bed to grab her and pull her back to him. Instead, he just got up and walked over, placing his arms around her from behind he kissed her neck before she turned to him and he kissed her properly.
"Good morning." he whispered as she slapped his hand away as it made it's way to her pert breast.
"I got up early to remove the temptation." she said a lopsided smile on her face.
"Bored of me already my love." he said and she giggled.
"I would like to start the day less tired than I have been." she said and he frowned and put on his best sad face.
"I'm fine with being tired in the mornings." he said and she giggled again as he moved from her and looked for his own clothing "How are you finding Roslin?" he said as he found his britches.
"She's very quiet, grandmother said that's to be expected given what the Twins and Walder Frey are like, but she's getting more comfortable talking with me." she said and he sighed as she put her small clothes on.
"That is an affront to beauty." he said as he walked back over to her and pointed to the top she covered her breasts with."
"You're not the only one disappointed by clothing." she said her hand grabbing his arse and her smiling face looking at him as she spoke "Though I'd have no other woman see my husbands arse, that is for my eyes alone." he kissed her and when Roslin knocked he walked to gather the rest of his clothing.
After breaking his fast he met Olyvar and made his way to meet with Varys and Tyrion, he'd soon be having his first small council meeting, even if not all his council would be present. Before then though he needed to deal with Oberyn and with the Northern lords, neither of which would be easy. He sent Olyvar to find Arthur as he wanted him to be there for the meeting with Oberyn and found Tyrion and Varys already waiting in his solar.
"Your grace." Varys said and he nodded as Tyrion greeted him likewise.
"No doubt you've heard by now of the Dornish coup Lord Tyrion."
"Lord Varys was just explaining it to me, what are your plans, your grace?"
"Your niece's ship should arrive in a few days when she does I wish you to speak to her, find out her mind regarding the match Dorne wishes for her." he said and Tyrion and Varys looked at him in confusion.
"You would still allow the match?" Varys asked before Tyrion could.
"If it's what the girl wishes then yes, I have other ways to keep Dorne in check."
"Which are, your grace?" Tyrion asked.
"A carrot and a really large stick, Lord Tyrion."
"Of course, your grace, the meeting with the northern lords is set for later today, may I ask your plans."
"I intend to move the Free Folk from beyond the wall and settle them in the Gift my lord." he said and Tyrion almost choked on the water he was drinking.
"The wildings, you intend to move the wildings, the North would never go for it."
"They will, though it will be a hard sell. I ask both of you to trust me, I cannot yet say why I need to do certain things and my actions may seem strange, even erratic, but I ask you to trust me."
"Of course, your grace." Varys said without hesitation.
"Lord Tyrion."
"I'm sorry your grace, my mind was still on the revelation regarding the wildings, you have my trust."
"I thank you both." they heard the knock and then Olyvar walked into the room with Arthur, the knight giving him a small smile "It seems it's that time, my lords" he said and got up from his seat walking with Arthur and Olyvar from the room.
The room they'd kept Oberyn in was in the Maidenvault, Varys having ensured it was the best place bar a dungeon to do so, they had made him strip to nothing, had him checked for weapons and finding far more than Jae had thought it possible to carry concealed. Still, though Jae walked into the room armed and with Arthur, not taking a chance with the man known as the Red Viper of Dorne.
"Where is Ellaria, my children, my men?" Oberyn said angrily when he saw them.
"They are safe and well and under guard, they have not been harmed, if you will not accept my word, then perhaps Ser Arthur's would suffice."
"They are safe my prince." Arthur said and Oberyn reluctantly nodded.
"You understand the seriousness of your predicament?" Jae asked sitting down while both Oberyn and Arthur stood.
"You think Dorne would accept this, you think a prince's death is something our people would accept."
"Who's dying?" Jae asked and Oberyn looked at him with contempt.
"You think I don't know your game boy, Dorne will not kneel so you plan to use me to bring them to you, we are Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken, kill me, hold me hostage, that will never change."
"If I wanted to subjugate Dorne I could do so easily, it wouldn't even need me to invade, wouldn't need my dragons, my armies, nothing, that's what Dorne, what your people can never seem to grasp, your hubris over your past, blinds you to the future."
"What are you talking about boy." Oberyn said and Jae rose to his feet.
"A wise man once said any man who needs to say I am king is no true king, so call me boy, call me Wolfspawn" he said and saw Oberyn blink "Call me Dragonspawn like the stag called my brother and sister." he said and saw Oberyn look to him "Yes, my brother and sister, you and your brother seem to forget that, you seem to forget it was my kin who were killed, that it was my kin who died in this place."
"Yet now you sit the throne Aegon should have sat, you live while Rhaenys does not, you think I should feel sympathy for you Boy, sympathy for an imposter king." Oberyn said spitting on the floor.
"I think you should feel fear, you should feel respect, you should feel gratitude."
"Gratitude?" Oberyn said his voice almost a shout.
"Gratitude, unlike you and your brother and your stupid plots, unlike you waiting in the sands for a vengeance you would never have taken, I've given you that vengeance, given you justice. While you ranted and raved over justice for my siblings, for their mother, I've made it happen, but that alone is not what your gratitude should be for."
"Then what is it I have to be grateful for?"
"That I care for my siblings, that I consider you kin even if you don't consider it of me, for if I did not, then you'd see what happens to traitors, you'd see how Dorne would fall, how House Martell and their words would cease to be anything other than a memory."
Both Oberyn and Arthur looked at him, one with anger, the other concern, neither sure where he was going next.
"Yronwood, Blackmont, Qorgyle, Dayne, what have they in common Prince Oberyn?"
"They are houses sworn to Dorne."
"They are houses who at one point were kings, houses who at one point would have looked to rule Dorne, what say you, does their loyalty outweigh their ambition? Would Lord Yronwood cry to see House Martell fall?"
Oberyn looked to him, to Arthur and back to him again, his eyes blazing as he began to speak again.
"Doran, Oberyn, Arianne, Quentyn, Trystane." Jae said as he began to count them off with his fingers "Obara, Nymeria, Tyene, Sarella, Elia, Obella, Dorea, Loreza. Ten and Three" he said as he finished counting "That's all of what remains of House Martell, less than three handfuls, that's all who would need to fall for Dorne to be Bowed, Bent and Broken."
"You would kill children?" Oberyn asked horrified.
"Dorne would break parlay?" he said and Oberyn looked to Arthur.
"That was different." Oberyn said his voice softer.
"That was war, don't force me to wage another, it's not Daeron that Dorne finds itself dealing with today, not Aegon, I've learned from history Prince Oberyn." Jae said and Oberyn sat down on the seat "I have no wish to fight in Dorne, no wish to fight against kin and as I said you are my kin. I am not Tywin Lannister nor am I Robert Baratheon, don't force me to become either."
"My brother, I need to speak to him."
"Doran will be escorted here, he will come and you will speak to him, he has no choice in this, no way out, he comes, he kneels, and then we move on to the only war that matters." Jae said as he got up to walk from the room.
"The war that matters?" Oberyn said.
"Your daughters and paramour will be brought here, your men too all unarmed as they will be, in a couple of moons I will show you and your brother why we have no time to fight amongst ourselves. Dorne will kneel, they will come into the seven kingdoms fully and they will be rewarded accordingly, prepare yourself prince Oberyn, for I find myself in need a Master of Laws."
Storm's End 298 AC.
Ser Davos.
Standing on the bow as The Dragon's Lament navigated Shipbreaker Bay he saw Storm's End in the distance, he would be landing alone, him and Devan the only ones to enter the keep. He didn't look forward to speaking to Lady Selyse, half expected her to still think herself a queen, but Shireen he looked forward to seeing, the jar he carried in his pack something he prayed would work.
When the ship dropped anchor he helped Devan down into the small boat and began to row ashore, seeing the gathered knights waiting along the beach as he did so. It didn't take him long to reach it, the seas were much calmer than usual and soon he was stepping from the boat and looking at Ser Colen, the grizzled knight staring at him angrily, no warm welcome to be found here it seemed.
"What brings you here Onion Knight?" the man said and Davos knew then the tales Selyse may be telling.
"I've come on orders from the new king and with a letter for Lady Selyse from Lord Stannis."
"New King, have you turned your cloak so quick Ser Davos? Queen Selyse will be sure to see you welcomed appropriately, bind him." Ser Colen said to the other men and Davos felt himself being grabbed and shuffled around, he was hit once or twice and bound, Devan, kicking and screaming at them as he was held back.
He was just about to say something as he saw one of the men move to strike Devan when he heard the roar, he like the other men on the beach almost wetting himself when the dragon landed. The black dragon roaring once more forcing the knights back, free now Devan ran to him and undid his bindings, one of the knights moved to stop him only for the dragon to roar yet again forcing the man back.
He stood up, looked to the dragon who looked at him and Devan, he then took a step forward to see the knights once again move towards him only for the dragon to roar forcing them back again, and he almost laughed.
"I think you should escort me to Lady Selyse before our friend here gets more annoyed than it already is." he said and Ser Colen looked from him to the dragon and nodded.
As they walked towards the keep the dragon took flight flying over the walls high in the air and then releasing its flames, making it clear to everyone this was simply a warning. Passing through the gates, walking towards the tower, he looked around and wondered would even dragon flames have an effect here, then he pictured Harrenhal and shuddered.
"The queen will be with you presently." Ser Colen said leading him to the Round Hall and leaving him and Devan to stand there alone.
"Did the king send his dragon father?" his son asked.
"I think he may have, either that or you made a new friend son." he said with a chuckle as he patted his son's shoulder and the boy giggled.
"Will we see Lady Shireen, father?"
"We will son have no fear of that."
Selyse walked in with one of her brothers and more of her knights, the stag crown still on her head, she took her seat her men standing behind her and as she always did when she saw him she glowered at him.
"What is this traitor doing here?" she said and he put his hand on Devan's chest to stop him from speaking.
"I have never betrayed any oath I've sworn, never." Davos said loudly.
"Yet you serve the false king." Erren said and he looked to him.
"Maybe you are unaware, but the army was defeated, Stannis was captured and he himself knelt to the king, as a loyal subject of my liege, it's my duty to follow his lead is it not?"
"You lie, my husband is Azor Ahai reborn, the prince that was promised, the one true king, he'd never kneel. These are lies spread by a false king, seize him." Selyse said and as the first man moved the roar was heard again forcing him to stop and Selyse to look around panicked.
"It seems the dragon disagrees my lady." Davos said and resisted the urge to laugh.
"She is your queen Ser Davos." Erren said and he shook his head.
"I believe Queen Margaery would beg to differ Ser. I've come with two letters, one from his grace and one from Lord Stannis. His grace directs me to bring Lady Selyse, Lady Shireen and an escort to Kings Landing where they are to swear fealty to his grace, and in return, Lady Shireen will be named the Lady of Storm's End."
"It's a trick, a lie, he means to kill me, to kill my daughter." Selyse said and for the first time, he saw the panic behind the façade.
"My lady, I give you my word, this king is not the someone who would do such a thing, he sentenced Stannis to the wall rather than execute him and gave his men the option of joining Stannis or kneeling, those who fought for him haven't been punished severely, far less than they could have expected under any other king."
"Why should my sister believe you?" Erren said though his own doubt was clear.
"The king gave me this as a show of good faith." he said taking out the jar "It's a cure for Greyscale my lady, it will remove the scars on Lady Shireen's face."
"It's poison, you mean to poison my daughter." she said her panic even clearer now.
"My lady, whatever you may think of me, you know my feelings for the Lady Shireen, look into your heart and tell me true, do you believe me capable of harming her?" he said and saw the almost involuntary shaking of Selyse's head "I believe this will work my lady, should it not, you won't need to harm me, I'll cut my own damn throat." he said.
He watched as she looked to Erren and then to Colen, both of them nodding and then she looked to him and nodded.
"You may go visit Shireen, Ser Davos." she said and he breathed out in relief.
He found the girl in the chambers next to the Lord's leaning forward and looking out the window, her laughter making him quicken his steps and a smile came to his own face when he saw what she was looking at.
"Look Davos, a dragon, it's a real dragon, watch." she said as the dragon flew closer, almost near enough to touch, it's head turned to face the window "Is it the king's Davos, does he truly have two more?" she asked her voice full of excitement as the dragon made far different noises than he had earlier.
"He does my lady, may we speak?" he asked and reluctantly she nodded before turning to the dragon once again.
"Goodbye Rhaegon." she said as the black dragon flew out to sea.
"Rhaegon?" he asked and she looked at him as she sat down at the table.
"That's his name, he is Rhaegon and his brother is Brankardix and their sister's name is Ellanys." Shireen said and how she knew he couldn't tell, but he dismissed it, for now, too excited to share what was in the jar.
"I've met the new king, my lady he is most eager to see you, most eager to meet his kin."
"Kin?" she said confused for a moment and then smiled "He thinks me a cousin Davos?"
"He does my lady and he invites you and your lady mother to Kings Landing, he means to name you Lady of Storm's End."
"My father Davos, what of my father?" she asked worriedly.
"Your father is to be sentenced to the Nights Watch my lady, though his grace has agreed to delay his transport until he sees you again." he said and she smiled sadly at that "He also sends you a gift."
"A present, he gave you a present for me?" she said her sadness slightly diminished by her excitement.
"He did, for this." he said touching the side of her face with the Greyscale and watching as she pulled back "He says this will cure it, my lady, it will make the scars fade away." he said putting the jar on the table.
"That's impossible." she said while she looked hopefully at the jar.
"As are dragons are they not." he said and she giggled picking up the jar.
"You think him true, Ser Onion Knight?" she asked and as always hearing it from her lips without the scorn made him feel prouder than ever of his rise."
"I do my lady, he said you've to drink it before you sleep tonight, said it won't taste pleasant but by the morn, it'll have worked." he said and he saw the hope in her eyes.
"Then we should do his grace's bidding should we not?"
"As my lady commands." he said and she smiled at him.
Dinner was far more friendly than he could have imagined given his earlier welcome, whatever had been in the two letters seeming to have convinced Selyse of the king's intentions, though she did look worriedly as Shireen when she retired. He woke early the next morning, found himself pacing the battlements, then the Round Hall and then as he went to break his fast he heard her running thought the corridors.
"Ser Davos, Ser Davos." she shouted and when he turned to see her his tears came quickly.
"My lady." he said kneeling down to take her in his arms.
"It worked Ser Davos, look it worked." she said and he found himself kissing her cheek which only the day before had been scarred and grey.
"The king said it would my lady."
"Can we go, can we go now, I'd like to meet my cousin, is your ship ready?" she asked and he nodded walking with her to break their fast.
When Selyse saw her the woman cried openly, holding her daughter in her arms for as far as Davos could tell the first time in years. Ser Erren, Ser Colen, each of the knights came looking and walking away amazed at the change and they began to make preparations for the journey back to Kings Landing.
They left the next day, Selyse almost as excited as Shireen was upon seeing The Dragons Lament, as they sailed off, their escort flew above, the black dragon flying close by all the way to the capital.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Margaery.
When she told her grandmother that Jae had asked her to accompany him to the meeting with the Northern lords it had caught her by surprise, when she told her that he had asked her to sit his small council it almost floored her.
"He wishes you present at the small council meetings?" her grandmother asked.
"He wishes me to be part of them, to participate, to offer up my own thoughts and ideas." she said proudly.
"Each day I find myself ever more surprised by your husband, your grace." her grandmother said.
"As do I." she said a small smirk on her face.
Later that day she was being helped dressed by Roslin and Elinor when Jae arrived, her husband's face more pleased than it had been when he'd left for his meeting with Oberyn. She had at first been horrified when he told her what he would threaten the prince with, Jae's hand reaching out to hers, his voice even when he spoke to her, soon comforting her fears.
"You think me capable of killing a child?"
"No."
"Then I'm glad you're not Oberyn Martell." he said and she slapped his hand away playfully.
"As am I or that thing you do with your tongue would be very different." she said and he almost fell off the bed he laughed so much.
Looking at him now, seeing him standing there, his body more relaxed, his posture less stiff, she looked to his eyes and saw him looking at her, a small smile on his face.
"It went well?" she asked.
"I believe so, we'll know soon enough. Are you ready for this?" he asked and she nodded.
They walked to the Throne Room, tables had been laid out, drinks and refreshments provided, though not enough for those in attendance to get drunk. Inside they found Lyanna and Lord Stark sitting there, Lady Stark beside her husband with their son sitting alongside them. All of the Kingsguard were present as was Daenerys who smiled at them when they entered and people rose to their feet.
"Please my lords, be seated." Jae said and the lords of the North sat down, Jae looking to his uncle and nodding before standing up.
"My lords, I wish to thank the North, my uncle, my cousin and all of you for your help in regaining my families' throne, for the first time in history a king of Stark blood sits upon it, a King from the North as some of you have called me." Jae said and she heard the mugs banging on the tables.
"The King from the North."
"The King from the North."
She watched as Jae held his hand up and the chants began to quieten down.
"There is a saying which every Northman knows well, The North Remembers, I am here to show you that just like all of you, I too remember, I remember my friends, I remember those who helped me get here, I remember the North."
The banging began again and Margaery wasn't sure if it was because they liked what Jae said or was it just they liked to bang their mugs.
"To that end, I wish to announce the following. As some of you may have heard, I have named Lord Wyman Manderly to my small council as Master of Coin." Jae said and there were cheers and pats on the back for the Merman lord "Lord Wyman please stand."
"Your grace."
"As the first order of business Lord Wyman, I intend to enact the Pact of Ice and Fire." Jae said and she like everyone else other than the Kingsguard and Lyanna Stark looked on in confusion.
"Your grace?"
"It will be your job my lord to see the funds distributed that come with it can I count on you?" he said and Wyman nodded as Jae bid him take a seat.
"Many years ago my lords, Cregan Stark came to the aid of House Targaryen when called, the Pact of Ice and Fire was signed but never delivered upon, it granted certain rights, certain allowances for the North, certain boons, but it was dependant on a marriage." Jae said and she looked to Dany wondering if despite her preferences Jae was forcing her to marry, before dismissing it knowing her husband would never do such a thing.
"A marriage your grace?" Jae's uncle asked and her husband looked to him.
"A marriage uncle, some including those in the Iron Bank took the wording to mean a princess of House Targaryen was to be joined to a member of House Stark."
She looked on as all eyes looked from Dany to Jae's cousin, one dark-haired lady sitting with some fierce-looking women looked both confused and heartbroken.
"But Valyrian is a hard and oft-confusing language and the word for prince and princess is the same. In truth the Pact has already been fulfilled, it was the day my mother and father were wed. A prince of House Targaryen and a lady of House Stark making it so, all it then needed was the King's signature, but since there was no Targaryen king then no one could sign."
"Then the pact remained unfulfilled." Jae's uncle said and he nodded.
"My lord's from this day forward I deem the pact fulfilled, and the Iron Bank has agreed to finally allow access to the funds that have been put aside by my family ever since the pact was signed. Funds which are to be used for the betterment of the North and for the North alone." Jae said to cheers.
It took far longer to calm these cheers down, far longer and when it did it was clear no one had any idea what they'd cheered for, what these funds actually were, how much a boon this actually was. It was the quiet Leech Lord who spoke, his voice barely above a whisper and it unnerved her to see his expression never waver as he did so.
"Your grace, what do these funds entail?" Roose Bolton asked.
"The fund is split into three equal parts Lord Bolton, the first part is for the betterment of keeps and holdfasts in the North and amounts to a little over One Million Gold Dragons." Jae said to excited whispers.
"A million gold dragons?" Robb said and Jae nodded.
"The second is to be spread evenly among all the Lords of the North, regardless of the size of their keeps or their perceived importance, each lord is to receive an equal amount. The amount to be shared also being a little over One Million Gold Dragons." Jae said and despite herself, she did the math in her head, it would be at least 20,000 gold dragons per house.
"And the last?" Jae's uncle asked.
"I am a Stark as much as I am a Targaryen, I understand the words of both my houses, so did Cregan and so did Jacaerys. The last part is to prepare for winter, to purchase food, supplies, to ensure the North is ready for what will come, it too amounts to a little over One Million Gold Dragons." Jae said and the cheers and ale flowed and Jae sat down.
She looked on watching as the Northerners drank as they celebrated, she saw more than one man nod respectively to her and to Jae and she wondered why he'd been so worried about this, why he'd expected trouble.
"That went well." she said leaning into him.
"That was the easy part, here come the insults." he said standing up, the room quietening once again.
"My lord, My ladies, please there is more I must speak on. As some of you may have heard, for some years now I've been sending support to the Night's Watch, I have kin there, two uncles, there are some in this room have kin there also." Jae said nodding to the table where the fierce ladies sat.
"We are most grateful for it your grace." A short stocky woman said.
"I did not do this simply out of my love for my uncles my lady, nor because it was the right thing to do, though it was. I did this because the Night's Watch is the first line of defense against what lays behind the wall, it must be well manned, it must be well supported."
"Damn wilding's."
"Fucking scum."
"Savages."
"The Free Folk aren't the threat, far from it, they are in fact part of the solution, part of the defense against that threat." Jae said and the room quietened immediately.
"Your grace, you don't know these people, you've not dealt with them." A large man said his voice booming, the Greatjon she believed.
"Aye your grace, these men have raided my lands for years, they've raped and killed people I'm sworn to protect." Lord Karstark said.
"I understand that Lord Umber, Lord Karstark, I'm well aware of what they've done, but the threat that comes from beyond the wall is far more deadly, far more dangerous, and to defeat that threat it will require we all work together. Northmen, men from the West and the Stormlands, men from the Reach, the Vale, Dorne, and the Riverlands.
It will require the men of the Company of the Dragon, the men of the Unsullied, mine and my aunt's dragons all of us and it requires the Free Folk too."
"You would ally with savages?" Lord Umber said his face almost red with rage.
"To keep the people of my kingdoms alive, I would ally with enemies, with friends, with people I hate, people I have no respect for, I would ally with any who can help, for mark my words my lords, there is a storm coming and to survive it will take everything we have."
"What is this storm you speak of, your grace?" Lord Wyman asked.
"The Night's King readies to march, he brings the storm, my lord."
"A children's tale."
"Myths and Legends."
"You expect us to ally with those who've attacked our lands for years for myths and legends?" Lord Karstark asked.
"We only make friends with our enemies my lord. I will make peace with the Free Folk and bring them through the wall." Jae said and there was turmoil in the room, the insults began then.
"Traitor."
"Dragonspawn."
"I knew he couldn't be trusted."
She watched as the lords shouted, as the Kingsguard put their hands to their swords and then she heard one of the lords say something that had her husband racing from beside her and dragging him across the table, his fists hitting the man repeatedly.
"The boy's lost his senses between the rose's legs." the Lord had said.
"Your Grace."
"Your Grace."
She heard Arthur shout as he tried to grab Jae away.
"Speak it again, insult my wife again." Jae said his hands a blur as he hit the man again and again.
"Jae." she said softly when she reached him placing her hand on his shoulder, his hand's bloodied from hitting the man as he looked to her.
"Lord Glover remove your brother, remove him now before I remove his head." Jae said as he stood back and a man came running forward, dragging the unconscious man from the room.
"Jae," she said and he nodded, before turning to the room once again.
"Listen up and listen good, disagree with me all you want, but if any man speaks of my wife in such a way again then I swear it by the old gods he'll lose his head here this day, is that clear?" he said and no one replied "I SAID IS THAT CLEAR." he shouted and she saw the nods.
"Perhaps we should take a few moments your grace?" his uncle said and Jae shook his head.
"NO." she watched as he breathed once and then turned to face the lords "You may not believe me, you may think me mad, a fool, after what I've just done to that fool, you may even think me dangerous, good, think of me however you wish, I care not. But know this, all of you, every single lord is ordered to return North and to meet up in Winterfell in two moons time, failure to attend is considered an act of treason and I will sentence any Lord or Lady who dares not attend to death."
"Your grace." his uncle said a little shocked.
"No uncle, what is it you believe in the North, The man who passes the sentence shall swing the sword, well listen up and listen good, if I'm forced to I will swing the sword, don't test me on this.
"Your grace." she said then a little softer and she saw him smile when he looked at her.
"Two moons and I'll show you what it is we face, let any man say then that we don't need the Free Folk if he can. Winter is Coming my lords, I mean to see that it's not your last."
A/N: As Always thanks to all who've read and especially all who've reviewed. Up Next Shireen meets her cousin and makes a new friend, Arya gets news from her father, Doran receives a surprise and Myrcella arrives to a very different Kings Landing then she left and a wedding takes place.
The Golden Valkyrie: Jae needs to know for sure, Varys had given him the first info and Bloodraven the second and so he came up with the plan to force their hand.
Daryldixon: So glad you liked it.
Time Paradox: I don't even know if cuckolding is a crime? Usually in a patriarchal society it'd be the woman who would suffer if it was so and while a King makes his own laws most of the time, I don't know for certain if it's a crime in ASOIAF. So whether it is or isn't why should Jae care? I mean he has no love for Robert, he knows more of Jaime's circumstances than others, so why would he care?.
Now the one person who may is Ned? But he had lost his argument over Cat's taking of Tyrion, had he brought it up he'd have looked petty, so why would he? Why would anyone else after that when it was clear the king wished things to go a certain way? It's like asking for someone to go directly against Tywin's wishes for Tyrion in his trial, unlikely.
On Bran, Jae doesn't know, Ned doesn't know, no one knows, just as in the show no one knew, why would it be different here?.
So with those two out of the equation the rest wasn't a legal argument, it was never going to be a legal argument, it was to be a gut argument, a way to gain sympathy for Jaime to allow Jae do what he wished to do. Your argument is the legal ramifications of his actions, Jae's argument was how does this feel to those in the room, it's completely different.
You don't like this subplot, you don't like how I've handled it, you've made that perfectly clear in all your posts, I've explained it to you before, you disagree, I'm leaving it at that.
Guest: Indeed we're not, we can speculate any way we wish on Dragonseeds, it's not proof, we can however trace Shireen's ancestry. Orys is supposedly a Targ, but that's speculation so lets leave that, Shireen's great grandmother was a targ that's a fact. So is the question how diluted the blood is or your original point which was the seed being strong wipes all traces of any other blood? If it's the first it's as arguable as the speculation regarding the unknown parentage of the dragonseeds, of Nettles and the others, as you can't tell their ancestry. If it's the latter then the Florent gene being present shows that to be untrue. But as you say nothing I say will make you agree and I believe you to be wrong, so what's the point.
Paulies: Yes indeed, lovely turn of phrase btw.
Godofwar: I readily admit my biases to certain characters, like every other person who writes a fic I have biases and faves. If this was simply a Jae taking the Throne, with no other knowledge then him rewarding the Lannister's would be ridiculous, but this is not that story, Jae is not that king. He has one goal, one objective, to fulfil that objective he will do whatever it takes, along the way it's been made clear to him, shown to him, that he must not divert from what he's shown, so despite his own feelings, he sticks to that path. This is nothing about me rewarding the Lannister's, nor is it me showing favouritism to characters I like, it's part of the story, it's a plot within it, nothing more.
Foxy Floof: A little more work to be done, but yes mainly so.
Biohazard: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
Hiko: As you see Jae/Ned had the talk about Bran so it's on his mind.
VfSnake: Finally the mountain has fallen, Tywin won't get off so painlessly.
Infinitymask: Pretty much every step he makes is a part of a plan.
Dunk: Tywin is still one of his carrots for Dorne. We'll see Joff in the next chapter, it'll be a funny scene. With Dany their relationship was so tight, so solid it was easy for her to go along, we'll see her plans for Essos soon. On Dorne hope you enjoyed it.
Galo: so glad you liked it.
Princess: Really glad you enjoyed it.
Zyrus: We'll see how fucked Joff truly is next.
QUL: So glad you're enjoying it.
Vwchick: The funny thing with Tyrion is I think once he found out about Tysha and killed his father he was never the same imo, he never fully recovered his wits, here he's pre that so perhaps a better hand? With Jaime his importance to Jae will come clear eventually, as for Oberyn I like him way too much to kill him. Dany being clever is something I like.
Lex: Considering House Martell were plotting against him here is that a bad thing. But even canonically, why the hell does House Martell deserve more than anyone else? Where does their justice/vengeance stop? They here are getting the two who carried out the act itself and the man who ordered it, should they also be given every other single person called Lannister? Given Jaime because he failed in his duty, even though had he not did what he did, they'd all have died anyway?.
Why should House Targaryen, care for House Martell? Seriously I'd love an answer on this. Out of all the houses they've killed more Targ's then anyone but the Targ's themselves, they killed a queen, killed a king under Parlay? Why should they or Dorne receive special treatment?.
I get we feel terrible for what happened to their family, but war is hell, that's what happens. Apart from Guilt, how are they owed any more than what Jae was willing to give them here?
On Tyrion, is he responsible for the deaths? Yes his house is, but isn't one of the main themes, a child is not responsible for their parents actions, it's Dany's whole claim to fame, it's Jon's whole reason for being, or will be when the reveal comes, so why doesn't that apply to Tyrion too.
Naming Olenna as Hand would be far worse politically, a Tyrell Queen who's an actual ruling queen, A Tyrell named to the council, other boons and then naming a Tyrell hand, he may as well give up and change his sigil to a rose. Not to mention the issue of a woman named as Hand anyway. Ned doesn't want it and is going back North where he is actually needed, Riverlands, Stromlands, Vale are out, Dorne is a no no, and he needs to bring the West back into the fold, politically it's the best move.
The reason for House Lannister to exist is the same as why all the houses who fight in wars aren't just wiped out, politics and convenience. Why didn't Aegon wipe out House Martell, or why didn't the targs do it after Daeron was killed, because it's hard to do and you create problems, it's why the Starks have ruled for 8,000 years or the Baratheon's or Arryns.
On Bran, no one knows, here, Ned didn't know, hell he was headless soon after, Cat didn't know, even Bran didn't know for a long time after so why would it be brought up.
On the Cuckolding is it even a crime? I mean I can't find evidence that it is, but a crime to a dead king who Jae couldn't give two flying fucks for, why would he care?.
As for Ned bringing it up, he was reeling from being called out over Cat's taking of Tyrion, over the implied threat within it.
Arthur was pissed with Jae, it's clear in his body language, he and the others didn't speak up, because they wouldn't do it in public, and it's inferred they did so in private and were overruled, hence Arthur being pissed.
Jae needs him as a KG, why, I'm not telling, sorry, didn't mean it like that lol, But what I do mean is there is a reason and it will be shown, but just like with al he does, it's been shown to him that Jaime must be a KG, just like he alone had to go to save Arya, or Jon Connington had to rescue Dany in a specific way, diverting leads to bad things.
Xan Merrick: Thanks my friend. I agree with you on Jaime, some don't or want him punished for lesser things it seems, Tywin's reaction is again another reason why Jaime wearing a white cloak is perhaps a good thing. Varys is always fun to see and he allows for a different take on Jae, glad you liked the Wildfire part, it will come up later. Dany and Jae are just too solid, so they doing a mummery was just too good to resist. With Tyrion, with Jaime, with some other things there is an underlying reason too, so we'll see it eventually.