The Wall 298 AC.
Jae.
It took him longer to fly to the Wall than he had expected, Brankardix seeming to take his time, Ghost seeming to be more agitated also. It had forced him to land in the Riverlands not far from Harrenhal, The God's Eye in the distance. Once he had Ghost ran free and jumped into the water forcing him to wait until the wolf was dry to take flight once again.
When he finally reached the Wall it was almost night and darkness was upon them, he climbed down off Brankardix and made his way to the gates of Castle Black, Ghost walking alongside him and he felt a shiver run down his spine when he reached them. He was glad to see though that whatever it was that made him nervous, seemed to be nothing to worry about as the guards placed on the walls over the gates looked down to him.
"I've come to see my uncle and the Lord Commander" he shouted up and the man looked to the white wolf and then to him.
"Aye, and who be you?"
Jae couldn't help but laugh, he was king of the seven kingdoms, a dragon rider and for the briefest moment, he couldn't for the life of him think how to answer.
"I'm Jon Snow." he said "Benjen Stark is my uncle."
The guard nodded and the gates were opened and he was back in Castle Black for the first time in years. He was disappointed to see not much had been done to make the place look better. Sure there had been changes made, but he had hoped there would have been more, that the old bear would have come around but he hadn't and so the changes were relative.
"Jon?" he heard his uncle's voice and he ran to him hugging him tightly.
"Uncle Benjen, it's good to see you, you are well?"
"Aye, I hadn't expected you."
"It's done uncle, the crown it's done."
"How? Wait you're the king? You're really king?"
"I am uncle, we won." he said and Benjen practically picked him up smiling.
"I had heard about Ned, about Robb's march, but nothing of you, I feared the worst."
"I told you I'd return, Aemon is he here?" he asked worriedly.
"Aye he is, come, we'll go speak to the Lord Commander, and then we'll go see him."
As they walked he told him of the army, of arriving to find out Ned was a prisoner and about the girls, he told him of the rescue and of bringing them to Highgarden, the war and finally of Margaery.
"You're married?" his uncle said smiling.
"I am."
"You're happy?"
"More than I ever thought I could be." he said his own smile proving the truth of his words.
They reached the Lord Commander's rooms and Benjen knocked, a young man opening the door a moment later and soon they were inside. Jeor looking at him almost as if he saw a ghost, the man's gruff nature soon coming to the fore.
"It's you I have to thank for those two bodies in my cells lad."
"You do."
"What use have you for two dead bodies?"
"They haven't risen?" he said and Benjen shook his head while Jeor laughed.
"Risen, I've had enough of that from Benjen, and from Aemon, now you're at it too."
"You'll be receiving a raven within the next day or so Lord Commander, it'll explain my authority, but I suppose it's time you knew the truth."
"Authority, truth, what's going on here Benjen?"
"My name is not Jon Snow, Lord Commander, it's Jaehaerys Targaryen, trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Targaryen, I am the third of my name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
"Is this some kind of joke, Benjen?"
"It's no joke Jeor, his grace is my nephew and he is the king."
"Joffrey?"
"Is in a dungeon and soon to be on his way here, as is Stannis and a large number of his men, there is a war coming Lord Commander and those two dead men you speak of, are just the first of many to come your way."
"What are you talking about Jo…Your gr..., dammit what the hell am I to call you."
"I care not, the raven will come, Lord Commander, when it does, my authority supersedes your own."
"The Night's Watch takes no part in the wars for thrones boy."
"The Night's Watch falls under my purview Lord Commander, as the king I can release every man from his oath, I can disband the order and no one can stop me is this not true?"
"Aye, you could do that." Jeor said resignedly.
"The Night's Watch is too important in the fight to come Lord Commander, far too important. I need you to gather your most valued men for when I return, I go now to speak to my other uncle, those bodies, I need them chained uncle, but be careful when doing so."
"I'll see it done, you want me to accompany you to Aemon?"
"No I know the way, uncle, the chains, do it on the morrow."
"Of course your grace." Benjen said with a smirk.
He walked from the Lord Commander's rooms and made his way to the Maester's, the wind howling and Ghost walking by his side. He passed a couple of black brothers who nodded, word having spread that it was he who'd been sending them their supplies for the last few years. Knocking at the Maester's door he was surprised when a fat boy of around his age stepped out.
"I'm sorry my lord." the boy mumbled and he just nodded.
"Is the Maester inside?"
"He is, is that, is that a Direwolf?" the boy asked his voice shaky.
"He is, Ghost to me." he said and the wolf came even closer forcing the boy to stumble back "You're in no danger, Ghost only harms those who deserve it?"
"Sam, Samwell Tarly."
"Jon Snow, it was nice meeting you Sam." he said as he walked inside.
He saw his uncle sitting by the fire looking even frailer than he had been the last time he was here, moving quickly he heard his uncle cough and Jae looked at him worriedly.
"Forget something did you Sam?"
"Uncle." he said softly and heard Aemon's gasp.
"Jaehaerys, is that you?"
"It is uncle." he said reaching out to take his hand.
"You've returned, is it time, are you back to regain the throne?"
"No uncle, I've already done so."
He proceeded to tell his uncle it all, the invasion, his army, Dany, how Tywin and Lorch were his prisoners, and how the Mountain had fallen. He told him of his marriage, of Margaery and his uncle smiled as he told him how he felt about his wife. When he told him why he'd come his uncle shook his head and began to tell him of the bodies.
"I waited for them to rise, but they did not, I'm sorry nephew, I doubted you, I wished I did not, but I doubted you."
"I don't understand it either, but I know someone who does, I'm going to fly to him on the morrow."
"Fly, the dragon, your dragon is here?" his uncle said his excitement clear.
"He is, he's resting now uncle, but Brankardix is here with me."
"Daenerys she is well?"
"She is uncle, she is well and happy and she wishes to meet you, I want you to come back with me, uncle, back to King's Landing."
"I am a man of the watch."
"I am a king, Uncle, I can free you from your oath, or just ask for you to join me. I want you to be there uncle, to see Dany, to fly with me when I return."
"I fear my age won't allow me to fly nephew, my bones are weak and movement is even harder than it once was, my time is coming to an end."
"I brought you, something uncle, I don't understand it, but it will help." he said reaching in and handing him the yellow liquid.
"What is it?"
"It's something they used in Valyria, it helps." he said and Aemon nodded before drinking it down.
"Help me to my bed, nephew."
He moved his uncle to the bed and helped cover him up, kissing the old man's forehead as he drifted off to sleep. Jae sat down and threw some more wood on the fire, Ghost laying in front of it and after a while, he was joined by Benjen, and though he was tired he spent most of the night talking to his other uncle.
Waking the next morning he found Aemon moving around, and was glad to see he seemed to be in better spirits. He stood up and stretched before his uncle turned to him and smiled.
"And I thought I was old and tired." his uncle japed.
"How do you feel uncle?"
"Better than I have in years, I don't know what was in that bottle, but I feel good nephew come let's break our fast."
They were walking from the room when Sam came running down holding a raven's scroll in his hand.
"Maester a raven's scroll from King's Landing." Sam said excitedly.
"We've received ravens from the capital before, why are you so excited by this one Samwell?"
"It bears the Targaryen seal Maester."
"Open it and read it out loud Samwell." Aemon said a smirk on his face and Jae was happy to see his uncle in such a playful mood.
"To the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, we are pleased to announce the coronation of their graces King Jaehaerys Targaryen and Queen Margaery Targaryen. Signed Tyrion Lannister, Hand of the King."
"You think that'll be enough uncle?"
"Uncle? "Sam said looking at him.
"Sam, say hello to his Grace, King Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name." Aemon said his smile beaming as he did so while Sam just looked at him open-mouthed.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Margaery.
Roslyn helped her with her hair and when she was ready she made her way to break her fast, she had been unable to sleep since Jae left, both her worry for him and knowing she had her own work to do playing on her mind. As she sat down she waited for her grandmother and Jae's cousins to arrive, but it was Dany who arrived first, the princess giving her a soft reassuring smile as she took a seat.
"Jae left safely your grace, he'll return as soon as he can."
"I thought that you may be leaving with him?" she said and Dany shook her head as the meals were brought in.
"I wished to, but I'm needed here, the dragons must be seen."
She was about to say more when Shireen and Arya arrived, both girls giggling and laughing though that soon stopped when they saw that Jae wasn't here. Shireen actually beat Arya to the punch, asking where he was before the other girl got the chance to.
"Jae has his own duties, as you two have also." Dany said before she could say something and she almost sniggered when as Arya went to say something Dany quietened her with a look.
"You both have lessons today also, do you not?" she said and once again Arya went to say something and so this time it was her look which quietened the girl.
"If you both behave and I receive no reports of you trying to avoid your lessons, then, later on, you can come with me to see the dragons." Dany said and both girls suddenly seemed far more willing to behave.
She smirked at Dany as the two girls whispered feverishly to each other and she was eating her meal when her grandmother arrived. Seeing who was with them her grandmother made no comment about Jae's absence and so it wasn't until they were finished and as they were walking to her solar, that the questions began.
"Where is his grace?" her grandmother asked.
"He's gone to the wall grandmother, he shall return as soon as he's able."
"Margaery, is everything all right?" her grandmother asked as soon as they entered the room, having noticed her concerned tone when she'd replied.
"It is grandmother, I believe so anyway, Jae has his duties and I have mine." she said determinedly.
"What do you need from me my queen?" her grandmother said her voice showing a little of the pride she felt.
"The Lords, grandmother, the Lords of the Reach, they must not leave until Jae returns, have you and Tyrion spoken of the appointments you wish?"
"We have, the king gave his own view and changed one or two, so you'll need to appoint them in his stead."
"I will, perhaps you should begin appointing them also, give them a reason to stay. I'm loathe to throw another feast, but should we have a tourney? Is it too much?" she asked.
"I believe Jae mentioned one did he not? We have all or most of the lords here already and the Kingsguard too, I think should you suggest it, it'll give them even more of a reason for them to stay."
"I'll bring it up at the council later today."
"If you need me I'm here your grace, you know that." her grandmother said and she nodded "Very well then I shall leave you to your duties, I believe you also have new guards to welcome into the fold."
"Oh by the seven, I'd forgotten that, damn you Jae." she said with a chuckle.
"Men, always abandoning their responsibilities." her grandmother japed as she left.
She couldn't help the laugh that came from her then, if there was one thing she was certain about her husband, almost as much as she was of how he felt about her, it was that abandoning his responsibilities was the last thing Jae would ever do.
"Roslyn." she called and the girl walked inside, Jeyne Poole walking with her.
"Your grace?"
"We will have a very busy day ahead of us, have you eaten, both of you?"
"We have your grace."
"Good I'll need you both to be ready when called."
"We will be your grace."
"I thank you, could you send Ser Gerold in when you leave."
"At once your grace."
She waited a few moments until Ser Gerold walked in, the Lord Commander looking even more imposing to her now that he was in his full Kingsguard armor.
"Your grace." he said as he stood in front of her desk.
"Ser Gerold, it seems it's fallen to me to welcome the three newest members of the order, can you arrange for it to be done in the Throne Room in the next few days."
"I can your grace, did his grace give you the swords?"
"No, swords?"
"Each member of the order will carry Valyrian Steel, your grace, I'll see that they're made ready."
"What of their duties Ser?"
"We've not fully established what's to be done, so, for now, we'll call them Royal Guard and appoint them to the Queensguard, if you could explain it before you call them forward or if you'd prefer me to?"
"Perhaps it's for the best if you do so Ser, explain the makeup of the order and then I'll call them forward and accept them into it."
"As you say, your grace."
"You will assign their duties Ser?"
"I will your grace, for now, I'll place them with one of us, so they can be taught their new roles. If anything this gives us something we hadn't expected and perhaps will serve as the basis for the future, your grace".
"I thank you Ser, could you have Ser Davos Seaworth brought to me, and then we shall convene the small council."
"At once your grace."
She sent out for tea and it arrived a little before Ser Davos, the Onion Knight looking intimidated when he entered the room, and standing firmly to attention once he reached her desk. Ser Gerold and Ser Barristan stood behind her, the Lord Commander saying that for meetings of non-family she needed to have two knights with her. Outside the door stood Ser Jaime, though he'd been welcomed back into the order, Ser Gerold wouldn't place him with her alone just yet.
"Please Ser Davos take a seat."
"Your grace." he said as he sat down.
"Would you like some tea?"
"No, thank you, your grace."
"Ser, my husband the king wished to do this himself, but he's been called away unexpectedly and so it falls to me. As you know we're rebuilding not just the capital but the realm itself, my husband wishes to have the right men around him, around us, when we do so."
"A wise choice your grace, though I don't see what part I would play." he said confused.
"You were born in Flea Bottom were you not Ser Davos?"
"Aye I was."
"Out of the two of us, who would you say understood the poor more?"
"Your grace?"
"Please Ser Davos, speak freely." she said with her warmest smile.
"Out of the two of us, I would say I, your grace, begging your pardon."
"There is no need, my husband believed so too, Ser Davos. He also believes we need someone who understands the people more than we, someone who knows them, who knows their wants and needs, and what would make their lives better. Arise Ser Davos." she said and he stood up looking at her as she rose too.
"Your grace?"
"Ser Davos Seaworth, I would name you Master of the People, I ask you to take a seat on the small council, to speak up for their needs, their wants, to work with me to make their lives better." She said and he looked at her dumbfounded.
"Your Grace, I'm not worthy of such an honor."
"My husband believes you are, as do I, what say you Ser?"
"I accept your grace, I thank you for the opportunity."
"I am most grateful Ser, Lord Tyrion will see to you that rooms are made available to serve as a place to work, you and I will speak later and perhaps your lady wife will join me and his grace for dinner upon his return. As for now I'm sorry to do this to you Ser, but we have a meeting to attend to." she said and he chuckled making her do likewise.
She walked through the corridors, Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime at her side, Ser Gerold leading the way, with Ser Davos walking close by, when she reached the small council room's the door was opened by the guard and she was announced. Lord Jon Connington, Lord Wyman, Lord Tyrion, and Lord Monford sitting there along with Willas who smiled at her, it was not complete, but it was getting there.
"Your grace." they said almost as one as she took her seat and then they did likewise, Ser Gerold joining them in his own position.
"My lords, we have much to discuss." she said as she began.
The wall and beyond 298 AC.
Jae.
With the news he was king things changed, Jeor deferred to him now, he didn't like it but with the confirmation in his hand the Lord Commander deferred to him and that's all Jae needed, for now at least. He stood outside the ice cells and looked at the two unmoving bodies, they proved nothing, showed nothing, and he wondered what use they would be.
Yet something told him they would be, that they would show the realm all he needed and that along with knowing he was to see Bloodraven soon, made him feel far more relaxed about things than he otherwise would. He watched as they were heavily chained, then checked himself, and no sooner had he entered the cell than they began to move.
"By the gods." he heard the shouts of the Lord Commander and the brothers' he'd brought with them.
"Sacks, cover their heads." he said and why he did so he didn't know.
"Your grace, we must get you to safety." his uncle Benjen said as he drew his sword.
"No uncle, sacks, cover their heads, don't do anything else." he said and his uncle nodded.
Once it was done, once their heads were covered he left the cell, the two bodies still wriggling on the ground, still clearly moving but unable to do anything but that.
"Those sacks they're not to be removed, bring your men to see them Lord Commander, but those sacks are not to be removed and no one is to do anything with them, I need them like this."
"As you say, your grace." Jeor said still shaken.
Walking out from the tunnels he could feel the men were still shaken by what they saw and he thanked the gods for that, it would make what he eventually would need to do all that much easier.
"Why did they? Why now?" Benjen said.
"I do not know uncle, I saw them rise and attack the Lord Commander, but maybe that changed when we put them here, maybe they have a new target now?"
"You?"
"I don't know, all I'm certain of is that there are a lot more of them out there and we need to be prepared for them when they get here." he said and Benjen and the Lord Commander looked to him.
"When is that?" Jeor asked.
"I wish I knew Lord Commander, the man I'm going to see is the only one who does."
Word quickly spread through the ranks of what had happened in the ice cells and while he waited for Brankardix he saw men walk out from the tunnels having seen it for themselves, pale and scared and believers one and all. He looked to Ghost and the wolf almost ignored him, he needed him to stay here, to wait here, he had no idea how many he'd be taking with him and Ghost couldn't take up space just in case it was needed.
"You are sure about this nephew?" Aemon said.
"I am, Ghost will protect you and Benjen until I return, I'll see you soon uncle, and when next I leave so will you, I promised you a dragon ride after all." he said with a laugh which Aemon matched.
"Aye, that you did."
He said his goodbyes to both his uncles, knelt down, and looked into Ghost's eyes and told him to protect his pack and then walked out and down the hill to the small valley where Brankardix was waiting for him. Mounting the dragon he took to the air and soon enough they were high enough to cross the wall, he felt it though as he did so, a shiver in his bones, a feeling he was crossing from friendly into unfriendly lands.
The flight to the glade took what felt like a very long time, he flew high, though knew not why, when he saw it in the distance he felt his excitement build. All his life Bloodraven had been with him, he had been his mentor, his guide, his kinsman, leading him through life and helping him become who he was supposed to be, to see him finally was something he very much looked forward too.
He landed on the hill next to the Weirwood, Brankardix was feeling tired and he hoped his son would have time to rest. As he climbed down he saw an elk in the distance and he reached out, bringing it to him. The meal would help his dragon much more than even the rest would. He walked down to where he thought the entrance would be and almost fell when he saw her, seeing the child that stood there and how she looked at him giving him pause.
"Long have we waited for you my prince." the child said though the voice was anything but childlike, it was older, far older, and the words were almost sung rather than spoken.
"Who are you?"
"I am Leaf, though that's not what my brother and sisters call me, come he awaits."
He followed her inside the cave, seeing more and more of the small childlike people, the children of the forest were legend and a myth he had thought, but clearly just like dragons they too existed. When he saw his kinsman he almost wept, the branches had been cut and he'd been released from the tree, though the marks remained. He knew it could be worse, but still to suffer such a fate was something no man should ever have inflicted upon them.
"My fate was mine own fault young king, mine own choice, worry not on it for it's not my fate you're here to change, but everyone else's."
"It is good to see you, my lord, though I wish the circumstances were better."
"These are the only circumstances we could ever meet, in another life I die here, the children die here, you have given us hope, just as you bring it to the rest of the world, for that I and the children are grateful."
"How many?" he asked and Leaf answered.
"Less than two and twenty."
"I don't know if I'll be able to carry you all?" he said worriedly.
"We will manage, your ride is very large." Leaf said and though she said it as serious as anything he'd ever heard, he still couldn't help but laugh.
"That he is."
It took them an hour or so to get ready, the packs they carried containing all they needed. Carrying Bloodraven to Brankardix was unlike anything he could ever imagine, the man weighed almost nothing, though he was tall and thin, it felt like he was lifting air, not a man. As he helped the children climb up, as he showed them where to hold onto, he felt it in the distance and he looked to see a storm on the horizon.
"We must leave, now." Bloodraven said and for the first time, Jae heard the panic in the man's voice.
"Have we everyone?" he asked turning to Leaf.
"We are all here, we must go, my prince, the raven speaks true we must go, we must go now."
"Sōvegon brankardix, sōvegon hae se jelmio." (Fly Brankardix, fly like the wind).
It took the dragon a little longer to take to the sky than usual but Jae breathed a relieved sigh when he did so, he flew faster, though lower than he usually did and as Jae looked back over his shoulder he saw the storm move towards the glade. They were long gone by the time it reached it and he relaxed some, but it wasn't until they crossed over the wall that he felt Bloodraven relax in front of him.
"Tegun." (land) he said as they reached a stream and some trees and his dragon landed, tired and needing his rest.
"We need to stay here for tonight, he must rest if we're to make it to the God's Eye." he said and Bloodraven nodded.
The children collected branches which had fallen, they went looking for berries and roots and as Jae lit a fire, Bloodraven sat leaning against a tree a small smile on his face.
"You have surpassed my hopes young king, my dreams and wishes for you, the children would have fallen and with them the memories of this world, they are the lock you see, without them too much power is unleashed and in the wrong hands that power can be even more terrible than that you face."
"I don't understand?" he said.
"I promised you that should we both survive the war to come, I'd show you the truth, all of it and I will but know that for every day you've been in this world, I've watched and been proud of my kin once more." Bloodraven said as his eyes closed.
Jae jumped up and ran to the man but Leaf stopped him before he got there.
"He must rest, he must rest for the journey ahead."
Sleep that night was hard and the dreams came, whether they were Bloodraven or his own he couldn't tell.
The boy's silver hair was tied back behind his head, he walked to the black dragon and leaned into its side before mounting, before he had a chance to take to the sky though the girl called out to him.
"You were leaving me behind?"
"Of course not Rhae, he'd never fly without you anyway." the boy chuckled.
As the dragon took flight the children laughed, and he saw the man standing there, the white wolf by his side looking up as they flew out to sea.
"You spoil them my love." he heard the voice call out from behind me.
"He spoils them, my son is way too happy with riders on his back."
"And yet he won't choose between them?" she said as the man turned to kiss her.
"Could we?".
Jae woke up and walked down to the steam, throwing water on his face to wipe the sleep from his eyes. As he walked back to the fire he knew it was time, and so after waking Leaf, he watched as she gathered the children. He carried Bloodraven down to Brankardix and worried the man was still asleep but Leaf seemed calm and so he just accepted it.
It took them a day and a night to reach the God's Eye, almost another hour when there to find a place for his dragon to land without damaging the Weirwoods which grew everywhere on the island. He had never seen so many in one place and as he landed he felt the power of the glade they were in, this was different, more real to him and Bloodraven opened his eyes as Leaf led them to a cave.
"You feel it too young king?"
"I do."
"The old gods are here." Bloodraven said.
As he walked through the cave behind Leaf she brought him to a large pool and told him to place Bloodraven in the water, he looked to his kinsman who nodded and so he did as he was bid. The light was blinding forcing him to turn away and when it faded and he looked back he was stunned to see the man from his dreams, rather than the man he had carried here was who was standing in front of him.
"How?"
"The old gods have work for me yet, they wish me to be strong, though it is only here in this place that I shall ever be so."
"I don't understand?"
"When next I leave this isle I'll die, but while here I may live as a man once more, a boon from the old gods, a reward I never asked for nor expected."
"But one well deserved." Jae said and Bloodraven smiled.
"You must go, Young King, there is great power here and in you, but they are at odds, stay too long and you will be stuck here like I. Leaf you must go with him, it's time for you to travel in the world of men once more, your journey though will be far shorter this time."
"Will I see you again?"
"You will, we are connected young king, our time together has only begun."
As he walked from the cave he saw it and it terrified him, he felt Leaf grab his hand, saw her smile and he reached out for Syrax, he needed his eagle now more than ever.
It wasn't very much later that he was helping Leaf up onto his dragon's back and he flew back to the wall, he had done the first thing he had set out to do, it was time the realm learned of the second.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Arya.
She hated her lessons, both because they were boring and because Shireen was far more clever than her. When it came to sums she was better, but in all else, Shireen's love of reading shone through. She shouldn't even be taken these lessons Arya felt, though she did at least enjoy having her with her. Shireen had surprised her, they shouldn't be friends, the girl didn't even really like to spar, she had no real interest in learning how to, and yet Arya thought her a friend already.
Whether it was because she was Jae's cousin too, or because they were sharing a room she wasn't sure, but she could make her laugh and she was even keener on dragons than she was, so maybe that alone was the reason. It was only the idea of seeing the dragons which had made her come to the stupid lessons anyway, but every moment she was here it seemed to go on and on, today was never-ending or at least that was how it felt.
"Very good Shireen, now that will be all for the day." the woman said and Arya almost ran from the room, except she worried that may be classed as not behaving and be enough to deny them seeing the dragons.
"Come, let's find Dany, she promised to take us to the Dragonpit." she said excitedly.
"Are you not hungry?" Shireen said.
"Of course I am, don't be stupid, but we can eat anytime, how many times are we going to be able to see the dragons?"
"You're stupid." Shireen said giggling making Arya smirk.
"Come on stupid let's go find her." she said laughing.
"Whatever you say stupid."
"Stop being slow stupid, hurry."
All the way to Dany's room they kept it up, both of them almost in tears they'd laughed so much, the guards behind them looking at them as if they were mad and yet neither of them cared. It was another reason she was starting to really like her new friend, she could play too, usually, when she called someone stupid they got annoyed as Sansa did. But Shireen just called her it back and so it had become a game between them, a fun game Arya thought.
"What are you two laughing at?" Missandei said as she opened Dany's door.
"Ask stupid." Shireen said and Arya burst into laughter again.
"The princess is waiting for you, I think if you wish to see dragons, then laughing may not be the best idea."
There wasn't much that could stop her once she began giggling, but the threat of her day being wasted, the threat of not getting the rewards she was owed, that seemed to do the trick.
"Princess, I found these two stupid girls outside waiting to see you." Missandei said with a wink and they were off again, both laughing as the scribe rolled her eyes.
"We're about to have lunch, perhaps with some food in their mouths they'll stop laughing, what do you think Lakoes?"
"I hope so Princess, I'd hate to think what would happen if they don't." the woman spoke so seriously, so assuredly that even Shireen stopped laughing before she chuckled setting them both off again.
Once they had finished eating Dany sent for Grey Worm and her guards and they were allowed to ride to the Dragonpit, Shireen wasn't the best rider it seemed and since they had no cart was forced to ride with one of the knights. Though Arya noticed she seemed to enjoy it and would no doubt be riding in the future. She was disappointed when they arrived that the dragons weren't already there, but that didn't last long as she soon saw Rhaegon and Ellanys land.
The blue dragon landed close but Rhaegon landed even closer and when she looked to Shireen she was surprised to see it was to him she looked rather than Ellanys. Though she remembered that the black dragon had flown back from Dragonstone when Shireen and her mother had sailed to King's Landing.
"Avy jorrāelan tolī Ellanys."(I love you too Ellanys) she heard Dany say as she slowly moved her hand down the dragon's neck.
"Ziry's gevie, issa tolī." she heard Shireen say and she, Dany and Rhaegon all turned their heads at the same moment.
"You speak Valyrian?" Dany asked.
"Maester Cressen was teaching me, some of the best books are written in Valyrian." Shireen said her voice a little sad.
"Come, I'm sure you'd like to touch the dragon would you not?" Dany said and as Shireen went to move towards Ellanys they were forced to take a step back when Rhaegon almost pushed his sister out of the way to block their path.
"Daor rhaegon, dīnagon" (No Rhaegon move) Dany said but the dragon didn't move a muscle "Dīnagon rhaegon sir. (move Rhaegon now) but still, the dragon stayed where he was.
Arya moved closer as did Shireen and as they touched his neck, as their hands made contact, the dragon trilled, the sound of pure happiness coming from Rhaegon surprised Dany who at that point had managed to get to where they stood. While she and Shireen continued to rub their hands down the dragon's neck, Dany looked on in shock, the sounds the dragon made continuing all the while.
"Nyke jaelagon īlon could sōvegon hēnkirī tolī." (I wish we could fly together too) Shireen said and Arya looked to Dany and then to Shireen and finally to the dragon whose eyes were opening and closing as he rubbed against their hands.
"Shireen?" Dany said.
"Ao'll ȳdragon naejot zirȳla syt Drēje" (You'll speak to him for true) Shireen said and Arya heard Dany gasp.
When Shireen moved away Dany moved to go to her but as she did so Rhaegon moved his head closer to Arya, and she looked on in awe as she was faced with a dragon's eye right in front of her. She closed her eyes and leaning her head against the dragons own she saw the black dragon as it looked down on the ground beneath it. The Black Dragon was flying high looking at the world beneath it, and then as its head turned up she saw two figures on it's back and she gasped when she realized it was her and Shireen.
Dany took her and Shireen by the hands and they watched as the dragons took to the sky, Dany who she had no doubt had come to fly with them seemed almost speechless by what hat happened. She didn't say a word, just walked them back to the horses and they rode back silently to the Red Keep. Arya though couldn't keep the smile from her face and neither could Shireen by the looks of things.
Laying in her bed that night, both girls spoke of what they'd saw and what in Shireen's case she had heard. Rhaegon had told her they could fly, all three of them together, that he would speak to his father.
"Do you really think we can?" Shireen asked.
"I hope so, I hope Jae comes back soon."
"So do I." Shireen said.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Robett Glover.
From the moment he had seen him he hated him, he hated him for what he stood for, hated him for what he was, hated him for the blood that coursed through his veins. To see his fellow Northmen proclaim him as a hero, as their king, had rankled with him. While they may forget, while they may forgive, he would not, he would never, not for what he had taken for him, what his family had taken from him.
Ethan had never been the same after what they had done to him, never had he smiled, never had he laughed. When he got drunk he had wept and at night he had woken up screaming, ranting and raving and saying how he knew nothing. As a young man he had always looked up to Ethan, he was what he wished to be, and to see him broken and damaged had hurt him more than he had ever let on.
He had taken comfort in the fact that the dragons were dead, that the family behind his brother's pain had suffered and so when Ethan took his own life, he had wept and mourned not for the man he had become, but for the man he had been. But it was all for nothing, all for a lie, the dragons weren't gone, not only had they returned but she had come back with them and now even Galbart was taking their side.
"Careful brother, you are on slippery ground, were it not for the fact you were from the North, I believe the king would have had your head by now."
"That boy is no king of mine." he spat.
"That boy is our liege's nephew, a Stark who sits on the Iron Throne, he is your king and as I am sworn to Ned Stark and to his grace, you are sworn to me. I say it, one last time brother, it ends or you'll find I can no longer stand your presence."
"You would throw me out?"
"You would leave me no choice, you will not shame me or our house anymore, I'll see you unnamed, name Gawen instead, don't make me do so brother."
The fools, the damnable fools, bought so cheaply for some gold and the promises from a family of liars. Why believe the boy when everything he was proved him a liar? Even his so-called good deed of helping the watch was filled with lies? He had thought he'd proved that at the feast when he had tried to buy the North, thought he'd shown them the truth and yet he was once again he was the only man to see.
What did it get him? another beating from a boy, another bruised face, and scorn from his so-called friends. Being looked down on by an Umber was bad enough physically, he'd not stand for it morally, not for a family with no morals. He had thought the Leech Lord would at least be on his side, thought he'd jump at the chance to finally rid the world of the Starks, for surely they were liars too.
"You think I'm mad enough to go up against dragons?" Roose said.
"We can take them all down, if we move quickly we can remove them all."
"How, Ser Arthur Dayne, Barristan the Bold, Jaime Lannister, how do we get past them, not to mention the wolves and the dragons themselves, you're a fool Glover and why would I wish to?"
"You were bought for gold?"
"I was bought for a lot of gold." Roose said and he walked away.
So it was left to him, a lone man to take down the dragons and he had no idea how to do such a thing. Having to do it by himself, having to find a way to hurt them most created problems. He would have one chance at it, one opportunity, one move to make and so he drank and he planned, he plotted and finally, finally, he came up with the perfect way, the perfect opportunity to take his vengeance.
He stood in the Throne Room, the queen sitting on the throne and along with the other lords he waited for the announcement when the Griffin stood forward.
"Her grace Queen Margaery Targaryen thanks you all for attending, before we get started, however."
Where they came from he had no idea, but they were around him in moments, he had not even noticed Ser Arthur wasn't there, but as he looked to the pale white sword which was pointed at his neck and he heard the gasps, he looked and saw the pale lord's smirk.
"My Lords and Ladies, it has been brought to my attention that Lord Robett Glover has decided to waste the chance, one of many chances his grace has given him. Lord Jon if you will." the queen said as the griffin walked towards him.
He saw his brother shake his head, saw Ned Stark, the Greatjon, Wyman, and Maege all look at him with disgust. Then a moment later the Griffin reached into his tunic and pulled out the knife to more gasps. When he uncovered it and it showed the poison which coated it, he heard Oberyn Martell's name being called and the Red Viper walked to him.
"Prince Oberyn, can you identify the liquid the blade is coated with?" the queen asked.
When the prince took the knife from the Griffin he saw him smell it and then smile as he turned back around to the queen.
"Wolfsbane your grace." the prince said and the eyes of the room turned to him.
"I received a note a little earlier my Lords and Ladies, a note from my husband, Lord Stark if you will." the queen said handing him the note.
"My Queen, I write to you bearing grave news, it seems we have a traitor in our midst, a man who wishes to deprive the realm of that I hold most dear, my love. Robett Glover will carry a poisoned blade, a blade he intends to pierce both our hearts with, be safe my queen, take no risks. I shall return soon. your king." Ned Stark read out to glares and angered shouts.
"Do you deny this Lord Glover?" the queen said.
"I damn you all, dragonspawn, dragon lovers, damn the lot of you, no I do not deny it, I speak it proudly, I intended to kill the whor…." the butt of the sword hit hard and when he woke he found he was in a dark cell.
"A dragon's vengeance is a terrible thing brother." he heard Ethan's broken voice and as he hid in the corner of the cell he trembled.
"What have I done."
Kings Landing 298 AC. (takes place prior to and after the Robett part)
Margaery.
After the small council meetings, the arrangements of the tourney, the organizing of the ceremony to announce her new guards, she had been tired and so after dinner went to bed and slept, dreaming of her husband and wishing he would return. It had taken her longer than she had hoped to be able to announce the tourney, though at least the arrangements were made and so it was almost three days later when she finally was ready.
When she woke that morning though she felt ill and so it had taken yet another day, and while they had Lomys here with them, she had decided to forego a visit to the Maester and to just deal with it alone. Though she did limit her petitions and meetings that day. It was dusk and she was standing on the balcony when she saw Syrax, she smiled knowing the eagle carried a message from Jae.
As she was reading it she found herself short of breath and called out for Ser Arthur who was guarding her tonight, the knight deeming he had been derelict in his duties and not even her pleading could get him to take more time to spend with his wife.
"Your grace?" he called as he entered the room and seeing her distress he moved even quicker "Are you ill, do you require a Maester?"
"No, it's not, I'm well, read this Ser Arthur." she said and she handed him the note.
She watched as Arthur's anger rose, his hand gripping the note, and then she found she had to place her hand on his arm to stop him from running from the room.
"We need to take him now."
"Read the note Ser Arthur, read what Jae says."
"We can't take the risk, should it go wrong, should anything happen to you, no, I'll not, I promised." he said which caught her by surprise.
"Jae said this is how it works, that these things they need to be done exactly as he says. That should we try anything else, you've seen it more than me Ser, you've been around it, should we fail to do as he asks is that not a bigger risk?"
While he agreed with her, he sent for Gerold, for her grandmother and her goodmother, he sent for Lord Stark and Lord Varys and even for Lord Tyrion, all of them being brought to her solar and as she sat there waiting she worried. What would she do if they disagreed? who should she follow on this? Though in her heart she knew it would be her husband's advice she took.
When they arrived she was glad to see she hadn't disturbed them more than just by having them brought to her, none had taken an early night or seemed too put out. She waited until they had all arrived before she began to speak.
"I received a note from his grace, a warning and a way he wishes me to respond to it, Ser Gerold, Lord Stark, her grace, all are aware even more so than I of how my husband's actions and instructions can sometimes seem strange. How sometimes they may not make sense but have always to be followed precisely, so I ask you to bear that in mind." she said and they nodded.
She read out the note in its entirety, Jae's plan laid bare and she waited for the responses, her grandmother's being the one she fully expected.
"We dare not wait, this man must be apprehended, I understand what the king wishes, but I cannot, we cannot put your life in danger."
"There will be no danger, my son would not put his queen in harm's way, everything he does he does for a reason Lady Olenna, if he says this is the way then this is the way."
"I agree with her grace, my lady, your grace." Gerold said to her grandmother and then to her "All of us who've been with his grace over the years have at times doubted his plans and ideas at one time or another and we've argued over the risks he takes for himself. But he would not place anyone he loved in harm's way, if he says this is how it must be done, then I believe it to be so."
"I cannot believe Robett would be so stupid, though he has shown his feelings more than once. I believe my nephew on this your grace, if he says this is they way, then I say we follow his lead."
"And you are willing to play your part my lord?" she said in reply to Ned Stark.
"I am your grace."
"Very well, Lord Tyrion?"
"I am afraid I do not understand this at all, your grace. I find myself in agreement with Lady Olenna, however, I am your grace's servant, if you believe it's for the best then I will take your lead."
"Then it is to be settled, Ser Arthur, Ser Gerold, I leave you to arrange the details, Lord Stark, Lord Tyrion, if you'll give me a moment alone with my goodmother and Grandmother."
"Of course your grace."
After they left she turned to her grandmother and reached out her hand, taking hers in her own, reaching out with her other she took Lyanna's too.
"I have faith in my husband, he would not risk me so. There is a reason for this, though I cannot see what it is, but I will be well protected I shall even wear armor just in case, grandmother."
"I do not like this, I do not like this one bit, but if I'm to be overruled then so be it." her grandmother said.
That day as she watched Lord Glover be carried away, as she looked around the room, she saw it, saw the reasoning behind her husband's actions, saw why he wished it done so. The questions had already started, the whispers had already begun. How had he known? How had her husband who all knew had traveled to the wall, how had he known of this from there?
Jae was sending them a message and while on one hand it was a dangerous one and would no doubt have people thinking of sorcery and dark magic's, on the other hand, it was a powerful one. A thousand eyes and one the old rhyme had said, a thousand eyes and one, let them believe it about her husband, let them believe it, for if they did then plotting against such a man was a fruitless endeavor, she smiled as she began to speak.
"My lord, my ladies, while I ask your forgiveness for the events we just witnessed, the business of the realm must continue, to that end Ser Gerold."
"Your grace" Ser Gerold said with a nod "Ser Loras Tyrell, Ser Robar Royce, Ser Brienne Tarth, please step forward."
"Ser." they said as they moved to stand in front of the throne.
"The Kingsguard is a noble order, but it is an outdated one, as of from today we shall be naming a new Royal Guard comprising of the Kingsguard, The Queensguard, and the Houseguard. Each member will be assigned to the King, the Queen, or to the royal family. Kneel Ser's."
She watched as her brother knelt, as Ser Barristan picked up the swords, and then she stood up and walked to her brother and took one of the swords from Barristan.
"Arise Ser Loras Tyrell, member of the Royal Guard and appointed to the Queensguard." she said as she tapped his shoulder with the sword and when he stood up she handed him it, her brother looking in awe at the swirling pattern of the steel.
"Your Grace, you honor me." her brother said as Barristan handed her the next sword.
"Arise Ser Robar Royce, member of the Royal Guard and appointed to the Queensguard." she said as she did the same, the knight just like her brother looking at the Valyrian steel sword she handed him in awe.
"Your Grace, I am truly honoured." he said as Barristan handed her the last sword.
She looked down at Brienne surprised to see moisture in her eyes, as she tapped her on the shoulder she heard her breath hitch, felt her shudder beneath the blade.
"Arise Ser Brienne Tarth, member of the Royal Guard and appointed to the Queensguard." the woman barely looked at the sword her eyes looking directly at hers and Margaery smiled at her.
"Your Grace, I pledge my life in service to yours, I shall serve you with honor, always."
"I thank you Ser." she said before turning to look at the Lords and Ladies "My Lords, My Ladies, the Queensguard." she said as the lord and ladies began to clap.
"The Queensguard." the cheers rang out as she walked to the throne and all three knights followed taking their positions beside their new brothers.
"My Lord's, My Ladies, we shall soon be saying our leave to each other, no doubt some wish to return to their keeps and their families, to see their loved ones once again. But before you depart, his grace and I would like to invite you all to take part in a tourney to celebrate the new start we've all been given. So it is my great honor to invite you to the Tourney of Renewal, may we remember it as the new beginning it surely is."
She looked around the room and could see the excitement, most of the Great Houses were here, most of the great knights, but the Kingsguard, the Unsullied, Men of the Dragon, the chance to compete against them all, this was something all looked forward to.
As she walked back to her room, Ser Gerold and Ser Barristan speaking to the knights behind her, her brother, Ser Robar and Ser Brienne all eagerly listening to what they were told, she heard it and recognized the roar as different. She quickened her steps and ignored her grandmother's smirk, Lyanna beside her moving as fast as she. When she reached her room she walked straight to the balcony, and as Ser Gerold and Ser Barristan joined her they saw the dragon flying over the bay.
"Ser's it seems we must organize a trip to the Dragonpit, my husband has returned." she said and she needed no looking glass to know she was smiling as she did so.
A/N: As always thanks to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up next Jae shows the realm what they need to fight against, Oberyn comes to a realization and Margaery asks a question, while preparations are made for a tourney and Jaime gets closer to his children
DarylDixon: So glad you liked it.
Foxyfloof: I hope the next one works better.
Paulies: Ramsay is dead here, Dany killed him, during her arrival in the North in chapter 23.
Outcome: So happy you enjoyed it.
Biohazard: really glad you liked it.
Qul: Thank you glad you liked it.
Vfsnake: There may very well be some stained britches.
Infiniit Mask: Glad you liked the reunions, Shireen is such a fun character who was treated badly in the show, he's rescuing Bloodraven and the COF, bringing them Wights and Leaf. That is one of the things I suppose, but then the show messes up some of the logic/stories anyway and those who've not read the books or just seen the show can miss it.
Kellarblair: Thank you really happy you enjoyed it.
Dunk: On the NW being King Jae is in an interesting position he can actually disband it if he wishes, so being King of the Seven kingdoms is huge in that respect. With the Free Folk it'll be a bit harder but there is a mention in the story a bit back of how he may do it. Dorne is in a tricky position in that they're playing a game which has already been won and trying to restart it will mess them up. With Gerold Dayne his book plan is kill Myrcella and it leads to war, I still all these years later can't grasp his mindset or what he thought he could gain, so I wanted his plan here to be equally dumb. We'll see with Robett.
Vwchik: Glad you liked the wedding. Myrcella and Tommen I have some plans for so we'll see them next chapter and see some father/daughter bonding time. I feel that way about Dorne, Doran at least takes some time, but they really do seem to jump first and not think things through. I'm a big Shireen fan they did her wrong in the show and I wanted to show her a bit more here.
Xand007: You too my friend, stay safe and well and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
TonyWarrior: Muchas gracias, desafortunadamente sí, habrá muchas personas que caerán, así que veremos si Jae puede salvar algunos de nuestros favoritos.
Greed: Vous êtes plus que bienvenu, vraiment content de l'avoir aimé.
Aussie: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
Ace: We will slow down after the next chapter, we have prepartion to do and a tourney.
Xan Merrick: Thank you my friend. I think Robett should be explained by now, but yes it's a shame for Galbart. With Myrcella and here's one of the things people need to think of, Jae has Bloodraven on his side here, so if he makes a stupid decision there is a good chance he's going to be told about it, so allowing her to marry and be happy, may be a good choice. I hope this cleared up Shireen some more, if not the next chapter will, glad you liked her scene with Stannis it was a nice scene to be able to give them that. One of the things is that it wasn't just the war Jae was planning for it was what came next, so he and Jon C and he and Bloodraven have talked through a lot, Doran in some ways was handicapped as he has other things on his mind too.