Kings Landing 298 AC.
Margaery.
She had wanted him to take her back to their rooms, to take her in his arms and comfort her, to tell her everything would be alright but he hadn't been able to. After what he had shown everyone they had no choice but to hold a meeting in the throne room once they returned to the Red Keep. In the carriage, though he had held her, she had leaned her head on his shoulder, felt his arms around her and he had held her tight.
But it wasn't enough and she couldn't wait for this day to end, for the chance to be alone with her husband and for him to reassure her, that he, they, that their children would be safe. As she sat down and watched the Lords make their way into the room he reached over and touched her hand, his fingers caressing her own and she tried to let that be enough for now.
"My lords, I know you have many questions and I'll answer what I can, but I ask you to try and remain civil, remain calm, and we'll get through this far more easily."
"Your grace, when is this army coming?" her father asked.
"I do not know Lord Tyrell, only that it is, what I can say is we have time be it a year or two, we have time to prepare."
"Your grace, you truly have no idea of the numbers?" Lord Edmure asked.
"I do not Lord Tully, what I know is that we must be united, that when they come we must be ready and we must stop them at the wall if we can."
"Surely the wall will keep them out, keep them behind it, wasn't that what it was built for your grace?" her uncle Ser Baelor asked.
"Have you been to the wall Ser?" Jae asked.
"No your grace."
"Uncle, could you tell Ser Baelor here the condition of the wall?" Jae said and Aemon stood forward.
"The wall stretches from the Bay of Ice to the Bay of Seals Ser, nineteen castles only three of which are manned and the watch itself stands at less than a thousand men, knowing what's coming for us Ser, do you think that enough to keep them out?" Aemon said.
"No Maester." her uncle said.
"Of the men who've not knelt, Stannis's and Tywin's how many are being sent to the wall your grace?" Jae's uncle asked and she saw her husband smile at Benjen.
"Lord Jon? Jae said.
"A little over four thousand your grace," Jon Connington said.
"Is that enough?" she heard someone ask but couldn't see who it was.
"No, which is why I'll ask for trained men to volunteer, to swear the oath and join the watch, to join the Night's Watch in its hour of need." Jae said surprising most in the room.
"You would ask men to give up their lives your grace?" Lord Brax asked.
"No my lord, I would ask men to swear a vow under the knowledge that it was not for life, that it was until this threat was dealt with. That these men go and we do our utmost to build the wall to what it once was, that we use this time to prepare. I shall also ask the Free Folk to do the same."
"The wildings, you truly mean to bring the wildings past the Wall your grace?" Randyl Tarly asked.
"My lord, you saw the wight did you not?"
"I did your grace."
"For every man who falls, every woman, every child, that is the fate that awaits them, behind the wall right now there are god's knows how many people, Free Folk, wildings, savages, call them what you will, who would you rather face my lord, them as men or them as wights?" Jae asked.
"Neither your grace." Randyl said and Jae laughed.
"Then we think alike as I would not wish to face them either my lord. As men they can be negotiated with, as wights they cannot. Uncle, what is the Night's Watch vow?" Jae asked speaking to his uncle Benjen.
"Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on The walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come." Benjen said and she felt herself shiver.
"The shield that guards the realm of men. Do you hear that my lords?"
"Aye."
"One of the titles my ancestor bestowed upon himself has been used wrongly for far too many years, Protector of the Realm, but that wasn't what Aegon called himself, nor what the title was supposed to be was it, uncle Aemon?" Jae said looking to Aemon and she found herself eager to hear what the man said.
"No, it was supposed to read Protector of the Realms of Men, your grace."
"So the Night's watch is the shield and I'm the protector of the realms of men, are those behind the wall, not men, given what you've seen today in the Dragonpit, don't you wish to see men stand with you rather than to have to face them as things which are clearly not?"
"Aye." she heard the Northmen say.
"Aye." the Lords of the Reach, the West, and the Riverlands said, as did the Stormlands and then Prince Oberyn stepping forward for Dorne said so too.
Jae looked at her and leaned in asking her permission which she granted and then he turned and looked out to the lords once again.
"My lords, my ladies, I understand that given what you've seen this day a tourney is the last of your concerns, the last thing you wish, and yet I find myself eager for it, eager to celebrate my own good news. The queen is with child my lords, I am to be a father." he reached out and took her hand in his "So I ask you to celebrate with me, to celebrate with us."
"Congratulations to you both your grace, your grace." she heard men and women shout to each of them.
"My lords, my ladies, I swear it to you we'll be ready for this threat, we will stand and face it and we will beat it back. I will see my children grow and they will grow in a realm that is at peace."
She felt her relief at her husband's words, felt the lords relief, they were scared as was she, but as she looked around the room she found very different looks on their faces than had been there when they came back from the Dragonpit. They were more hopeful and she thought that for now at least that was something to be grateful for.
"My lords, I know you have more you wish to discuss, rest assured I, my Hand, Lord Jon or my wife, will meet with you over the next few days and more plans and arrangments will be made. For now, I ask you to remember that it's not just our lives, our families' lives that we treasure, it's our way of life also and to that end let this tourney be as my wife suggested, a Tourney of Renewal."
They made their way from the room and Jae arranged for a small council meeting to be held after they met with their family, but first, he brought her to their room and she welcomed the comfort he gave her while there.
"I'm sorry my love, I wished to do this first, to put you at ease, but…"
"The realm comes first." she said.
"No you do, but I knew you could handle it for a little while longer, I know you're scared Margaery, I am too, but every word I said in there I meant, you, me, our children, we will have that future, I swear it."
"Promise me?"
"I promise." he said and as she kissed him she knew he meant it and for that, she was more than thankful.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Lyanna.
She had not had the chance to speak to most of the lords and ladies of the North, not truly, she had spoken, she had been polite, but she'd not really spent time alone with any of them. Partly because of her wedding and being with her husband and partly because of worry, not that they'd blame her, but that she'd not be able to look them in the eye.
But the time had come to put that to rest and so she asked for Arthur to bring Howland and Maege to her, to speak to the two she was always closest too, the two who would be both the easiest and hardest to speak to. She waited anxiously in her rooms as the two were asked to join her, no doubt they'd wish to speak as much on what they'd seen and heard today as they would on her.
Hearing the knock at the door she answered and was met with a smile from both of them as Arthur led them in, she nodded to her husband to leave them alone and he kissed her cheek before going outside. It wasn't that she didn't wish him with her, more that she wanted it to be as comfortable as possible and to allow her former friends to speak their mind.
"You look well for a dead woman." Maege said and then chuckled as she grabbed her in a hug.
"Aye, Maege has the truth of it, your grace." Howland said and she shot him a chiding look.
"I may have to listen to others call me that but we go back far too long for you to though, call me by my damn name Howland." she said smiling at him which he was soon returning.
"It's good to see you Lyanna, truly it is." he said and she bid them take a seat.
"I'm sorry for not letting you know the truth, I was worried at first for Jae and then later…"
"Later?" Maege asked.
"Aye, later for what you may think of me." she said nervously.
"You think we'd think less of you, that we blame you?" Howland asked aghast.
"I think you were sold a lie a lie that I could have spoken the truth of and didn't, I'm sorry for that."
"Was it necessary?" Maege asked "For his grace, to keep him safe was it necessary?"
"I believe so."
"Then who gives a fuck about a lie." Maege said and both she and Maege laughed, far longer and far more deeply than she had since she was a young girl and had befriended the she-bear.
"Aye, Maege as always cuts right to the point." Howland said.
"He's a good lad, you raised him right." Maege said and she saw Howland nod in agreement.
"I can't take all the credit, Arthur, Gerold, Oz, and Jon we all played a part."
"But he's your son Lyanna, that much is clear, he's your boy, he may look like his father, but it's your spirit he carries with him, your fight and we need that given what's coming." Howland said.
"I damn near shat meself seeing that thing, gods an army of them, it makes sense now why he went to the wall, why he's come back, he's blessed Lyanna, by the old gods I'd wager given it's the North he wishes to save." Maege said.
"It's not just the North, but I know one thing about my son, never doubt him Maege, the things he's done, they surprise even me and I have always believed in the prophecy." she said catching Maege by surprise.
"Prophecy?"
"The prince that was promised will bring the dawn." Howland said and they both looked at him.
"You know of it?" she asked.
"I know some, but aye, I believe in it too, and I too believe he's the prince that was promised, and given what we saw today it's clear he's the only one that can stop what's coming." Howland said.
"Aye, me too, I'll even support him bringing the fucking wildings in, he's right we can't allow them to turn like that, into those things, not only is it an affront to the gods, not only is it wrong, but we need them. If he says we need them then I reckon he's got the right of it." Maege said and she nodded.
"The others?"
"Ned is on his side as is the Greatjon, Galbart and Rickard will go along reluctantly as will most of the others, as for those who'll complain, fuck them, let them complain. They'll fight when the time comes and if they don't well we've seen the fate that awaits them." Howland said.
The next few hours were spent speaking on days long past, on Harrenhal and before, of riding through the Barrowlands, of days spent in the Wolfswood and nights among the stars in the North. She spoke to Howland on his children, his wife, and the life he'd lived since last they met before doing the same to Maege, finding out about Jorah and her children.
"We're to be kin soon, young Robb and Dacey are to be wed." Maege said and she jumped up from her seat to grab the older woman in a hug.
"I'm so happy for them, for you, they are, you are happy with the match?"
"I am, they're good together and he's a fine lad." Maege said.
By the time they left she was hungry and so Arthur brought her something to eat before dinner and as they sat there and she told him of how things had gone he seemed happy for her. They were interrupted by her brother and once again she was happy to see Benjen and resolved not to fight with him this time. She had argued with him about his sticking to his vows, about him staying in the Night's Watch and he had refused to listen, she knew now there was even less of a chance of him not going back.
"God's they're a bunch of fucking moaning cunts." Benjen said taking a seat.
"The Lords?"
"Aye, they all know what needs to be done, they all agree it and yet they moan about it all the same." he said smirking at her.
"What?"
"I was wondering if you'd ask my nephew to let loose his dragon on Rickard Karstark, I mean surely a dragon could remove the stick up the old fucker's arse." he said and she almost choked on her juice before she jumped on him and began to punch him softly.
"You always fucking do that, ever since we were kids, always wait until I'm drinking, you fucker." she said and the two of them rolled around laughing as Arthur looked on.
"You think a few years apart could have changed that, you were always so easy to rile up sister."
"Was I? you were easier, all I needed to do was bring a friend, Lady Jonelle, Maege, Barbery, any of them was enough to have this one running from the yard face with his face roaring red." she said as they both sat up and she spoke to Arthur.
"How have you managed to put up with her for so long Ser Arthur, surely she drives you mad." Benjen said and she punched him again.
"Only in a good way Benjen." Arthur said and she couldn't help chuckle at that.
Apart from the argument over him not leaving the watch, and the initial overwhelming feeling of seeing each other after so many years apart, they had basically just fallen right back into their old behavior. Both of them trying to make the other laugh, both trying to wind the other up and get on each other's last nerve, and both usually ending up falling around together laughing.
Brandon had been her wild older brother, sometimes stern, sometimes fun, but always the heir, Ned had been her quiet brother and their relationship had suffered both from him going to the Vale and for his championing of Robert. Benjen though had been her partner in crime, her younger brother who looked up to her and who she spent the most time with. While Ned fostered and Brandon learned both to be a man and an heir, they had been children together and it seemed that in some respects they'd never grown up.
"Will you join us for dinner tonight?"
"Aye, why not, just us, or will my nephew be there too?"
"He will."
"I'll see you then big sister." he said kissing her cheek.
"Aye, see you then little brother."
When he left the room she looked to see Arthur look at her inquisitively and she moved over and sat on his lap kissing his lips softly.
"You are well? Happy?"
"Aye, I am." she said as he kissed her this time.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Olenna.
She had rarely been scared in her life, rarely felt fear for her safety, and certainly had never felt how she had when she saw that thing in the Dragonpit. As she walked to the king's solar to see Jae and Margaery she still found herself disturbed by what she'd seen, and she hoped after speaking to Jae he could at least offer her some sense of peace of mind.
They would be eating soon, a family dinner, the Starks and the Tyrell's joined now and maybe if things worked out with Sansa and Willas, joined even more in the future. Though she found it hard to concentrate on that right now, she was almost afraid to close her eyes, sure she'd see that thing there, that she'd see those blue eyes and hear the screams it made.
"Ser Oswell, his grace is expecting me?" she asked and the knight nodded before knocking at the door and allowing her to walk in.
The sight she found herself faced with reassured her some, Jae and Margaery were sitting close together on the small couch laughing at each other while Jae had his arm around her granddaughter. Had she found them engaged in a more private activity then maybe that would have been even more comforting, but seeing them act so carefree relieved some of the tension she felt.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you both." she said with a smirk.
"We're king and queen now, we only get disturbed by those we allow grandmother." Margaery said and Jae chuckled.
"Now my love, it's not nice to tease your grandmother." he said and Margaery pouted.
"But it's fun, would you deny me, my fun husband?"
"Never my love." Jae said kissing Margaery's cheek.
"Stop it you two, I'm far too old for this." she said as both of them giggled.
"Forgive me Olenna, but after the events of earlier on some fun was much called for." Jae said and got up to move a seat for her to sit facing them while they would stay sitting on the couch.
"Indeed, it's about those events I've come."
"I wish I could reassure you more Olenna, I wish I didn't need to show people that, the things I must do though require it. I need to bring the Free Folk through the wall, I have to, if we're to win we must have them and everyone else with me."
"After today I doubt that will be an issue." she said and he nodded.
"I was born for this, this was the sole purpose of my life until but a few moons ago." Jae began and she saw him reach out to take her granddaughter's hand "I was shown things, gifted things, and I believed my destiny was to face what's to come, to drive it back and that would be it, that would be my life."
"You think you'll die?" Margaery said her face full of worry.
"I thought I would, and then I saw a different future, a future where I had a wife, children, and then I met you." she looked on as he leaned forward and kissed her grandaughter softly on the lips "So trust me I understand how you feel Olenna, how some of those who saw what they did today feel. I've felt it all my life but there is more to life than that, there is more to live for."
"Can you beat them Jae?" she asked and she saw her granddaughter look at her husband eagerly awaiting his response.
"I will beat them Olenna. I will see my wife and family safe, see my children grow, nothing in this world or any other will see that false, nothing will make that untrue, on that you have my vow."
She stood up and walked over to the couch and found herself hugging first Jae and then Margaery, to say she felt better was an understatement. What it was they would be facing terrified her still, how they would prepare for it, how they beat it she knew not. But given how certain Jae sounded, how determined he was and how he looked at her granddaughter, if it could be done then it was clear he would find a way.
What was coming was inevitable, without Jae leading them they'd have been caught by surprise and she was certain they would have lost. Now though she felt they had a chance, a better than even chance of winning, of surviving and she looked forward to holding her great-grandchildren in her arms, to seeing them grow.
"You couldn't have waited until after the tourney?" she said a few moments later and he laughed.
"We should get ready, it's almost time for dinner." Margaery said and Jae nodded kissing her cheek and then walking with them both to the private dining room.
The dinner she found to be far more to her taste than the larger feasts, Jae and Margaery sat beside each other, across from them sat Lyanna and Arthur. Around the table sat Ned Stark and Lady Catelyn. Alerie and Mace, the Stark children and Lady Dacey, her grandsons and Lady Leonette, and Shireen and Benjen. All enjoying each other's company and the food which was simple fare but seemed to be each one's preferred dishes. Beside her sat Maester Aemon, Daenerys and the woman she had found out was Daenerys lover, Lakoes.
She enjoyed her meal immensely and soon found herself enraptured in the tales that Aemon told, tales of his brother, his mother, and sisters, Jae and Daenerys hanging onto his every word. All too soon it was over and while the youngest children left and some of the older ones too, pretty soon there was just herself and Benjen, Lyanna and Arthur and Aemon and Dany left with her granddaughter and Jae.
"I've decided to stay nephew." Aemon said and she saw the large smiles on both Jae's and Daenerys's faces.
"I'm most happy to hear so, I needed a new Grand Maester anyway." Jae said to chuckles.
"The Citadel Jae?" Margaery said.
"Will be more than busy given what I'll be sending them."
"The other wight?" Benjen asked.
"Prince Doran should arrive soon and after he's seen it, I'll be sending it to the Citadel, Dany has agreed to fly it there, after that let them deny a dragon." Jae said and Dany chuckled.
"I've always wished to see the Hightower." Dany said a moment later.
"As I said we need the entire realm and they too need to do their part."
She was happy he'd thought of it, that he'd done so before she or anyone else wasn't a surprise, be it this guide of his, this Bloodraven, the Child of the Forest, or simply himself, he thought of things they hadn't even considered and far quicker than anyone else would. She remembered him saying he'd planned things out, what Gerold had said about playing cyvasse and how he'd hamper himself and she wondered if that was part of things? Was that how he'd been getting ready for all those years?.
As the night wore on she felt herself grow tired and so bid her goodnights to them all, holding her granddaughter tight for some reason and kissing her cheek. She hoped she'd sleep later, she was tired enough to but she still worried about her dreams and was glad when they were not the ones she'd expected. Instead, she sat in a chair as a silver-haired boy and dark-haired girl ran around.
"Grandmamma Olenna look at me." the girl shouted and Olenna smiled as the girl and boy rolled around on the ground.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Shireen.
She heard the whispers of what had happened in the Dragonpit, she and Arya spoke of it as they played that day, but no one came to them and told them more and at the dinner that night they never discussed it. Even when they were sent to bed early they were told nothing about it and it annoyed them both, yes they were young, but they deserved to know too, didn't they?.
But it was as they were leaving the room that they suddenly didn't care for it, or about it, or even think of it anymore. Jae had called them both to one side, leaving the room he'd knelt down and talked to them in the corridor and soon both of them were eager and excited about something much different.
"I heard what happened with Rhaegon while I was away."
"We didn't do anything wrong." Arya said defensively.
"I know cousin, look after we break our fast on the morrow I want you both to come with me, we're going on a little trip."
"On the dragon, you're taking us on the dragon?" Arya said excitedly and she found herself looking at Jae hopefully.
"I am, but you had better behave, yes Arya you especially."
"Why me?" Arya said.
"Because Shireen's not stupid like you are." he said and then he mussed both of their hairs making them laugh "Now go and get some rest we'll have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
They both practically raced down to their room, almost as if they thought the sooner they were asleep the sooner they'd be riding on a dragon's back. Which of course meant once in the room they couldn't sleep at all, both of them far too excited to sleep until finally, they were out and as she woke up the next morning it felt like she'd not slept at all. Meanwhile, in the other bed, Arya snored and she giggled as she went over and began to shake her friend to wake her.
"Come on get up stupid." she said while Arya pushed her hand away.
"Go away tired."
"Arya." she said loudly.
"Tired." Arya said trying to hide under the sheets.
"We'll be late for our dragon ride." she said and suddenly Arya was wide awake.
"I'm up, I'm up." Arya said as she jumped up looking around the room for her clothes.
They broke their fast with Margaery, Jae having gone to speak to Dany and between feeding Ghost and Nymeria from the table and speaking to each other about the dragon ride they never noticed Jae coming back into the room.
"These two been given you any trouble?" Jae said taking a seat beside Margaery and rubbing Ghost's head.
"No, they've both behaved like proper little ladies." Margaery said with a wink to her which had her and Arya in a giggling fit a moment later.
Once they were finished Jae kissed Margaery and they walked with him to the horses that were waiting outside, she soon found herself sitting in front of Jae on his horse while Arya rode her own and looked at her smugly. Though she found she didn't mind it as she was at least in the front, and it felt almost as if she was riding the horse herself. Ser Jaime, Ser Oswell, and Ser Barristan along with some guards rode with them and it didn't take them long to reach the Dragonpit.
"I hope you're ready for this." Jae said whispering in her ear.
After helping her from the horse she looked to see Dany talking to Arya while Jae held her hand and turned to speak to a nervous-looking Ser Jaime.
"You'll be fine Ser Jaime, I mean if a little girl isn't scared to fly on a dragon what does it say of you if you are?" Jae said and she smirked.
"I'm going to hate this aren't I?" Ser Jaime said to Barristan who just chuckled.
"Just hold on tight and don't look down." Barristan said.
She was surprised when it was just Ellanys and Brankardix who arrived and even more so when Dany and Arya climbed up onto Ellanys, Arya sitting in front of Dany on something she placed down on the dragon's back.
"Come on our turn." Jae said and he led her and Ser Jaime to Brankardix, stopping in front of the dragon to look him in his eyes.
After he helped Ser Jaime to nervously climb onto the dragon, he took her hand and helped her up onto the wing, before laying a fur-lined piece of cloth on the dragon and showing her how to sit and telling her to hold onto the horn in front of her, sitting behind her he wrapped his arms around her and she felt herself being held tightly.
"You both ready."
"Yes."
"No."
She laughed at Ser Jaime's nervous answer compared to her own more confident one and before she knew it they were in the air and it was like nothing she'd imagined, even seeing it in her dreams couldn't compare. She giggled when Brankardix flew over the bay and dipped his wing into the water splashing them all and then when he flew higher she looked in awe at the world beneath her.
King's Landing soon became a distant memory and when she saw the Dragonmont in front of her she shook her head in disbelief, just how fast did a dragon fly she wondered, as it seemed like only moments ago they'd left King's Landing. Soon they landed on the cliffs and when Jae helped her down she hugged him tightly.
"Thank you cousin, thank you, thank you." she said before she ran over to Arya to tell her all about it.
Dany took off on Ellanys a few minutes later and Brankardix lazed on the cliff and then Jae walked over and took both her and Arya to the edge and she saw him then in the distance. Rhaegon was hunting, she could feel it in her head, feel his hunger and then he dropped into the water and they saw the flames. When the dragon landed on the cliff he was fed and Jae told her and Arya to wait where they were before going over and leaning against Rhaegon, his head against the dragon's own for quite some time.
"Sit both of you." Jae said and they did as they were bid "Do you know why I brought you here?"
"To see Rhaegon?" Arya said.
"Because this is where they belong." she said and Jae smiled.
"You can feel that, feel how much he loves it here?"
"He's happy." she said smiling.
"He is, my son is different, he's not bonded you see, not like Brankardix is to me or Ellanys is to Dany, his riders aren't here yet, they've not been born yet."
"Your children?" she said and Jae nodded.
"Rhaenys and Aegon will be his bonded, but they won't be able to ride him for many years and we have no time to waste, Rhaegon needs a rider, he needs a rider now."
"Could I?" she said.
"Or me?" Arya added.
"You are both connected to him, it's not the same as a bond, but together we can fly yes."
"Together?" she said confused.
"Close your eyes both of you." Jae said and they did "Picture it, picture yourselves flying, can you see it, the ground beneath you, the sea?"
"Yes." Arya said and Shireen hoped Arya was seeing what she was.
"Shireen?" Jae asked.
"I see it."
"Look at the dragon, not the ground." Jae said.
"It's, it's Rhaegon." she said excitedly.
"It is, open your eyes." Jae said and they did.
"I could see it, it was Rhaegon wasn't it, we were him?" Arya said and she nodded in agreement.
"It'll take time, time for a bond to form so it's strong enough, he could take you up some now though if you'd like?" Jae said and they both nodded.
"Arya you first, you've been on a dragon more, go to him and lean forward, close your eyes just like you did, and when you feel him climb on top of him. Shireen just watch them for now, he'll not go far."
She sat there as Jae held her hand, watching on as Arya did as Jae told her, as she climbed up, and then Shireen looked to see Jae had his eyes closed.
"Sōvegon rhaegon, sōvegon paez se va se tegun" (Fly Rhaegon, fly slow and near the land) she heard Jae whisper.
She saw the black dragon take to the air and he did as Jae instructed, he flew no more than a few feet above the ground the wind from his wings moving the grass he was flying so low. She heard Arya's laughter from here and then all too soon he landed when Jae bid him.
"Tegun Rhaegon" (Land Rhaegon).
Arya seemed reluctant to dismount but she did and then Jae told her to do the same as Arya had, only he told her to use the words he had, to speak them as he had done. She ran to Rhaegon and leaned into his head, seeing the ground as it had looked through Rhaegon's eyes when he had flown with Arya. Climbing up she did as Jae had asked and said the words and soon they were in the air, soon they were flying, and all too soon they had landed again.
"Kirimvose rhaegon, kirimvose syt rual nyke naejot sagon lēda ao." (Thank you Rhaegon, thank you for allowing me to be with you.) she said happily when she climbed down, the dragon making a happy trilling sound as she did so.
She ran over to Arya and as they both spoke about what it felt like she watched as Jae walked over to Rhaegon, the dragon leaning its head against his own. Closing her eyes she tried to feel what they were feeling, what they were sharing but it seemed to be for themselves alone and soon they were all walking towards Brankardix.
"I'll practice with you as much as I can, we'll do some longer flights and then get you both used to riding together."
"Together?" Arya asked.
"Your bond is not the same as mine as I told you, Shireen has the blood and you the warging, but alone it's not enough, the connection is too weak, it's only together it can be made to work. He is not yours" Jae said looking to her "Nor yours." he said to Arya "But together you can fly."
"Together." she said determinedly and Arya nodded as she too said the word.
Kings Landing 298 AC.
Doran.
He was pleased to see Oberyn waiting for him though not so much to see the men that were with him, Ser Oswell and Ser Gerold both standing along with a man he had known many years before, Jon Connington. Ser Richard helped him from the boat and his guards were let carry their arms but were quickly surrounded by more of what he assumed were Company of the Dragon men.
"Prince Doran, his grace is otherwise engaged but if you'll come with us we'll see you situated." Jon Connington said and he nodded.
"Brother it's good to see you." Oberyn said and he was surprised that he didn't look worried or fearful.
They barely spoke as he was brought to the Maidenvault, Jon Connington seeming keener to speak to Ser Richard and laughing at something the other man said, while Ser Oswell and Ser Gerold spoke only to each other. He decided not to speak to Oberyn as he didn't wish to give his mind away just yet, and soon they were inside the Red Keep and he was helped to a comfortable room.
He was surprised they left him and his brother alone and given he'd not seen Ellaria and his nieces he assumed they were being held prisoner somewhere. When the boy arrived with wine and some refreshments though he looked at his brother in confusion when he ate eagerly as if there was nothing untoward going on.
"What's going on Obeyrn, this is not how I expected to find you?"
"We were mistaken brother, not only is this king the right man for the throne, he's the only one."
"I don't understand." he said and he meant it completely.
"The letter I wrote was under duress, the king, he's not like I expected, you want to know what he threatened me no doubt?"
"I do, this is not you brother."
"No, it would not be in normal circumstances that is true but trust me brother these are not normal circumstances." Oberyn said.
The tale he told him was terrifying, it was unbelievable and made him far more concerned than he had ever been with Robert and Tywin in power. That the boy could contemplate such a plan, that he could possibly carry it out, made his position far more tenuous than it had ever been.
"You believe he'd kill us all?"
"I did then, I do even more so now, we're obstacles Doran, obstacles he doesn't wish for or doesn't need and yet he has no desire to remove us, no plan to do so lest we give him the reason."
"Which we did." he said worriedly and Oberyn laughed.
"He knew we would before we'd even considered it, at first I thought it Varys and yes the eunuch played his role, but this king is far more clever than we had expected and he knew of our plans long before Varys ever spoke." Oberyn said.
"How?"
"You'll never believe me." Oberyn chuckled.
"Oberyn?"
"Cyvasse, Arthur told me he's spent years playing the game, mastering it, I even asked him for a game and he beat me without even trying. The king's been playing cyvasse with the realm for so long he's learned to predict moves others haven't considered yet, it's become second nature to him."
"No one is that good brother." he said dismissively.
"They are when they're motivated and believe me brother this king is motivated like no other before him." Oberyn said and began to tell him why the king was so motivated.
Dead men rising, bringing wildings through the wall, armies of the realm needing to unite, it all sounded so incredible that had it not been Obeyrn telling him he'd have laughed. He almost still did and perhaps would have had the knock not come to the door interrupting them.
"Your grace." Oberyn said deferentially as he rose to his feet and bowed and Doran found himself looking at the king.
"Your grace." he said far less respectfully and caught the boy's smirk.
"Your brother used the same tone not more than a few weeks ago, it must be a Martell thing." the king said as he took a seat, Ser Arthur and then what he at first thought was a large dog but was soon clear was a white wolf followed behind him the wolf moving toward him and sniffing his pocket.
"What is it doing." he asked taken aback by the red eyes that looked into his own.
"The poison Prince Doran, hand it to your brother if you will, my friend Ghost here doesn't like people who threaten me and it's hard to keep him leashed since as you see he doesn't' wear one."
He reached in and handed the vial to Oberyn who shook his head and looked at him angrily.
"Ser Arthur and I were just paying respects to his cousin, it seems the decision to send Ser Richard worked out well for you Prince Doran?"
"It did your grace." he said and Oberyn looked at him confused "The Darkstar tried to kill me on my journey here, Ser Richard Lonmouth killed him before he could do so."
"And yet you still wished to poison me?" the king said with more curiosity than anger in his voice.
"I am not a fighter your grace my condition doesn't allow me to be one, so we work with what we have. I believed my brother a prisoner, my nieces being held and so.." he said not feeling the need to speak anymore on it.
"Yet you left Areo behind and gave Arianne orders to raise arms should you fall." the king said and he gasped finding himself stunned that he knew of this already.
"I did."
"Was I a different man I'd consider that bad faith Prince Doran, but as I explained to Prince Oberyn I am my sibling's brother which makes you my kin. I have a larger fight coming than with Dorne, a fight that will require your spears, so I'll show you what's coming for us all and then I'll give you one chance, one chance that is all."
"Your grace?" he asked confused as to why he wasn't already dead.
"Because of what's coming your brother has willingly bent the knee, I already have Dorne Prince Doran, the only question that remains is do I have you? Oberyn if you will."
He was wheeled through the corridors and down into the cells by his brother, the cell he was taken too was brightly lit and chained to the wall was someone that struggled against the chains.
"That poison you brought is it quick?" the king asked.
"Immediate your grace." he said.
"Prince Oberyn, coat your blade before you stab him."
He looked on aghast, was he to be killed by his own brother, this made no sense and then he watched as Oberyn plunged his dagger into the person chained to the wall. Looking closer he could see they were still struggling and that Oberyn had stabbed them directly in the heart, the wound itself should kill them, if not the poison would and yet they still moved and after a few moments he held his hand up.
"What is this?"
"This is what's coming for us all Prince Doran, this is what we face." The king said pulling a sack off the person's face.
He heard the scream and for a moment thought it was the thing on the wall before he realized it was him. The thing was dead, just as Obeyrn had said, it's flesh falling from its face, Oberyn's knife still in its chest and yet it moved, still it moved. Its blue eyes stared directly at him and he felt a shiver down his spine and as it began to screech the king put the sack back over its head silencing it.
Nothing more was said as they walked back to the room, he found himself practically swallowing the wine Obeyrn poured for him once they got there and then he looked on as the king took a seat.
"I have no time to play games with you prince Doran, no desire to, stand in my way and I'll end you without a second thought. You are my kin by virtue of my brother and sister and yet I'll accept the curse of being a kinslayer because anyone who diverts me from dealing with what's coming means as much to me as that thing you just saw."
"I.."
"I've given you vengeance by allowing Prince Oberyn to kill the Mountain. I'll give you justice by taking Tywin and Amory Lorch's lives. I'll give your child happiness by allowing him to marry the woman he loves and I've given Dorne respect by naming Obeyrn to the small council. I'll even give you reparations for those lost in the way of taxes and other incentives, but I'll give you just one chance to accept it."
"I, Your Grace." he said still shaken by what he'd seen.
"One chance Prince Doran, one chance is all the time I have for you, so what say you, do we have an accord, will you accept this offer or will you force me to be who I do not wish to be?" the king said staring at him.
"I Prince Doran Nymeros Martell, Lord of Sunspear, do hereby pledge fealty to his grace Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name, I do this in the name of House Martell, in the name of Dorne. You shall have our spears, your grace, now and whenever you have need of them."
"I thank you and as a gift for your fealty I offer you this." the king said reaching in and taking out a small bottle "For your gout my prince" he said handing him the bottle "Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn, the tourney begins tomorrow, I hope to see you both attend, maybe even see you compete Prince Oberyn, I know Ser Arthur would welcome the challenge."
"I look forward to it your grace." Obeyrn said and with that, the king stood up and left the room leaving him looking to his brother and at the small bottle in his hand.
"Do you think this will actually work?" he said shaking his head.
"Have you seen Lord Willas since you arrived, brother?"
"No."
"He no longer uses a cane thanks to a bottle the king gave him." Oberyn said and before his brother had finished speaking Doran was drinking the bottle down.
King's Landing 298 AC.
Brienne.
Standing guard with Ser Robar she never felt more proud, even with Renly she had never felt this way. She was a knight, a Queensguard to a queen who cared for the people, a queen who wished to make their lives better, and to a king who allowed his wife to be a true queen. Her room in White Sword Tower was small, the tower itself was soon to be redesigned to accommodate the changes made to the order.
As it was for now they alternated, some nights were spent splitting between one of the six rooms in the tower and some nights in rooms in Maegor's Holdfast itself. Soon they'd all reside in the tower though and she looked forward to that day. Waking up in the tower, breaking her fast with her brothers, sitting in the white room, and getting her orders, all of it was a dream come true.
Given who she served with, who she now sparred with this was even more so, Ser Gerold, Ser Oswell, Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime, Ser Kalors, and Ser Arthur. She, Loras, and Robar were all amazed at being able to cross blades with them, even on occasion with the king himself and she smiled at that. Renly was no swordsman, Jaehaerys though was on a par with Ser Arthur, close enough that he could take victories from him, something that she could not.
"You have that silly smile on your face again." Robar said and she chuckled.
"I'm a Queensguard about to escort the king and queen to the opening of a tourney where Ser Arthur Dayne will be competing for the first time in ten and seven years, and you begrudge me a smile." she said and Robar laughed.
"No you're right, smile away." he said and she chuckled yet again.
She, Robar, and Loras had become close, almost as close as the other brothers were, brothers she could now hear walking down the corridor towards her.
"Ser Brienne, Ser Robar."
"Ser Arthur." she said before seeing Barristan, Jaime, and Gerold making their way behind them and greeting them also.
"His grace still not ready?" Ser Gerold asked staring at Robar.
"No Lord Commander." Ser Robar said as the door opened behind me.
"Leave him be Ser Gerold, it's me who's tardy not Ser Robar." the king said as he and the queen walked from the room.
"Of course it is your grace." Gerold said rolling his eyes and she tried not to laugh.
"Shall we, my love." the queen said and Brienne couldn't help but admire how elegant she looked, her dress this time was in her house's colors while the king, as usual, wore his own.
"I suppose we better had before Ser Gerold sends me to be without my supper." the king japed.
"Would you were a boy once more." Ser Gerold said to laughs all round.
They lined up in strict formation, Ser Gerold and Ser Arthur leading the way, she and Ser Barristan alongside and Ser Jaime and Ser Robar behind, and then at a nod from Ser Gerold they walked to the carriages. The king's mother was already in one along with her brother and Lady Shireen and Lady Arya, Princess Daenerys, and Maester Aemon in another and the Starks and Tyrells behind with the Lannisters.
The procession to the tourney grounds took almost an hour, people shouting and cheering in the streets and when they finally reached it she looked to see just how large the crowd was. It took some time for everyone to make their way to their seats and the king and queen were the last to leave the carriages, the king's hair messed up and the queen's face flushed.
As they sat down each of the guards took their position and she stood directly behind the queen's seat her hand on her sword in case it was needed. She looked out to the crowd which then hushed when the queen rose to open the events. Her pride flaring once again at her queen when she began to speak.
"My lords and Ladies, good men and women of Kings Landing and beyond, his grace and I bid you welcome to the days events. Over the next few days, we shall see feats of Archery, see a Grand Melee and a Joust, we shall see the finest knights in the realm compete, see men and women fight and see the Kingsguard themselves in action. His grace and I intend for this tourney to be the start of a new age of prosperity for the realm, an age where people will no longer go hungry and crimes will not go unpunished. It is my honor to welcome you all to the Tourney of Renewal."
The cheers were loud and went on for some time and Brienne felt her excitement build, she would not be competing, she had asked not to, wishing to stand by her queen during the tourney rather than to compete for a prize. She had no need to show off, no need to prove herself, her white cloak billowing in the wind the only recognition she needed and nothing could ever make her feel more proud than that.
A/N: As always thanks to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up Next The tourney. Prisoners arrive at the wall and Prisoners face justice.
Daryldixon: So glad you liked it.
Aussie: Really glad you enjoyed it.
Princess: So happy you liked it.
Infinity Mask: Glover is too far gone yes, I thought of holding off on the wight until after the tourney but I think it works better this way. Given their ages and when this story finishes and I'm already doing Dany with Lakoes I just have them as friends. Jaime like all the KG carries Valyrian steel. With Ned it's the realist versus the faith in Jae, yes he believes but he also needs to see it too.
Biohazard; Really glad you enjoyed it.
QUL: Thank so very much, really happy you liked it.
Kellarblair: So glad you enjoyed it.
Xand007: Thanks my friend and it's such a cool quote, btw does that sum up Olenna or what lol. Oberyn will become closer now he's on board, he and Ellaria will be getting a private dinner soon which will be fun. We'll be seeing a lot of prep work in a bit and the wildfire will be used.
Hoguie: Thanks so very much, I think with Bloodraven and the COTF we rarely see in depth things with them, we'll be seeing them more soon and Leaf while missing has been on her own little adventure. I wanted to do something different with the dragons and the reason for the two riders will become clearer later on.
Vfsnake: As you see he is, I think he would, he is far more good in KL than at the wall, far more useful.
Dunk: I do like a good speech, lol. And yep don't worry TDC was written a long time ago, as for Aemon he's staying and we'll see more Stark family reunions/interactions during the tourney.
Missluxe: So glad you enjoyed it.
Zyrus: Jae gave him one of the potions from Valyria, it doesn't cure him or let him see again but it's kinda reinvigorated him, kinda reawaken some of the magic in him. Ser Barristan is 60, 61 Ser Gerold is probably closer to 70. Arthur is about 40 with Oswell 45 and Jaime 35.
Guest: so glad you liked it and yep he did, he just wasn't given him the potion until he had him on side.
Vwhcick: I wanted to give Jae/Maege some good news and Oberyn can be a realist too I think, he's emotional but not an idiot, as for Doran well he's onside for now, glad you liked the reunion, we'll see more of Dany/Aemon in her pov.
Tony Warrior: Ahora están más de acuerdo y sí, todavía habrá algunos problemas con Free Folk, pero pronto veremos algunos de nuestros favoritos, creo que en un par de capítulos.
Xan Merrick: Thanks my friend. I think had he been able to see he may have lol, but I think the joy was enough for now. Olenna is chuffed and we'll see more of that once the shock of the Dragonpit wears off. Oberyn and Jae will become closer, there is a dinner coming up soon with Oberyn, Ellaria and Jae which will show that. I wanted Jaime to have his happy family moment and those two kids deserve some good things, you're spot on about the wights and we'll be seeing the Free Folk soon.