Hello everyone, apologies for the delay on this chapter, I had a terrible time writing it. Hopefully the next one doesn't take as long, but who knows, I want to deliver on what comes next.
The smut that was promised is in the second POV. Battle scene in the third.
Chapter XV
Stannis
Stannis sighed and watched as the sun set over the sea to the east of Storm's End. He was in this very position nearly twenty years ago, holding out against the Targaryen forces, lead by the Reachmen. He stood in this very room and watched the sun set over the Redwyne fleet blockading the fortress. He was a prisoner of his own castle then.
Now, the fleet was gone, replaced by the calm ocean, a rare sight as the autumn storms were frequent at this time of year. But once more, he was a prisoner of his own castle. He desired Storm's End, and resented Robert when he'd given him Dragonstone instead, for his failure to capture Rhaella and Daenerys Targaryen.
A slap in the face to give it to Renly, truly. A boy of six with no experience. But he had to accept his brother's decision, for it was a kingly order. And so he took it in stride, for all these years. And when Ned Stark revealed to the world the true parentage of Robert's supposed children, with Robert lying dead or dying, he'd taken up arms. Because it was his duty, and if he was going to fight his brother, he would.
But he made the mistake to underestimate the North. Never could he have thought that his own allies may turn on him, but one by one they did, taking men, supplies, equipment and ships with them, rallying behind Jaehaerys Targaryen, the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen.
And there was no denying it now. Stannis saw Daeron and Visenya, their silver hair and faint indigo glow in their grey and golden eyes. Unless Ned Stark found a Valyrian or Lyseni whore in Dorne, which considering the man would be impossible, then his parentage couldn't be discussed anymore. And his men had defected to him, enabling Jaehaerys to triumph over Renly at Summerhall.
His younger brother lay dead on a field, but he didn't feel anything. No remorse, no compassion, no sadness. Nothing. Just a void. A void that might not be filled ever again. Sometimes he wishes both of them had gotten along. Maybe then…maybe.
He sighed and eyed the figure resting next to him. It had been two days that they had to share this chamber, a grand one, with small walls and rooms that basically made it look like a royal suite. It wasn't, it was just the refurbished old grain stock, but he wasn't going to complain.
He shared this chamber with a woman, if you could call her that. She was more like a man, always waddling about in her armour, bearing the arms of House Tarth. He sometimes wondered if she slept in her armour. He hadn't spoken a word to her, why would he, she was a traitor? But then again, wasn't he one as well?
"What are you going to do next?" he finally asked, as the woman lying on a straw mat raised an eyebrow.
"We've shared this chamber for two days and this is what you ask me?" she scoffed. "Not my name? Not my house?"
"Judging by the arms on your armour, you are a knight of House Tarth." Stannis replied. "Now I've heard tales about how Lord Selwyn had a daughter that towered over men, and liked to joust and fight more than sow and fix her hair. I know who you are, Lady Brienne."
"Then you know that I do not particularly like you." She growled.
"Why?" Stannis scoffed at once. "Because you were on Renly's side?"
"He was the king."
"By what right?"
"By the right of the gods!"
"The gods don't count for shit." Stannis looked her dead in the eyes. "The law is what matters. The law states that if the king fails to produce male heirs, then the throne falls to his eldest living family relative of the same generation. In this case, his younger brother, me."
"You…you…"
"I…I had a better claim." Stannis mocked her voice as she stuttered, trying to find her voice. "But it doesn't matter now. Renly is dead, and I have made my peace with it. So, will I make my peace with the throne."
"You plan to just throw your claim away?" Brienne laughed. "You fought your own brother and now you'll just throw your claim out the bloody window?"
"I made an oath, Lady Brienne. You should know oaths are sacred."
"I know what oaths are."
"Then you'll know that to break it is to become accursed by the gods, or in my case, the lord of light, for the lord of light condemns oathbreakers and will unleash his fury on any who dare break the sacred oaths." He sighed. "And Jaehaerys is right, House Baratheon owes a debt to House Targaryen, a debt I will spend my life trying to repay."
"You don't mind staying celibate for the rest of your life? Or giving up Storm's End and Dragonstone?"
"When I was younger, I despised Renly for what he took from me. Storm's End was mine by right, and my brother Robert gave it away. A reward, he said. But his is no reward. This is punishment for my treason." Stannis continued. "If I have to lose Storm's End and Dragonstone to pay for it, so be it. His grace has assured me if I serve well, my daughter will get a good marriage. As for my wife, she's been branded a traitor and will be sent to the Reach for trial. There isn't much I can do, but we were never that close. I just hope she gets to live in peace and quiet. Going back to Brightwater Keep would soothe her mind."
"So, you have turned cloak then."
"I have bent the knee." Stannis shook his head. "Sometimes a man's people are more important than a man's pride. My daughter is my people. She is all I have left, and she deserves the world. I will not throw my life away for the sake of my pride, and I will work to make this kingdom better. I will do my duty, Lady Brienne. But you still haven't answered my question, what are you going to do? We are both prisoners of this castle."
Brienne looked him up and down, before sighing and straightening up over the straw mat.
"You aren't the only one that is thinking about bending the knee."
"Thinking? What did they offer you?"
"The Queen offered me a position by her side, as a Kingsguard."
"My congratulations."
"It feels wrong. Renly was the king."
"As was I. But Renly is dead, and I made a vow that no descendants of mine will inherit the throne." Stannis looked at her again, looking for some explanation. "What do you plan on doing if you refuse? Avenge Renly? His killer already lies dead. Avenge Loras? That would be a good fight between warrior women, but hardly solve anything. The King? You wouldn't get within two feet of him without losing your head, and not like Renly's death was his fault anyways."
Brienne nodded.
"What do you think I should do?"
"That is not for me to decide. Follow what you think is right. Why did you join Renly in the first place?"
"I felt like he could be good for the realm. A good king. A just king."
"Then serve the realm by protecting its King and Queen." Stannis answered. "If my brother knighted you, remember your vows. Protect the innocent, the weak, the poor. Do your duty as a knight, Lady Brienne. Take up the Queen's offer to protect her, she will need it."
"Why? She has white cloaks already."
"But she asked for you specifically. If she did, it is for good reason." Stannis sighed. "Another war is coming; I saw it in the flames. Soon, we will have to go North, and the king will take me with him."
"Robb Stark wouldn't turn on his cousin."
"Not Robb Stark. Something else, something I do not understand entirely. A storm is coming, and the king will not let his queen come with him. She'll need protection."
Brienne nodded.
"I will sleep on it."
"See that you do."
Stannis barely had time to answer when the door opened to reveal a page. Darting his head around, his eyes locked with Stannis' and the boy announced that the king wanted to see him. Intrigued, Stannis followed the boy out, but before leaving the room, turned to Brienne one last time.
"Remember, Ser Brienne. We must do our duty. Great or small, we must do our duty."
With that, he left and followed the page down Storm's End halls, which were basked with sunlight for the first time in sennights, as the weather finally looked promising. He was led to a room which was once his solar, and Renly's afterwards, where the king had likely set his quarters for the day.
The page opened the door as a kingsguard knight nodded to let him through, and was shocked to see his daughter laughing as she and Jaehaerys were talking over what seemed to be a book of sorts.
"Lord Stannis." The king greeted him, as Stannis bowed respectfully.
"Your grace." Stannis said, his mouth slightly agape in shock. "I didn't expect to find you here with…"
"Oh father, his grace has been very kind to me, do not worry." Shireen laughed. "We were talking about the Dance of Dragons, and making jokes about the illustrations in the books. I hope when they tell stories about you, they try to draw you better."
"I'm afraid there won't be much to tell." Stannis sighed.
"Nonsense, you're to be hand of the king!" Shireen crossed her arms. "In any case, I will leave you to your important discussion. It was a pleasure, your grace."
Shireen bowed down, but before she could leave, the king stopped her.
"Lady Shireen, my wife is currently nursing the children. Maybe you could go there and read them a story? I will lend you the book on the Dance if you wish."
"May I, really?" Shireen asked, excited.
"Just tell Arianne I sent you, and don't tear any pages off."
"I won't, your grace, I promise."
Shireen was so excited, that she exited the room without kneeling or bowing before Jaehaerys. Not like the king minded, as he pressed Stannis to take a seat.
"Your daughter is quite the treasure. She is very well educated and has a sharp mind. You must be proud of her."
"She is Shireen of House Baratheon." Stannis replied. "She beat greyscale, and followed me everywhere I went without question. She has more of a mind than half my commanders, and writes better than I ever have. I would be foolish not to be proud of her."
Jaehaerys nodded, and turned to him, crossing his arms.
"What do you think of me, Lord Stannis?"
"Pardon me, your grace?"
"What do you think of me. Feel free to be honest."
"I would never lie your grace." Stannis frowned. "I know not. My commanders seem to respect you, and you have beaten by brother in battle despite inferior numbers. However, I while I have no doubt you are a good military commander, I cannot say whether or not you are a fine politician."
"And there lies the problem, Lord Stannis. I do not know myself." Jaehaerys sighed. "Which is why I have made you hand of the king."
"May I ask, your grace, but why? Why me? Surely there was someone else. I raised arms against you, my life was yours to take, but you give me the highest honour in Westeros?"
"Because you are talented. And honourable." Jaehaerys responded with honesty. "Killing you? I could have, but what difference would it have made? Should Shireen have lived without her father? My uncle always talked about you with high regard. He said you were a proven battle commander, and a fine politician, although your honesty could bear you ill."
Jaehaerys lunged his hands forward slightly, examining Stannis from head to toe.
"I chose you because there is no one else to trust. I do not want someone that licks my boots and nods like a dog to every order I give. I want a person that is strong enough to make the right, brutal decisions when they matter, and show mercy and compassion when needed. I want someone that can reform this country and King's Landing from the lowest commoner to the lords paramount. I want someone to tell me when I'm fucking up and when I'm doing something right. I want someone with a sense of duty not only to the realm, but to its people, may they be lowborn or highborn. Does this answer your question?"
"It does, your grace."
"Make no mistake, Lord Stannis." Jaehaerys warned him. "If I smell the slightest hint of treachery, I will take your head, and your daughter will not be a proud lady with a large keep and lands, but rather the opposite, I can promise you that."
"I expected nothing less, your grace."
"Good. Then you are dismissed, Lord Stannis. Lyonel will escort you back to your rooms."
"Am I a prisoner, your grace? I thought I was to be your hand."
"There are still people in Westeros that seek to place you on the throne. Not many, but they exist. This is a precautionary measure, so that they may not get to you."
"Is that why I share a room with Lady Brienne of Tarth?"
"Oh no." Jaehaerys smiled. "She has orders to cut you down if you try anything silly."
"What?"
"See it as a test of loyalty. My wife promised her a place in the Kingsguard, but I needed to assure myself that she'd be entirely loyal." Jaehaerys' grin got bigger. "She despised you for betraying your brother. If she killed you, we'd have known that she wasn't to be trusted."
"You used me as bait?"
"As a means to an end. As Hand of the King you are to serve the realm, you just did, you proved to me that Ser Brienne's loyalty is to the realm and not herself or Renly." Jaehaerys shrugged. "Congratulations on your first success, Lord Hand."
Stannis froze for a second, but kept a stoic face as he was led out by the page and a few guards, back towards his chambers. This new king was good, very good. He and his wife had played him perfectly, and with another master stroke, they'd enphasized their point about how his life and that of his family was truly in their hands. But if his interactions with Shireen were any indicator, he cared about her and her condition. He cared about the realm and its people. If he had doubts before, he knew now. Maybe this was the right man to follow.
Arianne
Calm had returned to the castle as the night fell slowly on Storm's End. It had been three days since Jae had managed to sway Stannis Baratheon to his side, and it had been three hectic days to manage the logistics of adding the remaining Stormlanders into the Royal Army, while sending the Reachmen home.
By that time, Arianne had managed to recruit another kingsguard loyal to her. Brienne of Tarth was not only a formidable warrior, but also loyal to a fault, and relentless. With Renly dead, Arianne gave her another oath, to protect the realm by wearing the white cloak of the kingsguard she so desired. It hadn't been hard to persuade Jae, and now the kingsguard had one brand new member, which she'd tasked to spy on Stannis Baratheon in case he got any ideas.
Meanwhile her mother had left for Sunspear to see Quentyn and Trystayne. The boys would probably be ecstatic to see her again, especially Quentyn who had to deal with her father and building a new Dorne, while also keeping tabs on the dragon queen, whose presence grew closer and closer to Westeros with every passing day.
But those were worries for later. For now, her thoughts laid with Daeron and Visenya. Her two children laid in their beds, playing with each other as Jeyne Swann tried to calm them down. The both of them had taken a toll on her, as the birth had been more painful than expected, but she had pulled through. However, the maesters had said it would take some time for her to recover, hence her endless feeling of tiredness over the past few days.
It was the feeling of permanent exhaustion that annoyed her the most. That feeling to not be able to experience as many things as she had before. She couldn't share her bed with Jae, for it would put her at risk so soon after her pregnancy, and would have to wait another moon.
Another trial, she thought. The wait would be insufferable.
Suddenly two knocks were heard at the door.
"Come in." Arianne gestured as she sat upright on her chair, closing the book about the History of the Stormlands she'd barely opened.
"Hello, your grace." Princess Shireen appeared. "I was wondering if I could stay with Prince Daeron and Princess Visenya tonight. I'd like to read them stories."
The Baratheon girl had been a lifesaver. She was by all accounts mature beyond her years, a well-studied and intelligent woman. However, unlike her father, she was much more joyful, and her smile could brighten anyone's day. It was a shame her face was disfigured by greyscale, but she bore that burden with exceptional dignity and strength.
More than that, Shireen loved spending time with Daeron and Visenya, and she and Archibald would often stay up at night reading stories for the both of them. And so, Shireen found herself at her side more often than naught.
This made her come up with a plan. For most of the previous days, she and Jae had to take care of the children themselves, and as such hadn't spent much time together. But this was an opportunity.
"Well, Jae and I did want to have a night to ourselves." Arianne thought. "Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Of course, your grace, they're only babies!"
"Oh, I wasn't talking about them, but Archibald can be a bore, he'll become more interested in the stories than them, and ask a bunch of questions." Arianne smiled. "I wouldn't want to bore you with his presence."
"It's quite alright, your grace." Shireen smiled. "I love any company!"
"Well then, as long as Ser Archibald doesn't mind, then sure."
"Thank you, your grace!"
Shireen quickly left to find the Yronwood knight and Arianne felt relieved. Finally she and Jae could have their night together, their first without Daeron and Visenya since their birth.
"Lady Jeyne." Arianne asked. "Please prepare the children's chambers and have Ser Archibald and Ser Balon on duty, 'tis getting late after all. I'll have the other two dismissed for the night, while Ser Brienne guards Lord Stannis. Then please fetch my cousin, I'd like to speak with her."
"Of course, your grace, but which one?"
"Tyene, if you may."
"I'll do it this instant, your grace. Have a good night."
Lady Jeyne Swann excused herself as Arianne nodded. It wasn't long till Tyene came into her rooms.
"You asked for me, your grace?" she said, half-jokingly.
"Come now, Tyene." Arianne winced. "I told you never to call me that, it's annoying."
"Just jesting, cousin." Tyene smirked. "What did you bring me here for?"
"Well, I'd like to surprise my husband. You may know of my predicament at the moment."
"I'm aware. Oh. OH." Tyene suddenly smiled brightly. "I'll do whatever is necessary to please my king, Arianne."
"I have no doubt that you will." Arianne grinned. "Now let's get you into more comfortable clothes…"
It wasn't more than an hour till the door opened slowly, revealing Jae, who'd likely spent the evening with his council debating on how to approach the capital. He wasn't tired, and looked surprised as he saw Arianne alone in the room.
"Where are Daeron and Visenya?" he quickly asked, planting a kiss on her lips as he shed his sword and clothing, moving closer to her grasp.
"In the other room. Ser Balon and Ser Archibald are standing guard, and Shireen is with them." She answered. "Which means we have tonight to ourselves."
"Arianne, the maesters were very clear. We can't…" Jae started but she just moved a finger to his lips, silencing him.
"I know what the maesters said." She whispered. "But I damn well want to experience pleasure, and while you won't be inside of me for another moon, I think I'll settle with you being inside of someone else."
"Arianne, I won't lay with anyone but you." Jae said, his voice as serious as ever.
"But what if I gave you permission, my husband?" she smirked. "Tyene, would you mind coming, to try and persuade him?"
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"Of course, my queen." Her cousin appeared behind her, wearing a small robe that didn't cover much, outlining every curve in her body.
"Tyene is beautiful, isn't she? Look at that face." She brought her cousin closer and closer to her, until they were virtually on top of each other. "Look at that body."
She moved in and cupped Tyene's jaw, bringing it to hers as they drew in for a long and passionate kiss, their tongues darting within each other's mouths.
"Wouldn't you want her?" Arianne asked as she removed herself from Tyene's mouth and moved back towards Jae, kissing his lips and going down his neck.
"You promised to give me pleasure when I sought it, husband." She chuckled. "Right now, we cannot fuck, but that doesn't mean you cannot bring me pleasure by fucking my dear cousin right here."
Moving away from Jae, she turned back to her cousin and ripped the dress apart in one quick move of her hands, grabbing at Tyene's breasts and suckling them slowly. Quickly, she turned her cousin over and pinned her, Tyene quickly undoing Arianne's dress, leaving her naked as she declined to wear any smallclothes.
Arianne grabbed Tyene's thighs and spread her legs open, before turning to Jae once more.
"Come now, Jae." She smirked. "I want you to fuck her till she is nothing more than a quivering mess. I want you to turn her into your slut for the night. I want her to plead for your seed like Nymeria did. I want you to ravage her, Jae."
"Is that what you want?" Jae asked as he moved in to kiss her neck, pinching one of her nipples as his hands slowly grabbed her from behind.
"Yes, Jae. Fuck her. Make me cum from her cries of pleasure and mercy." Arianne taunted seductively.
"Very well." Jae smiled, taking off his shirt, revealing his muscled chest. "How can I refuse my wife's desire?"
Jae moved to bring his mouth towards Tyen's thighs, but Arianne stopped him right then and there.
"No foreplay." She warned him.
Tyene looked disappointed, but quickly relented as Arianne moved away from the centre of the bed towards the side, waiting for both of them to go at it.
Jae slowly undid his breeches, freeing his manhood and bringing it towards Tyene's now dripping folds.
"OH FUCK, YES!" Tyene cried out as Jae entered her, slowly but surely. "Oh, seven hells, it feels so good!"
Jae quickly moved his cock in and out of Tyene, as he slowly moved his lips over her body, kissing her in all the right places, from her neck to her breasts.
By then her cousin was struggling to keep up, moaning Jae's name with every thrust, but it still wasn't enough for her. She needed Tyene to scream.
"Harder, Jae! Fuck her like a wolf would!" she ordered.
It wasn't long till Jae stopped being gentle. Slowly, his thrusts became faster and faster as Tyene couldn't keep up.
"YES, YES, YES, FUCKKK!" Tyene screamed. "AH, YES, I WANT IT DEEPER, HARDER, MY KING, PLEASE!"
"You heard her, Jae." Arianne smirked. "Slap her arse, I want to her her scream."
Jae did as told and brought his hand towards Tyene's round arse and slapped her. It wasn't a hard slap, but enough to leave a red mark.
"AH!" Tyene screamed out. "AGAIN!"
Slap
Jae's hand came back down on her arse, and Tyene screamed once more, while Jae didn't slow down his thrusts into her.
"AGAIN! I'M YOUR WHORE TONIGHT MY KING, TREAT ME LIKE ONE!"
Arianne smirked, Tyene had such a dirty mouth, and she liked it. She could feel her orgasm building, but she needed more from her.
Slap.
Slap
Slap
With every slap Tyene received on her arse, Tyene screamed out in a mix of pain and pleasure. Finally, she couldn't take anymore as Jae rampaged through her cunt, leaving her a sweaty mess on the bed.
"YES…AHHH...FUCK…AHH…MY…KKAAAH! I'M CUMMING!" Tyene screamed as an orgasm likely ripped through her body.
But Jae wasn't done, and he needed Tyene to be completely broken.
"Harder, Jae, you've been too gentle." She smirked as Tyene raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly, Jae spread Tyene's legs further apart, and grabbed at her throat, choking her slightly. She could feel Tyene's surprise, but her cousin didn't react. Instead, Jae continued pounding at her cunt, biting her on the shoulder roughly, enough to draw blood.
"FUCK YES!" Tyene screamed out "FUCK ME, MY KING, I LOVE YOUR BIG COCK IN MY CUNT, AHHH…YES…YES…I'M YOUR LITTLE SLUT MY KING…PLEASE MAKE ME YOURS!"
Jae continued to ram inside her cunt biting at her shoulder even deeper as he relaxed his hold from her throat. With his free hand, he plunged a finger into her arse, who'd been neglected until then.
"Do you like this Tyene?" Jae asked her. "Do you like both your holes being filled?"
"YES!" Tyene screamed
"Good. Let's try with more." Jae smirked as he moved one more finger, then two, then three, before pushing his whole hand inside Tyene's gaping hole.
"AHHHH!" Tyene screamed, the ecstasy of having both her holes filled likely being too much for her. "I NEED…MORE…MY KING, PLEASE, FUCK! AHHHH YES…YES…I LOVE IT, I LOVE YOUR COCK DEEP INSIDE OF ME! I LOVE WHEN YOU FILL BOTH MY CUNT AND MY ARSE, YESSSSS!"
Her cousin's wild screams were too much for Arianne, who finally came with a shriek and Jae's name on her lips. It wasn't long till Tyene joined her, as Jae biting her nipple was the last blow to her pride.
"I'M CUMMING AGAIN!" she screamed as her juices covered Jae's body once more. This time though, Arianne refused Jae continue pounding inside her.
"Fuck her face." She ordered. "I want you to get your release down her throat."
Jae nodded and Arianne moved towards Tyene, helping her to get upright as she panted on the bed. She guided Jae's cock towards her cousin's mouth, who barely had any chance to register what was happening to her.
"It's huge…" were her last words as Jae's manhood engulfed her mouth.
"MMMPH!" Tyene reacted in surprise, but Arianne shoved her head down Jae's shaft without any hesitation, guiding Jae's hands to the back of Tyene's head, encouraging his to keep them there.
"Don't move, Tyene." Arianne smirked at her, looking at her watery eyes as she knew Tyene struggled to take on the full length of Jae's cock.
Jae hit Tyene's gag reflex quickly, but Arianne pushed Tyene through it. Quickly, she choked for a few seconds, her eyes giving away a few tears, which rolled down her cheeks. Arianne kept her there though, and soon enough Tyene was moaning as Jae's cock was now lodged in her throat.
Seeing this, Jae quickly started thrusting in and out of Tyene's throat, keeping his shaft inside of her, groaning as Tyene only managed to let out simple moans.
"Gurk…gurk…gurk…gurk…hmmm…glug…glug…gurk."
Seeing her cousin defenceless against Jae's cock turned Arianne on again, and she left Tyene to finger herself slightly once more, waiting for her release as the tear, spit and drool covered mess of her cousin made her inching closer to release.
Tyene continued to slobber all over Jae's cock for another minute, spit now covering her chin. Arianne felt herself closer and closer, and with a howl, came once more as she covered her fingers with her release.
It wasn't long till Jae reached his breaking point either. With a growl, he took Tyene and thrust deep into her, her cousin's eyes going wide as she was brought down every inch of Jae's shaft, making him come with an animalistic cry.
"FUCK, TYENE!" Jae cried out as he came down her throat, his seed going directly down as he removed his cock from her mouth. Quickly, Tyene panted, tears, spit and drool mixing with Jae's seed overflowing from her mouth and onto her chins.
Tyene coughed twice, and Arianne as quick to go wipe her off any of Jae's cum that had overflowed, licking her cum-soaked fingers and watching the mess Jae left of her cousin with a smile.
"That…was…amazing…cough…" Tyene managed to whisper, her legs shaking as Arianne noticed she had came again.
Arianne smirked and stroked Jae's cock for a moment, clearing any cum that hadn't gone onto Tyene with her mouth.
"You want to know the best part?" she eyed Tyene with a devilish grin. "We aren't done till you're not able to walk for a week, dear cousin. You're my whore for the night, remember?"
Tyene blushed and stroked Jae's cock for a few minutes, and soon enough, it was hard again.
"Oh." Tyene let out as Arianne smirked, guiding Jae's cock towards Tyene's folds once more.
"Take her arse, my love." She smiled as Tyene got ready to be impaled yet again. "We have all night after all."
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…
The next morning, Arianne stretched her arms, as she saw Tyene sleeping by her side. Jae was already up, as usual, but this time he was on the edge of the bed, already dressed, reading a missive that had likely been slipped through the door. She saw his expression was stoic, and he was frowning.
"What is it?" she asked.
"News from Dragonstone." Jae turned to her with a worried look. "Daenerys Targaryen has landed. With three dragons."
Robb
Here they were, this would be the final battle one way or another. Robb's army was as ready as one could be, and it would be him to lead the charge. Either he would enter Deep Den as the victor, or die on the Goldroad tonight.
His commanders and advisors stood silent in the command tent. Tywin Lannister's thirty thousand troops had reached Deep Den before he had, annihilating his first plan of dragging the Lannister forces through a siege. Though, he knew, time was on his side.
He'd managed to scrape the forces sent at Bitterbridge back to his main force, which had been cut by a third due to the garrisons he needed to maintain, from The Crag to Casterly Rock.
He couldn't count on starving out Tywin's armies at the Rock either. The once mighty fortress was now a half-ruin, and it would take years if not decades to restore it to its former glory. No, he would need to meet him on the field, and destroy him.
"How many men did we manage to rally?" Robb asked, eyeing each of his commanders, while placing a hand over Grey Wind, who had stayed by his side during this entire campaign.
"Three-and-ten thousand, Lord Stark." Brynden Tully answered. "My nephew offered ten thousand more but…"
"I refused." Robb cut in. "I am very much aware, and I thank your nephew's offer to help, Ser Brynden, but this is a unique situation, and I must consider the possibilities. If I should perish in battle today, I will need Lord Tully to do everything in his power to stop any relief of the capital, from Pinkmaiden to the Stony Sept. My cousin, the king, is at the gates of King's Landing, we must not let the Lannisters get to him."
Brynden Tully nodded.
"We have fifteen thousand northmen, seven thousand rivermen and a thousand valemen. The rest of the Vale forces are with Lord Royce at the Antlers." Rickard Karstark added.
"Lord Royce has his orders. He is to reunite with the Dornish-Stormlander host at Hayford whenever they choose to siege the capital. What he can spare are to bar any possibility of the Lannister host retreating through the Gold Road." Robb added. "Do we have any idea on the status of Tywin's forces?"
"Most of his host is comprised of footmen, it seems much of his cavalry was lost in the Riverlands and at the Trident." Stevron Frey replied.
"Aye, but he still has eight thousand cavalrymen." Roose Bolton whispered. "We only have six thousand."
"Six thousand Northern horse are more than enough to plow through their cavalry." Rickard Karstark laughed. "Two of theirs aren't even worth one of hours."
There was some cheering but Robb stood silent, contemplating the map and the location of Tywin's camp.
"We are outnumbered, we night to fight where the woodlands can be used to hide our real numbers, right outside the Key's Hills." Robb pointed to a point on the map, located between two wooded areas. "But we need our own cavalry to be able to charge at the enemy, we need to make use of the plain beyond the hills. It is there where we shall give battle."
There was a rumbling of agreement in the tent, and Robb rose up.
"Ser Brynden, you will have the left flank. Lord Bolton will accompany you there and hold the River cavalrymen." He gestured towards them. "I will lead our right flank along with Lord Karstark and the rest of the Northern horse. Our centre will be led by the Greatjon and Lord Frey, and hold our infantrymen and archers. Our reserve footmen and cavalry will be placed under Alysanne Mormont's command."
The lords nodded and preparations were made. Soon enough, the camp was rustling with activity, as the host prepared itself to march.
His host reached the battlefield early the next day, and Robb could finally see the battlefield. Tywin Lannister had disposed his forces on the plain behind a small stream, and lined up his forces much like him, with cavalry on the flanks and footmen in the centre. Amidst all the banners, none were from houses other than the Westerlands and Crownlands, a good sign, meaning neither Reachmen nor Stormlanders took the Old Lion's side.
Suddenly, he felt a jolt as another horse rushed up to him, and beside that horse, a direwolf matching Greywind in size, with darker fur.
"You don't think I'd let you run into battle alone?"
"Not for a moment." Robb smiled as he recognized his brother Bran. "How was your expedition?"
"Could be better."
"How was she?"
"Beautiful. And too smart for her own good."
Robb nodded.
"We need her family if we are to hold the kingdoms, I've already told you that."
"I know. But I feel like I'm missing something."
"You'll find it eventually. Now it's time to look death in the eyes, for it may be our last day."
"Not today." Bran shook his head. "I don't know about you but I'm not dying before I see Jon again. It's been too long."
"Aye, it has." Robb sighed. "I can't believe it has been two years."
"From bastard to king, a story for the ages." Bran chuckled. "Let's hope we may yet live to see the crown so many of our people died for be placed atop his head. I'll never forgive my self if it was all for naught."
Robb nodded. He hadn't considered the possibility, but it was true that many northmen wouldn't come back to their families today.
"You don't have Longclaw." Robb observed as he looked his younger brother up and down.
"I gave it to Dacey. It was the right thing to do."
Robb nodded, as he watched the last of his rearguard take position on the plains behind him.
"Lord Karstark, are we in position?"
"We are, Lord Stark." Rickard Karstark nodded to his left.
"Let's end this." Robb nodded. "Have archers at the ready."
The first volley stung, but the Lannister forces stayed just out of range, it seemed that Tywin had learnt from Renly's mistakes at Summerhall, and stayed put. Robb needed him to make a mistake.
"We need our wings to bait them out." Robb commanded, and soon enough the word spread to the left flank.
The Northern horse led by Roose Bolton galloped down the flank, but it wasn't much of a charge rather than a disorganized run. He saw Bolton's forces gradually being beaten back by the Westerlander's cavalry, with the erratic northern charge stopped and pushed back towards Brynden Tully's lines.
"What in the seven hells was that?" Robb asked Lord Karstark in disbelief.
"That charge was disorganized, it seems that Lord Bolton may have encountered terrain or swamps?"
"Shit, their right wing will hit Tully unaware, have his forces redeploy towards the woods now!"
Lord Karstark nodded and immediately dispatched a messenger. The message couldn't have come at a better time, as he saw the right wing slam into the Riverlander forces in the distance. However, Brynden Tully was a capable commander, and it seemed like much of his forces had been taken out of the fight with success.
That left his centre left without any cavalry support. As such, the Westerlander cavalry wreaked havoc in the centre, as some footmen started rushing into the fray.
"We need to reinforce our centre!" Lord Karstark pleaded, but Robb stood stoic.
"They'll have to hold." Robb looked attentively at the enemy right flank, as if waiting for something.
"Lord Stark, we need to commit…"
Robb silenced him with a fling of his arm, and pointed towards the woods. Suddenly, three volleys of arrows erupted, decimating the Lannister right flank, as they tried sending cavalrymen to drive out the Northern archers.
"NOW!" Robb sounded the charge, and the right wing sprang into action.
Suddenly, the bulk of the Northern horse ran at the enemy, Robb ahead of the fray, chanting their way towards their opponents on the other side of the stream.
The blow was devastating, as lances, horses and swords collided in unison. Soon, the Westerlander right flank had completely collapsed as Robb was still on his horse, lance in hand, as he struck left and right, swapping his lance for a sword.
He eyed around him, but both Bran and Summer had gone, likely lost in the midst of battle. Greywind was also missing likely hunting down enemy horses left and right. He didn't have to worry about that right now, as he fought his way towards the rearguard, hoping to outflank the enemy centre.
Soon enough, the right wing of the westerlander army collapsed, and Robb managed to take advantage of this opportunity to slam into the Lannister centre, where he was joined by numerous footmen.
This was his moment. He cut his way through the Lannister cavalry with a madman's fury, but at some point, a lance struck his horse in the guts, leaving Robb sprawling on the grass.
His shoulder hurt like hell, but thankfully, his legs were alright. However, his swings were messy, and although he managed to beat back any men thrown at him, the pain in his shoulder started aching more and more.
There was no time to worry about that though, as Robb saw Rickard Karstark approach him atop his horse.
"Lord Stark, take my horse!" the lord yelled but Robb declined.
"That is out of the question, Lord Karstark!" he yelled. "Get the cavalry to reform and outflank the Lannisters attacking our centre, we can end this here and now, that's an order!"
Lord Karstark stood there confuse but finally nodded and went off. Robb sighed in relief. If we had to die, let it be in a victory rather than a defeat. Suddenly, while looking for enemy positions, he found the banner of the old lion floating in the distance.
Smiling, he rushed towards it, ignoring the pain and lunging towards the Lannister forces with a few men. He swiftly dispatched the men guarding the path towards Tywin Lannister. His shoulder ached, but it wasn't going to let it stop him.
Without a word, his blade met Tywin's, as their gazes met through their helmets. Although Robb gained the upper hand, his shoulder pain came more and more apparent with every strike, as he struggled to bring his sword down with every new blow.
He could see Tywin smiling through his visor, as he raised his sword and locked it with Robb's.
"You'll die today, Stark." Tywin roared.
"Aye, but I won't be the last of the Starks." Robb howled back, as Tywin's blade found Robb's shoulder, making him drop his sword as he clutched his injury. "And you'll join me soon enough."
"I'm coming, father." Robb closed his eyes and waited for the blow to come.
But it never did. Instead, he saw Tywin drop his sword, blood gushing through his throat, garbling nonsense as he clutched his wound and fell to the ground, dead.
Robb looked at the man standing behind him, his sword bloodied as he removed it from Tywin Lannister's neck, and offered him a hand.
"Why do I have to save your ass every fucking time?" he yelled.
Robb laughed as he took his sword in hand.
"Thank you, Bran."
"Well don't thank me yet, there' still some cleaning up to do." He said as a few men charged him. "Stand behind me."
The battle lasted a few more minutes until the Westerlanders saw that combat was futile. They were outflanked and slowly being mowed down by the cavalry and footmen. Victory was theirs, and soon enough the Westerlanders were dropping their swords to the ground. Eight thousand men lay dead, seven thousand more were captured, while the northern forces had lost only four thousand men, including Leobald Tallhart and Roose Bolton.
Victory was theirs, and now King's Landing stood alone.
Next chapter: Family reunion.