I'm back,

But only for this one chapter. Weekly updates will resume probably in March. Sorry!

I'm posting this chapter earlier than I previously intended because I would like to get my Kenna Tywin focused oneshots/multiple story publication off the ground and most of the people interested in reading that will be reading this story. If you are interested, please see the IMPORTANT NOTE in the Authors Notes.

Other than that, please enjoy the latest chapter :)


Chapter 86: The Winds of Winter

A few days later …

Practice Yard, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Kenna grounded her feet, steadied her breath and visualised her arrow striking the centre of her target. In her mind Daenerys Targaryen stood only fifty paces away. The ache in her shoulders made her loosened the tension in her fingers sooner than she would have liked. The arrow sliced through the air; its sharp point dug into the soft ground right before the straw stuffed circle target representing the Mother of Dragons.

Kenna sighed as she lowered her bow. Her eyes wandered over the numerous uncollected arrows that littered the muddy ground before the practice target.

Kenna bit the inside of her mouth to stop any unqueenly language bursting from between her lips.

"I remember you being a better archer than that," Robb said a few steps behind her.

Kenna flinched at his voice but didn't turn around.

She pulled another arrow from the bucket at her feet, determined to do better. She raised the bow, blocked out the clashing of swords that occasionally erupted behind her and focused on hitting the target. She held her breath and released the taut string.

The arrow sped towards the target but fell short, again. Kenna let out a little yell of frustration and her hands sought to snap the bow she held.

Firm fingers prised the bow away from her tensed hands before her anger could overcome the craftsmanship.

"You will regain your skill," Robb said hooking the bow over the arrows jutting out from the bucket, "But sore muscles require rest."

"When did you see me practice before?" Kenna inquired, looking up into the white sky letting her frustrations out breath by misty breath.

"At Riverrun before you captured Casterly Rock. You hit the centre every time from this distance if I remember correctly."

"I wish to be that good again," Kenna said glumly, rolling her shoulders knowing the cause of her diminished skill.

"I have no doubt you will be," Robb stated, noting how Kenna was stretching.

She nodded solemnly, "Some days it feels like only yesterday Balon was carving into my back and other's just a faint ache."

Robb's comforting eyes sought out Kenna's, "It has only been a few months, with practice and time you will regain your skill and strength."

Kenna let out a self-deprecating laugh, "Kind of you to say but it has been nearly a year and I don't think my duties as Queen over the Mountains will allow me the time anyway."

"I was under the impression the Queen of the Mountain and Vale does want she wants," Robb chuckled.

Kenna grinned back at Robb, spotting the teasing glint in his eyes, "If only that were true. Duty to one's people always comes first; a sentiment I know you share with me."

Robb lips curled so much that they were nearly lost in his solid red-brown beard and moustache.

He picked up the bow, "Perhaps while you rest you could give me a few tips? I am more of a swordsman but I could always do with improving another skill."

A genuine smile spread across Kenna's face, "You indulge me too much."


A few minutes later a loud shout of triumph from the duelling arena behind them caused both monarchs to turn towards the source.

Artys was towering over a downed Ser Mychel Redfort, waving his blunted sword in the air.

"Finally, I got you," the tall King proclaimed with immense joy before reaching down and helping his fellow Valeman get to his feet.

"That would be only the second contest you have won today then?" Robb called out playfully at Artys.

"The first actually," Ser Mychel declared, cutting off Artys response and picking up his sword from the soft ground.

"A sword is not my weapon of choice but Lord Royce insists I learn so here I am getting battered by the smaller man I would simply go through on the battlefield with my great axe," Artys said with a shrug that didn't match up with the competitiveness of his words.

Kenna smiled at the camaraderie Artys was able to build so quickly. Robb had taken a liking to her nephew and it seemed Ser Mychel Redfort had done the same.

"In a few more years your nephew is going to be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Maybe even a Robert reborn if he fills out," Robb stated confidently beside Kenna.

Kenna smiled proudly remembering her recent trip to the Great Sept of Baelor, "He already is off the battlefield."

Ser Mychel and Artys set up for another duel but before they could engage Lord Royce appeared in the practice yard.

"My Queen, my Kings, Daenerys Targaryen has sent a raven."

"Do we think it might be her surrender?" Kenna half jested, half willed.

"If only," Robb smiled back before offering her his arm.

Kenna called out to Artys as they passed the duelling arena, "Are you joining?"

"I have had enough of talking," Artys yelled back keeping his concentration on the tricky swordsman in front of him who was searching for any opportunity to strike.


Half an hour later …

Small Council Chamber, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


"Surely this is a trap?" Tyrion voiced for the whole table.

"Of course it is," Mace Tyrell blustered, "White Walkers don't exist they are just some made up Northern nonsense."

Robb bite back at the annoyance in the Tyrell's tone, "The latter half of that letter was written in my brother's handwriting-"

"You mean the half claiming that dead ice men are coming to kill us all and reign over a never-ending night?!" Kenna scoffed.

The presented scenario was ridiculous.

The vein on Robb's forehead throbbed, "My brother is no liar and before I sailed to Pyke to rescue you, I sent him beyond the Wall to find evidence of the White Walkers. Evidence he has clearly found and shown to Daenerys Targaryen. Perhaps we should allow him the same audience with us."

"Or," Tyrion dragged out, "Daenerys captured your brother, learned of his past activities and sent this letter to draw us out of the walls of King's Landing so her dragons can roast us alive. No need for a messy battle over King's Landing then."

"Here here," Lord Royce slapped the table in agreement with Tyrion's strategic thoughts.

All eyes went to the only other people at the table that had remained quiet.

Tommen leaned forward when he noticed everyone looking at him, "Grandfather what do you think?"

Tywin removed his hand from his chin, "I think it is suspicious timing. Daenerys Targaryen will know by now how well fortified King's Landing is. Perhaps this is a ploy to draw us out of our defensive position. Or simply an attempt to gather all the heads of the houses that oppose her and kill us all under the guise of discussing this .. new threat."

"There has been a precedent set for that despicable type of action," Robb bit out, starring daggers at Tywin.

"Mm," Tywin acknowledged Robb's slight but didn't let it distract from the matter at hand, "Jon Snow writes that he will present irrefutable evidence of the White Walker's existence in a week's time at Harrenhal."

"Are you suggesting we actually go?" Tyrion asked mulling over all the options in his head.

"No," Tywin answered his son, "I am suggesting we get Jon Snow to bring his proof directly to us and if the Dragon Queen wishes to speak of cooperation, she too must come to us."

"She would be a fool to come," Kenna spoke up.

"Why because you would try to kill her?" Robb clarified, still feeling worked up.

"We are at war," Kenna deadpanned.

"And what if the White Walkers are truly coming? What if there is an undead army coming for all of us and you are too blinded by revenge and pride to see it!" Robb fired back while rising from his chair.

"It is up to your brother to convince us of that," Tywin said evenly, taking the fuming King's attention away from the equally seething Queen.

"My brother and his party are to come to no harm and I will greet them if they reach King's Landing," Robb declared spinning away from the table, determined to have the last word.

Kenna alongside the rest of the table listened as his heavy steps receded out the Small Council Chamber.

"Will you send the raven Grandfather?" Tommen asked.

"I will see to that now," Tywin replied reaching for the ink pot and a blank piece of parchment.

Kenna having no desire to waste her time watching Tywin write a letter excused herself from the meeting and Lord Royce escorted her out.


A few days later …

Half a mile from the Walls of King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Tyrion shuffled uncomfortably on his mare as his eyes scanned the sky.

The daunting walls of King's Landing were behind him and he had long left the shadow of those protective walls. His mare nayed loudly and stomped on the lightly snow-covered ground.

A mixture of guards loyal to Kenna, Robb and House Lannister surrounded him and he knew there were thousands of men manning the walls and hundreds of ballistas mounted atop them as well as near a hundred thousand soldiers garrisoned inside King's Landing but none of that would help him if Daenerys Targaryen decided to breath fire down upon them in the coming meeting.

"Relax Tyrion," Kenna said in a calm voice beside him, "If she makes the mistake of swooping down on us with her dragons, she will be in range of the ballistas and they will not hesitate or miss."

Tyrion peeled his eyes from the cold sky and noted Robb's horse nervously shift a few yards in front of them, "That may make everyone inside King's Landing feel better but I assure you being a pile of bones and ash isn't something I will welcome."

"If you have not accepted that possibility why did you volunteer to represent Tommen in this meeting?" Kenna asked.

She had already come to terms with the risk this meeting held and decided her death was a fair swap for the future safety of her children and people if it came down to it.

"I'm the most disposable Lannister left … and I wanted to see a dragon even if it might kill me," Tyrion said casually.

Kenna let out a rich laugh at Tyrion's expense, "You are one of a kind."

"They are coming," Robb announced dragging their attention to the horizon where a a dozen horse riders could be spotted with three dragons flying above them.

After a minute of further silence Tyrion couldn't continue staring into the distance as Kenna and Robb were doing.

"King Robb is here to reunite with his family which is understandable but I recall Lord Royce offering to take your place in this parlay, so why did you refuse him?"

Kenna tightened her grip on her reins, "I wanted to meet the woman who set half my Kingdom on fire face to face."

"You mean kill the woman who set half your Kingdom on fire?" Robb threw over his shoulder, knowing her well enough to understand her real motivations for attending the high-risk meeting.

Kenna cocked her head and furrowed her brow before she kicked on her horse to draw it level with Robb's.

"That depends on the story your brother peddles," she said in an antagonistic tone that contained a hint of mockery.

"This isn't a game Kenna!"

"Just because you don't see it as one, doesn't mean it isn't."

"You will do nothing that might put my family in danger!" Robb thundered at her.

Tyrion saw the heated stare between them and revised his earlier decision to encourage discussion as he guided his mare to squeeze in-between Robb and Kenna's horses.

"How about we wait in silence until Jon Snow and Queen Daenerys arrives?" Tyrion suggested.

Neither monarch responded.


Robb watched carefully as the dragons in the sky and the ground party got closer to their position. His eyes only stopped darting between the dragons and the horses when he identified his brother at the front of the group trotting towards them.

"Jon!" he yelled out as he dismounted and took a couple of steps into the central ground between the two parties.

Jon copied his cousin's movements once his horse came to a halt and the two Stark looking men embraced each other deeply. As soon as Robb relinquished his hold on Jon his midriff was assaulted by Arya.

"I have missed you little sister," Robb murmured into her neck as he supported her entire weight in his arms, slightly twirling her.

"We found Bran," Arya exclaimed excitedly as Robb placed her back on the ground.

"I see," he replied watching as a hooded man pushed Bran's wheelchair towards the reunited Starks.

"Brother," Bran said simply as he joined his siblings in the centre.

Robb knelt down, "I was told you were dead but us Starks are hard to kill."

"You made Ramsey pay for that lie and for Rickon's death," Bran stated indifferently.

"Yes," Robb replied hesitantly, picking up on his little brother's detached attitude.

"You haven't recognised him," Bran suddenly said.

Robb's forehead crinkled in confusion, "Who?

"Me," the hooded man replied above them in a disembodied voice.

Robb brought himself back to his full height, "Who are you?"

The man pulled down his hood revealing his face.

"Uncle Benjen," Robb muttered under his breath hardly believing his eyes, "I thought you were dead."

"I am."

Seeing Robb's puzzlement, Jon explained, "A White Walker killed him beyond the Wall but the Children of the Forest found him and brought him back."

"Brought him back? Children of the Forest?" Robb repeated slowly, the confused look on his face growing.

Arya waved her hand looking between the two men she considered as older brothers, "That doesn't matter right now."

"How is Sansa?" Robb asked happy to move onto a less perplexing topic.

"She is preparing the people of the North to move south into the Riverlands," Arya answered and the conversation delved into the logistics of the evacuation South.

So that is what a functioning family looks like, Tyrion noted to himself with a touch of self-pity as he observed the Starks discussing the North's situation from his elevated position alongside Kenna.

The chatting between the Starks was cut off as Daenerys's dragons announced their landing a hundred paced behind Jon's party with loud screeches and jets of wind that swept through the gathered horses causing a few to nervously flittered around in circles until their riders had wrestled back control.

Everyone turned and watched as Daenerys Targaryen and three others dismounted from the largest dragon and made their way over to them.

Kenna noted the lack of protection, It seems having dragons truly does make you feel invulnerable. Kenna licked her lips, there might be an opportunity to pounce after all.


Daenerys and her three escorts walked through the backend of Jon's mounted party to stand just in front of the still mounted members of the Northern group.

Jon avoided the pleasant look Daenerys gave him and introduced the newcomers, "This is Queen Daenerys Targaryen, her Hand Ser Jorah Mormont, Ser Barristan and Daario Naharis, leader of the Second Sons."

Daenerys took a step forward which was mirrored closely by all those just introduced.

"I expected to be talking to Tommen Waters and his Small Council members," she stated with a serious expression on her angelic face.

"I am Tyrion of House Lannister and I represent King Tommen Baratheon in this parley as Queen Kenna and King Robb do for the Vale and North respectfully."

Daenerys flicked her eyes between the three of them. It was clear that her mind was processing who wasn't present rather than who was.

"You thought this was a trap?" Daenerys deduced.

"If it were, we thought it best not to give you the opportunity to kill the entire leadership of the combined alliances against you in one swoop of fire," Tyrion said watching the dragons frolic in the distance.

Daenerys smirked at the concern her dragons caused, "Your sister and Prince Oberyn were keen to see that outcome but the threat we both face is so much greater than our threat to each other and if you thought I was going to kill you why did you agree to meet?"

"Is it a trap?" Kenna snapped, transferring her focus from the dragons beyond Daenerys's shoulder to lock her eyes onto the silver-haired Queen who had ravaged her people.

Kenna knew that if the petite woman in front of her unleashed her dragons there would be enough time to retreat to the horses and ride back inside the range of the ballistas on top the walls of King's Landing.

"No," Daenerys said firmly as her mouth formed a thin line on her pale face.

"Then why are you here? Your presence isn't required for Jon Snow to present his evidence that dead ice men walk beyond the Wall and he has clearly already convinced you of the threat," Kenna pushed, noticing how the Bastard of Winterfell's gaze was settling everywhere but on the Mother of Dragons.

Daenerys edged in front of her advisors, "I am here to stress that this is a threat that cannot be ignored. The Night King brings death to all of us and only together can we defeat him."

"You have approved assassination attempts on my life," Kenna thundered as her horse crept ever forward so she was level with the Starks and only a few strides away from the Mother of Dragons, "You burned down my childhood home. You cut off the heads of my most loyal vassals and made one of their sons deliver them to me! Your Dothraki savages raped and pillaged their way through my lands. Why would I ever help such a monster as you?!"

A flash of regret, or maybe realization that her past actions had jeopardized the future of the realm, flittered over Daenerys's stunning Valyrian features. But only for a second before the conviction of someone who thought they had a grand destiny to fulfil overrode her momentary wavering of belief in her own judgment.

"Do not speak to me of monsters, Prince Oberyn was inconsolable when the news of his daughter's deaths reached us and Lady Cersei recounted how you butchered a Lady in waiting while Stannis took King's Landing. A King you betrayed after he freed you."

"You give too much heed to what Cersei Lannister has to say and Oberyn's daughters were no innocent maidens but warriors. They died as a result of their actions and their actions alone," Kenna gritted out, remembering Lord Grafton's last gasps for air and the way the dangling bodies of his poisoners had swung gently in the southern wind.

"We will never be friends but do not let the animosity between us blind you to the truth. We face an enemy that isn't human. An enemy that doesn't sleep or show mercy. An enemy that just wants everything to die. He doesn't care about who sits on the Iron Throne. If there is one thing, we share in common it is the desire to live."

Robb nodded at Daenerys's words, they had been measured and well-rehearsed. Unfortunately, she hadn't finished.

"Do not be stupid and let us join forces to fight the Night King."

Shit, Robb thought, seeing the telltale sign of impending violence as Kenna flexed her fingers and urged her horse closer to the purpled eyed woman.

Luckily his Uncle stopped Kenna's fury fuelled advance.


Kenna was about to kick her horse onwards for a berserker styled dash at the Dragon Queen, her hidden blades were primed and she was ready to spring from her horse and kill the person threating the future safety of her children and people but a deathly cold hand wrapped itself around her right thigh.

That cold seemed to seep into her bones in an instant and she looked down to see a strangely familiar face that she couldn't place.

"Kenna," Benjen said up to the mounted woman who looked identical to his former beloved, "Don't let your anger rule you. We need her dragons to face the Night King."

"Do I know you?" Kenna asked bewildered at the fondness the man had uttered her name in.

"We were to be brother and sister once," came the man's raspy tones.

"Benjen?" Kenna gasped out in shock forgetting about her momentary rage, "I was told you were lost beyond the Wall."

"I was," Benjen replied, his dark eyes drank in all of Kenna's features as he kept his firm grip on her leg, holding her back from her baser impulses.

"You look different," she managed to say as her eyes took in his unnaturally pale face.

"You look exactly like Alyssa."

"She died," Kenna revealed with true sadness lacing her words. She knew Benjen had loved her older twin and he wasn't the type of man to forget such emotions.

Benjen looked down to the snow dusted ground then returned his eerie gaze to Kenna, "Alyssa died on Pyke, fifteen years ago."

"She gave birth to a son called Artys."

Benjen said nothing as his mind conjured images of what his life might have been if Euron Greyjoy had never kidnapped his betrothed all those years ago. Maybe Artys would have been his child.

"He takes after his mother," Kenna continued, hoping Benjen would take comfort in that fact as she did.

Benjen nodded slowly at that comment. The moment between them was broken when Bran's ethereal voice filled the air.

"The Night King is gathering his army as we speak. He will soon march on the Wall and the Night's Watch will not stop them. We need to prepare for his arrival."

Dany took this as her cue, "When you decide to join me, my forces will be at Harrenhal."

Kenna watched as Daenerys and her three advisors turned and walked back over to her largest dragon.

"You can let go of my leg now," Kenna said looking down at Benjen.

Benjen removed his hand and Kenna guided her horse back to Tyrion who was observing the three dragons taking off the ground, mesmerized by the beauty of their flapping wings.

Robb looked over the rest of Bran's group, he recognized the Hound's unpleasant face and Jon's lover's fiery hair. The only individual he was unsure on was the small cloaked figure that sat behind the redheaded wildling on her horse.

Robb clapped a hand on Jon's shoulder, "King Tommen's Small Council will want to see what ever proof you showed to Daenerys Targaryen. Let's not keep them waiting."

Jon nodded in agreement, knowing the animated wright in the box wasn't the only secret that he needed to reveal to his cousin. Everyone left in the bitter wind started to move towards the walls of King's Landing as the sound of Daenerys's dragons started to fade into the distance.


Author's Notes:

I feel like I am being a bit cheap in this chapter as I decided to focus on Daenerys's first real interaction with Robb, Tyrion and Kenna over Jon revealing the wright outright (will happen next chapter in King's Landing where more characters can witness it) but there were nice moments with the Stark reunions, Benjen & Kenna, Dany vs Kenna and the slight fraying of Robb & Kenna's relationship.

If it wasn't clear, characters like Tywin, Jaime, Mace, Loras, Royce, Artys were held back from the meeting because they are the one most capable or useful in a siege (commanding and fighting) and are the ones that should be risked the least in this situation. Kenna & Tyrion are near useless in a siege really (Tywin or Jaime would command Lannister forces, while Royce is the commander of the Vale forces with Artys being a good fighter). Tyrion and Kenna (when not totally pissed or pissed off) are the ones best place to 'read' Dany in a negotiation format.

Kenna doesn't believe in the Night King threat whatsoever. She only attended the meeting to take the opportunity to kill Dany if it presented itself (which I admit is a bit suicidal but she is still hurting over what happened to the Vale and if there is one thing Kenna hasn't quite learnt to control it is her temper and desire for revenge). She isn't underestimating the threat Dany possess, unlike with the Night King, and is willing to sacrifice herself to take her out or draw her dragons within range of the ballistas.

Reminder – Jon's parentage is known to all Starks but Robb so Jon knows his relation to Dany and his true place in the line of succession for the Iron Throne but is being typical Jon and focusing on the Night King first.


IMPORTANT NOTICE:

For those that love the Tywin & Kenna or Tywin/Kenna vibes this story goes for please consider reading a new story from me entitled 'When the Lion and the Falcon Meet' (See my profile). It is basically a place for me to put all my one-shot, multi chaptered ideas that revolve around Tywin and Kenna that don't belong in 'Dance of the Falcon' universe. E.g Prison AU, Pirate AU, etc.

I am planning to add 'What if' scenarios at the end of Dance of the Falcon as well (E.g What if Lysa's betrayal was discovered before she could let the Lannisters & Tyrells in? What if Tywin married Kenna? What if Stannis had listened to Kenna and not betrayed her? What if Robb had married a Frey?)


Reviews:

Supremus85 – Robb is certainly the most willing to listen to Jon and take the risk to meet Daenerys in an open field. Now Jon has the chance to convince the entirety of the Iron Throne Alliance in King's Landing.

Mister LaGuardia – I agree that Robin & Shireen are weak rulers but they are really just puppets for Dany to use in claiming fealty from the Vale and Stormlands. Robert was a great war time usurper or King; he just was rubbish at peace time. Thanks, the Kenna & Artys relationship is one of the few wholesome ones that I have cultivated for literally the entire story and I am really enjoying showing Artys as an actual player now that has agency. On the Mychel point, I don't quite understand, by 'her' you mean Dany, right? Ser Mychel Redfort is loyal to Kenna.

With Jon it was a case of he bumped into Dany first as everyone is ignoring his ravens. But your point is right that Jon comes off as looking a bit friendly with Dany to the POV of Kenna & Tyrion. Dragonstone the castle was blown up but not the entire island and dragonglass can be found elsewhere as well. The fallout continues next chapter as well. I wanted the Dany interaction this chapter but I couldn't justify all the main characters in King's Landing risking their lives to meet Dany in the open so the reveal of the wright to the characters in King's Landing will occur next chapter.

DannyBlack70 – Kenna is definitely vengeful and it is making her a bit reckless. I think Jon's 'evidence' is a bit irrefutable so there will have to be some sort of truce when everyone gets onboard with the Night King's threat. The real reaction comes next chapter :)

Ser Dorito of Aisle 13 – Never played COD. She totally would but I feel Dany would do the same back. A turncoat is a good idea but I can't speak more on that subject (SPOILERS).

Ksyuangel – He totally is, isn't he :D Soon to be two sides. This chapter only dipped it's toe into the possible Dany vs Kenna interaction and I planned many many more!

Guest (commented 4/01/2021) – That is up to Jon and Dany XD

Guest (commented 5/01/2012 on Chapter 17) – I mean it would be hard wouldn't it? But if you continued reading you know Moat Catlin doesn't fall.

Shadow Wolf 15846 – Yep it is the beginning of the end! I think I have at least thirty more chapters though :P


Next Up: Winter has arrived in King's Landing and Sansa says goodbye to Winterfell.

If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!