40. LYANNA XII

Jaehraeys Targaryen!

I am married to the last of the Targaryen, Jaehaerys, third of his name, shouldn't that be his title? I am not sure how many Jaehaerys was there. It was an unbelievable truth. I looked at Jon when we heard Bran. He looked rather afraid and lost, unbelieving at best. But it all made sense. Why else would a dragon bond with him if he wasn't a Targaryen, I felt it was so obvious, that we were rather stupid not to notice it earlier. But why didn't Bran speak before, he only spoke when it was Jon's neck at the stake. But I was thankful he did, later better than never

It was like a dream, not a very good one but not a nightmare either. In one minute, Jon was going to be killed and the next he was the heir to the iron throne and going for a deadly fight for it. Who would have thought?

I wanted to make sure Jon was well. It was too much to handle, I couldn't imagine what he was feeling. His eyes were not focused, he looked so sad and miserable. As he was shackled with the guards, I didn't know how to approach him, then I have my chance when he was dragged to the yard to pacify the angry dragon!

Robb had Ghost locked in the kennel house. You didn't count for the big beast your grace!

Why would Jon pacify him? Why wouldn't he take back what was his with his dragon? His ancestor's weapon? It's his birth right even more than it was ever Robb's but that was Jon, it was fruitless to think of different actions from him. I ran after him but didn't dare to approach the dragon who seemed rather violent but he gave in to Jon's plea. That was something to watch. As the beast went further away, I threw myself in Jon's arms, he kissed the top of my head and asked how I was

"How are you? How are you faring?" I showered him with questions but he kept his silence

"Talk to me Jon, What are you thinking about?" I cradled his face in my hands, looked intently at his eyes and saw his unshed tears. I hugged him hard "You can do it Jon, you will win this thing"

"But on what cost? What I will do to win it, fight my own brother, how many will die in this little massacre?"

Was it a good time to remind him that Robb isn't his brother, I thought not "No one has to die, they can yield, I knew you will return to me victorious, you are the one who will raise our son" he smiled a little as this

"What will you call him? Jeahaerys the fourth?" I joked trying to sheer him up but he didn't take it kindly "Stop that Lya, it's mostly a lie Bran said to save me"

"Bran lied, what about Samwell Tarly?"

"He will also do anything to save me, we were brothers in the night watch"

"Well, if you believe so, suit yourself"

"My father was the most honorable man I ever known" and with a smaller voice "he wouldn't let me be a bastard for all my life if…" his voice broke and he was unable to continue. I wanted to comfort him, take away his sorrow but the guard came back to take him for the combat. I kissed him fiercely and whispered "I believe in you Jon, come back to me"

As I watch him getting away, preparing for the combat, I felt a hand hugging my waist, it was Arya she tried to comfort me "Don't worry, he will come back"

I wiped my tears and said "Take care of yourself Arya. That was a most brave thing to do, I don't know any one as fearless as you" and I gave her a tight hug

"You don't know what Jon is to me" and with a lighter note "He is the one who gave me my sword, my needle" and she raised a tiny sword, I don't know if she can really injure someone with.

I looked at it with obvious doubt but she laughed light heartedly. Shouldn't she use a bigger sword but to be honest, she couldn't carry any heavier weapon. Its Gods will, let it be whatever it was

It was a cloudy and gloomy day. But despite the weather, people gathered all around the yard and in the terrace and windows to watch a one in lifetime combat. Finally everyone was ready. They stood in two parallel lines with quite a space between each of them to give room for the spar.

Jon and Rob were against each other in the middle of the line they were the center of the attention, on their right stood the black fish facing Tormund Giantsbane, two giants with two different swords. I would enjoy such a spar if it wasn't for the dire circumstances.

On their left there was Lord Edmure Tully who pathetically tried to face Arya but when he saw she was lined with Ser Berienne, he backed trying to find an easy opponent and set on Ser Davos. He was indeed a stupid man, Arya would have killed him with the first slash. Ser Davos might not be the most experienced warrior but I still think he will have the upper hand. The man's hold of the sword was embarrassing. There were few valyrian steel in this spar, Jon's Long Claw, Ser Berienne was holding her Oath keeper and Robb Stark carried a valyrian steel sword. The sword looked familiar with its red hue sheen and on a closer look, I could see the lion's paws at the hilt. That was Widows wail, Joffrey's sword. How did it come to his possession? Well, choke with it Stark, it was a bad omen anyway.

For the rest, Larence was facing Ser Harwin, Gendry was facing Ser Gendry of the Hollow Hill, the battle of the Gendries!

Gendry was armored with a huge hammer and a bull helm. Father would have been proud if he saw this. How many times I saw that wish in his eyes. He wished Joffrey would be the same warrior he once was, however, Joffrey wasn't born for it or rather not raised for it. But Gendry was another story. He was the recreation of all I heard about my father's youth. I hope Gendry will smash the hatful sellsword for all what he did to me just as my father did to Rhaegar… would Jon ever forgive that? Maybe I should stuck to the bastard story!

But he married me thinking my family killed his father Ned Stark, now it appeared that he had another father and still my family killed him! What a shameful murderous family I have

Well the last couple were Ser Wylis Manderly and Ser Harlan Hunter, I could hear the blow denoting the start of the combat

My heart was at my throat, I couldn't look at anyone but Jon and Robb

Jon interrupted the horn with the highest of his voice "Wait!" and everyone stopped

"Having second thoughts, Snow?" Robb asked with a smirk

"There is no need for blood, we are all family, ammm we were, losers will yield, let's not slay each other for no necessity. This will be a blade to blade combat. No two will fight one even if their spar was over" All the fighting champions from both sides nodded their accent, some even looked relieved but Robb countered "No, Snow, you are sentenced to death, when we win, we will slay your heads" Tormund make a noise at Robb's answer and the others looked angrier but Jon said again "We still not killing you if you yield your grace" and he looked to his champions almost warning them, they nodded in repressed anger. I thought it was a distant dream, an innocent one not befitting a warrior such as Jon but I knew he was only thinking of protecting Robb and Arya and the rest of his men. But they were sparing with real steal, half with Valyrian steel even, sharp deathly edges. I wouldn't dare to hope

The horn blew again and the castle was dead silent till the first click of Robb's sword on Jon's shield, Robb was charging harshly on Jon who was only deflecting the blows. No Jon don't do that to me, don't get soft hearted now. Jon kept on his defensive way when we heard a cry from Larence who had an injury from Harwin but kept fighting nevertheless. Maybe then Jon realized that they will start to die if he didn't act soon. He started to throw repeated blows on Robb's right side and in a second he attacked the left all of a sudden. Robb barely escaped it but staggered backward, he didn't fall though.

With the periphery of my eye, I saw Arya with her dancing steps disarm Lady Brienne! That was fast enough, I was impressed but the huge lady attacked again with all her body , Arya moving so fast like a cat, managed to escape her and beat her up to threaten her bowed neck with her needle carrying it pointed to Brienne's nape . She demanded coldly "Yield". If lady Brienne tried any move, Arya will pierce her neck killing her instantly. Finally Brienne yield with an embarrassed red face and they both moved to the sides. I could see the relief on Lady Stark's face though Arya kept a ready posture and watched the spar with hawk eye. At the same time many screams were heard, it seemed that Ser Davos, lord Edmure and Gendry were also injured. The blood was already covering parts of the floor.

Tormund and the blackfish were grunting heavily with the deafening sounds of their blows and their cries, they even were exchanging open insults with such a loud voice

And then I heard this horrible sound of breaking bone, Gendry was crushing the armor of Ser Gendry with three successive unmatched blows with his hummer. Ser Gendry died with the third blow and Gendry removed his helm and looked at me while he was panting from effort. I nodded at him, studied him briefly to be sure that his cut wasn't serious. Arya ran to him and they both sat aside watching Jon who was gaining more land and footing in front of Robb but somehow hesitant to give the winning blow

My attention distracted again as Ser Harlan was preparing to give the death blow to Ser Wylis but Wylis yielded at the last moment "I yield , I yield", however Harlan was giving him the blow anyway if it wasn't for Gendry who overpowered him and took the sword from his hand. Harlan protested and cursed loudly. Gendry told him "You won't have the sword back unless you want to fight me" I started to get worried over Gendry, he was injured in his left arm and he usually uses both arms to give decisive blows. How much longer could he continue with such injury?

Beside him Larence was struggling in a bloody fight, sadly all the blood was his own, with Ser Harwin who was much stronger and a bigger man but Larence was tireless moving around like a bee and finally, in what seemed like a miracle, Larence hit Harwin's neck causing a gash of blood with Harwin gasping and trying to stop the bleeding. He couldn't believe it, up to the last blow, He was almost unharmed and Larence was battered and could barely stand, he actually collapsed as soon as Harwin fell to the ground with a thud in a pool of blood.

It was closing near and near to Jon and Robb where Jon kept to this dance around Robb and only beating Robb with his elbow or the flat of his sword rather than the edge. I was almost losing my mind at Jon's reluctance. I can't forgot the tragic death of Oberyn Martell, don't do like him Jon, don't do it please.

Now for the most ridiculous end to the most ridiculous spar, both lord Edmure and Ser Davos fell to the ground with no one of them announced winner. Were they dead, it was difficult to ascertain. I had a wicked feeling they just decided they needn't to die for anyone. Gendry also finished his second spar and eased part of my worries. Harlan only needed few blows to yield, he needn't much convincing really

It was now to the blackfish and Tormund on one side and Jon and Robb on the other. Robb made such a smart maneuver and hit Jon's calf brutally. Jon hissed and started to limb after. My eyes were clouded with tears. I never felt such fear as this moment. I couldn't raise my eyes from them.

Nothing could distract me not even the fall of the two giants on the other side. I was told later that both of them were full of injuries and cuts, people were amazed at their ability to fight despite all those wounds, then came that moment when the blackfish was preparing to give fallen Tormund the last blow and something just snapped inside the old knight and he fell dead to the floor with the astonishment of everyone, and Tormund first of them. People made a lot of noise and chanted and gasped. Jon looked at them with questioning eyes which one of them was half closed from a bad blow. Robb also was no better with two bruises to his face and dried blood from his mouth but he was standing on a strong sure legs, maybe he was favoring one arm over the other, I couldn't see an injury but it seemed aching him.

Soldiers were dragging the dead and the injured out of the way. Both fighters has now a wider range of move. Robb used this and charged on Jon with a great power, Jon steadied himself on the ground and arched backward in such a dangerous angle. I feared he might fall but he didn't and Robb stumbled in front of Jon who tackled him with his sword. Jon attacked over and over before Robb could gain his footing and finally he was able to throw Robb on his back. Loom over him and set one knee on Robb's arm forcing him to lose the sword and with the other knee on his chest, he threatened his neck with his sword

"Yield" he hissed at him and when no answer came forward he hold him from his armor and hit his head violently to the ground and pushed his sword closer to Robb's skin almost grazing it and yelled "Yield, damn you Robb, yield"

I thought Robb will never do it, he tried desperately to use his legs to push Jon off but it was to no avail and after what seemed like ages, he whispered "I yield", if it wasn't for the utter silence of the place, I wouldn't have heard it. I could hear Jon's heavy breathing as he stood to his feet and helped Robb too. He then turned to me and smiled. The silence was shattered with everybody chants and celebrating. I ran to him as did so many others who were hailing king Jon but before any of us reach him, I saw with terror Robb grabbing his sword and lunging toward Jon who had already thrown his sword and was giving him his back

I screamed to warn Jon and he turned to see what was happening when out of nowhere, a huge shadow covered us, and there was Rhaegal looming over Robb and Jon and turning his head to Robb in a pose you can't miss what it meant even if you never saw an angry dragon before

"No, Rhaeghal, nooooo" Jon was running to the dragon waving for him not to attack Robb

Oddly enough, the only one mirroring Jon's action was Lady Stark. From the other side ,she was running in front of Robb in a hopeless attempt to protect him, her eyes fixed in horror on the death looming over them and the sacred fire burnt them both while they hugged each other.

Rhaegal knew his enemy and will do whatever it takes to defend the dragon blood.

The scene will haunt me forever, the fire, the chaos, the screams and the smell. It was one of the worst deaths you could ever imagine. Jon fell to his knees crying in silence. Staring with glassy eyes to the fire that was his brother. I dropped beside him and took him in my arms, it was over at last

I raised my head and looked around me..

Arya had this stony death face but she hugged Sansa who was wailing hysterically

Apart from them, everybody else fell to one knee..