Hello,
The reaction to last chapter was insane; guess you didn't see Robb's betrayal coming or at least some of you didn't and some of you expected it xD
Chapter 97: The Bastard that Flew
Morning after the Long Night …
Kenna's solar, Guest chambers, Tower of the Hand, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Tyrell, Lannister, Arryn), Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
The roaring fire in Kenna's solar was keeping the winter's air at bay and a cosy blanket of warmth had settled in the spacious room. Kenna and Tyrion were reclining around a table that faced the fire. The table's surface was covered with a bowl of grapes, stacks of letters, a few books and a metal jug of water. Behind them Genna sat behind a large battered desk, that had writing materials on it. Yohn and Jorge sat cross-legged on the surface of the desk, looking up mesmerised by the large blond woman that was talking them through the dramatic retelling of Lann the Clever's story.
Kenna turned her head back to see her twins giving Genna their full attention, "How does she do that? I can't get them to stay still for more than five minutes, especially when Yohn is in an exploring mood and Jorge wants to be carried everywhere."
"It can't be the story; they aren't old enough to actually understand what my Aunt is telling them. Maybe she has a face children like?" Tyrion offered, stifling a yawn.
"Are you suggesting I don't?" Kenna jested before sinking back against the pillows on the recliner, "I hope they live long enough that they will understand stories. I have so many to tell them."
"Come now Kenna, your children are safe in King's Landing," Tyrion scoffed beside her.
Kenna raised her bandaged hand, "You believe that?"
"Let's review. The Sand Snakes cell door was open and the old guard stationed there was stabbed to death and missing a belt."
Kenna gently rubbed her bruised throat, remembering the feel of that leather belt on her skin, "Is there a possibility that Obella seduced the guard then killed him on her own?"
Tyrion let his hand slip from his chin, "No, the body was found right at the door and the blood would suggest he wasn't moved. I would guess someone stabbed him then took his key. Besides someone must have told the Sand Snakes where you like to spend your evenings and which tunnel led to the library."
Kenna nodded, "Someone in King's Landing wants me dead but is unwilling to get their own hands dirty."
"Well, that is a shorter list to go through than those that want you dead in Casterly Rock."
"Not a comforting thought," Kenna glowered.
A childish giggle filled the air and a faint, "Mama" could be heard but Kenna didn't let her twin's joyous tones distract her from finding her would-be murderer.
"There are only two possible culprits – if I discount any Lannister influence from your end of course – Margaery and Robin."
Tyrion rolled his eyes at her remark but sensed her blame leaning towards Lysa's bastard, "You think Robin is capable of eluding his guards and stabbing a man to death?"
"He is no longer a sickly boy. He probably discovered some hidden passages of the Red Keep during his childhood, just as I did, and he does want me dead for Lysa's execution–"
Tyrion cut in, "Not to mention from his perspective you also usurped the Weirwood Chair from him as well."
"Robin has motive and the knowledge, but is he really capable of stabbing a man to death on his own?"
Tyrion flicked his head back and forth, "I wouldn't discount Margaery; she hides it well but she has never forgiven you for throwing her into the Black Cells when Stannis took over King's Landing and it wouldn't be difficult for her to arrange the Sand Snakes escape."
"No," Kenna murmured, stroking her cheek, "It doesn't feel like her. If she wanted me incapacitated, she'd have gone for my children and wielded them against me. Releasing the Sand Snakes was sloppy. If they had been captured, they could have been made to talk. Margaery wouldn't take that risk if she moved against me and why would she? She knows I don't desire the Iron Throne, that I'm no threat to Steffon. The Tyrells, Arryns, Lannisters – we all need each other – at least until Daenerys Targaryen has been dealt with."
"So, you think it was Robin?"
"I can't see who else it could have been."
A single knock at the door took everyone's attention.
"Come in," Kenna called.
Qyburn rapidly shuffled into the room with a serious expression that didn't sit well on his weathered face.
"Qyburn? You only wrapped my hand a few hours ago."
"Your Grace, I come not in my capacity as a healer but as your Master of Whispers."
"How intriguing!" Genna exclaimed, causing Qyburn to turn towards where she sat. The twins too, were looking at the plain robed man with familiar interest.
"We are waiting," Kenna encouraged, wanting to show trust in her alliance with the Lannisters.
Qyburn's kindly face dipped slightly, "Lady Sansa and Lady Shireen were caught trying to escape the Red Keep by way of the underground tunnels."
Kenna blinked. "When?"
"My children found them before dawn and brought them to me. I came immediately to you as soon as I was aware of the situation."
"Was there anyone else with them?" Tyrion asked.
"Yes, Ser Davos and Jojen Reed."
"Suspicious time to try to escape wouldn't you say?" Genna said to Kenna, "Just after an attempt on your life."
Kenna said nothing, not wanting to believe Sansa had any involvement with releasing the Sand Snakes but couldn't confidently state otherwise. The problem with intrigue and trust was that you never really know who is on what side till the end of the game. And this game was still being played.
"Take me to them," Kenna demanded bluntly and when Tyrion made to follow her, she waved him off, "Stay with my children."
"Genna will stay with the children. I'm coming with you."
"Fine," Kenna said, following Qyburn from the room with Tyrion behind her.
"Sansa is just inside, your Grace," Qyburn said as they reached an iron barred wooden door then pointed to a similar door opposite, "and Lady Shireen is in there."
Kenna grasped Qyburn's arm with her good hand, "Thank you Qyburn. Keep an eye on Robin and make sure your children continue to cover all tunnels exiting from the Red Keep."
Qyburn bowed slightly and left Tyrion and Kenna standing together.
"Tyrion, talk to Shireen. I'll do the same with Sansa," Kenna said, tapping on the wooden frame of the door.
"You're nervous," Tyrion said, taking in her apprehensive stance.
"Sansa is one of the few people I actually like and respect. I consider her a true friend."
"And now she has been caught fleeing the capital on the eve of an assassination attempt on your life. You think she broke the Sand Snakes out in the hope they would murder you?" Tyrion said, picking up the direction Kenna's mind was going in.
"I don't want to think she would move against me but the situation is damning."
"Holding an empty wine cup at Joffrey's wedding was damning and I didn't kill the little cunt so I don't think you should condemn Sansa just yet. Hear what she has to say," Tyrion urged.
Kenna bristled at the cautionary nature of Tyrion's remarks, "She isn't your wife anymore; it isn't your job to protect her."
"I know, you annulled our marriage to make it so but I can't see her doing it. Her mind doesn't work like that."
Kenna retracted her fingers from the door's wooden frame and took a deep breath before pushing through into the cell.
The room was dimly lit with some natural light making its way down through the small window at the top. Opposite Kenna at the very end of the cell, Sansa sat covered in shadow with her back against the wall. Her face was obscured by darkness but there was something defeated and sullen in the captured girl's posture.
She walked directly up to Sansa, noting how her Tully blue eyes tracked her all the way. Kenna sighed trying to ignore the throbbing pain in her neck and hand as she came to a stop a few metres from Sansa's curled up form. The questions she had to ask were burning in her throat but she didn't particularly want to know the answers if it would confirm the redhead before her was behind the Sand Snakes attempt on her life.
"How did you escape?"
"Lady Shireen and myself aren't prisoners," Sansa finally said, a tremble going through her voice, "I thought we were free to move as we wished."
"The little bird act may have worked when you first arrived in King's Landing but it has grown old. How did you traverse the tunnels?"
"Jojen knew which path to take."
"How?"
Sansa shifted forward and brough both unchained hands to her face to rub at her eyes, "Because he is the new Three-eyed Raven."
Kenna cocked her head, Jojen Reed, the new Three-Eyed Raven? That means … Bran Stark is dead.
"The Night King won?" Kenna asked, her mind rushing through all the actions she would need to do if that were the case.
Her frantic thoughts came to a halt as Sansa shook her head.
"Jojen said that the Night King was defeated but Arya and Bran died."
Kenna saw the familiar pain of losing a love one etched onto Sansa's face. She wasn't lying.
"I'm so sorry Sansa," Kenna said stepping closer, her first instinct to comfort her friend, before the gloomy environment reminded her why they were there. "I know their deaths will leave a black hole in your heart and the urge to block out everything is overwhelming. You will be afraid to feel again, it's understandable. But try to, as hard as it is to feel pain and loss, it is much harder to feel nothing."
Sansa sniffled but looked directly at Kenna, "Is that what you feel, nothing?"
Kenna looked down at the ground as images of her sister, father and mother flashed through her mind.
"Sometimes. Other times I feel regret but lately around my children I feel … warm. Did Artys and Lord Royce survive? The Lannisters?
"I don't know," Sansa answered honestly.
"What else did Jojen tell you?"
"Just that the Night King was defeated."
Kenna sent Sansa a disbelieving look, "What of the armies? Daenerys's dragons? What is happening at Casterly Rock?"
"Jojen doesn't see as much as Bran did."
"Still, why would news of the Night King's defeat prompt you to run from King's Landing? From me?"
Sansa wiped away the silent tears that were running down her cheek and visibly tensed her jaw.
Kenna bit down on her tongue as her mind processed Sansa's silence. I'm missing something. She started to pace the length of the cell. Sansa nervously watched her go back and forth, resting her hands on her knees.
Why would Sansa flee? She knows I mean her no harm. We are allies. She mothered Yohn and Jorge when I couldn't.
Then it hit her.
There was only one reason for Sansa to flee from her. They were no longer on the same side. Kenna slapped the wall with her uninjured hand and rested her forehead on the stonework as the cold sting of betrayal sank into her stomach.
"Robb bent the knee. House Stark fights for the Dragon Queen now."
Sansa nodded reluctantly, knowing her friend would see through any attempted lie.
How could he do this to me? Treacherous bastard! Kenna forced herself to swallow her rage and wait out the pain that squeezed at her heart.
"Is that why you let the Sand Snakes out?" Kenna asked, when she trusted her voice to hold firm, "If they killed me then Robb wouldn't have had to. He could have had a clean conscience."
"What?" Sansa said, squinting in the dim light.
Kenna raised her cloth wrapped hand towards Sansa, "Well they tried but alas I'm here and they aren't."
"I don't understand …"
"You deny letting the Sand Snakes out of the Black Cells?" Kenna said slowly, turning her face to scrutinise Sansa's for any sign of deception.
The girl had practically grown up in King's Landing having a first-row seat to the machinations of the Court. Learning how to lie first hand from the very best and what the consequences were when you were the worst.
"I only tried to escape with Lady Shireen, no one else," Sansa gestured to Kenna's bandaged hand. "What happened?"
Kenna leaned her back against the wall and pulled at the fabric on her shoulder to reveal the dark black bruise that went around the entirely of her neck.
"Last night the Sand Snakes paid me a visit in the library, tried to strangle and stab me to death. Luckily, Lord Tyrion was there to rescue me. Another debt to a Lannister I owe now."
Sansa's eyes widened at the large bruise and she pushed back off the wall to rise to her full height.
"Our houses maybe at war now but I would never facilitate an attempt on your life. You saved me in King's Landing when I had no one else. I don't forget those that have helped me."
"It appears that your brother does!" Kenna shouted, straining her voice immediately and causing her to have a coughing fit into her hand.
"Robb did what he thought best for House Stark and as King in the North that was his decision to make."
"All he has done Sansa, is break another oath. He vowed to fight with me against Daenerys Targaryen as I vowed to join with him against the Lannisters. He broke that pact, not me. And he is no longer King in the North."
Sansa didn't reply but watched as Kenna's head fell forward, "You and Lady Shireen weren't prisoners before, but you are now."
"Look at me," when Kenna lifted her head Sansa continued, "All I did was try to stop Lady Shireen experiencing the horror of what it is to be a prisoner in King's Landing."
"I am not Joffrey! I wouldn't harm her as he did to you."
"You don't control this city alone Kenna. Shireen would still be a prisoner for you, the Tyrell or the Lannisters to trade and use at will. No Lady deserves that!" Sansa spat out.
Kenna bit the inside of her lip and shook her head gently. "Your right no one deserves that. Was Robin not worthy of your rescue attempt?"
"We tried but he wasn't in his chambers."
"He wasn't in his chambers …" Kenna repeated softly. I think I know where he was.
Sansa sent her a confused look, knowing she had revealed something of importance.
"You are now a prisoner of war Lady Sansa. But for the memory of your father, your friendship to me and the protection you gave to my children when I was unable, I promise you will live in comfort and no harm will come to you while you are under my care. I promise the same for Lady Shireen. The quarrel I had with House Baratheon died with Stannis and I have no desire for it to be carried on to another generation."
"I promise too, that when Daenerys Targaryen takes King's Landing, I will plead for your life."
Kenna let out a bemused chuckle, "That is … oddly comforting but I'm afraid your efforts would fall on deaf ears. I'd rather you plead for my children's lives if the worst comes to pass."
"Yohn and Jorge are no more than babes they pose no danger to Queen Daenerys," Sansa said, clenching her hands together at Kenna's insinuation.
"Perhaps the Dragon Queen is as merciful as you think and perhaps, she is not."
"I have a matter to attend to now," Kenna said dismissively, turning away from Sansa and striding towards the cell door.
"What are you going to do?" Sansa called out, noting a swagger in Kenna's step that she hadn't had when she walked in.
"Something I should have done a very long time ago."
An hour later …
Roof top of the Tower of the Hand, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Tyrell, Lannister, Arryn) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
The light wind jostled Tyrion's hair, "Are you sure about this?"
Two grey bearded Arryn guards stood by the walled edge of the roof. Between then was a gagged Robin with his hands bound behind him.
"His guilt is confirmed by both Sansa and Shireen's stories. He wasn't in his chambers when Sansa and Shireen sneaked in and the guard posted at his door never left his post all night. Robin must have used a secret passageway in the night to get to the Black Cells."
"He hasn't confessed?"
"No, there has been a lot of crying and sniveling though," Kenna said with distain.
"You can see how this might look–"
"Yes, it looks like I am executing my brother without a fair trial so I can claim the Weirwood Chair uncontested but we both know that Robin isn't an Arryn but a bastard and is therefore not entitled to a trial and nor is he a claimant to the Weirwood Chair and he just tried to have me killed."
"If he confesses you could exile him instead," Tyrion suggested.
"Please," Kenna scoffed, "Daenerys Targaryen would find him and install him as Lord of the Vale if she wins this war and do you really think in that scenario, he would let my children live?"
"No."
"No," Kenna repeated for effect. "He dies Tyrion. You don't have to be here to witness it."
"Someone must."
"Take the gag off," Kenna ordered to the guards as she walked towards Robin.
When she got within an arm's length Robin started to whimper, "I didn't do it! I didn't do it!"
"Shut up," Kenna said slowly, using her eyes more than her voice to silence the feeble young man in front of her. It amazed Kenna to think that Robin was the same age as Artys and Tommen. All three were bastards, two were Kings and one had tried to kill a Queen.
"Where were you last night?"
"I was in my room sleeping," Robin cried.
"No, you weren't."
"Says who?!"
"Lady Sansa and Lady Shireen, and I'm more inclined to believe them, than you."
It was at this moment that Kenna saw the cogs turning in Robin's mind and he dropped the weakling façade, knowing there was nothing he could say to sway the vengeful woman in front of him.
Robin started to struggle against the two guards holding him, "You killed my mother and stole my birthright! Did you expect me to do nothing when an opportunity arose to get back at you?!"
Kenna paused, taking in the transformation of sickly boy into conniving would-be murderer. He really is his father's son.
"So, you admit to freeing the Sand Snakes?"
"You can't kill me. I'm your brother! You would be a kinslayer. You would be cursed forever! Send me into exile. I'll go to Essos."
"You had no problem becoming a kinslayer yourself last night," Kenna countered.
"The Vale would never forget this. You would be mentioned in the same breath as Jonos the Kinslayer."
"Maybe I would but you will not trouble my sons as you have me."
Kenna gestured to the guards who wrestled with Robin to bend him backwards over the edge of the wall.
"Stop! I'll renounce my claim on the Weirwood Chair! Stop!"
"A worthless statement. Queen Daenerys would just legitimize your claim again and even if she is defeated you would always be lurking in the back of rebellious Vale Lords' minds."
Robin's screams of panic filled the air as only his legs could be seen. The rest of his body dangled against the outer wall of the roof. He was no doubt imagining his landing on the hard ground of the stone cobbles below.
When his screams turned into sobs Kenna approached and sat atop the wall near one of the guards holding onto Robin's legs.
"When you were younger, you enjoyed throwing things out the moon door. You loved to watch them fly. Did you ever wonder where the toys went? Or how Lord Lynderly, Lord Belmore or Lord Waxley felt when they were falling through the air? If ever there was a lesson that you should have heeded it was the fate of those traitorous Vale Lords."
"Please," Robin wailed, trying one last time to save himself, "Have you no mercy?"
"Mercy belongs to the Gods," Kenna declared before flicking her wrist.
Robin's screams lasted for as long as he fell through the air and ended with a faint thud to those on the roof.
Kenna didn't even look over the edge, she rose from where she sat and headed to the door.
Tyrion followed in her footsteps, processing the manner in which Kenna had coldly dispatched a boy she had once considered her brother. Or perhaps that perception of Robin had been replaced with the image of a sneaky bastard wanting to take the Kingdom of the Vale from her and her children. Tyrion rather thought the truth was somewhere in-between those two points.
"What would you have done to Sansa if she had let the Sand Snakes out?" Tyrion asked.
"Why are you asking that?"
"House Arryn has historically close ties with House Stark, a relationship some would say is mirrored by their leaders."
"Not anymore," Kenna said bitterly, "are you trying to imply I won't treat Robb Stark as an enemy?"
"It is a big step friends to enemies although, I suppose you have experienced it the other way around with me."
"My enemies are those that threaten the well-being of my children and my people. I crush my enemies. By supporting Daenerys Targaryen Robb Stark has become my enemy."
"Not House Stark, just Robb Stark?"
Knowing what Tyrion was driving at Kenna decided to get to the crux of the issue, "Sansa has done no harm to me."
Tyrion nodded, wondering what worried him more; that Kenna wouldn't view Sansa as a hostage to be haggled over or that she would.
As they passed the Hand's study Genna called them in and to Tyrion's surprise Kenna accented and walked through the open door to stand in front of the Hand's desk. Her fingers danced over the table top as her eyes fixated on the vacant chair behind it.
Tyrion knew all too well who she was thinking about.
"That's a pretty necklace you're wearing," Genna said, eyeing the thick black line just above the Queen's collar.
Kenna, knowing full well she wasn't wearing a necklace just drilled her eyes into the Lannister Lady. She wasn't in the mood for jests.
"Did I see a falcon flying outside the window?" Genna started again, standing by the mentioned wooden panel and peering out of it.
"No," Kenna finally answered, the adrenaline of the encounter with Robin fading, "it was a mocking bird, and it was falling."
Genna let out a rapturous laugh, turning around from the window and joining Kenna by the front of the desk as Tyrion watched the two women carefully from the doorway.
"I can see why my brother chose you. Fierce, determined, smart and arrogant. Just like him in many ways. Did you not think it might have been better to kill Robin Stone in a more traditional way? Or perhaps just let him rot away in the dungeons and die of an infection?"
Kenna felt the sharp rebuke in her words but her eyes went to the bandage wrapped around her hand and her mind to the previous evening when Obella had been strangling her to death.
"He tried to have me killed and represented a threat to my children," Kenna said defiantly, resisting the urge to rub her throat. "He had to die."
"All true but there are subtler ways to achieve the same result, my dear."
"It is the tradition of the Vale to kill those that have wronged House Arryn by pushing them out the moon door. Since the Eyrie was destroyed, I improvised."
"Bravo," Genna said with a luscious grin on her rosy lips, "I appreciate someone who can think on their feet but it doesn't make what you did any less foolish."
"Please excuse me. I want to be with my children," Kenna said, having had enough of Genna's cutting remarks.
Tyrion let Kenna pass through the doorway before giving his Aunt a reproachful look, "Do you have to antagonize her?"
"I'm not antagonizing her. I'm testing her."
"Oh? And what have you found out?"
"Any woman that can kill a man then go play with her children moments later is a woman I'd rather have on my side than oppose."
"A good thing she is our ally then."
"For now," Genna said as her gaze went to the window.
Author's Notes:
Gods, I missed writing Kenna Arryn! I especially enjoyed writing the Sansa & Kenna dialogue here because it was an emotionally charged scene with Kenna finding out about Robb's betrayal which not only loses her an ally in Robb but one of her only true friends in Sansa. The Tyrion & Genna bit at the beginning and the end were just fun to write as well.
I think Robin being the culprit behind the Sand Snakes release is going to surprise a lot of people. I liked this death because it underlines that although Kenna is by nature a vengeful and ruthless person, she always has a reason (protecting her children) for why she kills. But as Genna alludes to, she doesn't always pick the most subtle ways to dispatch her enemies.
Robb and Dany struck their traitorous deal on their way to Casterly Rock so Sansa knew nothing of it as she was already on her way to King's Landing with Kenna. I do think Robb would 'sacrifice' Sansa in this way as during the Wot5K he refused to trade Jaime for Sansa & Arya but he does have Lord Royce in his back pocket right now – will he seek to trade Sansa & Shireen for Lord Royce? Would Daenerys want that trade too?
REQUEST: Can guests who comment please give themselves a name? It makes it easier for me to see if it is the same person commenting or new people. Thanks!
RIP
Robin Stone (Dropped off the roof of the Tower of the Hand)
This death had been coming for a very long time and literally no one guessed he was responsible for letting the Sand Snakes out! He is the son of Littlefinger people! For Kenna, this death was about protecting her children's claim on the Vale and justice for the Sand Snakes attempt on her life.
Reviews:
DannyBlack70 – I PMed you but I'll repeat for others. The Robb that turned traitor here isn't canon Robb. This Robb survived the Red Weddings, beheaded Theon a boy he considered a brother, fought and won a Northern Civil war against Ramsey, been manipulated to join Kenna's war against Dany and been jerked around by Kenna for the past few years. Let's just say he is a bit more bitter and has been pushed to his limits and he wants Tywin Lannister dead and doubted Kenna's sincerity in wanting to achieve that same goal. Yes, all the Starks know about Jon's parentage. I think a few people wish Tywin dead lol.
Antares Graceford – Haha! There are reasons for and against Robb's betrayal which make the action both defendable and despicable. Sansa had no idea about Robb's impending betrayal I imagine she is pissed he didn't wait till getting back to King's Landing to reveal his deceit because that would have been better for Sansa and more damaging for the Crown but … Starks.
NightlyRowenTree – Thanks! I like a few plot twists then and again but not too many or they become meaningless.
David Daniel B – Well no, Sansa wasn't responsible and Kenna is not inclined to simply kill her off, nor would she if Sansa had been responsible, she would be a highly valuable prisoner to swap with say Lord Royce or threaten Robb with. Kenna has two twin boys – Yohn jnr & Jorge – she doesn't have a daughter. Your welcome :)
Ser Dorito of Aisle 13 – Yes, you aren't the only one to suggest a Kenna & Robb secret double cross team up and I can't lie it is a cool idea and one I did play around with in the early planning stages of the story but I felt it would have been too .. wishy washy? Too ta da .. no ta da! You know? I already did something similar with the Kenna & Stannis arc as well.
Mister LaGuardia – Yes, he does. Most Houses are down to very little members now xD Robb's strength is certainty not his political skills. Yes, more bitter, not smarter – a good way to put it! I think the prime opportunity to strike would have been in King's Landing with the Lannisters, Arryns, and Tyrells none the wiser and he would have probably ended the war and given Dany the Iron Throne in one swoop.
Guest (commented 08/02/2021) – I agree wholeheartedly!
Supremus85 – For canon Robb, yes but not the Robb that has endured what he has done in this of people thought it was Sansa but she didn't know about Robb's betrayal (which will be a point of contention between them). Haha, I'll take that as a compliment :)
Guest (commented 08/02/2021) – Yes, Robb fucked up on the Frey marriage thing as it led to the Red Weddings and the Stark Arryn alliance failure in the Wot5Ks. On military matters Robb is on it but politics isn't his arena. Robb judged Dany would give him something he thinks Kenna wouldn't, Tywin Lannister's head.
Guest (commented 08/02/2021) – A lot of people didn't xD Thank you :) Is Robb that far gone? Killing babies is a line not many people have crossed.
Guest (commented 08/02/2021) – He has certainly lost the moniker of Eddard's shining honorable son now. The worst part of his betrayal is the fact he essentially left Sansa in King's Landing to become a prisoner … again. It wasn't an easy decision for Robb though. You got Kenna's reaction here and the answer to the Sand Snake mystery.
Pupyluv247 – Haha I wonder who you are rooting for lol.
Lazy to login – I felt the degradation of Kenna & Robb's relationship was only going to end one way – betrayal on Robb's part. Dany can give him what he wants with no cause to doubt her unlike with Kenna's promise. Kenna is tangled in and at the centre of the Lannister web.
Chris141linardi – Yes, I'm getting that from a lot of people! I don't think he could pull of a trick on both Dany and Kenna. Robb's perspective is that he still rules the people of the North just without the title and he is is King of the Seven Kingdoms now as Dany's consort King. That would have been a cool idea but the animosity between Kenna and Robb is real so they don't have the working relationship to come up with it (see reply to Ser Dorito of Aisle 13). I put a lot of effort into the Long Night to make sure it and the outcomes were interesting and entertaining so thank you! Tywin maybe one of my favorites but no one comes out of the Long Night as anything other than battered!
Tohka123 – Good! My foreshadowing was working, yay!
Ksyushangel – lol *villainous laugh* ;) Teddy bear = a cuddly toy which Lord Royce is and must be protected at all costs. He is like the Grandpa we all deserve. Well, he got his face practically sliced in two … it is going to leave a mark.
BlackWatcher1234 – It is the latter of your two suggestions which is correct, and scarily accurate you were! Except about Jojen, he still lives. You are right that team Dany is on the looting/supply run and they are heading to the Reach. Daario's 2,000 Second Son's were killed during the Long Night. No, she didn't leave reserves anywhere as they were fighting the NK so there was no point keeping reserves since every living solider was needed in the Long Night (end of the world battle). Very true on Lord Royce, he has made enemies in his support for Kenna and his actions to defend her.
Krasni – Yes it has, or at least I tried my best to foreshadow it. I think Kenna would have had a hard decision to make if Dany had been killed during the Long Night because you are right, Kenna has a strong connection/begrudging respect and admiration for Tywin and if there is something that would test her resolve to keep her promise to Robb for Lannister revenge it is that connection and the fact that with Tywin alive her children are more protected simply because he is their father and would do anything to protect them, like Kenna.
Next Up: Daenerys moves her forces, what is left of the Crown Alliance's armies return to King's Landing, and Kenna begins to feel isolated.
If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Section 4, which focused on the Long Night is officially over after this chapter and I'll be taking a short break (most likely be back in April) to reassess section 5 of Arc III/3. I hope when I return you guys are still here to ride the roller-coaster that is Dance of the Falcon with me!
PS: If you want to make me smile, please send me your 'what if' scenarios on this story that you most want me to write about when the original arcs of DotF is complete e.g What if the Eyrie didn't fall during the Wot5K, or what if Brandon & Alyssa still married after the Greyjoy Rebellion, or what if Kenna married Tywin instead of Jaime, or supported Stannis fully as her King etc.