Knock knock – New Chapter!
I did some minor edits to the Jon & Robb conversation in the previous chapter just to give some of Robb's remarks extra gravitas.
Chapter 101: Dragonseed
A few days after Highgarden's capture
Main Hall, Highgarden, Seat of power of House Tyrell (Targaryen), The Reach
Robb and Jon walked into the spacious hall together. The room was brightly lit by the sun streaming in from the high windows which lit the path towards the heavy oak table. The long table could have easily seated over twenty people but what was left of Daenerys's council and ally leaders could only occupy seven chairs.
Daenerys sat surrounded by Grey Worm on her left and Daario on her right. Melisandre sat next to Grey Worm while Oberyn and Trystane sat opposite the former Second Sons Captain and Red Priestess.
Oberyn's voice reached them as they approached, "The wolves are here may we start your Grace?"
Jon didn't hear Daenerys's reply. His attention was taken by Melisandre's dark eyes tracking his every move. Robb sat opposite Daenerys, next to Oberyn, while Jon seated himself beside his cousin trying to avoid the Red Woman's intense stare from the other side of the table.
"I understand that we are ready to leave Highgarden," Robb said to Daenerys, "Your dragons have recovered, our armies have resupplied and are well-rested."
"We are ready to move," Daenerys confirmed, "but by now the ships that left Casterly Rock will have reached King's Landing. They will be preparing for our arrival and therefore we need to agree on a plan to break through their defences."
"My daughters are still prisoners," Oberyn stated loudly, "Before we attack I would have them safe."
"My wife and child are in their clutches too," Trystane added quickly from Oberyn's right.
"Lady Shireen, Lord Robin and Lady Sansa are also behind the walls of King's Landing," Daenerys said before turning to Robb, "Do you think they will trade all their prisoners for Lord Royce?"
Robb shifted in his seat as everyone turned their heads to him, "Queen Kenna values him highly enough to do so but I doubt Lord Tywin and Lord Loras would agree."
Daenerys glanced to the Dornish contingent, "We must try. Prince Oberyn since most of the prisoners are of personal interest to you, you can lead the talks to swap hostages."
Oberyn acknowledged the command behind her reasoned words.
"I would like to accompany Prince Oberyn," Robb said.
"No," Daenerys said firmly, "Our enemies have shown they are as resourceful as they are deceitful. I am tired of falling into their traps. I will risk only one of my advisors in a trade talk attempt."
Robb swallowed his disagreement to school his face. He knew his place here. He may be her husband but she was his Queen.
Jon sensing his cousin's silent dissent pushed on to tactical matters, "Do we have a plan to take King's Landing?"
Daenerys looked squarely at the black-haired Northman, "I have dragons."
"Even with dragons taking King's Landing will be hard," Robb said keeping his voice even.
"Why?" Daario asked, picking at his fingernails with a small knife.
"Presuming our aim is to capture the city and not reduce it to rubble our hosts will be forced to breach one of the main gates of the city then march through the streets and do the same to the Red Keep. Since we have no fleet, we cannot attack the Mud Gate and must concentrate on a frontal assault on the western walls which our enemy will know and prepare for accordingly," Robb answered, trying his best to not let the foreigner's lazy tone get under his skin.
"I intend to rule not to destroy," Daenerys replied.
"In my experience, the ability to do the former is normally granted because you can do the latter," Oberyn chimed in.
"We have roughly the same amount of men," Robb said, ignoring the Prince's remark, "They have the walls of the King's Landing and the Red Keep as well as the commanders who can make that defensive advantage count."
"My dragons will bring those walls crashing down."
"Perhaps, but like any weapon, their effectiveness in our coming battle will be determined by how we use them," Robb responded.
"They are not weapons; they are my children," Daenerys thundered.
"With respect my Queen," Robb said, "they are the most destructive weapon Westeros has ever known and if we are to take King's Landing and to rule from the city, we need to discuss how to use them."
"We can use the dragons to take down the walls," Grey Worm said bluntly, "We can pit our advantage against theirs."
Robb turned to Grey Worm sensing a fellow strategist, "Yes, but they also have ballistas mounted on top of the walls which as far as I understand have the capability to pierce dragon scales."
Daenerys frowned at this revelation, "I have already lost one child I will not lose another."
"Exactly, this is why we need to-" Robb started before Daenerys frustration took over and her strong voice cut him off.
"My dragons will destroy these balistas, blast apart the gates and burn those who oppose me. They will give me the Iron Throne."
In the next moment, Daenerys was rising from the table and stormed to the door, followed by Grey Worm, Daario and a few steps behind them Melisandre who cast her gaze more than once back at Jon.
Oberyn turned to Robb, "A Queen she is, a battle commander she is not."
"You know just as well as I do that those ballistas are a threat," Robb remarked, holding back the frustration.
"Of course, but your wife will calm down and see you speak the truth. Give her time and she will seek out your advice or perhaps later tonight in-between the sheets you could push the subject," the tanned Prince winked at Robb before leaving the room with his nephew.
Robb shook his head before leaning towards Jon, "Are you sure you want to reveal who you are to Daenerys? She's rash and impulsive. All she wants is the Iron Throne and you have a better claim to it than her."
"All her life she was told of how her family lost their lives and the Iron Throne. She sees it as her destiny to get it back for House Targaryen and I do not intend to stand in her way. She can rule the Seven Kingdoms. I want no part in that."
"Why tell her at all then?"
Jon hesitated and his jaw tightened, "She is all alone. She thinks she is the last Targaryen with no family. I know what it feels like to be cut adrift to think everyone is against you. I want her to know that she still has family left, that she doesn't have to feel so alone."
Robb sent him a sad look, "I'm sorry you felt that way."
"It wasn't your fault."
"Daenerys will be with her dragons calming down if you want to talk to her today," Robb said getting up from the table, "I pray she takes your news well; sleeping next to an angry dragon is not a comfortable experience."
Same day …
Outside the wall of Highgarden, Seat of power of House Tyrell (Targaryen), The Reach
With the walls of Highgarden behind her, Dany stood, petting Viserion snout lovingly as Rhaegal finished the remnants of a sheep carcass nearby.
She knew she had reacted badly to the news of the ballistas capabilities but as soon as Robb had mentioned the threat to her remaining children all she could think about were Drogon's dying shrieks, how her child had withered on the ground in pain, the smell of his blood sticking in the air and in her lungs, and how the Night King had walked slowly towards her with nothing but death reflected in his eyes. She shook her head to rid her thoughts of that dark memory.
I will not witness another of my children die, she promised resolutely. But King's Landing will fall to me.
Viserion suddenly lifted his large head and she flickered her eyes over her shoulder to see where her dragon's attention had gone. She saw her husband's bastard brother passing her Unsullied guard and gingerly walking up to her, occasionally glancing up at Viserion as he came closer.
Has Robb sent his brother to appease me? Daenerys wondered.
She had been married a few weeks to the Young Wolf and from how he treated her gently behind closed doors and deferring to her in public he was a suitable wartime husband that bolstered her strength with his host and skill on the battlefield without challenging her leadership. But she knew their marriage would never go beyond a political convenience. They would not grow to love one another as she had done with Drogo. She could tell Robb Stark wanted children and when she could not provide them his accommodating attitude would sour and his usefulness to her reign would diminish as his resentment of her barren condition grew.
Jon got within ten metres of her and stopped abruptly, "My Queen?"
"Lord Snow, normally when I come to see my dragons I don't want to be disturbed," she stated curtly without turning around.
"Aye, Robb and your guards informed me but I insisted I needed to speak to you."
"Well, if you are willing to stand in the presence of my dragons and risk my wrath then it must be important," Daenerys moved away from Viserion to face Jon. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Jon opened his mouth but a sudden gust of wind swept over him and he ducked to the ground. Rhaegal landed behind him and flapped his wings trapping the black-haired man between the dragon siblings.
Jon looked between Viserion, who towered above Daenerys, to Rhaegal whose form now cast a shadow over him.
Daenerys smiled at the protective nature of her dragons, "It seems my children are just as interested as I am in what you have to say."
Jon steadied his breath and regained his full height. As much as he felt Daenerys needed to hear she wasn't the last of her house he also needed her to know who he was. Jon had had enough of secrets.
"Robb told you we shared a father, Eddard Stark, but that isn't true."
"He lied to me?" Daenerys said narrowing her eyes as the conversation took on a darker, edgier, tone.
"Forgive him, he only did so to protect me."
"Who are you then?" Daenerys asked, ready to command her dragons to attack if Jon made any aggressive moves.
"My mother was Lyanna Stark and my father was Rhaegar Targaryen," Jon blurted out as if it was a burden to hold onto the secret any longer.
Daenerys's face scrunched up and she took a step backwards, "Are you telling me you are a Blackfyre? My nephew?"
"I am your nephew but I'm not a bastard. Rhaegar married Lyanna before Robert's Rebellion."
"That would mean you have a claim on the Iron Throne," Daenerys said behind hooded eyes as she backed away further.
"I don't want to contest the Throne," Jon said quickly noticing Daenerys's movements, "I don't want to rule. I just want what is best for the North and its people.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I saw the loneliness in you. I thought you would appreciate knowing that you aren't the last Targaryen," Jon saw the hesitation and disbelieve still on her stunning Valyrian features, "I'll renounce my claim if that is what you want."
"No," Daenerys snapped, "You can't renounce something if you don't have it. Can you prove what you say is true?"
"How can I?"
Daenerys looked above Jon, "If you are truly my brother's son then you have the blood of Old Valyria in you and you should be able to bond with one of my dragons."
Jon followed Daenerys's eye line to Rhaegal above him who in turn looked down at him with interest.
"Is that necessary?"
"You want to prove you are a Targaryen this is your only chance."
"And if I can't bond with one of your dragons?" Jon asked, hiding his fear well.
"Then you are lying and this is some Northern conspiracy to claim the Iron Throne after I have won it."
"There isn't your Grace!" Jon said forcefully back, "My parents were Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. I am your blood!"
"Prove it," Daenerys said, climbing up Viserion to sit on his back.
Jon reluctantly turned to face Rhaegal who promptly spread his wings and roared at the man standing before him.
Jon took in a deep breath as he stared up at the green and bronze dragon. Rhaegal was huge, not as big as Drogon had been but still easily bigger than any inn he had visited. He could sense Daenerys watching him from behind his back atop Viserion, judging his every move.
He took a step forward and Rhaegal sent out another shriek at him. Jon closed his eyes and steeled himself. He had to bond with this dragon or Gods know what Daenerys would do to Robb. He chastised himself for not listening to his cousin but he had so desperately wanted to connect with the only other Targaryen in existence.
"Stay calm," Jon said and it was as much a message for himself as it was for the dragon he was creeping towards.
Rhaegal snorted out a puff of smoke but tucked his wings back as his beady eyes took in the man cautiously stepping forward. Jon recognized the gleam in the dragon's eyes. It was just like when Ghost was deciding to heed his summons or run away. This was a pivotal moment.
Rhaegal pushed up with his front claws so he extended in the sky to loom straight above Jon. He imagined the fire raining down upon him any moment but then Rhaegal's head dived towards him.
He's going to eat me?! Jon panicked as he saw large teeth flash right before him but the anticipated pain never came.
The dragon's head was resting fully on the ground in front of Jon, it seemed the large beast was waiting for something. Jon stuck out a shaking hand and patted Rhaegal's snout.
The dragon let out a low whine before gently pushing back against Jon, causing him to fall over. When he got back to his feet Rhaegal had lowered one of his legs. Jon took the invitation and slowly climbed up the dragon to mirror Daenerys's position on Viserion.
Jon couldn't see the finer details of Daenerys's face but her silence indicated her surprise at his success.
"What do I do now?" Jon shouted at her.
"We fly together as family," Daenerys replied before urging Viserion to take to the skies.
Without any encouragement, Rhaegal followed his sibling and mother as Jon just held on with all his strength as he ascended through the air towards the clouds.
Author's Notes:
Anybody else getting the feeling Dany relies too much on her dragons? She definitely didn't appreciate Jon's secret or the fact Robb hid it from her but she has her own secrets too (barren).
Jon the Dragonslayer and now Dragonrider! Things could have gotten nasty if he hadn't bonded with Rhaegal but luckily disaster averted. Hope this chapter gave you a little snap shot into how the Targaryen Restoration Alliance is working together or how close to combusting they are lol.
I know by my standards this was a relatively short chapter but the next one will make up for that I promise.
Reviews:
Supremus85 – You were correct and no one dies in the next chapter either so there is time for you to get your red clothes dry-cleaned from the Long Night and ready for the Battle of King's Landing! Oberyn is going to be so crushed … I can't wait! I think so too, the story just hasn't called for many scenes between them. Thanks, I wanted to get Robb's point of view across in that conversation while also demonstrating that Jon isn't really in a position to judge Robb too harshly.
Mister LaGuardia – You got one reaction in this chapter. Dany was naturally suspicious and thinking the worst (Northern conspiracy to take the Iron Throne) but Jon's bonding with Rhaegal is proof that he is Rhaegar's son. She will have to accept this now Jon is also a dragon rider but she will naturally keep her doubts about Jon's claim to not want the Iron Throne and Robb's involvement in hiding another claimant to the Throne from her considering his background in side swapping … Oberyn is about to do something impulsive and self-destructive for sure! Mmmm not sure on the waiting game comment because the Targ, Dornish, North alliance are all fuled with the same desire to take King's Landing (Dany for the Throne, Oberyn/Trystane for Tywin/Kenna heads and the Dornish prisoners, and Robb for Tywin's head and Sansa.
Chris141linardi – Good because both sides have valid points to want the other dead and I actually wanted to write a story where readers could understand/root for either side. I think I'm going to have to do a 'What if' scenario where Robb didn't betray Kenna and see how her promise would have played out because so many people are wondering if she would have kept her promise or not. I think you are like the only one shipping Robb/Kenna but don't worry they will have their moments in the coming chapters :D
KvotheMaedre (commented Chapter 1) – Oberyn doesn't know, only the Starks knew and now Daenerys but I think she will want to keep that quiet for as long as possible.
Antares Graceford – Jon's moves in this chapter are not smart, he reveals his identity because as much as he thinks Daenerys is lonely, it is actually he who is lonely or at least wants to connect with another Targaryen. Dany was probably hoping Rhaegal would have roasted Jon's ass but now she has a nephew who is a dragon rider but claims not to want the Iron Throne and we'll just have to see how she copes with this in the coming chapters as the Robb-Jon relationship will be a worry to her now. She may think that Robb will want to place Jon on the Throne if he became unhappy with her. Most of her advisors are dead lol. As a captive Yohn wouldn't get that opportunity as he doesn't know and no one would go out their way to tell him. The Northerners know Kenna helped them but they will follow their leaders (Robb & Jon).
Guest (commented 24/03/2021) – I've played a bit now (CKIII) and it is so much fun but I hate the inheritage laws … cuts my power in half each time my leader dies and it makes me not want to continue my campaign also it takes so long to get money and build stuff which is realistic I suppose but so very annoying as I'm used to the building/financial system in RTWII. Is there a GOT mod for CKIII?
Fandom – Aw, I'm not sure it's that good but thanks :) I have scenes which are definitely rated M so I can't change it down to T. My main POVs are Kenna, Tywin, Robb, Tyrion and occasionally I will use someone else if the situation calls for it like Sansa, Jon or Daenerys.
'Kersei" – that would be so toxic lol. Robb/Kenna = Kobb (lol) Tywin/Kenna doesn't really come up with any good ones, maybe Tyna – I don't know I don't really do shipping.
Guest (commented on Chapter 86 on 24/03/2021) – Added your ideas to my document. Thanks!
Guest (commented 25/03/2021) – Even the truth is murky though!
Guest (commented 25/03/2021) – They do but it comes down to Robb not thinking Kenna would give him want he wants, what she promised she would. They had a great war time and fellow monarch relationship going on but after her capture and imprisonment in King's Landing it was always going to be hard to reconcile them due to Kenna's involvement with House Lannister.
Guest (commented 25/03/2021) – I think just like with the Iron born it is hard for traditions to die so the Dothraki wouldn't just seamlessly fit into Westerosi society, I think they would continue to pillage and rape even if Daenerys forbit it because that is their culture.
Guest (commented 25/03/2021) – Jon is in a dangerous position and also Robb now as Daenerys is suspicious and it will always be in the back of her mind that Jon has a better claim and her husband hide that from her and that once she doesn't give him children maybe he will see Jon as the better Targaryen on the Iron Throne so he can remarry etc.
Goxo – To me that is just character development, Kenna adapting and changing based on her experiences throughout the story but I get that it is sad. Tywin is obviously not a 'good' person and the more Kenna binds herself to him the less 'good' people see in her. But there aren't many truly 'good' people left in the story and I'd argue after the Greyjoy Rebellion and her sister's rape Kenna was predisposed to protecting what she loves no matter the cost, hence she didn't bulk at Tywin's deal to give her Lysa & Littlefinger (Father and Sister's murderers/caused Eyrie downfall) if she gave him Lannister heirs (via him and not her husband/Jaime). Kenna also knows the only other person who would protect her children as much as she would is Tywin.
Would Kenna actually betray Tywin and honour her promise to Robb? Well, she has never broken a promise she has made so past behavior would suggest she would have but then every interaction she has with Tywin demonstrates that her relationship with him is more complex than sperm donor and they actively seek the other out for advice and comfort at this stage in the story. It's a complex one: Enemies – Lovers – Allies – Parents.
Robb learnt from the Red Wedding(s) that he needs to place his people above his heart and he did have feelings for Kenna which have obviously been polluted by her bonds with House Lannister. Robb is married to Daenerys so they are kinda a love interest/match already.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention."
DannyBlack70 (commented on Chapter 98) – That seems to be one of the main sources of mistrust and hesitancy surrounding her character with readers which is to be expected. She isn't an angel. Be careful what you wish for it might end up actually happening xD
Tohka123 – Thanks! These past chapters have been focusing on those little moments because there won't be time to do so later … Robb is especially haunted by the Red Wedding and in general a feeling of letting the North down. He may regret not overruling Jon's desire to tell Dany his true identify but in his defense he probably thought it would strengthen the Stark-Targ bond as Jon doesn't want the throne, only to support Dany but again they don't really know Dany so her reaction might not be what they expeted.
NightlyRowenTree – Your welcome and thanks for reading Tree :)
The World – I think I actually watched some of his videos like last year but I can't really remember them that well but if I liked anything I probably incorporated it into my story.
BlackWatcher1234 – I know right! But as I stated in my reply to Tohka123 Robb thinks the reveal would strengthen the Targ-Stark alliance and Jon thinks Dany would welcome him as a long-lost family member because he has no designs on the Iron Throne. You were right on the dragon bonding; Rhaegal is Jon's dragon now and I think Dany will be jealous of one of her children having bonded with another. You'll just have to wait for the battle to commence to know how that all unravels.
David Daniel B – We have had a few 'calm before the storm' chapters now and I think there is at least one more then the storm comes marching to the gates of King's Landing. Is that a solid prediction?
Next Up: Kenna makes a hard decision that splits her heart in two and reveals a secret, Artys seeks out answers and finds a calming touch, Tywin gives a gift and says goodbye.
If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!