King's Landing 300 AC.
Dany.
She, they, were married, they were as one and though most of the day now seemed almost like a blur to her, she found she cared not. Tomorrow she'd remember it all more clearly, for tonight she'd simply enjoy the fact she was now a married woman. Looking out on all those who were dancing, speaking, and having fun, she found she wished to be here and yet not at the same time. Aurane and her had danced alone together for the first dance and then she'd danced with Jae while Margaery had danced with Aurane.
Her nephew had teased her, complimented her and somehow made their own dance together go far more quickly than it should have, something she was most grateful for. He'd told her that he couldn't stay, that he had to leave, and that Ellagon would be coming with him. Margaery would give her the details when she wished them he'd said and so she'd nodded and accepted it, wondering if it was more she was thinking of her husband than that she had no reason to question what it was Jae was up to.
After he'd left she'd noticed the change in Margaery's mood and had felt bad that her own was so good. It had made her think of all the times that Jae had to leave because he had things to do, all the times he'd had to leave his wife alone and it brought up some worrying thoughts. Aurane noticed her distress and soon enough she was back thinking on thoughts that were anything but worrying, Dany realizing that the time was almost coming for them to be heading to their bed. It made her both nervous and excited too, the thoughts of them laying together were ones that she'd had more than once, especially the closer it got to the wedding. For now though she sat at the High Table, his hand in hers as they spoke to those around them, Dany barely listening and hoping she wasn't being impolite.
"You both make such a beautiful couple, princess."
"It was truly a wonderful day, long will it be remembered."
"I expect you're like I was on mine own wedding day, thinking of the night to come, my princess".
Who'd said what was unknown to her, Dany finding the voices almost mingling into one. Lords and ladies would come to the High Table to leave them gifts or to exchange pleasantries and Dany would repeat almost the same phrases over and over. It was only when her aunt was standing in front of her and she answered her with one of her stock answers that Dany even noticed it. Shiera looking at her before breaking out in laughter and Dany finding herself shaking her head and apologizing.
"Forgive me, Aunt." she said embarrassed.
"There is nothing to forgive, niece. It warms my heart to see you so happy." Shiera said smiling at her.
"I am aunt, truly I am." she said and Shiera looked to Aurane who was speaking to one of the Lords that Dany didn't know.
"As is your husband, niece." Shiera said and Dany smiled at that, seeing it in Aurane's eyes that he was "You should move around the room, niece, make ready to say your goodbyes to those present by first doing so to those you wish to."
"I.." she said looking to Aurane and feeling him squeeze her hand, her husband letting her know he'd heard what Shiera had said and agreed with her. "You're right, join me, aunt?"
"I'd be delighted to."
Dany leaned in and kissed her husband's cheek before rising to take Shiera's arm, her aunt telling her once again how truly happy she was for her and her words warming her heart even more than it already was. She looked to Margaery and gave her a small nod and then began to move around the room, stopping to talk to those she wished to and to those who moved her way.
Her first stop was the table with most of the children, Dany finding herself laughing when Arya, Lyanna Mormont, and Joy told her how much they'd enjoyed the day and when the two northern girls asked her why she'd gotten married. Her explanation did not go down well with either of them, both saying they'd never marry and Joy saying one day if they found the right man they may not wish to live up to those words.
After speaking to them, she then moved to where Sansa was sitting with Willas, thanking the girl for her work on her dress and for helping to make her day so very special. Sansa blushed which to Dany's mind made her even more pretty and as the girl told her how amazing the day had been and how happy she was for her, Dany noticed the looks she gave Willas beside her. Her own betrothal was well known and it seemed that just like she had been over the last moon, Sansa too was counting down the days to her wedding.
She spent some time speaking to the ladies of the West, Lady Genna, Lady Dacey, Lady Ashara, and Lady Dorna, all complimenting her on her dress and wishing her the best for the future. Jae's two cousins from the North, Lord Robb, and Lord Cregan she didn't get to speak to, as both men were far too interested in the ladies with them. Lord Robb was already married and Cregan soon to be, so she felt no true desire to disturb them. Instead, she left them to dance to their heart's content and moved to speak to Oberyn, his wife, and his daughters. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes were all more than happy to see her, though it was soon Arianne and Tyrion that she found herself in front of and then sitting beside.
"You are happy, sister?" Tyrion asked her, something he'd done more than once today.
"Very much so, brother, I believe you know the feeling." she said and he laughed as he took her hand in his.
"I do, he's a good man, Dany, I'm happy for you." Tyrion said and she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"As if that wasn't enough to make me happy, I'm to be an aunt soon, all is well?" she asked as she looked to Arianne whose hand went to her stomach.
"All is well, Dany." Arianne said.
They spoke for some little time, both Tyrion and Arianne more than happy with her company and yet it was clear they both know she'd much rather be spending her time with somewhere else and with someone else.
"Go and say your goodnights to the queen, Dany, the time has come for you to depart." Tyrion said and she looked at him with a smirk.
"You wish rid of me, brother?" she asked, her smirk even bigger now.
"I do, I do." he said with a chuckle as he pretended to push her away "Go you've stayed more than enough time to be proper, Dany, now go and do some improper things." Tyrion said and she found herself blushing as she nodded.
Shiera had left her alone when she'd moved to Tyrion and so it was alone that she walked across the floor, Dany bumping into a clearly drunk Harrold Arryn along the way. Though he apologized and looked fearful when he realized who it was he'd bumped into, he also had another look on his face. One that she didn't much care for and so she was glad when Lady Kinvara moved to her side.
"Princess, may I say how wonderful you and your husband both looked today." Kinvara said catching her by surprise with the way she said it.
"My lady?" she said turning to her and not seeing Harrold make his way away from them both.
"Forgive me, princess, I fear the drunk lord was about to make a fool of himself, and here and now is not the time for such."
"I thank you, my lady." she said though she was unsure if she agreed with her, or if she thanked her truly.
"I am most pleased to see you so happy, princess, on behalf of my fellow priests and priestess and at the behest of my god, we wish you nothing but good fortune and happiness." Kinvara said her voice and expression far more true as she did so and Dany found herself touched by the gesture.
"I am most thankful, my lady, truly." she said before she moved to Aemon and Shiera who were sitting at the High Table.
She looked to where she and Aurane had been sitting and for the briefest moment when she couldn't see him and so she worried, only to then notice that he too had taken the chance to do as she had. Aurane at present speaking to his brother and goodsister and looking her way with a smile on his face. Aemon wished her well and she was hugged both by him and her aunt before she then made her way to Margaery, her goodniece very happy to see her.
"You are ready?" Margaery asked here before Dany could say it herself.
"How did you know?" she asked curiously.
"You have the same look that Jae and I wore on our own wedding night, Dany." Margaery said and she giggled before she was embraced by the queen.
"I...you and Jae, I thank you both." she said and Margaery whispered that she'd nothing to thank them for and to go to her seat and she'd make the announcement.
She'd no sooner sat down than Aurane was beside her, her husband kissing her lips softly before taking her hand and holding it in his own. Margaery rose and Dany felt that she had been a little grateful that she'd come to her. Propriety wouldn't allow the queen to leave before she did, especially with Jae not here and she doubted that Margaery wished to be here any longer than needed. Not as a slight to her, but with no Jae and with Elia without them both, it was with her daughter that Margaery would wish to be and not here.
"My Princes, Princesses, My Lords, and Ladies, Hood Sers. On behalf of his grace and myself, I thank you all for the good cheer and humor you've brought to my goodaunt and her husband on their most special of days. The time has come for them both to depart and so I'd like you to join me in wishing them well. To Princess Daenerys and Lord Aurane." Margaery said raising her glass.
Once the cheers had died down, Aurane took her hand and they rose, both of them walking quickly to the nearest door. Tonight they'd be staying in the Royal Apartments and would be doing so until they departed back to Dragonstone, something she found herself even keener to do as soon as she could. It was no longer just her seat, it was to be theirs and something about that made her even happier. Sandor, Grey Worm, Belwas, and Ser Bonifer made sure that the few calls for a bedding were ignored and soon enough she found herself standing face to face with her husband in their room.
"My love." she said feeling his arms go around her and then she was lifted into them, Aurane carrying her into their bed chamber and Dany feeling her heart begin to race at the thoughts of what was to come.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Jaime.
Jae had told him what he needed to do and for the first time that he could remember, Jaime had truly felt the reluctance in him to do so. He didn't wish to leave, it was the last thing that he wanted and whether it was the fact he was a father now and so Jaime could relate to him more or Jae's expression when he told him, he had no fear or worry for him when he left. Apart of course from the normal fear and worry that he felt for him when he did almost anything that was.
Since Elia had been born, Jae had been even more true to his word about not getting involved in the dealings of the realm, unless it was related to the war to come. Jaime had expected to have to stand in even more, that even with Margaery here, she'd not truly be here. Yet it proved very much different and though he had offered to either meet with her in her rooms so that she could be with Elia and Jae or to hold fewer meetings of the Small Council, Margaery had wished for neither.
Now though with Jae having left during the wedding feast the night before, Jaime made his way to their rooms to make the same offer and he felt sure this time it would be accepted. He looked to Arthur and Arryk who were guarding the door and nodded to them both before Arthur nodded back and he was bid to enter. Margaery sat at her desk with Elia in her arms, she was speaking words that Sansa wrote down for her. Her mother, grandmother, and Ellaria all sat speaking to each other on the couches, each of them waiting in case they were called or needed and he was glad to them helping her so.
"Read that last part back to me, Sansa." Margaery said and Jaime heard the words which were something to do with the budget for Sarella's work "That's good, put it with the others, I'll sign them when she decides to sleep." Margaery said looking at him with a small smile on her face.
"The princess giving you trouble, your grace?" he asked looking to the babe in her arms.
"She misses them, Jae and the dragon, I find she relaxes when I hold her but I fear she knows they're not here." Margaery said, her voice though not sad, wasn't happy either.
"Ghost?"
"Out hunting with the pack, he'll be back later and she'll relax more once he's here." Margaery said.
"Are you bringing her to the tourney, your grace?" he asked as he finally took a seat across from her.
"I am, but I'll not bring her to see what's done with the Septa. She'll stay here with my mother and grandmother for that." Margaery said firmly.
"I can speak to Ser Richard, your Grace, have it so you only need to come down when she's near the Red Keep if you'd wish?" he said and Margaery smiled at him as she nodded.
" I thank you, Lord Hand."
He made the same offer he had previously and just as he had expected it was accepted this time. Margaery would do only the things that she absolutely couldn't do from her room. She'd hold some of the petitions and he could handle the Small Council meetings and her other duties, Margaery knew without him needing to say it, that he'd keep her informed of anything she should know.
"Lord Renly, Lord Hand?" she asked as he rose.
"Sat with Lord Arryn, your grace." he said seeing her smile.
He left the room and made his way to Ser Richard's solar, thankfully finding that the man was inside and not off doing whatever it was he did. Richard's movements were a mystery to even him at times, if he wished to disappear when he left the Red Keep then disappear he would. Entering the room he was surprised to see Ser Lomas Estermont sitting at the table. The former Master of Whisperers had faced no punishment from the crown for being a part of Robert's Small Council and had been as far as he knew allowed to return to his keep.
"That'll be all, Lomas, we'll speak later, keep your eyes on them at all times." Richard said.
"I will Ser Richard." Lomas said rising from his seat and giving him a small bow as he passed him "Lord Hand."
"Ser Lomas."
Jaime took his seat and looked curiously at Richard wondering what kind of game he was playing now and finding to his surprise that the man wished to share.
"Lomas is a good man, Jaime, he may have served a bad king but he serves a good one now and I need men like him, men to help run my bards and lips when I cannot." Richard said.
"He works for you?" he asked surprised.
"He works for the king and queen and is at present running an important operation involving Stags and Falcons once more." Richard said and Jaime chuckled.
"The Septa, Richard." he said and saw the frown that appeared on Richard's face, Jaime then shaking his head when he was offered some wine.
"All is set, this High Septon is a far more clever and Leal man, Jaime. Be it Olenna, Lord Leyton, or simply that the man has a mind, he clearly sees the advantages of having the Crown on his side."
"Her grace, I'd like for her to only have to be there for when she's needed, rather than having to wait the entire time."
"You wish her more time with the princess?" Richard asked, smiling when he brought up Elia as most people did.
For him, it was both hard to believe that the boy he'd basically raised was a man now, a man with his own babe and all the different responsibilities that came with that. It would change Jae in time, perhaps already had as the realization that you were responsible for this tiny little thing truly hit home. He'd soon find out just as Jaime himself had that your time spent apart from them was hard and unfulfilled. Though in Jae's case he'd spent even more time with his daughter than Jaime had with his own or with his son, something he'd not begrudge him.
A part of him, the one that wore the pin he did, tried to think of Elia as what she was, the future of Jae's House and the Realm. Yet anytime he did so it was shot down by the larger part of him, she was his granddaughter, as truly as Jae was his son. She was his granddaughter and for that far more than her being a princess and future queen and for that, he loved her with all his heart. Just as he would with Joanna or Jon, with Jae himself, Jaime would do everything he could possibly do to ensure she was safe and happy.
"Jaime?" Richard said after he'd not answered some question or another.
"Forgive me, thinking of the princess." he said and saw Richard smile once more.
"That I can easily forgive, my friend. All will be done as you ask, I'll put my best men on it and make sure personally that her grace gets the signal for when she needs to move to the courtyard.
"I thank you, Richard." he said rising.
While Margaery wouldn't be there for it all, he and others would and so after leaving Richard's solar he made his way back to the Tower of the Hand and spoke briefly to Dacey and his children before he readied himself to ride to the Great Sept. He, Loras, Jors, Martyn and Tommen along with his guards would represent the crown there, while Margaery would await in the Red Keep and do so here. Jaime made his way to the courtyard and was pleased to see Loras and the others already waiting. Around them, more and more people moved to find themselves a vantage point for what was to come.
"We ride." he said nodding to Loras as he climbed up on Loyalty.
As they rode through the city, he could see the crowds had formed. The word had been spread wide of what was to occur and the city was more than eager to see the Septa pay for what she had said and for how she'd treated their king for the first few years of his life. Jaime too wished to see her brought low, the thoughts of what Jae's life would have been like had he needed to suffer people like Mordane and Catelyn Tully for longer than he had, ones that he'd rather not dwell on.
"I've never seen so many people, uncle." Tommen said proudly as they rode.
"They're out to support the king, Tommen, the king, and the queen." Martyn said with a smile and Jaime smirked, Jae's two squires were just as his own two had been and he turned to look at Loras and gave him a small nod, wondering if he'd thought it too.
When they reached the Great Sept, the crowd parted for them, Jaime under no illusions it was for him they did so. True enough they thought far differently of him now, both because of the record being set straight about the wildfire and what Aerys had wished to do and because of the stories of him and Jae. While both had been done in words, it was the song that he now heard them sing that truly changed how he was perceived, The Golden Knight was a song that he was almost certain that Jae himself had written, though he'd not told him so.
A Knight, a Knight,
A Golden Knight.
Who looked upon a trout,
And gave her such a fright.
A Knight, a Knight,
A Golden Knight.
Who looked upon a wolf,
And said this isn't right.
A knight a Knight,
A Golden knight.
Who faced a mad dragon,
And struck with all his might.
A Knight, A Knight,
A Golden Knight.
Who set about,
To put the realm to right.
A Knight, A knight,
A Golden Knight,
Who gave a hidden dragon wings,
So he could take flight.
A knight, a knight,
A Golden knight.
His name sung loud
All through the night.
A Knight a Knight,
A Golden Knight.
The realm rejoices,
For he did what's right.
He waved as he dismounted and he, Loras, and the others made their way up the steps to where the High Septon and the other Septons and Septas waited. He gave the man a nod and then a moment later the woman was brought out, Mordane was dressed in what to him looked like a sack and was ashen-faced as she struggled against the men who held her. The High Septon tried to speak though he was faced with a chorus of boos and hisses, so Jaime raised his hand and they stopped, the crowd going silent. If it was ever in any doubt that it wasn't the Faith these people took their cues from, then there wouldn't be for long and Jaime began to think that Richard was right about this High Septon. What he was about to do would win him back a lot of the favor that the Fat One and the Septa had lost them.
"We are here to see a punishment delivered to Septa Mordane, a punishment for the words she spoke against our great and noble king, Jaehaerys Targaryen." the High Septon said, the crowd cheering at Jae's name "Some of you may have known that this is not the first time Septa Mordane has spoken such things but I assure you it will be the last. Today she will atone for her crimes in the eyes of their Graces, the Faith, and the Gods, she'll atone."
He wished to turn away when the clothing she was wearing was torn from her body, in truth was she anyone else then he'd not have agreed to this. Margaery and Sansa though had both spoken of how the Septa was the one who spoke the worst of Jae. Loras too confirmed that she fed into and was perhaps partly responsible for Catelyn Tully's own hatred of Jae. He'd seen some of it too, though in looks, not words, at least not until she'd done so in the Throne Room a few days ago. So despite not wishing this on anyone, if it was to be someone then he'd have chosen her or her former lady to be the ones who faced it.
"Shame, Shame."
"Shame, Shame."
He heard the Septa's around her say it over and over again as Mordane moved down the steps, Jaime, Loras, Martyn, and Tommen following after her. The rotten food started to be thrown once she reached the street and they mounted up onto their horses and rode after the crowd and the Septa. Jaime saw her fall more than once, there were some marks on her hands from where she'd perhaps cut them on the rough ground, and by the time she reached the Red Keep, she was broken and covered in filth. Ahead of her lay the last short walk to the courtyard and Jaime could see Margaery and almost the entire court was standing there waiting for her.
"Shame, Shame."
"Shame, Shame."
When she reached the queen, he saw her fall to the ground with tears falling from her eyes. Some of the women and some of the men turned from looking at her, as they were not willing to see her naked and broken. Jaime noticed that those closest to Jae did not. Genna, Dacey, Ashara, Shiera, Oberyn, and Ellaria and his girls, Sansa, Arya and Joy, and Margaery herself. He was relieved that Joanna wasn't here and he suspected that both Olenna and Alerie were with Elia.
"Your grace, Septa Mordane has completed her Walk of Atonement." The High Septon said looking to the queen to see if it was enough.
"And has she atoned, High Septon?" Margaery asked coolly.
"I have, your grace, truly, I have." Mordane said, her voice barely a whisper, and yet it carried even all the way back to him.
"My husband and I are not monsters, Septa Mordane, we do not punish unnecessarily and as the Seven-Pointed Star teaches us, once someone repents and is punished for the crime, they are then welcomed back into the bosom of the Faith and so we shall welcome you back to our bosom, as well." Margaery said and with a nod, a cloak was then covered over the naked woman.
"I thank you, Your Grace, and His Grace too." Mordane said her voice a little firmer.
"I hope when next we meet, Septa, it's under more pleasant circumstances." Margaery said before nodding to the High Septon who Jaime thought looked relieved and then turning to walk back into the Red Keep.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Arthur.
They rode to the tourney grounds, seven knights surrounding the queen's carriage. Inside it was Princess Daenerys and her new husband, the queen's mother, and the Queen and Princess Elia. Arthur had found himself fascinated with the new princess ever since she'd arrived. That Jae had chosen to name her Elia had been something unexpected and most welcomed by him as much as it had by Oberyn and Arianne. Elia was a good name, a true name, and if the princess carried any of the heart her namesake had in abundance, then the realm was blessed indeed.
Jae naming her his heir could be problematic and yet Arthur was fully behind it too. Rhaegar had spoken only briefly about the Dance of Dragons to him, yet he and his son it seemed both agreed on who was right and who was wrong in that. He knew that Barristan found it refreshing and that his other brothers just felt it to be something they expected the king to do. All of them could see how influenced he was by the woman in his life and none of them saw anything but the good in that. Even his newest brother had said he'd seen it in him while he'd been guarding Olenna and Jae would visit.
"I heard our king say once that the only thing a woman can't be is a man, that's the truth of it, Ser Arthur. Look at Brienne, tell me that she's not as fierce as any man who has ever earned his spurs. Lady Olenna, tell me there is a wiser man or woman in the realm? As for our queen, never was someone more capable to be such, to rule in the king's absence or by his side." Arryk said.
Arthur could find no lie or wrongness in his newest brother's words, his own sister was a clear enough example of someone whose talents and skill, though different than his own, were ones he could not match. It made him look even more at the younger woman or the realm, at Jae's sisters, at his cousins, at his brother's bride, his squire's betrothed, and at the girl that his own nephew was soon to marry. Cregan had found more than lands and a future in the North, he'd found love too it seemed and both he and Ashara were more than happy for him.
Lady Alys Karstark was another who showed that women in five of the kingdoms needed to be looked at much differently than they had been until now. Dorne always saw them as such, and in the Iron Islands, their new Reaper was a lady and not a lord. In time, be it during his king's reign or during the princess's perhaps the other five would catch up. He smiled at the thoughts of what that would look like and then shook his head when he saw they were at the tourney grounds. Arthur finding he had practically daydreamed all the way there and that was not what he was supposed to do.
Dismounting he was far more alert when he opened the door to allow the queen and princess to climb out. Arthur finding he had to take Elia in his arms to allow the queen to do so and he held her close to him as if she was the most precious thing in the world, which she was. Elia was the future of House Targaryen, just as Jae had been once, unlike his king however for the princess he would be there for far more of her life than he had been for Jae when he grew up. He handed her carefully back to the queen and they made their way to the stands. The seven Kingsguard quickly forming up in a protective formation around their charges. Arthur didn't truly fear for their safety, they were far too loved for anyone to make a move against them and as he looked at how relaxed Ghost was walking by the queen's side, he relaxed somewhat too.
"The wolves know, Arthur, Ghost knows, if he even for a moment is alerted then it's time to worry." Jae said.
It was to be the archery today, so none of the Kingsguard would be taking part. On the morrow, it would be the melee, and Arryk, Jors, and Ser Richard Horpe would take their places in it. Loras and Ser Robar would compete in the jousts with him and Barristan taking part in none of the events. Neither of them wished for the glory and with a princess to guard be it here or in the Red Keep, both of them would be doing that rather than trying to win a prize they didn't care for. His nephew though would compete in the melee and Lord Robb would try his luck at the joust.
As much as he looked forward to seeing Cregan compete, Arthur found himself looking forward to the Squire's Duels almost more than anything. His other nephew would compete there as would Martyn Lannister and Jae's sister, and he knew that his king would have wished to see that more than any other event. Not simply because he himself had made his name in them or that his squire and sister would be competing but Jae had an affinity with those younger than himself. Arthur and anyone who knew him could see it when he spent time with children, and he'd also seen it when they'd gone Beyond the Wall.
They reinvigorated him, made him forget any of his worries or doubts, and allowed him to just get lost in the moment. He'd already seen it with Elia, Arthur and his brothers had heard Jae singing to her when they were alone in the room or he'd walked in to see him just sitting and speaking to her as he held her in his arms. That he did so with a small baby dragon on his shoulder more often than not was a most amusing sight. Rhaegar too had been that way with Rhaenys and Aegon, the world fading away and disappearing into just the babe in his arms or in its crib. Jae took that on even more though, he had surrounded himself with children, went out of his way at times to be with them and Arthur was grateful for the peace they brought to him. No one deserved peace more than he and he worried with what was coming, it was to be short-lived.
"Your Grace, My Princes, My Princesses, My Lords and Ladies, Good Sers and good men and women of King's Landing and beyond. I welcome you all to the Tourney of King's Landing 300 AC. A tourney to celebrate a double happy event, the wedding of Princess Daenerys of House Targaryen to Lord Aurane of House Velaryon, and the birth of our newest princess and the heir to the Iron Throne, Princess Elia Targaryen. We wish them and those who compete good fortune, let the tourney begin." the herald said.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Renly Baratheon.
Three and Twenty, Two and Twenty if he was being precise as his nameday was not for another couple of moons, but no matter. He was still a young man who'd not yet even entered into his prime years and yet the face that stared back at him from the looking glass was one he barely recognized. There were lines where there had never been any, his hair was greying and had lost its luster and he felt as he looked, a far older man than he was.
Some of that was simply down to his time in the Black Cells, short though it was. It had taken him moons to fully recover, both physically and mentally. As for emotional damage, that was something he wondered if he ever would recover from. His time had taken a toll on his body, his mind, but mainly on his heart. Renly wiping the tears that fell as he looked at himself, tears that he'd shed almost every single day since he'd died. Him they'd needed and so despite the harsh treatment they'd given him enough to live, Michael had not been so lucky. They'd used his heart against him and then had seen it broken into a million pieces once they had him where they wanted.
Michael was gone and Renly hadn't been the same man he'd been since the day he'd lost him, perhaps he'd never be that man again. He'd lost himself in his despair and would have stayed there if not for the unlikeliest person. The Onion Knight was not a man that Renly had much time for or cared much about and yet it had been him that had come for him and taken him home. That he'd done so at his niece's request shamed him a little, as Renly had never thought highly of Shireen and had made fun of her face more than once.
"How can you eat that?" he said to Michael as he and his guard broke their fast and his love ate his oatmeal.
"It's the best thing for a hungry stomach, my lord." Michael said with a smile as Renly took the spoon and dug it into the oatmeal before holding it up to look at it, half of it covered and the other half not.
"Looks far too much like my niece for my liking." he said laughing loudly.
He was right to feel shamed, he'd never been unkind to the girl's face and had kept his words about her well behind her back, he'd spoken them though. Often and not caring about his company he'd spoken most harshly about his niece and yet it had been she who'd sought to help him when he'd needed someone to do so. Davos had brought him back to Storm's End and made it clear that Shireen was in charge now. That his own claim no longer mattered as he'd been stripped of his rights to it and Renly had found he cared not. Shireen would have been his heir anyway, and he was in no shape to run a keep or the Stormlands.
In time he found his niece was, she was very much more than capable to do both. Selyse helped and Ser Davos was invaluable but it was Shireen herself though who truly ruled. His niece was clever and smart and though she had less power than he had when he was Lord Paramount, she wielded it far better. She'd arranged an advantageous marriage for one of her lords, had agreed expanded trading deals with Lord Wyman the Master of Trade, Ser Davos playing a large role in that given his own knowledge of the sea. She'd put Storm's End to rights, fixed the things he'd let slide while he'd concentrated on his own pleasure, and was as well if not more well-liked than he had been. At first, it had been simply her seeking him out and the face that he saw when he arrived that Renly's mind had concentrated on.
"Uncle, it's so good to see you." Shireen said as he bowed to her, his eyes looking to her face and she caught him staring.
"A gift from the king's aunt, Princess Shiera, she, they, see me as their cousin, uncle." Shireen said smiling at him, Renly more able to judge the true beauty in that smile now that the greyscale didn't take his eye.
"I am most pleased to see you well, niece, most pleased, Is your cousin here, Edric?" he asked and she shook her head and bid he join her in her solar.
"Edric was taken before the fighting began uncle, first we worried so but we've since found out that most of my uncles…children were taken and giving new lives elsewhere, Edric included" Shireen said as they reached the room, Renly noticing how she'd not say the word bastard, though given who the king had been thought to be, fewer people would use that word from now on he'd imagine.
"Where?" he asked finding himself worried about Edric for perhaps the first time.
"The lad is with his family in the Reach, Lord Renly, when he comes of age he'll be given a small keep and some lands. Young Mya Stone is to marry Ser Mychel Redfort and they're to be given a keep near Harrenhal. The others too have been well treated." Ser Davos said, the man standing behind his niece and not sitting down when he and Shireen did.
"Who?" he asked surprised and wondering if Robert or Stannis had seen it done and not thinking it not like either man.
"The king, uncle. He's a good man, he's treated us well and better than some. We've had to give up some lands and Summerhall and some of the Lords nearest it will be sworn directly to the king and queen's firstborn child, but we've been treated well." Shireen said looking at him and then at Davos "What do you wish for uncle?"
"I...I have no idea, niece. You've naught to fear from me in relation to yourself or your position, you'll be a far better Lady of Storm's End and Lady Paramount than I ever was. I just….I don't know what I wish for." he said his words hard to say.
"I'm here for you uncle, I hope you always know that." Shireen said reaching out to take his hand and he nodded and felt ashamed for his former thoughts once more.
She'd been true to her word since then, his niece had made sure he was well provided for with coin and given all the time he needed, still needed, to deal with his loss. He'd found a family that he'd never truly thought of one, his niece was someone that he now wished he'd spent more time with and someone he wished to protect, limited that his protection may be. This was why when the letter came to Storm's End from Harrold Arryn, he'd brought it straight to her rather than spend any time contemplating what it said and it was why he'd allowed her to take the lead.
"He speaks treason uncle, oh not in so many words but it's there is it not?" Shireen asked.
"I believe so." he said looking at her.
"We should take this to the King and Queen." Davos said and Renly nodded.
"We will, but first, uncle. I have a task for you if you're willing to undertake it?" Shireen asked.
"A task? He asked curiously.
"While Ser Davos will reach out to the king and queen and let them know of the letter, we should reach out to Harrold Arryn and allow him to think us complicit." Shireen said.
"My lady, that is a risk I'd not have you take." Ser Davos said worriedly.
"it's a way to show our loyalty Davos, the king and queen have given us leave to do so and this will prove it as true as any words or oaths I swear." Shireen said and Davos reluctantly agreed.
It had not been what he'd wished to do but he'd played the mummer and had spoken to Harrold Arryn in the Eyrie. Renly wondering if the Master of Whisperers who he'd learned was Ser Richard Lonmouth had known all about his meeting and what was said as it happened or just after it. He'd found his answer when he'd made his way to Gulltown and boarded his ship to sail back to Storm's End. The knock coming to his cabin door just as he lay down to rest and Renly had opened it to find Ser Lomas Estermont standing there looking at him.
"Ser Lomas?" he asked surprised.
"Lord Renly may I come in?"
"Of course, Ser."
The cage had been set long before he'd even been aware of what Harrold was up to, he doubted his niece had even known just how far along the trap was, and yet she'd proved herself far cleverer than he or his brothers. Perhaps she truly was that loyal also, but Shireen had shown she understood the way the game was played and that would stand her and their house in very good stead. Renly picked up his coat and put it on taking one last look in the looking glass before he turned to walk to the meeting he'd arranged.
When he had met him in the Eyrie, the truth of Harrold Arryn's plan was laid out to him. Marry Shireen, raise the Stormlands and the Knights of the Vale that still bristled at the dragons being back in charge. Reach out to the Riverlords who'd shown their own reluctance to bend the knee and who Harrold Arryn said he could bring to his side. Then bide their time and pool their resources and see the king, queen and the dragons brought low.
"My cousin and your brother brought them down once before, Lord Renly. The dragons are no match when the Falcons and the Stags team up together and we can do it once more, are you with me?" Harrold Arryn asked.
"Hand of the King?" he asked licking his lips as he played the mummer's role.
"Of course my lord, with your niece to be my queen." Harrold said smiling.
"Then I'm with you, your grace." he said seeing that smile grow larger.
He walked out from his room in the tavern and down the stairs to find Harrold already waiting just as he'd said he would be when he sat with him at the wedding. Renly ordered a drink, then he took a seat beside him and nodded to the man. It didn't take too long for Ser Davos and Shireen to enter and once they did he looked to Harrold and motioned to the stairs that led back to his room.
"Shall we, my Lord?" he said and Harrold nodded while Renly looked to the people he assumed were Ser Lomas's men and then all four of them made their way to the room that Ser Lomas had directed him to take for his own.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Margaery.
She'd almost forgotten about them, they'd completely slipped her mind, and were it not for Aemon then she may have not even sought them out. It was after the first day of the tourney, they'd just finished their meal and she was about to head back to her room and spend her time with Elia. When he said it to her, Margaery had almost run to her room and was relieved to see he'd taken them with him, and so she then lay down on her bed with Elia in her arms and looked to the Glass Candle in hope. It was a hope that was soon fulfilled as she heard his voice call out her name.
"Margaery, are you there?" Jae asked.
"I am, Jae, we are, both of us are here." she said back happily
"Elia is awake?" Jae asked his voice eager.
"She is, say hello to papa, little dragon." Margaery said and she heard Jae laugh when their daughter gurgled and belched, not exactly a hello but it worked just the same.
"I forgot, in my note, I forgot t say it about the Glass Candles." Jae said sounding annoyed with himself.
"Me too, Aemon reminded me, else I'd have just been laying her alone with her daughter." Margaery said happily.
"You are well, both of you?"
"We are, you are too? You're safe?" she asked worriedly.
"I am, safe and well and all the better for speaking to you both." Jae said.
"Where are you?" she asked eager to try and work out how long he'd truly be gone in her mind.
"A little bit further south than Summerhall, Rhaenix wished to stop here as did the other dragons, even Elia's own seems happy to see the place, I swear she knows it's to be our daughter's seat one day." Jae said and Margaery laughed when she heard a small chirp and felt Elia's hand move toward the Glass Candle.
"We miss you, Jae, hurry back to us, my love." she said softly.
"I miss you both so much, Marge, so much. I'll not dally, on that you can be certain. I love you, both of you."
"We love you too, Jae."
They arranged to speak again in a couple of days and Margaery found herself both happy she'd heard from him and yet sad at the same time, knowing it would be some time until she saw him again. She picked Elia up and placed her in her crib and took the Glass Candle back to its chest before undressing and climbing into her bed. Ghost immediately jumping up to lay beside her and she rubbed his soft fur as she drifted off to sleep.
She woke early and fed and changed Elia herself before making her way to break her fast and ready for the day. Her mother, grandmother, and Joy all joined her, Sansa coming in a little later and she wondered if her friend had gone to speak to Willas before she came here. Ser Richard and his lips may know the secrets of the realm but her grandmother had her own sources and she'd confided in her that Sansa and Willas met most mornings before breaking their fast, something that Margaery found so adorably cute.
"Is it only the melee today, your grace?" Joy asked.
"It is, wished to see the joust did you?" she said smiling at the girl.
"Fighting is dull unless it's Jon doing so, at least with jousting there are horses involved." Joy said as she took a bite from some toast.
Try as they might, they couldn't get Joy to speak of Jae as anything but Jon, oh she'd do so when it wasn't them around, but to him, to her, he was always Jon and nothing would ever change that. At one time Margaery had thought to do the same and she knew others had struggled with knowing him as one name and now as another. She'd thought to name him as Jon when they were alone as he'd been Just Jon to her for as long as she could remember. It was both worrying that she'd slip up in public and that as the queen knowing how bad that would be. and also knowing how Jon felt about being named for Jon Arryn that had stopped her.
For Joy though, Jae was as he'd always been a complete and utter pushover. It made her smile to think of what he'd be like with Elia, and of how quickly their daughter would wrap him around her little fingers. Her grandmother looked at her curiously when she saw the smile, which then turned into a chuckle and then a small laugh, and before she knew it she was laughing more fully and unable to stop.
"Your grace?" her grandmother asked as her mother looked on confused and Joy smirked "Your grace?"
"Sorry, sorry." she said stopping and gathering her breath "I was just thinking of Jae and how as Elia grows older he'll not be able to resist her." she said seeing Joy nod her agreement.
"Horsey, Margy, Jon will give her Horsey, though he may have her riding her dragon first." Joy said to more laughs from her as she looked to see the worried looks on her mother and grandmother's face.
It was true, she knew it was, he'd have her riding not long after she could walk and gods only knew how quickly he'd wish her to fly. He'd certainly seek to take her up on Rhaenix with him as soon as he could possibly do so. She should be worried about it, it should make her fearful but for some reason, it did not. He'd never risk their daughter unnecessarily and just like Joy with Apples, some people were born to ride or to fly she thought as she turned to look at Elia's crib. Her fun start to the morning wasn't to last long, however, as she'd no sooner finished breaking her fast than Jaime and Ser Richard arrived.
"Your grace, a word." Jaime said and she rose from her seat and bid them follow her to her solar.
"Hardyng?" she asked and saw both men nod.
It surprised her as she'd not expected it to be so soon, the man showing not only a lack of wisdom but a lack of patience too. She took her seat and listened as Ser Richard told her what had happened, how his words had been overheard by himself, Ser Lomas Estermont, and Ser Robar Royce. The Kingsguard there so he could speak the words to his father and he'd know them to be true. They'd waited until he was done and then had him arrested and soon the news would no doubt be doing the rounds.
"What is it you wish done with him, your grace?" Jaime asked.
"Where is he now?"
"In the cells, the normal ones not the black ones." Jaime said making her feel some relief, she wished him contained not harmed, treated well so he could have no true complaint.
"The day proceeds as normal, Lord Hand, when it's done with Lord Harrold will be brought to the Throne Room and tried for his crimes. Arrange a meeting with Lord Yohn before then, bring Ser Robar and explain to him what is to occur and what's to happen to the Eyrie once it's been done." Margaery said.
"You wish me to speak to him about Lord Nestor?" Jaime asked.
"I do, we'll need a Castellan and the man has served as it before." she said and saw Ser Richard ready to speak up "I know your own doubts on the man, Ser Richard. How he took far longer than any to come around to the truth about Jon Arryn and spoke things about my husband that would have led to him losing his head were Jae not a different man than he is. I wish to hear what Lord Royce says about him, to hear him speak his own doubts if he has any." Margaery said.
"And if he does, your grace?" Ser Richard asked.
"I'll decide it then, the man wishes for his own keep and his position in less than it once was, such men's loyalty can be bought Ser Richard, and once bought it can be earned." she said and saw the Master of Whisperers nod as he and Jaime rose.
"If Lord Harrold chooses a trial by combat, your grace?" Jaime asked.
"Then it'll be even more clear the man's a fool, Lord Hand." she said to laughs from them both men as they left.
She left the solar herself not a few moments later, her grandmother looking curiously at her as she moved to the crib and looked down to see that her daughter was still asleep. The sigh she let out was at knowing that Elia would be staying here while she had to show her face at a tourney she'd no true desire to be at. Margaery had wished she'd wake before she left but it was not to be. As she looked down upon her daughters as she slept all she could think of was that the things she was doing, that Jae was doing, as much as they were for the realm and its people, they were doing it all for her.
300 AC The Journey to Valyria.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
She loved to fly even though she wasn't actually moving her wings and was instead just resting beneath his shirt. Her head moved from side to side and back to him more than once, her chirps excited as she took it all in. He could hear them both in his head, his son too, all of them speaking together and telling the little dragon that one day she'd be doing this herself just as they were doing. Jae listening as both Lygaron and Rhaenix told the indigo dragon that they had once been just as small as she and had wished to fly just as she wished so now.
When they'd flown over the Stormlands he felt the need, Jae thinking it came mainly from Rhaenix only to find it was the indigo dragon that drove them all to fly to Summerhall. She wished to see it, to see the lands that his daughter would rule over before she took her place on the throne. In some ways so did he, and the other dragons too, though all had their own reasons for why that was. Ellagon, Rhaegal, and Sandorix wished to see the place where his family had almost found their end. Rhaenix wished to see Summerhall and to lose herself in memories of their father once more. Jae both wished to judge the time it took to fly there and to see the keep once more. He needed to see how much work he'd need to do and to think about when he'd get the chance to sing that particular song.
After they landed, Lygaron and Sandorix took to the sky once more, both dragons hunting for the food the others would eat and for their own. Ellagon and Rhaegal, moved closer to the ruins, laying down on a hill overlooking the destroyed keep while Rhaenix found herself a place much closer. Jae took the little dragon from his shirt and placed her on his shoulder, listening to her chirp both excitedly and annoyedly at the same time. It made him laugh to hear it as they walked towards the destroyed keep, Jae looking around and seeing there was much work to be done.
"Yes I know, of course, it won't be left like this. No, it's not worthy of a dragon as it is, but it will be worthy of you both." he said hearing the far more pleased chirps as the little dragon was now content.
He looked around for a little longer until he heard Lygaron and Sandorix's return. Jae moving from the grounds and looking to where Rhaenix lay, an Aurochs carcass in front of her.
"Go, fly to your sister and eat so you'll grow as big and strong as her." he said and the little dragon chirped and flew to the Aurochs before she turned to look at him "Dracarys." he said and she let loose a small little flame, Jae watching as she then ate the piece of meat she'd just burned.
He took a seat and set his own fire before he then took his food from his pack and ate and drank. When he was sated, he took out the Glass Candles and cursed himself for not speaking to Margaery about them. Jae hoped she'd remember and as he lit them up, the little dragon flew back to rest on his shoulder once more. Talking to his wife was a welcome thing as was hearing his daughter and though both he and the little dragon went to sleep alone that night, they did so happily.
Jae broke his fast early the next morning and they set off as soon as he was finished. He found himself even more eager to get to Valyria and to do what needed to be done, it was not where he wished to be after all. They flew over the Sea of Dorne and over Tyrosh before then heading south along the Essos coast. Flying over the sea would be quicker and perhaps knock a day or more off his travel time but there was nowhere to land and though all of the dragons said they could manage it, he wasn't sure that he could.
As they flew over Essos he felt the call and he shuddered, knowing he'd need to go back there again and wondering what it was he'd see this time. Chyroane had its own part to play in things to come and yet he feared the place. There was darkness there and it had almost overwhelmed him when he'd stopped there on his way back from Valyria the last time. The memories of what he did to the men outside the city were still within him, even if he had buried them deep and tried to lock them away.
"The time draws ever closer, my prince, the promise must be fulfilled. Release us, release us from our curse and we will stand with you."
The Shrouded Lord's voice called out to him, willed him to come and do what needed to be done, he'd listened to that voice once before and it had led to fire and blood. Though at the time he'd walked in darkness and now he brought the light. Jae could feel Rhaenix's own thoughts and he knew that she wished him to ignore the voice he heard and though he did, they both knew it was only, for now, that he did so.
It was Lygaron who saw the ship, his son had been searching for whales and had found a Pinnacle Ship instead. Jae bidding the other dragons fly with him as he flew over the ship so they knew he was with them. They were still a few miles from Volantis where the ship would dock and wait for him. Jae knew though that seeing them in the air would comfort them somewhat as they'd know their time here shouldn't be too long and they weren't being sent on a fool's errand.
They rested that night just outside Mantarys, far enough from the city so that no one would disturb them, and yet close enough they could see it in the distance. Jae wished he could speak to Margaery, could speak to Elia and yet the Glass Candles wouldn't burn for another day. So instead he warged into Ghost and spent most of the night just looking at them both as they slept. His wife and daughter looked close enough for him to touch and hold in his arms and yet were very much not.
"We'll be back soon little brother." Rhaenix said when he left Ghost behind and was looking through his own eyes once more.
"We will, we take all we can, Rhae, anything that's laying around, we all carry as much as we can and if there's more then we go back." he said.
"We will. She's excited Jae, so are the others, they wish to see our home." Rhaenix said happily.
"I had hoped when we came back here it was to bring them back, Rhae, to Bring the Dawn." he said softly.
"We'll do that too, Jae, in time we'll do that too."
They reached it the next day and the loudest chirps of all came from the little dragon. She was as his sister had said, very excited to be here. He watched her as she flew from dragon to dragon, as she flew over the saddles and the steel. Jae looking on when she landed on one of them and chirped even more loudly. He moved to her and looked down at the saddle before he took to his knees and moved it in his hands. It was smaller than his own, almost of a size with Tyrion's and as he looked at it more carefully he felt his breath catch in his throat.
"For Elia?" he asked and the little dragon chirped even louder still.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I made a little unforced error in the last chapter and gave Ellagon the wrong name, which I've corrected thank god. My good friends Leilani and Arrow have posted their amazing story here as well as on another site. It's unseen moments from TDC and covers some interesting perspectives. Some small little points in it will be resolved here and some of the upcoming chapters are very interesting as they'll be doing some What if's along with showing perspectives on events I'd not been able to. They'd be most interested in suggestions too, so I'd ask any who read TDC to give it a look.
s/13829649/1/TDC-Missing-Scenes-and-What-If-Scenarios.
Up next, In King's Landing the Melee takes place and we have a trial. We see Shireen and how she learned to play the game and the fall of Harrold Hardyng through her eyes. Jae gathers what's needed from Valyria and flies to Volantis to a surprise before returning to Valyria once more and in the True North, we take a look at what the Night King is up to and see an Army march.
Chapter 166 Reviews.
The Sphynx: So very lovely my friend, kudos once more.
Biohazard: Really glad you liked it.
Emerald Duke: Really glad it hit you like that, the Elia and Walder parts were ones I hoped would evoke some emotions.
Bossb85: So glad you enjoyed it, Elia was the first name that came into my head from early on for Jae's daughter, everyone usually does Lyanna and I've wanted Jae to have this connection with Elia for the longest time.
Daryl Dixon: So happy you liked it.
Celexys: Thanks so much for saying that it was an emotional chapter at least in my intent.
Dama Layla: Ele realmente é, ele tem sorte de não haver nenhuma porta lunar em KL.
JaimeRey: He visto esa teoría, creo que la usé en uno de mis fics, no en este pero creo que la usé en uno de ellos.
Supremus: He will indeed.
Hkt29: There was a moment just before we saw them head north that we see Walder sneak off, we don't follow him but that's what he was doing. I thought long and hard what to do with Brienne, she could join the KG but it's been done so many times that I wanted her to be different here and well Joy may as well be a princess lol.
Yes, Aurane was to be given the Targ name, all the houses that will be sworn to House Targ are to be named as Targs, though any children Dany have will not be princes or princesses, only lords. It can be hard when you reach certain points in stories, events force certain characters away from the story and you can forget about them from time to time, I try not to but I know I'm as guilty as most in doing so. It had to be Elia for me, I've always wanted to see Jon Snow think more about those who were lost, not just his mother/father but Rhaenys, Aegon, and especially Elia how kinda gets forgotten about. With the letter, Oberyn, it was, even more, something that had to be done.
Tfranco: You summed up my own feelings pretty clearly, Elia is far too often forgotten and it's usually Lyanna and while she should be honored by Jae too and has and will be, I really wanted to do something different. Yes, the looks do mean something and we will be seeing Valyria in a different form by the end of things. Hope you enjoyed the wedding.
Jman; I wanted it to be a girl for the changes it would bring and to play into the difference about the Dance here, Jae already named the dragon for his father, mother, and brother, Ly Gar On, the family he lost, and Rhaenix for his sister, so he needed to do something for Elia too.
Guest: I had considered Dany/Drogo at one point but Aurane was always my number 1 choice for her, I just wanted to leave the other open, we'll be seeing Drogo in a bit. The Baby dragons will be fun going forward, I hope, Jae won't' spend as much time in Valyria other than gathering things, we'll see more of his time in Essos though.
Vfsnake: So glad you liked it, Elia deserves some respect I think.
Irish Hermit: Thanks so very much for saying that, it means a lot to hear it. One of the key things about the dragon birth is this is the first in some time that's a natural one so to speak, where nothing was needed to hatch the egg, which in of itself is a sign. Glad you liked the name, it felt fitting to me. We'll see if you get your wish, it's coming up soon and well I hope you enjoy it.
Creativo: ¿Arianne había tenido una hija primero, luego quizás?
Guest: Magic, the magic is strong. Now I could just leave it at that and go, see magic, it explains it all. Or I could say that in GRRM's own canon there are multiple examples of the family gene being so prevalent, aka it's the entire basis for why they think Cersei's kids aren't Jaime's. Or that there are blond and those close to silver-haired amongst House Hightower including Margery's mother and Lynesse. However in a story where the gods are working through Jae and he's always meant to be and is not just supposed to beat the NK but to Bring about the Dawn of a new age where the Targaryens rise higher than ever before then it makes sense to ensure that rise, the gods play their part here too.
Simply put though, it really does come down to the magic, Jae's magic was lesser, almost dormant as was the world's magic when he was born. It was there but untapped and so Jae came out looking more Stark than Targaryen, on the coloring at least. Now, Jae is literally on a par or even beyond the NK in terms of magical power and so the Targ's Valyrian looks are far more likely to exist in any of his children because they too are born with the same magic within them. Remember, the forty all had Valyrian looks, why? In this story, it's an effect of the magic, and while the looks passed on when Targ married Targ, the magic did not and so when a Targ was with someone non-Targ there was a fifty-fifty chance (Aegon/Rhaenys) of who they'd take their looks from. For Jae, for his children, it's a 100 percent chance, they'll all look Targaryen.
Anarchichmind: It's also a little flip on the only death can pay for life thing which starts it off with Jae/Rhaenix. It was true then both to bring Rhaenys back and because of how much magic Jae wielded, Jae is far more magical now and so a dragon can hatch when it should, nothing is there blocking it and forcing you to have to do something to bring it about.
It's a small point, but it's meant to show that the world they live in has changed greatly, his children's egg's don't need to be made to hatch, they will because there is far more magic in the world, and this happened before when there was some.
Criss: Thank you so much, I think some people forget what the Hightower's look like.
Remi: All hail the queen.
Zeon: Thanks so very much for taking the time to read those chapters together, they play into the entire almost mini-arc of Hardhome. I think we need to see the aftermath of things, to show the effect the loss of a character has on those around them. At one point we see that in the show and then deaths just happen and people almost ignore them. Sansa barely speaks of Rickon once he dies for example, hell none of them really do. So I think you should take a moment to show the effect a character has on those around them. The COTR we'll see more of and see them play into the events that shaped Westeros, I have a whole lore thing coming which will show Aegon/Torrhen/Brandon Snow and why Torrhen knelt and Brandon formed the COTR.
Classic XD: Thanks so very much, it's been a journey lol.
Dievalgo: I wanted it to be a daughter to bring up the Dance and how it may fit into things here, we'll see Jae explain it a little more in the story in a bit, but basically the Dance was almost forced upon them and so Jae is kinda setting right the fact that there should have been a targ queen by now.
Keb: Really glad you liked it.
Lady Octarina: Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it. I felt it had to be Elia, now she won't be the only daughter he has so you may get your Visenya at some time lol. As for the little dragon, I really wanted to show the way magic has affected things, Jae's magic has gotten so strong and the magic is back in the world that rather than have to force a dragon to be born, they can now hatch themselves. I'm glad it hit you in the feels too, it was supposed to be a bit of a cathartic thing after Walder's death.
Xand007: Thank you, my friend, I think I may have missed one or two of your reviews and not replied to them, I'm sorry for that as I've started to look at them chapter by chapter and so I missed a couple, I have read them though, and do appreciate them as always. Really glad you liked the chapter and you too my friend, stay safe and well, always.
Xan Merrick: Thank you, we'll see Jae speak to Torrhen in a few chapters, the crown, in particular, is important and we'll get the back story of the how and why of things with Aegon/Torrhen/Brandon Snow and why the North knelt and the company was formed. Glad you liked the Joy part.
Chapter 167 Reviews.
Daryl Dixon: So glad you enjoyed it.
Dama Layla: Muito mesmo, em breve veremos o que ele disse e as penas sendo arrancadas.
Biohazard: Really glad you liked it.
Remi: I thought it a very apt way to describe it and it also shows Jae not really enjoying the way it works too. Ser Richard killed the Fat One, the new High Septon was sent with some interference by Olenna and the Hightowers so is a different sort. Jae won't really find anything of note, other than a saddle for Elia.
Hkt29: I hinted at it a little with Jae speaking of Rhaenyra before, but for Jae even apart from the influences around him, he looks at the Dance very differently than others do. So canon wise it's looked at over the issue of a woman being an heir, here for Jae he's looking at it as it was more a part of the plan to overthrow his family, to see them brought low and so outside influences tried to end them. In that context, it's an even bigger mistake and reason to right that wrong. There will be something like that, an almost annual retreat to Dragonstone of Summerhall or something.
Celexys: I hope you enjoy it, Jae won't spend too much time there and it's what happened/will happen in Essos that we'll see far more of.
Emerald Duke: There is, but his real exploration is to come later, for now, he's just grabbing as much Valyrian Steel as he can.
JaimeRey: Esos son algunos pensamientos muy interesantes, aunque creo que pertenecen más a un poderoso fic del Norte. Traerlos a todos ahora sería un poco excesivo, pero incorporarlos, el COTR y la profecía del Lobo Blanco en un poderoso Fic del Norte sería de lo más interesante, Crear una especie de Imperio Vikingo.
VfSmake: Hope you liked what was done to Mordane, we'll see Harrold up next.
Creativo: Me alegro mucho de escuchar eso, Mordane consiguió el suyo y veremos más Valyria a continuación.
Guest; You've ruined it, I can't get the image out of my head now lol. From now on I'll just call Jae, Satchmo.
Jman: So glad you liked it, I may not show characters for a while but I try and not forget them so I hope you liked what happened with Mordane.
The Sphynx, Awesome wordplay my friend, a really cool take on the song, in poem form, wonderful world indeed.
Guest: You're more than welcome, it's helped me to deal with things just as much.
Irish Hermit: It does, one of the things with Jae is in some ways he's to right wrongs from the past too. The Dance/Rhaenyra were wrong, his great grandfather forcing his grandmother to marry his grandfather was wrong, yes it leads to things but it was wrong and so we see some of that here, with Elia and with Dany. Very much so, the little dragon is a foreteller of the personality that Elia will have and Jae is already a bit of a pushover lol. She thinks she's doing the lord's work, that she's setting out a call to arms to protect the faith, she's found out she very much was not.
Zeon07: I hoped to get the differing emotions just right and to show a small move on from Walder's death. Some of the unresolved stuff is clicking in such as Harry/Mordane and some others too.
Lady Octarina: I do so love baby dragons, I have a slightly large one in TWK, and in HSH when the canon timelines kick in the war won't be fought with dragons but with men but Jon will have a baby dragon with him. I thought long and hard about when to bring Mordane back, I almost went with her coming to court when Jae/Margaery were introducing Elia to the realm but felt she'd not live long enough once she opened her mouth about Jae's daughter, so Dany's wedding it had to be since she was marrying Aurane. I didn't want it to spoil it though, just to be an annoyance. Valyria is almost a side trip tbh, what happens in Essos and already did is the main event.
Anarchicmind: It's funny, neither had I lol. I actually named the Tourney in Kl the Last one but a birth of a princess and Dany's wedding, it kinda needs to be done. Plus there were a few little tourney moments I wished to do, which I hope people will like.
Keb: So very glad you liked it.