Hi everyone!
This is number 100! I knew this was going to be a novel length story but I never thought I'd actually get to a hundred chapters – madness.
Robb and Jon return to the story and we see some of what Team Targaryen Restoration have been up to.
Please enjoy the latest chapter!
Chapter 100: The Lion's Pride
Three weeks after the Long Night …
Highgarden, Seat of power of House Tyrell (Targaryen), The Reach
Robb and Jon gazed out from the lower walls of Highgarden. They had never seen such plentiful land. It was covered in a thin layer of snow but as far as the eye could see it was field after grove after thick forest. It was clear when winter retreated into spring that the fertile land would bloom once again and sustain the Reach with ease as it had done era on era before. It was a scenario Robb could only dream of for the people of the North. He knew the path to recovery for his people would be long and strenuous but he would lead them through it with his wife's blessing.
Daenerys's forces had taken the castle with little resistance. What Reachmen there were left to stand on the walls had immediately surrendered when they caught a glimpse of Viserion and Rhaegal flying high in the sky. Robb had been grateful for their decision upon reaching the defensive fortifications and maze labyrinth. Like his men, he was tired of fighting and welcomed the opportunity to rest within the magnificent white walls of Highgarden.
Highgarden was as intricate as it was beautiful; filled with flowers, climbing roses, grapes, and vines that covered almost every fountain and courtyard wall. The sweet smell of fruits filled the air of the corridors and dark green ivy scaled the high towers that reached for the clouds.
Despite the tranquil scenery and the calm moment, they found themselves in Robb knew Jon was in turmoil. He had been brooding ever since they had left Lannisport which wasn't unusual behaviour but he had also been avoiding Robb which was out of character.
Robb took a stab at the most likely source of his cousin's demeanour, "When we get back to Winterfell, we'll have statues made in Bran and Arya's honour."
Jon only grunted, keeping his eyes on the whitened landscape in front of them.
Robb sighed, "I know you're pissed off at me but I don't know why so just tell me what is wrong?"
"I have made peace with Bran and Arya's sacrifice," Jon said, not allowing his emotion to choke his words, "They were necessary. But Sansa, you left her to rot in King's Landing alone again."
"I couldn't avoid that."
Jon turned to square up to Robb, "Yes you could have, by keeping your word to Queen Kenna."
"Why? When she would never have kept her word to me!" Robb thundered standing his ground in the wake of Jon's disapproval. "Daenerys offered me everything the North needed and I wanted. I wasn't going to refuse her for Kenna Lannister. Besides we will get Sansa back when we trade Lord Royce for her."
"You broke your promise and when enough people make false promises, words stop meaning anything."
"So did you," Robb rebounded.
Jon shook his head, "My oath to the Night's Watch was different. The Night King has been defeated."
"Yes, but you left the Night's Watch before that happened."
"I did that to help prepare the Realm for the Army of the Dead, to save the dawn."
"It doesn't matter why you did it, Jon, you still broke your oath as I have so you do not have the right to judge me for it."
Jon turned back to the wall, knowing he didn't have as skilled a tongue as Robb.
"I broke my promise to Walder Frey for the love of a woman and the people of the North suffered. This time I hardened my heart and choose the people of the North over a single woman. We made the right choice to side with Daenerys. Her on the Iron Throne with me by her side is the best outcome for the North. The Realm needs peace and stability. It needs this war to end with one decisive winner to ensure a lasting peace. Even if Daenerys was defeated the Lannisters would eventually wage another war in Tommen's name to reclaim the North and the Vale. The bloodshed would be endless."
"You abandoned an ally. One that came to the North's aid multiple times."
Robb shook his head, "When everyone was shouting King in the North, I told myself … swore … that I would be a good king, as honourable as Father, strong, just, loyal to my friends and brave when I faced my enemies … But for a while I couldn't even tell one from the other. I did not abandon an ally. I abandoned a woman who led me on with false promises and whispered pretty words into my ear while she was fucking my greatest enemy behind my back."
"She was married to Jaime Lannister," Jon said, clearly thinking the dead man didn't fit the mantle of Robb's greatest enemy.
"Aye, but he isn't the father of her children. Tywin Lannister is and she is influenced by him."
"You really think she bends to his will? That she bends to anyone's will?" Jon said, remembering his few encounters with the formidable Queen.
"What other explanation is there for her actions?"
"She has a family to protect, children of Lannister blood," Jon replied softly, understanding Robb had once harboured feelings for the Vale Queen.
"I am your family. Daenerys is your family even if she doesn't know it," Robb said in a low tone, "I will be by her side to guide her on matters pertaining to the North while you can return to Winterfell with Ygritte and be Lord of Winterfell in all but name. You are my heir."
"Robb …"
"I know you disapprove of my actions and I hate myself every day for the dishonour I have brought to my name but everything I have done I have done to better the North and I regret nothing."
Jon took a few moments before settling on his next words, "You will always have my loyalty, my sword and my honesty."
Robb put a hand on Jon's shoulder, "Know that out of the three I value the last the most."
Jon forced out a small smile and the two men returned their eyes to the dipping sun.
Same time …
"Why aren't you eating?" Oberyn asked looking through the small window of the tower to see the greenery of the maze below.
"You've probably poisoned it," Lord Royce replied from behind the bars of his cage, kicking away the bowl of fruits at his feet.
Oberyn turned away from the window to face Lord Royce then knelt to pick up one of the plums that had rolled to him.
"If I was going to poison you, I would have done so by now," he said taking a bite out of the juicy fruit.
"I think you are the type to play with your prey."
Oberyn sauntering towards the cage, "You are correct but you are not my prey, your Queen and her lover are."
"What are you talking about?" Lord Royce lied.
"Come now my Lord, you are her closest advisor, a father figure. Surely, she told you she was unfaithful to her husband with his own father."
"Lies."
"If you truly thought so you would have defended her honour with a bit more gusto."
Lord Royce remained silent, knowing trickery wasn't his way and there would be nothing to gain from trying to deceive Oberyn further.
"You killed one of my daughters."
Lord Royce eyed the viper but approached the bars, "Obara I believe her name was."
"My firstborn, did she put up a good fight?"
"She nearly had me at one point," Lord Royce revealed, "Her spear tip missed my throat by a whisker. She died a warrior's death."
"Obara would have been content with that," Oberyn said with a sad smile gracing his face before it slackened to a thin line, "What about my other daughters?"
"They are dead do you really what to know how each of them died?"
"Tell me."
"Sarella died at Kenna's hands during the ambush, Nymeria and Tyene were hung for poisoning and killing Lord Grafton on her orders too."
"And Elia? Obella, Loreza, Dorea?"
"Elia was hung too but I wasn't present for her death. The others were captured at Sunspear."
"They are prisoners in King's Landing then," Oberyn said, throwing the remains of the plum out the window and glancing at the door.
Lord Royce caught the movement but there was a burning question he just had to ask, "Why did Robb betray House Arryn?"
"My enemy of my enemy is my friend and the friend of my enemy is my enemy," Oberyn replied in a singsong tone, "Just took him a while to see that."
Lord Royce's hands curled around the bars as he shook his head. The Stark boy would regret his decision, he was sure of it. Kenna had faced my obstacles and enemies trying to bring her down yet she still stood.
"You are a good man Lord Royce. Why do you serve such a woman?"
"Such a woman?" Lord Royce repeated back softly, "You know nothing of what she has had to endure! To you, Kenna spurned your offer of an alliance in favour of one with your enemies and killed those you loved but everything she has done and does is for the Vale, her people and her family. House Royce will always stand for House Arryn."
"The Eyrie is no more, the people of the Vale are in disarray, the Knights of the Vale are a shadow of what they were and are led by a woman that no longer follows her own House words. Tell me which part of that is good for the Vale?"
"Which Kingdom isn't in ruin?" Lord Royce countered, drilling his eyes into the Dornish Prince, "And you will not speak of honour to me or question my Queen's. You who poisoned husbands of your lovers and stood behind the family that made a mockery of your sister. Where was your honour then!"
Oberyn's quick movement surprised Lord Royce but there was no mistaking the dagger just below his throat.
"I loved my sister and if it had been up to me, I would have cut off Rhaegar's cock and shoved it down his throat for what he did to Elia and let the Targaryen's face their own battles but Aerys held Elia and her children hostage. Dorne had no choice but to continue to support him."
"Why support the Targaryens again?" Lord Royce asked, ignoring the dagger between them.
"Because children are not their parents and Daenerys has promised me something I have wanted for more than half my life."
"Tywin Lannister's head?"
"Yes, and she has offered Kenna Lannister's as well," Oberyn removed the dagger's point from Lord Royce's neck. "I will get my remaining daughters back and we will watch as Kenna struggles with a noose around her neck. She cannot escape her fate I will kill her."
"You will try," Lord Royce responded watching the Prince leave the room.
A few hours later at night …
Bedroom in Highgarden, Seat of power of House Tyrell (Targaryen), The Reach
"What is troubling you?" Ygritte asked moving her head above Jon's so her red hair draped over his face.
Jon kept caressing the naked wildling on top of his chest but let his head rest back against the pillow.
"Nothing."
"You are lying," Ygritte snapped, "You said you would never lie to me."
Jon looked at his fiery wildling, she knows me too well now. His hands framed her face before he dragged her down to kiss her lips.
When they broke, Ygritte's face was still creased in annoyance, "You can't distract me that easily."
"I know," he said in defeat.
"Was it your talk with your brother?"
You mean cousin, Jon huffed in his mind before Ygritte's touch on his cheek drew his attention back to her.
"I feel uneasy over how Robb secured our alliance with Queen Daenerys."
"How he betrayed Queen Kenna?"
"Robb broke his word and our father always taught us that our word was everything."
Ygritte began to brush a hand through Jon's dark locks, "I can see why he changed side after seeing those flying beasts on the battlefield. They are indestructible."
"They are called dragons and it still doesn't feel right."
"If your brother's decision means that we survive then it was the right decision."
Jon nodded but Ygritte sensed there was more and pushed away from his chest to sit beside him in the bed.
"Something else is bothering you."
Jon knew this moment had been coming. He had been dreading it.
"I love you. You know that."
Ygritte pursed her lips, "And I love you or I would never have left my people."
"You think they survived in the North?"
"If anyone, could it would be wildings," Ygritte said proudly.
Jon nodded in agreement. The wildings were a divided but fierce people. It wouldn't surprise him if they had survived in the harsh winter conditions the Night King had brought on the eastern edges of the North or reached Skagos.
Ygritte looked pointedly at Jon, "I'm not letting this go."
"You know why I'm called Snow?"
"Your father and mother weren't married," Ygritte said. She had heard people call Jon the Bastard of Winterfell and had beaten the meaning of it from the very solider who had uttered the phrase.
"Neither were mine. I don't even know who my father was, my mother couldn't tell me."
Jon smiled at Ygritte's attempt to comfort him. Under her tough exterior was a warm-hearted woman.
"I know who my mother was … and who my father was."
"Your father was Eddard Stark," Ygritte said frowning.
"He was my uncle. My mother was Lyanna Stark, his sister, and my father was Rhaegar Targaryen and they were married. I'm not a bastard."
Ygritte moved a hand to Jon's arm, "I don't understand why that matters."
Jon looked at the confusion on her face and a little laugh slipped out. Ygritte was the only person he knew who would react like the truth of his birth meant nothing because it did mean nothing to her.
"I have a claim on the Iron Throne. It means that I am Daenerys's nephew. That Robb isn't my brother but my cousin."
Ygritte rested her back against the headboard, "Your cousin married your aunt?"
"Yes, but that isn't the important issue," Jon said, "I need to tell Daenerys. To let her know she isn't alone in this world. That we have each other."
"Then tell her," Ygritte shrugged, "It is your decision. I don't care who your parents were only who you are."
Jon embraced Ygritte and tugged her down on top of him, "When this war is finished, we will go back to the North and look for the wildling clans."
Ygritte didn't reply just kiss Jon passionately in agreement.
A few days later …
Gardens, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Tyrell, Lannister, Arryn), Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
"Come Tywin you can't stay cooped up in your study all day. You need fresh air and a brisk walk from time to time to keep yourself sane."
"We are in the middle of a war," Tywin replied in an annoyed tone but let Genna drag him into the gardens by his arm knowing some sunlight and a change of scenery might help with his thumping headache.
"All the more reason for you to remain sane and see what you are fighting for."
They reached the open part of the garden and Genna's words took on a new meaning as he saw his family sprawled out in front of him.
Myrcella and Tyrion were laying on a thin blanket together to one side of the garden. The young woman was laughing at something her uncle was saying as Myriah rested in her arms, wrapped in a white bundle of cloth. Steffon, on wobbly feet, tried to peer at his cousin placing a hand on Myrcella's arm for support while Tyrion's hand hovered around his back to soften the inevitable fall backwards from the young prince.
Tommen and Artys were sparring in the centre of the open garden with wooden swords. The tall King had a black patch over his eye but the scar was still puffy and red-rimmed. He was moving lethargically and each swing took visible effort to complete. Tommen parried and blocked, testing Artys's returning strength but never attacking himself, only giving his fellow king gentle encouragement.
"Who would have thought the King of the Iron Islands would become our little Tommen's friend."
"He is a King only in name," Tywin commented dryly, "and his support depends on his Aunt's whims."
"Still, this is how future alliances are created, the next Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon could be in the making before our very eyes."
Tywin made a noncommittal noise as Genna guided him to a line of flowers and stopped. He raised an eyebrow at his sister but she just silently stared over the flower arrangements.
There laying on her back gazing up at the sky was Kenna with Yohn and Jorge snuggling into her sides. The boys let out childish giggles as their mother pointed above them.
The twins copied their mother and reached for the sky. Tywin strained his ears to hear them chanting, "Ba ba … ba."
He was puzzled by the scene until he heard the flapping of wings behind him and Genna suddenly moved away from him.
Tywin felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as talons fought for purchase. He turned his head and was greeted by the beady eyes of Balerion.
I'd hoped some archer would have shot you down by now, he thought sinisterly as the falcon's talons tightened on his shoulder, nearly piercing the thick fabric over his skin.
Kenna noting the elder Lannisters presence and where her pet had landed pushed herself to her feet, despite her boys fussing at her action, and approached.
She lifted her hand out over the flowers towards Tywin so her fingers connected with his shoulder, creating a bridge for Balerion to shuffle across.
"Stay still," Kenna softly commanded, knowing Balerion could be dangerous when unsettled.
"I am," Tywin replied tensely, "but if your bird doesn't move soon, you'll be needing to get a new one."
"Relax," Kenna said in a soothing voice that could have been directed at Tywin or her falcon.
After a few more seconds Balerion started to hop his way across her arm onto her shoulder.
"See all you needed was a little patience brother," Genna chirped by Tywin's side but at his glare, she backed away and went to speak to Myrcella and Tyrion. She didn't go alone though as Yohn and Jorge raced past Tywin and Kenna, picking up sticks as they went then mirrored their cousins' stances to start a sparring match of their own.
Kenna let a smile grace her features at the realization that Yohn was copying Tommen's stance and Jorge was doing the same with Artys.
"They will be forces to be reckoned with then they grow up," Tywin said, observing how his sons were swinging around their sticks with confidence.
"Considering who their parents are I would have thought that would be obvious," Kenna said walking around the flowers to stand beside Tywin and leaning slightly into him, "but I fear they will start to miss a father's influence in their life soon."
"You can tell them that their father died bravely fighting the Night King," Tywin quickly said, "Defending his family till his last breath."
"Jaime loved his family," Kenna agreed before adding internally, maybe just a bit too much.
They slipped into silence as both watched the two sparring matches unfold. Eventually, Artys collapsed to the ground panting heavily as Tommen offered him a pouch of water and a hand up. Unlike their cousins, Yohn and Jorge continued trying to hit each other with sticks with little success.
"Quite the legacy you now have," Kenna said, stroking Balerion who cooed with each touch. "I imagine you never thought House Lannister would one day have blood bonds to Dorne, the Vale, the Reach and still completely control the Iron Throne."
"There is much to fight for," Tywin said, feeling oddly restored by his excursion to the gardens and noting his headache had dissipated entirely.
A high-pitched cry pierced through the garden and Kenna flicked her eyes just in time to see Yohn place a hand to his reddening cheek then launch himself at his younger brother. Kenna watched with amusement as her two boys ended up rolling around on the grassy floor, their sticks forgotten beside them.
"Motherhood calls," Kenna said as she sent Balerion up into the sky and strode over to separate the twins as Tommen and Artys tried to stifle their laughs at the antics of the young boys.
When she turned back with one hand on Yohn's arm and another on Jorge's arm Tywin was nowhere in sight.
Author's Notes:
Researching Highgarden made me want to live in Highgarden. It sounds so nice and pretty. There are tensions between Robb and Jon over the formers decisions but Jon's loyalty is with Robb … for now ;P
Surprisingly, my favorite part to write of this chapter was the Royce and Oberyn scene, so much spicy undertones between them. I pity the person who tells Oberyn he has no more daughters …
I haven't written Ygritte at all really in this story as the emphasis has been in the South and Robb but I think she is a partner that makes a lot of sense for Jon. They complement each other's personalities well. I love how she is pretty much the only character (because she is a wildling) that would be like 'so what' to Jon's parentage reveal.
I really wanted to write all the Lannister children together to show what the true casualties of war could be … and how cute all four are ;P
Reviews:
Antares Graceford – I'll admit to being confused to your review. Woman sharing ex-wife name is who?
Mister LaGuardia – Sansa still has a role to play, marriage may be in her future if she survives long enough to find the one or be forced in to it again. Oh, sorry I misunderstood. Everyone will be suffering after this war is done, sadly.
Supremus85 – We'll find out or we might not xD I do agree that both Kenna and Tywin are dismissing Oberyn and Robb too easily.
NightlyRowenTree – It did but whether Jon acts on it is the question. Thanks Tree!
DesertMortician – I ain't making any promises … Making readers dread what is coming is almost as fun as their excitement :D Tywin and Kenna scheming is fun! They just click to the same wavelength effortlessly but aren't afraid to challenge or improve the other's ideas. Also they aren't too morally constricted as other characters. 'One way or another' …. xD
Kawaibabies – Oh I'm confused now … who are you referring to in terms of the self-defense remark? It's definitely a high-risk plan.
Ser Dorito of Aisle 13 – A nice middle ground approach to that prediction. Kenna is the type of strategist that looks beyond the end of the conflicts which from an opponent's point of view is really frustrating because you only truly defeat her if you kill her …
I don't want to reveal anything on the combined fleets but they will appear again.
Guest (commented 22/03/2021) – I really don't know what to expect in terms of reaction to the coming chapters. All I know is it has been really fun writing them!
Krasni – Judging on the previous chapter and this one I'd say you are right but they were already on converging paths due to Yohn and Jorge's existence. Kenna started off as wanting to be as honorable as her father but events in this story have just chipped away at that and lead her down this path of protecting her children and people at all costs. Robb's actions are very divisive to be honest so people should feel conflicted about them because Jon certainly does. Something important … :P
All the vs. are interesting match ups and for it to go the way you think you will just have to wait and see xD
Guest (commented 22/03/2021) – Good quote and very appropriate to Dany. Her descent into madness was really rushed at the end.
Guest (commented 22/03/2021) – I wanted to show that softer side, not because all monsters have one but because he was a father that has lost two of his children and family is everything to him so I think confronting that lose and the fact he couldn't defend himself due to it during the long Night would have broken his steely mask.
Guest (commented 22/03/2021) – I've already killed babies in this story (sorry) so maybe I'm done or maybe there is more to come …
Tohka123 – I didn't want to go through another Small Council scene as I think we have had enough of those so went with the Tywin & Kenna planning scene instead.
Ghf – I probably should play it just the learning curve looks steep and when people have tried to explain the battle mechanics to me, I just got confused but that was years ago. I do like the idea of playing around in the GOT universe thought.
Great Emperor23 (commented Chapter 32) – Well … now you know they are dead. Odds are if you don't know where a character is in my story it is because they are six feet under xD
Death Lantern – Team Crown Alliance are certainly setting up that possibility or a trap for Dany to fall into. Are those the only options? Maybe she will reign supreme …
Shadow Wolf 15846 – Thanks for clarifying :) Makes sense and I do leave some chapters on cliffhangers so I can see the appeal. A lot of people love the Tywin Kenna relationship which is awesome! I always worry that I'm not showing enough intimate scenes of them and I focus too much on the political back and forth they have but this story is on the whole more a political action thriller adventure fic than a romantic shipping focused one.
NCVII (commented on Chapters 76 & 77) – Lol. The further you get in the story the more I lean into book stuff but the story is a mix between the show and the book really. The Iron Islands haven't featured too much lately since Kenna's rescue as they are rebuilding but I'm sure they will be a problem in the future once Artys returns his focus to them. I have written a lot of war and I will do again in the future as Dany tries to precure the world's most uncomfortable seat ever. Feel free to DM.
BlackWatcher1234 – Yeah exactly, betraying Kenna might have been his best move depending on what you think the future holds. Future chapters will answer your questions on whether it will work out/go according to anyone's plan. Everyone does get a bit jumpy around babies in this story and I suppose I have killed a few in this story already … Oberyn is the one that has the most desire to kill Kenna and the most personal hatred so I can see that translating past his normal barrier that children are off limits because he has just lost too much and thinks she has taken my daughters so I'll take her sons type of attitude. Ygritte does have a role coming up but it might not be what you want xD
Next Up: Daenerys gathers her advisors,Jon makes a significant move, and an unexpected bond is formed.
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