King's Landing 300 AC.
Shireen.
When she'd taken up her role at Storm's End she'd expected some pushback from the lords, both Davos and her mother warning her that there may well be those who didn't wish her to be in charge. Shireen could understand that, as most didn't know her and Storm's End by right should perhaps go to her uncle. Though Renly was not only in no shape to be its lord, he was in far more disfavor with the king and queen as well over what he'd done to the food stocks while he was running King's Landing.
There was also Edric to think about, the Stormlords knew her cousin far better than they did her, and yet he had disappeared and wouldn't be returning. The king telling her, Davos, and her mother that his men had been the ones to make all her cousins disappear and they were all safe and sound though they would never hold more than a small keep of their own. It had worried them all greatly at first until Davos had found out that Edric's new keep was to be near his mother's family's lands and that Mya Stone was to marry a knight and be given a keep near Harrenhal.
"Is it a marriage she's being forced into Ser Davos?" she asked worriedly.
"No, my lady, it's a marriage she both wishes for and that the king's men promised her, a marriage she'd not have been allowed were it not for the king and queen's direct interference." Davos said.
"She's happy?" she asked.
"She is my lady." Davos said and it made her smile.
It filled her with so much relief as it allowed for her to believe the words the king and queen said about her own marriage. They'd told her they'd not force her into one and only wished to approve it and though that worried her mother, again it was Ser Davos who told her the truth of things. It wasn't that they'd deny her a marriage if the time came, only that were she to seek out one with too large a house or one that seemed overly political they'd needed to consider it before allowing it. At first, she didn't truly understand and then over time it became more clear to her. If she was to marry someone who may be opposed to the king and queen, in word if not deed, then they'd see her marriage as a threat and so it wouldn't be allowed.
They had no need to worry though, she was and would be loyal to them. The trade deals she'd been given would see the Stormlands prosper, the scars on her face were no longer there and she'd been given the freedom to make her own choices in almost everything. Firstly though she needed to make the Stormlords loyal to her and so from the moment she got to Storm's End she set about doing so. She had brought few of the household from Dragonstone with her and so she was happy to leave those she found at Storm's End in their positions. Should there need to be changes, then in time she'd make them with Ser Davos's help.
For the first few moons of her being in charge, she'd sought out as many of the Lords of the Stormlands as she could and spoken to them personally. They'd been happy with the new trade and surprisingly with her, most having feared that it wouldn't be a Baratheon who would take up the mantle of Lord Paramount and Lord of Storm's End. Shireen had set to work on finding out the wants and needs of her bannermen as quickly as she could. Some needed coin to rearm their men and fill the ranks they'd lost, others needed to redo their stocks or rebuild their keeps, and some were seeking advancement in other areas.
"Tell me more about Lady Errol and her son, Ser Davos?" she asked as they sat in her solar.
"Lady Shyra is a good woman, my lady, a widow who runs her lands and Haystack Hall as regent while her son…"
"Her son?" she asked.
"Was close with your uncle, my lady, he though not a bad lad by any means was far too happy with having no responsibilities and to leave the running of his keep and lands to his mother."
"His keep, I thought?" she said confused and listened while Davos told her the story of Lady Errol and how while her son Sebastion was lord, it would only be when he was married that his mother's regency would end.
"Something your father played his own role in, my lady." Davos said proudly at the end of his tale.
"He did?" she asked smiling when she saw Davos nod "So the lady seeks a bride for her son?" she asked.
"She does but Haystack Hall is not the greatest of keeps or the biggest of prizes, my lady. I believe House Frey has made an offer." Davos said and Shireen wrinkled her nose, she'd received her own offer from House Frey even before she'd left King's Landing.
"Perhaps we can do better for our bannerwoman, Ser Davos." she said determinedly.
It had taken her a moon and she'd needed to travel to King's Landing herself, which gave her an opportunity to see her uncle who was still recovering there under one of the new Maester's care. The king wasn't in residence and so she'd needed to wait longer for a meeting with the queen but when she was given the chance she found the queen to be more than eager to do what she could.
"My queen." she said with a curtsy, seeing Margaery sitting with Ghost and her grandmother.
"Lady Shireen, it's good to see you again, some tea?" Margaery asked and she shook her head though she did take some juice when it was offered.
"Your grace I came hoping for your help." she said softly after she'd sipped her juice and the queen looked at her with intrigue.
"On what matter, my lady?"
"A matter of a match, your grace."
The letter had come a moon later and she'd sent for Lady Shyra and her son Sebastion. While not exactly summoning them to Storm's End, she'd made it clear in her own letter to them that she had something of great import to share with them and had then waited for them to arrive. Shireen smiling now as she thought about it and how despite all the things she'd done since being named Lady of Storm's End and Lady Paramount, it was a match and a betrothal that had won her the most favor.
"My lady." Lady Shyra said with a curtsy while Sebastion said the same and gave her a polite bow.
"Lady Shyra, Lord Sebastion, please take a seat, some wine, juice, or would you prefer tea?" she asked as Davos nodded at her, her own regent standing close by as always while they met in her solar.
"Tea would be most welcome, my lady, juice for my son." Lady Shyra said and Shireen caught the small frown on the man's face, though he welcomed the juice despite it.
"I understand this is most strange, my lady, my lord, me asking you to join you, but I hope my reasons once they're clear will be welcomed." she said looking to the older woman.
"You are our liege, my lady, one that we're more than happy to serve in any way we can. Your father was a good man and true and was this another world then he'd be sitting here today, I'm most glad that it's his daughter who sits the seat in his stead." Lady Shyra said.
"I thank you, my lady, for saying such." Shireen said with a smile before she schooled her face and spoke further "My lady, may I be blunt?" she asked and she saw Davos's smirk.
"You may, I'd prefer it actually." Shyra said.
"It's come to my attention my lady, that you seek a match for Lord Sebastion and that you've had some trouble in this regard." she said and the woman nodded, while Sebastion looked at her curiously and Shireen felt herself worry in case he thought she was offering herself "I may be able to help you in that endeavor." she said taking out the letter and handing it to the woman and then watching while she read it.
"Lady Jeyne Westerling, but how my lady, how is this possible?" Shyra asked while Sebastion looked from her to his mother and then to the letter in his mother's hand.
"I spoke to the queen on your behalf, my lady. Both their graces are keen to see the realm thrive and to foster good relations between those who were on opposite sides in the War of the One True King. His grace as you no doubt know has strong ties in the West and so after some time this was the match suggested back to me, it pleases you?" she asked nervously.
"Very much, my lady, very much indeed." Lady Shyra said and she saw the large smile on her face.
She'd since seen Lord Sebastion and Lady Jeyne sitting together and Lady Shyra had given her a nod during the archery to show her happiness with the match had not abated. Shireen was happy that of the two betrothal proposals she had to deal with, one of them had a happy outcome. As for the other, she shuddered as she remembered the guards bursting into the room and of Harrold Arryn's face as he realized just exactly what it was he'd done. The part she'd played in his downfall may have been small but she cared not for such things. She knew it was right and given that the king and queen already knew of it long before she did, the only course of action she could take. Still, she had liked it not. Yet her duty was not to Harrold Arryn or to the Vale, it was to her House, her lands, and her King and Queen and she'd do that duty diligently, she thought to herself as she heard the knock on the door.
"Lady Shireen, it's time." Ser Davos said and she nodded before following after him and making her way to the Throne Room for the trial.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Margaery.
Though he'd brought the Glass Candles with him once again, it was not just so they could speak and he could tell her that he was well while she did the same regarding herself and Elia. Jae also wished to look at them through them too, even though he could do so with Ghost, he wished to look at them through the Glass Candles and to see them both for himself when the need arose. She'd not understood at first but he had told her that he feared he'd need to see them so desperately and not be able to and he dared not take the chance that Ghost wouldn't be with them.
"When I'm here, Marge, even when she's in the room with us, I find a need to see her, to look down at her. At night have you not noticed me leaving our bed?" he asked.
"I thought you had gone to the privy?" she said making him laugh.
"No, I wake and I find a need to see her, to look upon her and just…"
"Jae?
"Marvel, Marge, I look upon her and I marvel, our babe, our sweet little dragon, such a wondrous thing she is. I fear that while I'm away I'll feel that need and I'll warg and find Ghost is with Fang or the rest of the pack and it'll take hours to see her, to see you both, and I'm not sure my heart can take it. I feel it threatening to break just at the thoughts of leaving, let alone knowing that I must." he said as she brushed her hand over his cheek.
"I'll forego the need to speak to you each day, but I insist you let me know through Ghost that all is well." she said firmly.
"I will my love, I swear it."
He'd been as good as his word and she as always knew when he was in Ghost and when he was not. She'd find herself hoping that when he did look in the Glass Candles he'd see them both together, Elia in her arms as she sang softly to her, Margaery finding it was the song that Jae himself had sung to her that their daughter liked best. She hoped when he looked it would be when she was playing with their daughter, making her laugh, and if not her then it was when she was with others who do so. Joy, Sansa, and Arya when she came to visit, Joanna, and even little Jon all having an innate ability to stop her daughter from crying if she was upset, not that she was very much.
As she dressed and readied for what needed to be done today, she hoped he looked at her while she dealt with a falcon who like his cousin before him had dared to fly too high. Her mother, aunt Lynesse, and Dacey would stay with Elia while she dealt with Harrold Hardyng, Gerold, and Alarra, her aunt's two children, and Joanna and Jon would all be staying in the room too along with Ghost. She'd thought about bringing the white wolf with her but even with the Kingsguard on the door, Ser Arryk and Loras would be staying to guard her daughter, she'd still feel more secure with Ghost with Elia too. Moving to her mother who held Elia in her arms, she kissed her daughter on the forehead and then walked from the room.
Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur walked with her, with Ser Robar and Ser Richard taking up the rear and Ser Jors standing by ready to escort Harrold Arryn into the Throne Room. Once she reached it, she moved to the Iron Throne, turned, and took her seat while Jaime stood forward and the lords and ladies hushed whispers finally quietened down. Almost all knew what Harrold had done, Ser Richard had made sure the word had spread and Jaime himself had spoken to Lord Yohn and Lady Anya about what was to occur here today.
"We're here to sit in judgment on the treasonous actions of Lord Harrold Arryn. In the Name of their graces, King Jaehaerys Targaryen, The Third of his Name, and Queen Margaery Targaryen, I now call this court to order. Bring forth Lord Harrold Arryn." Jaime said loudly.
She watched as the heads turned to see Harrold brought in, Ser Jors and men of the hundred leading him into the Throne Room. He looked just as cocky and confident as ever and she was pleased to see there were no marks or bruises on him and that he didn't look as if he'd been mistreated. This was to be seen as what it was justice and not vengeance, she took no pleasure in being proved right about Harrold Arryn and she knew that Jae would not either.
"Lord Harrold Arryn, you are charged with conspiring against the crown, against their graces, and with seeking to rally lords to your support. How do you plead?" Jaime asked.
"I am innocent of these charges and am here only because of whom I'm related to. Just as I was wrongfully stripped of what was legally mine not because of mine own actions but because the crown blames my cousin's actions on me." Harrold said defiantly, his arrogance undiminished.
"The crown is well aware of your actions, Lord Arryn, I believe most of those present were here when you were called before this throne by his grace over certain of those actions once before." Margaery said to nods and shouts of agreement "As for your legal rights, the crown decides the law, Lord Arryn, not you. House Arryn was punished for its rise against my husband's true claim and though it was in our power and right to strip you of everything, to our detriment we believed in a fairer solution." Margaery said.
"Fair, Fair, I was to be Lord of the Vale, Lord Paramount, you call that fair." Harrold shouted to gasps.
"Your Grace." Jaime said stepping forward towards Lord Harrold, "You shall refer to the queen as Your Grace, Lord Arryn, do so now and do so respectfully."
"Your grace." Harrold said sullenly.
"Lord Hand, please call the first witness." Margaery said.
"I call Lord Renly Baratheon." Jaime said and she smirked when she saw the look on Harrold's face, the man was truly a fool, he'd been dragged from the room while Renly and Shireen had not and yet he didn't see this coming.
"This man is a liar, your grace." Harrold shouted.
"Perhaps we should wait until he's actually spoken some words before we name him as such, my lord." she said to laughs.
Renly walked into the Throne Room and then stood across from Jaime. Margaery once again finding herself almost looking at a stranger. His hair was even greyer than she'd remembered it and though he looked fit and well, he looked tired too.
"Lord Renly, please tell this court of your dealings with Lord Harrold Arryn." Jaime said.
"Of course Lord Hand. As I was recovering from my time in the Black Cells I received a letter from Lord Arryn suggesting an alliance and a betrothal to my niece the Lady Shireen. Upon my return to Storm's End, I received another which suggested certain things, both of which you have in your possession Lord Hand." Renly said and she saw Harrold pale.
"I do, Lord Renly." Jaime said walking to one of his guards who handed him two letters "I could read these out if you wish, your grace?"
"There is no need, Lord Hand, please continue, Lord Renly." she said.
"I brought the matter to my niece's attention, Lord Hand and it was decided that I would speak in person to Lord Harrold while she would inform the crown." Renly said.
"To what end, my lord, to what end was it needed for you to speak in person?" Jaime asked.
"To find out the truth in the words, Lord Hand, to see if what was being suggested was indeed what we thought it was and to pass on what we found to their graces." Renly said.
"And was it what you thought?" Jaime asked.
"It was Lord Hand. I spoke to Lord Arryn in the Eyrie, then here at the Princess Daenerys's wedding night's feast where it was relayed to me that along with certain unnamed Lords of the Riverlands, Lord Arryn wished to reunite and recreate the alliance that brought down his grace's family once before." Renly said, the shouts loud, and Margaery looked to see both Lady Anya and Lord Yohn bow their heads in shame as the truth was revealed.
"Lies, lies, this man is a liar, just as I said he was." Harrold said angrily.
"We thank you for your candor, Lord Renly, you may step down. Call the next witness, Lord Hand." she said once Harrold had quietened down and Jaime called first Ser Richard Lonmouth then and Ser Robar Royce to the stand.
Ser Richard and Ser Robar both spoke of what they heard from outside the room in the tavern and once again Harrold named them liars and then tried to claim that it wasn't him they heard. Margaery then nodding to Jaime as once again Harrold was quietened down.
"I call Lady Shireen Baratheon to testify." Jaime said and she saw the fight go out of Harrold as the girl walked to the front of the room.
She walked prouder and more assuredly and Margaery felt she'd grown into the role she'd been placed in. Shireen had shown that somewhat when she'd come to her to speak on a match for House Errol, Margaery finding herself most pleased to see the girl playing the game. So much so that she'd found them a much better match than they could have hoped for. The Westerlings were a rich house due in no small part to her husband's time in the West, but Lady Sybell was looked down upon for being a merchant's daughter and so their marriage prospects weren't as good as they wished them to be. With both her and Jae's favor that would soon change and all it had cost them was their oldest daughter's hand.
"Lady Shireen, please in your own words, tell this court of the offer that Lord Harrold made to you personally." Jaime said.
"Your Grace, Lord Hand, my lords, and ladies. After my uncle Renly spoke to me on Lord Arryn's intent, I agreed to a mummery. We informed their graces and arranged for a meeting where it was suggested we would look favorably upon a match but where in truth we had no intent to." Shireen began before Harrold interrupted.
"You lying scar-faced bitch." Harrold said moving forward a step.
"ENOUGH, one more outburst like that again Lord Arryn and we'll have you bound and gagged. Forgive me Lady Baratheon, please continue." she said with a small smile which Shireen returned.
"There is nothing to forgive your grace." Shireen said.
"What happened at the meeting you attended, my lady?" Jaime asked.
"My uncle arranged for us to meet in the tavern, Lord Hand. I, Ser Davos Seaworth my regent, and my uncle and Lord Arryn. During the meeting, Lord Arryn was at pains to point out that it was an alliance between House Arryn and House Baratheon that had brought the dragons low once before, and together we'll bring the fuckers down again. His words, not mine, your grace." Shireen said and Margaery couldn't stop the chuckle that came from her.
"Did he explain how this was to be done, my lady?" Jaime asked.
"We were to marry, Lord Hand. I was to help raise the Stormlands in secret while he'd bring the Vale lords to bear along with some of the Riverlords that he wouldn't name but claimed were on his side. Many things were discussed my lord, from an outright rebellion to a raising of the faith and an attack on the dragons themselves right up to hiring someone to kill his grace and her grace while they slept, a Faceless Man, Lord Hand." Shireen said to loud shouts from those present.
"Traitor."
"Treason."
"There was one other thing suggested was there not, my lady." Jaime said after he had quietened down those in the Throne Room.
"There was Lord Hand." Shireen said softly before looking to her and Margaery being surprised by the sympathetic look on the girl's face "An attempt to kidnap the Princess Elia, Lord Hand, to use her as a hostage to his grace and her grace's compliance."
How she kept her cool she didn't know, she both wished to run to her room and take her daughter in her arms and hold her tight and run to Harrold Arryn and strike him down where he stood. She wished to send Arthur and Barristan to her rooms to make sure Elia was safe and no one was able to get close to her. Her fear soon turned to rage and she wanted to scream and shout and order him taken to the dragons, to the wolves, to see them take their time with him for daring to threaten her daughter.
"I thank you Lady Shireen for your loyalty and your honesty, the crown, my husband and myself do not forget such things nor take them for granted." she said her voice far more even than she expected it to be.
"They are both yours in perpetuity, your grace." Shireen said as she stepped down.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself, Lord Arryn, before I pass judgment do you have anything to say for yourself?" she asked and how she didn't scream at the man she'd never know.
"I knew I'd receive no true justice this day, not fro dragons or dragon lovers, my cousin Lord Jon knew this, his grace, the true king Robert Baratheon, the man who killed the mad dragon prince knew this. I demand a trial by combat." Harrold said loudly as those in the room jeered and hissed at him, only stopping when she raised her hand.
"Be thankful that it's my husband who is king and that he is not his grandfather, lest it would be fire you faced and not a blade. Be grateful that your death is all the justice that I seek for what you wished to do, lest I as queen demanded you suffer, just as your so-called good and true king did with his wife and child. You shall have your trial by combat Lord Arryn, this very day you shall have it. Before the melee starts you shall have it for I find I've no desire for you to breathe the same air as my daughter any longer than is needed.
Ser Arthur, ensure Dawn's blade is sharp and this ends quickly, for Your King, Your queen and Your Princess name you, The Sword of the Morning as our champion." she said as she rose to her feet and walked from the room.
Valyria 300 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
The indigo dragon was more than excited to be here and wished to explore more and was it not for Rhaenix and Lygaron then she no doubt would have. Jae's own words to her were listened to but only barely and ever since she'd found the saddle that he knew was for his daughter as they both grew, both he and the dragon had argued. He'd told her no she could not, that they were not here for that and had work to do and she'd chirped back angrily at him. Only for Rhaenix to while not roar at her, certainly make it clear she was displeased by her refusal.
Lygaron then did the same and Jae stood watching while the three dragons had what could only be described as a heated conversation. It was a sight to see and it brought a smile to his face as he watched Rhaenix, then the little dragon, and then Lygaron chirp in various degrees of loudness. The small dragon was fierce too and at times he heard her own chirps grow angrier though it was how her head would turn to look from one to the other that truly made him laugh. It made him picture Elia and imagine what she'd be like as he and Margaery chided her over something she'd done or wished to do.
Finally, the argument seemed to have run its course and the indigo dragon flew back to his shoulder. Jae turned to look at it and he swore he could see reluctant agreement in those purple eyes. Her eyes made it clear that while they would do as she'd been told, she wasn't best pleased about it. She did however chirp happily when he stroked her softly and told her that one day they would come back here and she could fly wherever she wished, that she'd be as big and strong as her sister and brother and then no one but her rider could tell her what to do.
"You'll spoil her." Rhaenix said and he chuckled.
"Aye, I will, I'll spoil them both Rhae." he said as Rhaenix snorted, his sister knowing he spoke true.
Once the little dragon was settled, he then spent the rest of the day gathering as much Valyrian Steel as he could. He piled it up, sought sacks to carry it in, and had Ellagon, Rhaegal, and Sandorix test how much they could carry. Rhaenix he knew could carry a lot as could Lygaron and the other dragons he soon found out weren't far behind his son in that regard. What he was most surprised about though was that even after he'd gathered up as much as they could carry, even after he'd readied it for them to take away, there was still at least the same amount of it laying around the Dragonpit.
It made him think about whether or not this had been left here for this precise purpose or was it simply that even in their haste to escape the doom, the Valyrians had known just how valuable the steel was. In the end, he supposed it mattered not, and as night fell he'd gathered what they would take with them. Though the dragons were hungry, he, Lygaron, and Rhaenix warned them off eating anything close by and he promised that once they left he'd stop off so they could feed. Jae lay down beside Rhaenix while Lygaron and the other three dragons found their own places to rest, none more than a few feet from each other, and then he took out the Glass Candles.
The indigo dragon flew from his shoulder to the ground he'd laid the Glass Candles on and as he lit them up and brought up the image of his wife and daughter, he heard her happy chirps when she saw Elia. Margaery lay in their bed with Elia in her arms as she spoke to her and though he couldn't hear the words or read her lips, the expressions on both their faces were enough for him. He watched as Margaery rubbed her hand softly over Elia's head and he heard the almost wistful chirp the indigo dragon made as she did so.
"I know, I miss them too, we'll see them soon." he said and as Margaery softly rubbed one little dragon, he did the same to the other, feeling her calm under his touch.
There were no dreams that night and he woke up just as the sun was rising in the morning sky. Beside him, the little dragon slept, and when he woke her it was to annoyed groans almost. Though soon enough she was happily eating the dried meat he'd brought with him, even if he could see that just like her brother and sister she wished for fresher fare. After breaking his fast, he readied the sacks and made sure they were tied tight, and then he placed the indigo dragon back beneath his shirt and climbed up onto Rhaenix's back.
They didn't fly for long, just enough so they cleared Valyria and the Smoking Sea and once they had he told the dragons to land. Sandorix and Lygaron flew to get the food to feed the dragon's hunger and they weren't gone for too long. The large fishes they brought back weren't quite whales but were larger than any Jae had seen before and he watched as Rhaenix, Ellagon, and Rhaegal all ate their fill before Rhaenix dropped a large chunk beside him and the indigo dragon. Jae cut it up, putting most in his pack and holding up the last piece so the little dragon could cook and eat it.
"Dracarys." he said and though the flame was small still, it was powerful and soon enough even the smallest dragon had eaten her fill.
He felt her doze off to sleep when he put her back in his shirt and she didn't wake as they flew to Volantis. Jae told all the dragons to land outside the city and not long after they did so, his men arrived. These were Westerlands men led by Gareth Farman the captain of the Lion's Mane and the fourth son of Lady Jeyne. Jae noticing how he seemed most pleased to see him well and unhurt.
"Your grace." Gareth said when he reached him.
"Ser Gareth, your travel went well?" he asked and the young man nodded.
"It did, your grace. We've carts for the steel, will you be staying, or are you to head straight back?"
"I'll stay for a night, the dragons though they've eaten will wish to hunt and rest before we fly back and I could do with a cooked meal myself." he said with a chuckle.
"The Lion's Mane is well provisioned, your grace, unless you'd rather stay somewhere in the city?" Ser Gareth asked, and Jae could see that he wished for him to stay on the ship, perhaps both out of concern and so he could say he had supped with the king one day in the future.
"I 'd be most pleased to join you on the Lion's Mane, Ser Gareth." he said seeing the young man smile broadly.
They gathered up the sacks and placed them on the carts and Jae walked over to speak to Rhaenix and Lygaron to tell them and the other dragons to go feed and fill their bellies and to then rest up. He'd meet them here on the morrow and after telling his sister he'd be safe with the men he was with and wouldn't leave the ship, he then headed into the city. He was unsurprised when even after the other dragons flew to hunt, she did not. Instead, Rhaenix flew overhead as they traveled through Volantis and to the docks, and only once she saw him board the ship did she leave to join the others.
Jae sat with the men that night, most of them he knew in some way having traveled on the Lion's Mane before though there were some newer recruits to its compliment too. These too were men of the West and while they knew of him, they'd never met him and were seemingly in awe that he was sitting, eating, and japing with them. As they were of the indigo dragon who he found far enjoyed cooking and eating the raw meat than she did the fish. He bid the men goodnight, spoke to his wife, and heard his daughter's voice, and fell to sleep with the indigo dragon taking up a pillow all of her own.
The next morning he didn't dally and after breaking his fast and thanking Ser Gareth and the men for what they were doing and for their company the night before, he gathered the sacks and rode out to where the dragons were. He was already in the sky when he saw the Red Priests ride out from the city and he knew then they wished to see him, Jae thinking about landing but deciding not to for now. He had more work to do and he'd be coming back here soon enough, whatever they wished of him could wait until then.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Arthur.
His armor was polished and his white cloak pristine, Dawn's blade as sharp as ever. He didn't ride with his brother's or the queen, riding instead with his nephews and Jae's squires. Cregan would be competing in the melee while young Ned, Tommen, and Martyn would all compete in the squire's duels, the last one that Martyn would take part in before he joined the lists. The young man was a passable jouster, Tommen surprisingly having him somewhat beat in that as did Ned but place a sword in his hand and there wasn't a better blade of his age in the realm.
Arthur was sure there were a lot who were older too who'd fall to Martyn's blade and he felt some pride at that. He'd given the lad some pointers, Tommen too, Ned on occasion, and Cregan he'd trained himself for many years. Yet Martyn was partly the lad's own skill and largely due to Jae. Both for inspiring him to be a swordsman and for taking the time to hone the natural talent that was there. That both he and young Tommen looked up to the king so much was something he'd seen in how Jae and Loras would look at Jaime Lannister when they were their age.
He'd done so to the Bold and the White Bull, even if he had been older and a knight himself when he'd crossed blades with them both. Arthur could soon sense the differing emotions in the boys when they rode. Ned worried about him as did Cregan even if they both knew Harrold Arryn was no match for him they worried still. Martyn and Tommen wished to see him dispense justice, they wanted to see Harrold Arryn pay for what he wished to do, and in this, they were closer to his own thinking than his nephews. He too wished to see the man pay, he'd make him suffer was it required of him but his queen did not seek that, she wished him ended and so end him he would.
"Do you need any help with your armor, uncle?" Ned asked when they arrived at the tourney grounds.
"Aye, you can help me, nephew." he said and though he didn't need any and was already prepared, the smile on his youngest nephew's face was one he welcomed.
He bid the others good fortune in their events, Cregan nodding to him before he and Dusk moved to the tents to prepare while Martyn and Tommen did likewise before heading to the stands, their own event was not yet to take place. Walking with Ned, he allowed his nephew to check his armor and to even hold Dawn while he checked the blade. Once he was satisfied, Arthur mussed his hair and gave him a smile, Ned relaxing somewhat when he did so. They stood there and waited until finally, the herald made the announcement.
"In a few moments we'll begin the melee, but first a grave matter stands before us. Lord Harrold Arryn having being charged with treason and a plot to not only rise up against our noble King and Queen but to launch an attack on our sweet Princess Elia, has chosen to face a trial by combat. Your Grace, my princes, and princesses, my lords and ladies, I give you Lord Harrold Arryn." the herald said.
The boos were loud and Arthur swore that he saw Harrold stumble as he realized just how dire his situation truly was. Why he'd chosen trial by combat he didn't know only that death was inevitable and so a slim chance was perhaps far better than none. He had none though as never had Arthur wished to bring a man's end about so certainly, never had he sought to take a life so truly as the one he would take this day. He'd wished for death before, to the Mountain, Amory Lorch, Tywin Lannister, and Robert Baratheon, to Littlefinger, Edmure Tully, and his sister and to Harrold's cousin Jon Arryn almost most of all. Yet for some reason Harrold had reached and wouldn't be knocked from the top of that list. It almost made him pause and think of the why, only the calling of his name sending his focus to where it really belonged.
"Representing the crown and the Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning." the herald said and he walked out to loud cheers.
He cared not for them, instead, his eyes sought and found the queen's and she gave him the barest of nods, it was enough and after some more words from the herald, he stood across from Harrold Arryn and drew Dawn to louder cheers. He could draw this out, he could toy with the man and humiliate him or see him suffer in pain before he took his life. Arthur could if he wished cut the man and make him bleed, take him apart piece by piece, he could but he would not.
"Princess Elia sends her regards." he said as he ducked the blow that was aimed at him and drove Dawn deep in the gap between Harrold's neck and his helm, the man dead before Arthur even withdrew the blade.
"The Gods have spoken, Lord Harrold Arryn has been found guilty and has paid the price." the herald said to the loudest cheers yet, Arthur though just looked to the queen to see her smile and nod to him.
King's Landing 300 AC.
The Melee.
Dacey.
God's she missed this, she needed it and she was more than thankful she had a husband who knew her well enough not to try and talk her out of it. She was more than a little rusty though and so she was relieved when the first man to come to her was some fool for the reach. She found herself smirking when she looked to Alysanne who rolled her eyes as Dacey caught the young man on the shoulder with her mace. It only took one more blow to finish him and hear him yield and when he did her next opponent was just as green as her first one.
This one was a young man from the Vale and though he wore the same cocky look on his face that the lad from the Reach had but a moment earlier, he too knew better than to open his mouth. His loss would be painful enough to both his body and his ego without him annoying her with his words. He did though last a little longer than the other lad, allowing Dacey to finally feel her body loosen up. In the end, he also got away without being too badly hurt, as she took his feet from him and he dropped his sword, allowing her to get the yield without really striking a true blow.
With him done, she looked around for her next opponent and to check on her sister. Alysanne was schooling a young man from the West, one of Lyle's household and she wondered if the man had assumed because of her sister's short stature she'd be an easier opponent than Dacey herself was. If he had then the lesson was learned soon enough that she was anything but, Alysanne teaching that lesson most harshly both in words and deeds.
"Next time try a cub not a blood fully grown She-Bear." she heard her sister say after she cracked her mace against the man's head.
"Who's next for Goatsbane?" she heard the Smalljon shout and she laughed as she saw Lyle Crakehall walk his way, the two large men soon getting into it.
"My lady." a voice called out and she turned to see one of the Dornishmen that was part of Princess Arianne's retinue.
"Ser?" she asked.
"Just Gyles, my lady, Gyles Yronwood." the young man said with a smile.
"Well then Gyles, I wish you good fortune." she said with a nod.
"You too Lady Lannister." he said and she smiled that he knew her name.
The young man proved a better than average sword too, even managing to catch her across the shoulder once or twice. Dacey finally taking the match when she caught him across the arm with a shot that would no doubt leave a bruise.
"Yield?" she asked moving in as he tried to get the blood flowing back into his arm.
"I yield." Gyles said a moment later.
"I'm sorry about the arm, Gyles." she said after he'd yielded.
"A badge of honor my lady and one I'll be most pleased to speak on later. I wish you good fortune in the fights to come." Gyles said as he turned to leave the field.
She watched him leave and found herself happy to have faced him, there were far too many men who were bad losers or who'd take a loss from a woman in poor humor.
"Who's next for Goatsbane." she heard the Smalljon shout out and she laughed, what an idiot she thought as she moved to face her next opponent, a large beaming smile on her face as she did so.
Bronn.
He was never really one for tourneys, even with the gold on offer and his own skills they weren't something he took part in. Not only did it not help in his previous line of work to be noticed but there were far too many better than decent blades in a tourney and entering one with no reputation at all was hard enough to do. Unless of course, you were a lord or son of one, so he'd kept away from them. Today's prize though was ten thousand gold dragons, five to the runner up and that coin would be helpful.
Though it was the thoughts of the other prize on offer which had made him put his name forward. A night with all three of the ladies in his life, a night even he'd never forget should he win. Considering some of the nights he'd had since he and Jeyne had wed, that was a prize truly worth winning. His wife was an incredible woman, as was her sister, as was Nymeria, and that he had somehow lucked himself into being the one who shared the other two's beds as much as he did his wife's, gods, he fucking loved being a Dornish Lord.
"I came to test my blade against you Lord Fowler." a young Reach knight said.
"Fuck off, find someone more suitable." he said dismissing the proud knight, for his sake not for his own.
"I always knew you Dornishmen were craven." the young knight said and Bronn looked at his sigil, red ants on a yellow field and he found he had no fucking idea who this idiot was.
"Your name Ser?" he asked.
"Ser Edmund of House Ambrose." the young knight said proudly.
"So be it." he said.
The butt of his head hit home and the knight staggered backward. Bronn coming in hard with his sword and catching the knight with the hilt across the helm. He kicked out and caught the knight's knee and then swept his legs from his while he was off balance.
"I'm not a fucking Dornishmen, but I do fuck someone who should be a Dornishman's wife, be thankful this is a tourney, Ser Edmund, for you'd hate to truly taste my blade, it's kiss is a truly terrible thing, Ser Edmund." he said moving from the man after he yielded.
He turned away and moved to see who he was to fight next, not looking for any, just waiting for them to come to him. There was no point in tiring yourself out after all. Besides as he looked to the stands and saw his wife sitting with her sister and Nymeria, there were other things he needed to conserve his energy for and he smiled as he began to sing.
"The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun.."
Cregan.
The field narrowed down very quickly, four and sixty, half that, half again. Cregan had fought three men and taken down two, the other soon finding himself in a fight with someone else while Cregan dodged an attack from behind. He looked around the grounds to see who was left. Lady Dacey and her sister, The Great and Smalljons, Sandor and Strong Belwas, Sers Arryk, Jors, and Richard Horpe of the Kingsguard. Thoros of Myr and Lord Bronn Fowler along with Obara and Daemon Sand, Ser Andar Royce and his father and it was to be the youngest Royce that he was to face.
"Lord Cregan." Ser Andar said with a nod.
"Ser Andar." he said back with a smile
"Shall we, my lord?"
"If we must." he said getting a large laugh from the man.
The two of them took their stances, Cregan trying to see who was facing who around him, Lady Dacey was facing off against Strong Belwas and Sandor against the Smalljon, Jors and Thoros were eye to eye, and Yohn Royce was facing off against Ser Daemon Sand. He could see Dacey's sister and Bronn fighting and Obara was with Ser Richard Horpe though was he in the stand watching it would be Ser Arryk and the Greatjon he'd wish to see.
He had no time for that though and so instead it was Ser Andar that had all his attention, the two of them moving together, and soon enough the dance had begun. He was faster, Andar had strength, he had him beat on technique, Andar more experienced. The two blades crashed together and both of them looked for an opening, it took some time for either to get a hit and it was him that was struck first. He found the blow inflamed him, made him move even faster and he heard some yields from around him, though not the one he wished to hear.
Andar aimed a blow at his head but he parried and caught him with a riposte and then a thrust, both strikes hitting home. The end came when he moved inside Andar's guard and as their swords came together, he reached out with his other hand and pushed the older man. He caught him so much by surprise that it unbalanced him and Andar stumbled giving him the opening. With two more strikes it was done, Andar was on the ground and Cregan held his sword to the man's neck, watching as he yielded.
"I wish you good fortune, Lord Cregan." Andar said as he helped him up to his feet.
"I thank you, Ser, Well fought." he said and Andar nodded.
Cregan looked to see who else had made it, Ser Jors had lost as had Obara, the Smalljon and Strong Belwas too had been defeated. He had some time for respite as the victors were catching their breaths just like he and he could see Dacey's sister, Lord Yohn, and Ser Arryk were all still fighting their opponents. Cregan just like the rest of those who'd taken their matches was stood in awe of the spectacle of the two giants basically beating each other down.
Erryk.
He stood behind his lady's back his eyes on the field and yet on his brother too. The queen sat with Ser Arthur and Ser Robar as her guards. Ser Barristan and Ser Loras on guard with the princess back at the Red Keep. Erryk had at first worried that he'd need to stay there too, that Lady Olenna would stay with the princess not allowing him to see his brother compete in his first tourney. That it was the lady herself who told him she wished to see it was something he was most thankful for.
A few seats away he could see Brienne standing guard over her own charge. Erryk feeling proud of her for the honors she'd received. To be knighted by Ser Walder and then to be asked by the king himself to guard a girl he thought of as his sister, even were Joy not the future lady of Castamere, that was something to be very proud of. It was not making her a Kingsguard, but it was the next truest thing and the king had even set up a new order which he'd placed Brienne in charge of recruiting for. Erryk smiling as he thought back to her telling him and Arryk about it.
'The Order of the White Wolf.'
Arryk had dealt with his first few opponents easily enough and Erryk could hear and see the surprised reactions of those in the crowd. He found it amusing, did they really think someone as wise as his lady would hire them simply because they were large men. True enough their physical presence stopped most threats but it was their skills that Lady Olenna had wished them for. Should there be any foolish enough to attempt to harm their lady, both he and his brother had the skills to make sure they failed in that endeavor. They'd had little chance to show them off, other than the attack on Highgarden and neither took part in tourney's, until now.
"This should be fun." he heard Olenna say and he looked out to see Arryk standing across from a man of a height and size of himself.
He'd seen Walder fight the Greatjon at Highgarden and so he looked forward to seeing his brother do the same. Around the field, other matches came to an end as his brother and the Greatjon fought on. The two of them swinging their greatswords as if they were no bigger than the knives they cut their meat with. Arryk had the edge in skill, both though were evenly matched in strength and soon enough it came down to that as the other matches ended and more people watched rather than faced their next opponent.
The field was down to almost its last eight, Lady Dacey, Lord Yohn, Ser Richard Horpe, Thoros of Myr, Sandor Clegane, Lord Bronn Fowler, and Cregan Stark and either his brother or the Greatjon. Both of them were barely using their swords now as swords, instead, they were almost clubbing each other with them. He smiled when he saw Arryk sweep the Greatjon's feet only to be stunned when the man didn't fall. Looking on he was shocked when the Greatjon pushed Arryk over and he held his breath as the greatsword crashed down only to see the Greatjon fall and Arryk rise.
His brother had allowed the Greatjon to take the lead, he'd lulled him in, and then when the man went to deliver the final blow, he'd kicked out hard and taken his feet from him. The pained yell as the Greatjon felt the power of the kick to his legs was only matched by the loud thud when he hit the ground face first. Arryk rising quickly to cheers as he held his greatsword to the Greatjon's neck and the man yielded before laughing loudly when Arryk helped him up to his feet.
Jaime.
Alysanne had been beaten by Bronn, the man's tricks too much for her as she'd expected him to fight as clean as the rest of the men she'd faced. He could see her annoyance when she left the grounds, though she wore a smirk too and her youngest sister cheered her loudly. As did Joanna and Arya Stark, though they all now cheered Dacey instead. Despite the fights that had been gone on, Jaime had spent most of the melee looking to his wife. Only seeing the Greatjon and Arryk and Bronn and Alysanne because his wife was resting.
"Go, Lady Dacey."
"The She-Bear."
"Let them hear your roar, Mama."
The three girls shouted, Jaime, smiling at his daughter as he held Jon in his arms. Sandor had decided to try his luck against Arryk and Cregan was facing off against Ser Richard Horpe, while Bronn now had to deal with Thoros's flaming sword and Dacey faced off once again against Lord Yohn. He smiled at that, knowing it had irked his wife to lose to the man last time. Holding his son's hand he had him wave and then called out, his daughter joining him when he did so.
"The Lady of the Rock." he shouted.
"The Lady of the Rock." Joanna shouted looking back at him with a beaming smile on her face.
He looked on as Dacey shook her head, his wife laughing and no doubt naming him a fool as she brought her mace down against Lord Yohn's Morningstar. The two of them looked tired and he knew the contest was not the one either would have liked. Perhaps he'd arrange for them to spar when they were both fully rested he thought as he looked out at them. It took far less time for the end to come than it normally would and he wasn't truly sure how it had come about. Only that she had won and was in the final four or soon would be.
"The Lady of the Rock." Joanna shouted turning to look at him and will him to join her.
"The Lady of the Rock." he shouted making his daughter smile once more.
"The She-Bear." Lyanna shouted.
"The She-Bear of the Rock." Arya Stark said and he saw Joanna look at him and so he smiled and nodded.
"The She-Bear of the Rock." his daughter shouted loudly and he swore he could see his wife's smile from here.
Dany.
She tried, she really did try and see the fights, she cheered both Sandor and Belwas on. She listened as Missandei told her they'd won and then that Belwas had lost. The problem was she was with her husband, and he kept whispering things in her ear. Things that took her attention from the melee, the tourney grounds, the crowd around her, and focussed them on wishing the day was over and they were back in their bed.
Their first time had been both pleasurable and painful, Aurane stopping more than once when he caused her discomfort. By the time they were done though it had been far more of the former than the latter. The next time and the time after that and the time after that, those though, they had been very much only the former. She'd not known she could feel such things and it made her understand her nephew a little better. Knowing now why Jae had seemed so keen to spend time with his new wife and why he continued to wish to do so.
It pleased her too to think of that, to look at Margaery, at Ellaria and Dacey, at Arianne and Ashara. Knowing that she could and would think this way in a moons time, two, or more. Though she did find herself distracted far more than she ever should be, and so when Missandei gasped, Dany moved from Aurane to look out on the field. What she saw made her gasp too, the man Sandor was facing was even larger than he, and the power in both men's blows were worrying.
"They'll hurt each other." she said worriedly and felt Missandei grab her hand.
"Sandor." the girl said softly.
Aurane tried to comfort them by saying it was simply a tourney and that Arryk was honorable and neither would seek to harm the other. But when the blow came and Sandor fell, she rose to her feet with her hand over her mouth and she didn't take her seat back until he rose. Even watching him as he walked from the grounds wasn't enough and so with a nod to Aurane, she, her husband, Ser Bonifer, Missandei, and Grey Worm moved from their seats to make sure he was unhurt.
She was pleased that Margaery gave her a nod to let her know that she understood and though others may see more in their leaving, she found she cared not. They hurried to the back with no interest in the rest of the melee and soon came to the tent where he was being looked at by a Maester. He glowered at her when she moved to him, the marks clear on his side and he winced when the Maester checked him.
"Is he badly hurt, Maester?" she asked to another glare from Sandor, one which she returned.
"No, my princess, it's just bruising, but he's not to do anything too taxing for the next few days and he's to rest up." the Maester said.
"I'll see that he does as he's bid, Maester." she said to another glower from Sandor as the Maester left the tent.
"There's nothing fucking wrong with me for fuck's sake, I've hurt myself more taking a shit." he said looking to her as Belwas walked into the tent, a worried look on the man's face and two legs of chicken in his hands.
"You'll do as you ask or no chicken you stubborn fucker." she said as Belwas stopped and looked at her to see if she was serious.
"For fuck's sake." Sandor said rolling his eyes.
"Sandor." she said firmly and saw the small nod and so she looked to Belwas and nodded.
She moved to the opening of the tent as Belwas sat down beside him, her eyes on Sandor's hands as he touched his chest and then took a leg of chicken when it was offered.
"It's good you listened my friend, honey-covered chicken tastes even better than the locusts that do not fly." Belwas said as he tore into the piece of chicken in his own hands.
She smiled back when she caught the little look Sandor gave her, relieved he was truly unhurt, and then she felt Aurane's hand as he squeezed her own and looked to Missandei as she talked to Grey Worm and Ser Bonifer. An odd family but mine own she thought as they left the tent.
Cregan.
Thoros of Myr, of all the possible people he could face of course it would be Thoros of Myr. He looked at Arryk who was facing Lady Dacey and he envied him. Not that a match against Dacey Mormont would be easy by any means, just that it didn't involve a flaming sword. Especially not a true flaming sword like the one that Thoros now wielded. It was not to be though and it was to be Thoros that he faced, like it or not.
He looked to the man and saw him move his way, the heat from the flaming sword showing its trueness. With a nod to the man, the fight began, Cregan, dodging each time the sword came anywhere near his face. Though he couldn't see her, he knew that somewhere up there Alys looked on fearfully, and knowing how hurt she'd be where he to actually be burned was something he found helped him. It made him move more quickly, his strikes feeling truer and Thoros's never hitting home.
Lady Dacey had yielded to Ser Arryk, tiredness, the man's strength, perhaps just that he was better than she or maybe simple luck had decided their fight. His own though continued and when he saw the opening he hesitated briefly thinking it a trap. It turned out it was not and when he moved inside Thoros's guard, he saw the shocked look on the red priest's face and the even more shocked look when he knocked his sword from his hand.
"Yield?" he said holding his sword to Thoros's neck.
"I yield. R'hllor favors you this day, Cregan well fought." Thoros said as picked up his now unlit sword.
Cregan looked to the crowd and caught her eye, she was relieved and cheering wildly and for the briefest of moments, he reveled in his victory. He'd have done so for longer had he not felt the looming shadow behind him and yet as he turned to face Arryk he felt he had a chance to win this. It was not a feeling that lasted long. The first strike almost took his sword from his hand such was the power in it, he tried to deflect and absorb that power during the second strike only to look on stunned to see his sword fly from his hand.
"I yield Ser Arryk." he said before the man asked him, the Greatsword almost but not quite pointing at his heart.
"Well fought, Lord Cregan." Arryk said.
As Arryk was declared the winner he looked to where Alys was sitting and the look on her face made him care not about his loss. It was no shame to lose and he'd lost to the better man this day, he'd made it to the final two and the favor he had tied to his belt was well worn. Moving from the field he allowed Ser Arryk to accept his well-deserved accolades and was pleased to see his cousin waiting for him.
"You were incredible, cousin." Ned said when he reached him.
"Our family did well this day, cousin, how shall we do on the morrow?" he asked to a determined look from young Ned.
"Better." Ned said and he patted the younger boy on his back as they walked to the tents.
Volantis 300 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Three trips it had taken them to gather it all and it had almost filled the cargo hold of the Lion's Mane by the time they were done. His days had stretched on long and into the night. Gathering the Valyrian Steel, packing it, readying it to be taken by the dragons. He'd not found solace in his dreams and he knew he was not the only one bothered by that. Rhaenix too had hoped to see their family once more.
The Indigo dragon had grown far more than she should have and was the size of a small dog now, too big to rest in his shirt or on his shoulder and so when he flew she sat in front of him on Rhaenix's saddle. On his second stop in Volantis, there had been a request by the high priest to speak to him, Jae telling the man he'd do so upon his return. A return that he was just about to set off on and as he looked around the Dragonpit he found he'd stripped it bare, other than the saddles that remained. There was no more Valyrian Steel unless he searched through the cities and he both didn't have the time or inclination.
He didn't wish to be here any longer. Speaking to his wife and hearing her and Elia, seeing them in the Glass Candles, it was not enough, not even close. In his arms, he wished them to be in his arms, to hold them both, to feel them next to him. No, he no longer wished to be here, and yet even when he left there was more he had to do before he could go home. At least though he could send the other dragons on their way once they reached Volantis.
"Sōvegon Rhaenix."
They didn't stop on their flight to Volantis, so he was even more tired when he arrived and the dragons weren't ready to fly home just yet. Jae tried to be polite when Ser Gareth and his men collected him, tried to be friendly but it was clear he was too tired to do so and he was happy enough when the men realized that. After telling them they were done and could sail back on the morrow, he took to his bed and slept right through the night. Waking to break his fast and then sending word to the High Priest that he'd see him now.
Ser Gareth offered him an escort but Benerro sent him men from the Fiery Hand and he explained to the knight that he was safe with these men. He bid the men a safe voyage back to Westeros and then he and the indigo dragon made their way to the Red Temple. Jae finding himself amazed by how large it was and by Volantis itself. He could see the Valyrian influences and he wondered how much of this place had been sung into being. That none of the Old Blood came to visit him or seek him out while he was there was telling and yet he welcomed it. He'd no desire to spend more time here than he needed to do and dealing with prickly nobles was not how he wished to spend that time.
"My prince." Benerro said standing at the temple's steps waiting for him.
"High Priest." he said and Benerro smiled as the man beside him, Moqorro, the Black Flame he'd name him as, if Kinvara's descriptions of the man were right.
"Benerro, please my prince, and this is Moqorro." Benerro said.
"Benerro, Moqorro." he said and the other man bowed slightly at the greeting.
"My prince." Moqorro said.
Jae followed the men into the temple, both of them looking from him to the indigo dragon that he now carried in his arms. She'd flown with him outside and landed when the men had bid him follow them and he tried not to chuckle as she placed her head in the crook of his arm and made herself more comfortable. He was led down some corridors and down some steps, soon finding himself in a room with a large brazier in the middle of it.
"R'hllor sent me a vision, my prince. Of your arrival and of you looking into the flames, the time is almost upon us for the great war to begin and Our God has much for you to see." Benerro said.
"We'll require some blood, my prince." Moqorro added.
He looked at both men, their god was not his own, and yet he knew that R'hllor was invested in the fight to come. Placing the indigo dragon on the ground, he reached to his belt and took his knife, cutting his hand and letting the blood drip into the flames before wrapping the wound in some cloth. At a nod from the men he looked deep into the flames, watching as the visions came to him, messages been sent, allies called, the time was almost at hand.
"We'll see they are dispatched as once, my prince. Moqorro will lead them personally, do you wish them to go to King's Landing or to the Wall?" Benerro asked.
"The Wall, the fight will come soon and it's for the best they get used to the lands they're to fight in." he said and Benerro nodded.
"You will leave immediately?" Benerro asked and he nodded.
"I have two more stops to make before I go home, Benerro."
"Chroyane and Braavos." Moqorro said and Jae nodded.
Jae bent down and picked up the indigo dragon, carrying her with him as he left the temple and he watched as Benerro sent priests, priestesses, and acolytes to clear a space for Rhaenix to land. The High Priest smiling when he saw just how large his sister truly was.
"Good fortune, my prince." Benerro said
"I thank you for your help, Benerro, and for R'hllor's."
"For the night is dark and full of terrors." Moqorro said looking at him.
"Then it's up to us all to Bring the Dawn." he said to nods from both men.
The True North 300 AC.
The Night King.
Giants, men, the Children of the Forest, the Three-Eyed Raven, the boy may think he'd stolen them from him but he'd not. They'd all be his in time, they'd all march with him in time and their magic would add to his own just as the boys would. He had sought him out and found he couldn't see him, his movements blind to him and it annoyed him greatly. Though it gave him comfort too, if he couldn't see the boy, then the boy couldn't see him either.
His march would remain hidden, his target unknown and his plans a mystery. The boy would react, he'd come and he'd fall, then so would they all. He moved over lands that had once been covered with men, women, and children, with meat for his army that had been taken from him. Yet more meat would come, more would fall and the army wasn't what would win this war in the end. He could see it now, the path to victory, the boy's weakness all too clear to him.
Pain he'd bring him, much and unbearable, as he took them from him one by one. His people, his dragons, those he cared about, and finally his life itself. Each one that fell would weaken him not just in magic but in spirit and he'd break the boy in both. Behind him marched an army that stretched for miles, men, giants, and beasts, and yet it was not complete. He needed one of them, one of them to fall too and so he'd see it done.
He closed his eyes and looked through them seeking the way across, the way through and once he found it they began to march once more. The site of the first battle was long behind him now, the site of the next some way ahead and the site of the last not far beyond that. They marched, he marched and as he did he remembered those who'd dared to stand in his way before. Brothers he had killed, sisters, sons and daughters, his people he'd killed one by one. Each death making him stronger, their magic joining with his own. When they had realized what he was doing they had tried to stop them but by then it was leady too late. He was too strong, too focussed and he'd harnessed far more magic than they.
That magic was within him still and had gotten stronger, the flickers of the magic that remained would be his too. Yet it was the sun at the center of it that he wished for, the shining beacon that he'd sought to extinguish many years before and had readied to welcome, only for it to go to another and not to him. He would take it, he would own it and he would use it to bathe the world in the darkness it belonged in. The night would be brought, the light extinguished and the bringer of light would fall. he closed his eyes and he looked, to the Wall, to the East, to the Watch, and to the Sea. He looked and then they marched to victory and to death.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed: As I've mentioned my good friends Leilani and Arrow have a story TDC Missing scenes and What ifs. Chapter four is now up and if you read it in conjunction with this chapter it offers some insight into Lady Shyra/Lord Sebastion and Shireen. It's not essential to read but it does add a little and it's a damn good read too. Up next Margaery speaks to Lord Yohn and Lady Anya about Harrold's death and what it means for the Eyrie while the Joust and The Squire duels take place and Jae visits Chyroane where a promise is fulfilled and curse lifted and we see what happened when he last visited Essos before he then stops of in Braavos and heads for home.
The Sphynx: No worries my friend, hope it warms up soon.
Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.
Remi: Very much so, he doesn't learn.
VFSnake: I think so too with Shireen, she was very smart and unlike Stannis, she had a huge heart too. Hardyng was done the moment he suggested doing anything to Elia.
Hkt29: Given all he's done for Jae, and then the truth of what he did before, In KL especially Jaime should be loved. The High Septon though not hand-picked was who they wished for, he may take issue with Jae over some of the same issues the Fat One did but he's a much smarter man, the Walk of Atonement was as much so the people could see it as it was for Jae/Marge. Very much not, Hardyng was in a terrible position to conspire and he really should have done his homework. It could very well be yes with Elia, but Jae does have Glass Candles and he can, though he's not really done it see the future somewhat, I think when it comes to his house, once he's dealt with the NK, he may seek to know some of that future, so she'd be safe enough. Yes, more dire wolves are coming.
Emeraldduke: Really glad you thought so, The falcon is very lucky it didn't burn.
Biohazard: So very glad you liked it.
Anime Princess: I think you took completely the wrong thing that I intended. His sparring is a set thing, I've taken a long time to show that he spars regularly in the mornings, he also spars when he needs to clear his mind and so in that regards his squires are getting well looked after. I don't show it all the time and when I do it's supposed to be taken as extra as over many chapters it's been pretty much shown what his routine is.
In terms of looking after the seven kingdoms, he'd already stepped back from them, already moved it so that Margaery and Jaime were dealing with that while he was readying for the war. Elia has if anything distracted him more from that than from the other as that again was already established. On Marge missing out on the time with Elia, again, you take it wrong, Jaime's pov shows that he expected her but it's Marge's choice to do what she's doing. It's not Jae forcing them to do his job while he slacks it's them already doing that job and Jae kinda slacking on the other, even then it's not truly as he's preparing and doing what he can, just not doing anything in regards to ruling unless he has to.
There is a simple reason for this, he can't be the one to do the day to day, simply because he could be forced to leave tomorrow, far better to have Marge/Jaime fully aware of what the realm needs, and Jae fully aware of what the war does. What I was trying to show was that he was taken full advantage of being able to be with Elia, yes others are ruling and he could micromanage the war effort, but the war effort is going on, all he'd be doing is standing over people's shoulders, which he would have done if Elia hadn't been born. He's also and this is why Marge is leaving him with Elia, he's also getting in as much time as he can with her because he's going to have to leave. He doesn't know when that'll be, but he knows it's coming, Marge won't so she can allow for him to have more time with their daughter now, knowing that he'll be leaving for gods knows how long.
If there was no war to come, which let's face it is the most important thing they need to deal with and Jae was doing this, then yes, he'd be wrong and people would call him out on it. But the last time he had to leave for more than a month, this time a few weeks, next time who knows. So people are working around knowing that. As for Jaime, he spends time with his family, he just works, it's no different than if he were Lord of the Rock. Lastly, he sought the throne to make the realm better, to bring the Dawn, life is not always going to be like this, he's not always going to have an NK to deal with. He has tried to rule and do both, he can't, it's impossible which is why the solution was Jaime/Marge rule while he deals and prepares for what he needs to. Once it's done there will be a balance, but until then both of them have roles to play. This would be no different than if he was called to quash a rebellion and wasn't there, only rather than have Margaery thrust unprepared into such a thing, she'll be far more prepared because she's been ruling already.
Guest: Glad you liked that my friend, good ol Satchmo. With Renly I wanted to show his own growth after what he's been through, hope you like this view at Shireen.
Tfranco: So happy you liked it. It's well worth checking out and we're while not working together collaborating so that some of the things you'll see here will have been set up in some of the missing scenes. If you read chapter 4 of the missing scenes, you'll see what I mean. I'm a big Targ fan obviously and given what we saw done to them in the show, it's nice to see this side of them I think, as for Harrold, he in some ways helped himself by being so terrible in that it ended him quickly.
Celexys: Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed the Renly part, and as for the Falcon, he faced his judgment.
Flame: Thanks so very much, glad you liked it.
Zeon07: I wanted so much to show that, sometimes we don't' see characters evolve like Harrold here so it's nice when you take a character like Renly and show how he's been affected by what he's gone through and how it's changed him. With Jae, it's truly more what's to come next in Essos, it'll show what he did there before and why he's so needed there now. Hope you liked this part of the tourney.
Lady Octarina: Lol, I so hadn't thought of that, the thing that brings Jae down, the ending of the bedding ceremony. I think the daughter's inheriting thing the way Jae wants it works, let them decide don't force it on them, and pretty much set the example by making your own housework that way. Robert so would have loved Harry, it's funny they don't really cross paths, though perhaps if they did in canon Jon A would have removed Harry as his second heir lol. Glad you liked the Renly thing, Shireen is just so awesome and the girl has such a big heart, I know what you mean about Renly adopting her fics, we get to see a different side of him in that, which we will hear too also. With Mordane there's a far better chance of it sticking, since she's pious, where Cersei very much was not.
Glad you liked the Song, I think given the power of them in the fic, Ser Richard using them to spread the tales about Jae, Jon A, LF, and the Tully's, it makes sense to use the same thing to tell the realm the truth about how true Jaime is. So glad you liked the mental pic of the saddle, in my own mind it was adorable too lol.
Anarchichmind: We'll be getting another around the world view on things in a bit and both reuniting with a couple of Smallfolk we've already met and meeting a couple of others. I think they offer a different perspective and really show the changes far better than the lords do. From right from the beginning I wanted to name the princess Elia, I think she gets forgotten about far too much in stories and a lot of times is just almost painted as the scorned sickly wife with no agency. Which was something I didn't want here, I wanted her to have an impact on Jae, as much as his mother/father, sister/brother do, and I could think of no way to truly honor her than for him to name his daughter/future queen after her.
Creativo: ¿Un ciervo de Troya? jajaja.
Xand007: Thank you, my friend. Nah, Harrold was far too arrogant for that, even though he truly gets more than he would have should sweet robin live here, it still was never going to be enough for a man who thinks himself the heir. More what is he finding in Essos, actually. I get that, my friend, it was more my own laxity in responding I was speaking about I wanted you to know that I'd seen them and why I'd not responded, not telling you to read quicker lol.. Stay Safe and Well.
Irish Hermit: Sometimes it really does take the harshest treatment to change, look at Theon for example, for all people see him as something he's not, he literally has to be broken to do anything good. It in some ways annoys me when I see him paired with Sansa (less so given how terrible season 8 Sansa is) but when he's portrayed as some sort of good guy, it annoys me because he does terrible things, right up to when he does something good. Even with Sansa in the show, he lets her suffer for some time before he finally does anything, it's no great act of heroism and yet some people think him fully redeemed. Jaime on the other hand, they think unredeemable, go figure. Anyway, with Renly he was cocky and arrogant and cared only about himself, what he went through changed him and he will be a good figure for Shireen.
With Mordane, she is devout and pious, yes some of Cat's thinking had become her own, she really thought the Faith would rise with her, seeing that they didn't will have a profound effect on her. In a good way too. We may, they're certainly practicing enough lol.