Riverrun 299/300 AC
Bran.
He'd enjoyed his time in King's Landing but found just as his uncle was, he too looked forward to being in Riverrun. That they traveled by road rather than ship was something he and Summer were more than happy about too. It gave him more time sparring with his uncle who even after sparring with Jae, Barristan the Bold, and Arthur Dayne, was still his favorite sparring partner. With Brynden it was teaching and the learning of what not and what to do and he'd improved so much under his tutelage.
Knowing he was soon to be a lord had at first worried him as he'd thought that meant he was no longer to be his squire and that he'd then never earn his spurs. His uncle though soon set him right, while he was to be the Lord of Riverrun and its lands, Brynden was to be his regent until he came of age. So he'd still be able to serve under him while learning what it meant to be a lord at the same time. If he was diligent, kept to his studies, and did his duty as a squire, then there was a good chance he'd be knighted before he became a lord, something he very much looked forward to.
When he had been in King's Landing he'd been teased by Sansa about his betrothed, it was his own fault as he'd made the mistake of telling Sansa of their meeting and that he'd quite liked Myrcella. She was smart, funny, and if he had to be wed which Jon, Sansa, Brynden, and his father all said he did, then he was glad it was to someone like her. No that wasn't exactly true and that was the reason he got teased by his sister, he was glad it was her, Myrcella, and not someone else.
It took them a little less than a moon to travel the King's Road and then the River Road to Riverrun. He, Brynden, and the guards his father had assigned to him, men who would help set up his household guards before leaving to go back to Winterfell when they were sure all was well in his new keep. They'd spent most of their nights sleeping out under the stars and he'd felt a true squire traveling with his knight because of this. Summer had hunted and brought them fresh game and they'd been well supplied and it wasn't until they reached the Crossroads Inn that they'd spent a night under a roof. They then didn't do so again until they reached Stone Hedge and he'd met Lord Bracken and his daughters.
"Brynden you old goat." the Lord said when he greeted them.
"Jonos, good to see you old friend." his uncle replied.
"This your grandnephew?" Jonos asked.
"Lord Brandon Stark, the new lord of Riverrun and mine own squire." Brynden said as Jonos looked at him carefully.
"I'm honored to meet you Lord Bracken." he said softly as the man continued to look him over.
"You too Lord Brandon, your father is a good man, as is your cousin." Jonos said.
"You know Cregan, my lord?" he asked to a confused look from the man.
"His grace, lad." Jonos said and Bran was confused for a moment.
"Jae…his grace is my brother, my lord." he said to a warm smile from the lord.
"Then my apologies Lord Brandon, your brother is a good man." Jonos said and he nodded before Jonos motioned to his uncle "I hope this one is not too strict with you lad." Jonos said and received a friendly slap on his back from his uncle.
They'd been feasted and he'd found himself having to dance with two of Lord Bracken's youngest daughters both of whom were less friendly to him when they found out he was betrothed and he breathed a sigh of relief at that. Though he had enjoyed the food and the comfortable bed, he soon found he missed the road and so he was glad when they set off the next day, and finally they saw Riverrun itself.
He could feel his uncle's excitement beside him and Brynden sent one of the guards ahead to let the keep know that he'd be arriving within the hour. Bran found himself taking in the lands, his lands, and looking at the keep in the distance. It was an impressive sight he thought and he felt some nerves that he was to be responsible for it now and in the future. It was surrounded by water and as they rode to it his uncle told him that if it found itself under attack it could be cut off from the land making it hard to be taken directly. Bran listening eagerly as his uncle explained to him what they would need to do in a siege or in the case of a battle.
"Do you think there'll be more battles, uncle?" he asked excitedly.
"I doubt it lad, Westeros belongs to the dragons now and the dragon on the throne is a different sort than the one who came before him."
Bran didn't press too much after that, he knew his uncle blamed Jae for what had happened to his uncle Edmure and his mother and yet he did not. His father, Elle, his Robb, and Sansa had all spoken to him about what had happened and he knew Jae would never have wished his mother dead. Despite how she had treated and spoken of him, Bran knew what Jae was truly like and so he didn't blame him and he hoped that his uncle would one day feel the same.
As they entered the gates he saw the entire or what to him at least looked like the entire household lined up to welcome their new lord. He knew the names if not the faces, Utherydes Wayn was the steward, Ser Desmond Grell the Master of Arms, and Ser Robin Ryger was in charge of the guards. The Maester was called Vyman, no, he thought that was the old Maester, the new one was called?. He found he couldn't remember and then he thought about what his uncle had told him when he'd spoken of those who were to serve him and his house in the future.
"Most you'll come to know over time, Bran, get to know the people under you, form your own opinions of them and you'll soon find out who is a good man and who is not."
It was good advice and he'd take it to heart he thought as he dismounted and was introduced to the men and woman who now served him. Brynden gave him leave to go to his room and see himself settled and he was directed there by a serving girl named Pearl who seemed friendly enough. The girl welcoming him and saying how much she looked forward to serving Riverrun's new lord. She seemed a little wary of Summer until he showed her that the wolf was not something to fear unless of course, you meant him ill. Bran found that once she knew that and once Summer had then licked her hand that she was much more comfortable around him.
Once again he was feasted and he was far happier this time as it was in his own hall and he didn't need to dance with anyone if he so wished. He retired early and then after he broke his fast the next day he had ravens sent to Casterly Rock and to Winterfell. Sansa had told him he should write Myrcella often and he'd promised Myrcella herself that he would do so, as for his father he knew he'd wish to know he'd arrived safely.
Over the next few weeks and moons, he found himself settling into a routine. He trained with Brynden in the morning and the evening and after taking his lessons he would serve by his uncle's side as both squire and student. His lessons he would take with the Maester, a man named Nelsor Crakehall who Bran had found out was the second replacement for Vyman. The first one had returned to the Citadel having no desire to serve House Tully after the war. It was something that he knew he had to face and so when his uncle suggested it, Bran agreed. The ravens were sent out and the Lords of the Riverlands were invited to a feast so they could see who looked upon them favorably and who did not.
"Be watchful Bran, speak to those who wish to speak to you and those who don't, but be watchful." Brynden said to him the night of the feast and Bran swore to him that he would do so.
His uncle was happy that most of the lords came, Lord Darry, Lord Blackwood, and Lord Bracken, there were even some men who'd been close to his Uncle Edmure though they were mainly heirs and not lords and their fathers didn't come. Men like Ser Marq Piper, Lord Lymond Goodbrook, and Tristan Ryger, who were all sitting together but apart from the other lords and knights of the Riverlands, and men like Ser Hugo Vance who though friends with them was sitting with the others rather than them. He noticed how his uncle looked at those men too and how they looked both at him and at Brynden over the course of the night.
When his uncle gave him leave, he made his way to his room only for Summer to begin acting most strangely. Bran soon chasing after the wolf as he ran through the halls and past doors before stopping at one and scratching at it intently. Closing his eyes he was soon one with his wolf, Summer's thoughts as his own and he felt there was something in this room that was very important. He sent a guard for Utherydes and tried to calm Summer down while he then waited for the steward to arrive with the key to the door, Bran feeling Summer's eagerness feeding his own.
"Lord Brandon." Utherydes said looking at him oddly "This was your grandfather's room." he added as he opened the door and Summer raced into the room.
He and the steward followed him inside and when he looked at the wolf he saw him scratching at a panel in the corner. Utherydes looking at him with a confused look on his face and one that also seemed to suggest that Summer had taken leave of his senses. Again Bran closed his eyes and again he was in Summer, the wolf telling him that it was here, that he'd find it here. Opening his eyes he moved to the panel and began to push only to find he didn't have the strength to do so and so he bid Utherydes help him.
"I don't think…" Utherydes said.
"There's something there I'm to find, Utherydes, trust me on this." Bran said and the man nodded before he joined him on his knees and they both pushed together.
It broke rather than gave way and Bran reached inside the gap that they'd created. At first, he felt nothing, and then the tips of his fingers touched the cloth. He turned with his ear to the wall and stretched his hand in as far as he could, finally grabbing something that was small and felt almost like a book to him. When Utherydes saw he had something in his hand he looked both surprised and relieved. Though when Bran removed the cloth that covered it the look changed immediately.
"That's…That's your grandfather's journal, Ser Brynden asked it about and we tried to find it but it was presumed lost." Utherydes said and Bran reached out and rubbed Summer's head, feeling the wolf lean into him.
"Summer found it." he said with a smile.
298 AC to 300 AC.
The Mystery of the Twins.
Roslin Frey.
She had met the king once, well not exactly met him but had seen him when he came to the Twins with Lord Jaime Lannister and Loras Tyrell. He was a good-looking boy and she wondered if he'd grown up to be a handsome man. Not that it really mattered as it wasn't as if a king would ever seek her hand. When the raven came naming him for who he really is, her father, brothers, uncles, and cousins had all been in a tizzy. The Twins was then a hive of activity as meetings were held and plans were made and unmade just as quickly.
Later she'd heard that there were some of her family who wished to support the new king and those who wished to support the old one. Roslin found herself annoyed at the lack of true information she had access to. Women were not privy to such things in most of the keeps throughout the realm but even more so in the Twins. Here they had only one duty, one value and as it was she was lucky enough to keep her maidenhead only because of that value. So she only got second and third-hand information and had to wait until she got the chance to speak to Perwyn and Olyvar to know what was going on. Something she got a chance to do a few nights after the raven had come.
"Well?" she asked her older brother.
"Well what?" Perwyn replied as Olyvar chuckled.
"What's father going to do?" she asked annoyedly.
"Wait, what else." Perwyn said with a laugh.
"He's not going to support the king?" she asked shaking her head.
"Which one?" Olyvar asked and she frowned at him.
"The Dragon of course." she said glaring at her other brother.
"Father will judge the odds, Roslin, he'll judge, he'll wait, and then he'll pick the winning side." Perwyn said.
She shook her head again such was her annoyance, the winning side was as clear to her as day. Jaehaerys Targaryen would be the king and any who thought differently was a fool. King Robert may have the Stormlands and the Vale, but that's all he'd truly get. The Riverlands would never come together under Edmure Tully and as for Jaehaerys, he had The West and she believed he'd take the Reach too as well as the North. Was her father a smarter man then he'd reach out to the dragons now and he'd earn their favor early, but after listening to her brothers it was clear that once again he'd wait and wait, the late Walder Frey was who he truly was after all.
It became even more clear to her that it would be a dragon on the throne over the next few weeks. A letter had come from Riverrun offering without actually stating it, a marriage in return for their men. Her father had laughed it off and given how much he valued matches and sought them for his children, that told her all she needed to know about his feelings for the Tully's and their chances. If he truly believed that King Robert would win then he'd have accepted the offer. A marriage to a Lord Paramount would have been too good to turn down and yet as much as she longed to be wed and away from the Twins, she was glad it was not to be to Edmure Tully.
"Don't worry pretty girl, soon enough that maidenhead you hold so true will be a thing of the past." Black Walder said as he sat down beside her at their dinner that night.
"Has father found me a match?" she asked though it was clear by the look on Black Walder's face that was not his meaning.
"Roslin, come join me." Jyanna said glaring at Black Walder and Roslin rose to her feet very quickly, following after her goodsister and trying to ignore the lustful looks she was receiving from her cousin.
"Thank you, Jyanna." she said softly as they walked.
"That man is a menace, you should be careful around him." Jyanna said and Roslin nodded, she knew exactly what Black Walder was capable of and what it was he desired.
Things soon settled back in their old routine, outside the walls of the Twins armies marched and war was soon to be unleashed upon the realm and inside life was as normal as it ever was. Roslin would find herself walking through the keep and picking up snippets of conversations, things that made no sense to her and little that took her interest. She and her cousins would speak of what the realm would be like when the Dragon took the throne and would it even make any difference to their own lives at the Twins. None of them really expecting that it would.
It was only when news came of the armies truly marching, tales of The North being called to arms, and of The West marching on the Riverlands that soon had those in the Twins both excited and fearful. Her father still refused to pick a side and her brothers had finally come around to her way of thinking. Roslin tried not to feel too smug knowing that she'd been right all along and that it had taken them far longer to realize that the Dragon would win this war. When she heard that Tyrion Lannister would be arriving at the Twins seeking to cross the bridge with his army, it intrigued her. Both to see what her father would demand of him to allow him passage and to see the man himself. The Imp, the Demon Monkey she'd heard him named as and so she along with her brothers, cousins, and almost the entirety of her family waited in the Great Hall for him.
After he had left, the Twins was once again abuzz with talk and questions and her own mind was filled with far more of the latter. Tyrion was a prince? A Targaryen? How? And what did this mean to Jaehaerys and his own claim? Though given that Tyrion spoke of him as his nephew and his king it was clear that the West still sought to put him on the throne and not Tyrion which surprised her father and her brothers. She'd felt nervous when her father had brought up marriages, she'd nothing against Tyrion but she doubted she would enjoy being married to him, prince or not. So she was glad when he refused and she had tried not to chuckle upon finding out almost everyone with him was betrothed too. With her mind trying to deal with all these new revelations and what it meant, she found herself strolling through the keep and not paying attention to where she was going. Something she'd have kept doing was it not for the voices she heard.
"Why didn't father speak to him about the body?"
"He wished for it to be the king himself he spoke to."
"But would he not have done as well to speak to the prince?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not, we gain more favor if it's Jaehaerys though, father was sure he'd seek to come here, that it would be him that would seek to pass."
Body? What body? Why would Jaehaerys Targaryen care about a body? And where were they keeping such a body? Was it here at the Twins? For the next few days, it was these questions that filled her mind and not the others. Even when news came about Riverrun's fall or the battles readying to take place, Roslin found she couldn't concentrate. She asked discreetly about it to only those she trusted and no one other than Fair Walda had any idea what she was speaking about. Roslin knew that her cousin had slept at least once with Black Walder and she soon found out it was more than likely he that she'd overheard speaking that day.
"I don't know much of it, only that your father had expected the Dragon to come here and had something that would be of great interest to him, something that he felt would gain him the best possible deal." Walda said.
"A body?" she asked and Walda nodded.
"If you find out more will you let me know?" she asked and Walda nodded "Don't ask questions, Walda, just if you hear anything." she said and he cousin smiled as she said that she would.
It was moons until she heard anything else regarding a body again and by the time she did the war was over and the realm had a new king, just as she had known it would. Her father had waited too long and though he'd sent Stevron with his forces to join up with Prince Tyrion's and the North's, they'd seen no fighting and earned no glory. She'd almost forgotten about the body and the talk of it, when she was sitting sewing one day and Walda sat down beside her. It was clear she was eager to speak to her about it and what she said perked her interest once more.
"He spoke of it last night." Walda whispered.
"Black Walder?" she asked and Walda nodded.
"He was wroth at your father, said he'd waited too long and now it wasn't worth anything to them. That if anything it was a risk more than a reward now."
"Did he mention where it was?" she asked curiously.
"No, but I believe it's near the treasury." Walda said and Roslin wasn't sure if she was right or if it was just a guess, still it was better than nothing.
She found herself keen to get to the bottom of the mystery, it almost excited her knowing there was one and it made her days at least have some meaning. Without the search for this mysterious body, her life was one of the same routines. She'd wake, break her fast, and then go to lessons before spending the day either with her niece and nephew or reading and sewing and dreaming of being wed. Her nights usually ended up avoiding Black Walder and the look he'd get on his face when he was drunk.
The older she got the less likely she was to keep her maidenhead, she knew this and so did Black Walder which was why he was looking at her more and more lately. With it, she was a valuable member of House Frey and one that her father could barter off, without it she feared what she would be. So the mystery of the body diverted her, it gave her something to focus on, and yet it was a fruitless search as it wasn't near the treasury or anywhere else she could think to find it. Soon enough she found another distraction when she was called to her father's solar, an offer for a match that he'd made that seemed to be gaining some interest.
"You sent for me father?" she asked as she stepped into the room, trying not to look at the way he touched Joyeuse who was with child once more.
"I did. What know of you of House Errol?" he asked.
"House Errol of Haystack Hall is sworn to House Baratheon of Storm's End and held in regency for Lord Sebastion by his mother Lady Shyra." she said and was surprised by her father's smile.
"You have a mind to go with your beauty. I'd have sought a much better match than this for you but alas…I'll send the raven and see if we can come to an agreement." her father said and she nodded while trying not to smile.
It was just as well that she had not and that she'd not spoken of it too excitedly, as it turned out to be yet another piece of false hope. When Black Walder heard he was a little more aggressive in his dealings with her, even going so far as to touch her inappropriately as they ate one night. She was sure now that it would be he that took her maidenhead and not a husband, that this was to be her life from here on. While Fair Walda may be happy to lay with him and accept this life, she was not, and yet she knew not what to do, only for fate to then shine upon her.
"The room beside the stores, the coldest one, it's in there." Walda said to her as they walked through the courtyard.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"I know, I've seen it." Walda said with a giggle.
"For true, it's an actual body?" she asked to a nod.
She made her way there that night, finding it exactly where Fair Walda had said it would be and it was immediately clear to her why her father had thought it could be used to gain him favor. How he'd gotten it? Or where he'd found it? Was a mystery in of itself and yet she knew she couldn't use it as it would now only bring disfavor to her father and her house. After resolving not to say anything about it, she was making her way back to her room when he found her. Black Walder was drunk and he almost wouldn't accept no for an answer, the slaps she hit him only enflaming his desire to bed her. Was it not for the sounds of her brothers coming her way then she was certain he'd have forced himself upon her and as she lay in her bed that night she knew she had no other choice.
The next morning she spoke to her brothers about the tourney for Princess Daenerys's wedding and the birth of Princess Elia. She begged them to bring her with them and then made her way to her father's solar. Telling him once she got there that perhaps if people saw her at a tourney then she'd catch the eye of a lord or worthy knight. After promising him that she'd behave properly and after he spoke to Perwyn and Olyvar she soon found herself riding away from the Twins and heading to King's Landing. She would seek a husband when she got there, she'd seek the king's help to find her one and hope that the news she brought him would see her rewarded so. As for her father and Black Walder, she felt no shame in what she was doing and no regret. The king was a good man and true and had already only punished those responsible for events, so he'd not seek to punish her entire house. Roslin closed her eyes and was back in the room, her fingers touching the armor and then looking at the body contained within.
"Prince Rhaegar Targaryen." she said softly as her fingers touched the rubies that still remained on the black armor he was so well known for wearing.
King's Landing 300 AC.
The squire's duels
Kevan.
He sat with Dorna who held Janei in her arms, their daughter was too big to be held but she got too excited when she saw her brothers fight and both Martyn and Willem would be doing so today. Lancel sat with his brother's betrothed Lady Wylla and it only focussed his mind more on finding his son and heir a match. At one point he had intended it to be Lady Wylla and Lancel and his first conversations with Wyman had been with that in mind. It was his friend who pointed out the flaw in his plan and it was one he'd not thought about until Wyman brought it up.
With Lady Wynafred and Robb Stark matched it meant that White Harbor would fall to Lady Wylla as her father's heir. So whoever the girl was matched to would need to take up the mantle of Lord of White Harbor since Wylla couldn't be allowed to leave. While she was a second daughter and at one point this would have been no obstacle, her sister's match now influenced her own. Lancel too couldn't be allowed to leave and marry someone else, true he could name Martyn as his heir instead of him but it was not and would not be what he wished to do.
Kevan now had a legacy, a seat of his own and a Lordship to pass on, he'd wish for his eldest to take up the mantle when he passed and so it was Wyman who came up with the compromise. Martyn to marry Wylla instead of Lancel and while at first both Lancel and Wylla were not best pleased, soon enough both came to see the truth of their situations. That Martyn was so accomplished in the yard also won him favor with the girl who would one day be his wife. It left him in a quandary with Lancel though as he couldn't aim so high for a bride for him and so he'd found no one to match him with as of yet.
"Willem papa." Janei said as she bounced on her mother's legs, Dorna looking at him almost pleadingly as he smiled at her and took her from his wife, and allowed Dorna to sit on his own.
"Will Willem win, Janei?" he asked as she laughed and waved when she saw her brother.
"Willem win, papa." Janei said and he nodded, watching on as Janei was proved right.
Jaime.
He looked to the queen to see her holding Elia, the little princess was wide awake and staring out on the field, and Jaime wondered what it was that she saw when she did so. In his arms, he held his daughter, and beside him, Dacey sat holding their son. His wife was looking forward to the duels now that she'd taken out her frustration in the melee. She'd shown little ring rust and had made it to the final four and yet she'd been disappointed to lose even to Arryk.
The giant Kingsguard had shown himself to be just as fierce as the man he'd replaced and Jaime felt comforted by that. Even going so far as to ask his wife if she thought she'd have beaten Walder had she faced him. Something that at least made her accept her loss a little more gracefully. That Arryk had then gone on to win it all helped in this regard also, Jaime not correcting his wife when she said had she faced Cregan or Thoros then she'd have made the final.
"Willem did well." he said and Dacey nodded, her attention more on her sister as she made her way out, Jaime's soon on Lyanna as well though more so because of what Joanna was shouting.
"The She-Bear." his daughter shouted out loudly and Jaime rolled his eyes when he looked at the big smirk that Dacey wore.
"Wave to your aunt, Joanna." he said and his daughter did as she was bid, waving frantically at Lyanna who nodded though didn't wave back.
His goodsister was facing off against one of Gerion's men's squires and though he'd not seen the boy fight before he felt he was outmatched. It turned out to be a far more even fight than he had expected and even Dacey and Joanna seemed concerned about Lyanna's chances only for her to eventually take the win 5 to 3. It stood them both in good stead, the lad had shown himself to be someone who in time would be a good sword and Lyanna had been forced to adapt and not just given an easy win.
This could not be said for Martyn who dispatched his own opponent with ease winning his match 5 to 0 and waving up at Joanna when she shouted out his name. His cousin was the very best he'd seen other than Jae at that age. That his king's influence was shown in how Martyn fought was clear too. As it was in Tommen's when he came out and won his match 5 to 1. He laughed when Arya Stark came out and Joanna shouted at her too, his daughter making a game of it and he wondered who'd thought her that, not needing to look back at Joy in the crowd to know it was probably her.
"The She-Wolf." Joanna shouted and Arya looked up to her and bowed, Joanna, giggling as she waved at her and then turned to him "Arya will win, papa." she said and he just nodded, his daughter wasn't asking him, no, she was telling him.
Arya took her match 5 to 2 and looked furious with herself as she walked off the field. Jaime was finally able to relax until the next round as Joanna had no one else to cheer for until then. He watched as Ned Dayne took his match 5 to 0 and as a young lad from the Stormlands won by the same margin. Yet by the end of the first round, he knew that once again if the draw allowed it that it would come down to Ned Dayne and Martyn. The others were good, some would only get better over time but his cousin and Arthur's nephew were far beyond them.
Arthur.
He much preferred having the princess here, not only so that both he and Barristan were on hand for both her and the queen but just to have his eyes on the little treasure that she was. While the duels took place and his eyes occasionally drifted to them and of course he kept them on the crowd just in case, more often than not it was the princess he was looking at. Arthur finding himself wondering what Rhaegar would have thought of his granddaughter or how Lyanna would have behaved around her.
When he looked at how Margaery was with her it was Elia's namesake he saw, his princess had been the very same with Aegon and Rhaenys. The world around her had almost ceased to exist and as he looked at Margaery speaking softly to her daughter it was clear that they too were in their own little world. Arthur had no need to imagine what his own face looked like, the expression on Barristan's or Loras's were no doubt matched by his own. Turning his attention from them he watched as Ned made his way out for his second match, his nephew winning his first with aplomb.
The second he took just as easily and he knew that when the day came Dawn would find a worthy wielder in young Ned. He looked to Ashara to see her smile at him and then down to Allyria who was sitting with Lord Beric, both looking on proudly. His sister's arrival had been a surprise and a welcome one and though he'd not had much time to spend with her, he knew that Ashara and she had found much to speak on.
"Martyn." Loras said and Arthur turned to the field.
As much as he enjoyed the duels, seeing the young men and women that he was more than happy to see, it was watching swordsmen like Martyn and Ned that really took his interest. They were better, far better than those that they faced and though he could see talent in young Tommen or in Arya Stark, it was not the same as what he saw in his nephew and in Martyn Lannister. There was talent and then there was gods given skill and they both had it in spades.
"Gods he's good." he heard Barristan say as the boy took the match 5 to 0.
"Aye, he is." Loras said with a proud smile on his face.
While Jae had honed his talent and it was he that Martyn sought to emulate, Loras had played his part too and Arthur could see how much it meant to him to see him do so well. There were no big surprises in the second round and so all they'd expected made it to the melee. Sixteen boys and girls to fight for the prize and yet for Arthur it would come down to two.
Robb.
His sister was good very good, she and Lyanna both and he was surprised to see one of Prince Oberyn's daughters compete. More so given it was not the oldest or second oldest of the four girls whose mother was the prince's wife. Dorea was the youngest of the competitors other than Lyanna Mormont to make it to the melee and Robb worried about her a little because of that. She was smaller even than Arya and yet with her Morningstar in her hands she'd beaten two boys who were far bigger than her.
Each time she'd won, her father, mother, and sisters had cheered her name loudly and so Robb had taken to cheer Arya's just as loudly and had even gotten Cregan and Sansa to join in, though his cousin cheered Ned Dayne too. Lady Alysanne cheered for Lyanna and Wylla cheered for her betrothed while Wynafred just sat silently beside him and allowed him to have his fun.
"Why won't my wife cheer?" he asked with a smirk.
"Because your wife is not a fool, Arya may be your sister, Robb, my goodsister but my own sister would not think well of me were I to cheer against her betrothed." Wynafred said rolling her eyes and making him chuckle.
"They've all done well to make it to the melee, gods Prince Oberyn's daughter scares even me." he said as Wynafred moved closer.
"Aw, does my husband need my protection from the scary little girl?" Wynafred said with a laugh as she put her arm around him.
"Get off." he said pushing against her shoulder and making her laugh harder.
He kissed her cheek and then she kissed him back, this time on the lips. The two of them settling into their seats as the participants of the melee were brought out.
"Arya Stark of Winterfell, The She Wolf." he shouted out as Sansa joined in, and as soon as she did it set the rest of them off.
"Dorea, The Sand Snakes."
"The She-Bear."
"Tommen."
"The Lion of Lannisport."
"Ned Dayne."
Each of the respective family members cheering their kin on and Robb finding he quite enjoyed tourneys and that he wasn't the only one to do so.
Olenna.
She was bored, tourneys were boring and she had hoped to have been able to stay in the Red Keep and look after her great-granddaughter while this one was brought to its conclusion. Margaery though had decided to take Elia with her to the duels and the melees, saying that since she was the queen of love and beauty her presence was required. Though Olenna knew the truth, she had wished to cheer on those that Jae would if he was here and she also didn't want to be without her daughter's presence.
This was a compromise allowing her to do both and so with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter both attending, her own attendance was required too. Which led to her sitting here watching children fight. She understood the nature of these duels and they had served Jae well in making his name and his reputation. It gave the children something to aspire to and given that most would end up in the lists at some point in the future, the experience would be most welcome. For her though they lost their luster and shine and she after the first round of duels was bored once more.
It was only when the cheers had started and people had begun to cheer for the favorites in the melee that her interest was raised. Most cheered for their family, obviously, some cheered for those who had shown just how good they truly were. Young Martyn Lannister getting the loudest cheers of all, but it was who had cheered for Ned Dayne though that caught her attention. Celesse Footly was a smart young girl who in a lot of ways reminded her of her granddaughter. Just like Margaery she wasn't one to chatter and cheer like most of the young hens and so when she heard her cheer for Ned Dayne she paid extra interest.
Had she cheered for him during the two duels he had taken part in?
Had she cheered for any other?
Was her interest true?
As she watched the girl look eagerly at the young man in question, she found herself smiling. She so reminded her of her granddaughter and how Margaery would look at Jae as he took part in the same events. The young girl was sitting close to the edge of her seat, her hands clasped tightly together and her eyes only on Ned Dayne. Celesse was a pretty young thing, smart and witty, and though House Footly was not the largest or most powerful of houses it was a good and noble one.
They had supported the right side in the Dance of Dragons, especially given Jae's pronouncements when naming Elia his heir. It was the same during the rebellion too, they had marched with Mace even if it was to the wrong destination. She and Ned Dayne would be an interesting match, the Reach and Dorne were ever enemies until now she thought with a smile, and Starfall's future lord was someone who had already caught the young girl's eye.
"Grandmother?" Margaery asked and Olenna turned from the young girl she'd been watching so intently to the young girl she'd spent most of her life doing exactly the same thing to.
"Your grace?" she asked seeing the intrigued look on Margaery's face.
"What are you up to, grandmother?" Margaery asked.
"Me, up to something, whatever could you mean, your grace?" she said with a smirk.
"Grandmother?"
"I'm helping the realm grow strong, your grace, nothing more." she said as she looked back out onto the field.
The Melee.
Arya.
She and Lyanna stood together and two boys soon came their way, with their maces in hand they readied to meet them and she soon found herself being forced away from her friend. It annoyed her, angered her and she took it out on the boy who'd done so. Her mace catching him across the arm a little harder than she had meant to. It gave her the opening she needed though and as he struggled to wield his sword with his injured arm, Arya moved inside his guard.
Instead of swinging the mace and hurting him more, she used it to thrust against him forcing him back and back closer to where Lyanna was fighting against the other boy. It surprised her as much as the boy himself when he tripped and Arya wasted no time and soon had him yielding. After helping him to his feet she took a look around the field. Martyn Lannister was on one side of it and Ned Dayne on the other both of them keeping away from each other and perhaps hoping to face each other at the end.
"Who are you looking at?" Lyanna asked as she moved to her side having beaten the boy she'd faced.
"Them, they think they're so good." she said annoyedly.
"They are so good." Lyanna said and Arya shrugged.
"Not better than us." she said and Lyanna looked at her but not with any confidence "Both of us." she said with a smile as they moved towards Martyn Lannister simply because he was nearer to them.
Tommen.
The little girl was fierce, she swung her Morningstar angrily as she fought the larger boy and Tommen having beaten his own opponent found himself watching rather than fighting. That it gave him time to catch his breath helped him some and when Dorea beat the other boy and looked his way, he felt nervous. She had a look in her eye that worried him and when she moved his way he knew then what that look was. Snakes looked at everything as prey and he was her next victim.
"You squire for my cousin." she said when she reached him.
"I do."
"Are you any good?" she asked.
"I think so." he said nervously.
"You must be if Jae has you as his squire." she said smiling and he smiled back at her, feeling his chest puff out a little at her words.
"I wish you good fortune." he said with a small bow.
"You too, you're going to need it." Dorea said and not a moment later he was blocking her attack.
Fierce didn't come close to describing her, she was relentless and for the first few moments, Tommen was forced to simply defend. She didn't tire either and only when he found his footing did he begin to attack. It took him some time to even find a gap and when he did it only made her attack even more strongly. That in the end proved to be her mistake as her anger allowed him to find another gap and then another and eventually, he knocked the Morningstar from her hands.
"Yield." he said breathlessly.
"I yield." Dorea said with a smile which quickly went from her face "Behind you" she shouted and Tommen turned just in time to block a blow though it cost him his sword and he was yielding a moment later.
The boy who beat him was from the Stormlands and he was laughing as he walked away and headed towards Ned Dayne who was already in a fight and Tommen thought that perhaps he wished to do the same to him as he had to him.
"That's cheating." Dorea said and he nodded.
"Aye it is, but Jae would have told me to watch my back." he said and she looked at him oddly.
"Why weren't you?" she asked and he found he couldn't speak "Come let's get something to drink, I'm parched." Dorea said, thankfully as he was still trying to come up with an answer to her question.
Ned Dayne.
Three he'd beaten when the boy tried to attack him from behind, Ned though was ready for him as he'd seen him do the same thing to Tommen. His first two opponents had been easy and he'd wondered if they'd had a lucky draw to make it to the melee. The next one at least was skilled and it was as he was fighting him that the boy from the Stormlands snuck up on him. Ned soon finding out that he was a squire for House Estermont and that he like some of the Stormlander's bore a grudge against Dorne.
"I thought you'd like some of your own medicine Dornishmen." the boy said growling.
"You should be careful what you wish for, Dorne put the Stormlands down easily, do you really want to learn why?" he asked.
"Because you attacked us from the rear, and lords like the one you serve turned their cloaks." the boy sneered.
"Aye, that's the reason, it had nothing to do with us being led by our prince and supporting our king, or that your lords were outmatched, outfought, and outmaneuvered." he said before laughing "Just as I'll now prove that you are too."
It was rare when he got angry in a fight, anger wasn't a friend to you in one, and Beric and his uncle had both been at great pains to point that out to him. Yet you could use anger too, you could let it fuel you and give you strength, something he intended to do now. He blocked the boy's blows, deflected them, and put extra power into his own. This allowed for his attacks to break through the blocks and catch the boy on the arm or the shoulder and though not full hits, they soon took their toll.
When he saw him tire and the sword drop just a little, it was precision and not power he attacked him with. Again his hits landing and this time even with less power behind them, they hurt more. The match was his when he wanted it and so he ended it quickly after that. He'd need all his strength and stamina to face Martyn Lannister and he'd wasted enough of both on this fool. So with a feint and then a crash of his sword, he forced the other boy to a knee and then to a yield.
"Next time don't be an idiot." he said as he moved away.
He looked to see Martyn facing two girls wielding maces, Arya Stark and Lyanna Mormont both attacking at the same time and for a moment he thought of joining in, though he wasn't sure which side he'd do so on. In the end, he just watched and gathered his breath before moving closer and waiting for a winner to turn and face him.
Martyn.
He'd not been tested until the two girls came his way and he welcomed it greatly. They worked together and it was clear they'd done so before, both of them moving in and then back and not allowing him to gain the upper hand on either. He blocked their own attacks easily and yet couldn't hit one of his own and so instead he lulled them in. His blows began to lack power, his sword started to look heavy in his hand and it was Jae's sister who fell for the trap first. When she moved too close he spun and was then behind her, Arya tried her best to turn around but it was too late and he knocked the mace to the ground before she could turn to face him once more.
"Yield." he said holding the sword to her neck and she nodded as she said the words an annoyed look on her face as the other girl then came at him.
One on one she wasn't a match, though she still landed a blow which pained him, soon enough she had yielded too and Martyn looked to see who was left. He was unsurprised to see Ned Dayne standing waiting for him and he nodded to him as he moved towards him.
"To five or a yield?" he asked.
"To five or a yield, Good fortune Martyn." Ned said.
"Good fortune, Ned." he replied, and then they were wishing each other anything but.
He was caught across the shoulder and then across the arm before catching Ned on the thigh in response. The first three points went in the blink of an eye and the next took almost twice the time as they were both settled now. It was him who took it and the next one before he lost the next making it 3 to 3. Martyn spun and Ned was waiting, he struck and it was parried, he began to move back but Ned didn't follow and so it was face to face, swords extended, and with no tricks that would decide the fight.
The next point left them both breathless, the two swords moving through the air almost unseen. When he took the point he almost cheered until he realized he'd been hit as he did so. With a nod to Ned he breathed deeply and tried not to look at the favor he wore on his belt. When Wylla had asked him would he wear hers, he'd been overjoyed, and yet she'd looked confused when he'd tied it to his belt instead of his arm.
"Have you never looked at the king's belt?" he asked to a giggle from his betrothed.
"I don't think I really should be looking at other's men's belts now should I?" she said making him chuckle.
"No, on that I'll concede. He wears a favor there, a favor given him by the queen during the very first tourney he fought in. Still to this day he wears that favor. If I'm to wear yours then I feel it deserves to be worn as the king wears his own." he said and she smiled as she nodded and then looked to his belt.
He took the last point with a strike that was a thing of beauty, he'd ducked under Ned's own and almost on one knee had trust out and caught him square in the chest. Ned looked at him in shock before he smiled and bowed his head. Martyn turning to the crowd and looking up to her once the herald announced him as the victor. When he saw her looking, he brought his hand to the favor and saw her smile, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the queen do likewise.
Chroyane/Braavos 300 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He was walking around a city that hadn't existed in a thousand years, looking at people who'd as far as anyone knew not breathed air for a millennia. The city now looked as it did back then, Prince Garin telling him that this is how they saw it, how they'd seen it since the curse was placed upon it. Jae too had seen it that way, he'd walked through ruins and yet had seen the truth of it with his eyes even though he'd thought that a dream.
As for the people, Lords, Ladies, and Warriors they'd be named in Westeros and so that's what Prince Garin wished them to be. Dorne in Essos he had told him to think of this city and while that made it easier for him to comprehend, what it truly meant he wasn't sure how to take. Chroyane was now his city, it was sworn to him and no longer a part of Essos. The Eight Kingdom and subject to all laws and rights as the other Seven. He was King of the Rhoynar after all and these were Rhoynar through and through.
They would fight for him, march for him and face the true enemy with him but even after it was done they'd still be his, and in time Elia's to command. Walking the city was a way for him to judge what that command meant and as he did so people bowed to him, went about their business, and ships were loaded with men and supplies and sent down the Rhoyne and onto Westeros. Twenty thousand men would fight by his side, half of the army that Garin now had command of. He'd offered him them all, each and every man, and Jae had refused.
"The city must hold, I'd not take every man from any other kingdom, I'll not do so from yours"
"Take half the water wizards, my prince." Garin said.
"Water wizards?"
Magic was an odd thing, he'd reawakened it in Westeros, in Essos, and though according to Garin, the Red Priests and the Shadowbinders or the Faceless Men's magic didn't come from the same place as his own, his powered theirs. Without him in the world, their magic would be lesser, not as true, and not as powerful. With him in the world, their own magic too would grow and he showed him just what he meant when he introduced him to men who bent water as if it was steel and who wielded it like Rhaenix wielded her flames. Water Wizards sang water just as he sang stone and at some point, the Night King would seek their magic too.
"We're just candles flickering in a long night, my prince. You're the sun itself but eventually, he'd have looked here and seen what you did." Garin said.
"What I did?" he asked.
"The truth of this place, the magic that exists within this city and its people, it wasn't I that called out to you or your kin, though it was my voice you heard, it was magic."
"Magic knows magic." he said and Garin nodded.
Garin had explained it to him about how he'd risen and thought it the right thing to do. How they'd taken down two dragons and forced away a third and thought themselves invincible only to find that the Freehold was far more powerful than they. Jae wondered if it was a Rhoynar thing or if it was hubris that thought killing a dragon made them more than they truly were. Dorne had thought so with Meraxes, Garin had thought so after Volon Therys, and both had found out to their cost that they were lesser than the Dragonlords.
He found himself thinking of the Night King as he walked the streets and looked out at a city reborn. He too had sought to end Valyria and to bring the dragons to their doom. Now he marched seeking to do so once again and it was up to Jae to see that he failed. Dragons, Dragonlords, The Son of Valyria and the Prince that was Promised, Azor Ahai, and the Song of Ice and Fire. All roads led to him and his road led to the Night King and Bringing the Dawn. As he looked at the city around him, he began to truly see what the dawn could be.
Valyria reborn and rebuilt, the Freehold standing strong and proud, it would not be the same and could not be the same. Unlike here the people in Valyria hadn't been cursed and so they couldn't be released from it. Though his own family was cursed and perhaps that's the reason he could bring them back and not the others. Magic was a strange and wonderful thing and he'd done so much with what he possessed of it. As he watched people who'd been cursed to live an eternity as men and women of stone, as he saw them live and breathe as what they once were, he found that he was eager for the fight to come.
"My prince." Garin said and Jae turned around, surprised to see the man beside him.
"Prince Garin."
"You are ready to leave us, my prince?"
"I am, I have somewhere I need to be and I want to home. I miss my wife, Prince Garin, my child."
"The princess Elia." Garin said with a smile.
"Aye, the future queen of the Eight Kingdoms." he said and Garin nodded.
"I'll see the ships sail and set off myself with the last of them."
"You'll not stay here?" he asked surprised.
"I am a warrior, my prince, just like you. My place is on the field with my men."
"Then I look forward to seeing you there." he said as he reached out his hand and Garin took it in his own.
He flew that day, flying north as directly as he could to Braavos and fighting the urge to turn west and head back to his home. Behind him, he'd left a city that had been cursed by his ancestors and a people that had once been sentenced to something unimaginable to him. Forced to live for who knows how many lifetimes as who you truly were and yet to the world you were a monster, a thing to be feared and avoided. It made him wonder about the reasons for it, for such a curse, and what the Valyrians knew back then that had been forgotten later.
Did they know? Or was it just the cruelest thing they could think of? For some reason, both thoughts caused him the same amount of concern. They rested just outside Norvos, Rhaenix was glad to have him back with her and the Indigo Dragon was keen to go back home. He could feel how much she wished to see Elia again and her need was only matched by his own. After three days of flying, they finally reached Braavos and the reaction to the dragon was the one he had planned for. He wished them to see her, to fear her, and to know she existed. The Iron Bank may be on his side but that was just for today, who knew what the morrow would bring.
"Wait for me here." he said as they landed outside the House of Black and White, Rhaenix agreeing though the Indigo Dragon did not.
It was the girl he saw when he entered the building, the man then coming as soon as the doors closed behind him. The Indigo Dragon flew to a pool in the middle of the hall, chirping angrily at the water inside before flying back and landing at his feet.
"A man has waited for a king to call." the man said looking at him.
"And will his call be answered?" he asked.
"A man answers does he not?"
"He does, will the order come?" he asked and saw the girl nod.
"We will come, where is it you wish us?" the girl asked.
"The Wall, Queenscrown, I'll meet you there. Valar Morghulis." he said looking at them both.
"Valar Dohaeris." the man and the girl said together as the indigo Dragon chirped at them both.
Walking out from the House of Black and White he felt a sense of relief and lightness come over him. He climbed up onto Rhaenix's back and heard the Indigo Dragon chirp as it turned its head to look at him after it had taken its place in front of him.
"Aye, we're going home." he said as Rhaenix took to the sky and the Indigo Dragon chirped happily.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I want to thank my good friends Leilani and Arrow for allowing me to steal Celesse, she is their character and plays a key role in an interesting What if of their amazing story which I recommend anyone to read. To find it just go to my fav authors page of my profile. Up Next we check in with Tyrion, Dany, Aemon and Shiera, and others as Olenna tries to make a match at the end feast. Roslin waits to meet a king and Jae finally arrives back in King's Landing t share news, spend some time with his family, and hear something that sends him into a rage.
Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.
VdWade: That's exactly the sentiment I've been trying to make with Jae right from the start, to make the PTWP bigger than we got it on the show. It's been a battle about magic, a setup between a force that wants to control it for himself and the only thing that can stop him, an equal of sorts. In answer to the question, Jae's children will possess more magic than any other. Basically, he's the source of it and so through him they inherit more of it. With Dany, Aemon, Shiera, etc their own is increased by Jae and as more and more magic is controlled by Jae their will increased. But it'll be a bit like the forty all possessing some magic and yet Jae possessing all of it if that makes sense. Or to put it another way, if Jae has 95 percent then Dany, Tyrion, Shiera Aemon have a 1 percent each, and the other 1 percent is shared amongst everyone else.
House Arryn was doomed with Jon A and Harrold, Anya did all she could but even she wasn't enough to save them. As for Shiera/Aemon and love, perhaps.
The Sphynx, Lovely my friend.
Hkt29: It will it was always the only true choice for them, it's almost the perfect keep for a dragon lord. On the joust I felt that they would almost come to that agreement, both would know who the other intended to crown and so it's kinda easy, Willas/Oberyn don't' have any bad blood surprisingly it's those around them that do. I hadn't thought about that with Drogo, I'd not intended for him to die here at one point, but the closer we got to the end the less use I have for him and he'd just remain a loose end. As they do with Bran the Builder, there are those who doubt his existence in Westeros too, which is kinda one of the things that inspired me with Jae.
VfSnake: I think you can guess from this chapter who's not true and who is. We'll see more of it in a chapter or two. The Chroyane thing is a big thing for the future, an eight kingdom and a foothold in Essos.
Jaimerey: Arthur lo arrestó aqua.
Biohazard: So glad you liked it.
Keb: The key point if waking men from Stone, a take on stone singing so to speak. Yes, it does in terms of the forces he can bring including Water Wizards. Joy is 11 almost 12.
Tfranco: I really wanted to keep that with Loras, he's overshadowed by Jae and even his other KG brothers so I wanted him to keep his jousting as his thing. Glad you liked the Chroyane bit. I so wanted that with the NK, he's incredibly powerful, he and Jae are almost a match and he doesn't know the full extent of Jae's powers, while also he's had far longer to get used to his own. What limitations he has are the Doom took a lot out of him and he's not fully recovered. He would yes, Drogo was destined to come West and not in a good way and so he's best dealt with. I agree I love Jason Momoa as him and the show made him far more pleasant.
Emeraldduke: So very glad you enjoyed it. It was yes, I had no true idea what I wanted to do with Drogo, I had thought ot keeping him alive and of having him play a part in the war against the NK and I considered keeping him for Dany too. So I left it open and then once I decided on Aurane, he kinda became a loose end more than anything. So I didn't want to spend too much time on him, so yes, it's a bit rushed, unfortunately.
Remi: Ok so when Jae went to Valyria the time with Rhaenix and saw his father/mother etc, during that trip he stopped in Essos, which is the past part of the Pov, at that time he and Drogo had their run-in but we're only seeing it now. In the chapters that dealt with the trip and the aftermath, it's suggested something happened in Essos but not what, well this is the what but this is the first we've seen of it. Stone Men is Greyscale, it's what happens if it's not treated, so in the show, we have the attack on Tyrion/Jorah where Jorah gets infected, that's supposed to be Chroyane, though they do it as Valyria I think in the show. The curse is explained above. Basically, a thousand years ago Prince Garin rose against Valyria with the Rhoynar and after they were beaten, the lore says he became the Shrouded lord, and Greyscale was unleashed on the world. I tweaked it for here.
Guest: So very glad you thought so. I was trying to make it so it wouldn't be known until the end, so I'm glad that worked with the joust, plus the image of a baby being crowned with a suitable-sized garland just screamed cute to me. I think we discussed Dany/Drogo more than once, I think she and Aurane work better and so I wanted to tie up Drogo as a loose end. I had that image in my head with the Rhoynar/Prince Garin thing too. I felt having them be spirits was a bit much but it was certainly the same inspiration. Hope this explained Prince Garin/Chroyane curse thing enough, if not though there will be another explanation of it when Garin reaches Westeros, as well as talk of Nymeria when he meets Oberyn.
Celexys: Thanks so much for saying that, I worry I've forgotten about him at times, so it's nice to know it still feels as if he's been paid attention to him, I have a very interesting idea for him upcoming.
Xand007: Thank you, my friend. I would hope we've learned, I agree though at times it feels like we've not. It's been fun for me to write this as it's helped me through it as well, being locked up and having nowhere to go is no fun at all. We're literally on the verge of the Great war, I could have gone there a couple of chapters ago but I'm just about ready, I think only a couple of more things to be sorted out and then we'll be face to face with the NK. I think the non-armoring is an odd choice don't you, literally the moment Viserion fell the first thing they should have done was think about armor. Stay safe, well and soon enough this will all be a distant memory and we'll be worrying about something else lol.
Zeon07: I so wanted that, it's really good to hear you say it in such a way as it's literally exactly what I was going for with the joust. I hope this explained more of the Rhoynish and we'll see Prince Garin in Westeros soon enough to explain some more. On Drogo, firstly it was in the past, so when Jae went to Valyria and met his mother/father/etc, the event with Drogo happened. Secondly, it was literally an attack of mistake, Drogo still wished/wanted Dany, he saw the Dragon remembered what happened with Dany and saw this as his way to get her and attacked, forcing Jae to defend himself.
Lastly, had Jae not ended Drogo, then Drogo would have conquered Essos and then come to Westeros to find his bride, Dany, so the attack and Jae killing him was almost something that needed to happen.
Perhaps I need to have Jae speak on it in the story though I think I'll actually do that since you're not the only one who it didn't resonate for.
Creativo: Y el niño se va, estás jugando conmigo, como si pudiera creer que lol.
Lady Octarina: Sorry about that, I meant to get to the Drogo bit earlier, then the later I left it this was the only way to fit it in that made sense. Very much so and well Garin and Oberyn share more in common than just looks, lets just say Garin wouldn't be averse to such a suggestion. I felt with Loras that Jousting is his thing and he kinda gets overshadowed by Jae or Arthur etc, so I wanted to keep him having that and as for the crowning, I think with Oberyn and him she was the only choice, plus the idea of a baby with a garland that's made for her on her head was just too cute to resist. I'll give that a look, sounds interesting.
I like the idea of Jon with Oberyn, not romantically but the idea of growing up with Oberyn. There was a really cool story that unfortunately only had a couple of chapters. But anyway somehow Jon ends up squiring and knighted by Oberyn. Anyway, they're not in Westeros when the WOTFK breaks out and only arrives back just at the point where Oberyn goes to KL, so Jon goes with him as his sworn sword and with Ghost. There's a really cool take on the brothel scene where Oberyn messes with the Lannisters. Ellaria is late to the room and she comes in worried, only to see Jon standing there with Ghost and a dozen of so Lannister soldiers up against a wall while Oberyn does his stuff. When he's done and Ellaria is chiding him for risking himself so, Oberyn blows it off as who'd try anything with me and Ellaria goes, only because "Jon and Ghost had your back you fool" unfortunately it never went any further than that but I always thought it a great premise.
Irish Hermit: Yes he will, I'd not thought of having Jae explain it but a few people are confused by the events and so I'll have him do so and lay it all out. But yes, basically Drogo would have taken Essos and then come West seeking Dany and conquered it too. Hope the above chapter answers the Garin question but basically, he was a prince of Rhoynar who a thousand years earlier tried to beat the dragons and lost. He called down a curse and Chroyane then became the source of Greyscale and the legend of the Shrouded Lord was begun. So I tweaked it a little to fit this. He's an ally, more men for the fight ahead and an eight kingdom for Jae. I took a little inspiration for LOTR and the Dead men of Dunharrow.
Glad you felt that with Elia, I felt it would be a nice little touch, and given it was Oberyn/Loras both would do so where others may not. No, with the LOTV most of the ones that Jae would take issue with have been dealt with and Harry was pretty much isolated. The first chapter of Leilani's different scenes/what-ifs story is Vale based and gives a good insight she and Arrow take a more in-depth look at things I couldn't and it provides a little background.