Jaehaerys VIII

When they reached the Twins, the march stopped. His dragons were hidden and it was just the host behind their back. Robb and Uncle Benjen rode on his two sides, while Cregan and Ser Arthur were behind them.

The road ahead was closed- it was obvious, that it won't be an easy thing to convince Late Walder Frey, to comply with his demand.

'Fire and Blood.'he told himself. Now, that his dragons were here- and grown, ready for battle- those words meant more, than ever before in the last hunder or so years, in the history of his House.

He was not surprised, when arider stopped afew feet away. „My name is Ser Stevon Frey. What would northmen like you, be doing here?"

„You stand in the presence of King Jaehaerys Targaryen, Third of His Name, Rightful King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. The Unburnt, the Father of Dragons and the Dragonwolf. Son of Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Princess Lyanna Targaryen of House Stark."

Jaehaerays' head hurt. Why in the seven hells did Cregan have to listallof that adding even those names, that the Lords of the North had given him, after seeing his dragons? (And how in the name of the Old Gods did he manage to say all that inonebreath?)

Something flashed trough Stevon's face. „Your Grace. An honour." he bowed his head.

„Ser." he greeted neutrally. „We'd wish to cross the Twins. May Ihave aword with the Lord Frey?"

„Of course, follow me, please."

He shared alook with those around him and they went, with Benjen and Cregan staying behind with the army. Once they were in the yard, they dismounted and Ser Stevon led them trough the Keep, to meet Walder Frey.

Once they stepped into the Hall, they found an old man- all bones and graying hair- sitting in his chair, which, if he wanted to be honest, was styled like athrone. The man was one foot in the grave, but it didn't seem he'd be putting the other in it anytime soon.'Let's see how amiabe is he. Imight have to help him into the grave, if he hinders us too much...'

„Father this..." Ser Stevon started, only to be cut off by the cackling of the old weasel.

„What little upstart thinks he can play king?"

Stevon hissed abit and Jaehaerys' eyes narrowed. „I am no upstart, My Lord. The Lannisters sit the Throne, that is mine and my family's brithright. We would be crossing the bridge..."

„You think, Iwould let you cross?" Walder Frey asked. „If Idid that, Lord Tywin would not be happy."

„Tywin Lannister is no overlord of yours." he said coolly, trying and failing to keep his temper under control. „Lords Hoster and Edmure called the banners and you've refused the call of your liege lord. That is considered acrime."

„The stupid fish knows nothing. Ifear no fish. Lions on the other hand... they have claws and gold. Iwill not rise for someone, like Tully."

„Then your sentence is death." he growled out, looking at Stevon. „Ser Stevon, what do you say? Will you let us cross and will you answer the call of your liege?"

Stevon looked taken aback. „I can make no such decision..." he said, glancing at his glaring father, „but if Icould, Iwould."

„That decision is not yours." Walder Frey spat, before looking at Jaehaerys. „If you want to cross, you pay the price of it, wolf. Marry one of my granddaughters."

His eyes narrowed. „A Frey would sit the Iron Throne over my dead body. You are agrasping old traitor. You've refused the call of your liege and now you think you can play with me. Would you want me to make an example out of you, as the Conqueror had done with Harren the Black?"

Something flashed in the old weasel's eyes. „You dare..."

„Your Grace, please. There are many young here. Spare their life and don't punish them for my father's folly." Setvon spoke, ignoring the glare his father was sending him. „Let us find another solution. Amarrige, perhaps? Your cousin..."

„Robb and Cregan are bethrothed. Ican make no promises about cousins, who are not even here, My Lord." he said. (Alright, that was alie. Cregan wasn't bethroted, tough Robb and Alys were. But he did mean, that he wouldn't put Sansa and Arya into such situations, plus Arya was also bethroted and Sansa would have amuch better place, somewhere else.)

He turned to his aunt. „Aunt Catelyn?"

She studied the Freys, before nodding. „Maybe an option, for my brother. Edmure is not yet married."

He nodded, looking at Stevon. „You heard the Lady Stark. Further discussions of possible marrige, you will have to bring up to Lord Edmure Tully." then he turned to the Lord. „As for you... Iwill not have people, like you poisoning my kingdom. You are hereby stripped of your title, as Lord of the Crossing, Walder Frey and are to be executed for treason. Your eldest, Ser Stevon may take the title of Lord, if he is to swear fealty to me."

Walder Frey's eyes went wide, before he stood from his chair. „You upstart little...!"

„Guards, you've heard the King!" Stevon Frey thundered. „Grab him and take him out of here. Treason is treason."

The guards grabbed him, as the old weasel kept shouting, that Tywin Lannisert would make them pay and wish they never raised their hands against House Frey. Once the guards draged the old weasel away from his seat, he turned to Ser Stevon, who immediately unseathed his sword and knelt, to swear his oath.

Once it was done, he waved the new Lord to stand. He was surprised to see... relief on his face. „Why the relief, My Lord?"

Stevon's gaze flickered to him. „I've waited for years and he still clings to life. And he hadn't been agood Lord, tough Icould do little, behind his back. You've done us all afavour, Your Grace. There won't be asoul to mourn him."

He nodded and gestured for his company to follow.

Once in the yard, he found the former Lord bound to apost, as they waited for his sentence. He glared at the man for asecond, before speaking. „Lord Walder of House Frey. You have been found guilty of treason for refusing the call of your liege lord and the call of your rightful King and for aiding Tywin Lannister. For such crimes, the sentence is death."

Silence rung around them, once his voice died down.'Rhaeddar, māzigon!'

Aminute later, his mount swooped down from the skies, scaring those on the courtyard, as Rhaelia and Visegon also appeared, circling the castle. As his monut landed on one of the twin towers, the structure groaned under the massive weight.

He looked into the dragon's eyes, then pointedly at Walder Frey.„Dracarys!"

Rhaeddard roared, before a jet of flame left his mouth. The old Frey didn't even have time to scream. Aminute later the fire ceased, leaving only amassive black spot, the stone cracked and charred by flames.

He then turned to his Aunt. „My Lady, take asmall retinue and ride to meet your brother. He should be informed of his possible marrige and the need of chosing his bride, of he agrees."

Catelyn nodded. „I shall go."

Three days later, the wedding of Lord Edmure and Lady Roselyn was held at the Twins. What eased his heart, that Lord Edmure had admitted, that Lady Roselyn was comely and kind, so he can imagine living with her. Roselyn had much similar opinion.

He even found himself asquire in Olywar Frey, whom Ser Stevon allowed to join their host, while providing an extra five-thounsand men, leaving the rest to guard the Crossing, for safety mesures. There was no enemy behind their back, but he would never leave their rear open, because they could get sneaked upon.

Once the army passed trough the Twins, Jaehaerys couldn't help, but smile. „Riverrun's ahead. One step closer to the goal."

„Aye cousin, that we are." agreed Robb with agrin.

He kicked his horse ahead, his eyes darting to his playing dragons.'I wonder where Uncle Ned is? Iwant to see my sisters and aunt.'

Daenerys I

Riverrun was beautiful and big, even tough Uncle Ned had said, that Harrenhall was bigger, even burnt and half-melted. The air was humid and pleasantly cool, compared to Essos, the slight wind making the Tully banners of blue-and-red dance.

She was tired and hungry, unused to riding, even tough they hadn't ridden for too long.

„Come on." Uncle Ned called. „Lord Hoster will provide us refreshment and as I've heard, the Targaryen-Stark host should be here in aweek or even less. They only stopped for the wedding of my good-brother."

„Wait... Unce Edmure is getting married?" Sansa asked surprised, her blue eyes wide.

„If what we heard is true, then yes. But Ireally shouldn't be surprised. Walder Frey is and old weasel, adog of Tywin, who wanted the Riverlands for ages."

Daenerys frowned, sharing alook with Rhae. This didn't sound so good. She hoped Jaehaerys will be alright.

Once they arrived into the castle, agraying man greeted them. He had deep blue eyes and weathered face. „Eddard."

Uncle Ned looked surprised, before shaking hands with the man. „Ser. Ididn't think I'd find you here."

The knight frowned alittle. „My brother is not in the best of health. Ithought to visit, in these troubling times. Ibelieve Lysa will be safe in the Eyrie on her own, for ashort while."

„I hope he recovers. Catelyn would be devastated, if something happened to him."

The knight nodded, his blue eyes flickering to her and Rhaenys. For asecond, he seemed confsed, before recognition flashed trough his eyes. „Princess' an honour to meet you."

„Likewise, Ser." she answered, almost at once with Rhaenys.

„Brynden, are there any news...?"

The knight would have heard „The North decared for House Targaryen almost immediately, after the letters had arrived. Afww days after, Cat sent aletter, so my brother decided, we should aid family. Stannis has been sniffing around about who might have sent the letters, concering the births of Cersei's children. There's chaos and using that, Balon Greyjoy called for independence, tough no one had done anything yet, as they're all preoccupied with the Lanniserts. Idon't think it had reached anyone yet, other than us, that there's aTargaryen climant."

She saw, as the grey eyes narrowed. „He's not simply aclimant, Brynden."

„He's my brother." Rhaenys said, her tone like steel.

Ser Brynden's eyes flickered over to Rhaenys and he raised an eyebrow. „Even if his mother is not your mother?"

Rhaenys glared. „Lyanna Stark was my mother in all, but blood. My mother called her asister and we have the same father. He is my brother and thus, the Rightful King."

Ser Brynden seemed taken aback. „My apologies, Princess. Ididn't mean to offend." his blue eyes swept over all of them. „Come. You will have achance to rest, before the host arrives."

Daenerys frowned alittle. Why did people think, that Rhae and Jaehaerys didn't think each other siblings for not sharing amother? She saw no problem with it. Her brtoher hadn't been the only one, to take asecond wife.

'Southrons and their Seven, with all those rules.'she thought, shaking her head.

She remembered what Uncle Ned had said about the Faith of the Seven and truth be told,- while she had no northern ancestry- she felt herself closer to the Old Gods or Dorne's Mother Rhoyne.

But, no matter what they thought, Daenerys decided, that they'd be happy together. Rhaenys had said, they could be and she'd believe her older sister (for Rhaenys could only be her sister).

Soon, Jaehaerys would be here and then, no one could take them away from each other again. Looking at Rhaenys, she saw the same conviction in her dark eyes.