Chapter 35

Arthur

For years he had waited this moment, anticipated it, he wanted it to have happened sooner but situations changed and complications happened, not to mention the constant need for secrecy by other loyalists, He hated secrets, lies, deceit, none of it was honorable, it was not how Rheagar and Lyanna wanted their child to grow up but he had little choice. At first, he put up with it due to the plan that was concocted but when the king was sent to the Reach he started making his displeasure known. He wanted to sail to the Reach and take the boy but Jon said it was too dangerous, he told Arthur that too many Reachmen knew how he looked, the Hightowers and Tyrells especially, so all that would take is for one of them to see him and recognize him. Jon held hope that they could use the situation to their advantage and get the Tyrells on their side but Richard was strongly against it from the start. The best they could do was make sure the boy grows up to be a strong and capable man by using agents hidden amongst the Highgarden staff and servants.

Richard much like Arthur was close to Rhaegar, Lonmouth being the princess squire and seeing Rheagar like an older brother in a way. Richard was there at the Trident when the prince was killed at the hands of Robert Baratheon, seeing it with his own eyes. Richard survived the battle but a part of him did die on the Trident. When Arthur finally reunited with him, Richard was not the boastful young man Arthur knew him as, this Richard was colder, more focused and wracked with survivor's guilt. Richard blamed himself for not being there to save Rhaegar, he blamed himself for surviving when his friend didn't. The knight of skulls and kisses as he was dubbed had also become paranoid, his paranoia subsided for a time until he found out the truth about the Rebellion and who was behind it. Richard might not have been the man he once was but he still wanted to do his duty to the rightful king and repay a debt to his friend he saw himself owing due to surviving the Trident.

Arthur had spent years going over the conversation in his head but it mostly stayed the same. He might have been forced into exile and forced to be far away from his king but that is not to say that he did not do his duty as a kingsguard. One of the first things he had done when he came to Essos was track down Ser Darry and the two royal children.

Flashback

Arthur stood at the docks of the city of Bravos, his lead had pointed him into this direction. This was the place where Ser Darry supposedly took the prince and princess when they fled Dragonstone. He heard that the island garrison fought to the last man against Stannis Baratheon and his forces so as to give the royals enough time to escape with the remaining ships. It was a shame those good and loyal men had to die but at least they died with honor.

He remembered that Jonothor had once told him that his family had a small manse here, he didn't remember the description well but what he did remember was that it had a red door. He would scour the entire city if he had to but he will find them and that's what he did. Covered in a dark cloak and hood, his sword strapped to his back he ventured into the city, going from street to street looking for the house, he didn't dare ask someone so he would not attract attention. After about a day and a half of searching, he found the house that matched the description he remembered, it was already night when he did so. He stood behind a corner of a street watching the house when he spotted a group of five men head down the street towards the house.

Arthur tried to decern who they were but he could not see any sigil or mark to indicate their identities. He knew some others managed to escape with Ser Willam and the royals, mainly four other knights. The five men proceeded to enter the manse. Arthur decided to follow them and slowly made his way to the entrance of the house. As he reached the wall he heard a voice.

"This doesn't concern you Ser, surrender the children and we will let you live," the voice said.

"Like hell, I would do that," the bellowing voice of Ser Willam was heard. "Have you no honor to seek and harm children."

"We heard that the new king was giving a good reward to anyone to brings him the remaining two Targaryens, dead or alive. We mean to collect that reward, I think it would be suitable after all effort with put in tracking you down," a second unknown voice was heard. Arthur heard the sound of swords being drawn. A second later the sound of steel hitting steel was heard. This was all Arthur needed to hear, he quickly pulled Dawn from its scabbard and rushed into the courtyard of the house. There he saw four men encircling Ser Darry with the fifth laying at his feet. The large master at arms glared at the four intruders.

"Do you really think you alone can stand against four of us?" the same man who talked about the reward said.

"He does not stand alone," Arthur said and all eyes turned to him.

"Who the fuck are you?" the man barked. Ser Willam looked at Arthurs cloaked figure and then at his pale white sword.

"Arthur Dayne," Ser Willam said with hope and relief.

"Wait," one of the attackers said in an uncertain tone. "The kingsguard?"

"Who gives a damn who he is, just kill him," the first one ordered and attack Arthur. The blades didn't even touch themselves, Arthur just quickly avoided the man's attack, sidestepped and slashed him across the back. Everyone watched as the man's body fell to the ground. Arthur gave the body one last look before he moved towards the rest of the assassins. Two of them decided to attack him while the third fought Ser Willam. Arthur blocked the first strike and parried the second, then he moved to attack the one on the left and after three quick strikes, the man fell to the ground. As the body fell he moved to the one on the right, this one lasted a bit longer but fell after Arthur faked an attack at his left arm, slashing the man's face instead. Once finished he looked towards Ser Darry who had also managed to kill his opponent. The tall, brown-haired man had a wound on his left arm but was otherwise unscathed. Ser Willam watched as Arthur walked towards him, a relieved expression on his face.

"I didn't dare believe, after everything that had happened, I truly believed that you were dead," Willam Dary said. "Are the lord commander and ser Oswell with you?" Willam asked hopefully.

Arthur shook his head sadly "No they are not. They fell while fighting Eddard Stark and his men, only I remain."

A sad and disappointed look crossed the Darry knight's face. "Then the kingsguard has truly fallen, Barristan and that thrice-damned oathbreaker Jaime Lannister have sided with the usurper and all others are dead."

"The kingguard are not dead, not as long as I draw breath, Ser Willam. My brothers gave up their lives doing their duty and I will do the same."

A sigh came from Willam. "The king and his sister are hiding in their room, the princess is just a babe."

Arthur nodded. "I'm glad to hear that the prince and the princess are safe but the king is not here Ser Willam."

Willam gave him a confused look. "Viserys is the king Ser, he was crowned by queen Rhaella after we received news about what happened to prince Rheagar's children."

Arthur took a step forward and put his hand on Darrys shoulder. "Rheagars son is alive Ser Willam," the knight's eyes went wide as he took in the words.

"You saved him? Where is he?"

"It is a long story Ser Willam, one that I intend to tell you thoroughly. But I do not have him, the king is in the hands of Ned Stark," a flash of horror went through the master at arms.

"He will deliver him to Robert if he hasn't done it already."

Arthur shook his head. "Ned Stark won't do it, he is many things but not a child killer. Come I will tell you everything, you deserve to know,"

"Are you alone Ser, has anyone survived with you?" Willam asked.

"Lord Connington is alive and I have tracked him down, he is currently in Pentos, he is discretely gathering any loyalists he can find," Arthur said. "I heard the royal fleet sank in a storm, it is good to see at least one ship survived and managed to take you to safety.

"It isn't just one ship Ser," Willam said and Arthur have him an intrigued look. "A good part was indeed sunk during the storm but the rest were just damaged at worse. More than half a fleet managed to survive."

Arthur was slightly taken back by the revelation. So a royal fleet still existed. "If a fleet remained why didn't you fight?"

"I would have Ser Arthur but lord Valerion urged me to flee. He said the fleet in the state it was could not hold the rebel fleet for long, they could stay at sea but in battle, they would have been quickly crushed. He also said that after the fall of the capital and the surrender of Reach their only allies were the Dornish but they were just one kingdom while the usurper had five. He urged me to set sail with what we had left and live to see another day, to make sure that the rightful king comes back to take his throne."

"And where is the fleet?"

"Lord Valaryion has put one of his most trusted captains in charge of it, before we left Dragonstone, it was agreed that the captain would take the fleet somewhere where the rebels cant find it, the Stepstones most likely, there is plenty of places to hide a fleet there, the pirates might prove to be a bit of a problem. It is also a good option due to its proximity to Dorne."

"Making the fleet disappear is a wise decision, I'm not so sure about the Stepstones, Dorne might be a better option."

"Lord Valaryion said that we need a place where they will never think to look," Arthur just nodded.

"Are you alone here? I thought there would be more than just you Ser Willam."

"There were five of us when we came here with the royals. Two of them turned craven and decided to run, they might be the ones who told these bastards where to find us. The traitors. Ser Tomwell went to a contact he knows here to get some information while Ser Lyken left about an hour ago to the docks, we are anticipating a message from the fleet to arrive."

Arthur nodded and the two proceeded to walk towards the door. As they stood at the door, the door opened and a miniature version of Rheagar stood there looking both fearful and happy to see Ser Willam.

"Are the bad men gone Ser Willam?" the boy asked in an innocent child-like voice.

"They are my prince, thanks to this man," Willam pointed at Arthur and the little prince raised his head to look at him. The boy's eyes went wide with recognition.

"Ser Arthur!" Viserys said and rushed towards Arthur, hugging his leg. "See Ser Willam, I told you Ser Arthur would come, I told you."

"My prince," Arthur said as he embraced the boy.

Willam gave the prince a warm smile. "That you did, my prince."

Years have passed since then and things changed, they had their successes and defeats ever since he and Jon met but they stayed strong and true to their vows as knights and servants to the crown. Many times he wanted nothing more than to just take his sword and go to Winterfell to liberate the king but every time he was stopped by either his oath to Howland or by Jon. Jon Connington is always that one man in the room with a calm head. When Aemons fostering at Highgarden began Arthurs wished to go and get him returned but again he was swayed otherwise. Jon said that this could be a good opportunity to get the Reach and the Tyrells on our side even if Richard was strictly opposed to that, at least to the Tyrells joining. Arthur knew that he could not just show up and try to take the king, his face was far well too known in the Reach so he once proposed the option to have agents take the king but at the time the only agents they had at Highgarden were the several whose job was to monitor Aemon but none of them had the skill to successfully smuggle someone out of Highgarden.

It was only recently that pieces started falling into place and that they were starting to make major moves so close to Kings Landing and Casterly Rock. Jon Connington had formulated a plan with both Arthur and Owen Merryweather, the second former hand of the king Arthur had managed to track down. The Merryheathers had their seat and some of their lands returned to them by Robert recently which was a great boon to them. The plan was for Owen and his grandson to go to Highagrden and tell Aemon the truth as they were close enough and people would not pay them much attention. After that was done the Merryweathers would start to gather support in the Reach while someone will do the same in Dorne. Howland would have gotten them the North, Darry would have gotten at least half of the Riverlands and Valyrion would get the lords of the Narrow sea to once again stand behind the heir to Dragonstone. His father once told him that most plans never go according to plan and that was what happened here. They were just getting to the first stage of the plan when the war broke out when that damned Tully woman kidnapped Tyrion Lannister and everything went downhill from there. He had no love for the Imp but the actions of Eddard's wife much like his own had thrown years of planning out of the window and forced them to act more recklessly. It almost seemed like poetic justice that all of Hoster Tullys children end up as failures, his heir is as far as Arthur knew cared more about women and small glories than actual ruling, Lysa by all accounts has lost all of her wits, still breastfeeding a fully grown boy and lady Catelyn was simply stupid and arrogant. It is a shame that the only good Tully is the Blackfish.

"Ser they are here," a servant said as Arthur stared at Dawn which rested next to his bed. I will not fail his time Arthur thought as he turned around and proceeded to walk down the stairs and meet his new arrivals. When he arrived he was met by five men and what seemed two large wolves who stayed at the entrance. The men looked just as the captain described them, especially Lyanna's son.

Jon

He walked out of the room onto the patio and towards the garden a whirlwind of emotions inside his mind. This cant be, this simply can't be true Jon thought. His father was Eddard Stark, lord of Winterfell, the Worden of the North, friend to king Robert and one of the most honorable men who ever lived. But he is not. Everything is a lie, from the moment he was born to up until now he was lied to by the man that was his father, no not his father, his uncle. The man he looked up to, the man he wanted to be like the most tuned out to be a liar. He was born a prince and yet raised as a bastard.

"Maybe he had a good reason to do so, there was a war on," a soft version of his voice said in his mind.

"No reason is justifiable, lord Stark should have told him the truth," another voice, an angry and resentful voice said.

"People would have wanted him dead. This way he lived."

"As a bastard, as an insult, spending his life being looked down upon. He had to work twice as hard so his skills could be acknowledged."

Confusion, anger and shock all were becoming more prevalent by the second. Maybe it's not true, maybe Ser Arthur is the one who is lying. Jon has the Stark look, not the Targaryen one, everyone who met lord Stark said that they looked the same. Maybe Arthur is trying to get some sort of revenge for what happened at the tower.

"Lord Stark always said only the best about Ser Arthur as did other people. He is a true knight, not a lier and a skimmer," the soft voice said.

"And what if he is? Men are fickle beings, one moment they would be laughing with you and laughing at you the next. Having a legend about yourself broken can make a man resentful. Maybe the part about where lord Reed stabbed Arthur in the back is a falsehood, maybe Eddard really won that fight."

Jon thought about it but he could not find any sign that would indicate that Arthur was lying to him. If what Arthur said is true then what does that mean for him? Is he a prince now, a king? Will he have to fight to take the crown? Jon never really had any big ambitions, the only thing he wanted was to make a name for himself so that people would see him for who he is and not for his bastard heritage. But he is not a bastard, is he?

"It is ironic that Jaime Lannister is condemned for killing a monster and yet the honorable Ned Stark had spent almost two decades harboring and knowing the location of the last Targaryen in Westeros. His own nephew no less and has done nothing but put a burden of being a bastard on him," the spiteful voice said.

Jon walked over to a stone bench and sat down, putting his head in his hands. What was he to do now?

Arthur said that Rheagar and Lyanna loved each other and that he was the product of that love but that same love was what caused the war, didn't they think to tell anyone? That running away together was a bad idea? He came to Tyrosh for answers and got one but now it seems that he would need to find more. Everything was so simple back in Highgarden before compared to what is going on now.

Lord Stark was the only real father he knew, yes lord Mace was a father-like figure after he left the North but Eddard Stark was still who he addressed as his father whenever someone asked him about his parentage, when he wrote letters to Winterfell, when they finally reunited in Kings Landing. Jon loved the man like any son would love a father and yet lord Stark was not his father. Lord Mace was not the brightest person in the world but he was good to Jon, the lord of Highgarden did have moments when he displayed fatherly wisdom and gave good advice to his sons and Jon and yet he was not Jons father. Everything was so confusing, people he trusted lied to him, betrayed him for one reason or another, just thinking about it made his head hurt.

He could understand Lord Stark's motivation, the lie was to protect Jon and maybe one day he would have told the truth. Robert Baratheon hated all Targaryens for what he believed they done and judging from the story he heard on how the late king reacted to the bodies of Elia Martell and her children, his siblings he understood lord Starks fear. If worse possibility had accrued then lord Eddard would have been forced to chose between his nephew and his brother in all but name. He knew that if he had to choose between his family or Loras, his choice would be a hard one. But he could not help but feel resentment towards lord Stark for not telling him, did lord Stark seriously think that Jon would immediately cause a war so he could retake a damn iron chair. As he continued to ponder what he learned he heard someone approaching him. Jon lifted his head from his hands and looked to his right to see Ser Arthur standing there.

"What do you want? Didn't you do enough, any more secrets I should know?" Jon said angrily.

"There are but they can wait. I'm here to see how you are holding up."

"How I'm holding up? I just learned that everything I knew is a lie, how do you think I'm holding up," Jon spat angrily.

Arthur sighed. "I can only imagine how it must feel like but know that bringing you this pain was not my intention. Things should have been different."

Jon scoffed. "Wasnt your intention? I came here for a simple answer to a simple question," Jon paused for a moment, his gaze wavering for a moment "at least I thought it was simple. Only to come here and learn about more lies and deceits."

"I will admit that things did not turn out for the best but there is nothing we can do to change that Aemon, we can only continue to push forward."

Jon stood up and glared at Arthur. "Don't call me that, my name is not Aemon, it's Jon!"

"It is the name your parents gave you," Arthur said sternly.

"Parents I never knew, for one I thought that she was my aunt and for the other to be a mad monster like his father."

Arthur took a step forward, giving Jon a sympathetic look. "I know it's hard to accept but it's the truth. There was no rape or abduction. They loved each other and they would have loved you had they lived."

"They may be my parents but how can I love someone I never knew. My whole life the father I knew, the man I looked up to was Eddard Stark, the man who beat you, the man who everyone said was the most honorable man alive and now I find out that both of those things were false. Those who I love are my family, my sisters Sansa and Arya and brother Robb. When I first set out for Dorne it was to find a way to help them but instead, I found my way here."

"As much as I hate Eddard for the choices he made, I understand them somewhat. His family was almost completely destroyed due to the actions of Aerys and later the death of Lyanna. You were the last piece of his sister he had left and the only person with Stark blood apart from him and his brother. He named you his bastard to protect you. I suspect that he simply could not make a choice between you and Robert and by naming you Snow he spitted Aerys and Rheagar even if he knew a complete truth. You are not Eddard's bastard, your name is now Snow, it's Aemon Targaryen."

"Words won't change decades worth of experiences of being treated as a bastard. Lady Stark loathed me and actively went out of her way to make my life in Winterfell miserable. When I went south and came to the Reach I had to work twice as hard to prove that I am worthy enough to earn and hold the title of a knight so many other nobles have. I remember countless disgusted gazes, dirty looks and threats that have been thrown at me over the years even with the protection of House Tyrell. A revelation of my parent's true identities won't change that."

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, I should have fought harder, I should have done something more," Arthur paused more a moment before taking a breath and continuing. "Rheagar was my best friend, he was a good person, he was raised to be a prince and king but that didn't go as most people think it did. When Rhegar was young Aerys was sane and acted as a father should but with every year the king lost a portion of his sanity and as time went on started neglecting Rheagar and eventually his younger son. That neglect eventually turned into paranoia and fear of his own son. Rheagar sot escapes from his father in books and tales about great prophecies. When he married Elia he swore that he would be a good father to his children, that they won't end up like him. Elia and Rheagar were fond of each other but there was no love between them, Elia loved another, a man from Dorne and the prince eventually found his own true love in lady Lyanna. A strange pair they were, a wild she-wolf and a tame dragon," Arthur said fondly with a hint of sadness. "She broke his sad, serious demeanor, she brought a kind of light to him that I only saw he had when he was with his children. She made him happy, she made him laugh more, while he kept her grounded and in reality. Lyanna truly had some wild ideas, even by Stark standards. After they both died I wanted to go with Eddard but he refused and I ended up in exile, I wanted to go back and just take you but every time I was ready the words of my fellow loyalists brought fear to my mind. Your brother and sister were killed by Tywin Lannister and I feared for your life, I feared that my actions would cause your death. If that happened then I would have never been able to look another person in the eyes, I failed your father, I can not fail you. I know I should have done more, so I beg your forgiveness."

Jon just stared at the legendary knight, taken back by Arthurs words. "There is nothing to forgive Ser Arthur, I know how it feels to fear for the safety of someone. The only reason I had not blindly charged at Kings Landing when lord Stark and my sisters were taken was Loras. He said that if I did so then I would only endanger myself and possibly get them killed as well. Lord Stark might be dead but at least Sansa and Arya are alive, even if they are in Lannister's hands."

"I know it's a lot to take in at once so I will leave you to your thoughts, just know that I took the liberty of arranging rooms to be prepared for you and your companions to stay. The manse and everyone in it are at your disposal, your grace."

"Thank you Ser Arthur," Jon said and Arthur bowed leaving Jon with his thoughts once more.

Loras

Loras could not help but just blankly stare at the Sword of the morning, meeting a living legend that was supposedly dead but still alive was one thing, hearing from that same person that your best friend was not who you or he thought he was your entire lives but the rightful king of the Seven kingdoms was another. He didn't know how long he just stayed like that, completely fazed out, thinking about what had just been saying. His best friend, his brother by choice is not a bastard son of Eddard Stark but his nephew, the son of his sister Lyanna and the son and heir to Rhaegar Targaryen. Various thoughts went through his mind everything from the realization that the Rebellion was built on a lie to the fact that Ned Stark lied to everyone and raised a prince as a bastard.

Jon is his nephew, why would the supposedly most honorable man alive do such a thing? Many possible answers came, most having to do with protecting Jon but he never told Jon the truth and by the looks of it, he never intended to do so either. Lord Eddard could have continued the fight, he could have fought to put Jon on the throne, he would have had plenty of supporters, the Reach first among them but he didn't. Instead, he gave the throne to Robert Baratheon, a man who did nothing but drink and whore himself and if what Willas told him was true, indebted the crown to the point where they owed millions.

This was not what he thought he would be getting when he decided to follow Jon, this seemed too ludicrous to be true and yet Loras somehow knew that Ser Arthur had not told a single lie when he spoke. A realization came to Loras's mind if he was feeling this confused and lost then he could only imagine how Jon must be feeling right now, to find out that everything he knew was a lie.

Robars voice finally brought him out of his stupor.

"This… this is..." Robar said. Loras turned to look at his companion. The knight of the Vale was as shocked as Loras was.

"So let me get this straight, you are saying that our boy Jon is the rightful king," Grenn said.

"That is true Ser Grenn," Arthur said. Grenn squirmed in his seat.

"Actually I'm not a knight," Grenn said.

Arthur looked at Grenn for a moment. "Doesn't matter, what matter is that you have come here with Aemon," Arthur then turned to look at Loras. "I have been told that you are good friends with him, that you two are almost inseparable, at least something good came out of Eddards decision to sent the king south. For your sake Ser Loras I hope it stays that way."

Loras could not help but gulp, Arthur's voice was serious and it was hiding a threat behind it. "I renounced my family and went after him, all the way from Bitterbridge to here. Jon is my brother, I would never do anything to harm him in any way, shape, or form."

Arthur nodded. "That is good to hear, the king needs friends now more than ever," Arthur then looks at Robar. "I hope you share Ser Lorass feelings, ser Robar."

Robar seems to have recovered from the revelations more than Loras and was now sporting a serious look on his face. "I do Ser Arthur, you don't have to fear anything from me. I know my family fought against house Targaryen but they were following the orders of their liege lord and lord Eddard was a good friend to my father. They fought to end the reign of the Mad King, the rest that happened I now see as unfortunate. Jon is not only my friend but also my cousin, my loyalties lie with him, I wouldn't be here otherwise."

Arthur nodded, seemingly pleased with the answer. "Ser Arthur If I may ask?" Loras asked.

"You may."

"Why didn't you send a message to Highgarden, if my family knew who Jon really was things could have been so much different," Loras said. It was true, if they contacted his family and told them the truth they would have sided with Jon immediately and they would have made the choice they did. Margaery and Jon could have even had what they wanted.

A sorrowful expression crossed ser Arthurs face. "After the war, the loyalists weren't as organized as they are now and there was a lot of mistrust among them when we first started bringing them together. Some of them still see those who surrendered easily as traitors chief among them is Ser Richard Lonmounth," Arthur said and once more Loras was taken back, another supposedly dead knight was alive. "Richard became distrustful and resentful towards many who he saw as traitors, whether if they were actually traitors or not, the Tyrells being chief among them. Richard blamed the Tyrells for abandoning Rheagar, for sending only a partial force instead of a large army that camped around Storms End with Mace Tyrell. With the combined might of Rhaegars host and the Tyrells army, the battle would have been won easily and Rhaegar would have lived. Instead, Mace Tyrell chose to sit around a table and wait the war out. In Richard's eyes, the Tyrells were not better than the Tullys. We tried to convince him to see it differently but he simply wouldn't and we were too afraid to take a meaningful risk with Aemon so close to both Tywin and Robert. If he stayed in the North then we would have done something but a plan never goes how you want it."

Loras could hot help but feel odd whenever Arthur called Jon Aemon, it just felt strange. Aemon is a Valyrian name, he knew how the Targaryens looked, Jon looked more like lord Eddard and Arya than someone with Valyrian looks like say Ser Arthur or his brother. This is probably a good thing considering how someone like Arthur would completely stand out anywhere in Westeros.

"What is your plan for Jon?" Loras asked.

"Our plan is to put the rightful king on the throne. This war is a good opportunity to do it although it has made us rapidly speed things up. The original plan was to gain more powerful allies in Westeros, tell his grace the truth and put him on the throne while getting rid of Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon in the process. We have managed to get the houses we know are utterly loyal house Targaryen such as house Valerion and Darry but Robert made sure that they are not as powerful as they were twenty years ago so we need more houses."

"How did you plan to get the Reach on your side? You said Ser Richard is not fond of my family."

"Lord Connington devised a plan to send the Meerywheters to Highgarden to get your on our side, Richards approval or not. Your master of arms would have vouched for them."

"Ser Vortimer!" Loras exclamied. "He is with you?"

"Yes but as far as I know he is unaware of the truth, he is just loyal to House Targaryen and is one of Richard's agents. By everything I heard he did a decent job at teaching you and the king how to fight."

"That is an understatement, the man is brutal in his training."

"Considering he squired for Ser Gerold Hightower, that shouldn't be a surprise. The White Bull was a perfectionist."

"So what does this mean for us?" Grenn asked. "Are we in on this plot now or are you going to throw us in a dark dungeon?"

Arthur shook his head. "You will not be held captive but the extent of your roles will have to be determined later."

Loras was relieved to hear that they won't be held as hostages but his thoughts were focused on Jon, how this all must be for him. It all sounds so fictional but it's true. Loras looked at the door that led towards the garden Jon was in right now, probably lost beyond any measure, still comprehending everything they been told. He noticed that Arthur was looking in the same direction. Loras wasn't sure what to do, usually, he would go and comfort his friend in any way he can but he could. He knew that Jon wanted to be left alone right now but that didn't mean Loras was ready to leave Jon to his own devices, he is ready to be there for Jon. Just as Loras was about to get up Arthur stopped him by lifting his hand.

"I know you think he needs your help right now but he needs to come to terms with this new reality on his own. I told him the truth and it is me who he should speak right now," several more words were exchanged between the four men before Arthur got up and proceeded to follow after Jon. Loras stayed silent, just staring at the table before Grenns voice got his attention.

"So if Jon is the king, what does that mean?"

"It means that he is king," Loras said bluntly.

"I know that but what I'm asking is what does that mean of us, what are we going to do now?"

Loras looked at Grenn for a moment before turning his head and sighing. "I don't know, I can only imagine what is going through his head right now."

"There is nothing we can do for now," Robar's calm and collected voice said. "Not until Jon figures things out, until that happens we will need to be there beside him. After that, we will help him in whatever he decides."

"And if he decides to become king, for real I mean," Grenn said.

"Then we help him. I highly doubt that Arthur Dayne and whoever is with him have been sitting on their asses all these years. Robb Stark is still Jons brother and he will fight for family, that much we know. And realistically speaking Jon would make a better king than either Joffrey or Stannis."

Loras could feel his heart become filled with hatred at the mention of the middle Baratheon brother, a man who killed his own brother in cold blood using dark sorcery no less. Loras had accepted what Robar had told him about that night and the more he thought about it the more it made sense. Stannis had used that sorceress whore of his to murder Renly, his own brother. Renly had given Stannis a chance to peacefully resolve things and Loras knew that Renly would not have killed his brother if they met on the field of battle, either someone would have killed Stannis before or would have captured him. Once he was ready to fight to put a man he loved on a throne, if the need arises to do the same for the man he called brother he will do it without hesitation. And if gods allow it he will have revenge for Renlys murder.

Mainedpool

Arya

Arya watched as the walls of the town of Maidenpool came into the view. She remembered stories that her mother used to tell her about various places from her homeland, from Siegeguard to Stoney Sept and Maidenpool. The town she and the group she was traveling with to barely resembled the one from her mother's story. Its walls were covered with dark ash, no salmon banners flew over the walls and there was an army camped outside the walls, not a Riverlands army or her brothers but a Reach army. She didn't know the banners well but Ronald told her that the most common banners belonged to houses Tarly, Hightower and several others. She knew that they were there to fight her brother Robb for that monster Joffrey. She hated them for siding with the Lannisters, they could have sided with her brother. Her mother used to tell stories to her and Sansa how the south is full of honorable knights, the Reach and Riverlands especially but he did not eat it up as easily as her sister did, she didn't believe that there were so many honorable people in the Reach, they fought for the Mad King after all and she was proven right. They did not fight for honor they fight for whoever gave them the better offer, just like common sellswords.

As they neared the camp they were stopped by some guards.

"Who are you and what's your business here?" one guard with a sigil of ten white hands on a green field, beneath a red bend sinister asked.

Edd who was at the head of the column spoke. "We heard that there was a reward for capturing the Hound so we did it and decided to bring him here," Edd said pointing to the unconscious Hound who was being carried by his horse Stranger. The guard looked behind and saw the large man, their eyes going wide with surprise.

"You don't say, how did you do it?"

"By carefully planning, he did almost take my head off but my friends here shot a few arrows in him and then we managed to subdue him."

The head guard said as he took several steps towards Sandor. He looked as if was examining the Hound before he nodded. "Large man, with a burned scar on his face in black armor. He does fit the description, the guard took a step back. "Lord Tarly is in the main keep, he will determine if this is the real Hound or not."

"Oh, trust me, friend it's him," Edd said with a smile and proceeded to ride through the gate with the rest of them right behind him. As they made their way to the keep Arya eyed the soldiers patrolling the town and what few smallfolk were left. The smallfolk looked hungry, tired and beaten, Arya could guess that all they wanted is for the war to end so they could go back to how they were before. This war has cost many people much, from smallfolk to nobles.

"Stay close to me," Wenda said to Arya as she rode up to her. Arya was still getting over the fact that her new mentor revealed herself to be the White Fawn. Bran used to talk about how Ser Arthur beat the Kingswood Brotherhood and Arya thought that meant all of them but Wenda managed to get away. During their way to Maindenpool Arya would practice with a bow in the morning and in the evening, during day and night. Wenda was a strict teacher, not as strict as Syrio but close. She missed practicing archery with her brothers back in Winterfell while her father and mother watched. Robb would teach Bran, Bran would try and miss only for her to hit the mark, everyone would laugh before her brother would start chasing her. Arya wished for what must be a thousandth time that they never left the North. Arya looked at her new mentor and nodded.

Soon they arrived at the gates of the keep where once again Edd repeated the conversation he had at the camp with new guards and after checking the Hound they were sent inside the keep, a knight came for them and led them inside the keep. They followed the man through the halls of the castle until they reached the great hall. As they walked towards the end of the room where the high table sat she noticed a lean, bald man with a short grey beard with a sigil of a red hunter of his chest, she recognized him as lord Tarly due to his sigil and Jon introducing her to his friend Sam who is lord Tarlys son during the feast before the Hands tourney. Next to him were an even older man and a man that could rival Greatjon in size. The three men were looking over a map of some kind, probably of the Riverlands.

"My lords," the knight said and the three men looked at him.

"What is it?" the one in the middle asked.

"My lord, these people claim that they have captured the Hound and have come to claim the reward," The bald man raised an eyebrow and walked over to them. He carefully looked at each person in the group before his eyes settled on Storm and Rolly who were carrying the limp Hound. Lord Tarly walked over to them, taking the Hound head in one hand and moving it around, examining it. A frown crossed his face.

"Guards!" Lord Tarly shouted and Arya tensed. Was he going to kill them, capture them, and hand them back to the Lannisters? Immediately four guards walked in and stood at attention in front of their lord. "Throw the Hound into the dungeons and put more chains on him, I don't want him escaping."

"Yes milord," the four said and took the large limp body of the Hound to the castle dungeons. Arya felt relieved when the guards just took the Hound and did not attack them but she also felt some pity towards him. She watched as the Hound was dragged through the doors of the great hall before she returned her attention to the three lords in front of her, mainly lord Tarly who was once again looking at them all with interest. His gaze went from Ronald to Wenda and finally Arya. He stared at her for a long moment and Arya could not help but start to panic, could he recognize her. She looks completely different from how she looked back in Kings Landing but the Hound figured her out and so maybe Tarly would also.

"What is a child doing with a group of sellswords?" Tarly asked in a cold tone.

"We found her while we were tracking Clegane, we decided to take her with us for safety. The Riverlands is a dangerous place now and a child should not be left all alone," Edd said.

Tarly stared at her for a moment, his analytical eyes going over Arya's face. "What happened to your family?"

The question surprised her slightly but she quickly answered. "They were killed in the fighting," Arya answered. A partial lie and truth.

After a moment of silence, Tarly spoke again. "A child has no place in the company of sellswords, I'm in a need of a new cupbearer and you girl will fill that role," Tarly said in a tone that left no room for argument. Arya wanted to say something but Wenda beat her to it.

"My lord surely she would make better use in the kitchens or somewhere in the town."

Tarly frowned at her. "What I said stands, the girl will be my new cupbearer," the lord said sending a glare at the former outlaw.

After a moment of brief silence, Wenda spoke. "As you wish my lord," He then looked at Arya.

"I understand my lord," Arya said. Arya wanted nothing more than to say no and try to escape, to make her way to Riverrun, to her family but she knew what kind of situation she was in, she had been in a similar situation before only this time she didn't have Gendry, Hot Pie or Jaqen but she did have Wenda, Edd and the others. For now, she would have to play the dutiful cupbearer until a chance for escape presented itself and she just might find something concerning lord Tarly's plans.

"For capturing the Hound you shall receive your reward, you can stay in the town if you wish for the time being. After that where you go is up to you," Tarly said.

"Thank you my lord," Edd said with a bow.

"Ser Jason," Tarly said and the knight who brought them into the hall straightened. "You will give them the promised reward."

"As you command my lord," the knight said and turned to the group. "Follow me if you will."

The group started to follow the knight, several of them casting glances at Arya who stayed behind, standing in front of Lord Tarly. When they left Lord Tarly spoke to her. "Girl, you will go the kitchens and bring us some wine, Arbor gold, understood?"

"Yes my lord," Arya said and the lord nodded. She proceeded to leave the hall, asking one of the servants where the kitchens are. Maybe coming here with Edd and the rest was a mistake, this was starting to become like her experience in Harrenhall.

Unbeknownst to Arya once the hall was cleared out and the only people who remained in the room were the three lords Bulwer spoke. "I thought you already had a cupbearer, why take another one, especially a common girl."

Tarly turned to him. "In case you haven't noticed the girl does not speak like a commoner which means she had at least some kind of education. But there is a more important reason than that."

"And that is?" Bulwer asked.

"That girl who just walked in here with a group of sellswords is nonother than Arya Stark."

"Are you sure?" Oldflowers asked leaning on the table in front of him.

"I have seen her during the hand's tourney and I have spent enough time studying the Stark looks to know one when I see her."

Oldflowers put his right hand on his chin. "This could change a lot, it could make things easier with Robb Stark."

"Precisely what I thought."

"How do we make sure she does not run off on us?" Bulwer asked.

"I have already made her my cupbearer so she will stay close to me and I will have one of the men Richard left behind watch her at all time. Once the time is right we will present her to Robb Stark as a sign of good faith to prove that we are on the same side."

AN: Hey guys guess whos back. I know it's been some time since the last update, I had and still have a lot going on but I had enough time to write a new chapter so here it is. As always leave your opinion and thanks for the reviews you leave.

Response:

BioHazard: As always thanks mate.

jaimerey7000: Some of that will happen.

Force smuggler: I'm glad you like it mate.

ClassicXD: I'm glad you like it, if the man is smart enough to be considered of the five best military commanders in Westeros he has to be smart enough to figure out a lie that is staring him in the face.

: Sorry mate, not in this fic, maybe in the next one.

ZodiacsKlaroline: Here is more. Glad you like it.

Sageofchaos: I'm happy you like it.

Elogost27549: I'm glad you liked it enough to leave a review.

badwolfforever: Thank you for the review. Glad you liked it.

I LIKE FEAR 1-2: Thanks, I will.