King's Landing 300 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He needed it, more than anything in the world he needed to be back in King's Landing and with his wife and daughter. Even were it not for the certainty that he would not be with them for as long as he wished and that when next he left it was to an uncertain fate, he needed it for other reasons too. As hard as the reality of the journey north had forced him to confront, it was the emotional toll the return had taken on him that he was feeling as they now flew over the Kingswood.
After he'd left the Wall and spoken to all those he'd needed to in the North, he'd intended to fly back to Margaery and Elia with no divergences. He would have spent some time with them before then flying to Storm's End and handing Shireen the letter from her father and Harrenhal was not in his mind. It was in Rhaenix's though and he felt her own need and desire and so it changed his destination completely. Jae was glad that it had even if the events at Harrenhal had taken their toll on him. Lady Shella deserved some comfort in her final moments and showing her some of what would be done to Harrenhal and then offering her the peace of a song, was the least he could do given all her family had done for his own.
It had truly brought it home to him that while there had been Houses, Lords, Ladies, and Knights who'd sought to bring his family to their knees, there had been others who'd raised them up. It was something that Arthur had felt just as keenly as he had when they'd said their final goodbyes to Lady Shella and saw her buried beside Oswell in the shade of the great Weirwood. After they'd done so he'd felt the need to do something that at least would bring a smile to his face and a lightness to his heart. So it had been Storm's End and Shireen and he'd been more than pleased to be proved right. Yet as comforting as it was, it was not enough and as he saw the Red Keep come into view he bid Rhaenix land there rather than at the Dragonpit.
"Go, spend time with Rhaegal, Sandorix, and Ellagon, show them what it is they need to see." he said leaning against her head after he'd climbed down from her back.
"We must teach them, Jae, not just show them, we must teach them too." she said and he told her that they would and then turned to see Ser Richard and Ser Brienne before he was soon enveloped in a warm embrace.
It was one he needed and he welcomed it and the nodding of her head when he spoke to her. Joy only too keen to spend time with him and though it wouldn't be today, there would be far more of it in the next moon than it had in the previous one. He told Arthur to go and get some rest and carrying the sack which contained a crown that he may not have understood the true importance of but he knew it was far more important than just its symbolism, he hurried to his chambers. That he barely spoke or acknowledged Loras and Barristan wasn't meant or seen as a slight and hearing Margaery speaking to Elia as he entered the room was all that he needed.
"See, I told you that your papa was back, little dragon." Margaery said as she walked over to him with their daughter in her arms.
"Gods I missed you both so much." he said kissing each of them, Elia, on the forehead and Margaery softly on the lips.
It was only after he did so that he noticed that Ellaria and Olenna were in the room. Jae greeting them both and kissing Ellaria's cheek when she raised her eyebrow at him questioningly. That they then quickly left the room he felt both guilty for and yet very much not. For now, he just welcomed that he was now alone with his wife and daughter. Margaery handed him Elia and they moved to their bed chamber and lay down on their bed. The two of them leaning upon their elbows to look at each other and at their daughter as he began to play with her.
He was grateful that Margaery didn't ask him about his trip even though it was clear she wished to. As he knew once he spoke of it that in some ways the peace he now felt would be shattered. Instead, she laughed as Elia played with his fingers, as she bit and gripped them tightly and as she laughed when he tickled her ever so gently. Margaery chided him when he began to drift off and made him take off his armor before he even thought about doing so. Though as soon as he did and lay back down on the bed he was doing so again and this time she let him fall to sleep.
His dreams were welcoming and he found himself watching on as his daughter flew on the Indigo Dragon and as someone he believed to be his son flew on one of a vibrant blue. He felt his wife's arms around him and he looked to the ground to see a young boy playing with a small scarlet dragon. The boy's dark grey eyes looking up at him happily as the small dragon chirped and flew to land on his shoulder. It was a dream that he would give anything to see come true and he hoped it was a portent of the future to come.
"I'm up, I'm up." he said sitting up in the bed and he looked around the room to see that night had fallen and that he was alone.
Rising to his feet, he walked out from the bed chamber and found his wife sitting on the couch sewing something that looked to be clothing for Elia. His daughter lay in her crib and Ghost rested beside it, his wolf was wide awake and ever watchful. In the corner lay the Indigo Dragon as it slept on some cushions and he knew that soon it would be far too large for these rooms. He moved to where Margaery was and took a seat beside her, his wife kissing him this time and he welcomed the feel of her lips on his own.
"Are you hungry?" she asked and he shook his head.
"Perhaps later, have you eaten?" he asked and she told him she had not, that she'd waited for him "I'll order something brought and we can eat and speak. There's much you need to know." he said and saw her worried frown.
It turned out he was far hungrier than he had thought and he ate ravenously, gaining a giggle from his wife in the process. He wasn't the only one that was hungry though and Elia woke just after they'd finished and then Ghost looked to him as well, so Jae opened the door to let the wolf run free and hunt. Only the Indigo Dragon seemed to have no appetite and that she rested while Elia had cried for her own meal was something he was glad about. Once fed, Elia was soon back asleep and he led Margaery back over to the couch.
"For Elia." he said as he took out the small ruby and handed it to his wife.
"Is it like our own?" Margaery asked.
"It will be, it was Shireen's but what happened in Chroyane has cured her for true and so she needs it not. I'll ask Shiera to work on it and Elia will wear it from now on." he said and Margaery nodded.
"How did things go, Jae?" she asked and he decided to tell her about Lady Shella before speaking on the war and what he now needed to do.
"She would have been happy at the end, Jae, you did right by her." Margaery said after he was finished speaking.
"I wish I'd known earlier and that she'd had the chance to spend her final days in a fully rebuilt Harrenhal." he said and Margaery told him once again that Lady Shella would have been happy with all he had done.
"It's soon isn't it?" she asked a few moments later.
"Aye, it is. A moon at most before I need to leave and others will be leaving far sooner than that." he said and he took her into his arms and held her tightly to his chest.
"What plans have you to make?" she asked as she looked into his eyes.
"Some are already done, the men I need will be brought to the Wall and there we'll make our stand. Others are contingencies and things that I hope never come to pass and some are just…."
"Jae?"
"Saying goodbyes." he said and felt her shudder and grip him more tightly "I..I..Believe I'll win, Marge, truly I do. I am not afraid of losing or that I'll not see you and our family again, that's not the fear that I feel." he said as she relaxed somewhat.
"What is?"
"That I'll lose people I love and that I care about. That those I care about will lose people that mean everything to them. I want to tell them all to stay here, to keep them all away from the battle so I know they're safe and I cannot and I fear that I'll return without them."
"Jae.."
"How can I face Ellaria if Oberyn falls, Arianne if Tyrion, or Dany if it's Aurane. I worry about my uncles and how Sansa would react if the North suffers losses and Aye, though I believe I'll win I'd be lying if I say that thoughts of not seeing those I love survive don't make me fearful. I…I fear I'll leave things unsaid, as my father did." he said as his wife held him tight.
"Make your peace, do all you must but make your peace before you leave, Jae." Margaery said and he nodded and resolved to do as she bid.
Dorne 300 AC.
Tyrion.
His goodmother doted over both her children and was even keener than he to see her grandchild born. It was something that he took great comfort in as he looked at the raven's scroll and read the words that it said once more. It would be hard enough for him to leave Dorne and do what he must as it was, were it not for Mellario being here to comfort his wife and see her through a birth that he now was certain he'd not see, he doubted he could endure it.
Tyrion had gone over the words he'd say to Arianne more times than he could remember. For two days he'd kept the contents of the scroll secret from her, almost as if he felt that by not speaking the words aloud it would make them not true. It was a silly stupid thought and it was only that Jae had actually given him far more notice than Dorne itself would get, was he able to do so. Had it came with the orders for Dornish Spears to be made ready and with Oberyn's return to take them to the Wall then he'd have had no choice but to speak up by now.
He took comfort in the fact that his reluctance to speak the words aloud wasn't purely selfish. His wife was feeling the effects of her pregnancy and at times her moods swung because of it. Arianne could get overly angry, sad, or even happy because of the changes she was going through and so he feared her reaction to his news. True there was some selfishness there too as he wished for things to remain as normal as they could be with them before he had to tell her news that would cause her such upset. It was times like this that he wished he was a larger man, he thought with a smirk. His brother and Jae both sought the sparring yard to ease their worried minds and for Tyrion that wasn't truly an option. Though he had learned to defend himself and could wield his ax when needed.
"Cheer up you miserable fucker." he heard the voice say and he didn't need to look up from his desk to know who it was who spoke.
"Who let you in?" he asked as Bronn took a seat in front of him and poured himself a glass of wine.
"Who's going to fucking stop me?" Bronn asked which at least brought a smile to his face.
He found his eyes drawn to the note and his thoughts back on his wife. His expression along with his silence soon brought him a questioning look from Bronn.
"Read." he said after a few moments as he handed Bronn the scroll.
"So, you've to go to King's Landing on Lygaron, it'll take you what a day or more?" Bronn asked.
"Aye, it's not that I've to go, it's what it means that I have to." he said and Bronn looked at him confusedly.
Pouring himself a glass of wine, Tyrion began to tell Bronn the full extent of what they were readying to face. He told him of Hardhome and of what both Oberyn and Loras had told him they'd seen there. Then he explained what it was that had truly been taking place on Dragonstone. How throughout the realm in secret, men had been preparing for the upcoming war and how the dragons were to be a key part of it.
"The armor, for Lygaron and Rhaenix, that's what the armor was for?" Bronn asked and Tyrion nodded as Bronn swallowed his wine in one gulp and then poured himself another glass.
"Aye, it is. This won't be as easy as the war to take the throne, this enemy won't be so easily subdued and so I'll not ask you to join me." he said as he looked at the man who'd been by his side for a number of years now, a man he thought of as much as a friend as he did a sworn shield or enforcer.
"Good, because dead men marching is where I draw the fucking line." Bronn said with a chuckle which Tyrion joined in with.
"It's as good a place as any." he said softly "I'd ask a favor of you though?" he added a moment later.
"I'm not sucking your cock." Bronn said far too seriously and then both of them as one burst out laughing.
"Why the fuck would you say that?" he asked a few moments later, his own wine glass in his hand as he looked at him.
"A man needs limits." Bronn said smirking at him before his expression changed "I'll guard her with my life, Tyrion and you know how much I value that."
"Aye, I do. Thank you, for all of it" he said and he heard the emotion in his voice.
"I was well paid." Bronn said with a shrug and this time it was Tyrion who smirked.
"Well a…"
"Don't fucking say it." Bronn said and Tyrion gratefully welcomed the laughter this time.
Later that day he knew the time had come and so he made his way to where his wife, her mother, and brother were. Seeing Arianne smile at him both warmed his heart and made him feel terrible at the same time. As he took a seat beside her, he found he couldn't speak the words and so once again he stayed silent. Tyrion spending the rest of the day listening as Trystane spoke of wanting to visit King's Landing and Mellario told him that he could not.
At dinner, he barely ate and when he and Arianne retired it was his wife that brought it up. Tyron knowing then he had no other choice but to speak words that would cause her some pain and he only hoped it would not be too much.
"The raven I received from Jae, it was more important than I may have let on." he said as he helped Arianne undress.
"I expected as much, what does he ask of you?" Arianne asked.
"The War, the War for the Dawn is almost upon us and it's a war that Lygaron and I must play our parts in." he said feeling her stiffen.
"When?" she asked her lip quivering and he felt his heart still as he looked at her.
"I must leave in the next few days, as soon as I'm able. He wishes to speak to us all in King's Landing, to talk us through with it is we'll face and what our roles will be. Oberyn should be returning to Dorne not long after I depart to gather the army and bring them to the Wall." Tyrion said and he shuddered when she brushed past him and sat down on the bed, her tears falling and he knew he was powerless to stop them.
"You'll miss the babe being born." Arianne said after a few moments.
"I believe so, though I'm sure Jae will allow me to use the Glass Candles to see it once it is." he said moving to sit beside her on the bed.
"And if I asked you not to go?" she asked softly.
"Then for once, I'd have to go against my wife's wishes. My whole family will be part of this fight, people I care about and would see safe will risk their lives and I'll not allow them to do so without me and Lygaron offering them what protection we can." he said and though she didn't answer him in words, he found her answer to be even more comforting.
He held her in his arms as they lay in bed, both of them having worn themselves out in their bringing of pleasure to each other. Now his fingers brushed through her hair and his arm held her tightly to him as she slept. She had asked him and he'd promised he would return. Tyrion promising her that he'd take no more risks than was absolutely needed and though he didn't feel she took full comfort in what he'd said, he did feel she took some.
It was the same the night after and though he wished he could stay even longer, he knew he could not, and so he spent an entire day saying his goodbyes and making sure that he left nothing unsaid. He wrote a letter that he gave to Satin, the boy almost demanding that he come with him and Tyrion denying him. Far better he was here than there and the Wall was no place for a lad such as he. There was an argument when Trystane demanded almost that he go to King's Landing with him and he was surprised when Arianne went against her mother on that.
"He needs to see the Red Keep and speak to his cousins, far better he does so with Tyrion by his side and then returns than waits much longer." Arianne said and Tyrion felt that it was partly that she feared not all of them would return from the war that they would soon be headed to.
Finally, the time came and he gathered his things and called Lygaron to him while Trystane waited near where the dragon would land. the thoughts his goodbrother had of flying to King's Landing were ones that he hoped the reality of lived up to. He stood with his wife and found that for once in his life that his words had failed him. There was nothing he could say and so he kissed her as deeply as he could and prayed it would not be the last time he did so.
"Come back to me, my lion, come back to us." she whispered softly in his ear as he nodded and said he would.
He moved to the dragon and didn't look back, afraid that if he did so then he'd not be able to leave and so when the hand touched his shoulder it caught him by surprise.
"Ari.." he said turning only to see Bronn standing there.
"Do I look like your wife?" Bronn said shaking his head.
"Very much not you ugly fucker. What are you doing?" he asked as he saw the sack he carried over his shoulder.
"I've guarded your back for too long to let some dead fucker end you, now tell the prince to move his fucking arse." Bronn said as he moved to Lygaron and Tyrion found himself smiling a few moments later when they took to the air.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Oberyn.
Even were he not to know how his nephew felt, it would still be clear to him. Oberyn seeing just how much Jae was struggling with the thoughts of what he was leading them to. They'd had a dinner where it was just he, Ellaria, and the girls with Jae, Margaery, and Elia and he knew it was one of many dinners that Jae had or would be holding. During it, his nephew gave each of them as much time as he could as he laughed with his cousins, spoke to Ellaria and himself, and when it was over he was reluctant to let them leave.
Ellaria too commented about it when they were alone in their room that night and while just like him she had enjoyed the night, it had become clear to her that there was far more going on than just a family dinner. Over the next few days, Oberyn fought with himself about whether or not to bring it up with Jae or not. On one hand, he felt he should while on the other it was obvious just how hard a time Jae was having dealing with the things he was. So instead it was to Arthur he'd gone to and he'd found his suspicions confirmed.
The war was almost upon them and Jae was reaching the time not just when he would have to leave and lead them in that war but he'd have to order them to leave and make ready. He and his nephew had already discussed what would need to be done many moons earlier. Jae had asked him to begin preparing men from Dorne to face what it was they needed to face and Oberyn had sent word to those he would bring with him. Half, only half, his nephew had asked for and so Oberyn had done just that. The strangest thing he had found once he knew for certain what it was that was on Jae's mind was that he felt no reservations about what it was he must do. So he resolved to speak to his nephew and put his mind at ease about that at least. Oberyn arranging to do so in the one place he knew that Jae would speak most freely and so he twirled his spear as he waited for him to arrive, and he didn't have long to wait as it turned out.
"You're slow this morning." he said as he ducked away from Blackfyre.
"Or maybe you're faster and know my moves better." Jae replied as he spun and almost caught the shaft of his spear.
"True, I do feel faster." he said with a chuckle as he barely blocked the strike Jae aimed his way.
On and on the spar went, Oberyn keeping up in a fight that he should have lost by now and he knew that Jae was dragging it out. He welcomed that, it was what his nephew seemed to be doing with everything he did. The day before he'd watched from the balcony as Jae had sparred and played with his four youngest daughters. He had been lost to the world, oblivious to everything else around him other than Elia, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza. Even when they'd finished their games for that's what they truly were, Jae had sat and spoken to each of them. He'd then had treats brought out for them and it was only hours later that he'd walked back to his rooms.
His girls weren't the only ones that Jae spent so much time with, Jaime's children, Joy, his two squires, and of course his own daughter, as well as Obara and Tyene. He'd even heard that he, Margaery, and Elia were to visit Sarella and the girls she taught sometime over the next few days. The sigh he heard from his nephew when the spar finally ran its course and his spear was knocked from his hands was a loud one. While the less said about the expression on his face as he looked at it as it lay on the ground the better, Jae almost seemed an inch away from crying, so sad did he look at that precise moment. Oberyn watched as his nephew walked over to the water jug and poured them both a mug and after he picked up and laid his spear against the wall, he joined him.
"You know." Jae said as they sat there.
"I know. You wear your heart on your sleeve, nephew. How you feel about someone has always been clear to those who know you well. When you're happy or hurting or when something is bothering you, you do not hide it well." he said before taking a swallow of the water.
"A bad mummer." Jae said with a snort.
"A good thing." he replied as Jae looked at him "Far too many people wear false faces, far better that you are not one of them and besides it's only with those who know the truth of what's in your heart." he said and Jae looked at him, a small smile on his face as he did so.
"I want to wish it all away. To just close my eyes and make it not so and knowing I cannot….that I must not…it's at times more than I can bear." Jae said his voice sounding broken.
"No man has had to bear so much and there is none that I both wish did not need to and am happy it's they who do in equal measure. Were it someone else then I fear it would break them." Oberyn said looking at his nephew.
"I fear it may." Jae said.
"Which is why it will not. You are not alone in this nephew, though it may feel it some time and knowing you as I do, though you may wish it so." he said and saw the slight nod of Jae's head "I will leave by week's end and after gathering my men then we will sail North."
"I…"
"Do not wish to send me and more like me, yet on this, I'll give you no choice. I go because Dorne needs me to lead its men against the dead. All who faced them before must do so again so that there is no doubt or question about what they can do and how they must be fought. You do not send me, Jae, I go regardless." he said and he saw the way Jae relaxed just a little.
"The girls?" Jae asked and Oberyn shook his head.
"Stay, though Obara will hate me for it. Their sisters and mother will need them as will their cousins." he said and Jae smiled knowing he included Margaery and Elia in that.
"I'll arrange for Aemon or Shiera to take you, it'll be quicker that way and give you some more time with our family." Jae said bringing a smile to Oberyn's face.
"Uncle I…" Jae said as he rose to his feet and Oberyn embraced him.
"As do I. It's been the boon of my life to have found you and my niece. I am most grateful to have been given back a piece of my sister in the shape of her son. Should the worst come to pass then know that I'd not have had it any other way, but fear not about your uncle and remember the only thing we say to death.."
"Is not today." Jae finished for him and Oberyn nodded.
That night he had a private dinner with his girls and Ellaria, Sarella, and Tyene both joining them, and other than Nym, they were all with him. He told them what was to come and that he'd be leaving in a couple of days and arranged to spend the next day with them and them alone. As expected Obara argued and only that he told her that she must protect their family or it would have developed into a far truer argument than it did.
Ellaria and he spent the night together in their bed, both of them taking their comfort in each other and Oberyn felt like a starving man who was unable to sate his hunger. They had a picnic in the Kingswood the next day, just Ellaria, he, and their girls, and when they returned to the Red Keep it was to find that Aemon would be ready for him the next day. So after another dinner with his girls and one more night spent in his love's arms, he woke and dressed and made his way to Jae and Margaery's chambers.
It was no surprise to find Jae awake, his nephew rose early and went to bed even later than he as he tried to fit in every hour he possibly could with those he loved. Margaery still rested and so it was just Jae and Elia that he got to spend some time with. Oberyn holding his grandniece in his arms and finding that despite her Targaryen looks, it was his sister he saw in her. He was ready to leave when Margaery awoke and he said his farewells to her and to his grandniece. There was no need to say them to Jae as he would see him again at the Wall.
Then he made his way to the Dragonpit, alone as he'd said his goodbyes to his family already. Soon enough he was on Sandorix's back and as they flew it was with a smile on his face. Rhaenix had joined them as soon as they took to the air and she flew by their side for the rest of the day. Oberyn finding his eyes drawn to her and each time he looked at her, her own they were staring back at him. They landed just sought of Mistwood and as Aemon set up the fire, Oberyn talked to Rhaenix and felt her own worries and tried to soothe them just as he had with Jae. When he woke the next morning she was gone and by midday, he was flying over Dornish sands. He had more family to say his goodbyes to, his niece, nephew, and his daughter and he prayed the goodbyes would not be final.
Winterfell 300 AC.
Robb.
Wylla had stayed in King's Landing with her grandfather and Wynafred he knew had missed her sister on the journey north. Though his own and Lyanna Mormont along with Alys and Lady Roslin Frey had kept her company and her spirits up. It had been a huge surprise to him to learn that the Smalljon was to be wed and to who it was that he was to be wed too. The Greatjon explaining it to him when he'd asked and Robb understanding the politics of it, if not why the Umbers had agreed to it. Even with the dowry, he'd not have expected the Greatjon to agree to marry his heir to a southern lady. However, the man soon explained it even more and he then saw the sense in it.
"There are few ladies in the North of an age, other than Maege's girls and while I'd welcome a She-Bear for a goddaughter, I fear one of them would kill my oaf of a son." the Greatjon said, a fond smile on his face as he showed his true pride in the Smalljon.
"So you accepted a southern bride." he said.
"A king's favor, a large dowry, lack of other choices and truth be told I feared he'd never wed, so Aye, I accepted and she's a good lass. They seem to get on well with each other too which is for the best."
They seemed to and the lady had adjusted far better to the cold winds of the North than her two brothers seemed to as of yet. Though Robb had found for Frey's both Olyvar and Ser Perwyn were not as he had expected. When they'd reached Bear Island he'd said his goodbyes to his sister and Arya had made him promise that he'd come and visit on her nameday, both he and Cregan not allowed to go back to the ship until they'd done so. The Greatjon and the Smalljon too he'd said his goodbyes too though this time when they reached Deepwood Motte.
So it was him, Wynafred, Cregan, and Alys who made their way to Winterfell, his cousin wanting to speak to his father about ships. Though Robb could have made the decisions and would be heavily involved in the discussions anyway, he welcomed the company. How he'd not noticed the differences along the way he couldn't explain and it was only when they reached Winterfell that it became clear to him. They were preparing to march, those patrols they'd seen off in the distance as they traveled to Winterfell had been far more than that. Were it not for Wynafred and Alys riding with them, then he and Cregan would have ridden hard so they could speak to his father. As it was they did quicken the pace and he was relieved to see that his father didn't seem to be worried or panicked when they arrived.
"Father." he said after he'd helped Wynafred down from her horse, Cregan doing the same to Alys.
"Robb, it's good to see you son, You too nephew." His father said looking to them both before he looked to Wynafred and Alys "Lady Alys, your father and brothers are here and they've much to speak to you on. Wynafred perhaps you could show Lady Alys to the guest quarters?"
"Of course Lord Stark." Wynafred said and Robb kissed his wife's cheek before she and Alys headed into the keep.
"Father?" he asked as soon as they were alone.
"You should both join me in my solar, we've much to speak on." his father said and both he and Cregan walked hurriedly after him.
The warm fire was welcoming and they both accepted the ale when his father offered them some. He and Cregan then taking their seats when they were bid to do so. Looking at his father he could see the worries were now shown in his face, his posture was a little stiffer and he seemed far less comfortable than he had been just a few moments before. Robb turned to Cregan and could see his cousin thought so too and he was filled with trepidation when his father began to speak.
"Jae came to visit not long after the raven you'd sent arrived. He was on his way to speak to Benjen and to Jeor at the Wall. The time is upon us and the dead march our way." his father said with no frills or lead up, simple and direct and for once Robb wished he'd not been.
"How long?" Cregan asked when Robb couldn't find the words.
"We march within the week." his father said.
"We?" he asked looking at him.
"We, all of us. This is a battle for the North, for every man and woman in it and it's not one that any true man with a blade can not take part in. I've agreed with Jae's request that we send less than half our men but I'll not hold back the best of them and I'll not be able to lead them alone." his father said looking first to him and then to Cregan.
"What of those left behind?" Robb asked his mind fully on the matter at hand now.
"They are to be held in reserve should the worst happen and if it does they'll not be staying here to hold the keep. If we fall they will march south and I've arranged for an old friend to take command of that." his father said with a brief smile on his face.
"Father?" he asked.
"Howland Reed will see to the evacuation of one half of the North by land. While Lord Wyman and Ser Wendel will see to the other by sea should it come to pass."
"Evacuate the North?" he asked worriedly.
"I've spoken to Jae about what happened in Hardhome. Even with Rhaenix they were lucky to get the Free Folk out alive and so we'll not take any chances this time. Those closest to the Wall, Karhold, Last Hearth, and the Mountain Clans, they'll move to where ships will be waiting long before a battle is fought. Jae tells me that he'll ensure word reaches them should they need to depart."
"He would have us abandon the North?" Cregan asked, not accusing but almost in disbelief.
"Jae understands what it is we face far better than I do or than you. This isn't a force to surrender to and there will be no parley. Should we fail to stop them then it matters not who they come across, men, women, or children, they care not. Keeps, lands, homes, as important as they are the only thing that matters is the people who live in them. Crops can be re-sown, keeps and homes rebuilt." his father said and Robb nodded.
"Is Lord Karstark here to march north or to hold?" Cregan asked.
"Neither." his father said with a chuckle "He's here to see his daughter wed and wed she shall be. A warm bath and a shave young man, you marry at nightfall."
"Uncle..my mother." Cregan asked.
"Will see you wed again, for now, the time has come, and believe me, nephew, you don't wish to march off to war without this done."
Later that night he looked on as Cregan married Alys, Robb holding Wynafred's hand in his as they watched his cousin and his bride kiss for the first time as man and wife. They feasted them and though everyone enjoyed their night it seemed that there was as much worry about what was to come as there was joy for his cousin. Two days was all that Cregan and Alys got to spend together before they had to make ready to march and Robb could see that just as much as it hurt Cregan and Alys, it hurt his father too.
As for him, he'd spent his time with his brother, his stepmother, father, and his wife. He'd prayed in the Godswood and had even walked down into the crypts to speak to the dead before those doors had been barred shut. He, his father, and Cregan all saying their goodbyes to those who'd come before them and he'd seen Cregan wipe a tear as he stood in front of his father's statue. His father had spent a long time in front of his aunt's and what he had said to Jae's mother was for him and her alone. The last thing he'd done was say his goodbyes to Wynafred as he lay in bed beside her.
"I believe our babe is inside of you, I hope it's so and so it's on them I make this oath. I will fight and fight well and do all I can to return to you both. I swear it on the old gods and the new that I'll not give up my life recklessly and that if it's their will, I shall return. I love you and have from the first time I left you alone in White Harbor. I love you with all that I am and it's that which brings me comfort and brings me strength." he said as he looked deep into her eyes.
"I love you, Robb Stark and you had better return to me, don't break my heart anymore than your leaving already has." she said as he kissed her deeply.
They said more even goodbyes in the courtyard and he watched as his father spoke to Howland and then kissed Elle and Rickon before mounting up. Cregan doing the same with Alys and he with Wynafred and though he tried to leave Grey Wind and Cregan did the same with Dusk, it was only Lya that stayed behind. Farlen had told them that she carried pups in her belly and he'd taken some comfort from that. Rickon, Elia and maybe his own and even Cregan's babes he hoped would be getting their own Direwolves. He didn't look back as they rode out the gate, nor did his father or his cousin. Each of them he believed feared as he did that if they did so they'd be lost.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Barristan.
With all that was going on, he was surprised when Arthur came to him and told him that the king wished to meet with the entire Kingsguard later that night. He'd heard the talk about the threat that they would soon be marching off to face, it was hard not to when the king and queen and others spoke about it. Yet despite the clear urgency, there was also an almost complete lack of it in the king's actions at the same time. Barristan knew that preparations had been made and that men were marching and more would soon do so. He'd seen Prince Oberyn say his goodbyes before leaving with Prince Aemon and Prince Tyrion had arrived only the day before along with his goodbrother Prince Trystane and Lord Bronn, which showed that things were afoot.
Yet for all of that, the king spent time with those he'd normally spend time with, and even today it was not preparations for a war that he found himself witnessing. Far from it, as he rode beside the carriage as it headed from the orphanage and to the building where Lady Sarella had set up as a place of learning. Inside the carriage were the king, queen, and the princess and he'd just seen how those at the orphanage had doted over princess Elia. Not that they were the only ones as he too would do so whenever he had the chance.
At first, she'd reminded him of their failures and of those they'd failed to protect but Arthur, Jaime, and the king himself had quickly forced those thoughts from his head. Elia was not a symbol of failure but one of hope. Hope in the future and the crown and hope for the House he had truly wished to serve. That she was already to be a Dragonrider and had a dragon of her own was only a further sign of that hope. As was how even the children who'd lost their parents and had no families of their own had reacted to her.
"She's so pretty."
"Is she a dragon like you?"
"The Indigo one, she's so small just like the princess."
"I can hold her, for true?"
Barristan smiled as he remembered their faces and their words and that it was only Ghost who excited them as much as the princess. He dismounted and held open the door of the carriage with one hand while he kept the other close to his sword. There was no true danger and perhaps there never would be given how the people and even the lords and ladies saw the royal family but he was a Kingsguard and vigilance was his byword.
When the children saw the king was with the queen and that it was he who held Elia in his hands, Barristan could see just how excited they were. He took his place behind them and looked to Arthur and Arryk and as one they moved when the king and queen did. Loras and Robar stood a little further to the sides and Jors and Ser Richard Horpe had already moved further ahead to make sure there was no one laying in wait or hiding out of their line of sight. Unnecessary precautions they may be but he'd take no chances and if it allowed their graces and the princess to move more freely then they were worthwhile.
How long they spent with the children he couldn't tell but the king and queen showed no sign of leaving and when it came time for the children to eat, he was stunned when they sat with them. Not as stunned as the children were as some looked on with open mouths as the king and queen of the eight kingdoms ate the same meal as they did. One little girl even going so far as to ask if they should be eating their food and Barristan holding back a chuckle while the king japed and spoke with her.
"Why shouldn't we eat the same as you, Palla?" the king asked after the queen whispered something in his ear, Barristan wondering if it was the girl's name and finding himself impressed that the queen remembered it if it was.
"How do you know my name?" the girl asked in wonder though there was suspicion there too.
"I told him, little one, did you not tell me when last I visited?" the queen said with a smile.
"You remembered?" the girl next to Palla asked.
"I did Mara." the queen said to a blinding smile from the young girl.
"Hmm, yummy." the king said to giggles from the two girls.
"No, it's not, it's not yummy, soup is yummy, cake is yummy. Candies are yummy." Palla said.
"Candied apples are yummy." the king said and Barristan heard the excited talk from some of the girls who'd tasted them and saw the confused looks on the faces of those who had not.
"I've never had a candied apple." Palla said sadly as some others nodded that they were the same.
"Why that's an outrage and a crime against the old gods." the king said as he winked at the queen.
"It is?" Palla asked with a shicked look on her face.
"It is and we can't let it stand. Ser Loras, Ser Richard." the king said and both men moved to his side, Barristan seeing the smirks they both wore "As good knights and true I task you both with righting this most terrible of wrongs. I say these fine ladies deserve candied apples for their desert, find me such and bring them here post-haste." the king said his voice full of mirth as he handed Loras a coin purse.
Barristan moved to send someone other than two men of the Kingsguard to fetch candied apples, not because it was beneath them to do so but because he wished all seven to remain with the king, queen, and princess. The king though shook his head and winked at him this time and so Barristan stood back and watched as the two knights hurried from the room. The whole tone in the room had changed to one of anticipation and he could see the girls both hurriedly eat their food and look to the king as they did so. It took some time but when Loras and Ser Richard returned it was leading squires and servants alike and all were carrying candied apples in their hands.
He watched as they were handed out as and as those who'd had them before looked at them eagerly while those who had not looked far more confused. The king and queen were both handed one and then so was each of the Kingsguard. Soon the girls began to giggle and when the king bit into his own and looked at Palla, Barristan found himself unable not to laugh.
"Yummy." the king said and as he did so, Palla then bit into her own and smiled when she got the taste in her mouth.
"Y...mm…y" she said through a mouthful of candied apple.
All good things must come to an end though and so after the meal and after both the king and queen had asked was there anything else the girls needed and more than one had asked for another candied apple, it was time to leave and head back to the Red Keep. When they reached it he was surprised to see so many men of the hundred present and soon it became clear why, as the king told him and the rest of the Kingsguard to await him in White Sword Tower. Arthur stayed behind as he and his five brothers made their way and took their seats around the Weirwood table in the Round Room. They didn't have long to wait before Arthur and the king arrived.
"Your grace." he said offering the king his seat but he was bid to keep it and then Arthur took his own.
"The time is drawing close where I and others must travel to the Wall and deal with a threat to each and every person in the realm. A threat that has already seen a people fall to the darkness it possesses. By right the Kingsguard march with the king and yet I'd not have any of you with me if I could make it so. Were it in my power I'd go and face this threat alone and yet I know I cannot, but I'll order no man to do so if I can help it. Three I'll take with me and three alone and who those three are I'll leave to you to decide. For I cannot, I will not."
"Your grace?" Loras said looking at him.
"I…leave it to you do decide, Loras. On this, I'll not force you one way or another and so I'll leave it to you decide. Take the night, speak amongst yourself, break bread together and get drunk. Do so as the brothers you are and as the knights good and true each of you have forever been. Know that you seven and the two who fell, for Alyrs was as much a Kingsguard as any man who ever wore the white cloak and he and Walder's loss is something that I live with each day. Know that no king had truer knights and that each of you has more than earned my respect and gratitude. The Hundred shall guard my door this night and I'll not leave my rooms until the morrow. I think you, each of you." the king said as he walked from the room and Barristan looked at him as he did so and was not the only one with his eyes on their king.
It had not been a hard choice, Arthur would never forgive himself if he let his king fight without him by his side and Loras, Loras was not only the king's truest friend but he had fought the dead once before. Each of them including him had wished to be the last of the three and yet they had a queen and a princess to protect also. This was not the same type of war he'd once left the Red Keep to travel to the Trident to fight. Yet it was with those memories that his own and other's decisions were made. Ser Richard Horpe had stayed to protect his charge once before and so volunteered to do so again as did Ser Robar though he wished to fight by his family and king's side. Ser Arryk then did the same, as he deferred to him and Barristan did so to Ser Jors.
"I've been by his side since before I knew him a king. When I thought him but a boy he treated me better than any man had treated a guard before and serving him has been the greatest honor of my life, Ser Barristan. As Lord Commander the choice is yours and my blade is lesser than others in this room and yet it's true too. The queen and the princess need your own, let me and mine serve my king." Ser Jors said and Barristan nodded.
"I say we do as the king suggested, let's drink as brothers and have no regrets for not only has serving my king been to my great honor, serving with my brothers has been so too." Ser Loras said.
"Aye, let's get fucking drunk." Ser Richard said to laughs.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Sansa.
Willas had been far busier than normal lately and he and Lord Wyman had been locked in discussions more and more often when she'd longed for their walks. She too had been busy but had always found the time for them and so for a little while she began to worry that there was something wrong and that perhaps she'd done something to annoy him. It was her brother who told her the truth of things and Sansa had felt so incredibly relieved. Though then very much not when the full extent of that truth had begun to become apparent.
Oberyn leaving, Jae spending time with everybody and where before he'd while always do so. he would never do so as he was now. Joy had told her that they'd arranged for a day's riding, just the two of them, a whole day she'd said excitedly. Martyn and Tommen too were given more extensive lessons and now sparred three times a day and jousted too while she rarely saw her brother alone anytime she caught sight of him. Even with her, he'd been even more attentive and finally, she found she couldn't just accept it quietly and enjoy their time together as she once had.
"Speak to me, Jae." she said as they prayed by the small Weirwood.
"I always speak to you, see we're speaking." he said rising to his feet and sticking his tongue out at her which at least made her laugh.
"Jae, I'm being serious." she said frowning at him and she then laughed even more fully when he moved to her and literally turned her frown upside down.
"Why so serious." he said as he curled her lips up into a smile.
"Jae." she said frustratedly.
"Sansa." he replied with a smirk on his face.
"If you're not going to speak to me truly, then I'm just going to…" she said moving away.
"Very well, come, let's sit." he said and she took his arm when he offered it.
They took a seat and she heard the two wolves behind them, Fang and Ghost both rolling around on the ground and it seemed they wished to be playful with each other, even if Sansa did not with Jae, for now at least.
"I've not been keeping it from you because of any other reason than I wish it was not so. Willas and Wyman and making preparations both for what's to come and what may come after that. Contingencies upon contingencies, plans for events that I hope never come to pass but plans that need to be made."
"Jae?"
"A war is coming, Sansa, one that must be fought and must be won and one that I have no control over the timing of. In a week or so I'll need to travel to the Wall and lead an army larger than the one that actually fought in the War of the One True King. Against an enemy far more dangerous than Robert Baratheon or Jon Arryn."
"In the North?" she asked worriedly and he grabbed her hand and held it tightly.
"Aye, in the North. I'll ask you to write letters to your father and to Robb, to Cregan and to Arya and I'll see they get them. Here in King's Landing, I believe you'll all be safe but I fear I could be wrong and so Willas, Wyman, the Kingsguard, and men of the Hundred among others will ready things in case I'm wrong."
"You fear you'll lose?" she said placing her hand over her mouth in shock.
"I fear many things, but not that." he said cryptically "I wished to spend as much time with you as I could without speaking on this, Sansa. Just spending time with my little sister and being as we've always been. There are so many things I wish to say to you and I fear I'll not get to them all, so I've written a letter to you which Margaery has in her possession."
"Jae.." she said grabbing his hand now.
"I remember a little girl and lemon cakes, a beaming smile, and perfect stitches." Jae said as he smiled at her "I remember excited little yelps and a look of wonder on her face and someone who always thought of me as her brother even when others did not. I look at my little sister and I see the incredible young woman she's become and I'm so very proud of her." Jae said smiling at her.
"I'm…"
"My little sister whom I love with all my heart. I love you Sansa, never forget or doubt that this is so." he said rising to his feet and she jumped to her own before she grabbed him and hugged him tightly.
"You promise me you'll come back, Jae, promise me, swear it here in front of the old gods." she said and he nodded.
"I promise, one day I'll see you wed and see that smile I love upon your face." he said and she nodded as she let him go.
For the next few days anytime he wished to spend with her was time she welcomed and not once did they speak of the war or the Wall. She wrote her letters, cried as she did so, and counted each day that her brother didn't depart to be the ones she most welcomed and she knew she was not alone in doing so.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed: Up next more goodbyes as Jaime says his own and Joy and Jae spend time before a stranger gains her interest. On Dragonstone Dany says her goodbyes before she, Jae, Aemon, Shiera and Tyrion meet and Jae shows them all what it is they face. Loras reaches out for some comfort and Jae spends his last few hours with his wife and daughter before heading North.
Daryl Dixon: So very glad you liked it.
Vdwade: Bronn is a fun character, I think they went too far with him at the end, HG/MOC is just too much but a lord with a wife, that's not too out of the question. So glad you liked the Lady Shella part and in some ways we're seeing the effects of all of Jae's decisions/path coming to the fore now.
The Sphynx: Awesome as always.
Hkt29: If Tyrion wore Aemon's/Shiera's it would be interesting and it can be glamoured to change his appearance, the others are lesser magic and work more on illness/sickness etc. I like showing the side characters for that reason. The Greyscale thing will spread across the realm from Storm's end out so it may be fun to see.
Igprg: I think it's a nice little break from other things while still within the confines of the plot so it's not too far off kilter.
Emeraduke: Glad you enjoyed it and that Bronn gave you a laugh, the nature of saying goodbye in this context is kind hard and so while I try to add in some light moments, it may be a bit sad.
Celexys: Thanks for saying so, with the BF he's been on his path and I've tried to show him react as realistically as possible, here is almost the final nail in the coffin in relation to him thinking badly of Jae.
Creativo: Sin embargo, Roslin es una dama, donde Bronn ha saltado como tres cuatro niveles jajaja.
Jaimerey: No era consciente de eso, gracias por señalarlo, tendré que echarle un vistazo.
VFSNAKE: We'll see what happens with the BF's reveal in a little bit.
Remi: Next week for sure, the first real interaction between the NK and the Wall.
Supremus: The king's rule is supreme, his will is law that's how an absolute monarchy works. Now yes there can be ramifications to that rule but a king's will decides it, the Master of Laws works for the king.
Guest: So very glad you liked it, yes we're at the calm before the storm level, glad you like the Shireen part.
Magnetic ducky: A little more to go, a few more chapters.
Biohazard: Thanks so much very, glad you enjoyed it.
Jman: It does and it won't be quick.
Anarchichmind: Glad you liked the send off.
Irish Hermit: That's the only thing that it truly does other than perhaps stops Lymond and others in their wake. But it takes that last element of doubt from Brynden's mind that things could have been different. They will yes, it always annoys me that the dead from the TOJ are rarely referenced. That's one of the things about the war against the NK, it's a true war unlike the last one.
Xand007: Thanks my friend. Well I do hope to do better than they did, I mean I don't think I can do worse lol. But we're just about upon it one more chapter and then all will be at the Wall. Stay safe and well my friend.
Lady Octarina: So glad you think so with Roslin/Smalljon, it's nice to have a nice little chapter every so often and since the war is just about upon us, even more important to do so.
Victoria: Thank you so very much my friend. So very pleased you're given the other story a look, it offers a nice little insight into things and a look at characters I myself haven't been able to give more time to. Yes we're reaching that point unfortunately and I'm exactly how you are, full of trepidation at what's to come. Even here saying goodbyes and giving characters the time to do so, feels hard for me and so knowing the war to come, I hope I do it justice and that it goes well. Stay well and smiling my friend.