King's Landing 300 AC.
Aemon.
Around him, the preparations were being made and his nephew was trying to fit in as much time with those he cared about as was possible. So when he was asked by Jae to take Oberyn to Dorne, he found he welcomed it. Along the way, it was as if the gods had not only decided his route but the timing of his journey also. Aemon chuckling when he saw Lygaron in the distance flying north as he flew south. With a nod to Oberyn to show him why he was landing, he told Sandorix to land near a stream below them and Lygaron soon followed suit.
It turned out that his wasn't the only nephew on Lygaron's back as along with the man who had been his nephew's sworn shield, Bronn, Oberyn's nephew Trystane was present as well for some reason. Despite there still being daylight available to them, they decided to make camp for the night, and Oberyn and Bronn even caught some fresh fish in the nearby stream for them to have as their meal. The two dragons went hunting and as they sat down for the night he saw Oberyn speaking to Trystane for a long time while Tyrion made his way to sit beside him.
"It's really happening?" his nephew asked him as they sat together.
"It is, Oberyn is to bring the Dornish forces, Prince Garin's men, the Faceless Men, and the Fiery Hand all are making or have made their way already to the Wall. Jae has called for those he wishes to bring to arms and now is just saying goodbyes and readying himself to lead. I know he wishes us to go to Dragonstone at some point as there are things he needs to show and to tell us." Aemon said.
"Things?" Tyrion asked curiously.
"About the nature of what we're to fight and how we're to do so. The dragons won't cross the Wall, Tyrion. Shiera told me that Rhaegal refused to do so when Rhaenix did. I believe it's because of the differences of their hatching." Aemon said.
"So Lygaron…" Tyrion said and Aemon shook his head as he interrupted him.
"Did Jae ever speak to you about his first visit to the Wall, the one he took with your brother and Loras?" Aemon asked.
"No, Jaime told me that there were things he needed to speak to you on but other than that no." Tyrion said.
"Aye, there were some things and the visit was not just about the truth of himself and giving an old man hope that he'd lost, though that was part of it too." he said a warm smile on his face as he thought back to that first meeting and how he'd felt when he learned he was not alone "Jae was having some difficulty with his dragon's egg, Rhaenix and he were already bonded you see but Rhaenix is far more than a normal dragon."
"I would say so." Tyrion said and Aemon chuckled.
"Not just in looks, size, or what she actually represents and is. In terms of how she was brought into the world too. The egg called out for more than fire and blood, Tyrion. It sought ice too, ice from deep beneath the Wall itself and so Jae took some of that ice and together we melted it. The egg absorbed and took from it what it needed." Aemon said.
"Water?" Tyrion asked.
"Magic." Aemon replied.
It had come to him when Shiera had spoken of Rhaegal's reluctance. He'd then suggested to Sandorix that they fly over the Wall and his dragon had made it clear that it would not be something he was doing. Aemon had then made himself remember all he could about Jae and Rhaenix and to look through the books. Even though he didn't find anything in any of the books to prove him right, he knew he was. Rhaenix was tied to the Wall in some way, the magic within it was within her and so she could pass it where others could not. It had made him consider them doing the same when they arrived there. Just taking some of the ice and trying to replicate what he and Jae had done with Rhaenix's egg, but he knew it wouldn't work. It was to be Rhaenix and only Rhaenix, Jae, and only Jae and the reason for that was not for him to know.
He said his goodbyes to Tyrion and told him that he'd see him soon and then watched as Oberyn did the same with his nephew, his goodbyes were longer than his own as it would be far longer, if ever, that he'd see Trystane again. They arrived in Sunspear the next day and though a part of him wished to stay and rest in a comfortable bed, he declined the offer. Aemon did however welcome the supplies and he was very quickly heading back south. Sandorix and he finally reached King's Landing a few mornings later but it turned out that was not to be their final destination. His dragon instead flew over Blackwater Bay and onto Dragonstone. It was no great surprise to see the other four dragons already there and Sandorix landed near the keep before flying off to join the others.
"You made it." Dany said to him as his niece greeted him first when he walked through the gates.
"Made it?" he asked as he looked to Jae, Shiera, and Tyrion.
"Jae said you'd be here today." Dany said smiling at him.
"All is well?" he asked worriedly to nods and then he was glad it was to a bath and something to eat that he was directed to before he was then told what it was he'd made it here in time for.
Aemon was brought into the Chamber of the Painted Table once he'd washed and eaten and he smirked to see his niece sitting in the raised seat and not his nephew. King of the now Eight Kingdoms, Jae may be but Dragonstone was Dany's domain and even though the protocol may have demanded that no one sit higher than the king, his nephew had never cared for protocol much anyway. Looking at Dany as she sat and looked down upon the Painted Table brought visions of Rhaenys and Visenya to his mind, and he wondered if they too had sat there at times when the conqueror made his plans.
"What I'm about to show you will scare you, terrify you, and yet you need to look past all of the horrors and concentrate not on the fighting on the ground, but on what happens with Rhaenix as she's in the air." Jae said taking out a Glass Candle and placing it on the table.
"What are we to see?" Tyrion asked.
"Dead men and their king and the reason the dragons wear armor." Jae said and each of them looked on with even more interest now, the bonds with their dragons were protective in both ways and not just the one.
Dead things fought living ones and both fell, Dragonglass, Dragonsteel, and fire being brought to bear. The sheer number of them and the horror of them clear for all to see. In the sky, Rhaenix laid down flames far ahead of them all and it soon became clear that what they'd seen at first had taken place after this point. Otherwise, the flames would still have been falling on the dead men. It was then the spear flew and Rhaenix moved out of the way of it. Another and another and then the dragon flew higher until the last spear flew far higher than such a thing should have been able to do.
The pained scream came from both dragon and man and seeing blood spill in such quantities showed that the wound was deep and very serious. Away from the dead things the dragon flew and when she landed it was with a sword of light that her wounds were healed and then off further she was sent. Tired, so very tired, the beating of her wings was slow and so unlike her natural flight that her struggles were clear to them all. She looked weak and old as if the sheer effort of being in the sky was far more than she could bear.
Worry, Worry, her wings beat fast as her worry grew. It could be seen clearly that she was in pain still and she was far less composed in her flight than she normally would be. Were it not for her worries and concerns then she'd have stayed and rested and recovered but she could not. Why? Was made clear by what was shown below her as she reached her destination. Men fought things which were not, dead men, dead beasts, and dead giants, and right there among them were creatures of ice and legend. While her flight was a struggle, the release of her flames was anything but and once she saw that her rider was safe, it was away, and to rest she flew.
"You've all seen?" Jae asked as the light from the Glass Candles went out.
"She was so very tired, why was she so tired?" Dany asked.
"The ice spear, it drained her of more than her blood didn't it?" Shiera asked.
"I believe so. Ice and Fire are two opposite sides of the same mirror. Just as fire drains magic from him in regards to the dead men who fall, Ice does so too with us. Be it in the living or in this case with Rhaenix. I fear that had it been one of the other dragons hit then while I'd have been able to stem the flow of blood, the loss of magic would have been more than they could take. That it's that along with how Rhaenix is part of the Wall that in a way that stops them from going over it." Jae said.
"Rhaegal didn't wish to, nothing I could say could make him." Shiera said shaking her head.
"Sandorix either." he added and Jae nodded.
"Your own dragons are for support and if they breach the Wall. Those like the Night King, the White Walkers I believe they too can wield spears and while the dragons may be protected, I'd ask you to take no chances. For today and tomorrow all us need to practice, both flying on our own and together." Jae said and Aemon was not the only one who nodded.
Dragonstone 300 AC.
Dany.
Her nephew, brother, uncle, and aunt had departed and Dany both welcomed it and hated it at the same time. She was tired and had flown more in the last day and a half than she would normally do so. Both nights had led to her falling into her bed and straight to sleep with barely a kiss to Aurane's lips and she had hated that, as his own departure was to be much too soon. Knowing that when next she saw her family it would be on the eve of war was something she hated just as much and the main reason she wasn't happy about their departure.
She had needed the lessons, she knew that, as she'd not yet truly laid down Ellagon's flames in anger. Both Tyrion and Jae had done so against the living and in Jae's case against the dead men they'd soon be facing. So she had needed it, needed to see it and she was relieved to find out that Rhaenix had shared with the other dragons the things she'd felt and seen too. In that regard they were perhaps as ready as they may ever be, it was just in every single other one she was not. The thoughts that she'd face a war had been ones she'd let slip from her mind what now felt like an age ago. Even though she'd come here to join her nephew in a war, had arrived at the end of one, and had been willing to do all that was needed in one if it was required, it had felt and was different than now.
There was far more of her to lose and she found herself thinking more on losses than on anything else. Ellagon, Rhaegal, Sandorix, her children would be in danger, true danger, and the reality of that was finally sinking in. Jae, Aemon, Shiera, and Tyrion, her family would be at risk each day that this war went on. Belwas, Grey Worm, and Sandor were her family too and each of them would wish to fight no matter whether she told them not to. Missy, sweet little Missy, while she'd not be anywhere near the war itself, any losses they suffered would break the girl's heart. As Dany turned and looked to the man who slept beside her, she felt her chest tighten and her tears begin to flow, just at the thoughts of Aurane falling to one of those dead things.
Her fingers brushed his hair from his face, the need to touch him was almost overwhelming. Her hand went to his chest and she felt the rise and fall of it, the heart beating under her fingers calmed her somewhat. He'd be on the ships, his task was to bring men to the Wall, to bring supplies, and to hold back and ready to evacuate if the orders came. The dead men had no ships, she'd not seen them near water and so she felt herself relax before other thoughts soon took that relaxation from her.
What if I fall?
What if these are the last times I see him, not because of him but because of me?
Have I said all I wished? Have I done all I wished?
The thoughts made her hand grip against the sheets as she began to shake and whether it was that or just that he would have woken regardless, she soon found herself held in her husband's arms as he rocked her gently from side to side. His words were lost to her, mere whispers in the dark, and yet she took comfort from them. From them and from the little kisses he placed on her neck and cheek and then the one she placed on his lips.
"Be with me." she said softly, her need clear and he didn't answer her with any more words.
Their coupling allowed her to sleep and when she awoke the next morning it was to find Aurane already awake and looking down at her as he lay beside her in their bed. She could see the worry and concern he had for her in his eyes and her fingers reached out to brush against his lips. Dany smiling back at him when he smiled down at her. After dressing she knew what it was she needed to do and so she called Missandei to her solar. Her friend arriving far more quickly than anyone had a right to move and she wondered if she had been awaiting her call.
"Dany?" Missy asked worriedly when she saw the look on her face.
"I'm well. You know of what is to come, with the king and the Wall?" she asked and Missy nodded, her worried look now even more pronounced "I have time before I must go and I'd like to spend that time with those I care about. With you and Grey Worm, Sandor, Belwas, and Ser Bonifer."
"I don't wish you to go." Missy said sadly and Dany almost jumped from her seat in her haste to get to the girl.
"Neither do I, but I must, my family…"
"Am I not your family?" Missy asked softly as she tried not to sob, her breath coming in short bursts.
"You are and always will be and were you in danger then I would be by your side, just as I must with Tyrion, Jae, Aemon and Shiera too." she said to a nod.
They spoke some more and though she didn't remove all of Missy's concerns, the girl accepted her words when she told her that she'd be on Ellagon's back and flying high in the sky. That night she held a dinner with her and those she most cared about. She laughed with Missy as Sandor and Belwas argued, spoke to Bonifer about things they'd not talked about, and held Aurane's hand when she felt things were harder than she'd expected.
She and her husband made love almost the whole night through as Aurane was set to leave on the morrow. They each swore oaths and made promises that she hoped they could keep and neither of them wished to close their eyes as night turned to day. When it did they said their goodbyes again as she didn't think she'd be able to manage to do so at the docks. Something that proved true as instead of words it was a kiss that she sent her husband away with. The words themselves had taken root in her heart and she prayed they'd turn out to be true. After the ship had sailed it was to the sparring yard that she found herself heading and a day with Sandor, Belwas, and Bonifer. Dinner that night was less cheerful and she was almost relieved when it was over. Though more so when she heard footsteps as she looked out on the sea where her husband was off sailing somewhere now.
"You said all you needed to him?" Sandor asked as he moved to stand beside her.
"I think so, I..hope so." she said softly.
"Did you promise him not to be s stupid fucker?" Sandor asked.
"I'm not a stupid fucker." she replied.
"You've always been a stupid fucker, except for when you were an annoying fucker, or a bald fucker." Sandor said and she smirked.
"Better than a hungry fucker or a smelly fucker." she said with a chuckle.
There was silence for a moment and when she turned to look at him it was too much and before she knew it her arms were around him and she was holding him tightly. She welcomed feeling his own arms when he held her and his soft words that she knew he didn't mean for her to hear. Sandor telling her that she was the sister of his heart and that finding her had been what had given his life meaning and Dany letting him speak because she knew if she did then he would not. Who let go of who she couldn't tell but when he moved away from her it was her that was the first to speak.
"Don't be a brave fucker. If it comes to it, don't be a brave fucker." she said her words choked as she fought back her tears.
"I'll be an angry fucker if I get to this fucking Wall and find out they don't have any chicken." Sandor said and it was a laugh rather than tears he left her with when he walked from the room.
"Silly fucker." she said softly a few moments later as she looked out on the bay some more.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Joy.
She smiled as she read the letter from her papa that told her they'd arrived back at Castamere and that they wished she was there with them. It had been the one thing she had felt was wrong about her life in King's Landing. Knowing she'd not see her papa or Ashara very often and that it would only be in letters mostly that they'd speak. Jon did let her see them from time to time in the Glass Candles though and he was always there to hold her afterward if she felt a little sad when she did so. Even on the times when she didn't see them, she'd still think of them, and what her papa had told her was what was truly important.
"We cannot always be with those we care about, princess, so we hold them here." her papa said as he touched his chest "And when we close our eyes we can always see them."
At times when Jon wasn't here, she'd do just that and be able to see her papa, Ashara, Aunt Genna, and Myrcella. She could do so with Cregan and with Arya and Lyanna. With her friends when they went back to visit their parents and with Jon anytime he was not there for her to see. Though with him she always had other ways too she thought with a smile as she looked down at the locket she wore around her neck. It had been his gift to her for one of her namedays, a golden locket with Apples on one side and Winter on the other. Inside was a drawing he'd done of them both and though it was small. it was as clear as a far larger drawing would be.
Her golden hair, her green eyes, Jon's dark hair, and grey ones, and a word written in Valyrian on the inside of the locket. One single word but one that meant the world to her each time she saw it and one she spoke aloud to herself whenever he wasn't here.
"Hāedar" (little sister) she said softly.
She had dressed and had broken her fast with Jaime, Dacey, Joanna, and little Jon and now that she'd done so she hurried to the stables with Ser Brienne behind her. Her sworn shield was someone she was more than happy to have at her back and though she was never truly in any danger, she welcomed her presence. Ser Brienne was fierce and she'd seen her beat both Arryk and Erryk in the sparring yard. They'd both beaten her too but Jon had told her that Ser Brienne was as good as any other knight and far better than most and Joy knew that to be true. She'd been knighted by Ser Walder and he was one of the truest knights ever and was sung about in song for saving Jon's life.
Joy too had sung that song herself, the brave northern knight who'd saved the king's life at the cost of his own. Ser Walder the Tall, who fell at the Wall and who the realm owed All. She was so very grateful to him though she'd been wroth with Jon for putting himself in such danger. As she hurried through the Red Keep, eager to be out and about and on Apples she looked so very forward to the day ahead. Then she gasped loudly as she bumped into Prince Oberyn's nephew and both of them went crashing to the ground.
"Forgive me, my lady, I wasn't looking where I was going." Trystane said as he reached down to help her back to her feet.
"There is nothing to forgive, my prince, you were not the only one who was remiss." she said as she brushed the dust from her riding clothes.
"An interesting outfit, my lady." Trystane said and she narrowed her eyes as she looked at him and tried to decide if he was being rude or not.
"My riding clothes." she said a moment later when she was sure that he was not and was just speaking about the fact that while around her most were wearing dresses, she was not.
"You're going riding?" Trystane asked almost dreamily.
"I am, his grace and I are going riding in the Kingswood." she said perhaps too haughtily but she liked that she and Jon rode together "You ride?" she asked when she saw how he looked at her.
"I do, my lady, though I've left Peaches back in Sunspear." he said a little sadly and she could understand that completely as she often felt that way when she'd left Apples behind, though it was the name she found herself concentrating on.
"Peaches?" she asked with a smile.
"My mare, it's what she most enjoyed eating as a foal and so I began to call her that and the name stuck." Trystane said and she laughed when he did.
"Lady Joy." Ser Brienne said with a cough from behind her and Joy turned to her ready to scowl only to remember where it was she was supposed to be and who it was she was supposed to be meeting.
"Forgive me, my prince but I mustn't keep his grace waiting." she said and Trystane nodded.
"Of course my lady, Perhaps we could ride together sometime?" Trystane asked eagerly.
"Perhaps" she said with another little laugh and then she heard him do the same as she turned to run to the stables.
She rolled her eyes at the look Jon gave her as she slowed down when she saw him. Joy knowing that despite being late and the serious look on his face, Jon wasn't truly annoyed with her. They barely said their hello's before they were mounted and riding through the city, Jon riding right beside her, and each time she looked at him she could see he wished to do just as she did. They got their chance soon enough and as soon as they were outside the gates they were off.
Apples was ahead for far longer this time and as she saw the stream up ahead she felt that victory was close. It was the look behind that lost the race for her and she was very annoyed with herself when she climbed down from Apple's back. The smirk on Jon's face only adding to that annoyance as they led the horses to the stream so they could rest and drink some water.
"You had me." Jon said and she frowned at him, annoyed still with herself and not with him.
"I know." she said before she was grabbed and lifted in the air "Stop..Jon…Stop it…" she said laughing loudly as he tickled her and at the faces he was making to ensure she laughed.
"No more frowning, promise, no more or I'll not stop." Jon threatened and she nodded through her laughter.
As the horses drank, she and Jon took a seat under the tree and they too had some water. She wasn't hungry but she was keen to see what it was he had brought in the sack and so with a nod to Brienne she waited for her sworn shield to bring it over to her.
"Ser Arthur, please dissuade Ser Brienne from her foolhardy task." Jon called out and Joy looked at him.
"I just want to know, Jon." she said determinedly.
"And you will, when we eat and not before." Jon said in the very same tone.
"I could eat." she said as she was now even keener to know what was in the sack.
"And you will, when I do." Jon said sticking his tongue out at her and making her laugh once more.
They sat under the tree in silence for a few moments, Joy leaning back on her hands and looking up to the sun as it shined through the leaves. Jon looked more to her than anywhere else and after they'd taken another swallow from the water pouch, they got up and walked to the horses. She reached out her hand and Jon handed her the apple and they both fed each of the horses before taking the reins and walking with them alongside the stream.
What they talked about was almost nothing at all, little things that no one else would care about and yet they did. Joy coming close on more than one occasion to speaking to him about Prince Trystane as she wished to find out if Jon liked his cousin or not. She knew he liked all his other cousins and for some reason she found herself hoping she liked this one too. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to ask him and soon enough they were back on Apples and Winter and riding through the Kingswood.
"Do you remember your first ride?" Jon asked breaking the silence.
"When you held me in front of you on my nameday?" she asked and saw him nod.
"Aye. You were so small, so excited and I knew then that you'd be the very best horse rider in all the realm." Jon said and she looked at him and shook her head.
"You're still better than me." she said speaking truly.
"No, you're the very best. I'm older, but you had me today, for true." he said and she smiled when she looked and saw there was no lie in his words or his expression.
"I wish I could ride everywhere. We've done so in the North and Dorne, in the West and here, I wish to ride in each of the seven kingdoms and to race in every single one of them." she said as she pictured doing just that.
"Eight." Jon said with a smirk.
"What?" she said.
"There are eight now and so you've another to ride in, a whole new set of lands." Jon said before he looked at her and gave her a nod when they reached the hill.
It wasn't truly a race this time, both Apples and Winter were still a little tired and so instead they just rode a little faster but not fully. The spot they stopped at for lunch was a different one than their normal one and was in a valley. There was only the one tree and it looked old and alone and for some reason that made her feel a little sad as they sat and ate their lunch. What cheered her up was seeing what it was that Jon had been hiding from her in the sack.
"All of them, you brought all of them." she said happily as she laid them out on the blanket, Arthur, Brienne, and the other guards all taking their own food once she did so.
"Well, I wished for you to have your favorites." Jon said as she ate her meal and eyed up the peach pie that was to be her dessert.
"I did not." she said laughing as Jon told her stories of her childhood that she remembered and yet didn't.
"You did." he said "All over Tyrion, gods he was so shocked and he never reached for the last piece of pie ever again, or never when you were present."
"You make me sound like a brat." she said half-jokingly.
"You are a brat when you want to be. There's nothing wrong with that and you're never mean." he said and she nodded.
It was true, she knew that over the years she'd at times been a brat. Jon had encouraged her to be so and he'd spoiled her far more than anyone else had. Her aunt Genna, cousin Jaime, Tyrion, and her papa all of them had spoiled her at times and she knew in their own way it was to keep up with how much Jon spoilt her. So what if she'd taken advantage of that, as Jon said she'd never been mean and it had never been malicious. It was only a game and he'd always allowed her to play.
"You're leaving soon aren't you?" she said as they lay back on the grass, the truth about why they were spending the day together had been clear to her since he'd asked her, though she'd tried not to think about it.
"I am." he said softly.
"For longer this time?" she asked softly, her voice sounding strange to her.
"Aye." he said.
"I don't want you to go." she said and he moved over to her his hand reaching out for hers.
"I don't want to go, but there are times when we must do things we don't wish to. So before we do that, we do the things that we do wish to. Today is one of the things I wished to do. Spending time with my sister is one of the things I wished to do. It's always been and will always be so." he said looking at her.
"It's dangerous isn't it, what you're doing, it's dangerous…" she said worried as he pulled her closer to him and held her tightly.
"Aye, it is. But I can be brave if I know that those I love are. Can you be brave for me, princess?" he asked and she nodded. "Will you be brave for Margaery and Elia, Will you for me, Joy? I need you to be brave when they are not."
"I'll be brave." she said softly.
"When she's older I want you to teach Elia how to ride." he said and her head snapped up to look at him as she worried he was telling her that he'd not be able to, just like he always had though, Jon knew what was on her mind "Oh, I'll be there and watching you both. But I want her to learn from you, I want you to teach her all you know, Joy. Horses, Yentures and how to play games." he said smiling at her "She'll have the best big sister that any girl could ever wish for, won't she?"
"She will, she will, I promise Jon, I promise she will." she said and he held her even more tightly as she promised him over and over again that she'd be everything to Elia just as he had always been to her."
It was dark when they arrived back at King's Landing and after leading both horses to the stables, Jon walked with her back to her room. They ate together which surprised her as she thought her day was over and he surprised her, even more, when he asked her if she wished for a story. Despite her being way too big for such a thing, she nodded eagerly and after she was helped ready herself for bed, she lay there while Jon walked into her bed-chamber carrying a large book.
"I made this for you, it was to be for your next nameday but I fear I'll miss it and so I want you to have it now." Jon said handing her the book which she opened and saw it had a little note that was written to her and was filled with drawings.
"It's a story that's unfinished, so you'll have to forgive me the blank pages at the end of it. Those are yet to be written as the future is unknown. Read what it says on the inside cover." Jon said.
"I give to you a simple story of a girl and her brother, of a princess and sister of a king's heart and of their many yentures together. For Yoy, thank you for making all my days brighter. Your brother Yon."
She looked at the drawing of the two horses in full flight and of the two figures on their backs and smiled as she did so.
"Open up to the first page." Jon said and she did as he asked seeing the drawing of Casterly Rock "Once upon a time in a castle far away there lived a little princess named…"
"Yoy." she said and saw the beaming smile that Jon gave her, a smile that she loved just as much as she did the owner of that smile.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Loras.
It was strange facing off against Prince Garin, firstly the fact that you had to stop yourself from calling him Oberyn, and for that he was grateful that the man wielded a sword and not a spear. Secondly for him at least it was because of how he felt when he looked at the man or when the man looked back at him. He was incredibly attracted to him and had flirted more than once, welcoming that Garin flirted back, and yet that had been the extent of things between them.
As he lost, yet again, and listened as Garin chided him for being distracted, though it was to no surprise that he found himself distracted once more. He'd been asked by the prince if he wished to set sail with him to the Wall once he had told him that he'd be joining them there and he'd agreed to it almost without thinking. Only, later on, had he wondered if perhaps he would be needed to travel with Jae on Rhaenix's back. When he'd spoken to his friend though, Jae had seemed almost relieved that he'd not be coming with him. Something that perturbed him at first, even though it had been what he'd wished for.
"I've much to do when I get there and I'll have Arthur and Jors with me. You can speak more on what it is we face, Loras, let people hear the tales of it before we get there." Jae had said though later as he thought about it more he was sure that Jae knew of his interest in the prince.
Tonight he was to have a family dinner and Margaery and Elia would be joining them while Jae spent the day and some of the night with Joy. He both looked forward to it and dreaded it at the same time. His grandmother, mother, and father, and even his sister weren't best pleased with his decision to travel to the Wall and fight beside Jae. It surprised him that Margaery had been so against it, or it did until he realized that she simply wished him here instead of there. She couldn't stop Jae from going and so he'd feared she'd try and stop him. Though she had not and instead had just made it clear she wasn't happy about it.
"Cheer up, it's only an army of dead men that we face." Garin said with a chuckle as he handed him a mug of water.
"Only? And here I was worrying about nothing." he japed.
Through his laughter he found his eyes drawn to the prince's lips, his thoughts soon drifting to wondering what it would feel like to be kissed by those lips and so he was glad when the others arrived to the sparring yard. He smiled at Martyn and Tommen as both boys were now learning to joust. Tommen far earlier than he should perhaps while Martyn had already taken some lessons. It gave him an excuse to move from Prince Garin's side and he saw the almost disappointed look in the older man's face when he did so.
"It seems my charges are here, my prince, perhaps we can speak later?" he asked and Garin gave him a smile that made his breath quicken.
"I would enjoy that very much, Ser Loras."
He watched the prince walk away and found himself admiring not just his form but the grace and way he moved as well. Other than Jae he doubted he'd seen anyone move in such a way. It was as if he glided rather than walked and at times he found himself wondering if there was some magical reasoning behind it. Garin was magical too, Loras having seen that first hand and he knew of course that Jae was. That was the only true explanation he could offer as no one else moved how they both did.
"Right you two lessons, first we spar and then we joust." he said as he arrived at where the two boys were waiting for him.
Gods Martyn was good, three and ten almost four and ten namedays and already a match for him. He'd taken the day but only just and he was glad to face Tommen a few moments later. Though he too had improved greatly he'd never be as good as his cousin. On a horse, though he may very well surpass him and he was already a little better with a lance and so after sparring it was to the stables and running of rings that they headed to.
If he was to wager then he'd say there was a chance that Martyn would crown a queen of love and beauty one day, with Tommen though he'd name it a certainty. It brought a large smile to his face knowing that it was a little like him and Jae, both boys were better at one thing in their own way. The gap between him and Jae with a sword in hand was a huge one, with a lance it was far closer and even Jae would admit that he held the advantage. He was pleased to see with Martyn and Tommen there was an acknowledgment that this was true for them too.
"Right go and wash and change, you both did well today, I'll be sure to let his grace know so when we speak of you." he said and he saw the proud looks on both boy's faces.
That Martyn then ran straight to his betrothed who'd been watching on was no true surprise as the two were a good match and a happy one by all accounts. It did though make him feel the lack of such a person in his own life and so his mood was soon changed and didn't improve as he made his way to his family's rooms that night for dinner. He wasn't sullen or even upset but there was an air of sadness that his mother, father, and grandmother picked up on. Loras hoped they believed it was his thoughts of leaving that caused it and not the truth of things.
"Is Margaery not coming?" he asked when the first dish was served.
"Your sister will be along momentarily, perhaps seeing her and your niece will cheer you up." his grandmother said, and at first he thought it was a barb aimed his way only to realize that it was very much not.
She was concerned about him and so he tried his best to put aside his feelings for now and when Margaery and Elia arrived he found he could at least pretend to. Not that he needed to pretend when it came to his niece as just being around her was enough to make him forget his worries. It was after dinner that his worries and doubts really began to raise their heads and that his family all tried to get him to change his mind about the war didn't help much in that regard.
"His grace doesn't need your sword son and her grace and the princess certainly do." his mother said.
"I know you wish to fight, Loras, but given what his grace said it may very well be that here is where you're needed most." Willas added.
"I don't wish you to go, Loras, I, Elia, we want you here." Margaery said and Loras looked at her as she held Elia in her arms and then at his grandmother who though she said nothing. he knew it was her who was behind their concerns.
"I've fought against what is coming…" he said only for his grandmother to interrupt him.
"Which is why having you here is so very important. You know what it is we must prepare against and you can help train the guards and others to do so."
"And let my king and my brothers fight without me?" he said almost angrily "I know it's safer here and that's what you wish for me and believe me I'm not doing this for honor or glory. This isn't some passing whim and me thinking that I'll write my name in legend. My king, the closest friend I've ever had is risking his life and I'll not allow him to do so without my sword. I swore an oath when I put on this white cloak and were it for that alone then I'd go where my king goes."
"Loras.." his father said and Loras shook his head.
"Were it for that alone, father, I'd still go. But this is about more than that oath, more than this cloak, the oath I swore is more than to my king or to my brothers. Jae is my brother by choice, my goodbrother and the father of my niece" he said looking to Margaery and Elia "For almost ten years I've been by his side and I'll be by his side In this too. Were I not then I'd not be able to live with myself." he said softly.
He didn't bring them around other than Margaery, his sister kissing his cheek and thanking him for being by her husband's side for all this time. His mother and father were worried, his grandmother angered, and Willas fearful and so by the time he left his family's rooms and made his way back to his own, his mood had gotten worse. Perhaps that was why he'd been so distracted and maybe it was the reason he found himself knocking on the door and face to face with Prince Garin when he opened it.
"Can I come in?" he asked worried that he'd be sent away and relieved when the prince nodded and the door then closed behind him when he walked into the room.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Jaime.
Jae held the petitions some days and Margaery others and he knew they did so to give him time to spend with his family. He'd argued with his king, his son, they'd argued, sparred, argued again and finally, Jae had agreed that he would be by his side when they stood at the Wall. There was nothing he could say to change his mind and by the gods had Jae done everything he could to get him to do so. Jaime was almost certain that at one point in their arguments that he would be getting ordered by his king to remain in King's Landing and he was ready to resign as Hand of the King when his duties as such were brought up.
"No, you can't, you have to stay here." Jae said after their spar.
"I have to lead the men of the West." he said calmly.
"Someone else can do so, I can do so. You're not needed, your place is here." Jae said his anger a front for how he truly felt.
"So what, you'll let Tyrion go and Gerion go but not me?" he said annoyed.
"Gerion isn't going, I'll not...I'd not…no, you need to stay, Margaery and Elia will need you." Jae said as he found something he felt he could use to keep him here.
"There will be enough people around her grace who can do as I can while there will be fewer around you who can." he said.
"I said, no, gods, why can't you…." Jae said his hands brushing through his hair as he looked at him in frustration.
"It's my place to be there by your side, as it has always been." he said to a shake of his head.
"It's your place to be with Dacey, with Jon and Joanna, you've served your time by my side, you're not a damn Kingsguard Jaime." Jae said.
"I've always been a Kingsguard. But you can end this, beat me?" he asked.
"What?" Jae said.
"Beat me, beat me and I'll not go, beat me and show me that you don't need my sword." he said, and never had he seen such a determined look on Jae's face as he did then when they sparred.
Ten to eight he'd beaten him and Jaime wasn't certain that it was his skill that had won him the day. Luck, fate, the gods, whatever it was something had decided that he should win as for most of the spar he'd felt on the verge of losing. Jae had actually thrown down his sword and stormed away, leaving him and Arthur to pick it up and follow him and Arthur to then try and talk him out of it. He was not the only one to do so over the next week or more. Tyrion and then Dacey trying to talk him around and a rift had formed with his wife when he'd refused.
It was to thoughts of healing that rift that he found himself lost in as he walked to the Small Council chambers. Lord Monford and Lord Aurane had already set sail as had Kevan and the Western fleet, they were heading to the Bay of Ice while the others headed to Eastwatch. In a few more days, he would set sail on the Lady Joanna and head for Eastwatch along with Prince Garin's own flagship, The Lady of the Rhoyne. Loras would travel with the prince and Jaime had been pleased if not a little worried when he'd realized how close the two had become. Though seeing the cheered looks on Loras's face had won him over in the end.
"Lord Hand." Ser Richard Lonmouth said as they walked into the Small Council chambers.
"You going to try and talk me out of it too?" he asked half in a jape.
"What? No, it comforts me knowing you'll be there where I cannot." Richard said surprising him.
"You're not coming?" he asked surprised.
"Orders from my king." Richard said and Jaime nodded, truth be told as good a blade as Richard was he was of more use here than he would ever be there.
They didn't have too long to wait for the others to arrive, Grandmaester Gormon, Willas, and Wyman, Ellaria who was serving as Oberyn's stand-in as Master of Laws, and Olenna who would serve as his own once he left, and finally Jae himself along with Barristan. He looked far more relaxed than he had been and Jaime knew that was simply because he'd done almost all he'd wished to do. They'd held their own private dinner, just him, Dacey, Joanna, and Jon along with Jae, Margaery, and Elia. As he was prone to do Jae spent far more time with the children than he did with the adults. Though he did speak to Dacey more than once in private and Jaime knew what it was that he was saying even if he'd not heard the words themselves.
"I've called this meeting to prepare you for what may be to come. Prince Garin has agree that Chroyane will play host to as many of our people as is possible and should the need arise then the entire court is to head there as soon as they are able." Jae said not allowing for greetings or a moment to be wasted.
"Would it not be better to simply move in stages, your grace?" Willas asked.
"For those closer to the North, Aye, for those up here, no. We can move far more people more quickly from King's Landing than anywhere else. As for the others, as I said with those we can move them differently. From the North to Lannisport and the Iron Islands, From the West to Oldtown, From the Reach to Dorne and Dorne to Essos and so on." Jae said.
"Do we have the ships?" Olenna asked.
"No. But we make do with what we can." Jae said "The people must be moved and so I've given the fleet orders to make ready at Sea Dragon Point and White Harbor, Lannisport and Oldtown, Maidenpool and Gulltown and here in King's Landing. Should the worst occur then Westeros won't hold and all that avails is flight." Jae said and Jaime saw the way each of them looked at him.
"Contingences only, your grace." he said to a small smile.
"Every plan requires contingencies, Lord Hand, a wise man thought me that." Jae said and gave him a truer smile.
"What of the army, your grace? Without the ships…" Ser Richard said and as he spoke he realized what it was that Jae had planned.
"We go to fight, Ser Richard, there is but one way that fight ends. We win or we die. There is no retreat and no surrender, no offer of terms and no kneeling." Jae said and Richard and the others nodded "We will leave within the week." Jae said rising to his feet, Barristan behind him as they walked from the room.
Jaime wished to stay and speak to the others and yet he found that he was alone in this, so he made his way back to the Tower of the Hand and walked into his room to the sounds of his daughter's laughter.
"Papa look" she said as he looked to see Jon sitting on her little wooden horse, Dacey holding him in place as it rocked "Jon ride, papa, look he smiling."
"Aye, he is little cub, just like you did." he said and she nodded enthusiastically as she remembered her own laughs when she had done so for the first time.
His daughter had graduated to truer horses since then, first with he and Jae holding her up on them and then with her own little pony and soon with the horse that Jae had gifted her that was one of Winter's foals. Lion, she'd called it after she'd called named her pony, Bear. She'd only ridden it a couple of times but it was already clear she was born to be in the saddle and he'd not even fought Jae when he'd brought the horse to her. It was not only pointless to do so, but he'd not remove the smile from her face that she wore when she and now Jon were on a horse.
"He can ride, Bear, Papa?" she asked and Dacey shook her head, Jaime almost ready to say he could just to rile his wife up.
"When he's bigger, little cub. Like you were." he said and Joanna nodded.
At a nod from Dacey, he took over with Jon and soon had the horse rocking a little more quickly. He then handed his son to his wife and lifted Joanna up despite her protests, his daughter soon laughing loudly as the horse rocked away. Later they ate dinner and he put Joanna to bed while Dacey did the same to Jon. He'd not spoken to his daughter about his departure and he wasn't looking forward to it, nor was he to the departure itself.
"Is she sleeping?" Dacey asked as he walked into their room.
"Aye, I'll need to tell her soon." he said as he began to undress.
"Aye, you will." Dacey said snippily.
"Dace…"
"No, I asked you not to go, Jae has asked you not to and yet you've decided to do so anyway." his wife said angrily.
"You think I want to? That this is what I sought? Dacey, gods, I wish there was another way and that Jae was another king. I know how much it worries you, him, and how angry and worried Joanna will be when I tell her. He is my son, in all but name Dacey. He's been my son from the moment I took him from Winterfell, this isn't me following my king, it's me doing all I can, all that I'm able, to make sure that my son comes back from this war."
"Jaime.."
"Arthur and I have spoken often, you know how much he loves, Jae, probably even more than he did Rhaegar, Rhaenys, Elia, or Aegon, he loves that boy. The hope he gave him back, the things he's done, the fulfillment of all his promise. Each day he sees Jae, it makes the loss of Rhaegar and his family almost worth it…almost. Because no matter what Jae is to him, Arthur still blames himself for not being there on the Trident when Rhaegar fell. He blames himself for not being there when Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon….he blames himself and it almost broke him. It would break me." he said sadly.
"What would?"
"If he fell if Jae fell and I was here, even if it was where he ordered me to be. Even though going is breaking my heart and staying would be so damn easy. Were we to win and Jae to fall, seeing Jon grow, Joanna grow, watching as Elia became the queen she'll one day be and being with you. None of it, none of it would fix the hole in my heart that his loss would put there, Dace. My life would be one of regrets, anger, and not even the love I feel for my family would be enough to not make me hate myself for not being there for him." he said as she got out of the bed and he welcomed her arms when they went around him.
"I love you and your family needs you, Jaime, all of them, so Aye, I hate it but I understand." she said softly.
"I will come back, Dace...I will I swear it, I and Jae and Loras too, I'll bring them back, not even the god of death himself will stop me. I swear it to you, on the old gods and the new."
"Come to bed, my love."
King's Landing 300 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
As the days counted down and he almost checked things off his list, he felt the weight being removed from his chest. He'd argued, cried, laughed, spent time with those he loved, and tried to fit as much of everything he could into every hour that he could. Each night he'd make love with Margaery and hold her in his arms, she'd sleep and he'd stay awake and watch her until his eyes grew too heavy for him to do so. Then the next morning he'd wake and spend the first part looking at them both before sparring with Martyn and Tommen, with Jaime, Arthur, Loras, and Barristan or whoever he could fit in before he then made his way back to his room just in time for them to wake.
He'd see it through Ghost's eyes or hear it through his ears, see Marge stir or hear Ela's cry, and then he'd be gone and up the stairs in the blink of an eye. Jae spent his time with both his sisters and wrote them and many others letters just in case, hoping that he'd not left anything unsaid. Margaery, Elia and he had visited orphanages, Sarella and her girls, merchants, and the people who lived in Flea Bottom. At times he'd flown in the sky, just him and Rhaenix alone and at others, he'd walked through the Red Keep with Ghost by his side in the dead of night. Almost as if he was ticking things off an imaginary list and today was no different.
Margaery stood on the balcony with Elia in her hands, her mother, grandmother, and father beside her. Jaime was there with Dacey, Joanna, and Jon, while Joy stood with Sansa, Willas, and Trystane who he narrowed his eyes at when he spoke and made Joy laugh. His aunt was there with his cousins and Tyrion stood with Dany, Aemon, and Shiera. Each and every member of the Kingsguard was present as first he and Tommen and then he and Martyn sparred. Both of them had gotten so very much better and he longed to see what they would one day become, he hoped to see it. With a look to Margaery and then to Wyman who was standing beside Wylla, Jae brought the spar to an end and placed the sparring swords back on the rack.
"Ser Arthur if you will." he said and Arthur handed him Blackfyre "Martyn Lannister, kneel before your king."
"Your grace?" Martyn asked confused.
"Kneel a boy and rise a knight, Martyn, your king demands it of you." he said as Martyn looked at him with disbelief before doing as he bid.
"Martyn Lannister, In the Name of the Warrior, I charge you to be Brave.
In the Name of the Father, I charge you to be just.
In the Name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the young and the innocent.
In the Name of the Maiden, I charge you to protect all women.
In the name of the Smith, I charge you to help those in need.
In the Name of the Crone, I charge you to offer counsel.
In the Name of the Stranger, I charge you to kill only when necessary.
Arise, Ser Martyn Lannister, A good and true knight of the realm."
He sheathed Blackfyre and as Martyn rose to his feet, he clapped and soo each and everyone present did likewise, Jae moving to speak softly in Martyn's ears.
"Never forget that you were knighted because you deserved it, Martyn, not because you were mine own squire." he whispered to a nod from the boy.
With that, he had only one more thing to do before he said his goodbyes to Margaery and Elia and they flew North. One more day, that was all he had and he'd done almost all that he could. He waited until Martyn had run over to Tommen and smiled as he saw them both speak, the look on his other's squire's face one of pride and not jealousy, and Jae knew he too would be a good and true knight one day. With a nod to Jaime and a look to Margaery that told her it was almost time, he walked to the godswood and took a knee at the Weirwood before he offered up his prayers.
The tree had grown and was now of a height with him and he'd planted one of the seeds on Dragonstone and one in Queenscrown. In time he'd plant them all, each of the Targaryen keeps would have a Weirwood in its godswood and the South would know the favor of the old gods one day. Who the people prayed to, what gods they believed in mattered little to him. The Seven who are One, The Red God, The Old Gods, and the Drowned One, all were welcome in the Eight Kingdoms and all were equal in his mind.
"You wished to see me, your grace." Jaime said as Jae rose to his feet.
"Aye, I may not be able to stop your from coming but I'll be damned if I don't see you're protected once you're there. A great swordsman needs a great sword and this has to be used for more than just knighting boys." he said as he unwrapped the belt and took the scabbard and handed it and Blackfyre to his father by choice.
"Jae...I can't.."
"Give it back when you're done with it." he said as Jaime took the sword from him and nodded "I leave on the morrow and I'll not say goodbye for it's not that for us, but I will say thank you." he said looking at Jaime who had stopped looking at the sword and was looking at him now.
"There is no need." Jaime said softly.
"We both know that's not true." he said with a smile "I'm here today because of all you've done, I'm ready to fight because of all you've done and when I win, it'll be because of all you've done. Thank you for being the father I chose and the one I needed." he said as he walked away knowing that if he stayed any longer his tears would begin to fall and there would be enough of those later that night as it was.
Later he once again ate in his room with Margaery and Elia, Ghost and the Indigo Dragon. He spoke to the dragon out on the balcony and told her to fly with the others tonight. She'd not be coming with them and he could feel her sadness over that, but her place was by his daughter's side and she knew that even more than he. Ghost was even harder to say his goodbyes to, the white wolf was torn between coming with him and staying here, and was it not for how he felt about his wife and daughter, then he'd not have agreed to do as he begged him to do. Jae closing his eyes and finding the door as open as it had ever been.
"Protect, love, and be there for our family should I not be able to be." he told the wolf and the sweep of his tongue over his face was all the answer that he needed.
From there it was to his daughter and whether she knew or there was some other reason, Elia wasn't tired even though she'd just fed. Taking her in his arms he lay down on the floor and put her sitting astride his chest.
"Never did I hope for something as perfect as you, little dragon. Never did I imagine the gods would gift me so. My heart belongs to you and to your mother and always will. Now close your eyes and dream Elia, dream big and dream often and I swear to you that all your dream shall come true. You are the very best of me, the greatest of my achievements is that I'm your father. It's my greatest success and my proudest moment was the day you were born. Nothing will ever surpass that my love, nothing can and nothing can ever take the place of you in my heart. I love you with all that I am and all that I ever shall be." he said as he kissed her forehead.
She fell asleep against his chest and Margaery left them both alone for a few more moments before she came and took her from him and then placed her in her crib. Then his wife came back and held out her hand as she then led him to their bed. They undressed each other slowly, neither speaking and only when they had finished doing so did they even move. Jae felt Margaery's lips as she kissed his forehead, his cheek and then finally his own. Their coupling was soft and tender, both of them exploring each and every inch of the other, and when his release finally came it almost shattered him. It took him some time to get his breath back and to be able to speak and when he was able he found he took some time to find his words.
"I love you, Margaery, I've told you often I know, but gods I love you so very much. I can't even imagine what my life would have been like without you in it. What my dreams would have been like or how I'd have gotten through some of the things I have. You gave me the strength to do so, you give me that strength still." he said looking at her, his fingers softly touching each inch of her face.
"As you do me, Jae." she said.
"I'm ready, Marge, truly. You were right, you're always right." he said with a smile "I've left nothing unsaid other than to you and all things I need to tell you, I've already done so. So I'll just say this, I've seen a future, my love, a future where Elia is not the only one of our children, where each of them has their own dragons and a mother and father who are there for them to help guide them through life. I've seen it as clearly as I've seen myself walking through Valyria and bringing the Dawn. I feel it to be true, in here." he said touching his heart.
She leaned forward and kissed his lips and he saw that smile appear on her face, that smile that had captivated him from the first moment he'd seen her in Lannisport all those years ago.
"I love you with all my heart and I love our daughter with all that I am. The gods have fashioned us for love for a reason, Margaery, they did so because there is nothing in this world more powerful than that. Not magic, not steel, not even the flames of a dragon can come close. I love you both and I need no more than that to Bring the Dawn." he said as he kissed her and outside their window, the sun began to rise.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed, Work caught up with me this week so I'll do the reviews next chapter. Up Next, the Wall.