Last Hearth 301 AC.
The Smalljon.
The last thing he'd expected to come back from King's Landing with was a betrothal. Had anyone said it to him before he and his father had traveled there then he'd have laughed his arse off. It hadn't even entered his mind that he'd be getting married soon. True his father had been hinting that it was time he considered it, but he'd not put any pressure on him to do so. He'd actually thought it was something he'd not have to worry about for another year or more at least, he'd even japed that Lyarra and Jojen would wed before he would. Something that didn't seem so funny now.
What would have been just as big a surprise to him was his bride-to-be. Never in all his life would he have thought that he'd be marrying a southern lady. He' not have thought his father would give him leave to do so. Was someone to name that lady a Frey too then they'd probably leave the room with a sore jaw. Yet once again the Old Gods were the only ones who made plans, well them and the king he thought with a wry smile, and Roslin was brought into his life.
Smart, funny, beautiful, and though a southern lady in every way, she was a lady that he had no doubt would thrive in the North. From his first meeting with her, he felt there was far more to her than the small delicate thing that she looked to be. The more time he spent with her, the more clear that was and by the time they'd reached the North he wasn't just pleased about their match, he was looking forward to it. So much so that he worried that when she saw Last Hearth and met his family it may put her off, may make her reconsider. Only to find just like he had with everything else about the lady, she was full of surprises.
"I know it's not as fancy as some of the keeps in the South." he said worriedly as he escorted her on a tour of his family home, her older brother behind them acting as chaperone.
"It has a northern charm." she said with a smile.
"My family may be a bit rough around the edges." he said nervously.
"Have you met many of mine?" she replied with a charming laugh that he couldn't help but join in with.
"The cold it doesn't bother you?" he asked to a shake of her head.
"Her grace was most gracious and gifted me this coat as an early wedding present and one I can very much see the need for. But to be honest I'd built it up as much worse in my mind." Roslin said her smile still on her face.
"I look forward to showing you more of the lands, my lady." he said almost stumbling over his words when she smiled even more truly at him.
She had easily charmed both of his uncles, his sisters, brothers, young Ned and Lyarra especially. His father had tested her and found she was not wanting in any regard and then when news came about the march to the Wall and to be ready, she'd surprised them all by suggesting they marry before she and the rest of the household marched to the ships. It caught them all by surprise, him most of all and he worried that it was some scheme or plot. Not because she was capable of such, but simply because of her eagerness for them to be wed.
He quickly found out it was not and that she wished to be part of his family and his wife before he left just because it was what she wanted. His father told him that it was a great idea and when Roslin told him that she had everything she needed to be wed here, the arrangements were quickly made. Now, here he was standing in front of the looking glass on the day of his wedding and he'd never been so nervous in his entire life.
"For fucks sake, she's only a woman." he said to his reflection and he shook his head and made his way to the Great Hall to break his fast.
He'd not made it more than halfway when he heard the commotion in the courtyard and hurried to see what it was that was going on. To say he was surprised to see the king, Arthur Dayne, and Jors Whitewolf standing talking to his uncle's and father would be an understatement and his first instinct was that something terrible had happened. Though the way they were laughing and japing with each other made it clear that this was a much more friendly visit which relaxed and unnerved him at the same time.
"Ah here he is now." he heard his father say with a beaming and proud smile on his face as he bid him join them.
"Your grace. Father." he said with a bow to the king and a look to his father who was smiling still.
"The king wished to attend the wedding son." his father said proudly.
"I wish it was at a different time, Smalljon. That my wife was able to attend as well as the Lords of the North. While I know mine own presence is a poor substitute for her grace's, I would be honored to attend in her stead." the king said.
"I'm glad to have you here, your grace. You greatly honor my betrothed and me." he said as the king smiled back at him.
"I'm paying back a Leal man and a Leal House, it's I who's being honored here." the king said and Smalljon swore that his father looked fit to burst, given how much he swelled up in pride at the king's words.
"Come your grace, we're were just about to break our fast and I'm sure some warm food would be most welcome to you and your guards." his father said.
"You have the right of it, my lord. I do so love the North but it's not a place for a cold meal." the king said with a laugh.
When Roslin and her brothers saw the king was here there was some worry that perhaps he'd come to stop the wedding. After he'd told her the real reason for his visit, he could see that she too felt honored by his presence. More so when the king spoke to her and Perwyn and Olyvar himself. As the day went on he found himself growing more and more nervous about the ceremony, the feast, the bedding, and the wedding night itself. He was no maid and had laid with more than one woman, drunken fumbles though they were. Never had he laid with a lady and never with one that he was to spend the rest of his life with and that brought a nervousness that he wasn't sure how to handle. Needing some air, he left his room and made his way to the top of the keep. When he stepped out onto the battlements it was to find he was not alone.
"Your grace." he said surprised.
"Forgive me, she wished to see that I was well." the king said pointing to the sky and the Smalljon looked up to see the white dragon as she flew overhead.
"She's an amazing sight to behold, your grace." he said and the king looked at him with a soft smile on his face.
"Aye she is." the king said laughing which forced him to look at him in confusion "She said not many people get to have a dragon at their wedding." the king said and Smalljon laughed.
"Aye, that's true. The wolf's not here is he?" he asked and the king shook his head.
"No, Ghost is with my wife in King's Landing." the king said as he looked at the relieved look he now wore on his face "I felt it too, you know. The nervousness, the racing of my heart, and the sweat gathering in my palms."
"I…"
"You were and are the man she wishes to marry, Smalljon. Any man with eyes to see or a tongue to speak will tell you that it's clear how that woman feels about you. Let that be the only thing you think on as you walk to the Heart Tree. Trust me the rest, it goes away once you know that." the king said as he touched his shoulder before heading back down the stairs.
"Thank you, your grace." he said softly but he was already alone and after a moment or two he felt ready for the night to come.
She looked beautiful as she walked to where the king stood, he had been stunned and Roslin was delighted when they heard he would officiate the wedding instead of his father. Roslin said the words so firmly and so without hesitation that when it came to when he had to say his own they simply flowed. As he carried her into the keep it was with a smile on both their faces and the kiss they shared both in the sight of all those present and the one for just themselves bore well for the night to come.
He danced with his new bride, watched as she danced with his father and then the king much to her delight. Then he held her hand while the king played the harp and sang more than one song and when the time came for the bedding, he saw her look nervously to him. Both her brothers readied to move to protect her honor and when he stood up and said there would be no bedding, it was to a loud cheer from the king. One that perhaps as much if not more than his words then saw his wife was led to their rooms unmolested.
His own journey was to be not so easy and he swore it was his father and uncles who helped to rip his clothes from his body. The Smalljon arriving with a few scraps of clothing left and with very little dignity. He entered the room it was to find her already under covers and when she saw how he was dressed or to be more precise undressed, she blushed adorably. He caught but a brief glimpse of her body as she moved the covers to one side and bid him join her. The warmth of the covers and the body that he then felt next to him was most welcome in the cold of the night.
"I…if you're not comfortable?" he said looking at her.
"I can never not be comfortable with you, husband." she said, her smile revealing the small gap between her teeth and though she looked nervous, there was an eagerness in her eyes too.
"I am so very happy that you're my wife, Roslin, I wish you to know that. I wish you to know that already you make me so very happy." he said and the kiss she rewarded him with was the first of many they shared that night.
Riverrun 300 AC.
The Blackfish.
His head hurt as he thought about what he was about to do, Brynden looking at his grandnephew as he ate his fast and readied for the day ahead. He waited until Bran had eaten and then gave him a nod to allow him to get ready for their morning spar. As he and his wolf walked from the room, Brynden smirked. The enthusiasm of youth was a good thing and Bran had it in spades, but he was a lord now too and so he needed to show some decorum. Though Brynden knew full well that the moment he had left the room and was out of his sight that decorum would be no more and at present Bran was no doubt running through the keep.
He called Utherydes over and was pleased when the steward told him that none of the lords and knights had left yet. Brynden telling the steward who he should speak to and who he himself would in order to have them here when he revealed the contents of his brother's journal. Before he left to set about his business, Brynden whispered in his ear about the scrolls he'd written and asked for them to be given to the Maester and sent out to those he wished. It would mainly be the houses of the Riverlords even if most of those he wished to speak to were here and to Winterfell and King's Landing.
"I'll tell Lord Brandon after our spar." he said softly to Utherydes who nodded before leaving him alone.
After finishing his meal, he made his way to the sparring yard and found the three fools all there, one of them was looking at him curiously. Brynden finding himself angered a moment later when Bran told him that Marq Piper had told him that he was good friends with his uncle Edmure and that Edmure was a good man despite what people said of him. Over time he was more and more sure that his nephew was anything but a good man, his actions toward the king spoke to that, as did Brynden'ss fears that Edmure had played a part in Hoster's death. Either directly or by his inaction his nephew had seen his father die and had tried to reap the benefits rather than face up to any consequences.
"Hold it up, Bran, move, that's it, good lad." he said as he put Bran through his stances and showed him some moves, there was a small crowd looking on and he was pleased to see Jonos standing there with an approving look at what he saw.
"Can we spar, uncle?" Bran asked and Brynden chuckled as he nodded.
His grandnephew was coming along well, he was growing stronger and his technique was getting so much better. When he saw him begin to breathe heavily, Brynden brought the spar to an end and fetched the water for them to drink himself rather than have Bran do so. Once he'd gotten his breath back, Brynden bid him join him as they and Summer walked the grounds of Riverrun and he pointed out the different aspects of the keep and what task they served out to Bran.
"I need to speak to you on your uncle Edmure, Bran, on what people say about him." he said as they reached the Godswood.
"Ser Marq said he was a good man and true, that the songs and what people say about him are lies." Bran said and Brynden looked at him curiously.
"Do you believe they're lies?" he asked him and Bran looked to the ground before he shook his head slightly "Why not?" Brynden asked curiously.
"My brother wouldn't lie about something like that. Jon, Sansa, father, they'd not all lie about that and while they've not told me it themselves, they've not told me that they're lies." Bran said and Brynden reached out to muss his grandnephew's hair, getting a small shrug and smile from Bran for doing so.
"Clever lad. Never believe anyone who's not family, Bran. Not at face value at least. Blood, blood is true and blood never lies." he said and Bran looked at him confusedly "Your uncle and mother were both troubled souls, Bran, listen carefully to what I say today, listen and don't react. We'll speak more later you and me."
"Thank you, uncle." Bran said softly.
"For what lad?"
"For speaking to me, people don't speak to me of such things, I'm young, but I'll be a man soon." Bran said determinedly.
"Aye, a fine man is what you'll be." he said as he touched his grandnephew's shoulder.
He bid Bran join him as he made his way back into the keep, ostensibly for luncheon though he had little appetite. Utherydes had done well and most of those who'd come for the feast sat around the room, other than the Frey's and Tytos Blackwood most of the houses of the Riverlands were represented. Moving with Bran to the high table, Brynden let his grandnephew take his seat while he remained standing. All eyes in the room on his as he took Hoster's journal out and readied to tell the Riverlords the truth about his nephew.
"My Lords, Good Sers. On behalf of my grandnephew and the new lord of Riverrun, I thank you all for attending the welcoming feast and for staying a little longer than you may have wished to. I have news to share of some import and though the ravens have gone out and you may find messages await you when you return to your keeps, I feel it best if I speak to their content here and now." he said closing his eyes and sighing.
He reached down to give Bran a reassuring pat on the shoulder and when he felt his grandnephew relax, Brynden readied to speak some more.
"Most of you are aware by now of all my nephew was accused of and almost all he was guilty of. To those who know it to be true what I may say now may not come as such a shock. For those who hold Edmure up to be more than he ever was, perhaps what I'll say will be enough to finally once and for all quieten your complaints." he said looking to the three men who'd been closest to his nephew and the one who now seemed to have seen the truth of him as well as the other lords and knights present "I have in my hand my brother's journal, it went missing after his death and despite my best efforts neither I nor Utherydes Wayn were able to locate it. Had we, then perhaps things would have been much different for all of us."
Brynden took a deep breath, composing himself before he opened the journal and read Hoster's words aloud.
"I fear that the boy hasn't got the sense he was born with, he and his sister have both done things that I believe bring shame on my house and go against the very gods themselves. I've been left with no other choice and hard though it may be, I feel I'm right in this. The letter is written and will be sent to Ned Stark on the morrow. Perhaps in young Bran, I'll be given the chance to right the wrongs I've been guilty of with mine own son.
A lad raised by Ned Stark and guided by Brynden. I feel that he's my House's and lands last hope and so I'll speak to Edmure and tell him the truth of things. By the seven I hate that it's come to this. Edmure though should he remain my heir, will lead not only my House but the Riverlands themselves to ruin and while I could forgive him for the one, I'd not be able to for the other. I pray to the Crone that it's her wisdom that guides my actions and to the Warrior to give me the strength to do what's best for those I'm sworn to serve. May the mother forgive me for unaming my son and heir."
There was silence for a few moments, Brynden looking out and seeing people look to him, to each other, and not a one of them speaking until Lymond Goodbrook stood up and named him a liar. Was he not a fair distance from the fool he'd have knocked him on his arse. As it was he had no need to as the punch came from Hugo Vance and Brynden was forced to call the guards to restrain Tristan Ryger and Marq Piper who'd quickly moved to their friend's defense.
"Enough. Are you a man or a boy, Lymond?" he shouted angrily "These words were written in Hoster's own hand. Words that he spoke to me about, though I'd not known he decided. Words that I've no doubt were spoken to Edmure and though I wish not to consider it, the nature of Hoster's death raise's questions that I'd rather find answers to." he said with a shudder.
"You think Edmure a kinslayer?" Hugo Vance asked, his disgust and disbelief clear.
"I think my brother was a very ill man, Hugo, I don't wish to think that Edmure played a direct part in his death, but I feel he played a part nonetheless. Hoster went to his rooms and was found in them, Vyman named it as natural, and though the man himself proved to be unworthy, on this I wish to believe him. At most Edmure allowed it, didn't seek to stop it, but I pray he was not directly involved in it. For as bad as my nephew may have been, I'd not see him cursed in death as he was in life." Brynden said, his words ringing more true at the end than at the beginning.
"Had he…if we had known." Hugo said as he all but collapsed in the chair.
"I brought this to light because it's time to get all truths out in the open. I've heard the songs and tales of my family and they shame me to my very soul. House Tully is no more, I am the last of my line, and when I die the name dies with me. For those who seek to name my nephew as anything other than what he was, I say it stops now. Riverrun belongs to my grandnephew, Lord Brandon Stark, and in time he'll build his own legacy and write his own story here. In Lord Blackwood, we have a good and true Lord Paramount and he has mine and my grandnephew's full support. The dead are dead and shall remain that way and I'll speak no more on kin of mine other than on those still living." he said and hoped that would be the end of it, though he doubted it would, not until he himself had breathed his last would his family be forgotten.
White Harbor 301 AC.
Ser Martyn Lannister.
He had wished to travel to the Wall with Jae, to serve by his side as a knight even if he could no longer do so as his squire. His mother, father, and cousins all begged him not to as did his betrothed, but it was his king who in the end he listened to.
"Your place is not there, it's with your betrothed, Martyn. It's by her side and I envy you for being able to be her knight and her protector." Jae said as they sat on the wall after their spar.
"I am good enough with a blade, my king. Good enough to fight with you and you're in need of men who are good and true." he said pleadingly.
"And none are or will be more so than you, Martyn. I seek not to deny you glory or to punish you by not having you with me. I need as many good men and true in reserve as I do in the fight to come. Men I can trust to carry out my orders and to be there should the call come. Were I to take all the best men with me, then who looks after those I leave behind? Who protects those who need protecting if all the best stand by my side? I'll take Arthur with me, aye, but Barristan I'll leave behind, why?" Jae asked.
"To protect the queen and the princess." Martyn said looking to Jae to see if he'd got the right of it.
"To protect those I love. My wife, my child, my sisters, and the people themselves. I ask it of them and I ask it of you, will you do as your king requests?" Jae asked and Martyn got up from the wall and went to a knee.
"Always, your grace." Martyn said firmly and without reservation.
"It has been my great honor to have you and Tommen by my side, Martyn. To see you grow into the fine young man you've become. I will stand with you on your wedding day. In time I'll stand across from you and watch as you take the day in our spars. Know that I'm so very proud of all you've achieved and I look forward to all there is to come, now go, I'm sure your betrothed wishes to see more sights of the city before she leaves." Jae said with a chuckle as Martyn nodded and turned quickly lest the tears in his eyes fell in front of the king.
He'd said his goodbyes to Tommen when he set sail for Casterly Rock. The king wishing him to go and spend time with Myrcella and his cousins while he was at the Wall. Martyn had then said his goodbyes to the king, the queen, and princess and to Joy and the others before he too was sailing, though to the North and not the West.
Wylla had enjoyed having him on the ship with her and had pointed out all the places and told him their names as they passed them. Dragonstone and Claw Isle, Gulltown and the Fingers, the Bite and the Three Sisters, and finally White Harbor itself. His betrothed was more than eager to show him her home and what would one day be his home too. Together they'd in time be the Lord and Lady of White Harbor. They'd rule this city and see to its people's needs and it was a daunting prospect and one he'd not yet given much thought to.
He'd hoped to be a Kingsguard and had wished to wear the white cloak and stand by the king and queen's sides. Until his father had spoken to him of his duty to his house and he'd then met Wylla, it had been all that he'd wanted or expected from his life. To be like Ser Arthur Dayne or Barristan the Bold, to give up his life to save the king's like Ser Walder Alyrs had. Duty is the death of love he'd heard Prince Aemon say to Jae one day and he wasn't sure if that was actually true. After all, his king loved and loved fiercely and he always did his duty and so Martyn sought to do the same.
So he'd sat in on the meetings held by Lord Wyman and Ser Wylis. Stood to one side as petitions were made to the lord and helped with the preparations for the evacuation and the influx of refugees, should the worst come to pass. That had not been all he had done since arriving here and he'd not neglected Wylla even once. They'd ridden together, strolled arm and arm through White Harbor. He'd bought and made her gifts and each night that they'd feasted would find him dancing with her until she herself called a halt, just as she had done just now.
"You've worn me out." Wylla said smiling as they took their seats.
"I told you, his grace made Tommen and I take lessons." he said with a chuckle.
"He did?" Wylla asked before he passed her the wine glass.
"He did, he said that we'd learn more about movement from dancing than he or Arthur could teach us on the sparring grounds." Martyn said smirking.
"So the only reason you learned to dance was so you could move better in a fight?" Wyllas said her eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Not the only reason no." he said moving in closer to her so he could whisper in her ear "It was also so that I'd be able to wear out pretty girls with green hair." he said as he lightly bit her ear and made her laugh.
"That tongue of yours will get you into trouble Martyn Lannister." Wylla said laughing still.
"Then I will need either my blade or my fierce betrothed to get me out of it. I pray for whoever is troubling me that it's my blade they face, for should they face my betrothed then they're already done for." he said and the kiss she gave him told him how much she'd enjoyed his words.
He looked to see Lord Wyman staring at them, the lord watching each thing they did with an ever keen eye. There was nothing for him to worry about in regards to their relationship, as under no circumstances whatsoever would he ever dishonor Wylla or her house. Lord Wyman and his father were firm friends and Jae respected the northern lord completely which meant that so did he. So other than an occasional kiss or two, he and Wylla had not even tried to go any further than that. Besides, it would be less than a year until they were wed and though both were eager for that year to be done, both of them were willing to wait too.
Martyn nodded to Lord Wyman and then caught it when Wylla winked at her grandfather, the lord smirking and shaking his head as he went back to eating his food and talking to his sons. When the night was over with he escorted Wylla back to her rooms. The kiss they then shared was much longer than the one she'd given him that her grandfather had caught them in the middle of. It was the next morning that it happened, the sky growing dark and night falling when it should not. He'd been with Ser Wylis on the Docks and they'd made their way back to the New Castle with great haste.
Wylla had needed his comfort and he'd been there for her. Martyn holding her in his arms as they looked out on the night's sky even though it was barely mid-afternoon. She leaned against him and took some time to still, his words spoken softly seeming to finally be what she had needed and he knew it then, knew it for true. This was where he was needed, where he was supposed to be and Jae was far more clever than he.
Casterly Rock 301 AC.
Gerion.
He was to be a father again, Ashara was with child and he thanked the gods that he was here when they got the news. Neither of them had thought it could be, that even though she was a young woman the time had long since passed when she could or would be a mother once more. It hadn't changed how they'd felt or made either of them feel as if they missing out on things and yet hearing the news for true had been something they both welcomed.
There had been a moment where they'd thought she may have been with child earlier in their marriage, but it had proved to be a false alarm. Perhaps that was the reason they had spoken of children and why he had told her that he cared not if they were unable to have any of their own. They had Cregan and Joy and that was more than enough or so he had told her. When Jardene had confirmed that Ashara really was with child and was a few moons along, he'd found out that it was not. Gerion wished for a babe that was theirs, a babe that was his and Ashara's, and one that had been brought into this world with love.
Joy had not, as much as he loved his daughter and her mother, she had been conceived through lust and not love. The love had only come later and by then it had been too late for Briony and him. This babe though was to come into this world with parents who loved each other truly, with a sister and brother who would love them too and he couldn't be happier about it. That and knowing that Ashara was healthy and well and that, unlike others, the maester they had was one that he could trust the safety of his wife and child too.
"I'm most pleased for you both, Gerion, most pleased. Have you sent a raven to Joy?" Genna asked as he told her his and Ashara's news.
"I sent word to the queen, I trust Margaery to speak to Joy more so than a raven from me." Gerion said and Genna looked at him oddly "Genna?"
"She's old enough and far smarter than a girl of that age has right to be, Gerion. You cannot treat her as a child still, she's a young lady and is almost three and ten namedays old." Genna said reproachfully.
"I know that, and it's not that I'm treating her as a child. It's that I feel my words would let me down. There's only so much that can be said in a raven, so few ways I can assuage any doubts or fears she may have."
"Doubts and fears?" Genna asked curiously.
"About her position. Letting her know that she's still my heir and that just because her new brother or sister will be born on the right side of the sheets, it makes them no more or no better than her." Gerion said his worries that she may think so had almost made him not send a raven at all.
"She'd not think that." Genna said reassuringly.
"I don't believe she would, I just fear it." he said and Genna nodded.
"Send her a raven in a day or so, one addressed to her from you. It'll give Margaery time to speak to her and your's will mean more to her then." Genna said and he agreed.
He rode out to Lannisport later that day, Tommen and Ser Daven and his young squire riding with him. Tommen was not truly squiring for him or for anyone really, not with Jae and so many of the men away at the Wall. Gerion though had taken the young boy under his wing. Partly because Alyrs lad Jason was Daven's squire and he feared that he'd send him away in order to have his son serve that role and partly because Tommen had not yet truly forgiven his father for his perceived wrongs. He could see both sides of the argument and though he'd thought about intervening, he'd left it to his grandnephew and grandniece to make peace in their own time. That time was not yet however and so as they rode, Tommen and Jason rode closer to him than to Ser Daven and the rest of the guards.
With Kevan away, Lancel was the acting Lord of Lannisport and had his mother and grandfather's support. From all that he'd heard about his nephew he'd been doing a good enough job, but it wasn't just Lannisport business that had brought him here today. It was the business of the realm and to ensure that things were prepared should the call be made for them to play their part. Gerion was the highest-ranking lord who'd remained in the West and was acting Warden while Jaime was Hand of the King. Up to now, that had meant very little, but with Jaime also at the Wall suddenly his role carried much more weight and responsibility.
"Ser Daven, head to the docks and make sure the captains and the ships are ready for inspection, Tommen and I will go to speak to Lord Lancel lest my nephew takes offense that we did not." he said with a wink to Tommen who smirked back at him as the dismounted from his horse.
Truth be told he knew that Lancel wouldn't take offense, the prickly nature of his nephew was long a thing of the past. The extra responsibilities of being the heir to Lannisport and his betrothal to Desmera Redwyne had curbed Lancel's worst instincts and the boy had become a man, finally. Tommen and he made his way to Kevan's Manse and spoke to his nephew for quite some time, so much so that when they left the manse and walked out into the darkness he'd thought nothing of it. Were it not for the sounds of panic around him and Tommen's own words, he'd have taken much longer to realize that it should not be night as of yet.
"This, how?" Tommen said looking up to the sky and Gerion looked from the boy to the sky himself.
"Come, we must hurry, torches, go and fetch some torches." he said as Tommen did as he was bid and Gerion spent the next few hours calming down those in Lannisport while he wished he was back at Casterly Rock.
When they arrived back at the Rock a few hours later it was to find that while worried, there was no panic amongst the guards and the staff. Gerion would have chuckled to himself about his sister's powers of persuasion were he not so eager to get to the family wing and speak to his wife. Ashara though was not as calm as her outward appearance may suggest when he finally reached her. His wife was worried and not just for what was happening at the Wall or what the fall of night may mean, but at thoughts of their babe being brought into the world during the Long Night itself.
"All will be well, this is only temporary." he said softly as he held her in his arms.
"How can you know this?" she asked "How can you be so sure?" her worries clear in her voice.
"Because I know Jae and I know he will Bring the Dawn." he said as he held her and prayed that he was right.
The Bloody Gate 301 AC.
Lady Anya Waynwood.
She had been splitting her time between Ironoaks and the Eyrie, spending it helping Donnel get familiarised with his role as Castellan and with settling Leona into her own new role. Having the girl be a part of her household had been an absolute joy for her. Anya finding in the few months that Leona and her grandson had been wed that the girl was everything she'd have ever wished for him to find in his life. Whether it was Olenna's work, Queen Margaery's example, the Reach, or the girl herself, she cared or knew not. Not only did the girl make her grandson happier than she'd ever seen him before, but it comforted her to know that Leona was smart and astute enough to see her house in good stead for years to come.
Donnel on the other hand had most annoyingly to her dismissed her suggestion of being wed, for now at least. He'd explained to her that he was still not comfortable in his new role and to add a wife to things would only make that even more true. Not even her assurances that with the right wife it would be a load halved rather than added to would change his mind on this and so for now it was something she had agreed to wait on. Although given what was happening in the realm, she feared what waiting would mean.
As she saw the Bloody Gate come into view she pondered upon why it was she was being called to this meeting with the other members of the Vale's Council. The raven had come as a surprise and she'd been glad she was at the Eyrie rather than Iron Oaks when it had. Traveling time from one was so much shorter than from the other and at her age, she wished to spend as little time traveling on other people's business as she could. No, that wasn't quite true, she thought with a smirk. She far too much enjoyed being part of the new Vale to think that way. Lord Yohn was not Lord Jon, he wished for their input and while he held the final say, he had and would change his opinions if a better suggestion was made and he valued her counsel as much as anyones. It showed just how far she'd come since the fall of the falcon and as she dismounted from her horse, she smiled to see the lord himself waiting to greet her.
"Lady Anya." Lord Yohn said with a soft smile on his face.
"Lord Yohn." she replied far more stiffly than she felt for true, though that was because of the ride more than anything.
"The others are inside, my lady. I'd ask you to join us once you've freshened up." Yohn said and she nodded as she was escorted into the keep.
Morton was waiting for her just inside and it was he who escorted her to her room. Anya looking at him curiously only for his own expression to say he knew no more than she did about the meeting's purpose. It made her worry far more than she already was and so she stayed in her room for only a moment or two to catch her breath and stretch the stiffness out of her bones. Once she was feeling ready she then headed to the solar to meet with Yohn and the other council members, Anya catching them by surprise by just how quickly she had joined them.
"Lady Anya." Lyonel Corbray said welcoming her with a smile, one he'd been wearing for quite some time since his marriage had taken place.
The Lord of Heart's Home had married Yohn's daughter Ysilla which had come as a surprise to most of the council and even her if she was being honest. Lyonel being older than Ysilla was not the reason for that surprise, but more the fact that Lord Yohn being Warden of the East placed him in a much higher position and would have to her and other minds have led to a much more advantageous match. Over time though she'd given it more thought and had realized two things that only proved Lord Yohn to be the right man to lead the Vale under the Dragons. Unlike Jon Arryn, Yohn Royce cared not for power and sought not outside influence. It was to the Vale and to the Vale first and foremost that Yohn looked and the Vale had needed this wedding as much as any.
"Lyonel." she said seeing him smile a little more now as the time for pleasantries was over, she was just about to greet the others when the door opened and Gerold Grafton entered.
"Forgive me for my tardiness, it seems Ser Richard's lips can find you anywhere." Gerold said almost proudly as he handed Yohn the note.
Gerold was ostensibly a member of the Council of Seven and yet not at the same time. His role as Vale Envoy while not putting him at odds with them, did create some conflict in his loyalties and so he'd asked and they'd agreed that he was to be replaced by Lord Benedar Belmore. As a result, it was fewer meetings that he attended and while he had a voice, it was only on matters relating to the crown that his voice would overrule their own. Seeing him here it would appear that the meeting was more to do with the crown than with the Vale and this both worried and intrigued her.
"So it's true then." Lord Yohn said almost dejectedly.
"It's true, aye, The time has come to make our preparations my lord." Gerold said and Anya looked from him to Yohn and to the others.
Yohn took a seat and poured himself an ale, which he then drank down almost in one go much to her surprise. After he'd done so he took some ice and placed in it the mug and then poured himself another.
"The war for the Dawn has begun." Yohn said softly and Anya reached out and picked up the large jug containing the ale and poured herself a mug full, wine would not be enough to calm her nerves she feared.
"What are our orders, Yohn?" Elbert Hersy asked.
"We do as the king bid us, Elbert." Yohn said and Anya shuddered.
"Gulltown stands read, Yohn, should the worst come to pass." Gerold said and she saw Yohn nod to him.
"I had hoped to not see another war in my lifetime, let alone see the Knights of the Vale ride out again." Nestor Royce said with a loud sigh.
"How many men are we to gather, Yohn?" Horton Redfort asked.
"Half, the other half are to make ready to escort those we leave behind to the ships and to offer protection should…" Yohn said not finishing the words.
"Gerold, can some of the ships be sent to Snakewood and Old Anchor?" she asked as Gerold looked at her and nodded "Good then we'll need not march all to Gulltown should the worst come to pass. Have we received word from Symond?" she asked turning to Yohn, knowing the man needed to think more on military matters than on the thoughts of evacuating the Vale.
"Other than he arrived with his men, no." Yohn said and Anya was glad to hear no worry or concern in his voice, not that he didn't care about Symond or the two thousand Knights of the Vale he had sent, more that he knew that they were with the largest army that had ever been assembled.
More than a hundred thousand men had marched to the Wall, Lord Jaime Lannister, Prince Oberyn Martell, Ned Stark, Randyll Tarly, and of course the King himself. All five dragons and men from the West, Reach, North, Dorne, Vale. The Rhoynar from Chroyane under Prince Garin too and all around the realm plans had been made to make ready the moment the war had begun. Anya like others hoped the King was wrong, that in this he was more his grandfather's son than his father's. While there was no madness in Jaehaerys Targaryen, she found she hoped in this there was some and that it would all prove to be for naught.
"The king will see us through and we have our own work to do. We make ready and gather our men and then we ride." Yohn said and he did so with such surety that Anya felt some of her nerves about what was to come, dissipate.
Her newfound comfort was not to last for long and as she readied to make her way back to Ironoaks it happened. She, Morton, Yohn, and the Council all stood on top of the Bloody Gate and looked to the sky. The Long Night had begun and she found herself praying to the Seven that Jaehaerys Targaryen would Bring the Dawn.
The Twins 300 AC.
Joyeuse Frey.
She couldn't believe it, all those unanswered prayers had finally been answered and she found she couldn't believe it. No more would she need to lay with him, to fear him, to walk around scared out of her wits about what would happen should she displease him. He held no power over her any longer and for the first time since she was forced into this marriage by her father, Joyeuse was happy. That she wasn't the only one who was so only showed that it was him and not the place itself that had always been the issue.
Truth be told, Joyeuse had known that from the first night they'd lain together, but still, it was a relief to see it proved true. She had watched as the six worst members of their family had been taken from the Twins never to return and then she had seen Stevron take his rightful place. Within days of the King's Judgement work had begun on making the keep more of a keep. Repairs were being made to things that had been allowed to fall into ruin. Coin was being spent on decorations of all things, furnishings and was that not enough, women were being asked to make their opinions and concerns known to the new Lord of the Twins.
Some had spoken of the things that they wished to see done to the keep, the changes they would like to see made. Others had spoken of rebuilding the relationships that her husband had ruined over years, something that Roslin's brothers had brought to their attention. While others had spoken of matches and fosterings for their children, which Joyeuse thought was perhaps a bit premature. When her own time had come to speak to Stevron, her concerns and worries had been of a far more personal nature.
"Will I need to stay with my husband, my lord? Or will I be allowed mine own rooms?" she asked worriedly, still not sure if the way she believed things had changed was true or not.
"No more will you be forced to do what you don't wish to, Joyeuse. Should you wish it then you'll need not even see my father again." Stevron said a small welcoming smile on his face and though it was tinged with sympathy, she found it comforting enough to make her own appear too.
"I thank you, my lord, truly." she said and he nodded at her before speaking to Marianne and bidding her see she had all she needed.
Over the next moon or so the changes became even more apparent and she often found herself walking in the gardens with Marianne and Fair Walda. Both girls were Stevron's granddaughters and so had suddenly risen in importance in the house, and both now spoke much more freely and openly than they had done before. Of course, that meant talk of matches and she was surprised to find that in Walda's case that one had already been agreed to, something that the girl herself was more than happy about.
"Hugo Vance, for true?" she asked and Walda nodded happily.
"For true. Apparently, the offer had been made some time ago only for it to be refused by…" Walda said before holding her hand to her mouth as she looked at her.
"You can say his name, Walda, I care not and he holds no power here any longer." she said and Walda nodded.
"Why did great-grandfather refuse the match?" Marianne asked and Joyeuse smiled at her for breaking the tension somewhat.
"Apparently he felt the Vance's offered little since the Fall of the Trouts and so was holding out for a better offer." Walda said annoyed.
"But Ser Hugo is so…" Marianne said dreamily.
"I know, gods I can only imagine what he looks like under his armor." Walda said and the three of them burst into giggles.
She was happy to see them happy, to hear them be so carefree, and yet by the time she left them later that day her mood had changed. Once she had been that way, carefree and full of excitement about what the future may bring, once she'd spoken to her friends about handsome knights and what it would be like to be wed to one of them. Joyeuse had dreamed of a life full of smiles and happiness and found herself living in a nightmare full only of tears.
As she made her way through the keep and past rooms that were now lighter and airier than they had ever been before, as she listened to the laughter that the Twins was now full of, she felt her resolve grow ever stronger. There were no guards to stop her, no one cared enough to protect the man any longer and it was not as if he could leave and cause any more damage to their House than he already had. Entering the room it was the smell that hit her first and she almost gagged and threw up, only for her resolve to carry her through.
"Heh, I knew you'd come, miss me did ya." he said coughing and spluttering when he saw her in the room "Well come on then, though you'll have to do most of the work, this slop they feed me has robbed me of most of my strength." Walder said as he moved the covers to one side.
He was laying in unwashed sheets, his clothing as dirty as they were and he looked far weaker than she had ever remembered him to be. It brought a smile to her face and even when he misinterpreted that smile, she cared not. Instead, she moved closer to the bed and bid him lay down as she made as if she was removing her dress.
"God's I wish you weren't so fucking fat, but beggars can't be choosers now can they." Walder said with a laugh and yet it was the terror in his eyes when she grabbed the pillow and pushed it down on his face that she'd remember later.
It was a boon to her heart to see his own fear for once and she hoped that she remembered it for a long time. His struggles were pitiful, his bony hands had no strength in them and she barely needed to push down on the pillow at all. Long after he had stopped struggling she still held the pillow to his face and only when she was certain that no man could have lived still did she remove it. Why she'd done it was a question she'd ask herself later and the best she could come up with was that she didn't wish her child to be born while he lived still. He'd ruined her life, and while he held no power anymore, she'd not take the risk of him ruining her child's too.
"The Late Walder Frey." she said with a laugh as she turned and walked from the room.
King's Landing 301 AC.
Margaery.
There were people everywhere she looked and yet to her the Red Keep had never felt so empty. Jaime, Loras, and Oberyn, all were missed by her and by others. Yet for her, it was as always her husband that her thoughts turned to. When she walked past the windows that overlooked the sparring yard and heard the sounds of swords clashing her instincts would take over. For the briefest of moments, she would find herself looking through the windows almost expecting to see him facing off against Jaime, Oberyn, one of the Kingsguard, or training Tommen and Martyn.
She'd see Joy heading down to the stables and almost chase after her expecting to find Jae waiting there with Winter and Apples or she would hear a harp playing and a song being sung only to find both sounded and were much poorer to her ears. At night when she lay alone in her bed and in the morning when first she woke was when she'd feel his absence even more truly and it was then more than any other time, that she would almost give in to the tears that would threaten to fall. Ghost helped, the Indigo Dragon helped, Margaery finding herself at times in conversations with them both. Her family and friends helped, though it was Elia most of all who stopped her from letting her worries and fears become too much to bear.
Her daughter was the shining light in her world, the bright spot of her day and she'd even taken to answering the petitions with Elia in her arms at times. What that may look like or how that may be seen was something she cared not about. The thoughts of her daughter being parted from both Jae and herself were ones she had no wish to even contemplate and she was a queen after all. What point a crown if on this she couldn't do as she wished.
She was in the middle of the petitions when it happened, the day suddenly turning into night, and Barristan and Ser Richard moved her from the Throne Room to her and Jae's chambers so quickly that she barely had a chance to register what was going on. It was only once she got there that she did and so it was with Elia in her arms that she moved to the balcony and looked out on the city below.
The sounds of panic were everywhere and her own threatened to rise too, only for Ghost to brush up against her to let her know all was well and that Jae had not been hurt. Once she knew this, her heart then began to settle and she moved back into the room. Margaery lay Elia down in her crib and as soon as she did so the Indigo Dragon flew over and almost seemed to take up watch. It was because of this that it was with a small smile on her face that she turned to her grandmother and the others in the room.
"We need to send for Lady Kinvara and some of the other red priests. Ser Richard see that Ser Alliser and Ser Jaremy and the Dragon's Teeth are sent out into the city with torches and with the message that all is well." she said and the knight nodded before turning to leave, as he did so Willas, Ser Richard Lonmouth, and Ser Erryk, Robar and Ellaria all made their way into her room and Margaery looked to see who was missing.
It hit her then and with a look to Ghost and a nod to Sansa, the white wolf was let out the door and she knew that he'd see Joy safely back to the Red Keep. He'd find her and Apples on their ride and it relieved her greatly to know that she had nothing to fear in regards to Jae's sister's safety now.
"Jae told us this could happen and neither Ghost nor the dragon seems concerned. So our faith must remain and we must believe that all is as it should be." she said her words far firmer in their belief than she truly was "I need to address the people, Ser Richard, and we must send ravens throughout the realm to offer what assurances we can." she said and Richard nodded "Your lips too, Richard, they'll be needed in the days to come."
"My lips stand ready, your grace." Richard said before he turned to leave and she knew it was to his lips first and then to Gormon he'd go.
Once he had left she turned to the three Kingsguard and spoke to them, Barristan raising his concerns about her leaving to travel to the Great Sept, but accepting that it needed to be done. Ser Robar was sent off to see to the preparations and Margaery took a seat at her and Jae's desk.
"Is this truly what his grace expected?" her grandmother asked worriedly.
"We spoke on this grandmother, that the Long Night would perhaps fall and that if it did we were to fear it not. Jae will bring the Dawn, of that I'm certain." she said and her words seemed to do the trick, for now at least.
Lady Kinvara arrived not long after Margaery's cousins and Oberyn's daughters. Ellaria needing to leave the room for a few moments to speak to the youngest of them and put their minds at ease. In less than an hour, Ser Richard Lonmouth and Ser Richard Horpe both arrived back to tell her that her orders had been carried out and within two she had arrived at the Great Sept. She carried Elia in her arms and the Indigo Dragon flew overhead as she stood on the steps and looked out on the large crowd that was illuminated by countless torches.
Ser Alliser and Ser Jaremy and the men of the Dragon's Teeth had ensured that order had been kept and though there had been panic and worry and some disturbances because of that, they along with the red priests and priestesses had kept order. Yet as she looked out on the faces that searched her own for answers it was clear that she needed to give them more than just security and light. They needed hope too and she looked down on Elia and found herself finding her own in her daughter's eyes. Her daughter's hope and her strength, and she prayed that her words would be enough to give her and Jae's people their own.
"Good men and women of King's Landing, I can sense and share all your worries and concerns. I can feel the fear that you do and yet I can stand here and tell you with no lie in my heart that I am not afraid. My daughter, the Princess Elia, she is not afraid and nor is her dragon." she said as the Indigo Dragon chirped loudly and she saw some in the crowd relax "The Long Night has fallen and the War for the Dawn has begun in earnest and there are those that I love and care about in harm's way and yet, I am not afraid. My husband, your king, the father of my daughter he fights in this war, not just for me or our daughter, but for those who stand by his side and for each and every single one of you. He fights and he is in danger and yet, I am not afraid."
She looked out and as she saw more and more people relax and so she leaned down and placed a small kiss on Elia's forehead.
"While they fight, while my husband fights, we have our own fight too. We fight not against the same enemy that they do, but against the fear that would threaten to rob our sense from us. I come to you as not just your queen, but as a mother and a wife. Today here in this sacred place I tell you with certainty that while the night is dark and full of terrors, each of us carries a light inside of us. It is a light that will see us through the Long Night, a light that will chase away our fears, and one our king needs for us to let shine.
I am not afraid because when I look out on all of you I see that light. So pray if it helps you, take comfort in knowing that the Dragon's Teeth, the Gold Cloaks, the Faith, and the priests of R'hllor are here by our side and that our king will win this war just as he did the last. Take comfort in knowing that while my husband fights, I am not afraid because I know he will win and that he will Bring the Dawn." she said and though there were no cheers, what she saw made her happier than if there had been.
They were full of resolve and that more than anything is what they would need to see them through the Long Night. As she turned and made her way back to the carriage, she caught sight of Ghost leading Joy, Brienne, and Prince Trystane her way and she smiled when the wolf ran to take his place by her side.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I want to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts, they've meant a lot to me over the past few days and have helped me greatly. Up Next as the Night King launches an all-out attack, Jae and Rhaenix travel Beyond the Wall to rescue Shiera only to find that time has run out and that a hard choice needs to be made.
Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.
Celexys: I wanted to do a couple of things with the lore of the Nightfort and I hoped no one would figure out where exactly I was going with it, we'll see more of Shiera next. On Dany you're very right, she's not going to be best pleased and the Night King may have made a big mistake.
Vfsnake: I had thought about that with Tarly, having him go out more heroic and in the end, I felt that with him and Rowan their back-story would allow their guilt to be used against them, give them a weakness that the Night King could exploit. Where with others it may not work, I kind of like the idea of the Nightfort being a corrupting influence or a way in for the Night King to use his powers.
Guest: Lol, a Night King supporter, I know there was one.
Mr2Legit: She very much did not, you're right. Bad things happen to good people though.
Sibeal: I thought long and hard about Coldhands, the main reason I didn't bring him in was that without the whole Bran going beyond the Wall part of the story, he doesn't really fit. With the Nightfort though it's such an interesting place and I like to mess with the lore where I can. Rhaegal we'll see next and find out the reason for Jae's worry. You're more than welcome for the replies and I thank you for your kind words.
Remi: The mark on Dany is more like LOTR, so more a Morgul Blade thing. I think that with the Nightfort for me it almost has this presence there like I think that the NK can influence those who reside there and while he can't cross that part of the Wall, his powers can. I thought long and hard about it being Randyll as I did consider giving him a far more heroic end but I think this fits more.
Guest: No this was not the pairing for Shiera, I'll leave it at that and take that to mean what you will. I did want to do the Corpse Queen thing and it really had to be her or Dany, but I'll not spoil too much more.
The Sphynx: Thank you, my friend, love it as always.
Xand007: The Nightfort allows for it, but he can't influence others without it, so it's not like he can just turn people, and even at the Nightfort it took time for it to sink in. Wildfire by its nature is wild though, I've seen people use it as a big thing against the dead but there is a reason why it's not really used in war, They don't mention that some of Tyrion's men were burned with it too. Dragons are much better in this regard. Stay safe and well my friend, we're almost at the end of the nightmare we've all been through for so long, a light at the end of the tunnel, thank god.
Pauline: Dany will use it to fuel her, the Night King may have made some big errors here. On Randyll it's hard because going the heroic death route would have been satisfying but I felt it best to do something like this.
Picking-up-Story: Thanks so much for saying so.
Keb: More a White Walker than a Wight, the Night King himself turned her so she's a White Walker but not too, we'll see it more clearly next chapter.
Jman: And Now their watch is ended. I like Randyll, mainly because after season 8 I really really hate Sam lol, but it's hard not to admire him militarily and I considered having him go out like the badass he is, only to drop it at the last moment lol.