Chapter 9
(This chapter had been beta by Wraithwalker1 and Primus as of 02/10/2020)
How it is going, everyone. So here is the next chapter of my story. To tell the truth, this was not that hard to write, but like in all things, life just keeps getting in the way.
To Ugandan Knuckles, yes, she is in the Daenerys is in the pairing but not till much later.
To CGBlueManiac, I don't think so. I know it's my story, and I can add whoever I like, but I feel like I am getting a bit out of hand. However, I am so happy many of you are cool with adding orange boy.
To likeApolitician, I wish I was a politician. I mean getting paid to do nothing but fuck up the world. Now that is the life, lol. But no, for real, I agree, and I don't plan for any more polls after what happened last time.
On another note, a lot of people keep bringing up sayoko. I don't know, and I am not saying no, but as I said, it's getting a bit out of hand, and I don't wish to take away from the characters already in the story.
Paxloria, it's Lelouch. I think we both know he planned that, lol.
To Red Raven 007, I never know what I am doing, lol. But here is hoping for the best.
Most pairings are decided and final. However, Sansa is still up in the air and is going to be a bit out there. I will mostly go with toss shit at the wall and see how you guys like it.
I am done with titles for each chapter. When you find yourself spending up to an hour trying to come up with a title for a chapter, I think that is a sign not even to try anymore.
Oh, and to let you guys know once more, I am moving the timeline back by a year two at most. I know some people don't like that, but I need a bit more time to get done with what Lelouch plans to have done before starting the war. Those of you who ask, well, how do you justify that Lelouch has already changed so much that many of the assholes of the show have to rethink what they are doing to account for him. It is funny that they could never account for him.
Now on with the story.
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-Midday on the Black Pearl 296AC-
The cold wind hitting his face, the chill in his bones, and the reminder that life is hard and often cruel. Yes, this was home and how he had come to love it so. He would have loved it, even more, so he had Shirley go with him, but the consolation almost made up for it. Speaking of said consolation, here he came right now.
"Milord, we will be docking at White Harbor within the hour," Jeremiah said as he stood right behind his lord with the dignity of a true knight.
"Thank you, Ser Jeremiah. Tell me, how are you getting along with my brother and Theon?" Lelouch asks the man he knew was the steadfast man that ever lived.
Thinking it over for a bit, Jeremiah answers his lord and in his mind emperor, "Well enough, I would say. They are both a bit suspicious of me, but not to the point of paranoia. I think what they are both uneasy about the most is that I have shown that I could kill them both with ease if I wanted to."
Lelouch chuckles at that. "Well, Jeremiah, that would put anyone off, my old friend."
(Line)
-Flashback-
Standing up now, Jeremiah looks at his lord and smiles. "Your majesty, it is wonderful to see you one more and in good health."
"As it is you, Jeremiah, but forgive me. I must ask how you ended up in this world. When I left, you were still very much alive, and seeing as you here now, you must have died at some point. Did something happen after I passed?" Lelouch asks, wondering if Death has broken its side of the deal. It didn't really matter, and he would continue with his plans for his new home, but still, he would like to know if that was the case.
Jeremiah is not surprised that his lord shows no shock at him being here and only wishes to know how he got here. "Well, milord, after your death everything happened as you had predicted. Your name is now spoken with both hate and loathing but is also the driving force behind the world's wish to never let it happen again. The world was at peace and all was going well before I died. But sadly for me I didn't get the enjoy the peace for long for after a handful of years I too passed away."
Lelouch looks at him and makes a guess on what happened. "I am guessing the cybernetic implants are what ended your life."
A giant smile comes to Jeremiah's face at seeing his lord is still as brilliant as ever. "You would be right, milord. About three years later, my implants started to fail. First, it was small things like weakness in my hand suddenly, but as time passed it steadily got worse until my organs started to shut down one by one. When her majesty Empress Nunnally found out what was happening to me, she did all she could to save me. Even calling on Lady Rakshata and Lloyd Asplund to look me over."
Lelouch smiles, thinking that could not have gone well. Putting those two in the same room was never a good idea from what he recalled about each of them.
"Sadly, there was not much they could do for me, and I died on a Monday afternoon." A sad look comes to Jeremiah as he thinks about that day. How Anya cried for him not to go, and how he had told her not do despair over her. She had her memories of their time together and one day they would see each other again.
Looking at the man knowing now he felt all too well, Lelouch moves the conversation on. "I am guessing this is not where the story ends for you. Tell me, did you have a run-in with the same thing that I did after you died?"
At Lelouch's question, Jeremiah's body freezes up a bit. He did remember the thing that brought him to this world. He had seen war, been in battle, and knocked on death's door more times than he could count, but none of those things made him so fearful as meeting death itself. "Indeed, I did, my lord. It told me of what happened between you and it. Then it asked me if I wished to join you. Seeing your decision as the honorable action it was, I agree fully."
The smile on Lelouch's face says it all. He must thank death when he dies again for sending him his most loyal knight to help him. "Then all I need to know is, are you ready to walk the path of blood with me once more, Jeremiah? For there will be much of it spilled in the years to come with little honor to be found."
"Milord, many decisions are made with honorable and good intentions behind them, but few have the will to do what must be done to see those decisions become a reality. One most often give up honor for the greater good and I am both ready and willing to give it up mine for you." Jeremiah says with a serious tone on his tongue.
"Well, I guess all that is left is to introduce you. Come, Jeremiah, let us go and change the world once more." Lelouch says as he walks out the room with Jeremiah on his heels.
(Line)
-Flashback end-
When Lelouch introduced Jeremiah, there were many questions he had to answer. Where did he come from, who was his kin, and now did he know Lelouch? They were all excellent questions, and Jeremiah, ever the professional, had answers ready for them. According to him, he was born in the city of Braavos to a family of water dancers whose name was Gottwald. Lelouch had to wonder if it was a coincidence or if death just got lazy and dropped Jeremiah in the world fully grown from the start. If that was the case, Lelouch was more than a bit annoyed at that, seeing as he had to start out as a baby. Jeremiah went on to tell them about his time with the Company of The Rose and the battles he was a part of.
This got both Robb and Lelouch's attention seeing as they both know from Andre that those sellswords' were made up of the descendants' North men and women who chose exile over bending the knee to Aegon the Conqueror. If that was true, Jeremiah could be lost kin, or so Robb thought, seeing as he knew from his lessons that more than one Stark left for Essos after that. For Lelouch, it merely meant that if Jeremiah had a good standing among them, he could have the use of a competent company of sellswords that he could call on if needed.
After that, he had told them on how he knew Lelouch. Now on that, Jeremiah had to lie and lie well which he did. He said to them that he had heard rumors of the Black Wolf Lelouch Stark and wished to see if they were true. So, he sailed to for Westeros and after arriving headed North were, he hoped to find him, but sadly he had already left for Dorne by the time he got to Winterfell. Yet his trip to Winterfell was not a waste for he had found that indeed the rumors of Lelouch's greatness were true. So as quickly as he could he set out for Dorne in other to pledge both his sword and life to Lelouch. Once in Dorne he got lucky and met his lordship in the marketplace a few days ago, and the now here he was.
That last part was the only part that came under suspicion from the people in the room. Mostly from Doran himself, who had spies watching Lelouch's every move. Sure, there was a chance that they missed something, or someone forgot to report about it, but it was unlikely. Then there was the fact that the man had gotten into Sunspear itself without anyone noticing him. Which should not have been possible seeing as with his odd blue hair, orange eyes, tall size, and richly colored clothes, he stood out quite a lot. However, Lelouch knew he would not question him about this. Not now anyway, with their alliance being so new.
(Line)
-The docks of White Harbor-
As Catelyn Stark waited on the docks of White Harbor for her son's ship the Black Pearl to finish docking along with her youngest daughter Arya, she thought about how much life had changed for her. While not that long ago she was little more than the wife of the Lord of Winterfell who was responsible for only taking care of the children and running of the castle she now had a far bigger role in running of the North than she ever imagined she would. Over the years as Lelouch had grown and his ideas had taken root in the North, Cat's connections to her homeland had proven beneficial to its growth. Where once she had still been seen as little more than an outside, she now held respect that was almost comparable to that of her husband and son Lelouch. And was why she was here on behalf of her husband to discuss with Lord Manderly about opening up the ice trade Lelouch had thought of before he had left. It was quite fortunate really that while she was here her sons had returned home.
"Mom, when will Lulu be here?" Arya asks her mother in an extremely excited voice. She loved her big brothers very much and especially Lelouch. Even though he was always busy, he still made time for her and her younger brothers. Be it for play, to teach them something or tell them stories he always found the time. He was even teaching them the sword like he did with Sansa, which she loved to do the most out of everything. She still had to learn how to be a proper lady, which she hated, but she guessed she couldn't have everything she wanted.
"Soon dear, now settle down and behave," Cat says with a disappointed tone in her voice at Arya's un-lady like behavior. Just like with Sansa, Cat had to accept the fact that Arya would be taught to fight, ride, and all other matters of things a proper lady just did not do, but unlike Sansa, who took to her lessons on how to be a lady well, Arya just did not take to it. Sansa was willful, strong-minded, cunning, and was quickly becoming a deadly swordswoman but she was able to hide that behind the vile of a proper young lady who knew her station in life. A true rose with thorns if there ever was one. Arya, on the other hand, was a spitfire and could not for the life of her hide it. If she had something on her mind, she said it and said it in the foulest way she could think of. It truly worried Cat to no end, and it didn't help that Lelouch only seemed to encourage her.
When the ship finally comes in, and Lelouch starts to walk off the ship Ser Wylis Manderly's second daughter Wylla speaks up. "That is the black wolf? He does not look so special. Kind of looks like a girl if you ask me."
Wylis looks at his daughter and is about to scold her before she starts something, but it's far too late for Arya had heard her. "What did you say about my brother?" Arya asks Wylla in an angry voice and with a pissed off look on her face.
Looking back at the younger girl Wylla just stares back at her and says, "You heard me."
"No, I didn't. You want to say that to my face, merbitch." Arya walks up and gets in Wylla's face. Ready to fight the girl if she does not take it back.
Not backing down from the younger girl Wylla says, "And I said you heard me pig face."
With that, Arya punches Wylla in the face, and then before anyone can stop her, Wylla tackles Arya to the ground as they start to fight. Cat starts yelling at her daughter to behave, and Wylis moves with a couple of guards, trying to separate them. This is the scene Lelouch walks into with a smile on his face. "Look, brother, it looks like our baby sister has made a friend."
At his words, everyone stops what they are doing and just looks at Lelouch. Even the two girls who were just fighting stop. With a never voice Arya says, "Hi Lulu, how are you?"
"I am fine, little sister. Now, mind telling me what you are doing?" Lelouch asks with a look on his face that tells her she is in trouble.
"Ha Ha nothing big brother," Arya says with a frightened laugh.
With a raised eyebrow Lelouch says, "Really, it looks to me like you were fighting with this young lady." Looking over at Wylis, Lelouch gives a small bow. "Ser Wylis, I must apologize for my sister's behavior towards your daughter."
With a very nervous look on his face, Ser Wylis said to Lelouch. "No need to apologize, milord. It is partly my daughter's fault, to begin with." Ever since the first meeting between him and Lelouch at the harvest feast Ser Wylis has always felt uneasy around Lelouch.
"Oh, then can I assume that you don't mind if your daughter shares in my little sister's punishment." The smile on Lelouch's face makes all the Manderlys uneasy and everyone else who knows the type of punishments Lelouch gives out just feel sorry for the girls.
(Line)
-Sometime later-
"This is all your fault, merbitch," Arya yells out as she drags a bucket of house shit to toss out behind her.
"Fuck you pig face." Yells back Wylla as she follows Arya with her own bucket.
"My, they seem to get along well now, don't they? What do you say, Lord Mandery." Lelouch asks as he takes a drink of wine from a glass cup.
"I couldn't agree with you more, milord," Wyman says as he gives a booming laugh. He was happy to see Lelouch was not angry at his granddaughter for what happened with his sister and even held both girls responsible for what happened. The punishment itself seemed harsh, but seeing as he made his sister do it, there was nothing he could say about it.
Thinking something over a bit, Lelouch says. "You know Lord Mandery, my sister is at that age where she will need a handmaiden soon. I can think of none better than the granddaughter of one of my father's most loyal vassals to be by my sister's side."
Cat gives her son a funny look at his words. "Lelouch, those two were just trying to kill each other not that long ago. I don't think that it would be such a good idea to have them around each other that much."
Smiling at his mother, Lelouch just says, "And that is what makes her perfect." Everyone gives him a confused look, so he goes on to explain. "Listen, Arya is a willful child, and being the daughter of a lord of a great house lets her get away with much when we can't keep an eye on her. With Lady Wylla by her side, we'll have someone who will not back down to her and can hopefully keep her out of too much trouble."
Everyone can see the logic in Lelouch's words, but Robb is not fooled by him. "Lelouch, you just find the thought of out sister having to spend time with someone she clearly dislikes enjoyment, don't you?"
Completely ignoring Robb, much to Robb's annoyance, Lelouch looks to Lord Mandery and asks, "What say you, Lord Mandery?"
Lord Mandery this over for a bit. Really, he couldn't see a negative to having his grandchild become Lady Arya handmaid and was in fact an excellent opportunity to get closer to the Starks. With some luck who knew maybe she would catch the eye of one of the young Stark boys. "I don't see why not, and it could be a good experience for my granddaughter."
"Then it is agreed, now moving on, tell me how is the progress going on our little project?" Lelouch asks with a serious look on his face.
Lord Mandery's face turns serious, and he starts to tell Lelouch all the details of what is going on, and now many ships have been built already. The meeting lasts for the rest of the day.
(Line)
- Beyond the Wall-
As Smalljon walked off the ship that had brought and the Northern Army to the runed settlement of Hardhome he looked at it with a critical eye. It wasn't that far from Haunted Forest which would provide the wood they needed for Lord Lelouch's ships and for themselves. It was also a defensible location with water on all sides but one. Once they got the wall up any attack by the Wildlings would be easily repelled. Yet even though he knew that Smalljon was feeling on edge ever sense the moment he stepped foot off the ship. He had heard the tails of what happened to this place, and how it was haunted. He had never believed it of course but right now his instincts were yelling at him to be on guard. He and his men were already being watched but by want he was not sure.
Running up to SmallJon, a man wearing a three-thousand-man commander's stripes stops in front of him and gives a quick bow than says, "Lieutenant commander, all men and supplies have been unloaded from the ships and awaiting your command."
Looking at the man SmallJon takes in one Arthur Rivers. A lean man with a handsome face and soft expression he was not intimidating in the least. But behind that appearance was a man of incredible skill and efficiency. Obsessive to the smallest detail in all actions the man was annoying as shit on your boots but was also perfect for his 2nd in command. It angered Smalljon to admit it but he sucked at running the smaller yet extremely important parts of an army. "Good, the first thing we need to be done is to secure all the supplies in one heavily guarded location. As well as make sure all of it is accounted for. We were given a years' worth of supplies and can't expect more till next year. So, make sure to put our more trustworthy men to guarding it. Second thing, I want the wall to be put up from coast to coast. I don't wish to sleep out here without a wall between our men and those animals out there."
"Yes, milord," Arthur says with a bow before going off to fulfill his orders.
It took some time to get the wall up and the supplies put away, but like they were trained to do, the men got it done in less time than anyone could have imagined. Six hours that was all it took, and they were even able to put up the guard towers as well. It still amazed Smalljon how quickly they worked even though he was there for their training from start to finish. It made him have a new-found respect for his future lord Lelouch, who insisted on training the men on fortification building as he called it. Add in the premade parts for those fortifications, and you had an army that could build small forts at incredible speeds wherever they needed them. To think that if he was an enemy who had to face and army who could quite literally secure almost any position while they were on the move was a frighting thought.
With the wall up, he could now move on to their next move. In his tent with him, his top three commanders sat around and started to make plans. The map they had of the land couldn't really be called one, but it was they best they had. Put together, little by little, the Night Watch who knew of this land better than he it was still missing a lot of things. Such as landmarks and rivers that he knew from rumor were indeed out there. Yet it was the best he was going to get and he would have to make do.
"All I am saying is we don't have the manpower for something like a full offensive attack of this land." Addison Snow, the first lieutenant of Arthur Rivers, says.
"You're just a coward, Addison. These savages have no armor, no steel weapons, and fight only with stone and sticks. We need not fear them because once they see us on the move, I have no doubt they will run away with their tails between their legs." Dake, the second lieutenant, said.
"Mayhap, but you forget your training, Dake. We know nothing of this land, and those savages as you call them do. We would be fools to march out there blindly where our enemy could get the jump on us whenever they like." Addison says back.
Looking over at his commander who had been silent since the meeting started Arthur says. "I agree with Addison milord. We have no idea what is out there, and to march out there blindly could waste the lives of our men. I say we wait for the wildlings to come to us and deal with them then."
Smalljon thought over what had been said. On the one hand, he would love nothing more than to take his men out there and kill as many of those cunt bastards as he could, but on the other hand, he had a mission to do. Plus, there was the downside of what would happen if he disobeyed orders. Joining this army for many men was a great thing indeed. You got paid, you only had to serve four years, you could have a family that the military would help take care of, and no matter who you were born to, you could rise up in the ranks to a high position, but the downside was that the punishment for disobeying was severe. Due to the king agreeing to let this army run itself as it wished, for the most part, it didn't fall under the king's law. If a man did something wrong, like raping, he was hung. If caught deserting, then he was beheaded. If looting, his hands were cut off while all the loot was given equally according to rank and accomplishments. In short, there was no taking the black in hopes of saving one's self from death.
With this knowledge and a need to carry out his mission, Smalljon answers Arthur. "We will hold here and build up the defenses. I want scouts sent out in small units to get a lay of the land. If they run into any wildlings, they are too come back to camp and report immediately. Am I understood?"
"Yes, milord." All the men bowed and left the tent to carry out their orders.
Sitting down in a chair after the men leave, Smalljon takes a cup of wine and drinks it. Now all that was left to do was wait and see if these savages would come to him.
(Line)
-Winterfell Ned's Office-
In his office, if someone was to look in, they would find Ned Stark once more rubbing the bridge of his nose, hoping to fight off another headache caused by his own son. His son Lelouch had been home for little more than a week, and already he was sending him plans for his next great project. This time he was planning to build a bridge but not just any bridge. A bridge that would be so grand in its beauty that nothing in the whole of the kingdom or the world for that matter would be able to match it. It was to be built on the lands of House Mallister with their permission of course and cross the river to give them access to the Kingsroad. It was a bold plan, and Ned felt he had to warn his son that even if he got the okay to build such a thing on House Mallister lands, the Frey's would not take it laying down and would do all they could to stop it construction.
Of course, in his typical fashion, his son just smiled and told his father all they had to do was get his lord grandfather and the king on their side. With them two on-board, there would be nothing the Frey's could do about it. How normally Ned would see this a very foolish thing to say and point out to his son that he would be foolish to believe that the Frey's wouldn't try something regardless but thought better of it. His son never did anything without a reason or without thinking everything through. There was a bigger plan at work here, and he just couldn't see it.
Then there was this new man Lelouch had brought with him for Dorne. He had sat and talked with this, Jeremiah Gottwald, and could honestly say he liked the man. He was steadfast, loyal, and an honest man who was wholeheartedly devoted to serving his son, but there was still one thing that made Ned cautious around the man and that was his skill with a sword. He had seen the man train in the yard with the men and his sons and, to say he was a very skilled warrior, would not be giving Ser Jeremiah enough credit. Ned could honestly say he had never seen a man so strong or fast with a blade, and that was saying something, for he had known many great swordsmen. Jaimie Lannister, Barristan Selmy, Rhaegar Targaryen, and Arthur Dayne were just a few names he could think of. But upon seeing Jeremiah's skill Ned fully believed that his man could best them all. Such a man was to be feared and watched in his mind.
The last thing that was causing him a headache was that Lelouch had gone and brought Lady Wylla Mandery here to be Arya lady in waiting. Now that in itself wouldn't have been so bad if it was not for the fact that those would never stop fighting. They yelled at each other, they fought bare-fisted, and it was always over the smallest thing. Lelouch found it funny, Cat found it worrying, and the rest of his children were a mix on how they felt. Ned himself, however, saw a blooming friendship in-between them and an amount of respect for each other. Still, it would be nice if they would give it a rest for a bit.
Giving a sigh, Ned started to work on the letter to his good father and Lord Mallister about Lelouch's plan. If they could come to an agreement, then he would send one to Robert. He had a feeling they would, and his headache was just starting.
(Line)
-Braavos-
As Jon sat inside the Iron Bank waiting, he had to say he was feeling pretty good right now. Things had gone better than he had hoped during his meeting with the Sealord Ferrego Antaryon he was walking out the Sealord's Palace with an agreement of trade between the North and Braavos. Now all that was left for him to do was go to the Iron Bank and set up an investment of gold with them. Setting next to Jon, waiting as well was once John Andre. Looking over at the man Jon had to say that over the last couple of weeks, he had started to have a much warmer opinion of Andre than he did before. While still a spy and a merchant who one should never trust he had found common ground with the man and able to talk openly with each other. That is why despite the older man's seemly calm appearance Jon knew he was just as nervous. Their true goal in coming to the Iron Bank after all was not to just invest gold with them but also to find out if Little Finger had indeed put his stolen gold inside the Iron Bank. A task that was by no means an easy one.
It was as they waited that they both saw a vision of beauty walk towards them. The woman who was making her way to them was lovely in so many ways. With her long blonde hair and blue eyes, she made Jon look on in a stunned wonder. Andre meanwhile was feeling the same phenomenon as Jon but hid it better than him and stood up when she got closer. He did have to hit Jon in the side to get him to get out of his daze to stand as well.
"Milords, welcome to the Iron Bank. I am Margaret Shippen and am to take you to go meet my father, Edward Shippen. May I ask if one of you is Lord Jon Stark." Peggy says as she takes in both young men. They are both very handsome and the youngest of the two, like so many others, seemed to be lost in her beauty. She has always found it flattering when she sees that look on men's faces, but it is the older of the two that grabs her attention the most, for he does not show any outward signs of feeling the same way as the young man.
Bowing to the woman, Andre answers. "Milady, my name is John Andre, a simple merchant from the North. This young man beside me is Lord Jon Stark, son of Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Paramount of the North."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Shippen." Jon bows as well, but it is a bit sloppy, seeing as he is still a bit lost in this women's beauty.
Giving out a light giggle that both men found enchanting to the ears, she says, "John and Jon, that must be terribly confusing for the both of you."
Letting out an amused laugh, Andre says. "Indeed, it would be milady, but fortunately, most just call me Andre. Please feel free to call me that as well to lessen the confusion."
"And people mostly just call me Jon milady." Jon smiles but feels like a fool because he stutters a bit as he says this.
She smiles at both men. "Then you two must call me Peggy. All of my friends do, and I would like to think that maybe we could become friends in time."
"Milady, we couldn't possibly," Andre says back to her.
"I insist. After all, I can't possibly be so rude as to make you call me Lady Shippen as I call you both by your give names, now can I?" Her smile makes both men back down.
"As you wish, Peggy," Andre says with some difficulty seeing as he is not used to calling a lady by her first name.
For some reason, Peggy feels happy at Andre calling her by her nickname. "Then shall we go. Best not to keep my father waiting."
As they walk down the hall, they make small talk. Well, Peggy and Andre do. Jon just feels like he is in the way seeing as it's clear they are more interested in each other than anything else. When they reach a pair of double doors, Andre moves at once to open them for her. "Thank you, Andre."
When they enter the room, they are greeted by an older man with gray hair and a sharp look in his eyes that showed his intelligence.
"Father may introduce Lord Jon Stark son of Lord Eddard Stark Lord Paramount of the North and his companion Jon Andre." Peggy says to her father.
With a smile on his face that all men who though only of making money gives to other man on his face the man walks towards them and says, "Milords, welcome to the Iron Bank. I am Edward Shippen, keyholder of the Iron Bank, and I would be happy to help you, men, in any way I can."
"A keyholder? You do us much honor by meeting with us, Lord Shippen." Jon says with a smile.
"You're too kind, Lord Stark, but it is you who do me much honor by coming here to do business with us. Now how may the Iron Bank be of service to House Stark?" The man asks of him as he guilds them to some chairs in front of his desk. They both take a seat as Peggy takes off from the room.
After Jon and Andre take their seats, Jon answers him. "As I am sure you are aware by now I have just come from the Sealord's Palace with an agreement on the opening up trade between the North and Braavos."
"Indeed, I have been made aware of this fact," Shippen answers the young man in all honestly knowing that when it came to Northern men it was best to be as direct as possible with them. So while in truth he shouldn't have know about the agreement already the young man had already let him know that he was well aware that the Iron Bank had spies in the Sealord's Palace.
"Good, then I can cut to the chase. The North wishes to invest some of the gold we stand to make from this trade into the Iron Bank." Jon smiles when he sees the look on Shippen's face. One of greed and opportunity.
In his mind, Shippen sees an excellent opportunity in making a lot of gold if he can make a deal here. "That could be arranged. How much does House Stark wish to invest with us?"
Raising an eyebrow at this, Jon answers him. "I think you are misunderstanding Lord Shippen. I mean the North as in all the houses in the North wish to invest with the Iron Bank. Each house has a hand in making the goods that will be traded in Braavos, so there forward each house will be investing some of its profits into the Iron Bank as part of a joint account and to answer your question, it has been agreed that each house will put in twenty-five percent of their overall yearly profit."
Shippen on the outside tried to look like he was unaffected by Jon's words, but on the inside he was gleeful at this news. He knows that the North is on the rise by the small number of high-quality goods that have been coming out from it from time to time. Knowing that the amount would be increasing soon, the North stood to earn a very sizable amount of gold. How much they would make was questionable but even if it was only a couple of 100,000 gold coins a year that would still be 25,000 gold coins that the Iron Bank would see placed in its vaults a year. Why this news was almost enough to make him wish to jump for joy.
"I see. Well, I am sure my fellow bankers and I would be happy to help invest the North's money for them." Shippen says as calmly as he can.
"That is wonderful news, and just so you know, Andre here will oversee our interests here in Braavos. So, if you ever have any questions feel free to send him a letter." Jon points at Andre.
Looking at the man Jon has just pointed out Shippen takes him in and comes to a quick judgment on the man from what he knows. He had heard of a trader by the named of John Andre from the North. He was very good at what he did and could not be easily fooled by what he had heard. "Well then, it is wonderful to meet Jon, and may I say I look forward to working with you."
"The same Lord Shippen." Jon shakes his hand, then starts talking about where and what he wishes to invest the money in.
Two long hours later, Jon and Andre walk out of the Iron Bank with a deal made. Jon knew this type of thing was not really his strong suit, but now he knows that really, he hates it. He is a man of action and not fit for the backroom dealing and politics like his brother Lelouch was. "I do not see how you and Lelouch can deal with these men, Andre. I feel tired from just a handful of hours with them, yet you two do it all the time."
Andre gives a laugh at hearing this and says, "It is because milord, you have too much honor for this kind of thing. You need to have a bit of a black heart and a liar's mind to play these games. Lucky for you that you have neither of these things, so you don't have to worry about going to hell after you die."
Jon feels extremely uncomfortable with what Andre has just said, so he makes up his mind to move the conversation to something else, but he sees Peggy walking toward them before he can.
"Hello Jon, Andre, are you both done with your meeting with my father?" Peggy asks as she looks at Andre with a smile on her face.
"Why yes, milady, we have just got done and are headed back to our lodgings," Andre says back to her with a smile of his own.
"Please, Andre, I ask you to call me Peggy." She gives him a somewhat upset look but it comes off more playful than anything.
Smiling, even more, Andre says, "Forgive me, Peggy. Is there anything I can do to make up for my slip up?"
"Well, you two could join me then. I was going to the Blue Lantern to take in a play and would love to have your company." She does not let on how much she hopes that Andre will join her.
Seeing this for what it is, Jon speaks up. "I am sorry, Peggy, but the meeting with your father has tired me out more than I thought it would, but I am sure Andre would love to join you."
Understanding what Jon was doing for him, Andre, feels thankful towards the young man as he says, "Yes, I would be very honored to join you, Peggy."
"Then I shall take my leave. Andre, Peggy." Jon bows and walks off to leave the two would-be lovers to themselves. As he walks off his guard's men, flank each side of him.
(Line)
Standing across from a shop with a frown on her face a little girl with purple eyes and silver-gold hair around the age of thirteen looks at it with a longing look on her face. Her name is Daenerys Targaryen and the reason she was standing here was that her brother had just sold the last of her mother's things to pay for food for a time. How she missed the time she was safe in the house with the red door and Ser Willem Darry was still alive to watch over them. Now she and her brother were nothing more than beggars moving from the city in fear of the usurper finding them.
This was the scene Jon walks into as he passes the markets on his way to his lodgings. From just one look at her, he knew who she was, and what house she was from. And also knew that it would be best to move on and pretend he didn't see her but spotting the sad look that was on his face he couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. So making up his mind, he walks up to her but signals his men to stay behind so as to not scare her off. "Hello, their milady. Is there a reason why you are standing here looking over at that shop?"
Looking up to see who is talking to her, Daenerys becomes frightened at the sight of the dire wolf's symbol on the young man's sword. Her brother may not have been the kindest person to her, but he had taught her the symbols of each of the great houses in Westeros and, of course, that went for those that betrayed her family as well. She didn't know if he knew who she was, but she had to get away from this man before he killed her like her brother told her they would if they ever found them. "No reason, good sir. I was just waiting for my brother to come and get me. Now, if you don't mind, would you kindly leave me be." She says with more bravery than she was feeling.
Smiling a bit at her words, Jon thinks about his brother. Lelouch had always told him that if he ever met a living Targaryen to do one of two things, ignore them or show them kindness. After all, their grudge with her family ended with the death of the Mad King. "Really, it seems to me you are doing more than just waiting for you, brother. Is there something in there that belongs to you?"
Daenerys feels like this man will not leave her alone till she answers him says, "Nothing of mine is in there, ser, but something of my mother is." She fights to keep her sobs down as she says this, not wishing to look weak.
"I see, and by the way you said that it must be something that is very important to you, but I am guessing you will not tell me what it is will you?" He asks and she says nothing like he had guessed. So, he just turns around and walks toward the shop, and goes inside.
Daenerys does not know what the man was doing but feels like she should stay where she is and wait for him to return. When he comes back out of the shop, she sees something she didn't expect. It is her mother's crown in his hand. When he is standing right in front of her once more, he presents the crown to her. "I believe this belonged to you, mother."
Daenerys reaches up with shaking hands and takes it in hers and with tears falling from her eyes asks, "But why?"
Looking down at her with sad eyes, Jon says to her. "Listen, young Targaryen." Her head snaps up with wide, fearful eyes, but he just keeps talking. "My brother once told me that what happened between our families ended with your father. Whatever feelings you have for my family, you are welcome to them, but I can see that you may not be well informed on what happened by the way you look at me. So, I will tell you something else that my brother always told me. Get the facts first before judging something. For decisions based on false information will always lead to one's downfall." With his peace said, Jon stands and walks away, leaving a very confused Daenerys behind.
(Line)
-Two weeks later, Braavos –
Jon sat there in his room, thinking how things had gone here in Braavos. All things considered; everything had gone well. Deals were made with the merchants, shops were bought, and even a couple of brothels and alehouses were bought out as well. Sadly, the only thing that had not gone will was gaining information on the Little Finger. Even after the Iron Bank deal was sealed, they were unwilling to give up anything about the man and his dealing with them. If he was hiding his stolen gold here, they would not be finding out about it anytime soon, if at all. It really didn't matter, however, seeing as it was time to go home now. Jon was not happy about this failure and could tell Andre was displeased as well. If that had more to do with getting info on the Little Finger or the fact that he had to be away from Peggy, he didn't really know.
Just the thought of those two made Jon smile a bit. It was nice seeing the man that Jon started to think of as a friend so happy when he saw them together. Whenever she showed up, all things went to the wayside, and she had Andre's complete attention. It was so clear that they were falling for each other, and he hoped things would work out for them.
As he thought about this, one of his guardsmen knocked on the door and walked in. "Milord, there is a young girl here to see you."
Jon looks at the man in confusion. He was not expecting anyone today. "What does she look like?" Jon asks the man while trying to figure out who this young lady could be before he lets her in. After all, Lelouch had taught him to always be cautious in letting any unknown people near him.
"Milord, she looks about twelve, maybe thirteen with purple eyes and silver-gold hair." The guard says with a straight face.
At the guard's words, Jon can only think of one person who looks like that. "Send her in and have the servant bring up some refreshments for her."
"Yes, milord." The guard bows and takes off from the room.
As Jon waits for the girl to come in, he wonders why the young Targaryen girl would come to see him. Sure, he got her mother's crown back for her, but he was sure after that he would never see her again. Well, whatever it was she wanted, it would be best to get this over with quickly. Even this far from home, Jon knew that walls had eyes and ears.
Walking up to the room where Jon is waiting, Daenerys wonders what she is doing here. She does not know this man, and he is no friend of her family. Seven hells his family was one of the houses responsible for her families' downfall, and if her brother found out about this, she knew it would wake the dragon. Then there was the chance that Jon could kill her himself if he wanted to, but then this man could have done that when they had first met, and he had gotten her mother's crown back for her. Surely a man like that would not do anything terrible to her. At least, she hoped that was the case.
She sees Jon standing there with a soft smile on his face when she enters the room, but it is not a welcoming one. "Good day Lady Targaryen," Jon says with a bow.
Remembering the mannerism her brother had shown her once, Daenerys bows as well and says, "Good day to you as well, Lord Stark." She sees no riches one would typically see in a noblemen's room, looking around the bare room.
Seeing her look around the room, he can tell what she is thinking. "Wondering why the room is such a plain one, milady?"
Her face goes red in embarrassment, caught Daenerys can only say. "Well, I-I mean yes. I have never seen a nobleman's room so plan before."
Laughing a bit at her but not in a mocking way, Jon says to her. "Well, milady, you have my brother to think for that. He does not believe in spoiling his young brothers and makes sure that we have exactly what we need and nothing more wherever we go. Now, if you're his sister, that is a different story. He will give you the moon and all the stars in the sky if you ask him." Jon says this last part with some bitterness in his voice.
Daenerys finds this somewhat funny and giggles a bit at him. At the same time, she thinks about what it would be like to have a brother like that. "He sounds like a pretty mean brother to have if you are a boy."
With a sigh, Jon says with a downcast voice. "Indeed, he is."
Daenerys giggles more at this.
Looking back up to her, Jon takes on a more serious look on his face. "But I am sure you are not here to talk about my brother milady. So, tell me why you are here?" Jon's eyes turn to ice as he asks this question. Even though Andre has taken precautions to keep the birds away, she has still put his family in danger by showing up here. So, he would not wish to keep her here any longer than needed.
Daenerys feels a bit of fear at Jon's change of tone. The nice man she had met was gone now, and in his place was a lord who wants answers. It is a scary change and makes her fear him more than her brother. "I-I was wondering what you meant. I was not well informed about what happened in the past?"
Jon takes a bit to look at her and is happy to see she really wants to know what he has to say. So, Jon answers her. "Well, milady, before I tell you anything, I don't think I have gotten your name yet."
Blushing a bit from just now realizing she has not correctly introduced herself, Daenerys curtsey to him. "I am Princess Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen, daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen."
Bowing in return, Jon tells her his name. "It is a pleasure to meet you, milady. I am Jon Stark, son of Lord Eddard Stark, Warden of the North. Please have a seat and ask your questions."
Taking a seat, Daenerys can't help me notice he didn't say who his mother was. She is a bit curious about that but puts it to the back of her mind and asks her question. "You said the last time we met that I didn't have the full facts. I wish to know what you meant, Lord Stark."
"Well, Lady Daenerys…"
"Princess, my title is Princess Daenerys." Daenerys says, looking upset that he didn't call her by her proper title."
Not upset at all by her interrupting him, Jon just says, "Oh, and what are you, the princess of milady?"
Looking him in the eyes, she says, "Of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Really, the last time I check the king of the Seven Kingdoms was Robert Baratheon, and you are not his child," Jon says back with a calm voice, showing that he means not insulted by the way she was talking to him. After all while he maybe just a few years older than her but he was fare more mature and getting mad at a child for acting like one was pointless.
"That Usurper stole the throne from my family after he murdered my brother." Daenerys all but yells back at him.
"Murdered? If I recall correctly, he died in single combat." Jon once more says calmly.
Daenerys is about to respond back, but Jon holds up his hand like his brother had done to him so many times to shut him up, and like with him, she does. "Tell me, Daenerys do you know why the rebellion was started?"
"It was started when Usurper wanted to be king himself and so killed my family for it," Daenerys answers him.
Jon just laughs in a slightly amused way that makes Daenerys mad. "Is that what you truly believe, young Daenerys?"
"Of course, my brother told me that himself." The way she says, that shows that she trusts what her brother tells her to be the truth.
Shaking his head at this, Jon just looks her in the eyes and says, "I am sorry to tell you this, Lady Daenerys, but your brother has lied to you. The war started because your brother Prince Rhaegar Targaryen kidnapped my aunt Lyanna Stark. When my uncle and grandfather went to your father for justice on this, he murdered them, then demanded Lord Jon Arryn kill my father and Robert then bring him their heads."
Unlike her brother's words which were always filled with hate, Jon's are said in a calm voice that says he is just speaking the truth and nothing more. "You're lying. That is not what happened. You're only saying that to cover up that your family is nothing but traitors." Daenerys yells at him, not wishing to believe the truth.
"Am I? Maybe I'm, maybe I am not, but that is something your need to find out for yourself. Go ask around, the people of Braavos have no reason to lie to you." He says with a flat tone.
Standing up with an angry look on her face Daenerys, like her namesake, storms out, not wishing to hear another word of his lies.
(Line)
-Back at Winterfell-
Word had just come back from Seagard and Riverrun about Lelouch's plan to build a new bridge on House Mallister's land. Like Lelouch predicted, both Lord Mallister and Lord Hoster Tully had jumped at the opportunity to make a second bridge. Lord Mallister loved the idea of opening his lands to direct trade with the North and other lands as well. No longer would his people have to pay the Fray's toll. Lord Hoster agreed to spite the Frays and unmind the power they held over the Riverlands. Now all that was left to do was to get the king on board with the idea. It would not prove to be hard for Lelouch to do so.
Now sitting in his room with Maester Luwin, Lelouch worked on the bridge's overall design with him. He wished for it to be so grand in scale that nothing would match it for years to come. To do this, he took ideas from his world and used a mix of them to create his own design. The entrance and walkway would be much like the Charles Bridge. It would also be lined with statues but with an arch ceiling running along the whole of the bridge. The material to be used would be a mix of white stone over Roman concrete. The statues themselves would be made of marble, and all of them depicting a young girl in the prime of her life. This young girl who was to be the model of these statues was his aunt Lyanna, and if things work out like he believed they would, using her image would get the king on board. Some would call doing such a thing dishonorable, but that didn't really mean anything to him.
As Luwin sat there looking over the plans with young Lelouch, he couldn't help but be in awe of what he saw. Everything was accounted for in the plans. Now to build it, what material would be needed, how many men would be required, and what the bridge's overall look would be once it was look finished. He had always known his young lord was blessed, but this made him wonder if calling him blessed was too small of a word. It was more like the Smith himself had come down to build this bridge. Of course, he knew that was not true, but such was Lelouchs's design that he could not help but feel that way.
"Milord, I must say this bridge will truly be something to behold once done, but how will the North pay for it. As it stands, the North has many ongoing projects. Even with you grandfather and half the lords of the Riverlands supporting this, your need to drop a few of your other projects to pay for this."
Looking up from his work, Lelouch looks at Luwin. "Normally, you would be right, Luwin, but on this occasion, you could not be more wrong."
Luwin is not bothered by the fact Lelouch does not call him by his title of maester anymore. After years of being shown up by Lelouch and having many of the Citadel's theories disproven by him he had accepted the title was as empty as a cup without water in it. In Lelouch's own words, the maesters were little more than outdated old fools who could not see past their own nose and into the future. Luwin now fully agreed with him after learning more from Lelouch than he ever had at the Citadel. Seven hells, there were a handful of ex-maesters who were now leaving the order to come here to learn from him.
"What do you mean, milord?" Luwin asks, knowing that Lelouch sees something or knows something that he does not.
Looking at him with a smile, Lelouch answers him, "Just this morning, I received a letter from Jon in Braavos. It would seem all things have gone well, and trade between the North and the great free city will soon be open within the next few months. The income from Braavos will give us more than enough gold to pay for the bridge, and with my latest invention, that amount will more than likely double." Lelouch does not tell him that if everything goes as planned, then the North will not have to pay for more than twenty percent of the bridge.
"I see milord." Luwin knows he is right. The North was the biggest trader of high-quality items in the known world right now, and if this next invention is anything like the wolf's steel, it will just push the North to even greater heights of wealth and power.
Right then, Lelouch's father, Ned, walks in. Both Luwin and Lelouch stand up when he does but only Luwin bows. Lelouch just smiles and says, "Welcome, father. What brings you to this chamber of horrors as you call it?"
With a sigh, Ned just shakes his head and answers him, "Lelouch, will you not let that go already. I told that to your mother over four years ago now."
Giving a laugh, Lelouch just keeps smiling as he answers, "Now, father, why would I ever let such a wonderful compliment go."
The twisted smile on his son's face makes Ned feel more than a bit uncomfortable but shaking his head and moves on before his son traps him in his word games. "I came to talk to you, son, and to let you know your betrothed has sent you a gift."
Lelouch can't help but feel a chill go up to his back at that, and it has nothing to do with his father wishing to talk with him. No, it has to do with what Shirley may have sent him. Putting that thought to the side, for now, Lelouch just looks at his father and asks. "Oh, and what is it you wish to talk to me about, father?"
First looking at the old maesters, Ned tells him he may go. Once gone, Ned takes a seat and thinks about how he wishes to start this conversation. Not knowing what to say to begin this conversation, Ned just looks at his son the same way he would with any of his vassals. "Son, I want to know why you are building this bridge, and don't tell me it's just to increase the wealth of the North or to make it so that there is more than one way to cross the Trident."
Looking at this father, straight in his eyes, to show that he is unaffected by his look Lelouch sits as well before answering his father. "Father, I have never lied to you, and I see no reason to now. The reason for it is to completely annihilation House Frey and all its men."
Ned is not surprised by his son's answer. He knew that it would most likely be something along those lines, but still, he could not help but feel a bit of fear with how cold Lelouch said it. "Lelouch, I know that the North has only come so far becomes of you, but do you honestly believe I will sit back and watch you do as you please."
With a sad look on his face, Lelouch tells his Ned. "Father, I believe you will do what you have always done, and that is to be the honorable man that I'm blessed to call my father. However, the time for honor is coming to an end, and as the words of our house say, winter is coming. I will do what I must to make sure our family pulls through said winter by whatever means I most use." Lelouch's voice is filled with conviction and an unbreakable will.
"Lelouch, do you fear the Lannister and the would-be king so much?" Ned asks him with a worried tone, for they are the only ones he can think of that would worry his son.
"No, they are but fools who think themselves above the rest just because they have more gold than others. What I fear has no name or face, but I can feel it in my bones, a great evil is coming, and if I most become an even greater evil to stop it, so be it." Lelouch says with a heavy heart.
Ned has never heard his son sound so sad before. It just convinces him even more that his son is not all that he seems. "Son, tell everything."
Looking at his father with sad eyes, Lelouch begins to tell him everything.
(Line)
-The Great Hall of Winterfell-
"What do you think it is that Lelouch's betrothed sent him," Arya asks as she, along with everyone else, waits for Lelouch to come down.
"Well, let's see from the looks of its size and how slim it is I would say it is a painting," Wylla says to her like she is talking to a little child. Something she knows will piss off Arya.
"I know that!" Arya yells at Wylla.
"If you knew that, then why did you ask such a stupid question?" Wylla asks sarcastically.
Arya is about to call Wylla some very chosen words that will undoubtedly start another fight but Cat steps in and stops them. "That is enough, you two. One more word, and I well have Lelouch deal with the both of you."
Both young girls go pale at the thought of having to face another of Lelouch's punishments. Arya laughed at her older siblings when they got punished by Lelouch, but now that she was old enough to suffer with them, it was not so funny anymore. Wylla just became frightened, for she only knew the demon that was the heir of Winterfell took enjoyment at making her suffer with his sister.
Standing by Robb's side, Theon looks over at him and asks asks, "What do you think lady crazy painted for your brother."
Looking at Theon, Robb just shakes his head. "Still haven't gotten over what happened in Dorne yet, have you? You need to let that go sooner or later, Theon."
Giving Robb a glare, Theon says, "I not letting go of anything. That crazy bitch nearly got me killed."
Sitting not too far away from them, Sansa overheard them talking. "What happened to Theon in Dorne, brother?"
With a big smile on his face, Robb turns to her and says, "Well, dear sister, it kind of happened like this…"
(Line)
-Flashback-
It was another sunny morning in Dorne, and Theon could honestly say he didn't much like it. In the North, he could drink and fuck all he likes, and in the morning, the hangover would not be so bad becomes the sun would more than likely not be shining in his face the next morning. Well, nothing he could do about it, so letting out a long yew and stretching his arms out behind him and letting them fall, he feels one of his hands landed on something soft. Thinking he must have taken some young serving girl to bed, he turns to get a look at her. What he sees frightens him big time, for sleeping right next to him is Obara Sand.
With his eyes becoming wide, he jumps out of bed in fright. He is not so much scared of her because he knows he can beat her in a fight. No, he was frightened because he was currently unarmed, and her spear was right next to the side of the bed she was sleeping on. Add in that Prince Oberyn is still pissed that his little girl is marrying Lelouch, and you have an awful ending for him. So, moving as silently as he can, he moves slowly to the door.
"Leaving so soon, milord." Says a sickly-sweet voice from behind him.
Turning around, hoping he's just hears things, he sees Obara in all her naked glory. It would be such a wonderful sight to behold if it wasn't for the spear that was already in her hands. Doing the only thing he can now, Theon turns and runs like a coward naked as the day he was born with an equally naked Obara right behind him.
(Line)
-Flashback End-
The room falls into laughter at the story they were just told. "Poor Theon here had to run for his life for most of the morning," Robb says with a big smile on his face as Theon just wears an unhappy look on his face.
"But wait, Robb, how did you two know it was Princess Shirley who placed them both in bed with each other," Sansa asks as she loves this story and, along with everyone else, finds it funny.
"Well, dear sister, she admitted to it." Seeing the questioning look on everyone's face, he explains, "You see me, Lelouch, and Princess Shirley were having our breakfast when Theon ran by with Obara right behind him. When I asked what that was about, Princess Shirley just said her plan worked wonderfully and that they both look like they were having such great fun now."
"Fun, my ass. I almost died because of the crazy witch." Theon says as everyone keeps laughing at the story.
Theon is about to keep on talking but stops when he hears a voice from across the room. "Who is a witch, Theon?" All eyes go to Lelouch as he walks in with his father by his side, who looks more than a bit tired. "I do hope you're not insulting the future lady of Winterfell Theon." He says with an evil smile on his face that says it would not bold well for Theon if he does not answer him correctly.
"N-not at all, Lelouch. We were just telling the story of when your wonderful future wife put me in bed naked with her lovely sister." Theon says with a very fearful voice.
With a raised eyebrow, he looks at Theon and says, "Oh, in that case, your right. She was very much a witch to you. Once more, I thank you for forgiving her for her little prank."
At his words, Theon lets out the breath he was holding in. Even though he has never really showed it, Theon could tell that Lelouch cared for Princess Shirley a whole lot. So, it was in his best interest to forgive her. Plus, her gift in hiring the best whores for him to fuck help him in his forgiving of her.
Turning his eyes away from Theon, Lelouch looks over at the covered painting with some dread. He didn't know what the picture was, but he had a feeling it was not something you put on display for others to look at. That feeling was made even more significant because it was over eight feet tall and just as wide. "Thank you, men, for bringing it to the great hall, but if you be so kind as to take it to my room, that would be wonderful."
"Aw Lulu, we want to see the painting," Arya calls out.
"She right, Lulu. Let's see what your beloved has sent you. It must be a grand panting for it to be so big." Sansa follows up with.
Robb, however, can follow what Lelouch is most likely thinking. After all, he had met the princess and can guess whatever the painting showed it most likely was not for children's eyes, "You know it's Lelouch's gift, so he has the right to open it in private."
"Nonsense Robb. I am sure whatever the painting is of, we would be proud to show it off. Now you men pull that cover off it." Cat says, thinking her sons are just being silly to not wish to unveil it in front of everyone. She would really wish he had listened to them.
For when the cover came down, her eyes went wide, and her face turned red in embarrassment at what she saw. Sansa's eyes would go much the say way but, in her eyes, would be something more. Arya, Wylla, and Bran would turn around quickly in embarrassment. Even Ned's stone face would take on a bit of redness at the picture he was seeing. The reason for this was that the painting showed a very half-naked Princess Shirley laying on a couch with one leg laid out flat and the other bent at the knee, her head tossed back, hair flowing out behind her, and with only a cloth that barely covered her womanhood and large breasts. At the bottom of the painting where the words "Can't wait till our wedding night."
Lelouch could only shake his head and rub his nose at this.
(Line)
-Back Beyond the Wall-
It had been close to three months since Smalljon and his men had come to this frozen hell, and things had been mostly peaceful. There had been a couple of light skirmishes but nothing more. The rebuilding of Hardhome had also been going well due to the men's efforts. The wall had been reinforced, and a gate leading into Hardhome had long been put up. Some homes had been rebuilt, and little by little, the men had planted what crops would take root here. All in all, things had gone well, and soon, two thousand men would be going home as soon as their replacements showed up at the end of the month.
The only downfall was that the most crucial part of the mission had not been completed or even really started yet, and that was the subjugation of these savages. What few had been met by his scouts had been killed when they had attacked, and the even fewer that came to the walls themselves to trade were not willing to stay. It only confirmed to Smalljon that the only way these fuckers would be bought into the fold was with steel and blood. That was fine with him, but he could not go out there and find them because of his lack of men. However, lucky for him that his scouts had just reported to him this morning that some three thousand wildlings were on their way here now.
Looking over a new map that one of his more intelligent men had made him, he thought how to handle this. The map was crude, but it gave him a basic layout of the land surrounding Hardhome better than the one the Night's Watch gave him. Yet even without it he knew there was really only one way to reach him and that was straight up the peninsula towards his walls. The real question was did he allow them to attack his walls or did he go out and meet them. He did have his men clear about fifty yards of forest to be used as timber and to make it harder for any sneak attacks to take place. Plus, the ground around Hardhome was mostly flat with only a few dips in some places making it the perfect ground for his men to fight on. The only thing left to do was decide whether he wished to meet these savages in the open field or fight behind the wall.
They both had almost the same amount of people on each side, but he had three thousand fighting men, while the wildlings would be made up of men, women, and children. So, they could most likely only field about one thousand fighting men at most. Then there was the difference in equipment and training. His men were all heavily armed and well trained, but the downside was they were still all green, so he had no clue how they would do when the fighting started. On the other side, the wildlings most likely had only stone weapons, with maybe a few bronze weapons tossed in. They would have next to no training, but they most likely had experience in battle and were hardened by it. The last thing was that he had no need to meet them in the open field with a wall to fight behind. It would keep his men safer and limit his casualties if there would be any fighting behind it.
Smalljon tells one of the men guarding his headquarters to get his commanders with his mind made up. He would not have his men hide behind a wall for this upcoming fight. He would meet these cunts head on, beat them, and make them kneel before the North.
The next morning saw Smalljon and his host of three thousand men standing outside the walls of Hardhome. The men up in the watchtower with their spyglasses had spotted the three thousand wildling hosts no more than an hour's march from them. So, calling his commanders to make the men ready for combat, he had them take formation twenty yards away from the walls. Taking up a line formation of one thousand men to a line, he waited for his enemy in the front with his men. He was not the type to hide in the back like most commanders of an army would do. He would fight and, if it came to it, die with his men.
As the men waited for the enemy to come, Smalljon looked down the line and saw more than some men a bit hesitant, their greenness clearly showing. Knowing he could not leave things like this for fear of the line breaking at the start of the battle, Smalljon speaks out in a loud voice that booms over the silence. "Brave men of the Northern Army, today we find ourselves put to the test! You have trained hard and gone through much to prove yourselves worthy of serving in this army! Now here you stand in this cool hell about to face one of the North's most hated enemies! For those of you who feel fear in your bones, look to our flag with its symbol of the rising sun and the words on it! We fear nether death, nor darkness, for we march on! Forward onto Dawn!"
A loud echo follows Smalljon's words, and the men who were just a moment ago fearful of the coming battle find their courage and straighten up, ready to meet the wildlings head-on.
Coming into sight now is a host of about a thousand plus wildlings yelling out a battle cry. The men of the North show no more fear and stand ready.
"Formation the shield wall!" Smalljon yells out.
The men lock shields and lower their spears.
With a loud cry from what Smalljon can only guess is the leader, the wildlings start to charge towards them. Smalljon can feel his blood rushing in his body as they get closer and waiting till they are about on top of them, he gives his next order. "Brace!"
The men behind the front line push their shields into the backs of the front line men just as the enemy hit the line. The impact is so significant it makes the line skid back just a bit before it comes to a stop. Blood and screams quickly follow as the wildings hit the shield wall and find it unmoving. They hack and slash at the wall looking to break it, but it does little good. Spear meets flesh and bone. With little to no armor, the wildlings standed little chance of stopping each thrust of a spear as more and more of their men fall. Soon the wildlings start to panic and turn to run away from the slaughter they now find themselves in.
Seeing this, Smalljon orders, "Break formation! Run them down!"
The men do as tell and break formation and chase them, tossing their spears at the retreating men. Many find their mark killing them as their backs are turned. Those who don't see themselves hit by a spear find themselves cut down by the Northern army's swords.
The battle is over in less than an hour but feels so much longer. Many of the enemies lay down their arms in surrender, far more die by their hands.
Looking over the battlefield, Smalljon looks over his men, raises his arm, and lets out a short victory. It is followed by an even louder cry of success from the men. The Northern army had won their first battle, and it would not be their last.
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And that is the end of this chapter. Hope you guys like it. I think I do ok, but well, you know, I can't make everyone happy.
I had to beta this myself, so hopefully, the spelling and grammar are not too bad.
I am going to put this out there. I think I may need some big-time help with the battle scenes.
Last thing, all ideas are welcome as always. Feel free to pm me with them or put them in the reviews.
Anyone thinks they can help me as an editor beta or whatever. Feel free to pm me.
Till next time see ya.