(Two moons since leaving to go to the Wall and a Moon and a half since the Long Night fell)
The Last River 301 AC.
Tyrion.
While the men rested at Last Hearth, he and Dany had brought the fight to the Army of the Dead. Lygaron and Ellanys both flying and laying down their flames and even though they had faced spears and ice arrows, at no time had they truly been in danger. How many they'd burned away was almost impossible to count and though it must be taking some toll on the Night King's Army, the numbers themselves never seemed to lessen.
Nor did it seem to slow them down any, the army just kept marching towards them and so they'd themselves had begun to march once more. He believed that they'd put perhaps as much as a week between them, though it could be less than three or four days. The idea that the dead didn't need to rest and so could march for a full day while they could not was never far from his mind. They had followed the river as Jae had told him to do, the Water Wizards thankful for that as it made them useful should they fall under attack.
Loras, Prince Garin, Ser Symond Templeton, Grey Worm, and Ser Bonifer all managed to keep the spirits of their men high and Dany's own was far better than they had been when he'd arrived. He knew that she missed her husband and longed to see him again and he too felt the same way about his wife. His nights especially making him miss the feel of her beside him and though he knew it would not be for another moon or so, he thought often about their babe too.
Despite knowing it was not to be and that he'd not get to hold his son or daughter in his arms for some time, a part of him had still almost believed that this would end far earlier and he'd be there at the birth. Something that was now not even a hope in his heart and he prayed that Arianne was surrounded by those who could give her what he could not.
"Tyrion." Dany's voice said loudly and he turned to look at his sister, the look on her face one that soon had him blushing.
"Forgive me, I was lost in thought." he said softly and she smiled as she reached out to take his hand in her own.
"You'll see her soon, Tyrion, her and my niece or nephew." Dany said and he nodded.
They were camped by the Last River and had spent most of the morning or night, as it was hard to tell which it was and mattered little in the grand scheme of things, flying over and laying down their flames. He looked to the meal he held in his hands, the stew now just warm instead of hot and before he could take another spoonful, Dany took it from him. His sister pouring it back in the pot and replacing it with a far hotter bowl which this time he actually ate.
"Thanks." he said as he felt the stew begin to warm him up.
"I do so myself you know." Dany said looking at him and yet beyond him too "Think on those not here and wish myself to be with them." she said wistfully.
"Aurane."
"Not just. Missy too and Jae, Aemon, Margaery, and Elia, all of them." she said and he noticed how she'd not mentioned Shiera, something she was doing more and more over the last few days.
"We'll see them soon, all of them Dany, Shiera too." he said and though she didn't respond, he was glad to see her not argue with him.
Sleep came far easier than it had his first few nights in this cold land, his body had quickly gotten used to it and now it barely bothered him at all. So much so that were it just a normal night and he here for a far more pleasant reason, then Tyrion felt he may actually come to like these lands. He missed the desert though, the cold winds that blew there at night were much different to the ones that blew here. Although perhaps it was who he shared those cold winds with that made him miss it so.
Rising after what felt like too little sleep, they broke their fast and watched as the tents were pulled up and the army marched once more. He and Dany heading to their dragons and once again doing what they must. The flight took no time or seemed not to, Tyrion at first worrying that the dead were nearer only to realize it was just his distraction that made it seem that way. Flying over the army from the left while Dany flew from the right, he and Lygaron were soon cutting a swathe through them.
"Dracarys." he said, his voice almost going hoarse with just how many times he'd done so.
This time it wasn't feeling Lygaron tire or feeling it himself that stopped their flight, instead, it was hearing a pained call from Ellanys that had him and his dragon heading their way and following Dany as she flew from one army and back to the other. His sister landing once she felt it safe enough to do so and Tyrion joining her and almost jumping of Lygaron's back so eager was he to make sure Dany or Ellanys had not been harmed.
"Dany? Dany, what is it?" he asked worriedly as he ran from one dragon to the other.
"Sandorix, something's happened, I can feel his pain, we must go to them." Dany said almost panicked.
"We cannot." he said and she looked almost ready to kill him so angry was her expression "Dany, we cannot. Without us here the army is defenseless, should the dead reach them before we return.." he said not needing to explain any further.
"I'll go, I must, my son needs me." she said and he reached out to grab her arm, the glare she gave him one that made him shrink back a little.
"I can't do this alone, Dany. It's too much and we need each other." he said "The dragons are safer if we're together, Dany." he pleaded.
"My son needs me." she said, her voice desperate and he hated to stop her from leaving and yet knew he must.
"Jae is with him, he and Rhaenix. We have to trust in that." he said and she shook her head.
"Something has happened, Tyrion, what if Jae has fallen? I…" he didn't let her finish, grabbing her and he was glad she was not much taller than Arianne, his arms more easily able to wrap around her and offer her whatever comfort they could as he then spoke softly in her ear.
"Lygaron would react, Dany, he'd know if Jae had been hurt. We have to trust that they're doing what they need to and they need us to do the same.
It was enough, for now, but later as they sat around the fire he knew it wouldn't be for long. Tyrion speaking to Ser Bonifer when Dany finally took to her bed and asking the knight to let him know the moment she woke or went to Ellanys. His fear that she may just leave was one that he expressed far more plainly than he normally would have. The next morning though his sister seemed in a better mood, or at least a more determined one and so after breaking their fast they once again flew to the dead.
Two days later they reached the Dreadfort and while the men welcomed the idea of a night or two in a keep and Lord Domeric had done good work in making it less oppressive than it had once been, at least according to Jae, it still looked dark and unwelcoming to him. They'd no sooner gone inside, Loras having to send men to climb the walls so they could open the gates, when the raven arrived. Most of the men looking on as it landed on his shoulder and as he reached up to take the scroll from its leg.
How he didn't fall to his knees or cry out, he knew not, be it the gods or knowing how it would look to those around him, he somehow managed to keep to his feet. Right up to when he stood in front of his sister and shared the news of Aemon's passing did he keep his composure. Then he and Dany spent the rest of the night in each other's arms, both of them trying their best to comfort the other and Dany crying over the loss of family once again.
"We'll end him, Dany, we'll end him." he said over and over, his words not having any effect on his sister and very little on himself.
The Kingsroad 301 AC.
Jaime.
The Company of the Rose, Melisandre, Moqorro and the Fiery Hand, and the Faceless Men all arrived first. Jaime immediately seeing that there were fewer of them than they'd left behind and yet far more of them than he had feared. Their army had marched hard and had covered much ground since leaving Queenscrown. Despite his men being tired, the thoughts of putting distance between themselves and the Night King had been something that all had wished to do. So not seeing Jae or Aemon with them didn't fill him with worry and instead, he was more eager to find out how things had played out at Queenscrown.
In this, he wasn't alone Arthur, Jors, Ned and Benjen Stark, The Great and Smalljon, Oberyn, Garlan, Mance, Tormund and Val all soon made their way to the command tent. Or what served for a command tent at least. Seeing the looks on the faces of those who'd fought at Queenscrown and knowing they'd succeeded at least partially in what they had done, Jaime made the decision to hold the meeting outside the tent and to allow as many people to overhear it as could gather. Morale was as important as supplies and readiness and he felt that the words that would be said would do much to raise the men's morale. He was very happy to find out he was right.
"We fired the arrows and led the dead onto us, then retreated into Queenscrown when the signal came from the White Wolf." Torrhen Snow said as men looked on eagerly.
"The Fiery Hand lit the pits on fire and sent the flames towards them while the prince and his uncle brought their own flames to the dead." Moqorro said as if he was preaching rather than giving a report.
"A man and his people hid and waited as the prince bid us to, ten we offered to the Many-Faced God, and ten fell before those they turned fell too." Jaqen said and Jaime himself led the cheers, the men joining in happily.
"Our King fights still and shall return when he's ready, we've struck a blow today, and were this another time and place, we'd feast and celebrate. I can only offer you all the same warm stew we've had each day and a place by the fire, but be in no doubt, we are celebrating." he said once the cheers had died down, his words quickly making them rise once more.
He looked to Ned, Mance, Oberyn, and Garlan and nodded, watching as they then moved the men away from the tent and he bid Moqorro, Jaqen, and Torrhen to join him inside. Once there he waited until Ned and the others all took their places and he looked to the three men and bid them tell them more about the attack. Hearing that Thoros had fallen was not a shock since he'd not seen the man amongst those who'd returned, yet he mourned the man all the same.
There were few men still with them from Pyke and fewer still that were as mad as Thoros had been. Jaime would have named the man as unkillable almost, as someone that couldn't fall and so his death was a hard one for him to take. It would be harder still for Jae he knew, as while he'd never accepted R'hllor as his god, he did have a place in his heart for the red priests. Thoros, Melisandre, and Kinvara in particular and so his loss would be hard for him to ignore. Looking to the red priestess he could see that she too was feeling the loss and so he offered her his sympathies, something that she seemed to appreciate.
"How heavy was the attack?" Oberyn asked and Jaime looked to Torrhen Snow feeling he'd be the best to answer, the man nodding at him when he did so.
"Full-on, Prince Oberyn. The prince was right, with him there they came hard." Torrhen said.
"And my nephew was well when last you saw him?" Benjen asked worriedly.
"He and Prince Aemon were in the sky, my lord." Melisandre said her voice almost quiet.
"Our losses?" he asked looking to each of them.
"A man lost 20 of the Many-Faced God's servants." Jaqen said unemotionally.
"Around 300 of mine own men." Torrhen added.
"Two hundred, my lord." Moqorro said and Jaime was relieved to find out that he'd been right or as right as he could be.
"They will be missed." he said to nods "Our orders still stand, we rest up tonight and then march on the morrow."
After telling Jaqen, Torrhen, and Melisandre to see to their men and make sure they ate and rested, he waited until they left before turning to the others in the tent. Ned, Benjen, and Oberyn were all looking more relaxed than they had been since leaving Queenscrown and Mance had sent Val and Tormund to speak to those who'd returned to find out how damaged Queenscrown itself had been. Jaime looked to Garlan who seemed more composed than the others and though he knew the man worried about his goodbrother, his faith in Jae was as strong as anyone's it would seem, or he was just better at hiding how he truly felt. He was sure it was the former though, the gallant knight not a man who engaged in games of court intrigue, unlike his brother or grandmother.
"As I said to them, our plans remain the same. His grace will no doubt return in a day or so and let us be far from here when he does so." he said as firmly as he could.
"You truly feel no worry for the king?" the Greatjon asked, his own worry a surprise to Jaime.
"Every damn day I worry." he said with a laugh that most of the others joined in with "I just know my king."
Had he known what had truly happened during the battle, then his worries would have overwhelmed him. The truth of the scale of their losses though wasn't revealed to him for three more days. They'd marched and marched hard and though Jae hadn't arrived on the first night they set up camp since they'd learned of Queenscrown, neither he nor others felt concerned by this. Not even the second night did they truly feel that anything had gone wrong and it was only as they marched on the third day that Jaime really began to worry about his king. That night as they camped and he heard the sound of dragons in the sky he felt his worries all for naught, only to find that they were very much not.
He heard the cheers when the dragons landed and it wasn't until he saw Jae's face that he knew something was wrong. Was he not so keen to speak to Jae then he'd perhaps have noticed that Aemon was missing, but instead he didn't find out the terrible truth until he was standing facing his king. Even in the darkness of the Long Night, he could see the dark circles under Jae's eyes that showed he'd not been sleeping, was that not enough then the redness of his eyes would have been. The tears he'd shed had been many it would seem and his reason for shedding them was soon made clear.
"Aemon fell." Jae said his voice hoarse and Jaime knew he'd screamed himself that way.
"Jae." he said sympathetically and when he felt Jae's arms around him, he looked over his shoulder and bid Oberyn keep the men away.
"I failed him. I…I failed him." Jae said sobbing as he held him tight.
He was stunned when Jae moved from him, as he then composed himself so quickly that he almost doubted that he'd just been sobbing in his arms. With a nod to him and to Arthur and Jors who stood ready, Jae began to walk through the camp as he and the others followed behind him. Watching him, he could see just how hurt he truly was, and yet to anyone looking on it would seem as if nothing had happened.
The smiles though false were accepted as true and Jae even stopped to speak to one or two of their men as he moved. His words thanking them for all they'd done and offering encouragement that soon this would be over and they'd return to their families. It was disconcerting, to say the least, and he wasn't the only one who thought so. Ned and Benjen were both speaking to each other in hushed worried whispers while Oberyn had left Garlan and was now walking beside him.
"He'll need us, Jaime, all of us." Oberyn said softly, his own worries clear and Jaime found himself relieved that so many of Jae's family was here with him.
They wouldn't even come close to making him forget the loss he had suffered, but they would perhaps be able to help him put it aside for now. At least he hoped they would, as being down one Dragonrider was worrying enough, being down two and having one of them blame himself to the point of distraction, that Jaime knew would break them.
Riverlands 301 AC.
Ser Richard Lonmouth.
He hated leaving the Red Keep and King's Landing, but he had been left with no choice. The whispers from his lips and the confirmation from Ser Hugo had pretty much decided his course of action for him and so after speaking to the queen, he then gathered his bards and they began the ride north. They didn't ride hard though, the danger to his king was not imminent and would be taken care of long before he moved south and he had other reasons too.
The queen had done an incredible job in King's Landing, Margaery along with the Dragon's Teeth and the Red Priests had seen the city was illuminated as well as it could be and that panic was kept contained. Richard had looked on proudly as the queen had spoken to the people while holding the princess in her arms, her words projecting a calm that each day since she'd done her best to continue. Orphanages, food stores, Flea Bottom, and the Great Sept, Margaery had visited them all and spoken more than once and Richard was sure that not even his king could have done a better job.
That was King's Landing though and as much as she was the queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Margaery could not be in all places at once. Dorne had Princess Arianne, The West had the ladies Genna and Ashara and the Stormlands had the Lady Shireen, all of whom had done as much as they could though none were as successful as the queen in that regard. Be it that the people knew the king would do all in his power to return to his wife and daughter or Margaery herself, her words carried that little more weight than a princess's or a lady's did. It was the Riverlands though that gave him the most concern, especially if the North was soon to make their way into it. The words of the evacuation would soon spread and he feared that would only place more strain on the weak of faith in the king, something he'd not allow to happen.
So they stopped at villages and inns and songs were sung and tales were told, Richard was happy to see people relax somewhat more after he left each of the places he visited. In the Crossroads Inn, he heard tales of worry and doubt and soon enough he felt he'd relieved most of them. By the time he was but days away from the retribution he would bring to some errant lords, it was them and not the smallfolk's spirits he was concentrating on. His anger at them growing each of the last few days that he rode and it was a burning rage he felt towards them when he finally reached the camps.
"Set up the tents, I'll go and speak to Lord Tytos and the others." he said to Lomas and the bards that rode with him, the former Master of Whisperers had been keen to play his own part in what was to come and Richard was more than willing for him to do so.
As Lomas led the men to where they'd set up for the night, Richard rode through the camp and was impressed by the number of men and the setup. The Riverlords had come out in force and Tytos had followed his king's instructions to the letter. In the distance, he could see the shadow of the wind wheels and the catapults and he knew he had no need to check if the delivery had arrived. He could see the pens where the horses were kept and the sheer number of them was mind-blowing. Richard was sure that barring a small number, each man had a horse to ride. While the Knights of the Vale had yet to arrive as had the Lords of the West, both had already departed and he shuddered to think what this would look like when they did.
"Ser Richard." the Blackfish said and Richard smiled at him as he dismounted, feeling the wolf come to him and lick his hand as Lord Bran looked on.
"Ser Brynden, Lord Stark." he said with a small bow to the Lord who had called the wolf back to his side "Your brother and stepmother should be arriving soon, Lord Bran, Frost, and Lya both travel with them." he said seeing the smile that appeared on the boy's face.
"I look forward to seeing them all, Ser Richard." Bran said, sounding more mature than he looked.
"From your betrothed." he said softly as he handed the young lord a letter from Myrcella "Should you wish it I can see that Lady Myrcella receives a reply?"
"I thank you, Ser, and I'll much like to send a reply." Bran said his smile fuller now as Brynden bid him follow and they made their way to Tytos's tent.
The Lord Paramount of the Trident was sitting with Jonos Bracken, Raymun Darry, Jason Mallister, and Stevron Frey, Richard was surprised to see the Lord of the Twins there and yet glad to. He looked to Tytos who hadn't noticed his arrival and to Raymun who had, the latter turning to tell the former he was here.
"Ser Richard, we'd not expected you." Tytos said surprised and Richard smiled at that, it was far better he was where he was not expected than not.
"I had not thought to be here so soon, Tytos. Though I'm glad I've made the trip." he said as Tytos bid the others to leave and Richard said his hello's to each of them as they did so.
He waited until he and Tytos were alone and accepted the wine when offered, turning down food for now even though he was hungry.
"How fares things in King's Landing, Richard?" Tytos asked as Richard took his seat.
"Her grace is doing sterling work, Tytos. The words she speaks and the orders she has given to the men of the Dragon's Teeth as well as the work the Red Priests have done have allowed for fears to be calmed for now." he said, his pride in his queen's work clear to see.
"And the king? Any word from the North?" Tytos asked eagerly as Richard sipped the wine.
"I believe all is well, Tytos. The orders that came are ones we expected and planned for and that they were able to come shows the king is doing as he must, as now must we."
"The North is truly evacuated?" Tytos asked almost disbelievingly.
"We should see those who traveled south by road over the next few days, the others will have left by ship and I know that Lord Kevan has arrived back in Lannisport with those he himself evacuated. By week's end, the only people left in the North will be the army at his grace's back." Richard said to a nod from Tytos "You know my true reason for being here?" he asked and Tytos looked at him.
"I had intended to take care of them myself, Richard." Tytos said worriedly and it took him a moment to realize why that was.
"I have no doubt of that, Tytos and I've not come because I feared you'd not. I've come because I must see it done with mine own eyes, for my peace of mind and not because of any doubt you'd feel the same." he said and Tytos looked at him relieved.
"Will there be a trial?" Tytos asked and Richard shook his head.
"No, they die, Tytos, they die and that's the end of it. Ser Hugo, he's here?" he asked.
"He is, a good man, Richard, you did well with him." Tytos said with a fond smile on his face.
"It was his own nature, Tytos, I simply gave him the chance to let it come to the fore."
"We'll eat soon. The executions, Richard, will they be tonight?" Tytos asked almost eagerly.
"Tonight, today, whatever in the seven hells this is." he said with a laugh.
The meal was hearty and warm, Richard eating his in his tent and with Ser Hugo for company. He'd sent Lomas to fetch the young knight and had seen the relief on Hugo's face when he saw him sitting there. Though not one of his lips, the young man had kept him abreast of the workings of his former friends. He'd not told him how he'd heard the words only that he had, though Richard had no need for him to do so.
It was through his brother Ser Ellery and his wife's cousin Amerei that he'd heard the tales of what Lymond, Goodbrook Marq Piper, and Tristan Ryger had said and the plots they were making. Lymond actually thinking that Ser Hugo's brother would seek to usurp him and Marq Piper who had complained to all and sundry about the thoughts of bedding a Frey for a bride, having no problem with at least one part of that scenario. That the fools spoke so freely and so often had not gone unheard by his lips either and at times he'd found himself amazed by their stupidity.
Did they not think they were being watched?
That given the words they'd spoken and the company they'd kept they'd not be suspected?
Were they truly that foolish?
It seemed they were and so rather than help to see that King's Landing remained at peace or that the rest of the realm was managing to do what was needed, it was here he'd had to come and he damned them for it.
"Will it be quick?" Hugo asked and Richard felt like telling him it would not. He felt like making these fools suffer for what they wished to do and for not being more like the man in front of him.
"Though it's more than they deserve, Aye, it'll be quick and clean." he said and Hugo seemed relieved by that "All is well with you and with your lady wife?" he asked changing the subject and he was pleased to see the small smile on Hugo's face.
"I owe you my thanks, Richard. Walda is more than I could have wished for, she's a fine woman and one I'm most pleased to name my wife." Hugo said happily.
"I'm glad to hear it, Hugo. When this is done, when this war is won." he said seeing the smile grow larger "We shall need to speak more on your future."
"I'm just happy to have one, Richard." Hugo said and Richard chuckled at that, he'd speak to the king about him once he returned, the young knight had proved himself true once more and though he'd rewarded him already, he felt he deserved even more.
Later that night he stood by the tree and wished it was a Weirwood, it would be far more suited to what it was he wished to do, but he'd have to make do with the large oak. The three men were bound and gagged and other than Richard, Lomas, and his men they were alone. Hugo asking for and receiving his permission not to be a part of this. Though the friendship the four men had shared was long since past, Richard could understand the young knight's reluctance to see them actually lose their heads.
"You know why you're here?" he said to the three men as his bards removed their gags.
"I demand a Trial by Combat." Lymond shouted angrily.
"I've done nothing wrong." Marq said, his voice pleading.
"You've made a mistake, Ser Richard, whatever this is about you've made a mistake." Tristan said tears falling from his eyes as finally, he realized just how stupid he'd been.
"Chances you were given and yet still you behaved as you always had. You dared to plot against my king and believed I'd not hear of such? That I'd allow you even the slightest chance to carry out your plots? Even were I to do so, fools that you are do you really believe that it would be the likes of you that saw a dragon fall?" Richard said his voice remaining far calmer than he truly felt.
With a nod to Lomas, two of the bards moved Lymond Goodbrook forward and bent him over while Richard removed his sword. The Valyrian steel had been a gift from his king and had yet to taste blood, something he was soon to rectify as he lifted up Skull and listened to the whined pleas that came from Lymond's mouth.
"Please, please, the Wall, I'll go to the Wall, please…" Lymond cried out, his sobs beginning as Richard moved closer.
"Be thankful that it's to be here you met your end, Goodbrook, for a craven like you wouldn't last a moment at the Wall with the brave and true men that serve the king." he said his contempt clear.
He raised the sword and looked down at the pitiful excuse for a man in front of him. A man that had followed a trout and then escaped the worst punishments because his king was good and just. That he'd then learned nothing and sought not only to continue to behave how he once had would have been enough for him to earn Richard's disdain. Knowing that he instead of welcoming the opportunity he'd been given had wasted it and wished his king harm, that only earned him his hatred.
"In the name of His Grace, King Jaehaerys Targaryen The Third of his Name, King of the Andals, Rhoynar and First Men, Lord of the Eight Kingdoms, Protector of the Realms of Men, I sentence you to die." he said as he brought the sword down and in one swing removed Lymond's head from his shoulders.
Marq and Tristan died crying, the cowards that they were they begged, pleaded, and promised to change their ways as if it would stay his hand. Both men finding it did not and once he had removed their heads, he bid his bards make them ready to be sent back to their families. He'd sent letters to their houses to let them know why the men were executed and that he'd done them the service of keeping news of their treasons secret. Let their shame die with them was what he'd ask of them and should it not, then perhaps soon he'd have more heads to take.
King's Landing 301 AC.
Dacey.
She had been worried that Joanna or Jon would be far more scared about the falling of the Long Night than they were. Both children instead treating it as a game and she was unsurprised to find out that it was Joy who had told them to do so. Her daughter idolized her older cousin, mimicking her as much as she could in terms of how she dressed, acted, and played her own little games. While her love of horses was perhaps as much down to Jae as it was her cousin, it was Joy who Joanna rode with most often. Dacey seeing her as a mirror image of how Joy was at that age in how quickly she rode and was it not for her dark hair and that it was the Kingswood and not the lands outside Casterly Rock, she'd have thought herself lost in time.
Jon was much like his sister in some regards, though his own idols were Martyn, Tommen, and Jae himself and she knew that as soon as he was able to, her son would be wielding a sword and finding his fun in the sparring yard. For now, he found it with his sister, with Joy and Ellaria's girls, and with Elia. The future queen of the Seven Kingdoms was walking and almost talking now and Dacey swore that when Jon was in the room with her, the Indigo Dragon and Ghost, her son would hold conversations with the younger girl.
Tonight they were to have dinner with the queen and Elia. Ellaria and her girls would be there too as would Joy and Prince Trystane who she had become quite close to. The young prince had a love for riding that had endeared him quickly to Joy and though she knew it was too soon, Dacey wondered if a match was to be considered. It would be a good one she felt as it was perhaps only someone that he considered family that Jae would ever let close to his sister by choice. Although perhaps even Trystane would be forced to jump through some hoops to get Jae's approval, she thought with a chuckle.
"Mama laughing?" Jon said as Joanna looked at her curiously.
"I was thinking about my little cubs, and how much I missed…" she moved to Jon and soon had him giggling as she ticked him and out of the corner of her eye she saw Joanna move away when she stopped, her daughter knowing that she'd be next "Tickles" she said to more laughs from her son.
As they made their way to Jae and Margaery's chambers she found herself glad she'd stayed here and not gone to Casterly Rock. She had considered it and in the end, it was the children that had decided it for her. Between Ellaria's girls, Joy, Sansa, and Elia, she knew her children would miss them all too much, and even being with Tommen, Myrcella and Janei wouldn't make up for it. Even more so with the Long Night falling as while they worried somewhat about their other cousins, they would have worried more about those here should they not be.
"Her grace is expecting us." she said to Ser Arryk and Ser Barristan who were on duty tonight, the Lord Commander giving her a warm smile and reaching down to muss Jon's hair which was something that her son much appreciated.
"Of course, Lady Dacey, the others have arrived a few moments ago." Barristan said and she nodded to him as he opened the door.
Joanna and Jon walked rather than ran and she was soon laughing when their propriety deserted them as the door closed behind him. Both children running to where Dorea, Loreza were sitting on the floor playing with Ghost and Elia.
"I swear they get me every single time." she said in mock exasperation.
"My husband's fault no doubt." Margaery said as she kissed her cheek "How are we to teach proper manners to children when we can't to a king." she added as Dacey greeted Ellaria and then Sansa and Joy.
"Jon has manners." Joy said defending her brother by choice and then laughing when Margaery shook her head.
"As do you when strawbellies are to be served." Margaery said with a small laugh as Dacey took her seat.
The meal itself was pleasant enough and Dacey found herself speaking to Olenna, Margaery, and Ellaria, two out of the three feeling just as she did and wishing their husbands were here and not where they were. When the sweets were served she chuckled as it was Joanna and not Joy who reached for the strawberries first. Her daughter proving all she had thought about her and proceeding to sit in guard over them and decide who should or should not receive one.
Margaery fed Elia some mashed-up fruit and it surprised her to see how hungrily the little princess ate it up. Ellaria telling her that though it was still mainly milk that the girl ate, she had begun to eat solid food too and Dacey was stunned it was happening so early. They were just about to move to the larger room and the plates had been removed when Gormon arrived. The Grandmaester looking to be in a good mood which soon enough Margaery was sharing in as he handed her some raven's scrolls before leaving.
"Word from the North." Margaery said which took her by surprise, more so at the sheer number of scrolls, and though none bore seals, it seemed Gormon had told the queen which was which.
She looked on as Ellaria was given a raven from who she assumed to be Oberyn and one for her girls. Sansa and Joy both getting their own and the fact that Sansa got more than one made her believe they were from both Jae and her father. Olenna too had not been left out and she wondered if that was from her grandson only to find she cared not to find out for now at least when her own two were handed to her.
Margaery sat down and read hers and within moments everyone was sharing the news they had received. Dacey seeing Joy smile and wipe a tear and Margaery do likewise before she picked Elia up and walked from the room. Looking at her two children she bid Joanna and Jon come to her and decided to read the one for them before reading her own.
"From your father." she said softly as her children looked at her and the note in her hand, both bearing eager expressions.
"Can I read it, Mama?" Joanna asked and she nodded before allowing her daughter to do so.
"I miss you my little cubs, both of you. I think of you both each night before I lay down to sleep and pray that I'll find you in my dreams. Is your riding going well, Joanna? Are you doing so each day?" Joanna said and Dacey smiled beamingly as her daughter said it was and she did, answering her father's questions as if he was there with them "Are you protecting your mother and sister, my son? Being the knight that I know you are?" Joanna said and Jon nodded before saying that he was." I wish I was there with you both so I could take you in my arms and hold you tight. For now, your mother's arms must suffice, but I will return when I can and when I do expect to be held tightly and for a long time. I love you both so very much. Look after each other, be the bear and lion cubs that I know you are and know I'm thinking of you always. Your loving father, Jaime Lannister."
She grabbed them both and held them tightly, speaking softly to them and telling them that their father would return and though there were tears shed, they were happy ones she felt. They were not the only ones that would be shed that night, Margaery arriving back and holding Elia tightly, her eyes red where she too had been crying. Sansa held Willas's hand tightly and Joy was soon in her arms as she stood in for Genna or Ashara and offered her what comfort she could.
Later when she went to her bed was when she read her own, fearing that to do so in company would be too emotional for her. She had put Joanna and Jon to bed and though they were all happy to get the letters, the mood of the dinner had been changed because of them. All of them feeling the toll upon their hearts that reading them had caused and Dacey was now ready to inflict that toll on herself. Opening it up she took a deep breath and began to read.
My love,
I am well and unharmed as is Tyrion and Jae. We're moving from the Wall and heading south and as always Jae has a plan for what we must do. I'll not lie and tell you that what we're doing isn't at great risk or that I'll not be in harm's way soon enough. Instead, I'll say that I feel hopeful that what we're doing will work, more than hopeful. I miss you my love, you and our children. Each night I lay alone in my bed I miss you and yet it gives me strength and resolve too. For I know that I will do whatever I must to be back with you all, that nothing in this world will stop me from being with my family again. For now, I must help protect the other part of my family, to be there for my son and brother, and to do what I must to see them, our children, and you safe. Hug them both for me, my She-Bear, hug them both and tell them that their father loves them so. Know that I love you with all I am and my heart remains as true as ever.
Your loving husband,
Jaime.
She cried herself to sleep and when she woke she made her way to the Weirwood before her children had risen. Dacey kneeling down in front of it and offering a prayer to the old gods for her husband and for Jae and the others. The tree had grown and was almost of a size with the oak that had served as the Heart Tree before Jae had planted this. Though it had no face carved into it and its red leaves looked black in the moonless sky, it was and felt as true as any Weirwood she had ever known. Rising to her feet she found she was not alone and she looked to see Margaery holding Elia and walking towards her with Ghost and Ser Barristan, Joy and Sansa behind her.
"We came to pray." Sansa said softly and Dacey watched as she and Joy knelt in front of the tree.
"All is well?" Margaery asked and Dacey nodded.
"Jaime is unharmed and resolute." she said softly.
"As is Jae. He made sure ravens got to all those who would be comforted by them. The Rock, Dragonstone, Highgarden, and Sunspear as well as Moat Cailin and Bear Island." Margaery said the last catching her by surprise "The evacuations have begun." Margaery added her voice a whisper now.
"Then we should pray that they too are successful." she said and when Sansa and Joy rose, she and Margaery took their places and Dacey offered up prayers for the rest of her family too.
Queenscrown 301 AC.
Shiera.
She felt it, the invasion of her very sense of self suddenly lessening and the relief it brought her was immeasurable. It was as if she could breathe again. As if a hand had that had covered her mouth and nose had suddenly been taken away or a grip on her throat loosened. Riding into the town she could see the effects of the battle that had been fought here and the bodies and meat that he had wished for his army that were not him to take.
As she looked at their burned forms it struck her that it was not a dragon who had done this work. The scorched ground they lay upon was more localized than the piles of ash-strewn lands outside the town or that she'd seen on the long ride from the Wall. This was her nephew's work and yet not his dragon's and had she been able to, she'd have smiled. The control that she had gained over this shell she was encased in wouldn't allow that however and so it was only on the inside that her joy was clear.
He rode the elk beside her and though his expression never changed, it had no need for her to know just how angered he felt. Shiera had looked on as he sent wave after wave towards the town and sought to land a devastating blow. In one regard he had as she could feel through her bond with Rhaegal that a dragon had fallen, it was just not the dragon he had wished for or hoped to. Dany she knew was far from here and Jae too she believed to be unharmed. Which left only Tyrion or Aemon and she knew not which one would cause her nephew the most pain.
When she'd felt it she'd hoped it would have been one of the actual dragons rather than those she named her kin. Had it been though she knew he'd have welcomed it and his anger would be far less than it was. Knowing this she wished to mourn for whichever of her nephews had fallen and yet she could not, the not knowing which one it was, removing that option for now. The further into the town they went the more clear it became to her just how much he'd lost here. The dead that had not been burned were unable to be raised again and she took as much comfort in that as she did in the anger and annoyance the Night King felt.
"Call him."
"Bring him to me."
"Show him to me."
The voice that was not a voice sounded in her head once more and once more she did as he bid, though again she knew that her dragon would not come. Rhaegal wished to, had she called for him truly then perhaps he would have, but a dragon was not a slave and she'd not make him one to the monster beside her. So she went through the motions and felt his anger grow and his eyes upon her.
"Why do you defy me?"
"I do not, I cannot." she answered.
"Where is he?"
"I know not." she said as he tried to press down and subjugate her even more, his frustration clear when though she looked to comply, it was a mummery rather than his will which made her do so.
They stayed not in the town, unlike the living they had no need of rest and to eat and so they marched south and she reveled in his annoyance. He'd sought out meat for his army and found none. Other than her nephew's army the North was bereft of life and to take them, he first needed to beat them. Something that was proving harder than he had anticipated as Jae had not given him what he wished for.
The Wall had been the first sign of that, a victory that he had relished, and only once he'd done so had he realized that it was not as big a victory as it seemed. Instead of an army and a land filled with those waiting to be turned to his side, all he'd found was emptiness and dragon flames. Even here where he'd thought to bring her nephew to his knees, he'd found only more of the same. Worse than that though rather than adding to his magic, he'd instead lost some of it and Shiera knew now that was the key.
If they could take more of it from him then they had an even bigger chance of winning and the more he lost, the freer she became. His control over her was slipping and though she was unable to flee as of yet, in time perhaps she would be.
"…do not flee." a voice said from inside her and Shiera for a moment believed it to be him, "Not then or now." the voice continued.
She saw it then, the three men moving against the seven, the white cloaks turning red as the tower loomed large behind them. The wind blew the sand against her face and she felt it and closed her eyes or thought she did. Shiera was not sure if she was doing so as she rode beside him or here in this place as she moved towards the tower and walked up the stairs. Hearing the sound of the pained cry made her quicken her pace and soon she was running up the stairs and taking them two at a time.
The door loomed large in front of her and then she felt herself began to fall and cried out, only to land on soft grass and see Dragonstone right there in front of her. As she rose to her feet she saw the girl, her silver hair marking her out for who she was and as she moved to her, she faded away and Shiera was then faced with a field of snow and ice and the sight of a child she had met some time ago. Leaf moving across the snow as if she glided on top of it and Shiera almost shrieking loudly when she felt her take her hand in her own.
"How?" she asked.
"The raven sent me." Leaf said as she too began to fade "Now is not the time, but do not lose yourself Shiera Seastar, for you have a part to play when the time is right. The prince has not given up on you, you must not give up on him"
She was in the North once more, riding on the dead horse as he rode the elk beside her. His eyes were focussed on her and she felt him push inside her mind once more, seeking answers that she would not show him, and though she was a prisoner still, the cage he held her in was more gilded than it had been.
The Kingsroad 301 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Sandorix had roared at him and refused to leave when he'd asked him to. The dragon wished for the same thing that he wished for and Jae could understand that. Still to be faced with a dragon roaring out in its pain and anguish, to see its flames build up in its throat and wonder if it would unleash them on you, even he had been fearful. Not truly for himself, fire wouldn't harm him though if he wished Sandorix could he supposed just simply end him another way, it was more for the dragon that he feared.
He knew better than most how powerful an emotion grief was, he'd felt it keenly for those he'd lost both before he was born and since. Alyrs, Walder, his uncle Viserys though he knew him not and now Aemon. Jae had not yet begun to deal with that grief and he could feel it laying there just beneath the surface and threatening to overwhelm him. For now, he'd been able to force it to remain there, for now. Sandorix was not even trying and while the dragon roared at him and his sister looked on worriedly, Jae found his attention focussed on the dragon's eyes, and the pain that he saw in them soon brought him to his knees as his own pain burst loose and his anguished shouts rang around the North.
Was it not for Rhaenix telling him that he couldn't stay here, that they risked too much by doing so, then who knows when they'd have taken to the air. As it was they were soon flying towards the army and though he'd not yet got Sandorix to agree to leave, he hoped he would soon do so. When they landed and he saw Jaime he almost broke down again. The feeling of his father by choice's arms around him was the only thing that stopped him from falling to his knees.
He knew he couldn't give in to what he was feeling and that the last thing the men needed to see was him that way and so he somehow composed himself and began to walk through the camp. The smile he wore was false, though the words he spoke to the men were not. Jae thanking them and promising that he'd do all he could to see each of them home to the people he loved. Knowing that no matter how hard he tried, he'd fail some of them too.
"I need to rest, Arthur. I know people will wish to speak to me and I'll do so in a few hours, but for now, I need to rest." he said and Arthur nodded as he and Jors waved people away from him and led him to a tent.
Once inside he was helped out of his armor and despite not being hungry, he ate the food when it was brought to him and then lay down on the furs. His eyes closed almost immediately though it was not sleep that he sought. Instead, it was to Ghost he looked and to his wife and daughter. Jae letting their calmness and the simple sight of them comforting him as he then went looking for Balerion so he could see Joy and some of the rest of his family in King's Landing.
He looked to the ships and saw Arya standing with Lyanna Mormont on the deck of the She-Bear as it sailed south, to the Riverlands and he saw Bran walking with the Blackfish and to the road where he saw Lady Elle and Rickon along with the wolves. The sight of pups and another white one bringing a smile to his face and after seeking out Dany and Tyrion, Martyn and Tommen, and his cousin in Dorne, sleep finally took a hold of him.
"Your grace." he heard the voice call out and he woke to see Jors standing over him, a worried look on his face as he looked down at him.
"Jors?" he asked sitting up and trying to wipe the tiredness from his eyes.
"You were crying out in your sleep, your grace." Jors said his tone showing how worried he truly was.
"Bad dreams, Jors. I thank you for waking me." he said and Jors looked at him as if he was about to say something else only to decide not to "Sandorix, Rhaenix?" he asked as he rose to his feet and walked to the jug of water, pouring himself a mug and drinking it down in one swallow.
"On the hill, your grace."
"Arthur?"
"I sent him to his bed, he was resting when you arrived back and…" Jors said and Jae smiled walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder, Jors looking at him, his worries still clear.
"I'm well, Jors, as well as I can be anyway. I appreciate your concern, yours and Arthur's and in time I'll perhaps not be well and will appreciate it more then. For now, there is too much we must do and I can't wallow no matter how much I may wish to." he said determinedly and he was glad to see Jors relax some.
"He was a good man, your grace." Jors said softly and Jae nodded, not wishing to correct him and tell him that he was more than that, he was the best of them.
Making his way from the tent he once again spoke to people, this time it was less of a mummery as he asked how they were and where they were from. He spoke to them about their families and hearing Northern voices he told them that they'd been evacuated and were safe. The comfort his words brought was soon apparent and after he was joined by Tormund and Oberyn, he asked Jors to go to Jaime and organize a meeting.
"Your grace?" Jors said not wishing to leave his side.
"I needs must speak to my sister, Jors, to her and Sandorix. I'm sure I'll be safe enough with the Tall Talker and my uncle." he said and Tormund reached his hand to his ax as if he was daring anyone to harm him.
"Of course, your grace." Jors said as he hurried off.
Neither his uncle nor Tormund said anything as he made his way to the dragons. Both of them holding back as he moved first to Rhaenix, knowing that he would need her help for what he wished to do.
"How is he?" he asked as he looked into her deep purple eyes.
"Angry, sad, he seeks vengeance, Jae, he demands it." she said not looking at Sandorix but instead looking directly into his own eyes "You? You are well?" she asked worriedly and he shook his head.
"I will be." he said and that seemed to be enough, for now, Jae closing his eyes as he moved his head against her own "He needs to leave, Rhae, if I cannot make him see it, you must."
She said nothing and so after a moment, he moved to Sandorix, the pain still clear in the dragon's eyes as Jae began to speak to him.
"You cannot be here, it's not safe for you. I need you to join Rhaegal, to fly to Dragonstone." he said and the dragon roared loudly and pushed him away from him, Jae falling to the ground and holding his hand up when Oberyn and Tormund moved towards him.
He didn't fear that Sandorix would harm him, but he couldn't be certain that would be true for anyone else that came too close to the dragon and so he was relieved when neither of the two men moved any closer. Rising to his feet he moved to the golden dragon once more. Sandorix letting him do so and this time he closed his eyes and went searching for the door. It was closed to him and he was certain he'd not be allowed inside, only for Sandorix to surprise him with just how quickly he opened it for him.
"I swear it to you, on Fire and Blood, I swear you'll get to loose your flames when the time is right. For now, you must do as I ask, I beg of you." he said and after he'd shown Sandorix what he had planned, the dragon then waited some time before it took to the sky and Jae watched it as it flew south and to Rhaegal.
After he told Rhaenix to rest and that they'd fly on the morrow, he made his way to the command tent. His uncles, Jaime, Garlan, Melisandre and Moqorro, Jaqen and the Waif, The Great and Smalljon's, men of the Company of the Rose, The Night's Watch, and other lords of the North and West all assembled inside.
"You are well, nephew?" Benjen asked and he nodded to him, offering a smile to him and to his uncle Ned and a nod to Jaime as he moved to the table and the map that was laid down upon it.
They'd marched further than he had expected and had put close to a week between the army of the dead and themselves. Yet still, it wasn't far enough and it would be perhaps a moon or even close to two until they reached where they needed to be.
"How are we for supplies?" he asked.
"A moon or more, your grace." Jaime answered.
"We should send riders ahead of us, have them form up hunting parties, I'll send some birds out for them to follow. Have them gather all that they can to add to our stores." he said looking to his uncle Ned.
"I'll see to it, your grace, and pick our best men." his uncle said.
"Our plans remain the same, we march south and continue to do so. I'll harry the Night King and his army and take as much from them as we can. Here, Here and here." he said pointing to the map "We'll face them as we did in Queenscrown, though not the same, so I'll not need your men for now." he said looking to Jaqen and the Waif who nodded.
"Cavalry, your grace?" Torrhen Snow asked.
"Archers, Commander. Archers that can ride and ride quickly when they retreat. Nothing has changed since the Wall, pitched battles don't help us and would cost us far too much. For now, it's hit and run, the Free Folk way." he said looking to Mance and Tormund who both wore smiles on their faces.
"For now, your grace?" the Greatjon asked.
"I know I'm being vague, my lord. I ask you to trust that I know what I'm doing and that I've learned from my error at the Wall." he said and when Jaime and Oberyn went to say that it wasn't his fault, Jae held up his hand and shook his head "It's not you that I mean to keep in the dark Lord Umber and not our men, but those who we face. Our plans must remain hidden from him or else we're lost." he said and then giant Umber lord nodded.
He looked at the map once more, knowing that he would need to send out birds to pick the best places for his attacks, ground that allowed his archers to fire and then retreat to safety, and as he looked he saw it begin to take shape. Unfortunately in that looking, he'd been silent for too long as the worried faces he found looking at him when Jaime spoke proved.
"Your grace?" Jaime asked softly.
"Forgive me, Lord Hand, my lords. I seek answers to questions that have none as of yet." he said and withheld the sigh he was about to make "I...My uncle fell, my lords, another member of my family taken from this world too soon and at the hands of a monster. It proves that even in victory there will be losses and make no mistake, Queenscrown was a victory.
I can offer you the one comfort I offer myself, which is that I will see the Night King fall and will do so with the least loss of life I am able to manage. To that end, I can tell you all that your families are safe. The North is almost bereft of any who are not fighting men. Soon they'll reach much safer ground and so it's up to us to ensure they have a land to come back to." his determination was clear, his voice firm and as he looked around the tent at the faces, their relief was apparent.
He paused for a moment, reaching down and taking the mug of water and taking a large swallow from it before he spoke once more.
"We march, my lords, we march and march hard, and though it may seem a retreat it is anything but. We choose the battlefield, we decide where this fight is to be won and I swear it to each of you, won it will be. I ask you all to join me, to raise a mug of whatever you wish to drink." he said with a smile as he looked to the Greatjon moving to the ale and to mugs being handed around and filled, he waited until they were done and once they were he then lifted his own mug "Together We Bring the Dawn."
"Together We Bring the Dawn." the shouts went out and after he'd drank his water and bid them to ready for the march ahead, he spoke to those closest to him to let them know he was resolute if not over his grief.
He told his uncle Ned and Oberyn that their wives and children were safe, the same to Jaime and Garlan as he also told his goodbrother about Margaery, Elia, and the rest of his family. Garlan was happy to hear that Loras was doing as he was. Jaime, he told that Dacey had received his letter and that Tyrion was well and when his father by choice walked with him, Oberyn, Arthur, and Jors to Rhaenix, he told them so was he.
"I mourn him, Jaime, I curse that I can't mourn him for true, but I mourn him, and rather than let it break me I wish for it to fuel me. I could seek vengeance of justice for Aemon's death and yet I'll not for I'll find neither. All I can do is honor the sacrifice he and so many others made, honor it and then do as I must." he said as Jors fitted the small pack to Rhaenix, his food and water that he'd need on the flights to come.
"Be safe, Jae." Jaime said and Jae nodded before embracing first him and then each of the others, Oberyn looking at him and Jae offering him a smile which he returned.
Climbing up on Rhaenix's back he closed his eyes and sought out Sandorix, finding the dragon to be already over Winterfell and he took comfort from that.
"For Aemon, Rhae." he said as his sister took to the air and as the army marched south, he flew north once more.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I want to offer up a special thanks to Lady Octarina for her suggestion about the amount of time passed, I'll be putting that up on each chapter to come. Up Next, Jae, Tyrion, Dany bring the fight to the Night King, and the army marches south. The Knights of the Vale arrive in the Riverlands and refugees are settled as the North is finally cleared of all but fighting men. The Night King finds himself face to face with an angered prince and feels fear for the first time as Jae shows off a little of the power he now wields.
Celexys: Emotionally it can be hard but I think we need that, or at least it should be something we feel if the characters mean anything. There will be more losses, I'm sorry to say and some will hurt just as bad if not worse, but there will be victories too. I was wondering how best to use them and it struck me to kind of adapt what Arya did in the show, only these I feel make more sense than how she took down the NK.
The Spynx: A truly awesome poem my friend, worthy of the man himself.
Daryl Dixon: Brynden may redeem himself in your eyes by the end, glad you enjoyed it.
VFSnake: Hope you liked what happened to them, they got what their silly plans deserved. I do wonder what it would have been like with Aemon as king, the funny thing is though Egg was actually a pretty decent king, so Aemon may not have been much better. Now the line that came from him, that would be interesting.
Keb: This time Jae was better prepared and while he suffered more emotional losses, numbers-wise it was a win.
Irish Hermit: I adapted Arya's killing of the Nk, the element of surprise and against WW rather than the NK which let's face is a terrible scene in the show. But I think this is the only way you use them, otherwise you're just wasting them.
Aemon got an extra year and to see his family restored, to fly a dragon, and see Jae crowned and an heir born and Dany safe. His loss is a big one, but his at the end he would be happier than canon. The Riverlords are idiots yes, they see an opportunity because of the Long Night and the chaos it may bring, but as you say they don't understand they will be watched, it's dumb, but then again their actions all the way through have been dumb. Now they paid with their lives.
Lady Octarina: So glad you liked the use of the Faceless Men, I wanted them to have an impact. With Aemon I know it's a hard loss to take, Shiera as you see is still fighting so we'll see.
I've read that theory and it makes some sort of sense, though if GRRM isn't trolling us all and does intend for Bran to be King, then we're getting TER stuff which suggests magic will be still a part of things. What I will say about my own ending is that magic will very much be alive and well in the world when it's over.
It's because it's the apocalypse that they think they can get away with it, but you're right they were very very stupid.
I hadn't thought about that about the time past, but I thank you for the suggestion and as you see I've used it above.
Guest: So very glad you enjoyed it, yes you're so right it's hard to see him go, but Shiera fights on.
Jman: Aemon is gone as in properly gone, only the ones Jae saw in his visions in Valyria are able to be brought back and Aemon wasn't one of them.
Sibeal: I kind of feel the same, this has been a two-year journey and to see it coming to an end is hard for me, I just hope I land the ending lol.
Creativo: Realmente no, jae ha perdido alrededor de 11.000 de los casi 100.000 que trajo y quizás tenga lo mismo en reserva.
Hkt29: I like Howland, it's hard to use him properly and here he's played a couple of key parts, speaking to Jae early on about Arthur and telling Ned what to do to bring him back when he was lost in his head, along with having Jojen teach him how to warg, but most times people have him pop up and just disappear and he deserves more than that.
I always find it fascinating to see that point brought up, as if they would be with the dead. They offer dead to their god, having them walk around is an affront to that and so to me, they'd be on the side of the living. It could be interesting to see how right I am as they have a part to play in the books and are up to something in Oldtown. That was my thoughts exactly with Aemon, it's sad to see him go but he got to do what he didn't in canon. To see his family restored and their futures set out for them and to fight for and with them.
Xand007: Thank you, my friend. Truer words have never been spoken, my friend. I think time is all you can hope for, to heal and to remember. Jae has been building up to this from pretty young. A lot of the things he was doing from early on are paying off, he's almost been training for this. You too my friend, stay safe well, and smiling.
Remi: The only problem with a strategy or tactic is sometimes someone comes up with a counter. Hit and run is really the only way to deal with a larger force, funny enough it's pretty much the tactic that Robb wished to do with Tywin in canon. Have him chase after him in the West and hit and run and diminish his numbers so that when the fight became unavoidable it would be fought on an even playing field.
Though to be honest any strategy is better than the one we got in the show, both at the BOTB and at WF.
Anarchichmind: They totally wouldn't lol. What really bugged me so much about their lack of plans was that they had characters ignore lessons they learned so they could be dumb and carry them out. Jon in the books is an excellent strategist, tactically astute. Even if he wasn't, he had Yohn Royce, Davos, Jaime, and others with him, and yet the plan he came up with at WF was dumb as fuck. How can you have a cavalry charge face on when you actually have people mention double envelopment that many times?
I mean he pretty much repeats his battle plan from the BOTB and that worked out so very well for him didn't it. In another of my fics, I had the Dothraki hit from both sides and ride through and then regroup before repeating the process. The biggest issue with a straight-on charge is that it's not just momentum that breaks the enemy, it's the loss of spirit, neither of which is applicable against the dead. They weren't formed into lines that you could break through and were far too numerous for your momentum to carry you past them. They also have no fear and so won't break. To make it even worse, no one, no one, no one, yes I said that 3 times lol, ride into the unknown as a charge and certainly not people whose whole tactical nous is their ability to charge.
Shivang: So very glad you've enjoyed it, I will finish and we're reaching the endpoint so don't worry, I won't be doing a GRRM lol.